Memorial Day Thoughts!
Memorial Day isn’t just the first three-day weekend of the camping season. Historically, Memorial Day is the U.S. federal holiday dedicated to the remembrance of those brave men and women who gave their lives while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
We celebrate Memorial Day yearly on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day and created after the American Civil War to remember the Confederate and Union soldiers who died in that war.
On May 5, 1868, three years after the Civil War ended, the head of the Grand Army of the Republic established Decoration Day to honor the war dead and decorate their graves with flowers. May 30th was the date chosen by Major General John A Logan, possibly because by then blooming flowers should be available all over the country. Across the Potomac River from Washington D.C., Arlington National Cemetery was the site of the first large observance in 1868.
I find it interesting that according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs the crowd attending the first Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery was about the same size as those that attend today, about 5,000.
After World War I, Memorial Day expanded to honor the men and women who died in all American wars. Memorial Day, often still called Decoration Day, became a national holiday by an act of Congress in 1971 and moved to the last Monday in May.
On Memorial Day, small flags are placed on each grave in Arlington National Cemetery, a tradition that many national cemeteries around the county observe today. In fact, the flag custom has grown to include many families that decorate the graves of loved ones as well.
To make sure that we never forget America’s fallen heroes, U.S. Congress passed in December of 2000, and the president signed into law, “The National Moment of Remembrance Act”. On Memorial Day, at 3:00 p.m., all American’s are encouraged to pause for a minute of silence, wherever they are to honor and remember those fallen heroes that made the greatest sacrifice for our freedom.
No matter how bleak things look, I still believe we live in the greatest nation in the world. If you don’t feel the same, maybe you should reconsider your locale. I can say that because I live in the greatest nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Happy Memorial Day!
If you happen to be looking for a great, feel-good, long weekend read check out A WITCH’S JOURNEY!
Pepper McKay comes from a long line of powerful witches. Unfortunately, magic brings her nothing but trouble. She learned the love of wildlife rescue and rehab from her Aunt Ashling. After graduating from college, Pepper works for Salem Wildlife Sanctuary and lives from paycheck to paycheck until she inherits the McKay property in Lobster Cove. With the family land and resources, she dares to dream of starting her own wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center.
Lathen Quartz, a former Navy SEAL turned handyman maintains the enchanted McKay property for the McKay estate. But someone is trying to steal the McKay magic. Lathen offers to help Pepper achieve her life-long dream of building a wildlife center. During the long hours spent together on the project, their mutual attraction can’t be denied. But each harbors a deep, dark secret. Will they overcome their demons and give love a chance?
Available at: Amazon, Barnes and Noble KOBO Itunes
Views: 1
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog, My Say What Blog and tagged A Witch's Journey, Memorial Day, Memorial Day Weekend, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Tena Stetler, Witches by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance – Sunday Snippet
Welcome to your Sunday Snippet featuring the award-winning A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance Not what you’ve come to expect from a Vampire Tale! Join Stefan and Brandy for an exciting romantic fantasy where magic may save the day. But will it be too late?
How A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance all began. You know my family loves to camp. Right? We have visited a great number of the State and National Parks. We’ll spend time in more this year. During a camping trip we stayed right smack dab in the middle of Glacier National Park. At night around the campfire under a full moon you could hear the wolves howl and the coyotes sing. I imagined a vampire running through the bush over the trails, but it couldn’t be an ordinary vampire. And who would he meet on the trails?
Stefan, a Native American vampire, was a character from my first book in A Demon’s Witch Series, A Demon’s Witch. It became a best seller five months after its release. For A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance, I wanted to write a different vampire tale, so rather than leave him as the Vampire Council’s assassin, I released him from service and he moved to Montana, took a job as the midnight DJ for a small radio station on the outskirts of Glacier National Park. Different huh? Research for this book was a trip to Glacier National Park and I drew upon my time as a DJ at a local classic rock station KKFM in Colorado Springs. Not to mention several virtual trips to the enchanting land down under, Australia.
Won’t you join Stefan and Brandy on an exciting romantic fantasy where vampires and gryphons, warlocks and demons, witches and faeries walk among us. Some creatures are willing to put aside their differences to work together for the good of man and magic kind, other’s will stand in the way.
A little about A VAMPIRE’S UNLIKELY ALLIANCE:
Stefan is a Native American vampire, former assassin for the Vampire Council. In a twist of fate, he now DJ’s the midnight shift for a small radio station in Whitefish, Montana, on the edge of Glacier National Park where his secret is safe until…
Born in Ireland, Brandy now works as a park ranger and trail guide in the park. During a full moon, Stefan and Brandy’s paths cross in a near physical collision on a trail. Their attraction is immediate and undeniable, almost as if fate demanded it.
Their union was foretold long ago in Irish folk tales where vampires and gryphons, warlocks and demons, witches and faeries must work together for the good of man and magic kind. Is a trip to Ireland the key to unravelling secrets and returning the magic? And even more importantly, will their love survive the trip?
A peek between the pages of A VAMPIRE’S UNLIKELY ALLIANCE:
It was nearly midnight when he cut across the Sun Road to another trailhead, so intent on his goal that he nearly collided with an attractive young woman. He skidded to a stop, spraying gravel, rocks, and small twigs down the road in front of him. A pinecone dislodged and bounced along the road past her. Tall and slender, she had miles of fiery-red hair that hung down her back in a cascade of curls. Intense emerald eyes stared back at him as he attempted to regain his composure, not to mention balance. What the hell was she doing here at this time of night?
“Whoa.” She stepped lightly to the side to avoid the flying debris. “You really should watch where you’re going, especially at that speed.” Her voice scolded, but the smile on her lips teased. “Someone could get hurt.”
Pretending to pant, he shrugged, holding his palms up in surrender. “Just trying to get my run in before work. Stefan Talltree, at your service.” He stepped closer, leaned over in an exaggerated bow, and caught her hand, brushing his lips over the palm and wrist, inhaling her sweet scent. AB negative with a pulse of adrenaline. Perfect. Her pulse beat a tattoo against his lips. He backed away.
Her heart thundered as she drew her hand from his grasp. “The name’s Brandy. Pleased to meet you, Stefan.” Her smile reached up into her bright eyes as they swept over him with an appreciative glance, an experience he enjoyed.
Her voice had a hint of Irish lilt to it. He liked that too.
“Where do you work that requires you to report in at—” She glanced at her watch. “—midnight?”
Nostrils flaring, he paused. Blood? Not hers. The sound of Brandy’s voice brought his attention back to her and the situation at hand. “Oh, shit, I’ve gotta go!” He sprinted off, leaving her standing alone.
As he started down the trail, the tree branches swayed in the silvery moonlight, casting eerie shadows across the trail’s edge. The breeze brought with it the coppery scent of fresh blood mixed with sulfur. He turned for one last look at her as she wrinkled her nose before silently creeping into the wind, tracking the source of the stench.
Available at Amazon Amazon UK , Amazon AU, itunes, and Barnes & Noble.
About the Author:
Tena Stetler is an internationally best-selling author of award winning paranormal tales. Some call her crazy others creative. She deals with the voices in her head by writing them down and creating a fantasy world and characters you won’t soon forget. Her books tell tales of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them. Travel, adventure, magic, and a bit of mystery flourish in her books along with a few companion animals to round out the tales.
Colorado is home; shared with her husband of many moons, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot and a fifty-year-old box turtle. When she’s not writing, her time is spent kayaking, camping, hiking, biking or just relaxing in the great Colorado outdoors.
See you next week for another Sunday Snippet! Meanwhile, if you’re wanting another read, take a peek at my other magical books.
Views: 4
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Demon's Witch Series, A Vampire's Unlikely Alliance, fantasy, ghosts, magic, Mystery, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Tena Stetler, Witches by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
An Angel’s Wylder Assignment – Sunday Snippet
Sunday Snippet presents an award winning An Angel’s Wylder Assignment my paranormal romance/mystery. WooHoo! It takes a Warrior Angel and Native American Shifter to save the past and create their future. Join the #adventure. #Timetravel from present day Scotland to 1878 Wyoming Territory. Grab your copy today!
Pull up a chair and get comfy, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about An Angel’s Wylder Assignment, part of the award winning A Demon’s Witch’s Series. All books can be read as stand alone.
What inspired An Angle’s Wylder Assignment. I guess you’d say I decided to try something different. What was I thinking? A Wylder ride ensued.
Have you ever started a project only to discover it’s not going to be anything like you envisioned? Such is the constant situation of a writer who writes by the seat of her pants. The characters involved in the story take over and run with the plot, character arc, and anything else within their grasp.
Because I can’t plot my way out of a paper bag, and I’ve tried, I endure the escapades of my characters. Nine times out of ten, I end up with an imaginative and well-written book. Such is the case of, An Angel’s Wylder Assignment, part of The Wild Rose Press multi-author Wylder West series. My first attempt at a paranormal western, time travel, and historical all rolled into one. There was a lot of research involved. How do they heat the house back in 1878? What do they cook on? You should grab a copy and see if I pulled it off. LOL
Creating a fictional community with other authors is fun if a little daunting. So many individuals’ points of view and writing technics melded into one world. Sharing characters in the many storylines and making it all cohesive can be challenging but fun for all. Readers get to engage with characters they already know and love, then discover new characters added to the mix in a town or community familiar to them.
What is An Angel’s Wylder Assignment is all about.
Warrior Angel Killian Dugan’s annual trip to the family castle in Scotland is shattered by the arrival of Legion Commander North. Killian’s skills are needed for an urgent time travel assignment. A rogue demon has escaped back in time. He must discover the why and where and stop the demon before it can damage the past and change the future.
Killian’s girlfriend Chinoah Grace, a Native American shapeshifter is included in the mission which takes them to the wild west town of Wylder, Wyoming in the year 1878. She will have her hands full fitting in and making friends.
Nothing is as it seems. They encounter visions, spirit quests, and a mysterious shaman. On top of it all, blending in as a blacksmith is more physically difficult than he imagined. But not as challenging as keeping his hands off his undercover wife. Will they complete their assignment or run out of time?
Sneak peek between the pages of An Angel’s Wylder Assignment:
Clambering out of the wagon, the knot in Chinoah’s belly tightened. She followed Ray and Lily up the narrow footpath. Killian brought up the rear. The rock walls were multi-colored layers of red, orange, and yellow rock in a deeply eroded river canyon. A filmy form of a Native American dressed in what she considered chieftain ceremonial clothes wavered over the water then at the canyon’s edge against the rock walls. She waved her hand toward the form. “You seeing this?”
“What?” Ray looked in her direction. “Not seeing anything.” He paused at a stone section where bird images and bird/human hybrids were carved into the rock. He nodded to her. She reached out hesitantly and held her hand a few inches off the face of the rock. Nothing. She blew out a breath and relaxed a little. Ray moved on.
It wasn’t until the path ended and they had to pick their way down a steep slope that the Native American spirit made another appearance. Halfway down the path, her feet slipping and sliding over loose rocks and gravel, the toe of her boot caught on an arched root sticking out of the ground. She pitched forward. Her hands came up in front of her in an attempt to avoid face-planting on the rock’s surface. Something cool grabbed her arms and set her on her feet. Looking into the misty, high cheek-boned face of the chieftain, she gawked. When she peered into his eyes, she felt sorrow, disillusion, and pain. She gulped in air.
They must be stopped. You’re destined to make it happen. A male voice echoed through her mind. A picture of a log room formed in her mind then was gone. Before she could respond, the apparition disappeared, and so did the cold that had engulfed her.
“Wow. What just happened.” Killian was by her side, an arm around her waist. “How did you do that? One moment you’re headed for a face plant, then next, you’re upright standing on your feet.” He slowly shook his head.
Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click here.
Check back next week for another Sunday Snippet paranormal adventure/romance/mystery!
Views: 0
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged ghosts, Historical Mystery, magic, Native American Lore, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Shapeshifters, Sunday Snippet, Tena Stetler, Time travel by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
RV Adventure of a Life Time – Final Installment
After returning to Colorado to enjoy the city’s fireworks displays from a campsite in Cheyenne Mountain State Park. The third installment is about our most fantastic RV Adventure to the southeast and the entire east coast. Nope, we had never ventured to the East Coast. We planned, saved , and finally it was time!
Mid-August of 2024 hubby, I, Mystic, Taco, and Sammy, took off for a three-month RV Adventure, across the south-eastern United States, then covered the north-east all the way up to Bar Harbor, Maine. What fun experience in our 38-foot fifth-wheel pulled by our one-ton Dodge Pickup.
We traveled through Kansas and Missouri. Stopping in Branson, MO. Boy was it hot. Visited Dolly Parton’s Stampede. It’s a dinner club and show venue. Thank goodness it was cooler than the 104 degrees outside.
Spent a couple of days in Sumer, Mississippi visiting friends. What a spread they have, land, pond, and home. Their pond has fish that eat mosquito larva, so no mosquito problem. We sat on their back porch, sipped iced tea and had a nice visit.
Then on to Georgia for a couple of days to visit with Kathy and her bird, Reggie celebrating his 27th hatchday. Taco and Reggie enjoyed corn muffins. Sadly in April 2025, Reggie recently passed away from a stroke
I had two book signings during our RV Adventure. One at Mystic’s Chow Chow Breeders, D & M Farm Kennel, reunion at the Cherokee/Smoky Mountain KOA in North Carolina. It was so much fun, almost fifty people, lots of very well-behaved chows over five days.
Then it was north to Carthage, NC to see friends.
In Mystic Connecticut we had the best Pizza we’d had in our lives at Mystic Pizza. You remember Mystic Pizza from the movie with the same name.
We stopped at Virginia Beach KOA and encountered an interesting situation. When we arrived, the person who checked us in and showed us to our site, said nonchalantly, “Oh by the way, the Hell’s Angels are staying with us for a few days. But don’t worry, they brought their own security.” Not that we are phobic or anything…but t
hat isn’t something you hear when you check in usually. Ten or twelve members return from partying one night at 1:30 a.m., was disconcerting. Other than that, it was uneventful but their presence was felt all over the campground. Our dog even wanted to check out their bikes.
Salem was a blast. Buskers (street entertainers) were on or at every corner or storefront, juggling, singing, magic, playing instruments, and the stores were full of fun. The streets were soooo narrow, so we took the trolly. Saw the Witch’s house and the house used in the movie Hocus Pocus.
Majestic Niagara Falls, there are no words. Such a feat of Mother Nature.
Having never been to Maine, we didn’t know what to expect. Cape Cod had beautiful sunsets with great seafood.
Bar Harbor was more of the same. Our trailer site was right on the shore with several fantastic sunsets! Loved the sound of the waves crashing on the shore has we slept.
The second book signing was in a small town in upstate New York with Carol Henry, another author from my publishing house. I love visiting with readers and other authors! We enjoyed dinner out with Carol and her hubby, Gary. What a blast.
Finally, sadly it was time to head towards home. Had to stop in Ohio to see more friends.
Then we hightailed it home arriving just days before a multi-day snowstorm dropped 20 inches at home in Colorado! Next Sunday we’ll have the regular Sunday Snippet! Please stop by!
Views: 2
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog, My Say What Blog and tagged Bar Harbor, Book Signing, Cape Cod, Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel, Delaware, East Coast, Mystic CN, Niagara Falls, RV Adventure, Salem, Sunsets by Tena Stetler with 3 comments.
