Author Beth Warstadt
A little bit about Author Beth Warstadt…
Books have been my life. Not only do I love to read, but I also have two degrees in English, and my first career was selling college textbooks. Along with raising two children, my second career as an elementary school paraprofessional included seven years as a librarian, developing a love of reading with hundreds of children. In the midst of it all, I turned forty and thought, “I’m about halfway through my life. If I’m going to be a writer, I’d better get started.” It took some alterations in the way I spent my time, but I’m living proof it can be done.
This is Author Beth Warstadt’s writing and publication journey in her own words…
Inspiration to start writing…
Like most authors, I’ve been writing all my life. My first novel was inspired by a simple phrase about one of my role-model historical figures, Alfred the Great. One of his biographies mentioned “Alfred…obtained in marriage a noble Mercian lady.” That’s it. No other information about her at all. He was known for being very progressive in his ideas, so I wondered, ‘What if his wife had time-traveled from the twenty-first century?’–and my novel, Soul Lost, was born.
My writing falls into the genre of clean romance, sometimes called sweet romance, but I resist the idea of ‘sweet.’ Just because the story isn’t erotic doesn’t mean that it doesn’t deal with serious topics. So far, my settings have been primarily contemporary, although Soul Lost is a time travel, and I am currently working on a period piece setting in the early 1900’s.
Beth’s works…
All of my books and short stories are available on Amazon.
Novels:Â
Soul LostÂÂ Â
Short Stories:
During the Ball: A Cinderella Story
Lexie Lewis Loves Lemon Squares
Maisie’s List Blurb
A year after his wife’s death, Peter Hunter juggles raising their two precocious children and running his veterinary practice. When he receives a mysterious package from his late wife, Maisie, he discovers her matchmaking list of four potential mates. His office manager, Caroline, encourages him to trust Maisie’s judgement and give love another try. But dating is never easy, especially when his school-age children have opinions on everything. Will he ever find another woman who can make them all happy?
One of Beth’s favourite scenes from Maisie’s List…
Peter sought a few quiet moments to finish his coffee, but it was not to be. A large mailing envelope had appeared on his desk, his name on the front written in all-too-familiar hand writing. “Caroline, what is this?” he asked carrying it like it was filled with nitroglycerin.
“It’s a package,” she answered, eyes riveted to her computer screen.
“I can see that,” he replied suspiciously. “It’s from Maisie.”
“Really?” Her voice was carefully emotionless.
“Maisie is dead.”
“I know that.”
“Where did it come from? Did you put it there?” This package was a crack in the wall he had erected to protect himself from his grief.
Her emotionless façade gave way. “I did,” Caroline said softly. “She gave it to me with instructions to give it to you when I thought you were ready.”
“Ready for what?”
“She said I would know. I think she meant when you were ready to get on with your life.”
“Who the hell are you to decide that?” he growled. He would get on with his life when he was damn good and ready.
Caroline shrugged, not the least bit intimidated by his anger. “It’s been over a year. It seems like the right time for you to read what she had to say.”
He stormed into his office and slammed the door. He dropped into his desk chair, pressing the heels of his hands into his eyes. He could see Maisie sitting at the kitchen table writing out the grocery list, wearing her favorite gray sweat shirt and blue jeans, stray strands of auburn hair falling loose around her face. Had she been sitting there when she did this?
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. On the one hand he thought he could not stand to pull the scab off the wound that was the absence of his wife. On the other hand, she had physically handled this envelope and its contents. He could touch the page that she had touched and the writing that she had written. Buddy lay down with his head on Peter’s feet, compassionate dog eyes fixed on his master’s face. Peter looked down at him and said aloud, “I guess there’s only one thing to do.”
Connect with Author Beth Warstadt
Facebook: Beth Warstadt Author
Website: bethwarstadt.com
