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Reviews

Click for reviews on:
Enemy of the King
Somewhere My Love
Daughter of the Wind
Through the Fire

Enemy of the KingEnemy of the King explores two sides of one story and takes the reader behind the pages of history and into the hearts of those who lived it.
 ~ Carol Spradling, historical author, Cost of Freedom

I was drawn into Enemy of the King right away. Loved the dialogue between Jeremiah and Meriwether and the underlying tension there!  Well done. 
~ C. J. Redwine, 2008 Golden Heart®Finalist

Enemy of the King is very entertaining and vivid––it pulled me right in! I agree with CJ on the dialogue and existing tension. The setting is very appealing too.
~ Emily Dennis, 2008 Golden Heart®Finalist

Beth Trissel has a great sense of description and I love the undercurrent of tension between her characters. I definitely want to read more of her work.
~ Becky Clark, 2008 Golden Heart®Finalist

Beth Trissel really knows how to paint a scene. From a brief excerpt of Enemy of the King, I can imagine myself inhaling the sweet, yet tangy fragrance of rosemary mingled with lavender. I gaze past those moss-hung branches and lay eyes on the elegant master of Pleasant Grove, my heart quickening right along with Meriwether's as I drink in Jeremiah’s trim form. I'm there with her as the tension builds, ready for a wonderful journey back in time to the days when men put love of country before all else as they battled to break free of British control.
~ Keli Gwyn, 2008 Golden Heart®Finalist

 This is the way historical fiction should to be written. Beth Trissel’s Enemy of the King promises to be a Revolutionary War era romance not to be missed. With vivid description, exciting drama, and rich characters, she’ll take you away to another time—another place and you won’t want to come back.
~ Cindy K. Green, multi-published historical and suspense author

A gripping romance set in Revolutionary war era South Carolina where loyalties are challenged and passions ignite.  Loyalist Meriwether Steele discovers that Jeremiah Jordan—the man she loves—may be aligned with the rebels, making him an enemy of her heart.  Will she choose love or honor?
~ Lisa Wilkinson, multi-contest finalist, historical romance author Medallion Press

Beth Trissel is a skilled storyteller and scene-builder. She immediately plunges the reader into action and excitement with a vivid sense of time and place.  Very excited to read more!
~ Kris Kennedy, Double Golden Heart® finalist, THE CONQUEROR, Kensington, Spring, 2009 *Hot, Sweeping Historical Romance

I'm a South Carolinian born and raised.  My hero was Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox.  American history is Ms. Trissel's forte.  The hero and heroine are unforgettable.  The voice of the time rings clear throughout.  If you enjoyed the Patriot, tomorrow and tomorrow, you'll find yourself thinking back to Enemy of the King.
~ Linda Nightingale, paranormal author

Extensive research transports the reader to a time when the courage to reach for a dream made you an Enemy of the King, and two people with opposing politics who find love in the midst of conflict.
~ Kathy Otten, multipublished historical romance author

5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting!, June 27, 2009
By Marcy -
Great book! I loved reading Enemy of the King while on vacation in PA. I sensed the echoes of the struggles and split loyalies of the Revolution all around me, and this book brought it all to life. I am looking forward to reading more of Beth Trissel's work now that I have discovered her!

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!, May 9, 2009
By Elizabeth M. Shelley (Gibson, NC USA)
This is a truly awesome read! Beth has a way of describing things to the point that you actually feel like you are there. This book will grab your attention from the very beginning and hold it to the very end. She is truly an amazing author. This is the third book I have read by her, and just ordered my fourth!

5.0 out of 5 stars a new era in romance !, June 22, 2009
By Debbie Sypeck "EasyReader" (east elmhurst, New York United States) -
Another fantastic read from Beth Trissel. It's not often you find a historical romance geared towards the American Colonial era and this one makes a person wonder WHY?? The manner in Ms. Trissels' writing not only brought back the historical importance of that time period, but did so with flavor.. a richness in her writing that made it both exciting and romantic. Kudos to YOU Ms. Trissel!

5.0 out of 5 stars Beth Trissel does it again!, May 24, 2009
By Beth Liveringhouse -
Enemy of the King is yet another fabulous book written by Beth Trissel.

From the very beginning you will experence every sight, sound and smell as she takes you on a non stop, whirlwind adventure set in the late 1700's.

My heart pounded as I followed Meriwether and Jeremiah on their perilous journey to free a very young America from the British. I felt as if I was there, living through their struggles and reveling in their triumphs.

This book is packed with humor, sadness and anger but most of all a deep, unrelenting love. And some characters will undoubtedly surprise you.

Beth has a wonderful way of bringing her stories to life using her love of history and knowledge of herbs. She describes everything in such rich, vivid detail that she immerses you in the world she creates. Once you start reading you won't want to put the book down.

This is the third book of Beth's that I have read and I have not been disappointed. I am very much looking forward to reading her other new release, Through the Fire.

Once again my words do not do this book justice. You will have to read it for yourself. DO NOT pass this book up and be sure to go back and get her other books as well. This author is a MUST read.

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorites!!, May 28, 2009
By touchofwhimsy -
Enemy of the King is truly one of my favorite all time books...impossible to put down!

Rating: 5 of 5 Stars [5 of 5 Stars]
by Semet Torres Date Added: 06/07/2009
I really enjoyed this story...it goes into great detail, you feel like you were there. Beth is a wonderful writer!

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Somewhere My LoveAs I read Somewhere My Love, I recalled the feelings I experienced the first time I read Daphne DuMaurier’s Rebecca long ago. Using deliciously eerie elements similar to that gothic romance, Beth Tressel has captured the haunting dangers, thrilling suspense and innocent passions that evoke the same tingly anticipation and heartfelt romance I so enjoyed then, and still do now.
~ Joysann, Publishers Weekly

My Rating: 4 of 5 Hearts
Sensuality: Sweet Romance

My review of this book:

Beth Trissel, a recent RWA Golden Heart Nominee, has created a verysweet romance in the classic Romeo & Juliet Style.In this tale, our present day hero and heroine begin to question whether or not true love can cross the barriers of time...

For years, Julia Marrow has felt an emptiness inside. Irresistably drawn to a place that she has never even set foot on, Julia travels from England to America in search of employment at Foxleigh. While on a tour of the premises, she enters the bedroom of the estates long ago owner, Cole. His image alone is enough to bring a flood of sensations that could not possibly be, because after all, he has been gone for over a century.

William, is a sensible man. He also happens to be the current Foxleigh resident and decendant of Cole. He, like Julia, has been suffering from the sense that something--or someone--is missing. With the chance that he may lose Foxleigh and his inheritance if he doesn't marry well, Will is fighting his own inner turmoil when he becomes instantly attracted to his beautiful british employee. After all, Julia is nowhere near what is required of him in a future bride.

But when Julia begins to spin a tale of past love, loss and second chances, Will begins to wonder if perhaps, there may be more to his attraction to Julia than he first thought.

This was a very sweet story. The concept was great and I really adored Ms. Trissel's characters.

Recommeded to: Romance lovers who believe that true love can stand the test of time :)
~Reviewed by Barbara, Happily Forever After Blog

Julia Morrow is a young woman visiting from England to work for the grand estate of Foxleigh, run by proprietor William Wentworth. The two are immediately attracted to one another and theirs is a whirlwind courtship. The only problem is that Julia is plagued by past-life memories of herself and Will's long dead ancestor, Cole Wentworth. Certain Will is Cole reincarnated, she tries to convince him of his descent. Will is hesitant at first, but eventually believes Julia speaks the truth. As the annual Midsummer's Eve Ball comes near, a dangerous villian is stalking the halls of Foxleigh, bent on revenge two-hundred years old.
 
Ms. Trissel has woven a wonderful story of historical love, mystery, and intrigue. Her poetic prose made for a delightful read. Her descriptions captured the essence of the home, and I felt as though I'd been transformed as a guest. I enjoyed watching Will and Julia discover their love for each other as events unfolded at the Foxleigh House. I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone looking for a good story, excellent writing, and a heartwarming love story.

Reviewed by Jenny Gilliam, WRDF Reviews

****
As a new summer tour guide at Foxleigh, a beautiful historic estate in Virginia, Julia Morrow is far from home. British and raised by extremely sheltering and strict parents, Julia is on her own for the first time. Almost from the moment she steps foot on the grounds of Foxleigh Julia feels as though she’s come home. Glimpses of scenes from two hundred years past flit through her brain and she can not shake the feeling that she knows this place.

Foxleigh was once home to Cole Wentworth. A former military man, Cole was all by officially engaged to an English girl, Julia Maury, Cole was murdered in his room after a sword fight with a misbehaving admirer of Miss Maury. Cole’s descendant, William (called Will) Wentworth is the spitting image of him and not thrilled about it. Even two hundred years after his death, Cole has quite the following and Will assumes Julia is one of them when he sees her reaction to meeting him.

It quickly becomes apparent to Julia that she somehow has the memories of the first Julia and she tries to convince Will that she’s not off her rocker. Will on the other hand, tries not to believe her even though she knows things that she shouldn’t and he experiences memories of his own of Cole and Julia. Intensely drawn together though, Will and Julia can not dismiss their instant and deep attraction to each other.

With an upcoming annual ball to be held at Foxleigh, events take a strange turn as they start to mirror the time before Cole’s death. Using Julia’s memories and those that Will reluctantly provides, they attempt to alter the course of things to avoid history from repeating itself.

I liked the premise of this story and it was very well written with very detailed characters. I figured out pretty early who the “bad guy” would be but there were enough twists to keep me wondering if I was right or not. Somewhere My Love is written in what I call English Romance. By English Romance I mean that it’s a proper speech, dress-for-dinner type of lifestyle where women retreat to their room to rest when upset and there is always at least one imperious type family member to be won over. The men are very gentlemanly even when fueled by passion.
Reviewed by Becky, Bitten by Books

A vivid novel immersed in the genteel atmosphere of the old South, Somewhere My Love touches every sense. Lose yourself in the fantasy.
~ Deb Julienne, romance author and multi-contest finalist
 
Beth Trissel takes romance to a whole new dimension.  Hop along for the ride.  You won't be disappointed. 
~ Donna Dalton, historical author

Colonial Virginia is one of the most romantic settings imaginable and modern day Virginia is not far behind.  In this fascinating novel the two are intertwined to make a love story to remember.
~ Carole King, avid reader, reviewer, and author
 
Beth Trissel is an up and coming talent.  Her latest work will keep you riveted from the first page to the last.  No one writes romance better!
 ~ Joanne Barnaba, Romance Author, multi-contest Winner
 
Beth Trissel, with her fresh voice and eye for a compelling story, is a hot new author in the paranormal and American historical market.
~ Pamela Roller, author, On Silent Wings
 
Beth Trissel has written a captivating ghost story entwining a contemporary love story with the mystery of a murder from the nineteenth century. The wonderful characters and evocative historical details caught my attention from the first page.
~ Helen Scott Taylor, Paranormal Romance Author & Golden Heart Finalist- The Magic Knot
 
This enchanting story of reincarnated lovers being stalked by a danger from their previous lives draws you into the lush setting where the characters come to life.  The writing is lyrical, the history accurate and the well-developed plot compelling.  A must read...
~ Linda Nightingale, Writer of Paranormal Romance and Dark Fantasy
Georgia Romance Writers' Magnolia Award for Cardinal Desires

Somewhere My Love immerses the reader into the world of lovers from the past and present. An enchanting read!
Reviewed by Denisse Alicea, Romance Author

Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
by Helen Neubauer
Date Added: 02/16/2009
An absolutely delightful book, rich in descriptions so vivid you can smell the flowers and hear the echo of footsteps in the halls. The characters quickly become real and I found myself wanting to know more about them and what became of them when the story was done. Suspenseful.. a mystery whose answer isn't revealed until the very end. I loved the blend of supernatural, romance and history. I've put Beth Trissel on the top of my "favorite authors" list! 

Two hundred years ago Captain Cole Wentworth, the master of an elegant Virginian home, was murdered in his chambers where his portrait still hangs. Presently the estate is a museum run by Will Wentworth, a man so uncannily identical to his ancestor that spirit-sensitive tour guide Julia Morrow has trouble recognizing Cole and Will as separate. As Julia begins to actually remember the events of Cole’s death, she must convince Will that history is repeating, and that this time he has the starring role in the tragedy.

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Daughter of the Wind

Beth Trissel's new book Daughter of the Wind is fabulous! From the moment you start reading you are transported back in time. You can see, smell and feel everything that is happening. She puts you right there, in the story. The characters are so real and alive, you feel as if you could reach out and touch them. (I'm already in love with Jack.) She is a very talented writer who weaves in the culture and languages of the Native Americans that lived then, and the Scot/Irish people who settled here. Beth also loves and knows a lot about herbs. That love does not go to waste as she adds it as just another layer for the senses in her deep, rich writing style. I do not have the words to describe how much I enjoy her books, so all I can say is... Don't just sit there reading this review! Go! Go get your copy now. You will NOT be disappointed!
~ Beth Liveringhouse

This fabulous historical fantasy story doesn’t hesitate from word one. It sweeps the reader into an emotional whirlwind that disrupts life in the McNeal clan, a well-to-do family that is well established in the Allegheny Mountains in 1784. The haunting, sometime scary, happenings bring about breathtaking moments that make Daughter Of The Wind a true page-turner.

Karin, the much loved and protected granddaughter of the McNeal clan, knows she is different, not just because of her olive skin, black hair, and blue-grey eyes, but because she hears voices in the wind—voices that touch her soul. When Jack McCray appears, she feels a connection with him. “His eyes scorched her like a strong wind” and her emotions are a “cauldron of confusion”. When they are near each other “an emotion as explosive as gunpowder and contagious as fever” pulsates. She feels he is the inviting summons she hears in the wind.

Jack McCray, Sarah McNeal’s son taken away by Shawnees at age eight, returns a well-honed frontiersman. Bent on accomplishing a mission for his adoptive brother Shequenor, he runs afoul of the McNeal men. Jack, a magnetic character that knows himself for what he is, accepts what has been and reaches out to grasp what can be for the future. Beth Trissel creates a memorable character as flaws are acknowledged and greatness is shown to make him worthy of the naïve but gifted Karin with the mysterious parentage.

The secondary characters are well developed and some have strong influences on the hero and heroine’s lives. John McNeal, Shequenor, and Neeley are especially notable. Their insight and faithfulness to their beliefs are remarkable and so ably shown with Ms. Trissel’s alluring style of writing. She invites the reader into a world of fantasy and makes it so believable it is spellbinding.

After reading Daughter Of The Wind, I will probably find myself listening when the wind howls around the eaves or whispers through the live oak leaves to discover whether it is voices I hear.
~ Reviewed by Camellia, Long and Short Reviews

 

Title: Daughter of the Wind
Author: Beth Trissel
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published date: 2008
ISBN: 1601544898
Genre/Theme: Romantic Suspense
Length: 258 pages
Buy this Book

Autumn, 1784: A tragic secret from Karin McNeal's past haunts the young Scots-Irish woman who longs to know more of her mother’s death and the mysterious father no one will name. The elusive voices she hears in the wind hint at the dramatic changes soon to unfold in her life among the Scot’s settled in the mist-shrouded Alleghenies. Jack McCray, a wounded stranger who staggers through the door on the eve of her twentieth birthday and anniversary of her mother’s death, holds the key to unlocking the past. Will she let this handsome frontiersman lead her to the truth and into his arms, or seek the shelter of her fiercely possessive grandfather? Is it only her imagination or does something, or someone, wait beyond the brooding ridges—for her?

I loved the plot of this story, oh and the setting was wonderful. I just can’t believe how much detail the author went into without being boring about it. Ms. Trissel is great at creating believable and loveable characters. She’s also great at giving us a happily ever after…kind of a bittersweet ending…No, I can’t tell why, you’ll just have to read the book for yourself to figure that out. I just love book covers, usually they are the first things I notice about a book. If the cover can draw my attention than I’ll normally read the book. The cover for Daughter of the Wind is absolutely gorgeous. Whoever the cover artist is did a wonderful job. And to me the book stood out as well. It was a great read and one any romantic suspense or Beth Trissel fan should read. Beth Trissel is a new author for me and one I will be looking for in the future as well.

Rating: 4.5 Smacks
Heat Level: Sweet
Reviewer: Ruby Lee, Mistress Bella Reviews

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Through the Fire5.0 out of 5 stars Please, May I Have Some More?, June 15, 2009
By  Donna C. Goode (Limestone, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

The following is a copy of a letter I sent to Beth this morning...

"Hi, Beth!
I just finished Through the Fire late last night. What can I say...? It is a magnificent story. I think I can tell you that Enemy of the King is my favorite of your stories because of the topic that draws me in every time. Nevertheless, I want you to know that I can't tell you how much I enjoyed Through The Fire. I love being able to walk silently by Shoka's side through ancient oceans of trees, birds twittering, senses alert for hidden dangers... Good Grief! I love your descriptions and simply become lost in them. I tried reading at work yesterday and was jolted nearly out of my chair when the phone rang beside me!

There are stories about me from my childhood that I'm still teased about by my (now) elderly father. One time I read through the house burning! No joke...it was a chimney fire in one of the fireplaces of the house I grew up in (in Albuquerque, NM). I happened to notice flashing red lights cast across my bedroom wall and glanced out the window. Fire trucks surrounded the front of our yard and firemen ran back and forth with hoses. I ran out of my bedroom and yelled that fire trucks were in front of the house and firemen with hoses were outside. My mother looked at me with total exasperation written across her face and asked me if I'd only just noticed. Yup! The fire was out and they were outside just wrapping things up! On another night my father had obviously been calling me for awhile and finally got tired of receiving no response. The first time I became aware of anything was when I jumped out of my chair when Dad pounded on my door demanding that I unlock it. When I did I looked up into my dad's furious face and then he went out and brought back tools and removed my door handle so I couldn't lock it again--a lock I didn't get back for several months! It was the worst of punishments--I have four younger brothers! Pests the lot of them!!! So...you can only imagine how much I love books that draw me in and immediately I find myself lost inside...

I hope your day is marvelous!"

I feel like Oliver Twist: "Please, may I have some more?"


5.0 out of 5 stars Beth Trissel's best yet!!!, May 28, 2009

Through the Fire is a fast paced, whirlwind journey that follows Englishwoman Rebecca Elliot and her sister as they travel into the wild Allegheny Mountains of Western Virginia.

After they are separated by an Indian attack, Rebecca finds herself at the mercy of Shoka, a Shawnee warrior.

Shoka is determined not to let this feisty blond with eyes the color of the sky get under his skin. He has been hurt before and intents to unload the stubborn woman the first chance he gets.

Rebecca is just as determined to get away from the savages and find her sister. She is unfortunately ill prepared for the harsh life in the wilderness and soon realizes her best bet is to stay with Shoka. However her sharp tongue and fiery temper continue to get her into trouble with the warrior and his men.

Like all great romances, Shoka and Rebecca are hopelessly drawn to each other. Together they make their way towards Fort Warden where Rebecca believes her sister has fled.

The journey is difficult and Shoka knows that once they reach the fort he will have to let Rebecca go. Will she return to him? Will her uncle, who defends the fort, force her to stay with him and her people or will an old enemy steal her away?

Through the Fire is a fantastic story that takes you through a young untamed America, when the forests where lush and vast. Beth Trissel's attention to detail allows her to describe it all in such vivid clarity that you will find yourself breathing in the fragrant flowers, gasping at the cold water and marveling at the beauty of the Alleghenies. The battle scenes are intense and heart wrenchingly realistic. The Native American and French languages she weaves into the dialogue only enhances this already rich, vibrant story.

The secondary characters are well written and hint to stories of their own.

You will not want this book to end. It grabs you from the first sentence and doesn't let you go until the last.

Be sure to check out Beth's other three books: Somewhere my Love, Enemy of the King and Daughter of the Wind.

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