My Say What Blog Archives - Page 9 of 54

Feb 9th Glacier National Park in Montana Tuesday Travel Destination

Glacier National Park in Montana is the Tuesday Travel Destination today.

– Glacier National Park is a 1,583-sq.-mi. wilderness area in Montana’s Rocky Mountains, with glacier-carved peaks and valleys running to the Canadian border. Glacier’s pristine forests, alpine meadows, spectacular lakes, and rugged mountains are not to be missed. It’s crossed by the mountainous Going-to-the-Sun Road. This is a breath-taking drive you have to see to believe. However, it is not for the faint of heart. On our way driving up the road, we saw several cars from flat-lands, pulled over to the side and had to be escorted back down. If mountain driving, or sheer drop offs scares you, the best way to see Going-to-the-Sun Road is by hiring one of the tour vehicles and drivers provided. Among more than 700 miles of hiking trails, it has a route to photogenic Hidden Lake. Other activities include backpacking, cycling and camping. Diverse wildlife ranges from mountain goats to grizzly bears. Psst… my book A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance is in part set inside Glacier National Park.

This was a fun destination for July. We arrived on July 4th and look forward to fireworks when it got dark. Only dark didn’t arrive until after midnight. Wow. We watched the spectacular fireworks display put on by the KOA Campground we stayed at just outside the entrance to the Park. By the time we got to bed, it was two in the morning. The next thing we knew, the sun shone brightly though the RV windows at four in the morning. No wonder we were tired. Not used to operating on two hours sleep. It didn’t keep us from heading out to see the sights.

Yep this was the same trip but at the top of Going to The Sun Road.

A sneak peek at A VAMPIRE’S UNLIKELY ALLIANCE set in Glacier National Park.

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 unraveling secrets and returning the magic? And even more importantly, will their love survive the trip?

I hope you’ve enjoyed this weeks Destination Glacier National Park. Next week, check back, I’ll have another segment for you. Thanks for stopping by, I really appreciate it!

Posted in My Say What Blog by Tena Stetler with 2 comments.

Feb 3rd A Few of My Favorite Things #L&SR’s Weekly Blog Challenge

Welcome to #L&SR’s Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge for January 26, 2021. Today’s topic is a few of my favorite things. So many to choose from, but I ‘ll try to narrow it down! 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 share a few of my favorite things!

Big thundershower with ray and rainbow in the mountains

Thunderstorms (without hail). I love how the lightning streaks across the sky, rain falls on the windows, thunder rattles the house and windows. Night time storms are the best for watching. In Colorado those things are frequent, unfortunately they sometimes come with golf or softball size hail. The fact those happen, have somewhat tempered my enthusiasm. But not entirely.

Camping and hiking in state and national parks – Nothing more relaxing than camping in the middle of a mountain forest with wildlife all around. But not too close. A eight point buck elk at the front door of our fifth wheel trailer was a bit unnerving. LOL

An afternoon spent sitting soaking up the sun in our sunroom with my parrot playing on her play stands conversing with me and the birds outside.

Long walks around the neighborhood with my dog. Its fun to see what the neighbors have been up to. In the Spring it’s delightful to see new plant sprouts poking out of the earth preparing for summer.

Curled up in front of a roaring fire with a good book, bowl of popcorn, and a mug of hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows.

There you have a few of my favorite things. How about you? What are a few of your favorite things?

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’s first draat is DONE Wylder West Assignment. Keep an eye out for more information. Now let’s see what the other authors list as few of their favorite things. LOL L&SR

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

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.

Hope to see you next week when we’ll explore the most romantic book or movie ever. How about you? What’s your most romantic book or movie ever?

Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged #L&SR's #Wednesday's Blog Challenge, Hidden Gypsy Magic, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, PRG Reviewers Choice Awards, Tena Stetler by Tena Stetler with 25 comments.

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?