Q&A with Stephanie Burkhart about The Green Rose, a fantasy romance

QUESTION 1: What's "The Green Rose" about?"

STEPH: The story takes place on the mythical continent of Gaia. There are 4 allied nations: N'Gasse, Tapin, Daháka, and Ravenrock. The evil mage, Balthyser, betrays Tapin and the allied nations. Seeking power, he unleashes the fearsome wyldebeasts on Gaia. Sonia of Tapin and Ivánstan of Daháka are tasked to find the green rose in the hopes of harnessing the magic and defeating Balthyser.

QUESTION 2: How long did it take you to write?

STEPH: About 3 months. I started in September and finished in November. It was a very fluid write and the characters really dictated the direction of the story.

QUESTION 3: Did you have to do a lot of research?

STEPH: I did a bunch of research on dragon myths and legends. I also researched falcons and ravens. I learned a lot of interesting things about the birds and I tried to weave the more interesting aspects into the story.

QUESTION 4: Hollywood is calling. Cast the characters.

STEPH: I see Rhona Mitra (from Underworld 3) as Sonia and Kellan Lutz (think Immortals) as Ivánstan. Ian McKellan is my choice for the evil mage Balthyser. Meryl Streep would make a great Queen Rowan and Colin Firth would be my pick for King Talas of Ravenrock.

QUESTION 5: Sonia is the heroine. What are her strengths? Weaknesses?

STEPH: Sonia was told that magic wasn't strong in her so she was raised to be skilled with a sword. Sonia is brave and determined, but after Gabriel's betrayal, she's a lot less trusting. Her weaknesses would be her lack of training in magic and her fear of trusting again. Ivánstan has to work hard to earn her trust.

QUESTION 6:  What does Ivánstan find appealing about Sonia?

STEPH: She's just as fearless as him and enjoys a good adventure. That's what he's looking for in a soulmate.

QUESTION 7: How does the cover reflect the story?

STEPH: The green rose is a powerful magical instrument and can influence magical beings. Sonia is the one most affected by the rose. The rose helps her to find the courage to deepen her relationships.

QUESTION 8: Are you a plotter or a panster?

STEPH: A panster for sure!  When I start, I plot the first 3 chapters and when I'm done with them I let the characters decide where they want to go.

QUESTION 9: Do you have an ebook reader? If so, which one?

STEPH: I have a Kindle Fire and a Kindle 2. I love my Kindle 2 because it has text to speech and I can listen to it in the car going to work. I love my Kindle Fire for the color, the apps, the games, and the videos.

QUESTION 10: Fun question: Any plans for March?

STEPH: Stay warm! It's a bit chilly out my way right now. 

BLURB: 

On the continent of Gaia, evil is brewing. Turncoat wizard, Balthyser, kidnaps the kings of Dahaka and Tapin. He wants the green rose, a source of powerful magic.

Princess Sonia of Tapin is forced to hunt down the rose in exchange for her father's life. It's the ultimate betrayal of Gaia's peace, but she has no choice if she wants to save her father. 

Prince Ivanstan of Dahaka accompanies her on the journey. Both face challenges and obstacles that test their strength of character during the hunt for the rose. Dare Sonia put her trust and faith in a man she hardly knows to secure Gaia's peace or will the continent's harmony be shattered forever? 

REVIEWS:

4 Stars, InD'Tales Magazine: JUL/AUG 2013

"An engaging tale with a complete story all wrapped up in one tidy package." - Leslie Stokes, InD'Tales Magazine. 

5 Stars, Scorching Book Reviews
I don't read much romantic fantasy, but this was so well structured and so lovely, I could not put it down. 

4 Stars, Laura Carter for Reader's Favorites:
I loved the characters of Ivánstan and Sonia and the romance growing between them is sweet and believable.

Book Trailer:

The Green Rose is available as an ebook only.

BUY LINKS:

PUBLISHER'S SITE

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-280/The-Green-Rose-Stephanie/Detail.bok

AMAZON KINDLE:

http://amzn.com/B007QUBU2E

BARNES & NOBLE NOOK:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1109853031

ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS:

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thegreenrose-769936-143.html

Author Bio: Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD. She adores chocolate, enjoys a strong cup of coffee and is a den leader for her son's cub scout den in her off duty time. 

FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:

WEBSITE:

http://www.stephanieburkhart.com

TWITTER:

http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBurkhartAuthor

GOOD READS:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart

YOU TUBE CHANNEL:

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

Is Divergent Romantic? Dystopian YA Fiction

By: Stephanie Burkhart

The "Divergent" series is set in a dystopian future. There are five factions that contribute to the society – Amity, Erudite, Candor, Dauntless, and Abnegation. Each has a certain job to do.

The heroine, Beatrice "Tris" Prior, belongs to Abnegation. When she goes for her aptitude test, she learns she's 'divergent' with an aptitude for multiple factions. And being 'divergent' is not good.

When Beatrice switches to Dauntless, she meets 'Four,' a Dauntless initiate trainer. And this is where the 'romance' begins.

I wouldn't call "Divergent" romantic, but there are romantic elements peppered in the storytelling.

It's the buzz Tris feels when Four brushes against her that infuses her skin.
It's the warmth in Tris' cheeks when Four stares at her.
It's the acceleration of Tris' heartbeat when Four pays her a compliment.

Tris and Four gravitate toward each other in the face of adversity – this attraction offers not only them, but the reader, hope.

In "Divergent," there's no proclamation of love – just a 'knowing' that Tris and Four are meant to be together. Tris and Four hold hands, they touch, and perhaps in a gesture of trust and intimacy, they share each other's fear landscapes.

There's no traditional romance in the novel, but the reader knows its about the journey Tris and Four will make together and they need as much hope, trust, and respect that love will bring them.

QUESTION: Have you read "Divergent" or the series? Did you like the story? Why or why not?

Author Bio: Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. She lives in SoCal, adores chocolate, enjoys a strong cup of coffee and never gets enough sleep. She's a den leader for her son's cub scout den. Currently, she's reading "Allegent" by Veronica Roth. 

FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:

WEBSITE:

http://www.stephanieburkhart.com

TWITTER:

http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart

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

GOOD READS:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart

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

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

Promo/Excerpt for Dark Shadow, Sci-Fi Romance

Dark Shadow is a novella set in the distant future on the Borealis Space Station.

BLURB: 

The TPP have developed a new destructive weapon and intend to test it on the Borealis Space Station. Helios Talon, a Rebellion freedom fighter from Pith, is dispatched to the station to discover the extent of the weapon's development and stop it if necessary. He's also given a personal mission from his sister, Persephone: keep Vivian Melendez, the owner of Korn, safe from an unknown assassin.

Helios and his cousin, Athena, arrive on the Borealis and discover the TPP are ready to test the weapon. He's got to act fast, but when Helios meets Vivian, distractions complicate his plan. Can he overcome his challenges and save not only the feisty Vivian, but the station, too?

ENJOY THIS EXCERPT:

He cupped her cheek and felt his mind connect with her again. "I'm not ashamed to work for the Rebellion. The TPP are ruthless and careless with life. The Rebellion is growing and soon it will be strong enough to overtake the TPP."

"I can't deny the conviction I hear in your voice."

"When I believe in something or someone, I'm in one hundred percent. It wasn't easy growing up on Pith, then watching the TPP rape my world. They killed my parents."

"That's your reason for being a rebel?"

"No, my motivation. I still have relatives on Pith. I still want to live there when the fighting is all over." He quieted and offered her a wistful smile.

"Anything else you want?"

"A family of my own one day."

She paused. At one point in time she had wanted that, too. The knots lessened in her stomach. Helios drew close. Impulse took over. His lips skirted hers. His warm breath and spicy scent made her feel protected. Vivian leaned against him. Her lips brushed against his. He tasted of honey and berries -- and chocolate. The seductive sample he offered fueled her body, urging her to savor and enjoy.

She placed her palms flat against his muscled chest and her heart skipped a beat. She never felt so safe, so wanted.

Then reality struck. This was only a moment. She wasn't TPP or a rebel. Her home was here with Sally and Korn. Adonis sounded like he wanted more than she could offer, and Benares was not going to ruin her life again.

She pushed Helios away and broke off the sweet, heartwarming kiss, but discovered she was breathless and couldn't look away from him. Adonis managed to confuse the heck out of her.

*****

QUESTION: Have you read Divergent? Are you looking forward to the movie?  Have you seen The Hungar Games? Did you like the book or the movie better.  Leave your email and I'll pick a random winner to receive a PDF copy of Dark Shadow.

*****

ENJOY THIS TRAILER FOR "Shadows and Light," a prequel story to Dark Shadow in the Borealis 4-6 Anthology.

BUY LINKS FOR THE DARK SHADOW:

PUBLISHER'S SITE
http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com/borealis-xiv-dark-shadows/

AMAZON KINDLE:
http://amzn.com/B00GTB9C3A

BARNES & NOBLE NOOK:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/borealis-xiv-stephanie-burkhart/1117477623?ean=2940148841265

ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS:
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-borealisxivdarkshadow-1352200-148.html

***********

Author Bio: Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. She lives in SoCal, adores chocolate, enjoys a strong cup of coffee and on her off time is a den leader for her son's cub scout den. 

FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:

WEBSITE:
http://www.stephanieburkhart.com

TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart

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

GOOD READS:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart

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

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

Promo/Excerpt for The Green Rose, a fantasy romance

The Green Rose:  1.99 Fantasy Romance set in the land of Gaia.

BLURB:

On the continent of Gaia, evil is brewing. Turncoat wizard, Balthyser, kidnaps the kings of Dahaka and Tapin. He wants the green rose, a source of powerful magic.

Princess Sonia of Tapin is forced to hunt down the rose in exchange for her father's life. It's the ultimate betrayal of Gaia's peace, but she has no choice if she wants to save her father.

Prince Ivánstan of Dahaka accompanies her on the journey. Both face challenges and obstacles that test their strength of character during the hunt for the rose. Dare Sonia put her trust and faith in a man she hardly knows to secure Gaia's peace or will the continent's harmony be shattered forever?

ENJOY THIS EXCERPT:

Ivánstan stood behind her, pressing the firm muscles of his chest against her back. He wrapped his arms around her waist and placed both his hands over hers. His warm breath caressed her ear and her body tingled from their contact. Despite her unease, she felt protected in his arms.

"You're tense. It's understandable, but I need you to relax -- to trust me." His voice was low and seductive. Sonia nipped at her lower lip with her teeth. How could she relax when the physical presence of him drove her senses to distraction?

"Clear your mind. Think of your father. Recall a happy memory of him. That's it -- he's smiling at you, pride on his face."

"You can see my memory?" she whispered.

"Aye. We're sharing heat -- magical heat. Now push out. Space doesn't exist. Only your father. Concentrate on his face."

Sonia drew in a breath and brought her father to mind -- the sound of his voice, deep and commanding, his face, rugged and lined, his scent, currants and earthy, his touch, gentle, yet firm. A vision of him appeared in her mind, but it was blurry and dark. Her father's tunic was torn, and he had been stripped of his weapons. The coppery scent of blood lingered over him.

Fear ripped through her and then the vision was gone. She grew limp, but Ivánstan tightened his grip. "He is not dead, but wounded and in a dark place."

"Thank Nyla," she whispered. "Is there more? Can we try again?"

"Not now. Your body is exhausted and needs rest. Tomorrow morning we can try to connect with your mother. The calling should be easier." His lips brushed against her ear, sending a warm pulse of physical awareness through her. Ivánstan was all male. Slowly, she turned around in his arms to gaze into his eyes. They were soft now, the orange reminding her of the sun; his pupils, while still slitted, were narrow.

************
QUESTION FOR YOU: Do you watch "Games of Thrones?" Why or why not? Who is your favorite character in the series.  Leave your name and your email and I'll pick one lucky winner to receive a PDF copy of "The Green Rose"

************

Reviews for THE GREEN ROSE: 

4 Stars, InD'Tales Magazine: JUL/AUG 2013

"An engaging tale with a complete story all wrapped up in one tidy package." - Leslie Stokes, InD'Tales Magazine. 

5 Stars, Scorching Book Reviews

I don't read much romantic fantasy, but this was so well structured and so lovely, I could not put it down. 

4 Stars, Laura Carter for Reader's Favorites:

I loved the characters of Ivánstan and Sonia and the romance growing between them is sweet and believable.

4 Flowers, It's Raining Books:

"I read this book cover-to-cover in one afternoon." 

****
YOU TUBE VIDEO:


BUY LINKS:

PUBLISHER'S SITE

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-280/The-Green-Rose-Stephanie/Detail.bok

AMAZON KINDLE:

http://amzn.com/B007QUBU2E

BARNES & NOBLE NOOK:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1109853031

ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS:

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thegreenrose-769936-143.html

Author Bio: Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. She lives in SoCal, adores chocolate, enjoys a strong cup of coffee and never gets enough sleep. She's a den leader for her son's cub scout den. Currently, she's reading "Allegent" by Veronica Roth. 

FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:

WEBSITE:

http://www.stephanieburkhart.com

TWITTER:

http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart

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

GOOD READS:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart

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

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

Whatcha' going to be for Halloween? Fess up

I just saw a special about Silence of The Lambs, the 1991 movie with Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins and it reminded me of how good the story was. It's a perfect time of year to watch the movie again being Halloween and all. I thought I'd share some fun "Silence" facts with you.

The Plot: A young FBI agent, Clarice Starling is recruited to approach the incarcerated Dr. Lector and ask him for his help in tracking down a serial killer named Buffalo Bill.

The movie was released on 14 FEB 1991. (Perfect for Valentine's, huh?)

The movie won: Best Director, Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best adapted Screenplay.

Gene Hackman was originally approached to play Dr. Lector.

Michelle Pfieffer was originally approached to play Clarice Starling.

Anthony Hopkins' screen time as Dr. Lector is just over 16 minutes!

What's your favorite scariest scene from the movie? For me, it's when Dr. Lector escapes. Totally freaky!

Silence of the Lambs is stuff of Halloween! Fess up: Who are you going to be for Halloween? Me? I was going to go as Spongebob (again!) but I've recently been inspired by Game of Thrones. –fumbles around for a blonde wig- I think I'll go as Danearys this year. Just called me Khaleesi. Has anyone seen my dragons?


Giveaway: Tell me what you're going to be for Halloween this year. I'll pick one lucky winner to receive a PDF Copy of one of my novels.

Steph's Novels:
The Hungarian – werewolf romance
The Count's Lair – werewolf romance
Danube in Candlelight – werewolf romance
The Wolf's Torment – werewolf/witch romance
Victorian Scoundrel - steampunk romance

FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:
WEBSITE:
http://www.stephanieburkhart.com

TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart

FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Burkhart-Author/149938795021166

GOOD READS:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart

Paranormal Romance: Danube in Candlelight, werewolf romance

Here's a scary/spinetingling excerpt from my upcoming paranormal/werewolf romance, Danube in Candlelight which is avail 1 NOV from Desert Breeze Publishing.

REVIEWS:
5 Stars, Reader's Favorite:
This story is the closest I have ever come to reading a book that feels like a movie!

Book Trailer on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgzUIHCRN0I



ENJOY THIS EXCERPT 

Zoltan stood in the middle of a patch of red roses. His eyes were closed, and he breathed deeply. Should she approach him? He furrowed his brow, fisted one of his hands, and brought it up to his chin. Her heart went out to him.

"Zoltan?"

His eyes snapped open. "Morgan? You shouldn't have followed me. Go away."

"You look awful. Can I help?"

He glanced at the moon and raked a hand through his hair. "I can't manage anymore. I must leave. Now."

"Then let's do so with dignity. Take my hand, and we'll walk back in there and leave through the front door."

His expression betrayed his struggle.

"I don't think I can. Even now I feel the tug of the moon. Its wicked light is draining the rest of my strength."

Morgan pursed her lips, knowing he had grown progressively weaker throughout the evening. Still, she offered him her hand. She wanted him to know she trusted him.

"Be strong just a little bit longer."

His eyes darkened dangerously. A look of warning crossed his features, but she ignored it. She could handle this. Her father could. Why couldn't he?

"Take my hand, Zoltan."

With a suddenness she didn't expect, he lunged for her hand, pushing it against the roses. The thorns on the rose stem pricked her flesh, making her bleed.

"Oh!" She brought her hand to her chest, but Zoltan pounced on her and grabbed her wrist. For a moment he studied her intently, then he opened his mouth. Long, white, pristine incisors hung past his lower lip.

Morgan's heart spiked with fear. He couldn't handle this. By God, the man was gone and had been replaced with a beast.
"Let me go, Zoltan."

He refused, pulling her hand toward him. She tried to tug it free, but he was incredibly strong. She couldn't break his grasp.
He brought her blood-stained hand to his nose and took a long breath.

"Sweet and coppery..." he said, his voice dropping to a husky whisper as he let the words trail away.

"Zoltan, let me go." Fear and panic laced her voice.

He flicked out his tongue and licked the blood off her hand. She tried to pull away. Instead of letting her go, he jerked her toward him, wrapped his powerful arm around her waist, and continued to lap up her blood. His sharp incisors brushed her hand. Fear thrummed through her veins. She couldn't break his hold. A glance at his eyes revealed all common sense had left him. Venom dripped off his elongated teeth.

"No, Zoltan, no..."

His teeth sliced into her flesh at the wrist. Her head spun. She pushed feebly against his chest and grew weak in his grip.

The pleasure was heady -- like that of a narcotic. Zoltan became one with her, his heart beating in time with hers. His life in Miskolc before the war came to life inside her head. She experienced his heartbreak and sadness, becoming one with him as she experienced his turning.

"No more killing. I won't kill again, ever. I swear it."

"Zoltan..." Her life force ebbed.

"Forgive me, Morgan."

He had satisfied his need to take, and her narcotic high drained away. She must take now if she wanted to live.

He offered her his wrist.

"Bite me. Take from me so you will live."

Morgan snapped her mouth open and sank her teeth into his flesh. The high returned, and she greedily took from him. In the back of her mind a man shouted her name, but she couldn't pull her attention away from Zoltan, or she would die.




PUBLISHER'S BUY LINK: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-219/Budapest-Moon-Book-III/Detail.bok

FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:
WEBSITE:
http://www.stephanieburkhart.com

TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart

FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Burkhart-Author/149938795021166

GOOD READS:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart

Paranormal romance: The Count's Lair, werewolf romance

REVIEWS:

SILVER AWARD WINNER: READER'S FAVORITE ROMANCE: SCI-FI/FANTASY 2011

LONG & SHORT REVIEWS, 5 Stars, Fennel
"Want a recipe for a great story? Take an awesome writer like Ms. Burkhart, stir in her intimate knowledge of Hungary, her innate ability to create wonderful characters, a book-full of suspense, mystery and passion and you get a book you can’t put down."

SIZZLING HOT BOOKS, 5 Hearts
"This is one of the best werewolf books I have ever read. If you enjoy the Werewolf legends, or just romantic relationships, The Count's Lair is a wonderful read."

READER'S FAVORITES, 5 Stars
The Count’s Lair is filled with suspense, mystery, passion, and the paranormal.

PEN & MUSE REVIEWS:
Those who love paranormal romance with a dash of suspense and mystery will fall in love with The Count’s Lair.

"The Count's Lair" is Book 2 of the Budapest Moon series and picks up 6 weeks after where "The Hungarian" left off. Count Anton Varga, Duma's foil in "The Hungarian," has found a certain amount of peace in his heart and actively pursues the beautiful and talented pianist, Lady Amelia Andrassy. Both Anton and Amelia have to overcome inner conflicts and open their hearts up to love. It doesn't help Amelia that Anton has a dubious reputation - and that he has a secret. Will love help her to accept him for what he is – werewolf and all?

THE CHARACTERS

Anton dares to believe in love which opens his heart to many different emotions. His biggest obstacle is trusting in love.

Amelia must believe in the unbelievable to find true happiness. Both Anton and Amelia's resolve is tested time and again throughout the novel as the werewolf, Marcus, haunts Anton's every move.

The novel was my NaNoWriMo project for 2009. That year was my first year in participating in NaNoWriMo. It was a crazy, wild month, let me tell you. Thankfully, I was a winner coming in at over 56,000 words by the end of the month. Just recently, "The Count's Lair" was a silver award winner in the Reader's Favorites 2011 Romance: Sci-Fi/Fantasy category.

BOOK TRAILER ON YOU TUBE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaiYNNpETok


BLURB:
Count Anton Varga is haunted by the curse of the moon. It tugs on his emotions, ravishing his soul. Anton abhors the beast he must learn to tame if he is to find peace. 



Lady Amelia Andrássy is an accomplished pianist, but her life in Budapest had been filled with heartache. When Amelia faints in the Duma's bookstore, it's Anton's strong arms that cradle her fall. His unusual indigo eyes spark with hers, replacing their individual loneliness with the promise of feral passion. 



After a two month separation, Anton is ready to walk into Amelia's life again, but is Amelia ready to fan the spark they shared into a flame? 


ENJOY THIS EXCERPT:
Count Varga looked like a tamed jackal. His hair was wind-tussled, and his overcoat accented his muscled physique. His scarf hung casually over his shoulders, too, as if it were just for show. She was completely disarmed by his full red lips, more vulnerable to his presence than she would have thought. Anton draped the cloak over her shoulders and snapped the front clasp. Sparks of warmth jumped off him, saturating her body. His smoldering sapphire eyes found hers. She adored his attention.

Bryant handed her a pair of gloves, her hat, and her scarf. She hung the scarf around her neck and put on her hat.

"Are you ready?" Anton asked.

She nodded, and he escorted her to his auto. The cold winter air nipped at her cheeks. It was only the first week of December, but Anton hadn't joked about the temperature.

They got in the back seat of his auto, and the driver took off. The auto was warm. Amelia put her gloves in her lap.

"Some people have set up a tent in the middle of the market and are selling goulash and warm apple wine. Do you mind having lunch there? I thought we'd take in the market's ambience."

"Not at all."

"I've missed you." He turned in the seat to look at her.

She smiled. "I've missed you, too."

"Did you get your invitation to the noble's ball?" he asked.

"Yes. I got it today."
"May I escort you?"

"I would like that," she replied. She'd like it a lot. Too much for her own good, but she wasn't prepared to admit that to him just yet. He already had unsettled her. It was exciting to be in the presence of a man so confident and secure. The last few weeks with Mikel, she'd thought he had avoided her because of the success of her piano concerts.

BUY LINKS:
AMAZON KINDLE:
http://www.amazon.com/Budapest-Moon-Book-Two-ebook/dp/B004LLIEMK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317535160&sr=8-1

BARNES & NOBLE NOOK:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/budapest-moon-book-two-the-counts-lair-stephanie-burkhart/1029218357?ean=9781612520186&itm=5&usri=stephanie%2bburkhart

SONY EBOOK STORE:
http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/stephanie-burkhart/the-count-s-lair/_/R-400000000000000337165

ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS:
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-budapestmoonbooktwothecount039slair-513164-139.html

PUBLISHER'S BUY LINK:
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-142/Stephanie-Burkhart-Budapest-Moon/Detail.bok


FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:
WEBSITE:
http://www.stephanieburkhart.com

TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart

FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Burkhart-Author/149938795021166

GOOD READS:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart

Paranormal/Werewolf Romance: The Hungarian

What I love about paranormal romance is that it blends my two loves – paranormal and romance. Growing up in the 1970's, I used to watch "Creature Double Feature" on Saturdays and I got hooked on vampires, werewolves, and zombies. As a teenager, I discovered Victoria Holt and her brand of gothic romance with spooky manors, and dark secrets. Drawing on these two influences, I brought them together for my novel, "The Hungarian," Book 1 in the Budapest Moon series.

WHY BUDAPEST?
In 1997, I was in the U.S. Army and deployed to Taszur, Hungary from JUL – OCT 1997. During that deployment, I had an opportunity to visit Budapest and I fell in love with the city. Budapest is a gem. Its architecture was preserved by the Iron Curtain of the Cold War. Budapest was the one place I've been to that made me believe werewolves and witches could exist. With it's exotic locale, dominant buildings, and Hungarian pride, it became the setting of my Budapest Moon series.

THE CHARACTERS

Hungarian Count Matthias Duma harbors a dark secret - he's a werewolf. Every full moon, Matthias transforms into a beast. Matthais is tormented by this condition and has no intention of ever falling in love again.

Enter Katherine Archibald. The young woman lives vicariously through her books, but when she meets Matthias, he challenges all her sensibilities. Mysterious, yet charming, she dares to break the battlements around his heart.

What I enjoyed about writing "The Hungarian" was bringing out the humanity in the characters. Matthias must learn to trust, and Katherine must learn to believe.

THE SHORT STORY

The novel was inspired by my short story, "The Wolf's Kiss," which won an Honorable Mention in the 2007 Writer's Digest Popular Fiction Contest in Romance.

BLURB:

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?

ENJOY THIS 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."

BOOK TRAILER ON YOU TUBE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZwaF8hAdow

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."

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


BUY LINKS:

AMAZON KINDLE:
http://www.amazon.com/Budapest-Moon-Book-One-ebook/dp/B003K15NG2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1317406212&sr=1-1

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:
stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-87/%3Ci%3EBudapest-Moon-Book-One%3C-fdsh-i%3E-cln-/Detail.bok

FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:
WEBSITE:
http://www.stephanieburkhart.com

TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart

FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Burkhart-Author/149938795021166

GOOD READS:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart

Intro: Paranormal Author Stephanie Burkhart

Steph's pumpkin, Jack

Hi, I'm Stephanie Burkhart. I write paranormal, steampunk, fantasy, and contemporary romance as well as children's stories. I love coffee, chocolate, and lilacs. I'm very excited to be here on the blog today. ☺

Just a little about me: I grew up in Manchester, New Hampshire, and got my start writing comic books as a 6 year old. When I turned 18, I joined the U.S. Army wanting a great adventure. I became an MP (Military Police) and went off to Germany. I spent 7 years in Europe between 1986-1997. I've visited Berlin (before and after the fall of the wall), The Netherlands, Belgium, Paris, Venice, Salzburg, Poland, and Hungary. Two counties I wish I could have visited and hope to get there soon: Great Britain and Canada. I became a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD in 2000. My sons are 9 and 5. Finding balance between working, writing, and being a mommy can be a challenge, but it's a rewarding one. When I go to sleep, I sleep pretty heavy, so most of my story ideas don't come from dreams, but from germs of ideas.

I love writing paranormal, steampunk, fantasy and contemporary romance.

My paranormal titles include:
The Hungarian, paranormal, werewolf romance
The Count's Lair, paranormal, werewolf romance,
Danube in Candlelight, paranormal, werewolf romance releases: 1 NOV 2011
The Wolf's Torment, paranormal, werewolf/witch romance
Victorian Scoundrel, steampunk, time travel

Be Mused, story: Matchmaking Amusement, (fantasty/paranormal)

GIVEAWAY: Do you have an ebook reader? If so, which one? Are you going to pick up the Kindle Fire?


FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:
WEBSITE:
http://www.stephanieburkhart.com

TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart

FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Burkhart-Author/149938795021166

GOOD READS:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart

The Wolf's Torment, paranormal romance, Moldavian Moon Book 1 by Stephanie Burkhart

The Wolf's Torment is Book 1 in my Moldavian Moon series. I consider it a little darker than my Budapest Moon series. It was one of my most challenging stories and I personally consider it paranormal fiction with romantic elements.

Set in Moldavia, 1865, Constanta is a city snuggled up against the Black Sea. Moldavia is a Romanian principality. Crown Prince Mihai returns from England intent on fulfilling his duties. He needs to learn Moldavian politics and get married. Mihai has a secret though – he's a witch.

I picked Constanta for the setting because I wanted an exotic location where the reader might believe werewolves and witches would exist. In fact, today, in Romania, being a witch is an accepted profession subject to taxes!

Mihai has inherited his abilities from his mother who is deceased. He's ready to lean the art of witchcraft, but only has books to learn from – until Theresa enters his life.

Theresa von Kracken is his intended, and while she is a witch, she hasn't been trained. She must never practice witchcraft or she faces death. Her sister, Beatrice, is forced into giving Mihai witching lessons when Mihai's best friend, Viktor, is transformed into a werewolf. Further complicating matters is the fact Viktor is married to Mihai's sister.

THE CHARACTERS

The challenge in writing supernatural character is making them "human," despite their abilities. Mihai may be a witch, but he's under a lot of pressure to marry, build a railroad, help his ailing father, and keep his family safe from the werewolf Viktor has become.

Viktor, while not the main character, goes through a slow, yet pronounced transformation. He struggles to retain his humanity, but after several full moons, his will and inner strength is tested like he's never known.

Theresa struggles to find a place in her new world, finding a sense of purpose in helping the local orphanages. By the time Mihai realizes he has a true gem in Theresa, will Viktor's actions ruin his friend's happiness?



BLURB: It's 1865 in Moldavia, a country nestled against the shores of the Black Sea, and Crown Prince Mihai Sigmaringen returns after receiving an education in England. His best friend, Viktor Bacau joins him. Mihai is intent on modernizing his nation, but he's also a witch, and it's time he embraces his heritage. The tasks in front of him are many including getting married.

Lady Theresa von Kracken arrives in Constanta as Mihai's intended. Mihai has vowed not to fall in love again, but Theresa manages to break the battlements around his heart.

In an unfortunate twist of fate, Viktor is bitten by a werewolf. Viktor's transformation threatens everyone around him including his wife's safety and Mihai's happiness with Theresa. Viktor's bite is the wolf's torment.

BOOK TRAILER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzHE2spBeeU

REVIEWS:
Pen & Muse: "A complete werewolf story through and through, Burkhart does it again with an amazing cast of characters, entertaining dialogue and plot."

Reader's Favorites, 5 Stars: "The Wolf’s Torment has it all, witches, werewolves, a vampire, princess and prince. This is paranormal romance at its finest.

Joy Cagil, Amazon Reader, 5 Stars: This novel is not only a highly entertaining page-turner but also it boasts its author's mastery of fiction. I loved it."

ENJOY THIS EXCERPT:

Her voice was matter-of-fact, pricking at his faults, but damn if she wasn't beautiful in the firelight. The rest of his plans for the evening could wait.

He held up his glass. "Would you like a drink?"

"What is it?"

"Brandy."

She clapped her hands and a smile tipped the corner of her lips. "I've never tried it, but it smells like it would be an interesting adventure."

He chuckled at her lightheartedness and went to the hidden bar, disguised as a closed shelf in the library walls, and removed a clean glass. He poured her the drink and gave it to her, his eyes sweeping over her face, probing her soul. Her emotions were an open book.

She wanted him to touch her. She ached for it. She wanted him to drive the loneliness away. The thought of sharing a more intimate embrace with her was enticing. He held up his drink and they clicked glasses, sipping the amber liquid.

She didn't gag or choke, but swallowed hard and narrowed her eyes. "What a crisp adventure. I do believe it's warming my stomach."


He chuckled and held out his hand. She gave him the glass. He put it on the desk, then leaned against it again.

A burning curious look came into her eyes.

"Come here." His voice was raw and husky. She walked toward him slowly, her hips swaying.

"What are you thinking?"

"I'm sorry you were lonely."

She stopped in front of him and he lunged out and grabbed her waist, pulling her closer, settling her between his legs. Her body pressed against his and she put her hands on his chest.
For an instant, an intensity stole into her expression, an intensity he hadn't spotted before.

"I don't believe I've ever been this close to you."

"No, I don't believe you have either, but I rather enjoy it. I hope you do as well."

"Lent starts tomorrow."

"What do you say we do a little sinning tonight so we have something to be penitent for?"

Her face grew eager at the suggestion. Damn. His blood raced through his veins as his heart hammered in his chest. Desire for her overtook his senses. He had an intense awareness of her thrumming through his body.

"Such naughty thoughts, my Prince."

Desire smoldered in her eyes. He wanted to kindle that into a raging fire. For him alone. He claimed her sweet lips, crushing her against his body. She slid her hands up his chest
and clutched his shoulders. Her body tensed, needing release. He deepened the kiss, refusing to let her escape. God, no, he refused to let his woman out of his arms. Mihai traced the soft fullness of her lips and she parted her mouth for him. Lord, her mouth was soft and sweet and giving. His tongue explored the recesses of her mouth, coaxing her to explore his.

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON KINDLE: http://www.amazon.com/Moldavian-Moon-Book-One-ebook/dp/B004YTI3FM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1316985604&sr=1-1

BARNES & NOOK NOOK: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/moldavian-moon-book-one-stephanie-burkhart/1031031928?ean=2940012459787&itm=2&usri=stephanie%2bburkhart

ALL ROMANCE BOOKS: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-moldavianmoonbookonethewolf039storment-544310-139.html

PUBLISHER'S LINK: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-163/Stephanie-Burkhart-Moldavian-Moon/Detail.bok

FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:
WEBSITE:
http://www.stephanieburkhart.com

TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart

FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Burkhart-Author/149938795021166

GOOD READS:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart

The Count's Lair, paranormal romance, Book 2, Budapest Moon by Stephanie Burkhart

"The Count's Lair" is Book 2 of the Budapest Moon series and picks up 6 weeks after where "The Hungarian" left off. Count Anton Varga, Duma's foil in "The Hungarian," has found a certain amount of peace in his heart and actively pursues the beautiful and talented pianist, Lady Amelia Andrassy. Both Anton and Amelia have to overcome inner conflicts and open their hearts up to love. It doesn't help Amelia that Anton has a dubious reputation - and that he has a secret. Will love help her to accept him for what he is – werewolf and all?

THE CHARACTERS

Anton dares to believe in love which opens his heart to many different emotions. His biggest obstacle is trusting in love.

Amelia must believe in the unbelievable to find true happiness. Both Anton and Amelia's resolve is tested time and again throughout the novel as the werewolf, Marcus, haunts Anton's every move.

The novel was my NaNoWriMo project for 2009. That year was my first year in participating in NaNoWriMo. It was a crazy, wild month, let me tell you. Thankfully, I was a winner coming in at over 56,000 words by the end of the month. Just recently, "The Count's Lair" was a silver award winner in the Reader's Favorites 2011 Romance: Sci-Fi/Fantasy category.

BOOK TRAILER ON YOU TUBE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaiYNNpETok


BLURB:
Count Anton Varga is haunted by the curse of the moon. It tugs on his emotions, ravishing his soul. Anton abhors the beast he must learn to tame if he is to find peace. 



Lady Amelia Andrássy is an accomplished pianist, but her life in Budapest had been filled with heartache. When Amelia faints in the Duma's bookstore, it's Anton's strong arms that cradle her fall. His unusual indigo eyes spark with hers, replacing their individual loneliness with the promise of feral passion. 



After a two month separation, Anton is ready to walk into Amelia's life again, but is Amelia ready to fan the spark they shared into a flame? 


REVIEWS:

LONG & SHORT REVIEWS, 5 Stars, Fennel
"Want a recipe for a great story? Take an awesome writer like Ms. Burkhart, stir in her intimate knowledge of Hungary, her innate ability to create wonderful characters, a book-full of suspense, mystery and passion and you get a book you can’t put down."

READER'S FAVORITES, 5 Stars
The Count’s Lair is filled with suspense, mystery, passion, and the paranormal.

PEN & MUSE REVIEWS:
Those who love paranormal romance with a dash of suspense and mystery will fall in love with The Count’s Lair.

ENJOY THIS EXCERPT:
Count Varga looked like a tamed jackal. His hair was wind-tussled, and his overcoat accented his muscled physique. His scarf hung casually over his shoulders, too, as if it were just for show. She was completely disarmed by his full red lips, more vulnerable to his presence than she would have thought. Anton draped the cloak over her shoulders and snapped the front clasp. Sparks of warmth jumped off him, saturating her body. His smoldering sapphire eyes found hers. She adored his attention.

Bryant handed her a pair of gloves, her hat, and her scarf. She hung the scarf around her neck and put on her hat.

"Are you ready?" Anton asked.

She nodded, and he escorted her to his auto. The cold winter air nipped at her cheeks. It was only the first week of December, but Anton hadn't joked about the temperature.

They got in the back seat of his auto, and the driver took off. The auto was warm. Amelia put her gloves in her lap.

"Some people have set up a tent in the middle of the market and are selling goulash and warm apple wine. Do you mind having lunch there? I thought we'd take in the market's ambience."

"Not at all."

"I've missed you." He turned in the seat to look at her.

She smiled. "I've missed you, too."

"Did you get your invitation to the noble's ball?" he asked.

"Yes. I got it today."
"May I escort you?"

"I would like that," she replied. She'd like it a lot. Too much for her own good, but she wasn't prepared to admit that to him just yet. He already had unsettled her. It was exciting to be in the presence of a man so confident and secure. The last few weeks with Mikel, she'd thought he had avoided her because of the success of her piano concerts.

BUY LINKS:
AMAZON KINDLE:
http://www.amazon.com/Budapest-Moon-Book-Two-ebook/dp/B004LLIEMK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317535160&sr=8-1

BARNES & NOBLE NOOK:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/budapest-moon-book-two-the-counts-lair-stephanie-burkhart/1029218357?ean=9781612520186&itm=5&usri=stephanie%2bburkhart

SONY EBOOK STORE:
http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/stephanie-burkhart/the-count-s-lair/_/R-400000000000000337165

ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS:
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-budapestmoonbooktwothecount039slair-513164-139.html

PUBLISHER'S BUY LINK:
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-142/Stephanie-Burkhart-Budapest-Moon/Detail.bok


FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:
WEBSITE:
http://www.stephanieburkhart.com

TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart

FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Burkhart-Author/149938795021166

GOOD READS:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart

My Writing Influences by Stephanie Burkhart

VC Andrews, Flowers In The Attic

Aside from writing, I'm also an avid reader. I've been reading since I was a little girl and some of my early reading included: Judy Blume, The Hardy Boys, and anything about dinosaurs and space.

As a teenager in the 1980's, I discovered several writers: Anne Rice, Victoria Holt, and VC Andrews. Rice can tell a stirring story with the paranormal creatures I grew up watching in the 1970's. My favorite Rice novels are: "The Witching Hour" and "Interview with the Vampire."

When it came to VC Andrews, I was enthralled by the gothic creepiness of the Dollanganger Series. Victoria Holt, though, sold me on the power of love and romance. I also adore her writings as Jean Plaidy and her novels about the Kings and Queens of England. She brought those stories to life by showing the humanity of the characters – both the good and bad choices.

After getting out of the Army in 1997, I gravitated toward reading romances because I liked the hopeful message that love brings. Some of my favorite romance writers are: Jillian Hunter, Judith McNaught, and Lisa Kleypas. Each of these writers captures a unique voice that appeals to me as a reader. They also write historical romance and I love the idea of escaping to another time and place.

Who are some of your favorite writers? Leave a comment with your email and I'll pick two people to receive a copy of my free read, "Moonlight Sonata," the prequel to "The Count's Lair."

EXCERPT FROM MOONLIGHT SONATA:


The door opened and Anton walked in exuding a dark, animal-like grace. His hair was wind-blown and his usually starched shirt was wrinkled, as if he'd slept in it. He had on calf-high boots with his pants tucked into them, but they were dull, as if he hadn't polished them in a day or two.

He simply didn't look like himself. Her eyes sought out his. The gold ring around his deep blue sapphire irises burned with desire. His lips curved into a cocky smile.

"Hello, Amelia."

She bit the inside of her lip. The rich scent of mulberries and spice hung around him, fueling a growing agitation in the pit of her stomach. He looked like a magnificent beast – ready to tempt her to sin. "Hello, Anton."

"I'm sorry I didn't call, but I wanted to see you."

She stood rooted in the spot next to the coffee table. Anton walked toward her slowly, his feral gait even, his expression full of confidence. He passed in back of her, pausing. She felt the heat of his breath on her neck. She didn't know what to say. She'd enjoyed his friendship and she had wanted to call him later this evening, but he seemed bolder, determined. He had the look of a man who knew what he wanted. Her hand went to her breast, trying to stop the nervous fluttering of her heart.

"I was looking forward to seeing you as well," she finally said.

He rounded the coffee table and stopped in back of the couch, putting his hands on the couch's backrest and looking directly at her.

Amelia swallowed. The look in his eyes was unmistakable. They danced with the flames of desire. For her?

"I've been giving what you said a lot of thought—" he began.

"What did I say?"

"You challenged me to be a better man."

"I did."

"Well, that's what I want to do."

FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:
WEBSITE:
http://www.stephanieburkhart.com

TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart

FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Burkhart-Author/149938795021166

GOOD READS:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart

The Hungarian, Paranormal Romance by Stephanie Burkhart

What I love about paranormal romance is that it blends my two loves – paranormal and romance. Growing up in the 1970's, I used to watch "Creature Double Feature" on Saturdays and I got hooked on vampires, werewolves, and zombies. As a teenager, I discovered Victoria Holt and her brand of gothic romance with spooky manors, and dark secrets. Drawing on these two influences, I brought them together for my novel, "The Hungarian," Book 1 in the Budapest Moon series.

WHY BUDAPEST?
In 1997, I was in the U.S. Army and deployed to Taszur, Hungary from JUL – OCT 1997. During that deployment, I had an opportunity to visit Budapest and I fell in love with the city. Budapest is a gem. Its architecture was preserved by the Iron Curtain of the Cold War. Budapest was the one place I've been to that made me believe werewolves and witches could exist. With it's exotic locale, dominant buildings, and Hungarian pride, it became the setting of my Budapest Moon series.

THE CHARACTERS

Hungarian Count Matthias Duma harbors a dark secret - he's a werewolf. Every full moon, Matthias transforms into a beast. Matthais is tormented by this condition and has no intention of ever falling in love again.

Enter Katherine Archibald. The young woman lives vicariously through her books, but when she meets Matthias, he challenges all her sensibilities. Mysterious, yet charming, she dares to break the battlements around his heart.

What I enjoyed about writing "The Hungarian" was bringing out the humanity in the characters. Matthias must learn to trust, and Katherine must learn to believe.

THE SHORT STORY

The novel was inspired by my short story, "The Wolf's Kiss," which won an Honorable Mention in the 2007 Writer's Digest Popular Fiction Contest in Romance.

BLURB:

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?

ENJOY THIS 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."

BOOK TRAILER ON YOU TUBE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZwaF8hAdow

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."

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."


BUY LINKS:

AMAZON KINDLE:
http://www.amazon.com/Budapest-Moon-Book-One-ebook/dp/B003K15NG2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1317406212&sr=1-1

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:
stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-87/%3Ci%3EBudapest-Moon-Book-One%3C-fdsh-i%3E-cln-/Detail.bok

FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:
WEBSITE:
http://www.stephanieburkhart.com

TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart

FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Burkhart-Author/149938795021166

GOOD READS:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart