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Feb 2nd Yellowstone National Park Travel Tuesday Destination

Glad you stopped in grab a peanut butter cookie and a mug of hot chocolate. Then take a peek at our Travel Tuesday featuring Yellowstone National Park another of our very favorite camping spots.

Yellowstone National Park is a nearly 3,500-sq.-mile wilderness recreation area atop a volcanic hot spot. Mostly in Wyoming, the park spreads into parts of Montana and Idaho too. Yellowstone features dramatic canyons, alpine rivers, lush forests, hot springs and gushing geysers, including its most famous, Old Faithful. It’s also home to hundreds of animal species, including bears, wolves, bison, elk and antelope.

The first time we visited over twenty-five years ago, we stayed in Fishing Bridge campground inside the park. It was built for tiny RV’s and you could touch your neighbor’s RV by reaching out your window. Too tight for my liking. But the wolf song in the evenings were fantastic. This is the trip that we drove our brand new mini-van.

Subsequent trips we stayed in several KOA’s in the area that were great. On in West Yellowstone, Montana was outstanding. The last time we were there (2017), the asphalt was actually melting on one of the roads to a geyser. Not Old Faithful, but a smaller one just down the road. We couldn’t figure out why everyone was parking on the side of the road and walking up to the smaller geyser. Upon closer inspection, the middle of the road was melted into a large hole. In addition there were smaller melted areas all over the road. The park had increased its bubbling pots in the ground three fold since we’d visited three years before. Kinda scary.

I have to tell you about an experience we had at a gift shop in Yellowstone. I swear this is a true story. My friend and I went into the shop to get the national park Christmas Tree decorations we collect. There was this lady standing in front of us, obviously from one of the tour busses. As we waited, it was finally her turn at the checkout. She asked the lady behind the counter, “What time do they let the animals out?” She was completely serious. The lady behind the counter, didn’t even crack a smile or blink an eye. She simply said, “We don’t control the animals. They roam the entire park of their own free will.” By this time, we had to turn our backs to the women and trying to keep from busting a gut laughing. Finally the lady took her purchases and left. It was out turn. We asked the counter person how she kept a straight face. She glanced at us over her spectacles, smiled, and said, “We get that question more often than you’d believe.” We were dumbfounded to say the least.

Next week we’ll explore Glacier National Park in Montana. The scenery there is spectacular! You don’t want to miss it.

So this happened. Squeal!! HIDDEN GYPSY MAGIC is nominated for 2020 PARANORMAL ROMANCE GUILD REVIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD! Mark your calendars, Please! VOTING WILL GO LIVE Saturday, February 6th THROUGH February 12th, 2021. Discover the consequences of awakening hidden Gypsy magic! #timetravel #fantasy #love #Magic #witches #wildliferescue #wrpbks https://buff.ly/35NLe7A

The Salem Wildlife Sanctuary is Gwen Taylor’s life work. Her Irish Gypsy heritage provides a hidden talent she uses to help the creatures under her care. But even her magical skills can’t help new rescues in dire need of veterinary care.

The opportunity of signing on as the vet for Gwen’s sanctuary dropped into Brock Scutter’s lap after he expanded his practice to include wildlife. The personal attraction he and Gwen experience is undeniable the more their professional and personal lives collide.

Touring the only “non-haunted” house in Salem they both feel a spark of magic. A trip to his family’s cabin uncovers a heritage he didn’t know existed. If they want a future together, it means facing the consequences of awakening hidden Gypsy magic and a race against the clock to correct past wrongs.

Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged Geyser, Hidden Gypsy Magic, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Tena Stetler, Travel Tuesday Destination, Wyoming, Yellowstone by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.

Jan 27th A Book/Movie/TV Show That Influenced My Life

Welcome to #L&SR’s Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge for January 26, 2021. Today’s topic is a book/movie/TV show that influenced my life. Several books, movies and/or TV shows have given me pause for various reasons. But one series, actually the first book in the series, Twilight, gave me a kick in the pants resulting in my journey down the road to a new career. Yep, it Influenced my life. Pull up a chair, grab a drink. Take your choice of a Chocolate Chip, Snickerdoodle, or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate and let me tell you how Twilight changed my life. No it wasn’t the sparkly vampires. LOL

First let me say, that it was a difficult time in my life. I’d just been downsized from my job of fourteen years. Seems I was at a crossroads and didn’t have any idea which way to go. I’d just finished reading the first book in the Twilight series and recommended it to my best friend, while telling her what had happened in my life. A few days later, she called and wasn’t pleased with my book suggestion. In fact her exact words were, “You write better than the author of that book.” Hence the book/movie/TV show that influenced my life. She along with my husband had been sounding boards for the novels that I wrote and left on the computer with a promise of someday.

Apparently, someday had come to call. I polished up one of my more promising manuscripts, A Demon’s Witch and sent it to several publishing houses, this was September of 2014. By November of 2014, I had a signed contract for publication with The Wild Rose Press and I never looked back. Fifteen books published and five years later, I’m still living my dream. Granted that dream of becoming a New York Times Best Selling Author hasn’t materialized yet, but…. in February of 2014, being a published author wasn’t on my radar either. LOL Strange how things happen. I guess reading that book was the catalyst of a major upheaval in my life. Any one that knows me, will tell you change is not something I embrace. In fact, most will say I was dragged from my warm fuzzy rut February of 2014, kicking and screaming and dropped into a new adventure that eventually resulted in living my dream as a full time published author.

Alas, I must return to my writing cave. Stay tuned! Chocolate Raspberry Magic release date been extended until April 2021. As I indicated, I’ve turned in the sixth book in A Demon’s Witch Series to my editor at The Wild Rose Press and I have a Contract!! Now the edits to begin. Yippee! AND A new project is well underway Wylder West Assignment. Keep an eye out for more information. Now let’s see what book/movie/TV show influenced the other authors in their life. LOL L&SR

Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click here.

Click on the cover to read more or purchase.

A quick gander at my featured read this week, A Demon’s Witch. Betcha didn’t see that coming. LOL

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.

A peek between the pages of A DEMON’S WTICH– (the hook)

A feeling of dark foreboding, like storm clouds forming on the horizon before a violent storm, washed over Bruce as he maneuvered the SUV into the parking lot behind The Krystal Unicorn.

Tristian was already there and it wasn’t to give his report. Bruce could feel the fury in Tristian’s magic signature hanging in the air. A silver tipped arrow penetrated the windshield, split the arm securing the rearview mirror, and stuck in the headrest a quarter inch from Bruce’s neck. Blue liquid oozed from the tip and a stream of red mist escaped from the other end of the arrow.

“Hold your breath and don’t open the door or windows. The influx of fresh air will spread the poison.” He hissed though his teeth not daring to take a breath.

Air pressure inside the vehicle changed, Angie’s head felt like it was going to explode. “Bruce.” She whispered into his mind, a benefit of being mated.

“I know, just a few seconds more, I’ve got it handled.” His deep smooth voice floated reassuringly in her mind, as he reached over caressing her shoulder.

The pressure eased and the red mist sucked in on itself disappearing along with the oozing liquid. He pulled the arrow from the headrest, fingering the hole in the upholstery.

Through gritted teeth, Bruce growled. “His first mistake was that he missed me. His second deadly mistake was he risked your life. That is unforgivable.” Those two things also told Bruce that Tristian wasn’t thinking clearly, fury was coloring his judgment. That gave Bruce an edge, though the attack caught him off guard. He hadn’t expected Tristian’s attack to put his sister at risk.

Hope to see you next week when we’ll explore aa few of my favorite things. How about you? What are a few of your favorite things?

Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged #L&SR's #Wednesday's Blog Challenge, A Demon's Witch, Beauty Salon, Demons, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Tena Stetler, Washington DC, Witches by Tena Stetler with 19 comments.

Jan 20th Something I Collected As A Child #L&SR Blogging Challenge

Happy New Year! Welcome to #L&SR’s Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge January 20, 2021. Today’s topic is “Something I Collected As A Child”. Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice. Take your choice of a Chocolate Chip, Snickerdoodle, or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate and lets take a peek something I collected as as child.

First of all I was an only child. Contrary to the stereotype not all only children are spoiled. I was raised by a single parent, my mom, who worked a lot of hours just to make ends meet and put food on the table. I spent a lot of time with babysitters and on my own as I grew up, which explains my answer. However, as a child, I collected little bottles. Strange huh? I had all shapes, sizes, and colors. Sometimes I filled them with tiny colored beads, water with food coloring in it, others simply with sand I could pour from bottle to bottle pretending to be a pharmacist with magic elixirs to restore health to anyone. Weird, I know. But not for a child with severe asthma who wished so badly that she could go outside and play with the other kids. I guess that’s probably why I made up imaginary playmates, turned them into characters, and created stories for them as soon as I was old enough put pencil to paper. But I digress. How about you, what is something that you collected as a child? Tell me about it in the comments. I’d love to know.

Alas, I must return to my writing cave. Stay tuned! Chocolate Raspberry Magic release date been extended until April 2021. I’ve turned in the sixth book in A Demon’s Witch Series to my editor at The Wild Rose Press and I have a contract!! Now the edits to begin. Yippee! AND A new project is well underway Wylder West Assignment. Keep an eye out for more information. Now let’s see what the other bloggers collected as a child. L&SR

Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click here.

I have a New Year sale going on. Mystic Maples is 99¢ for a limited time. Download you copy today!

A little more about Mystic Maples!

Earth/Fire witch Mercy Rose’s insatiable curiosity always gets her in trouble. After a break-in at her Colorado flower shop, and a court battle that comes to a screeching halt in her favor, she arrives at Deerbourne Inn for a much-needed getaway. Looking for peace and quiet, she finds just the opposite in a startling handsome but mysterious man and his dog.

Silvanus Forrest’s gypsy/fae heritage is a double-edged sword. The land he inherited from his parents is rumored to be enchanted. But when Mercy discovers the truth, his well-ordered life unravels, and they’re catapulted into the past to right a wrong. Along the way their lives intertwine, and they discover the true meaning of family and love. Will they change the past in time to save their future?

A peek between the pages of Mystic Maples: The hook.

It was a beautiful summer evening lit by a full moon. What harm could come from simply popping over to Mystic Maples, digging my toes into the earth and see if there is any truth to the rumors? She shrugged. Sis wouldn’t have told me about it, if she hadn’t thought it worth investigating. Right?

She toed off her shoes, pulled off her socks and straightened. With a snap of her fingers she left the room without a sound and landed smack dab at the edge of the maple trees. Glancing around, she could see the house in the distance and the outline of the sign. “Good, I’m in the right place.” She wandered farther in among the trees, the dirt beneath her feet was cool. Wiggling her toes deeper into the earth, she felt the warmth of the day and something else—a connection.

Several trees had a slight glow to them, then it was gone. Am I imagining…She raised her arms out from her sides and turned her face to the starlit sky letting the magic surge through her. It had been almost a year since magic of any kind called to her. It felt so good, she was lost in the moment.

Suddenly a male voice broke through her revelry. “What are you doing here?”

Her heart thundered in her chest. She hadn’t heard a sound. Yet, there he was standing not three feet from her, hands on hips, and glaring at her.

Hope to see you next week when we’ll explore a book/movie/TV show that influenced my life. How about you? Do you have a book/movie/TV show that influenced your life?

Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged #L&SR's #Wednesday's Blog Challenge, Mystic Maples, Something I collected as a child, Tena Stetler, Witches by Tena Stetler with 21 comments.

Jan 19th Steamboat Lake, Colorado Destination For Travel Tuesday

I hope your New Year is off to a fantastic start. This week Travel Tuesday takes a peek at Steamboat Lake, Colorado.

Kayaks parked for the night a campfire started for dinner and s’mores.

Lake surface smooth as glass.

I can’t wait for warmer weather and camping/RVing. We have to make our reservations six months in advance to get spots in Colorado’s State Parks. So guess what I’ve been doing? LOL We spend most of our weekends from spring to fall traveling around in search of a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. This year I thought it’d be nice to share the places that we’ve enjoyed.

Steamboat Lake is one of the true jewels of Colorado. Steamboat Lake State Park has something special for everyone. Whatever your preference, well-deserved relaxation and recreation awaits you. We love kayaking on the lake. Especially along the no wake areas. Early morning and at dusk, you can find an amazing amount of wildlife lakeside in the deep grass or on the shore.. Blue Herons, ducks, a variety of fish, and river otters just to name a few.

Hahn’s, Peak frames the breathtaking scenery of Steamboat Lake State Park offering family fishing, camping, picnicking, trail and boat recreational opportunities. A full-service marina and swim beach provide amenities for active water play.

Several campgrounds inside the state park provide a relaxing area, and great views around the lake offering a spectacular opportunity to immerse yourself in the clean, crisp air and true Rocky Mountain living.

Winter comes alive with snowmobiling, ice fishing, and peaceful cross-country skiing or snow-shoeing in a valley surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Ten camper cabins down by the marina welcome adventurers for a cozy night.

Full Moon Reflection over the lake

Serenity

Dawn Mist

Flora at lake’s Edge

Kayaking with the pup.

Great Blue Heron

I hope you’ve enjoyed this first installment of my Travel Tuesday Blog and will return week after week to see where we’ll be next. I’d love to know what you think. Please share in the comments.

Winter doldrums got you down? Escape into a heart warming fantasy Mystic Maples for only 99 cents!

Posted in My Say What Blog, Travel Tuesday and tagged camping, Colorado, Full Moon, Relaxing, RVIng, Steamboat Lake, Travel by Tena Stetler with 7 comments.