Review Fest with Author Stephanie Burkhart

I just want to thank Lindsay for suggesting Review Fest week. I've got a couple of books & reviews I'd like to share with you.

Victorian Scoundrel
This is my latest release, out 1 JUL 2011. It's something a little different for me - it's steampunk romance. BLURB: When Alice, Princess of York, travels back in time to keep her cousin, Edmund, out of mischief, she's in for a pound of trouble! Why, steampunk? Gail Delaney, EIC at Desert Breeze put out a call for steampunk so I thought I'd try. I didn't necessarily want the obvious paranormal elements such as vampires & werewolves, so I stuck to a more "traditional" vision, using time travel as my paranormal element. I also used some staple steampunk gadgets such as "datamancers" and "transmogifiers," but I added whuzzies and couple of more surprises. Here a couple of reviews for Victorian Scoundrel:

"She grips the reader instantly, and keeps them hooked until the last page... I highly recommend this with highest of 5 stars, and I can't wait until the second Windsor Diaries installment releases!" - Molly, E., Reader's Favorites

"A wonderful historical, paranormal steampunk read this was. The author really had me hooked from the first chapter... I loved the humor in this read along with the historical facts. You can tell the author did a wonderful job in her research. This new series is going to be a big hit. She has me hooked. This is a must read." - Pen & The Muse Book Reviews

"Her characters are enigmatic, eclectic and all worth their weight in gold especially the Royals, Alice and Edmund, whose personalities constantly kept me turning pages. They didn’t lessen my admiration for the other characters in the book, from the ordinary to the sublime. The romance in the first episode in this series is sweet and naughty at the same time." - Larkspur, Long & Short Reviews

Publisher's buy link: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-183/Stephanie-Burkhart-Victorian-Scoundrel/Detail.bok


The Wolf's Torment



Released 1 MAY 2011, this one is probably my darkest and most challenging book I've written. It's a paranormal romance set in Romania, 1865. BLURB: Prince Mihai Sigmaringen returns to Moldavia where he meets the beautiful Theresa von Kracken. When a werewolf threatens his family, including Theresa, his determination and courage will be tested like never before. I orginally wrote the story in 2006/2007 and it's gone through many, many drafts. Here are a couple of reviews:


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

"The Wolf’s Torment has it all, witches, werewolves, a vampire, princess and prince. This is paranormal romance at its finest... I found The Wolf’s Torment to be an entertaining read. I truly cared about the characters. I look forward to reading the next book in this series." - Reader's Favorites

"For readers who relish character driven stories steeped in historical detail and dabbled throughout with touches of magic, I would highly recommend THE WOLF'S TORMENT. You will find it satisfying, even as it leaves you hungering for more." - Kathyrn, The Romance Reviews

Publisher's Buy Link: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-163/Stephanie-Burkhart-Moldavian-Moon/Detail.bok


The Count's Lair

Released 1 FEB 2011, I absolutely loved writing Anton and Amelia's story. It's another paranromal romance set in Budapest, 1901. BLURB: Count Anton Varga dares Lady Amelia Andrássy to discover the dark secret he hides from the rest of the world.

This novel was my 2009 NaNoWriMo project and my first for NaNoWriMo. In 1997, I went to Budapest on an USO while I was deployed to Hungary and fell in love with the city. I was delighted to make it the setting of my Budapest Moon series. Just recently the book was recognized by Reader's Favorites as their Silver Winner in the Romance: Sci-Fi/Fantasy category. Here a couple of reviews:




"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." - Fennel, Long & Short Reviews

"The Count’s Lair is filled with suspense, mystery, passion, and the paranormal. This story is set in the beautiful city of Budapest; the author brings her knowledge of the area to her plot. She describes the history and culture of Budapest... I was cheering for Anton. However, for me the best scene was the last one when Anton gives Amelia her choice. He held her with an open hand." - Reader's Favorite Reviews

"Burkhart does it again with book two in the Budapest Moon book series, The Count’s Lair. The second book is filled with passion, chock full of paranormal goodness, romance, suspense and mystery... Those who love paranormal romance with a dash of suspense and mystery will fall in love with The Count’s Lair and do not forget to read the first book in the series!" - Pen & Muse Reviews

Publisher's Buy Link:http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-142/Stephanie-Burkhart-Budapest-Moon/Detail.bok

You can find me on the web at:

WEBSITE:
http://www.stephanieburkhart.com

BLOG:
http://sgcardin.blogspot.com

TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart

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

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

Sharing my reviews for: The Count's Lair

Hello, Ladies, I just got a new review for "The Count's Lair" so I thought I'd share it with you. I love Anton and Amelia's story, and while The Count's Lair has gotten great reviews, I just wish the numbers were up there a little more.

The story takes place in Budapest, 1901 during Christmas time. Anton is in love with Amelia, but he has a secret. He'll give her 3 clues. When she figures them out will she still love him for the man he is?

FROM READERS'S FAVORITE:
5 STARS
The Count's Lair is filled with suspense, mystery, passion, and the paranormal. This story is set in the beautiful city of Budapest; the author brings her knowledge of the area to her plot. She describes the history and culture of Budapest. She is a strong but has a wounded heart. Anton was a delightful character: I could picture him as handsome, strong integrity but with a secret. Anton fears his secret will cause Amelia to run. Georg and Esme were gypsies that Anton allows to live with him. Esme was also a witch. Marcus was the ultimate bad werewolf. The description of the battle left me breathless. I was cheering for Anton. However, for me the best scene was the last one when Anton gives Amelia her choice. He held her with an open hand.

FROM LONG & SHORT:
5 STARS, Nominated for Book of the Week

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.

In The Count's Lair, Ms Burkhart delivers all of these and more. The Count, Anton Varga, knows what he wants, but will his chosen lover ever accept him as he is and for what he is

The Count's Lair is the second book in Stephanie Burkhart's Budapest Moon series. And like the first is a `must read' and a `keeper'.

AUTHOR TAMI DEE:
Ms. Burkhart weaves a story filled with adventure, suspense and romance which takes the reader on a remarkable journey to a place where werewolves exist and true love conquers all obstacles.


AUTHOR SHERRY CHANCELLOR:
I'm a huge history buff and have always been. I adore reading historical novels. I love the setting of this story. Budapest, Hungary is a beautiful city. Lots of old, gorgeous buildings and bridges. Ms. Burkhart does a great job in describing both sides of the city. On one side of the river is Buda and on the other is Pest and each has different characteristics. Ms. Burkhart also is quite good at descriptions of the foods and atmosphere of the city in 1901. I wanted to eat some goulash as I read this book and ride in a motor car complete with a driver (not at the same time).


BUY LINK FOR AMAZON:

http://www.amazon.com/Budapest-Moon-Book-Two-ebook/dp/B004LLIEMK/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

THE COUNT'S LAIR is avail as an EBOOK ONLY for Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and Sony Ereader and is avail in PDF, HTML, and EPUB formats.

BOOK TRAILER: If you visit the book trailer, give it a 'like.' Here's a link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaiYNNpETok

My 2009 NaNoWriMo Project is now released - The Count's Lair

I'm excited to be here at Lindsay's Romantics blog today. Thanks so much for having me here today.

Just a little about me: I was born in Manchester, New Hampshire. After graduating from Central High, I joined the US Army. I spent 11 years in the military, 7 in Germany. While in the military, I earned a BS in Political Science from California Baptist University in Riverside, CA in 1995. I left the Army in 1997 and settled in California, but my favorite football team is still the New England Patriots. I work for LAPD as a 911 dispatcher. I've been married for 19 years. I have two boys, Andrew, 8, and Joseph, 4.

"The Count's Lair" just released yesterday with Desert Breeze Publishing. It's a "sophisticated" paranormal romance set in Budapest, Hungary during Christmas time in 1901. I had never participated NaNoWriMo before 2009, so the novel was my first project. NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month. The goal? Write a 50,000 word novel in 1 month. A challenge for sure, but definitely a motivator for me.


The goal is to write 1600 words a day. Do-able if you can keep your focus. "The Count's Lair" clocked in with over 52,000 words at the end of the month. It felt nice to be a NaNoWriMo winner, but I wasn't finished with the story. I barely wrote another 10,000 words in December, wrapping up the novel in early FEB 2010.

It's nice to see the final product after all that toil.

Here's the 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:

The doorbell rang again. Amelia stood. Anxiety pulsed through her.
Bryant opened the door and bowed. "Count Varga."

Amelia caught her breath. Anton's cheeks were full of color from being outside. His unusual sapphire eyes sparkled like glittering jewels that had just been taken from an undiscovered mine. "Hello, Amelia."

"Hello, Anton. How are you?"
"Well. Dress warmly. It's cold outside."

She nodded, thankful she wore a winter dress that went down to her ankles atop her leather boots.

Bryant went to a nearby closet and removed her winter cloak, but Anton took it from him. "Allow me."

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.


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


The Count's Lair is avail as ebook for Kindle, B&N Nook, Sony Ereader, and Kobo. You can also download a copy from the Publisher's Website at:

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-142/Stephanie-Burkhart-Budapest-Moon/Detail.bok

You can find me on the web at:

BLOG:
http://sgcardin.blogspot.com

WEBSITE:
http://sgcardin.tripod.com

FACEBOOK:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1357922219


Smiles
Steph