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A Visit to Salem in "Hidden Gypsy Magic" by Tena Stetler

Please make welcome my good friend and sister Rose (from the Wild Rose Press), Tena Stetler! We're celebrating her brand new book release, Hidden Gypsy Magic! The Tavern is serving Irish ale, so grab a pint and let's hear what Tena has to say...

 

Hi Mary, thanks for having Gwen Taylor, heroine of HIDDEN GYPSY MAGIC and myself on your blog. Before I turn this over to Gwen for her bucket list, I thought I’ve give you a little insight into Gwen Taylor.


She worked for Salem Sanctuary since high school. When she discovered the owner/operator was cooking the books, taking money meant for the creatures in their care, she confronted him. The next day, he disappeared but not before he cleaned out the bank account. Gwen couldn’t leave all those animals defenseless . Taking a chance, she went public with what had happened. An arrest warrant was issued for the owner, but he was never found. However, the people of Salem rallied around her and the Sanctuary. Donations poured in. Through long hours and hard work she was able to keep the sanctuary afloat.


Geez. How do I follow that introduction? I’m really just a woman who wants what’s best for the

creatures under my care and the people I care about.


Mary laughs. Be that has it may, you promised to answer a few questions.


First how about a bit of personal information?


Age and Profession: 30ish. Wildlife Rehabilitor and Sanctuary manger/owner.


Who is the significant other in your life? Brock Scutter. Gwen fans herself. We were introduced by Pepper and Lathen. Brock is the brother of the veterinary in Lobster Cove where Pepper built a Wildlife rescue.


You got it.


Describe your favorite food and how it's prepared. Pizza! Thin crust, lots of cheese, lots of sauce, and beef sprinkled around. I like other spicy meats, but they don’t like me. Ya know what I mean?


Tell us about your best friend. That would be Pepper McKay. I first hired her as a volunteer at the Sanctuary. Together, we’ve overcome so many adversities, saved so many creature’s lives, it’s impossible to put into words what she means to me.


What are two places you would like to visit before you die, and why?

Australia – They have so many different species of wildlife found nowhere else on the planet.

Ireland – I’d like to look up… will find out of any of my relatives are like me – rather than my immediate family. Enough said.


Who is someone you would like to meet, and why?

Terry, Binde, Robert Irwin. They are trail blazers in wildlife conservation. I’d like to have met Steve. But….


Who is someone you would like to avoid, and why?


The damn banker. He did finally get what was coming to him. I don’t feel bad about that. And the original owner/manager of Salem Sanctuary. He is a terrible person.


If you could time travel to any date, what would it be, and what would you do there?

The day the former owner/manager of Salem Sanctuary ran off. I’d like to have beat him to the bank and prevented him from taking all the money. Sometimes I wonder if he and the banker were in cahoots. Never prove it, so best to let it go.


Well, thank you for your candid responses. Gwen. I’m so glad you stopped by. Now I have a few questions for the author of HIDDEN GYPSY MAGIC.


What was your biggest challenge in writing this book?

Putting a different spin on the Salem Witch Trials.


Why did you choose this character for the interview today? Gwen has been a staple in all A Witch’s Journey books. She is such a bold character with a heart of gold.


When writing the book, what did you discover about this character that surprised you?

Her ability to see the best in most people but not in herself.


Are any sequels planned for this book?

Actually, I’m glad you asked. CHOCOLATE RASPBERY MAGIC (Set to release in April of 2021) is the fourth book in A Witch’s Journey Series and one of the One Scoop or Two summer series from The Wild Rose Press.


Why should readers who haven't picked up one of your books before give this one a try?

Now more than ever, we need heart-warming, feel-good books to whisk us away from our new normal into a magical, fantasy adventure for just a few hours. HIDDEN GYPSY MAGIC and all of my books for that matter are a welcome stress reliever, if only for a few hours at a time.

 

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.


Available from these online retailers


 

A sneak preview from Hidden Gypsy Magic


March came in like a lamb, but a few days later a frigid wind gripped the northeast region of the United States with a vengeance. Gwen covered the box with her tiny treasures inside and shoved open the vehicle door. When the SUV's door slammed against her legs, she yelped but continued to tightly hold the cover in place over the box. I'll have bruises tomorrow. Once inside Brock's vet office, she glanced at the empty receptionist area. "Anybody here?" No one answered, so she eased into a seat and waited anxiously with a cardboard box on her lap. Weak scratching came from the box. Carefully lifting the cover, she peeked inside to make sure the little creatures were safe.


When the front door banged open of the veterinary clinic, she jumped. A cold breeze swept through the waiting room ahead of Delta, the receptionist, who rushed in throwing her arms up in an exasperated gesture. "Sorry, I'm late. Traffic." She frowned while rounding the reception desk and glanced down at the appointment book, then back up to Gwen. "I don't have you on my schedule today." Leaning over the counter, the receptionist pointed to the box. "What's in there?"


Gwen's face flushed in anger. "Someone dumped these poor innocent turtles or more accurately Desert Tortoises by the side of the road. They can't be much more than a few weeks old. Even the spring temps are close to freezing at night. Poor little things were cold, dehydrated, defenseless, and malnourished." She glanced at the receptionist. Dr. Brock Scutter is expecting me, I spoke to him late last night.


 

Meet the Author


Tena Stetler is a best-selling author of award winning paranormal romance with an over-active imagination. She gave up her paralegal profession to play with faeries, witches, vampires, and shapeshifters and tell their tales. She wrote her first vampire romance as a tween, to the chagrin of her mother and the delight of her friends. Colorado is home; shared with her husband, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot and a forty-five-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.


Her books tell tales of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them. Travel, adventure, and a bit of mystery flourish in her books along with a few companion animals to round out the tales.


Social media links:


Twitter Page: https://www.twitter.com/TenaStetler

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