In Tea in the Parlor, each post is a glimpse into another place and time, whether through the romance of Victorian England, the enchantment of fairy lore, the intrigue of the circus, the allure of the paranormal, or the untamed adventure of the Wild West. Bloom & Bough - Stories that explore the secret language of flowers and the mystery of trees In Victorian times, if a letter or message couldn't be sent or would be inappropriate, flowers were sent and had secret meanings. In Bloom & Bough, I explore the hidden meanings of flowers, the ancient lore of trees, and the way nature has shaped love, legend, and mystery throughout history. Fairy Fables - Whispers of magic, echoes of legend, and tales from the hidden world Fairies and magic just scream pure imagination to me. I love the playfulness and charm that I feel when I start writing a story based in this world. I hope you feel it, too! In Fairy Fables, you’ll find stories inspired by nature and magic, all in the enchanting world of the fairies. ​On the Trail - Tales of love, legend, and adventure on the untamed frontier I love the rugged desert and mountains where I live. There are still so many untamed places I see as I drive comfortably in my car. (haha) It is fun to imagine that 150 years ago, the land probably didn't look much different. In this category of On the Trail, I will have fiction that covers romance, adventure, and people traveling to make a new life for themselves and how they survived. So saddle up (I cannot ride a horse by the way-ask my husband for that story) and join me in the Old West. ​ Twilight Tales - Whispers in the dark linger in the air - is it friend or foe? ​ Twilight Tales is where my love of the mysterious, and perhaps a bit darker, gets to be explored. You'll find yourself caught in the romance of the Victorian era, when seances and spiritualism were in vogue. These stories may have you glimpsing spectral figures in the gaslight, reading whispered words of love between unrequited lovers, and wondering if that mist in the dark distance is friendly or means harm.* ​ Under the Big Top - Secrets, spectacle, and stories from the golden age of the circus I love the glitz and glamour, and seedier side, of the circus when it was "the thing" to do in towns across the country as it grew and settled. Townsfolk gathered to see something magical, weird, and breathtaking. I have often wondered how the performers lived and what the audience thought as the circus rolled into town, bringing with it adventure and intrigue. I am excited to dive into this world of trapeze artists, lion tamers, and life Under the Big Top. The show is about to begin—step inside and discover the stories that live in the spotlight…and the shadows. Victorian Vignettes - Glimpses of love, mystery, and life in the Victorian era ​ Vignette: a brief evocative description, account, or episode. Here I explore my favorite era of history. Romance, sweet and simple; life as a servant in England; families enjoying their time together; couples falling in love - I want to write about it all. Victorian Vignettes brings you short fiction set in the 19th century. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do - with or without a cup of tea. ​ ​​​ Thursday Chronicles - Serialized stories and story world paths that intertwine to wander down If I have a serialized story, you can find the continuation in this category for ease of reading. I will also put crossover stories in this category; Under the Big Top & Twilight Tales; Victorian Vignettes & Fairy Fables, etc. ​Anyway, enjoy the stories! *For those who don't like scary, I will put a raven 🐦‍⬛ in the title so you can know the tale lies closer to horror than mysterious side of things.