Foot Loose and Fancy Free on an RV Adventure
A different Sunday Snippet. Las Vegas, Santa Fe and Zion National Park our First RV Adventure after retirement.Whew what a year 2024. First let me explain. In December of 2023, my husband finally retired. Yippee. We had planned RV travel for years that we couldn’t complete in one or two weeks in our 38 foot fifth wheel trailer. Figured we wait until retirement, then we’d be footloose and fancy free!
We began in April, 2024. We spent three weeks traveling to Las Vegas, in and around Santa Fe and Zion National Park.
Santa Fe was our first stop on our RV Adventure – There are several good restaurants in Santa Fe. In fact its one of the reasons we stopped in Santa Fe on our way to Las Vegas. We would have tried out more but the parking is difficult towards downtown, narrow streets and small parking places. 
Then it was time to gather up our stuff and point the truck and trailer towards Las Vegas.
In Las Vegas, we stopped to visit with friends for a few days. My how their Desert Tortoises had grown. Their habitat took up half okay, maybe only one-third of our friend’s back yard. WOW!
It was unbelievably hot, in the upper 90’s, according to our standards, but not theirs. We’re cold weather people.
Which is why we are having trouble planning a visit to the Arches. By April it’s in the 90s. Walking around looking at rock formations in over 90 degree weather isn’t high on my list. But traveling from Colorado to Utah in February and March, when the weather is cooler, is a recipe for snowy disaster. LOL Especially, with the wild weather swings Mother Nature is creating. But we will figure it out.
Zion National Park was interesting. The rock formations were more varied in color than in Colorado. But I guess having lived all my life in Colorado, I was a little under whelmed by Zion National Park. But I’m glad we went there and saw the area, which did have a nice KOA Campground. So for now, I’ll leave you with pictures of Zion. Enjoy. Next week our second RV Adventure into the midwest, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Please check back.
n celebration of Spring, This week’s Sunday Snippet is the award-winning Raven’s Hollow Spring Magic. Pssst… It’s on sale for .99 cents for a limited time. Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate and enjoy the snippet from Raven’s Hollow Spring Magic. Second book in the Raven’s Hollow Series.
Let’s take a peek at what Raven’s Hollow Spring Magic is about. Only #99cents!
Spring is in full bloom in Raven’s Hollow, a small town in the Colorado Rockies with a population of unique townspeople. Blaze, a dragon shifter, and Wynter, a witch, are neck-deep in wedding preparations, when Wynter’s mother, Jade, goes missing after opening her new antique store, and attending the Simon estate sale where she procured an ancient jelly bean machine. Frantic with worry, Blaze and Wynter track her last movements via the store’s ancient, grainy, security footage. What it reveals is nothing short of shocking. As deputy sheriff, it’s Blaze’s responsibility to find his soon-to-be mother-in-law. But at what cost?
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog, My Say What Blog by Tena Stetler with 1 comment.
A Demon’s Witch – Sunday Snippet
Good Morning and welcome to Author’s Secrets Sunday Snippet. Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate and enjoy the snippet from the best seller A Demon’s Witch. First book in the award-winning A Demon’s Witch Series.The award winning A Demon’s Witch, was born in a hair salon from an old rock and roll song. What if the hairdresser is really a ruggedly handsome demon overlord. What if a powerful witch breezed into his salon and the attraction was undeniable? What if the salon is multi-species catering to mortals and paranormal creatures alike is located in Washington DC? Adds a new dimension to our concept of DC today, doesn’t it? The setting and storyline are unique. Kick back in enjoy the adventures of Bruce and Angie as an entertaining escape from the not so ordinary world these days. This spicy romance has it all intrigue, humor, thrills, danger and a splash of magic to keep you on the edge of your seat.
First let’s take a peek at what A Demon’s Witch is about.
Keeping a lid on all the paranormal beings inhabiting Washington D.C., is a daunting job. Bruce, a six hundred year old demon and the Territory Overlord of the Western Hemisphere, keeps his finger on the pulse of DC’s power players through the activities at his highly successful Wycked Hair Salon. His movie star good looks and body builder physique keeps his dance card full and the rumor mills running. Within these walls, his anonymity is safe, mostly.
Bruce’s world spins out of control when Angelique, a pint size, gorgeous witch, with an attitude breezes through the doors of his salon. She is the younger sister of Tristian, Bruce’s long time trusted enforcer, whose professional skills are second to none. Tristian is furious at the relationship between Bruce and Angelique, a dangerous situation, but something darker awaits them all. Yet undeniable attraction between demon and witch promises to tear apart both their professional and personal worlds.
Check out the series book trailers.
A snippet from between the pages of A Demon’s Witch:
Angie grinned outrageously as she sashayed down the sidewalk, glad to see the storm had passed. That was one handsome creature, and one she intended to get to know better, much better. She pulled on the curved copper handle and the glass door, with a white unicorn etched in the center, swung open. Sun streamed through the glass, rainbows bounced across the white walls and light oak floor as the door closed. Melodic chimes sounded in the back of the shop. A young woman with short spiked jet-black hair, dyed bright blue at the tips, slid her slender body between the crystal-beads hanging in the doorway, adjusting her narrow shoulders.
Angie laughed down at her business partner, and lifelong best friend.
“They were tucked by the time I came through the beads,” Willow protested narrowing her ice blue eyes and giving Angie a thorough appraisal. “What have you been up to?”
“Enjoying the scenery down the street,” Angie said with a smirk. “I asked the manager of the Wycked Hair to put some of our flyers in their store. He’s checking with the owner, but didn’t see a problem. I’ll go back with some this afternoon.”
“So he caught your eye.” Willow shook her head and waggled her index finger at Angie. “Owen is married and much too old for you. He is handsome with all that silver hair and rugged features. I bet he works out to keep those broad shoulders and narrow hips at his age. And those biceps.” She pretended to fan herself with a receipt book, then burst into giggles.
Angie chortled. “Not him silly girl.” She raised an eyebrow and grinned at Willow. “The owner, Bruce is his name, I believe. Now he’s hot.”
Willow scowled and her eyes widened. “Oh, Angie, that’s not smart. I’ve heard about him. Tall, dark, handsome, and mysterious, just your type, but he’s not human. The faery realm’s heard tell of him, he’s dangerous and vicious. He rules the Western Hemisphere with an iron fist, keeping magic folk honest and in their place. One misstep and you’re history.” She drew an index finger across her throat, flopped her head to one side. “It’s also rumored that he controls those escaping the underworld as well. You know what that means.”
“Willow, he isn’t the devil himself. Although, demon he may be. Hmmm…” She pursed her full lips thoughtfully. “You know…” Her forehead creased in concentration as she said slowly. “I could see if my brother knows him.”
“What? Ask Tristian, a dem…I mean warlock… your brother…” she stammered. “…about a demon you find attractive. Have you lost your mind?” She squeaked and drew in a deep breath, blew it out.
A trailer of A WItch’s Quandary, another book in A Demon’s Witch Series I know you’ll love.
Thanks for joining me for the Sunday Snippet. I hope you enjoyed a little peek into A Demon’s Witch. See you next week for another Sunday Snippet!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Demon's Witch, A Demon's Witch Series, fantasy, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Sunday Snippet, Tena Stetler, Witches by Tena Stetler with 2 comments.
Spring Equinox – Spring has Sprung
The Spring Equinox, March 20, 2025, marks the official start of spring across various cultures around the globe and holds special meaning. When day and night are nearly equal in length – representing balance and renewal on Earth from winter’s chill to the warmth of spring’s warmth.Many celebrate it through rituals, ceremonies, festivals or festivities that honor this changing season and promise new beginnings – join us as we uncover history, customs and traditions associated with this ancient and magical event!
Spring Equinox ushers in an emotional and physical renewal. In Northern Hemisphere after months of dormancy during winter, nature slowly begins to waken. New leaves emerge and floral beauty gradually unveils itself into vibrant color schemes and aromas, filling the air with vibrancy and fragrance. Bird songs become more melodic while streams run freer than before – life springs forth with renewed vitality all around us! These changes not only delight the eye but are a testament to life on our planet.
On a symbolic level, the Spring Equinox has long been seen as a time for renewal and rebirth. Easter, which commemorates Christ’s resurrection and usually falls around this time, usually falls around this date.
Ancient druidic tradition celebrated this event as marking victory of sun-god over darkness-god; many people today still align celebrations and rituals around its celebration, feeling deeply interconnected to nature’s rhythms.
In certain cultures, the Spring Equinox marks an opportunity for fertility and abundance. Japan celebrates Higan – a week-long memorial service held at family gravesites to remember those who have passed.
Iranians celebrate Nowruz – an Iranian new year festival coinciding with Spring Equinox which symbolizes rebirth and fresh starts – in conjunction with Spring Equinox.
The Spring Equinox with its inherent message of renewal can teach us much. Just as nature renews herself each spring, so can each of us embrace change, set goals for ourselves and emerge from metaphorical hibernation into a period of growth and abundance. Let’s welcome this spring equinox with hope, connect more closely with nature and live more harmoniously within its rhythms and cycles. Now is an opportune moment to plant seeds of intention for the coming months, set goals, and embark upon exciting adventures.
Happy Spring Equinox!
Speaking of Spring, take a peek at Raven’s Hollow Spring Magic.
Spring is in full bloom in Raven’s Hollow, a small town in the Colorado Rockies with a population of unique townspeople. Blaze, a dragon shifter, and Wynter, a witch, are neck-deep in wedding preparations, when Wynter’s mother, Jade, goes missing after opening her new antique store, and attending the Simon estate sale where she procured an ancient jelly bean machine. Frantic with worry, Blaze and Wynter track her last movements via the store’s ancient, grainy, security footage. What it reveals is nothing short of shocking. As deputy sheriff, it’s Blaze’s responsibility to find his soon-to-be mother-in-law. But at what cost?
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged #SundaySnippet, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Raven's Hollow Spring Magic, Spring Equinox, Tena Stetler, Witches by Tena Stetler with 2 comments.
Saint Patrick’s Day plus a Little Luck of the Irish!
Sunday Snippet celebrates Saint Patrick’s Day! Every year on March 17, the Irish & the Irish-at-heart worldwide celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day. The holiday started out as a religious feast day for the patron saint of Ireland but has become an international festival celebrating Irish culture. From parades and yummy Irish foods
to dancing, and green everywhere you look, its a party.
My hometown usually welcomes Spring with its annual St Patrick’s Day Parade. The celebration started 33 years ago, and this year the Irish downtown celebration is bigger and better than ever! I’ll be wearing my green! How about you?
I’ve got ten Saint Patrick’s Day fun facts to make you smile!
#1 Did you know that we celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day on the day of the saint’s death, March 17th. He spent most his life converting pagans of Ireland to Christianity. His entrance to heaven was March 17, 461AD.
#2. How about this, Saint. Patrick wasn’t even Irish, nor was he born in Ireland. His parents were Roman citizens living in either England, Scotland or Wales, the scholars can’t agree which country, there’s something unusual, NOT.
#3. Here’s a shocker, Saint Patrick was a slave. He had the misfortune of being kidnapped at sixteen years old by Irish raiders. They sold him as a slave. For several years he herded sheep and learned about the Irish people. By age twenty-two, he’d escaped and made his way to a monastery in England.
#4. Ever wonder why the shamrock became part of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations? Because, Saint Patrick used the shamrock to preach about trinity. Now whether it was supposed to represent faith, hope and love or the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, remains a mystery. However, St Patrick must have been quite the 
inspirational speaker because Ireland’s pagan rulers at the time quickly converted to Christianity.
#5. Supposedly, St. Patrick drove all the snakes from Ireland. But I have to ask, if it was the reptiles “snakes” referred to or… a more figurative reference meaning pagan practices and their religious beliefs. I find it interesting to note that there isn’t any evidence that snakes, the reptile, ever existed in Ireland. Seems the weather is too cool for snakes to survive. This is all conjecture on my part, having never been to Ireland, but it’s on my bucket list!
#6. Everyone knows the color associated with St. Patrick’s Day is Green. Right? Not so fast. Originally the color blue represented St. Patrick. He was depicted in artwork wearing blue vestments. Also King Henry VII used the Irish harp in gold on a blue flag to represent the country. However, now days green is associated with Ireland, maybe due to the plentiful rainfall, creating the green countryside. Today, many refer to Ireland as the “Emerald Isle”.
#7. Nope, the Shamrock is not the symbol of Ireland. Surprised you didn’t I? Actually, since the medieval period, the harp has represented the nation. King Henry VII as early as 1534 used the harp on coins. Later the harp appeared on Irish flags, and Irish coats of arms. During
Ireland’s struggle for freedom, the Irish people used harps on flags during rebellions against England. In 1921, Ireland became an independent country and adopted the harp as the national symbol.
#8. Did you know there are more Irish in the United States than in Ireland? ‘Tis true. No blarney. They may not all be pure-blood Irish, but of Irish ancestry just the same. Mixed ancestry could be due to the troubled history of Ireland and millions of Irish left the country for the US during the potato famine in Ireland. This exodus continued through most of the 19th century until the economic boom of the 1990’s, when more Irish stayed in their native country rather than searching for better opportunities abroad.
#9. What is your drink of choice on St. Patrick’s Day? A Shamrock milkshake? Green Beer? Bet you didn’t know that from 1903 to 1970, Irish law declared St. Patrick’s Day a religious holiday. That meant that all the pubs were shuttered for the day. In 1970 the law was overturned and St. Patrick’s became a national holiday, allowing the beer to flow once again.
#10. Bet you don’t know what the odds of finding a four-leaf clover are. I do, approximately 1 in 10,000. That’s way better than the lottery, may the luck of the four-leaf clover flow your way on this Saint Patrick’s Day!
How about a little luck of the Irish adventure? A Witch’s Quandary
Gale’s engagement is off because she refuses to leave her thriving business in Ireland to follow Dillon to Scotland. Her family and friends are on the emerald isle. Yet, when Dillon returns with the whole story and asks for her help, she must follow her heart.
Becoming a Solicitor, then partner in the family law firm was never Dillon’s dream. Now it’s his nightmare. Called to Scotland, his father demands he take his rightful place in the firm or be disowned and disinherited. Something is terribly amiss in the firm and family.
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Demon's Witch Series, A Witch's Quandary, Ireland, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Scotland, Tena Stetler, Witches by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
