The Writer Limits

I am so super duper, uber, freakin' excited to announce the kick off of a group blog that I get to hang out at! (I resisted the multiple exclamation points...it was an effort, but I did it.)

"Say hello to my little friend..." Okay, technically not little and not a friend. It's the new blog:

These are some pretty groovy contributing authors. Here, let me lay it down for you all. We got Gail Delaney, J. Morgan, Jennifer Hartz, PI Barrington, Stephanie Burkhart, Tami Dee -- and yours truly.

Our genres cover everything SF, paranormal, fantasy and time travel... and of course everything has a spice of romance. 'Cause, let's face it, what fun would human existence be without romance? No fun, that's what.

Stop by for J. Morgan's intro post today breaking down further who we are and what we'll be showcasing over there and when/how often. http://thewriterlimitsauthors.blogspot.com/

Taking the Journey – What's it like to be a Witch?

I've got the groovy author Stephanie Burkhart back on today. She has a new paranormal release she wants to chit chat about. Take it away Steph!

*****

I'd just like to thank Amber for having me here today. My latest release is "The Wolf's Torment," a paranormal romance set in Romania in the 1860's. Prince Mihai has a secret – he's a witch. Can his love for Theresa give him the courage he needs to save his family from the werewolf that haunts them?

The challenge in writing paranormal characters is to bring out the humanity in them. Mihai Sigmaringen is the Crown Prince of Moldavia. He's young – 18 – but he has the world on his shoulders. He has to learn Moldavian politics, build a railroad, unite the principalities, and get married. On top of that, he's a witch – and an untrained one at that.

Mihai realizes early on that he needs to understand the power of the witch so he goes poking around his mother's old things. He discovers a book that talks about the origins of witchcraft and his mother's athame. It's the ferons in Mihai's blood that allows him to channel energy, but he has no real direction until his fiancée's sisters, Beatrice, reveals to him she's a witch and can train him.

Beatrice shows Mihai how to focus his energy, how to use plants and herbs medicinally and how to see auras. She teaches him tarot and how to read the stars. Mihai had best learn his lessons well because when Viktor threatens to destroy his family, Mihai will need to call on all his powers to keep those he loves safe.

REVIEWS FOR THE WOLF'S TORMENT
From The Pen & Muse:
A complete werewolf story through and through, Burkhart does it again with an amazing cast of characters, entertaining dialogue and plot. Lovers of historical paranormal romance will enjoy this read, the first in the Moldavian Moon series.

Link: http://thepenmuse.net/archives/2720

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

Link: http://readersfavorite.com/cat-71.htm?review=4120

Enjoy this Excerpt:
Beatrice avoided the flowers on the floor and walked to the desk. She placed her fingertips gently on Mihai's leather-bound book.

"What I'm about to tell you must be kept from Theresa."

He raised an eyebrow. "I do not intend on keeping secrets from my fiancée."

"You must. I can help you with Viktor -- and Sonia, but you first must promise to keep certain things from my sister."

Mihai narrowed his eyes, suspecting Beatrice had kept secrets from Theresa for years. And the thought of it appalled him. Didn't Beatrice feel disgust with herself? Or were her displays of affection all for appearances' sake? Was he even being fair to her?

"Do you want my help with Viktor and Sonia or not? Certainly you have the power to keep him in check, but not the knowledge."

Mihai glowered at her. "Do not attempt to pit me against my family."

"You will fail miserably if you go it alone. I can help, but you must keep secrets. It is your choice to make."

Mihai's jaw clenched with tension. Neither choice suited him. He was trying to prove to Theresa that his deep feelings meant something to him. How could he do it if he had to keep secrets from her? And yes, he was a witch, and he was growing more practiced at channeling energy, but he did not know what he needed to keep Viktor and Sonia safe.

"Fine, I will keep your secrets, Beatrice."

She looked at him with all seriousness. "Good. The first thing you need to know is that I'm a witch."

Mihai drew in a small breath. He thought she was going to tell him that, but the tone of her voice took him off guard.

"The von Krackens are a royal witching family. Our family business, as we refer to it in front of Theresa, includes establishing covens, teaching new witches, and disciplining any that violates our code."

"Is Theresa a witch?" The thought of it thrilled him and scared him as well.

Beatrice pursed her lips and put her hands on her hips, trapping his gaze with hers. "Yes, she is, but she doesn't know it and she's not to know it. She wasn't raised a witch and she does not think I am. It must be like that."

"Why?"

"My father possesses divination and saw this future for her. You must respect his wishes. He's the Duke of our witching realm."

Mihai nodded. "Fine. I'll respect his wishes, but only because he's the father of my intended. How about Sonia? Is she a witch?"

"I believe she might be, but I can't sense her as well as I sense you -- or Theresa. I need to check the ferons in her blood."

He drew in a deep breath, knowing this wouldn't be easy for his sister. "How can I use my powers to help Viktor?"

"That is much more complicated. He's tasted human blood, so his eyes have become a golden yellow."

She withdrew a small bag from the pocket of her dress and placed it on the desk. Then she took a vial from the bag and shook it, whispering a chant. A spell, perhaps? The liquid contents turned blue.

"He must use this dye. Every morning when he wakes, have him put this in his eyes. It will make them blue again. His yellow wolf eyes will attract attention."

"You'll show me how to make it?"

"Yes."

"How dangerous is he?" Concern for his sister and family settled into his heart.

"Very. A wolf must have human blood and have intercourse during the full moon. If these needs are met, then he can act human during the rest of the month, but it is not easy. The feral nature takes much to control."


Visit the Book Trailer on You Tube and give it a 'like' at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzHE2spBeeU

The Wolf's Torment is available as an ebook only on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and Sony Ereader. Formats include: PDF, html, and epub which can be found on the Publisher's Website at: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-163/Stephanie-Burkhart-Moldavian-Moon/Detail.bok

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Moldavian-Moon-Book-One-ebook/dp/B004YTI3FM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1305222473&sr=1-1

Nook: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Moldavian-Moon-Book-One/Stephanie-Burkhart/e/2940012459787/?itm=2&USRI=stephanie+burkhart

All Romance ebooks: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-moldavianmoonbookonethewolf039storment-544310-139.html

About the Author:
Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. She also served as an MP in the US Army. Multi-published, she has a children's book, "The Giving Meadow" with 4RV Publishing. She's an avid reader , loves coffee in the morning, and her favorite movie "werewolf" is David Thewlis, Lupin from Harry Potter.

You can find me at:
Website: http://www.stephanieburkhart.com/
Blog: http://sgcardin.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Burkhart-Author/149938795021166

Author Interview: Stephanie Burkhart

Hey all! Today I have the wonderful author Stephanie Burkhart back. She's here to talk about her latest story release, A Polish Heart, which is a contributed story in the Spring Easter Anthology by Victory Tales Press.


And with a really snazzy drum roll. Hey, you can't hear it...so I can call it snazzy, even though in actuality it may sound more like a seizure of finger tapping on my table...you'll never know...any-who, here is Steph!

*****

Amber, thanks so much for having me here today. Let me just share 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. 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. Little Odd fact: I went to High School with Adam Sandler. He was the class of 84. I was the class of 86.

Thanks for popping in. What is "A Polish Heart" about?
A Polish Heart' is a short story in the Victory Tales Press Spring/Easter Anthology. It is a "sweet" family/inspirational. Darrin Riverton is an architect that is hired by a Polish construction company to help work on the National Stadium. (Warsaw's Soccer Stadium") There he meets Sophia Buraczynski, his interpreter. As they work together, Darrin realizes he's attracted to Sophia. Will her faith give him his heart back?

Why did you choose Poland for the setting of the story?
I enjoy writing international contemporaries, so I knew I wanted an international setting. Since I'm part Polish, I knew from my own experience that Easter is an important holiday, that draws the family together so I tapped into my heritage and my knowledge of Polish customs to set the story in Warsaw.

Did you do a lot of research?
I did online research. I wanted the story set in Warsaw and did a Wikipedia search. From there I discovered the National Stadium and that's how I decided Darrin had to be an architect. I also researched the Easter basket, Polish customs, and a little about the language.

Have you been to Poland?
Once in 1997. I went to a Polish border town and visited a pottery factory there. It was like stepping back in time to the 1950's. The buildings were older, coal was used more frequently, and I saw a man delivering coal using a horse and buggy. Gas was delivered in above ground pipes.

Do you have an ebook reader?
I have a Kindle. I love the text to speech feature because then I can listen to books going to work.

Tell us a little about your day job.
I work as a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. It's a very stressful job. I hear a lot of stuff on the phones from a shooting in progress to a loud party. It's very rewarding work knowing I've been able to help people, but it also has an "unsung" quality to it because dispatchers usually don't get recognized for a job well done.

What's the last movie you saw?
The King's Speech! I absolutely loved it. It's a very inspirational story. George VI was a very courageous man.

Can you share an excerpt with us?
Steph. Sure. After this quick goodie time...Leave a comment and I'll pick one lucky poster to win an autographed print copy of the anthology. I'll be back tomorrow to announce the winner.

Excerpt:
Sofia smiled and spoke to Dracek. Their conversation seemed to last forever and Darrin was impatient to talk to her. Finally, she gestured toward the door and they walked out.

He kept quiet, not quite sure what he should say to her. He had known her for less than twenty-four hours, but he wanted to discover everything about her.

As soon as they were in her little car, Darrin looked directly at her.

"Have dinner with me tonight."

It was bold, yes, but this might be his only chance to get to know her.

She raised an eyebrow. Perhaps that didn't sound right. It sounded too demanding – something his father would say – and he was not his father.

"I'm sorry. Will you have dinner with me tonight?" His voice was soft and gentle.

Sofia paused. "I'm quite tempted, but what about your work?"

"I'll stay up half the night slaving over these. I promise."

She pursed her lips, her expression softening. "We should maintain a professional relationship."

He held up two fingers in the boy scout's salute. "I promise to be on my best behavior."

"What time?"

"What time is best for you?"

"Six. Do you want me to pick you up?"

"Well…"

A sly smile graced her lips. "I bet you want me to pick the restaurant, too?"

"I promise to pay."

"I—"

Afraid she might decline, Darrin reached out and placed his hand over hers. Her warmth traveled up his arm and he liked it. "Show me Warsaw through your eyes."

A sunny cheerfulness shined in her face. "Meet me in the hotel lobby at six."

Darrin's heart tripped with sweet anticipation. Sofia was sincere, honest, and had a smile that heated his blood. He couldn't wait for dinner to see her again.

"A Polish Heart" is a sweet inspirational/family romance in the Victory Tales Press Spring/Easter Anthology.

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC6_397PerU

Blurb

When Darrin falls for his beautiful Polish interpreter, will Sophia's faith give him his heart back?

Buy Links
Print Book: Create Space: https://www.createspace.com/3579108
Ebook: Lulu: (PDF) http://www.lulu.com/product/ebook/a-springeaster-collection-sweet/15166166
Smashwords: (multiple formats) http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/48682

The Anthology is also avail on Amazon as a Print & Ebook for Kindle.

Find me on the Web at:
BLOG: http://sgcardin.blogspot.com/
WEBSITE: http://www.stephanieburkhart.com/
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1357922219
GOODREADS: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart

The Techie Monologue

Hi Blogger Buddies!

I'm over at fellow SFRer Stephanie Burkhart's blog talking about my opinions of the technie monologue in SF works.

Please stop by if you have a chance and tell me how you really feel... http://sgcardin.blogspot.com/2011/02/welcome-guest-author-ar-norris.html

Stephanie Burkhart on Location, Location, Location

Today I have a very wonderful guest stopping by, fellow Desert Breeze author Stephanie Burkhart. I read an advanced copy of her book The Count's Lair, Book 2 in the Budapest Moon series and fell in love with the settings she described and how they fit with the mood of the story. So, I asked if she'd come by and talk about the importance of setting and location. I hope you all give her a wonderful welcome and stay tuned to the end because there's an opportunity to win a prize.
Steph, take it away!

****

I'm excited to be here at Amber's blog. 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.

Location, Location, Location

The Count's Lair, Book 2 in the Budapest Moon series is set in Budapest, Hungary during Christmas time in 1901.

So just how important is setting?

Location establishes a mood, a feel, an ambiance, a tone for a novel. It provides the stage for the play your characters are going to perform on. For me, as a writer, location is everything.

The Count's Lair is a paranormal romance. It's set in Budapest for a very deliberate reason – because in Hungary you just might believe a paranormal being like a vampire or a werewolf still exists. Hungary is in Central Europe, the cross roads where East meets West on the continent.

Budapest itself invokes mystery – dark mystery – just by the name. The architecture which grew out of Budapest starting in the 1840's with the Széchenyi Bridge, encompassing the Parliament building, and Fisherman's Bastian also helps to establish a more "haunting," "moodier" setting.

Amelia and Anton's story shines in the light and hope of Christmas, but still, there will always be an element of haunting melancholy to the challenges they face and Budapest captures that mood and wraps the couple in its embrace.

Here's a 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:

Anton stepped aside so the man could pass. "Amelia, to be honest about my intentions, I want to court you."

"Court me?" She stepped back.

He grabbed her wrist, as if desperate to keep her near him. His eyes impaled her, making her breathless. Was it too soon to think of always and forever with him? Had he really changed? Her heart believed so. Now, she just had to convince her head.

"I have no one to ask for permission, but you. Search your heart. I care for you deeply. I want to explore this, Amelia, but only if you do. I swear I'm ready for this."

Her lips trembled as she stepped forward, moved by the conviction in his voice. Dare she fall in love again? The chance was worth it. "Yes."

"Thank you." He wrapped his arms around her, infusing her with his warmth.

She melted against the length of his body, savoring the contact. It felt right.

He parted from her, placed his hands on her upper arms, and looked at her. "The feelings I have when I'm near you are nothing like I've had before, but--"

"Go on." She prompted when he delayed too long.

"But I have a secret, too -- a secret that chokes me when I think of telling you."

"Anton--" A secret?

He held up his hand. "Let me finish. I promise to tell you, but I can't right now. I can only give you clues."

"Really?"

"You must accept this, Amelia. I know it may be unusual, but it's the only way I can think of to be honest with you."

Taken off guard, she faced him. Anton's full lips and smoldering eyes riveted her to him. In fact, his looks were everything she was attracted to in a man, but it all came down to trust. Could she trust him? If she said yes to him right now, then she was giving him her trust, which included his secret.

"How many clues do you have?"

"Three. Once you know my secret, if you want to break our courtship, you can. I'll understand."

Her body shivered. Was his secret dangerous? Even if it was, did she care? A part of her just wanted to throw herself into his arms and let come what may. Another part of her told her to keep her feet firmly on the ground.


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

Goodie time: Leave a comment and you'll be entered to win a coffee mug stuffed with goodies of "The Count's Lair" cover. I'll be back later to announce the winner.

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

Talkin' Kindle

Hi Blogger Buddies!

I'm doing my first guest gig over at author Stephanie Burkhart's blog, Romance Under the Moonlight, and talking Kindle.

Stop by if you have a chance and good writing all!

Stylish Blogger

Now, those of you who know and see me in the physical form everyday are not allowed to laugh...don't. Don't. I can still hear you.

Whatever.

I'm going to ignore it because I'm so excited and honored to be given this award by a couple awesome groovy friends of mine, Jillian Chantel and Marva Dasef. Now, they appreciate the geeky chic I'm going for here...okay, it's a stretch. I know it. You know it...but I'm going with it until you have proof otherwise (heehee).

Now, I must list 7 things you might not know about me (it's the rules...no Las Vegas reveals to be included...as if). Another rule is to link back to these rockin' chickies (see links above). Sooooo not a prob because they're AWESOME. The last rule is to nominate 10 other great bloggers. *rubs hands anxiously*

Okay, now be prepared for the unreal, unimaginable reveal of the Infamous A.R...watch out, prepare yourself, have your pacers ready...

1. I can't eat crab because I found out they are sea spiders
2. I have at least one accident a day that involves me, myself, and I (i.e. I trip going up stairs)
3. I rock out to music in the car
4. I secretly love watching Housewives of Orange County (I guess not so much a secret anymore....huh?)
5. I still daydream about becoming a Kung Fu Master (in these dreams I kick butt like Bruce Lee...in real life it'd be more like Kung Fu Panda)
6. After 17 years in the Bay Area, I still can't ride down the steep hills of San Francisco without whimpering like a baby and gripping the seat handle
7. I played 4 band instruments in high school (trumpet, baritone, french horn, and....tuba)

'Kay, those are the dust bunnies from my secret squirrel closet. Now I get the fun of awarding this to 10 other awesome bloggers.

1. Michelle Davidson Argyle The Innocent Flower
2. Liana Brooks http://lianabrooks.blogspot.com/
3. Krista D. Ball http://kristadball.com/blog/
4. Celia Yeary http://celiayeary.blogspot.com/
5. Sue Perkins http://sueperkinsauthor.blogspot.com/
6. Stephanie Burkhart Romance Under the Moonlight
7. Nike Chillemi Crime Fictionista
8. Melanie Atkins Writing Cops...It's What I Do
9. Samantha Dean Mama's Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys
10. Madrona Grove http://splawssji.blogspot.com/

Now, I just have to notify them all...but I'll save that for tomorrow because I'm pooped.

Good writing all!