Anyone? I do, almost as if I lived back then. My early American ancestors did.
When I wrote historical romance novel Through the Fire I felt as though I’d been through the flames. My hero and heroine certainly had. This adventure romance with a strong The Last of the Mohicans
flavor and a mystical weave was born in the fertile ground of my
imagination, fed by years of research and a powerful draw to my colonial
roots.
My fascination with stirring tales of the colonial frontier and
Eastern Woodland Indians is an early and abiding one. My
English/Scot-Irish ancestors were among the first settlers of the Shenandoah Valley
and had family members killed and captured by the Indians. Some
individuals returned and left intriguing accounts of their captivity,
while others disappeared without a trace.
On the Houston/Rowland side of
the family, I have ties to Governor Sam Houston, President James Madison and Malcolm 1st of Scotland (that last one’s a stretch).
Family annals list early names like Beale, Jordan, Madison, and Hite
(a German connection I discovered). A brief account of my grandmother
(six times removed) Elizabeth Hite, says her sister Eleanor was taken
captive and sister Susan killed, though not by which tribe. Their
brother Jacob was killed by the Cherokee.
Another ancestor, Mary Moore, is the subject of a book entitled The Captives of Abb’s Valley.
A Moffett forebear captured as a child became a boyhood companion of
the revered Shawnee Chief Tecumseh. When young Moffett grew up, he
married into the tribe and had a son, but that’s the subject of a
different novel. A Pennsylvanian ancestor on the Churchman side of the
family was invited by the Shawnee/Delaware to help negotiate a treaty
with the English because he was Quaker and they were more sympathetic to
the plight of the Indians.
Many
accounts are left unrecorded, though. Historian Joseph Waddell says we
know only a fraction of the drama that occurred during the Indian Wars. I invite you back to a time long forgotten by most.
*A blog visitor recently asked who lost the French and Indian war–the French and the Indians who sided with them. Mother England won that round.
Excerpt
Shoka held out the cup. “Drink this.”
Did he mean to help her? Rebecca had heard hideous stories of
warriors’ brutality, but also occasionally of their mercy. She tried to
sit, moaning at the effect this movement had on her aching body. She
sank back down.
He slid a corded arm beneath her shoulders and gently raised her
head. Encouraged by his unexpected aid, she sipped, grimacing at the
bitterness. The vile taste permeated her mouth. Weren’t deadly herbs
acrid?
Dear Lord. Had he tricked her into downing a fatal brew? She eyed him accusingly. “’Tis poison.”
He arched one black brow. “No. It’s good medicine. Will make your pain less.”
Unconvinced, she clamped her mouth together.
“I will drink. See?” he said, and took a swallow.
She parted her lips just wide enough to argue. “It may take more than a mouthful to kill.”
He regarded her through narrowing eyes. “You dare much.”
Though she knew he felt her tremble, she met his piercing gaze. If he were testing her, she wouldn’t waver.
His sharp expression softened. “Yet you have courage.”
****
“Ms. Trissel has captured
the time period wonderfully. As Rebecca and Kate travel in the
wilderness, though beautiful, many dangers lurk for the unsuspecting
sisters. Away from the gentility they grew up around, the people they
meet as they travel to their uncle in the wilderness are rougher and
more focused on survival regardless of which side they belong. I
love historical novels because they take me to times and places that I
cannot visit and Through the Fire is no different.
As I read, I’m transported back to the mid-1700’s on the American frontier
as Britain and France maneuver to control the American continent. I
can see how each side feels they are right and the other side the
aggressor. I watch how the natives take sides based on promises made
but not kept. I felt I was there through Ms. Trissel’s descriptions and settings…
Rebecca
and Shoka are so believable as lovers. Shoka is calm but can be
roused by Rebecca’s stubbornness. They are well matched as they
challenge each other, teach each other, and learn from each other.
This is not a boring relationship by any means! I enjoyed the
secondary characters from the French Captain Renault to Shoka’s cousin
Meshewa. The Shawnee fight on the French side of the war. It’s
refreshing not to have the novel from the English point of view but to
see the conflict from the eyes of the eventual losers of this war and
to see the villains as those who we’ve been brought up to see as the
“good guys”.
This is an excellent story where there is so much happening with
Rebecca in the center of it all. I’m glad I read it and look forward
to reading more of Beth Trissel.” Reviewer: Sheila from Two Lips
Pertinent info for Beth Trissel:
2008 Golden Heart® Finalist
2008 Winner Preditor's & Editor's Readers Poll
Publisher’s Weekly BHB Reader’s Choice Best Books of 2009
2008 Winner Preditor's & Editor's Readers Poll
Publisher’s Weekly BHB Reader’s Choice Best Books of 2009
2010 Best Romance Novel List at Buzzle!
Won Book of the Week Five Times At LASR
Won Book of the Week Five Times At LASR
Beth, I don't have quite the same background as you...of course, that is what makes writing so interesting, bringing all our background and experience to tales we hope will transport the reader to another time ad place. I am fortunate enough to live near Valley Forge National Park, and no more than an hour or so drive from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. It really does make a difference, growing up with those Colonial influences. I wish you well with your books.
Thanks Miriam. An equally fascinating era. There are so many!
I do believe our Beth was an historian in a previous life. And an herbalist in another!
Beth,
I'm afraid I can't add my knowledge to the French and Indian War. But, your information, as always, is right on the mark.
Thanks guys. Yes, I believe so too. :)
This is one of my favorite time periods for American history. I really enjoyed reading this story. Beth has a way of adding paranormal to her work so seamlessly that makes her stories enthralling. Keep 'em coming Beth!