Sunday, October 27, 2013

Snippet Sunday - 2.99 paranormal romance in time for Halloween: Sunrise Over Brasov #snippetsunday


Hi all, I'm participating in the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday. This month, I'll be taking snippets from my paranormal romance, "Sunrise Over Brasov."








This snippet:  Michael finds Rosa, now recovered, in danger. 
*****


Michael slinked down the hall. The scent of pine grew thicker as he approached Rosa's room. His heartbeat spiked. Michael raced to her room. Footsteps shuffled on the other side of the door.

He pushed the door open. Rosa stood next to the window. She was pale, her eyes focused on the man who held a rope in his hand.  

****
Sunrise Over Brasov is book 3 in the award winning Moldavian Moon Series.  Book 1, The Wolf's Torment, won GOLD in the 2012 Reader's Favorite Contest in Fiction: Supernatural. It was also nominated for Book of the Week with Long & Short Reviews.  Book 2, Twilight Over Moldavia was also nominated Book of the Month with Long and Short Reviews.  Just recently, the price was reduced to 2.99 - a great bargin for Halloween and spooktober. If you have a chance, check it out. I appreciate it. 

****
AMAZON:http://amzn.com/B00DVLRJOU

BARNES & NOBLE:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/moldavian-moon-book-three-stephanie-burkhart/1116009842?ean=2940148123552

DESERT BREEZE PUBLISHING:http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com/moldavian-moon-book-three-sunrise-over-brasov-epub/

ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS:https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-moldavianmoonbookthreesunriseoverbrasov-1230728-162.html


Saturday, October 26, 2013

Enter my GoodReads Giveaway for The Giving Meadow #goodreads #giveaway


I'm offering a copy of my children's book "The Giving Meadow" on Goodreads. The giveaway ends 17 NOV. If you're on goodreads and have an opportunity, stop by and enter.
Here's a link:



 
 


    Goodreads Book Giveaway
 

   

        The Giving Meadow by Stephanie Burkhart
   

   

     


          The Giving Meadow
     
     


          by Stephanie Burkhart
     


 

         
            Giveaway ends November 01, 2013.
         
         
            See the giveaway details
            at Goodreads.
         
     
   
   


      Enter to win




Friday, October 25, 2013

Save the Date: OCT 2013 Coffee & Chocolate Contest featuring: The Hungarian #contest




It's almost time for the October 2013 Coffee & Chocolate Contest.  This month's contest will feature book 1 of the Budapest Moon series: The Hungarian!

GRAND PRIZE: Win a GC to Starbuks, a coffee mug, a bag of chocolates (Andes mints) magnets, and a Lori Powell original book bag. All you have to do to enter is visit my Facebook Fan page between 26 -31 OCT and leave a comment on any one of the Coffee and Chocolate Posts. Every time you comment, you'll be entered in the "hat" for the grand prize drawing.

Winner will be announced on my Facebook Fan Page and here on 1 NOV . Previous winners are listed on the bottom of my website at: http://www.stephanieburkhart.com

My facebook fan page is: https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBurkhartAuthor

No purchase necessary
I will ship Internationally.

*****

BLURB for The Hungarian:



Katherine Archibald is in search of a grand adventure. A young woman in late Victorian England, she wants to open up a book store in London and travel Europe hunting down rare books. Love isn't on her map.
Enter Matthias Duma. The Hungarian count captures Katherine's attention like no other man before him with his unusual gold-malachite eyes, his exotic features, and his command of the night sky.
After a night of intrigue during Katherine's birthday, she discovers the map does include love in the legend, but will the map lead her to Budapest and the dark, brooding Hungarian she's just met?
EXCERPT
The door squeaked open and Katherine peeked over the top of her book. A tall, muscular man walked in wearing a white button-down shirt and holding his blazer. He paused, as if surprised to find her, and then walked toward the window, his stride easy. He moved with wolf-like prowess, his long legs taking cool, calculated steps as his unusual eyes surveyed her. Katherine bit the inside of her lip, returning his measured perusal with one of her own. His silence was unnerving, yet intriguing.
His eyes drew her to him -- malachite green with a gold ring around the iris. Dynamic. Expressive. Even now, as he looked at her, they softened and grew translucent. He stopped in front of the window and casually threw his blazer onto a nearby chair as if he owned the room.
"Hello," he said.
"Hello."
"You're staring."
"I am? I thought you were staring at me."
He chuckled. "Perhaps I was admiring you."
"Me?"
"Who else is here?"
Katherine pursed her lips as her insides warmed from the deep silkiness of his voice. He smiled and walked to her chair, slowly gliding around it, tracing his finger over the leather headrest, skirting her curly hair.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"And who is inquiring?" She tried to sound cool and composed, but she had to fight the nervous temptation to play with her hands.
"Romeo, perhaps?"
"Then my name is Juliet."
A teasing smile graced his lips as he walked out from behind her chair and glanced at a bookshelf before turning to look at her again.
"Would you fall for Tristan?"
"Only if my name were Isolde."
He walked over to a wooden table near the window and ran his long finger over a clay mock-up of Excalibur lodged in a stone. "What do you think of Arthur? Do you think it suits me?"
"Only Guinevere would believe your name was Arthur."
He crossed his arms, his eyes sparkling in the sunlight. "Would you believe my name was Matthias?"
"I might, if--"
"If what?"
"If I knew more about you."
REVIEWS:

Happily Ever After Reviews,  5 Cups
"This is an excellent book and I think fans of both the paranormal and historical romances will really, really enjoy it." 

Hope Chest Reviews - 4 Hearts
Overall, The Hungarian was a pretty good read. Stephanie Burkhart is good at telling an interesting story that holds my attention.

You Gotta Read Reviews - You Need to Read, Lupa
I was so very happily surprised by this book. The characters are enchanting, the scenes are vividly written, and the story has a fantastic flow. I really enjoyed the warm love and fiery passion that seemed to leap off the page. 

Sizzling Hot Book Reviews, 5 Hearts
"I highly recommend The Hungarian, even if you aren't that interested in the paranormal such as werewolves. The romantic tale of The Hungarian is enough to win over anyone."

Reader's Favorites, 5 Stars
"This book is extremely entertaining. The plot is sensual and romantic."

Coffee Time Romance, 3 Cups
"Ms. Burkhart tells this tale in such a voice that we can practically feel the waves of emotions both characters are feeling coming off the pages."



BOOK TRAILER ON YOU TUBE:


BUY LINKS:

AMAZON KINDLE:

BARNES & NOBLE NOOK:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/budapest-moon-book-one-stephanie-burkhart/1029789952?ean=9781936000654&itm=4&usri=stephanie%2bburkhart

SONY EBOOKS
http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/stephanie-burkhart/the-hungarian/_/R-400000000000000233152

ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS:
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-budapestmoonbookonethehungarian-427260-139.html

PUBLISHER'S BUY LINK: 
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-87/%3Ci%3EBudapest-Moon-Book-One%3C-fdsh-i%3E-cln-/Detail.bok

FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:
WEBSITE:

TWITTER:

FACEBOOK: 
https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBurkhartAuthor

GOOD READS:

YOU TUBE CHANNEL:
http://www.youtube.com/user/botrina?feature=mhee

PINTEREST:
http://pinterest.com/sgburkhart/

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Hanging out at the California Avocado Festival



Arriving at the Festival. Photo by: Andrew

Does anyone else flip through their local AAA magazine to the back? I usually discover a ton of events there. I've found the Greek Festival, the Highland Games at the Queen Mary, the Clam Chowder Festival, the Garlic Festival, Boo at the Zoo in Santa Barbara, and most recently, the Avocado Festival.

Who doesn't love a good guacamole? It was time for the boys and I to head out to Carpinteria, CA (an hour's drive north) and bask in the avocado glory.


Scoping out the food. Photo: Andrew

The festival was held 5-7 OCT. We went on Sunday, arrived at noon and discovered it was packed. They had an arts and crafts area and 3 or 4 stages were the local bands played.

Our first mission was to find the food area. My husband and I had a fish taco. The boys ate hot dogs and fries.

Big Green Monster Avocado. Photo: Joe

After we finished, we found the avocado stands. I learned there was more to the green monster than just Hass avocadoes. There was a ton of different kinds. Avocadoes are pretty recent to So Cal, introduced in the early 1900's.

Interestingly, the green beast is considered a flowering plant and in the same plant family as cinnamon and camphor.

Festival Guacamole. Photo: Joe

Just in time, we found the guacamole truck. It was tasty, but I assure you, Andrew and I can fix up some guacamole that will make you drool. 

We also found avocado smoothies and ice cream. We discovered you could put avocado slices on anything from salad to fish. I wanted to buy an avocado festival t-shirt, but the money ran out. Avocadoes ain't cheap.

Avocado stands. Photo: Andrew


Avocados are art, too. The boys' local PTA was sponsoring the yearly "Reflections" campaign and they decided to enter this year. Joe, my 7 year old, discovered he likes art after an art class this summer. They decided to enter the photography category. I gave them a couple of lessons in how to take pictures and print from a digital camera and they were off.

(We were supposed to go to Yosemite for our photo shoot but the government shutdown.)

Andrew checking out avocadoes. Photo: Joe

 Armed with our Canon Photoshot, the boys took a bunch of pictures, printed their favorites and made collages.  Cross your fingers for them. The Reflections display goes up 17 NOV.

All in all, the boys and I had a nice day trip hanging with the 'cadoes.

Hanging with the 'cadoes. Photo: Joe


Guacamole, anyone?  What do you like to "fix" up with your avocadoes? I'd love to hear it. If anyone wants my guacamole recipe, let me know, I'm willing to share.

Smiles
Steph

PS – these pictures were taken by the boys and used for their Reflections project. 

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Snippet Sunday - 2.99 paranormal romance in time for Halloween: Sunrise Over Brasov #snippetsunday


Hi all, I'm participating in the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday. This month, I'll be taking snippets from my paranormal romance, "Sunrise Over Brasov."









This snippet:  Rosa is still sick, but begins to recall a memory with Michael 
*****


He walked to the edge of the bed and sat down. She rolled onto her back and reached for his hand. He grasped it and closed his eyes, entering the world of her dreams.

He stood on a balcony overlooking the Black Sea. Gripping the railing, he tried to push the intense numbness of the moment away. They had buried his mother, Theresa, two days ago. Michael's heart beat with a raw intensity he couldn't define. 

****
Sunrise Over Brasov is book 3 in the award winning Moldavian Moon Series.  Book 1, The Wolf's Torment, won GOLD in the 2012 Reader's Favorite Contest in Fiction: Supernatural. It was also nominated for Book of the Week with Long & Short Reviews.  Book 2, Twilight Over Moldavia was also nominated Book of the Month with Long and Short Reviews.  Just recently, the price was reduced to 2.99 - a great bargin for Halloween and spooktober. If you have a chance, check it out. I appreciate it. 

****
AMAZON:http://amzn.com/B00DVLRJOU

BARNES & NOBLE:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/moldavian-moon-book-three-stephanie-burkhart/1116009842?ean=2940148123552

DESERT BREEZE PUBLISHING:http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com/moldavian-moon-book-three-sunrise-over-brasov-epub/

ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS:https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-moldavianmoonbookthreesunriseoverbrasov-1230728-162.html


Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Gothic Romance is perfect for this time of year! #gothicromance




INTRO:
I remember growing up in the mid-1980's as a teenager, I loved going to the library and borrowing books by Victoria Holt and VC Andrews. They took me to far away places, introduced me to intriguing mysteries and unexplainable events. I encountered a damsel in distress and handsome, dark anti-heroes. Ah, my first love was undoubtedly Gothic Romance.

From the Editor:

Gothic literature received its start in 1764 when Horace Walpole wrote "The Castle of Oranto." Ann Radcliffe further defined the genre, giving it a sense of legitimacy when she explained the supernatural elements of the story with natural, believable, causes. She also introduced the brooding hero.  What Radcliffe did though, was give the 'gothic' the twist that defines it, by showing supernatural events grounded in reality.

Gothic romances were popular in the 1960's – 1980's. They're still popular, but paranormal romances have taken over. Some of the elements in a gothic romance include:

Atmosphere:
Mystery and suspense are important to the genre as well as darkness and "unexplainable" events. The more shadows the better.

Setting:
The setting compliments atmosphere. The setting is intended to be dark, dreary, creating a feeling of claustrophia or fearfulness. The setting is usually an old castle, or a family estate, possibly near a cave, or even an old abbey. The setting is meant to emphase spooky sounds, secret passages, mysterious rooms, trapped doors, and webbed staircases. The message of the setting is to paint a place of decay and desolation.

Characters:
The heroine is usually a damsel in distress with no family or very little family. She may be forced to do things she doesn't want to or let down someone. The hero is her protector who falls madly in love with her and will ultimately save her from the villain.

Emotion:
Gothic romance "ups" the emotion – sadness, fear, passion, crying, agitation, screaming, terror and obsessive love help build absolute desperation. Emotions also include great passion, panic, grief, and perhaps this is the appeal to the young teenage girl who feels emotions tenfold, much like the gothic heroine.

Plot:
A gothic plot involves the heroine's fall from grace and her protector's efforts to save her. Complications include a powerful villain, unexplainable events (rooted in natural causes) omens, prophecies, and the fear of death.

Metonymies
This is a metaphor like rain which is used to represent something else like sorrow.

Some modern gothic romance writers include Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt.  Question: Who is your favorite gothic romance author? Who would you recommend for your teenager daughter/neice? 



Have a spooky Halloween!

Reivews for Sunrise Over Brasov:

 "You will love this paranormal romantic novel." 5 Stars, Reader's Favorites Reviews

BLURB: 

Prince Michael Sigmaringen joins his sister-in-law, Caroline, and the vampire prince, Darius, in a daring rescue of his beloved at Poiana Brasov. However things aren't what they appear. Upon freeing Rosa from the werewolf, Clement, another wolf, Rickard follows them.

Michael soon discovers Rickard is a new breed of werewolf – one who can control his lupine nature and his transformations. Michael and his companions arrive at the vampire fortress, Rasnov, but can go no further when Clement attacks wanting Rosa and Rickard back.

Michael's courage, strength, and convictions are challenged beyond his limits, but his love for Rosa proves his guiding force. Can Michael finally rid his family of their lupine haunting and win Rosa's heart?

EXCERPT: 


He raised his hand and lowered his hood. An inherent strength filled his profile. Confidence. Concern. Relief.
Rosa's breath jammed in her throat. He looked familiar. He smelled familiar.
"Rosa, it's Michael. Let's go."
"I'm not going anywhere with you."
A frown set against his rugged features. "I don't have time to argue -- now put on a warm dress and cloak."
"No." She was not going anywhere with him despite the relief in his voice.
He sighed and shut the door. Moving with fluid grace, he crossed the room, jerked the door to her closet open and threw the items he wanted her to wear on her bed. "Get. Dressed."
"No." She was determined not to budge, despite the danger outside.
"Rosa, we're leaving."
"I'm staying."
"Why would you want to stay? Clement kidnapped you."
Disconcerted, she pointedly glanced away from his hard stare. What did he mean by kidnapped? Clement didn't keep her behind bars and feed her only bread and water. Rosa could even go into Brasov to shop as long as Lucien or one of the bodyguards went with her.
"I'm going to take you back to your mother."
Her head snapped toward his direction. Mother? Of course she had a mother -- a family, even -- only she had no recollection of them. So why did her body fill with warmth at the mention of her mother by a man she hadn't seen before, but was hauntingly familiar? She pursed her lips, torn by conflicting emotions.
"Caroline and Darius can't keep this up. Now get dressed or I'll dress you myself."
"You'll find me an unwilling subject."
He drew in a deep breath and raked a hand through his thick ebony hair. "You are exasperating."
"So I've been told."
BUY LINKS:
AMAZON:http://amzn.com/B00DVLRJOU

BARNES & NOBLE:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/moldavian-moon-book-three-stephanie-burkhart/1116009842?ean=2940148123552

DESERT BREEZE PUBLISHING:http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com/moldavian-moon-book-three-sunrise-over-brasov-epub/

ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS:https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-moldavianmoonbookthreesunriseoverbrasov-1230728-162.html

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Snippet Sunday - 2.99 paranormal romance in time for Halloween: Sunrise Over Brasov #snippetsunday


Hi all, I'm participating in the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday. This month, I'll be taking snippets from my paranormal romance, "Sunrise Over Brasov."








This snippet:  Michael and Rosa have arrived at Rasnov.
*****

Michael knew something was wrong from the sound of her voice. He flung open the door and found her laying on the bed, her body shivering.

His stomach clenched. "Michael..."

He knelt next to the bed and placed his hand on her forehead. She was burning up. Her cold had progressed awfully fast. Or was this the work of anise withdrawal? 


****
Sunrise Over Brasov is book 3 in the award winning Moldavian Moon Series.  Book 1, The Wolf's Torment, won GOLD in the 2012 Reader's Favorite Contest in Fiction: Supernatural. It was also nominated for Book of the Week with Long & Short Reviews.  Book 2, Twilight Over Moldavia was also nominated Book of the Month with Long and Short Reviews.  Just recently, the price was reduced to 2.99 - a great bargin for Halloween and spooktober. If you have a chance, check it out. I appreciate it. 

****
AMAZON:http://amzn.com/B00DVLRJOU

BARNES & NOBLE:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/moldavian-moon-book-three-stephanie-burkhart/1116009842?ean=2940148123552

DESERT BREEZE PUBLISHING:http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com/moldavian-moon-book-three-sunrise-over-brasov-epub/

ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS:https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-moldavianmoonbookthreesunriseoverbrasov-1230728-162.html


Sunday, October 6, 2013

Snippet Sunday - paranormal romance in time for Halloween! Sunrise Over Brasov #snippetsunday


Hi all, I'm participating in the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday. This month, I'll be taking snippets from my paranormal romance, "Sunrise Over Brasov."









This snippet:  Michael and Rosa have reached Rasnov, but Darius is injuried. He's a vampire in his his raven form. 

*****


 Michael dismounted. "Be on your guard. We might have been followed."

The sentry nodded. Michael held out his hands, reaching for Rosa. She kept Darius close and placed her hand in Michael's. Enjoyable warmth traveled up her arm. Michael offered her a hint of a smile.  

****
Sunrise Over Brasov is book 3 in the award winning Moldavian Moon Series.  Book 1, The Wolf's Torment, won GOLD in the 2012 Reader's Favorite Contest in Fiction: Supernatural. It was also nominated for Book of the Week with Long & Short Reviews.  Book 2, Twilight Over Moldavia was also nominated Book of the Month with Long and Short Reviews. 

****
AMAZON:http://amzn.com/B00DVLRJOU

BARNES & NOBLE:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/moldavian-moon-book-three-stephanie-burkhart/1116009842?ean=2940148123552

DESERT BREEZE PUBLISHING:http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com/moldavian-moon-book-three-sunrise-over-brasov-epub/

ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS:https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-moldavianmoonbookthreesunriseoverbrasov-1230728-162.html