Tuesday, March 27, 2012

The Inspiration behind "Twilight Over Moldavia"


I love fairytales. There's something about the heroic knight, the corrupt nobleman, and the headstrong princess that resonates with me. Perhaps it's a throw back to another time and place that feels achingly familiar. Or perhaps it's the chance to play in a world left in the past. In "Twilight Over Moldavia," my latest paranormal release, there's a heroic prince, a headstrong princess, and a vengeful werewolf for a villain.

The inspiration behind the story was a thought: I wanted to write a fairytale in reverse were the heroic princess saves the handsome prince with a kiss.

Then I had to ask: How do you go about doing that realistically? Especially since most fairytales have the heroic prince saving the princess.

The plot began to firm up. Prince Stefan was cursed to become a werewolf on his 18th birthday by his mother. His mother, however, bargained a condition with the evil werewolf to free her son should he fall in love before his 18th birthday. The evil werewolf, convinced that would never happen, agreed to the condition. Stefan's mother, the Queen, would move heaven and earth to find the perfect girl he could fall in love with – only the perfect girl dies and Stefan must marry her sister, the headstrong princess, Caroline.

Agim Kaba, inspiration for "Stefan."


The novel went through several drafts before settling comfortably into the story that is now "Twilight Over Moldavia." I loved turning the plot of the fairytale on its head. Stefan and Caroline embrace their destinies with noble hearts. Theresa, Stefan's mother, is tortured down to the depths of her soul because of her decision. Amazing where inspiration can take you, isn't it?

BLURB: Would you marry a man cursed to be a werewolf?

5 Stars, Long & Short Book Reviews
Twilight Over Moldavia is even better than the first book in the series. It is an excellent story filled with just the right balance of romance, magic, and danger.

5 Hearts, Sizzling Hot Book Reviews
The twisting story line will keep your nose in the book until you have finished. Stephanie's ability to add suspense and mystery to romances gives her stories all the more depth. If you love werewolf stories, romances, or a good book, I recommend Twilight Over Moldavia.

4 Stars, Vijaya Schartz, author
In this novel full of danger and intrigue, sexy scenes, and unspeakable secrets, the werewolves are the villains, and oh how dangerous they are, and unwashed, and uncivilized. The kind of villains you love to hate.

5 Stars, Mona Risk, Author "No More Lies"
Burkhart's writing style grabs the reader from the first page. She keeps you breathless with her suspense as she transports you to exotic areas you will enjoy discovering.

5 Stars, Karen Michelle Nutt, Author of the "Fallen Angel" Series:
"Ms. Burkhart paranormal tale is rich in history, painting a picture as clearly as if the reader is standing beside Stefan and Caroline."

5 Stars, Barbara M. Hodges, Author of "The Blue Flame"
Twilight Over Moldavia whisked me into a part of the world I knew nothing about, and gave me a wonderful love story filled with suspense too. What more could a reader desire?

5 Stars, Reader's Favorites, Brenda Ballard

BOOK TRAILER:


ENJOY THIS EXCERPT:

She nipped at her lower lip, and the energy between them surged. He tilted his head and drew her close, their mouths awkwardly skirting each other. Her breath, warm and hinting of apricots from the wine she had sipped earlier, ghosted over his cheek. Their lips brushed, and his pulse spiked. Gently, he continued to kiss her with hesitant exploration. She was the first woman he had ever kissed, and her lips were everything he had expected -- and more.

He placed his hands on her waist and tugged her close, pressing her against the length of his body. She put her hands on his shoulders and trailed her fingers along the nape of his neck.

Stefan groaned and increased the intensity of the kiss. Fueled by their mutual desire, his manhood grew hard. He hadn't known that feeling before. He could lose his head to it.

He broke off the kiss and drew in a breath. Confusion pooled in Caroline's expression.

"No." He paused. "I don't think we should go too fast."

"All right."

"Alina, I don't think it's wise for us to discuss Viktor," Stefan's mother said, her proximity startling him. Nervous energy spiked through him at her tone.

He placed his finger over his lips, and Caroline nodded. He furrowed his brow and gestured for her to hide behind the rose bushes near the bench with him. She did so.

His mother's and Lady Alina's footsteps echoed along the walking path.

"Viktor put all of this in motion," Lady Alina said.

Stefan's mother exhaled. "No, I did," she said, her voice heavy with regret. "I made a poor decision."

Julianne Moore inspiration for "Theresa"


"He took advantage of you in a moment of deep pain. You were mourning the death of your son, Hadrian."

"I should have been more guarded."

"Viktor was a cunning wolf. We all thought he could be trusted."

Their footsteps stopped. Stefan prayed they couldn't hear his pounding heartbeat.

"The curse will come to fruition soon," Alina said.

BUY LINKS:

ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS:
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-moldavianmoonbooktwotwilightovermoldavia-667833-139.html

AMAZON KINDLE:
http://www.amazon.com/Moldavian-Moon-Book-Two-ebook/dp/B006RQ7LU8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325479348&sr=8-1

PUBLISHER'S BUY LINK:
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-247/Moldavian-Moon-Book-Two/Detail.bok

B&N NOOK:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/moldavian-moon-book-two-stephanie-burkhart/1108111730?ean=2940013822177&itm=1&usri=twilight+over+moldavia

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

8 comments:

  1. Seriously, how has no one commented yet about this lovely book! The cover is absolutely amazing, and the blurb drew me in. I was on my phone reading this and I had to keep hitting the down button and next page to read all of this and it was worth it. I love all of the wonderful reviews you have gotten. If all of that including the excerpt didn't manage to hook me your book trailer absolutely did.

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  2. Hey, I've gotta buy that book! The story sounds awesome:-)

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  3. What an exciting story concept, Steph. I loved the excerpt and the hunky picture that inspired your character Stephan. And that cover--wow!

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  4. Tiffany, oh, thank you, Sweetie. You warm my heart. I'm so glad you enjoyed the story and the book trailer. Thanks for leaving a comment.

    Jewel, let me know if you get it. I hope you like it.

    Sarah, I love the cover. Jen Ranieri did a wonderful job with it and Agim - yes - he's the perfect guy for "Stefan."

    Ladies, you all made my day. Thank you.

    Smiles
    Steph

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  5. What a great idea for a plot! Love the excerpt
    xx

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  6. I love fairy tales and this one sounds awesome! A cursed prince? Love it! :) Thanks for sharing! Wishing you all the best!
    shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

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  7. Awesome cover! And I LOVE the plot twist. Sometimes ya just need a kick-butt heroine!

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  8. Jenny, thanks for popping in. I'm glad you liked the excerpt. Shadow, I'm such a sucker for fairytales. I loved Disney's "Beauty and the Beast." Linda, I'd like to think Caroline holds her own very well.
    hehe
    Smiles
    Steph

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