Snippet Sunday: 99 cent Christmas romance: Feast of Candles #snippetsunday #99centbook

Hi all, I'm participating in the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday. This month, I'll be taking snippets from my Christmas romance, Feast of Candles. You can find the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday list at:

This snippet:      Lily spies Drake in the crowd. 

*****

She spied him out of the corner of her eye. He had to be over six feet and his stance emphasized the force of his thighs and slimness of his hips. His classically handsome features warmed her to her bones. Even in a crowd, his presence was compelling, and he carried himself with a commanding air of self-confidence. 

She dared to stare at him, and he didn't look away, only arching his eyebrow, inviting her to approach him. Slowly and seductively, his gaze slid downward. She wanted to turn away as embarrassment flushed over her, but she couldn't. 

"Lily, did you hear me?"

****

**This snippet was modified a bit to fit the 8 sentence requirement.

"Feast of Candles" is a spicy contemporary Christmas romance. Drake de Brettville travels all the way from Denmark to San Franscisco to meet Lily Marquand, a wine maker. Will romance blossom, despite their different worlds? 

****

Reviews for Feast of Candles:

5 Stars, Angela S. Britnell, Amazon Reader
This is a wonderfully romantic story with a hero to die for.

5 Stars, Karen M. Nutt, Amazon Reader
Pour yourself a glass of wine or your drink of choice and treat yourself to a romantic interlude with Ms. Burkhart's Feast of Candles.

5 Stars, Caroline Clemmons, Amazon Reader
A wonderful, fast-paced read with FEAST OF CANDLES.

BUY LINKS:  

AMAZON KINDLE:

http://amzn.com/B008NXELPG

SMASHWORDS:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/452548

BARNES AND NOBLE:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/feast-of-candles-stephanie-burkhart/1119887243?ean=2940046043792





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/

Snippet Sunday: 99 cent paranormal romance: Night of Magic #snippetsunday

Hi all, I'm participating in the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday. This month, I'll be taking snippets from my paranormal romance, Night of Magic. This will be the last weekend for Snippets from Night of Magic. Next week, I'll be featuring one of my Christmas stories. You can find the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday list at:

This snippet:      

*****

"Darius, you may leave." Aithne stepped into the room. The soldier nodded, placed the iron key on a table next to the door and departed.

"Where should we start?" she asked.

Finn held out his wrists again. "Untie me."

Her eyes grew hooded like a hawk's and she glided across the floor to the glass door, ignoring his request. Opening the door, she let cool air into the room.

****

"Night of Magic" is a paranormal romance. Finn dares the bonfires of Samhain, but does Aithne want to go home? 

****

Reviews for Night of Magic:

5 Stars, Joy Cagil, Amazon Reviewer:
"This author has managed to come up with interesting characters and a persuasive plot with gripping action-filled scenes and fine details."

5 Stars, Ichichra, Amazon Reviewer:
"It surely got a quick smile from the romantic inside me."

5 Stars, Sara Eggli, Amazon Reviewer:
"I really like fast paced stories and this is one. Sometimes I find shorts lagging, not so here. The characters were developed enough that extra story line was not needed. If you are looking for good read this is definitely one."

BUY LINKS:  

AMAZON KINDLE:

http://amzn.com/B00D2XP4R6

SMASHWORDS:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/452595

BARNES & NOBLE:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/night-of-magic-stephanie-burkhart/1119887269?ean=2940046044119

KOBO: 2012 Fall/Paranormal Collection:
http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/2012-fall-paranormal-collection


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/

Make A Play for Her Now - The Bangles #thebangles

I love 80's music. Being a young adult in the 80's I really came to enjoy the music The Bangles put out. Susanna Hoffs, Debbie & Vicki Peterson and Michael Steele were my heroines! It's was great to see girls "rock" and put out music I enjoyed.  My highlight was seeing the gurls play at the New York State Fair in 1989. It was general admission but I was there early enough I was right up next to the stage, near Michael. Some guy got past security, jumped up on stage and gave Susanna a kiss. She was startled to say the least. Security finally put the grab on him and threw him out. 

I was pretty bummed to hear the Bangles broke up and thrilled when they got back together in the late 1990's, 2000s.  So, what's the appeal for me?  

#1 - their vocal harmonies. Those girls can sing! (reminicent of the Beatles) Their voices mesh together really well. In fact, their in the vocal hall of fame.

#2 - They can play the heck out of their instruments!

#3 - Their music spoke to the things that I was going through. For me, Vicki and her songs spoke the most to me. 

#4 - Now, it's great to be able to play their discs in the car. My boys get into the songs. My oldest son really likes "Single By Choice" (another Vicki song!) 

They've got a new release coming out in Thanksgiving day. Can't wait. One thing that I learned recently is how important Michael Steele was to the group. Her songs always had a different tone, more "worldly" speaking to big issues. The Bangles aren't the same without her. 

Anyway, me and the boys were jamming to "Everything" in the car and one of my favorite songs, "Make a Play for Her Now" came on. This has got to be one of my favorite songs. 

Here's a You Tube Link to a live audio performance of the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwmNpBdcVJM

The song was co-written by Vicki and V. Vincent.  

Vicki is great a word play. That's one of the reasons I really enjoy her song.  Here's the opening verse:

Words of comfort and love

spoken in design

turn cruel, unkind.

You have your ready treasures of sin

and it all begins 

with an innocent smile.

Who doesn't remember being dumped because your "boyfriend" is attracted to another woman?  How are you suppose to take it? It's not a pleasent feeling. Vicki rocks the song. The song has a haunting, fast paced beat that strikes a "I'm-hurt-but-I'm-going-to-tough-it-through."

Vicki wrote "Make a Play For Her Now," with former kiss guitarist Vinnie Vincent, who turned out to be a major Bangles Fan. 

Vicki was born in Northridge, CA. In 1981, she got together with her sister, Debbie and Susanna Hoffs and founded the Bangles. She plays lead guitar.

Question for you: Are you a Bangles fan?  Who is your favorite?  What's your favorite Bangle song? I'll be exploring my Bangle love in the upcoming weeks and sharing other songs. 

Snippet Sunday: 99 cent paranormal romance: Night of Magic #snippetsunday

Hi all, I'm participating in the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday. This month, I'll be taking snippets from my paranormal romance, Night of Magic. You can find the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday list at:

This snippet:      Finn gets some answers from Darius. 

*****

Finn exhaled, irritated by the soldier's jealousy, but if he had a chance to obtain answers, he'd take it. "How did she come ta be yer Queen?"

"She came to us five years ago from the otherworld. Our land was under fierce attack from the wolves of Stonemar Tor. She showed our king how to forge swords and use shields, archers, and catapults. In his gratitude, he gave her the bite and made her his heir when he died."

"What's the bite?"

"She will explain."

****

"Night of Magic" is a paranormal romance. Finn dares the bonfires of Samhain, but does Aithne want to go home? 

****

Reviews for Night of Magic:

5 Stars, Joy Cagil, Amazon Reviewer:
"This author has managed to come up with interesting characters and a persuasive plot with gripping action-filled scenes and fine details."

5 Stars, Ichichra, Amazon Reviewer:
"It surely got a quick smile from the romantic inside me."

5 Stars, Sara Eggli, Amazon Reviewer:
"I really like fast paced stories and this is one. Sometimes I find shorts lagging, not so here. The characters were developed enough that extra story line was not needed. If you are looking for good read this is definitely one."

BUY LINKS:  

AMAZON KINDLE:

http://amzn.com/B00D2XP4R6

SMASHWORDS:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/452595

BARNES & NOBLE:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/night-of-magic-stephanie-burkhart/1119887269?ean=2940046044119

KOBO: 2012 Fall/Paranormal Collection:
http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/2012-fall-paranormal-collection


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/

BTS Awards Voting is still open! My novel, Sunrise Over Brasov is nominated! #btsawards

Finally, the voting has opened for Readers Choice for BTS Red Carpet Book Awards. Spread the word! My novel, SUNRISE OVER BRASOV is up for "PARANORMAL." If you have a chance, stop on by and please cast your vote. Here's a link: 

http://btsemag.com/redcarpet/2014_ReadersChoice_Paranormal.html

Go to PARANORMAL and you'll have to enter your name and email address. There's a long list of entries, SUNRISE OVER BRASOV is in the middle. Then you have to enter the captca. Thanks so much for your support. There are other categories, too if you'd to check them out and vote.

Smiles
Steph

Book Review for: The Maze Runner

Written by: James Dashner

DelaCore Press

ISBN: 978-0-37589377-3

Avail in print and as an ebook

5 Stars – Gripping! Doesn't let go

Dashner pens a suspenseful young adult dystopian fiction with "The Maze Runner." Teenager Thomas finds his memory wiped as he's transported to the Glade, a green habitat where other teenage boys live. They are surrounded by a maze that they must solve in order to survive, but the maze changes every night and is guarded by spider-like metallic/organic creatures called Grievers.

Thomas soon makes friends with the other boys and becomes a maze runner. When Teresa, a girl, arrives in the glade, she triggers "the end." Can the gladers fight the grievers and find a way out of the maze? And if they do, what kind of world will they discover when they learn sun flares have wrecked half the Earth and a highly contagious plague has devastated the human population?

Dashner's writing pulls you into the action and makes the reader believe they are a glader right next to Thomas. The plot is fast-paced, just giving the reader enough clues to keep them turning the page.

Dashner's characters prove endearing. Thomas puts his welfare above others. Newt strives to do what is right. Chuck is loyal and Teresa, an enigma.

The ending is satisfying, yet leaves the reader eager for the next novel in the series. The story is a YA novel for 13 years and older. "The Maze Runner" will leave you breathless and wanting to find out what happens next.

Question for you: Did you see the Maze Runner movie?  What dystopian fiction have you recently read? 

Snippet Sunday: 99 cent paranormal romance: Night of Magic #snippetsunday

Hi all, I'm participating in the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday. This month, I'll be taking snippets from my paranormal romance, Night of Magic. You can find the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday list at:

This snippet:      Darius hints at what will make Aithne happy.

*****

"She'll talk to you," Darius paused. "If you so desire, she'll release you, but she's waited…" His voice trailed off and he cocked his head, straining.

"What do ye hear?"

"She comes." Darius marched toward the door. "I don't like you, but you are of the Queen's world and I want her to find a measure of happiness. I do care for her."

****

"Night of Magic" is a paranormal romance. Finn dares the bonfires of Samhain, but does Aithne want to go home? 

****

Reviews for Night of Magic:

5 Stars, Joy Cagil, Amazon Reviewer:
"This author has managed to come up with interesting characters and a persuasive plot with gripping action-filled scenes and fine details."

5 Stars, Ichichra, Amazon Reviewer:
"It surely got a quick smile from the romantic inside me."

5 Stars, Sara Eggli, Amazon Reviewer:
"I really like fast paced stories and this is one. Sometimes I find shorts lagging, not so here. The characters were developed enough that extra story line was not needed. If you are looking for good read this is definitely one."

BUY LINKS:  

AMAZON KINDLE:

http://amzn.com/B00D2XP4R6

SMASHWORDS:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/452595

BARNES & NOBLE:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/night-of-magic-stephanie-burkhart/1119887269?ean=2940046044119

KOBO: 2012 Fall/Paranormal Collection:
http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/2012-fall-paranormal-collection


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/

Book Review: Hot Water by Maggie Toussaint #bookreview

Book Review for: Hot Water

Written by: Maggie Toussaint

Wild Rose Press

ISBN: 978-1-61217-830-1

Avail in print and as an ebook

5 Stars – A page turner!

Toussaint pens an edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense with "Hot Water," book two in the Mossy Bog series. This book can be read as a stand alone.

Laurie Ann Dinterman is a hard working cop in Mossy Bog, but there's a serial arsonist lurking about. Can Laurie Ann catch him or will her budding relationship with arson investigator Wyatt North get in the way?

The novel opens with Laurie Ann poking around the burnt ruins of the Pirate's Cover restaurant. There she meets Wyatt North, an arson investigator tracking the arsonist. Laurie Ann and Wyatt are teamed up to find the criminal, but soon sparks flare up between them. When Wyatt targets Laurie Ann's cousin, Lester, as a suspect, will his declaration dampen the investigation and their growing relationship? How far will the arsonist go until he kills again?

Toussaint's penned a gem of a thriller. Taunt and face-paced, her writing is easy to read. She uses a good economy of words to paint a vivid picture of the setting.

Toussaint's characters shine. Laurie Ann is a cop with a big heart and a perfect fit in Mossy Bog. Wyatt is determined, possessing a quiet inner strength that is to be admired.

"Hot Water" is a romantic suspense with several mainstream love scenes. As Laurie Ann and Wyatt close in on the arsonist, I didn't want to put the story down. "Hot Water" intrigues, excites, and keeps the reader riveted to the page. I highly recommend this book, especially if you enjoy romantic suspense.

Question for you: What is your favorite suspense show on TV right now? 

Book Review for: Visions of Sugar Plums by Janet Evanovich #bookreview

Book Review for: Visions of Sugar Plums

Written by: Janet Evanovich

St. Martin's Press

ISBN: 0-312-98634-3

Avail in print and as an ebook

4 Stars

Stephanie Plum's in for a Christmas full of sparks with "Visions of Sugar Plums." When Diesel pops into her kitchen looking for "Sandy Claws" an FTA given to Stephanie to find, Christmas becomes ultra chaotic. Can Stephanie find time to shop and bring Sandy Claws in?

Christmas is crazy for Stephanie's family and Stephanie is behind the power curve. She has no money for a tree, gifts, or decorations. Cousin Vinny gives her a job to bring in Sandy Claws, a retired toy maker, but Sandy is proving more trouble than he's worth, especially when the electricity all over town starts acting hinky. Diesel, is a supernatural being who is tracking down Ring, a person going after Sandy Claws. Will Diesel get his man and will Stephanie get a tree for Christmas?

Evanovich's story is easy to read, whimsical, and endearing. It captures the essence of the season including in-your-face commercialism to heartwarming sentiments. Evanovich's characters continue to entertain. The Plum household is just as wild as a zoo. Mary Alice still thinks she's a horse. Grandma Mazur has a new stud muffin but it's Valerie who gets the biggest gift of all.

Visions of Sugar Plums is a light, fun, engaging read. The story is a cozy mystery with a splash of comedy that will have the reader laughing as they turn the page.

Question: Who is your favorite character in the Stephanie Plum series? 

Snippet Sunday: 99 cent paranormal romance: Night of Magic #snippetsunday

Hi all, I'm participating in the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday. This month, I'll be taking snippets from my paranormal romance, Night of Magic. You can find the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday list at:

This snippet:      Finn makes demands of Darius. 

*****
Finn wasn't a stud for hire no matter how attracted he was to the Queen – and besides, he did have a mission to bring Aithne back to her father, though his determination had lessened upon seeing her. He had the sense she was very much at home right here with the Ruairc. Frustrated, he held out his wrists. "Untie me."

"No."

"Do it, boy."

"Her Grace will untie you."

"What does she intend?"

****

"Night of Magic" is a paranormal romance. Finn dares the bonfires of Samhain, but does Aithne want to go home? 

****

Reviews for Night of Magic:

5 Stars, Joy Cagil, Amazon Reviewer:
"This author has managed to come up with interesting characters and a persuasive plot with gripping action-filled scenes and fine details."

5 Stars, Ichichra, Amazon Reviewer:
"It surely got a quick smile from the romantic inside me."

5 Stars, Sara Eggli, Amazon Reviewer:
"I really like fast paced stories and this is one. Sometimes I find shorts lagging, not so here. The characters were developed enough that extra story line was not needed. If you are looking for good read this is definitely one."

BUY LINKS:  

AMAZON KINDLE:

http://amzn.com/B00D2XP4R6

SMASHWORDS:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/452595

BARNES & NOBLE:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/night-of-magic-stephanie-burkhart/1119887269?ean=2940046044119

KOBO: 2012 Fall/Paranormal Collection:
http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/2012-fall-paranormal-collection


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/

BTS Awards voting are now open! My novel, Sunrise Over Brasov is nominated! #BTSAwards

Finally, the voting has opened for Readers Choice for BTS Red Carpet Book Awards. Spread the word! My novel, SUNRISE OVER BRASOV is up for "PARANORMAL." If you have a chance, stop on by and please cast your vote. Here's a link: 

http://btsemag.com/redcarpet/2014_ReadersChoice_Paranormal.html

Go to PARANORMAL and you'll have to enter your name and email address. There's a long list of entries, SUNRISE OVER BRASOV is in the middle. Then you have to enter the captca. Thanks so much for your support. There are other categories, too if you'd to check them out and vote.

Smiles
Steph