Blog Contest Winners Announced! Congrats!

First, thanks to everyone who entered the blog contests. I really appreciate you popping in my site (under the moonlight). And now - onto the winners.

Winner of the PDF copy of "The Hungarian:" Kristabel Reed!! Congrats.

Kristabel was one of the commenters on my celebratory post for the book's release.

Winner of the $6.00 Gift Certificate to Desert Breeze Publishing: Cherie Reich!

Cherie just recently signed up to follow me.

All contestants had their name put in a hat and my son, Andrew, drew the winners.

I hope to do another contest like this soon. Winners, please send me an email at sgcardin1@yahoo.com or botrina_buchanan@yahoo.com with your contact info so I can get the prizes out to you.

Smiles
Steph

Today's the day! The Hungarian is Out in the stores!

Moon over Turin, Italy, Dec 2009


Yay!! Today is the day that "The Hungarian" releases with Desert Breeze Publishing. I'm very excited. That said, I'm offering a couple of prizes. Here's how you can become eligable:

#1 - Sign in with a post. I'll pick one lucky winner out of a hat to receive a PDF ebook copy of "The Hungarian."

#2 - Become a Follower of me here on Blogspot. I'll pick one lucky winner out of a hat to receive a $6.00 GC to Desert Breeze Publishing.



So what's the book about? Count Matthias Duma harbors a dark secret, but when he meets a young British noblewoman, Katherine Archibald, he risks his secret for her love. The book is set in 1901. The first half of the book takes place in England and the 2nd half of the book takes place in Budapest, Hungary. Katherine is a young woman who loves books and has a sense of adventure, but has yet to satisfy her heart. Then she meets Matthias.

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."


****** Buy Links: Desert Breeze Publishing: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-87/%3Ci%3EBudapest-Moon-Book-One%3C-fdsh-i%3E-cln-/Detail.bok

Amazon for Kindle

http://www.amazon.com/Budapest-Moon-Book-One-ebook/dp/B003K15NG2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1272726216&sr=1-1

Welcome Guest Author - Diane Craver

Is Mallory Harrington jinxed because her name means luckless?

Things have gone wrong for Mallory since she was a small child. All she ever wanted was to have a complete family and live happily ever after. It appears she has it all when she marries Toby Harrington and they have a son. Unfortunately, their marriage ends when Toby has an affair with his law partner. After their divorce, Mallory doesn't think she should ever get married again.

Mallory decides to get a surgical procedure that she's always wanted, but meeting plastic surgeon, Doctor Seth Whitman, complicates her life. Seth realizes that having Mallory as a patient might not work. She intrigues him too much. He wants to spend more time with her, but definitely not on the operating table.

Mallory learns that sometimes faith is about accepting what can’t be changed and grabbing what God offers her. Life must go on.




Excerpt:

After leading him into the study, she walked to the closet and opened the white door. Vases of every size filled the closet.

"This is wonderful." He looked at her. "Did you get your grandmother's artistic talent?"

She laughed. "I'm afraid not. I can barely draw stick figures."

Forty-five minutes later, Seth stood at Mallory's front door. He'd finally written her a check and told her not to look at it until he left. He'd selected a large vase with painted cherry blossoms plus a matching jar for herbs. His mom had an herb garden, so he knew she'd be excited about his gift.

He wanted to kiss Mallory. Surely a peck on the cheek should be appropriate with him being at her house. He was not her doctor at the moment. He leaned down to her. His lips brushed her cheek, and Mallory pulled him closer to her.

She whispered, "Here's a birthday kiss for you."

With her in his arms, he felt Mallory's breasts against his chest. When their lips met, energy surged through him. Maybe it was only a birthday kiss, but he hoped that it could be the beginning for something much more. He could see them as a couple. But was there a chance of this happening? He had no way of knowing if he'd get the opportunity to date Mallory after she recovered from her surgery, but he knew one thing for sure.

He never wanted Mallory to think his only interest in her was as her surgeon. He wanted so much more from this incredible woman.
Small Author Bio:
Diane enjoys her life with her husband and six children in southwestern Ohio. Her husband of thirty-four years is very supportive, as well as her awesome children. She writes contemporary romance, inspirational romance, women’s fiction, and chick-lit mystery. Diane published first in nonfiction, and later she decided to also write fiction.
Trailer link for Marrying Mallory: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx47eTrY8M0\

I like to write inspirational romances because writing about Christian characters facing challenges of love in today’s world is rewarding. It's meaningful and fun to have the characters express their faith in real life drama. Even though my stories are emotional, they also have lighthearted moments. I like to give my heroes and heroines a sense of humor.

I enjoyed writing about my characters falling in love in my two inspirational romances, No Greater Loss and Marrying Mallory. Luke Brunsman and Jennifer Hunter meet in an unusual way in No Greater Loss. Jennifer does an emergency delivery of a baby in a rural grocery store. Luke happens to be shopping at the same time and assists her. The miracle of life touches each one in a different way. In Marrying Mallory, the sparks fly instantly when Mallory goes to see the charming Dr. Seth Whitman about having plastic surgery. However, her friend Elizabeth thinks a minister acquaintance, Jeremy, is the right guy for Mallory. Seth's attraction for Mallory causes problems for him. He'd rather date Mallory than operate on her. In both inspirationals, I have conflict, drama and suspense.

BUYING LINKS for MARRYING MALLORY:

Amazon Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/Marrying-Mallory-ebook/dp/B0032JSJ0Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1272122158&sr=8-1

Desert Breeze Publishing - http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-51/Marrying-Mallory/Detail.bok

Romantic Budapest

I thought I'd share some thoughts on Romantic Budapest. Above is the Szechanyi Bridge, the Bridge on the cover of "The Hungarian."






Then here's Fisherman Bastian. Construction was completed in 1902. It's a 1 1/2 wall on Buda Hill near the Castle District and looks down on the Danube. The seven towers represent the 7 Maygar tribes that settled Budapest.













Then there's the King Castle in the Castle District during Nighttime.













This is the parliament building in a view taken from the Pest side. The buidling was completed in 1896 and is on the Pest side of the city.

It's "Hungarian" Week - Blurb & Excerpt

My novel, "The Hungarian" releases 1 MAY, this coming Saturday with Desert Breeze Publishing. I'll be posting all kinds of Hungarian goodies this week on the blog. Look for a blog contest on Wednesday! Smiles, Steph

****

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?

Excerpt:
She caught his lips with hers. He responded in kind, wrapping his rugged arms around her, holding her tight. They kissed for the longest time, their lips deepening the kisses between them until their tongues began to mingle against each other, yearning with the sensual heat of desire. Katherine felt a deep physical agitation pooling inside her. His full lips tasted sweet, like a sinful treat she could easily become addicted to.

Then, with an abruptness she hadn't expected, he put his hands on her shoulders and broke the kiss with a jerk. "Katherine, do you realize what you're doing?"

"Tell me."

He cupped her cheek, looking at her with a deep intensity that burrowed into her soul. "It's too soon," he whispered.

"Too soon for what?"
"Don't I scare you? The way I look?"
"No."
"My scar? My eyes?"
"Not in the least."

"It doesn't bother you I'm a widower? That the Ashtons are openly seeking to prove me a poor parent so they can take my daughter away from me?"

"No." None of what he'd mentioned bothered her. From what she had observed he was honorable, exuding more nobility than the Ashtons ever would.
Matthias tore himself away from her and left the gazebo. He took long, quick wolverine-like strides toward the roses.

"What are you doing?"

He plucked a rose from a bush without any hesitation and held it up to her. "I love roses, Katherine. They're very soothing to me when I'm alone late at night, trapped by the moon. I want you to have this one. I am not an ordinary courtier, Katherine. I would not woo you with British practicality, but in ways that are foreign to you--"

"What are you saying?"

"If you think you are strong enough, if you think you can endure the summer's challenges, if you think you could find a life with me, then send this rose back in a week's time and I will ask Lord Archibald his permission to court you."

"The Hungarian" will be available 1 MAY 2010 through Desert Breeze Publishing. It will also be available for the Kindle through Amazon.

Website: http://sgcardin.tripod.com
Blog: http://sgcardin.blogspot.com

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZwaF8hAdow

Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing. Link to book page: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-87/%3Ci%3EBudapest-Moon-Book-One%3C-fdsh-i%3E-cln-/Detail.bok

Author Bio

Stephanie Burkhart was born in Manchester, New Hampshire. She received a B.S. in Political Science from California Baptist University in 1995. She served in U.S. Army from 1986-1997, spending seven years in Germany. In 1997, she deployed to Hungary for 90 days. Her interests include exploring European history and watching Dancing with the Stars. Stephanie lives in California and works for LAPD's Communications Division as a 911 Dispatcher. She's married with two young sons.

Welcome Guest Author - Celia Yeary

Celia Yeary is a friend of mine from the Book Spa Friends Group who enjoys writing westerns. Celia lives in Texas and she's here today to talk about her book, "Texas Blue." Welcome Celia!

BLURB FOR TEXAS BLUE:

When Buck Cameron finally found Marilee Weston and her young daughter, he believed the pretty, young woman did not fit the character description he was given. The County Judge back home said she was not fit to raise the child, who he claimed was his. Now Buck faced a dilemma. Should he disobey orders and rescue both of them from isolation? He would, because there wasn’t enough money in the world to exchange for a child. All he had to do was convince Marilee of his good intentions—she and her daughter would safe be with him in Nacogdoches.

Rejected and abandoned by her father, Marilee Weston let the pain of betrayal make her strong. Now, she needed a way out of the forest, where she had lived for five years. But the towering pines and fear of the unknown imprisoned her, and loneliness and heartbreak suffocated her. How could she find a new life for herself and young daughter? She couldn’t. Not without help. But would this alluring stranger free her, or prove to be even more dangerous?



BIO:
Celia Yeary is a seventh-generation Texan, and her life revolves around family and friends—and writing. San Marcos has been her home for thirty-five years. She has written three romance novels for a small press, essays for Texas Co-op Power magazine, and several different topics for her weekly blog. She also writes women’s fiction and hopes a publisher comes along who likes these stories, too.
The author is a former science teacher, graduate of Texas Tech University and Texas State, mother of two, grandmother of three, and wife of a wonderful, supportive Texan. Celia and her husband enjoy traveling, and both are involved in their church, the community, and the university as retired faculty.

celiayeary@yahoo.com
www.celiayeary.com
www.celiayeary.blogspot.com


EXCERPT-TEXAS BLUE:

At this, he turned on the step to look up at her with his eyes narrowed. “And we had one hell of a night, didn’t we? Or maybe you didn’t. Now that I think on it, that didn’t make any impression on you. You know what it feels like, Marilee, to be made a fool? It hurts. Gut-level pain. Stupidly, I honestly thought you wanted me just like I wanted you. I’d fallen so in love with you, I firmly believed I could make you love me, too. Then what did you do? Slapped me right down from my lofty feelings.”

“Buck, I…”

“Don’t placate, me, Marilee. I got the message, loud and clear. Finally. You were right. I do have a thick skull. Takes me a while to see the real picture.”

His words struck deep, into her soul. Now, she realized how much he truly loved her, and she knew in her heart, he could overlook all of her shortcomings. He started to rise, and gently, she placed her hand on his arm to keep him in place.

“My darling,” she whispered. She felt his muscles tense. “Please forgive me. I am undoubtedly the most stupid woman on the face of the earth. Now, you have to answer this question.”

With a disbelieving look, he stared at her. She heard him breath slowly and deeply. Still as stone, he looked into her eyes and waited.

“I have six dollars saved. I have a daughter, soon to be five. I have a few clothes, but they’re all castoffs. That’s all that I have in this world. Except for one more thing. I have so much love for you, I will go anywhere with you, that is, if you still want me. And I…”

He cut her words off with a hard kiss, an open-mouthed, devouring kiss. He pulled her up, around the church, and between two Rose of Sharon bushes. He pushed her against the clapboard siding of the building, placed his hands flat on the wall, and pressed his body into hers.

“Damn, honey. You’ve about killed me.”

Texas Blue is available at Amazon for KINDLE: http://www.amazon.com/Texas-Blue-ebook/dp/B00365FIRG

Wild Rose Press: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/celia-yeary-m-366.html

Official Contest - Win an ARC of "The Hungarian"

"The Hungarian" releases on 1 MAY through Desert Breeze, but you can win an ARC of the novel this week. The contest begins today and runs through Thursday, 22 APRIL. I'll announce the winner on 23 APRIL, Friday.

What's the story about? Count Matthias Duma harbors a dark secret, but when he meets a young British noblewoman, Katherine Archibald, he risks everything, including his secret, for her love.

So what do you have to do? Cast the Characters!

I'll put up two pics of two actors - one I cast as "Count Matthias Duma" from the Hungarian. I'll also put up two pics of two actresses, one I cast as "Katherine Archibald."

Pick the right combo - Who did I pick for Matthias? Katherine. Post your answers here in the blog. If you have both choices right, your name will go in the "pot" and I'll pick the winner out of the pot on Friday Morning.

Okay, let's have fun:

Who is COUNT MATTHIAS DUMA?

CHOICE #1
Jonathan Rhys-Meyers








CHOICE #2
Ralph Fiennes













Who is KATHERINE ARCHIBALD?

CHOICE #1
Anne Hathaway



















Choice #2
Justine Cotsonas



Good luck in the Contest!
Smiles
Steph