Snippet Sunday: 99 cents contemporary romance: A Polish Heart #snippetsunday

Hi all, I'm participating in the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday. This month, I'll be taking snippets from my sweet contemporary romance, perfect for the Easter season, A Polish Heart. You can find the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday list at:

This snippet:       Darrin meets his new boss, Mr. Czyinski.

*****

"Mr. Czyinski is pleased to meet you. On Monday, he wants to hear your comments based on the plans," Sofia translated.

"From what I saw of the Stadium, I'm excited to work on this project."

Sofia translate and listened to her boss, then she turned to Darrin.

"He also hopes your accommodations are satisfactory."

"Yes, they are."

"He hopes you have some spare time this weekend to discover Warsaw. If you do, he's volunteered my services."

****

This snippet has been modified to fit the 8 sentence limit. 

"A Polish Heart" is a sweet contemporary romance.  Darrin Riverton, an architect from the United States is assigned to a challenging project which requires a trip to Poland. Sofia Buraczynski is assigned as his translator and his first sight of her heats his blood.

With Sofia as his guide, Darrin discovers Poland and many new things about himself, as well. When a chance is presented for him to remain in Poland, will he leave behind family and all that is familiar to follow his heart? 

****

Reviews for A Polish Heart:

5 Stars, Reader Lady, Amazon Reviewers
"This is an excellent read!"

5 Stars, Tara Manderino, Amazon Reviews
"A totally enjoyable read."

5 Stars, Diane Craver, Amazon Reviews
"A wonderful and fascinating read."

BUY LINKS: 
Amazon:
http://amzn.com/B007AS29AO

Barnes and Nobles:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-polish-heart-stephanie-burkhart/1111503774?ean=2940033247875

Smashwords
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/164429

Kobo:
https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/a-polish-heart

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/

Read and ebook Week 1-7 MAR 2015: 4.99 children's book: The Giving Meadow #ebookweek

BLURB:Caterpillar travels across the meadow meeting and making friends as they provide food and water for the baby. But what happens when he joins Snake in the tree?

The Giving Meadow is a children's book geared for children between 3-6 and a great read for children around Easter.  Caterpillar's journey to a butterfly helps the children understand the nature of tranformation. 

7 Five Star Amazon Reviews:  (from Amazon) 

• This is a good book for helping young children learn about how caterpillars change as well as a gentle lesson about sharing and caring. ”
  Connie Arnold| 4 reviewers made a similar statement
• “

  Colorful illustrations add just the right touch to this gentle heartwarming story about the transformative power of sharing. ”
  Midwest Book Review| 1 reviewer made a similar statement
• “

  This is a delightful story that follows the life of a very hungry caterpillar from the moment he hatches from his tiny egg in a beautiful meadow. ”
  N.A. Sharpe, Author| 2 reviewers made a similar statement

BUY LINKS: 

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00J3FBY9Y

Barnes & Noble:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-giving-meadow-stephanie-burkhart/1022481362?ean=9780982588697

Read an Ebook Week: 1-7 MAR 2015: 99 cent contemporary romance - Gifts #ebookweek

BLURB:  

Figure skating is in Christian Jansen's blood. When he trips on uneven ice and drops his partner, Chris breaks his arm. Now he's looking for a second chance.

Famke deVries lost her skating coach four months ago. Needing to connect with her roots, she returns to Amsterdam and agrees to be Christian's new skating partner.

Christian and Famke connect on a deep level, understanding each other's losses, but will their chemistry off the ice interfere with their goal to go to the Olympics?

EXCERPT:

Famke stared in the direction that her brother had indicated. Christian stood near a gift shop, holding a box. She poked her tongue against her cheek and drew in a breath. Growing up, Stephen and Christian were inseparable. Chris had always been tall, but slim, with a wild haircut and a very pale complexion. He was still tall, but now he filled out his clothes well with his muscular frame and broad shoulders. His hair was golden-yellow, but he'd found a cut that framed his face to perfection. She spied a scar on his temple, and despite the imperfection, it gave him a very masculine appearance. Oh, dear. Christian Jansen had become a very handsome man.

He approached, his gait emphasizing the force of his thighs and the slimness of his hips. She prayed a man that good looking wasn't vain and self-absorbed. She couldn't work with anyone who was like that.

Christian stopped and held out his box. "Hi. I bought you a gift."

She pointed to her chest, a bit surprised. "For me?"

"I hope you like Mozart Krugel."

Her hand slid over his as she reached for the box and a reassuring warmth pulsed up her arm. "I love Mozart Krugel. Thanks."

His eyes sparkled. "You're welcome."

"Do you have any bags to claim?" asked Stephen.

"I've got one." She broke open the box and offered Stephen a piece.

"No, thanks." He gestured toward the walkway and they strolled off, Famke between the men.

"I want to say thank you for agreeing to become my partner. I appreciate it." Christian's voice resonated with seriousness.

"How could I refuse?" She kept her voice light, not wanting to recall her weightier thoughts, and offered him a piece of chocolate. He took one.

REVIEWS:

5 Stars, Delores Goodrick Biggs, Amazon Reviewer:Gifts, by talented author Stephanie Burkhart, is a Christmas story to warm the heart and delight in a touch of Old World scenario.

5 Stars, Joy Cagil, Amazon Reviewer:  This love story is a joy to read!

BUY LINKS: 

AMAZON: http://amzn.com/B00DPV86E8

BARNES & NOBLE:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gifts-stephanie-burkhart/1119887259?ean=2940046043990

SMASHWORDS:https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/452577

KOBO:https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/gifts-11

Read an Ebook Week 1-7 MAR 2015: 99 cent romance Arrow Through the Heart #ebookweek

Today's featured ebook:  99 cent sweet contemporary romance:  Arrow Through the Heart

BLURB:

Summer vacation and the Fourth of July brings Ella to New Hampshire while participating in a tennis competition. Logan is an innkeeper's son who bumps into Ella and invites her for an ice cream. Attraction flares and they enjoy spending time together, but each has their own plans for their life. Then disaster strikes Ella. Can a summer attraction truly become a lasting relationship?

REVIEWS: 

5 Stars, Muddy Rose Reviews, Amazon Reviewer:
Ella and Logan meet when her tennis career brings her to his New England hometown. The attraction is immediate on both sides, but their life paths are different. Logan’s rooted in his town, helping his parents with the inn. Ella travels nonstop all summer.

A dangerous situation draws them closer, fueling the attraction and casting deep shadows on their future.

A sweet novella about falling in love.

5 Stars, Reader Forever, Amazon Reviewer:
This is a well-written fast-paced novella that I read in a couple of hours. I love the idea of setting the story around a tennis tournament since we never miss tennis shows on TV. The characters are nicely developed and there is enough suspense to keep you hooked. Recommended read.

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON:http://amzn.com/B00TJH0UT6

B&N:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/arrow-through-the-heart-stephanie-burkhart/1121218765?ean=2940046574821

Smashwords:https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/518986

GIVEAWAY FOR YOU:  Leave a comment asking about Ella, Logan or New Hampshire in the summer time and you'll be entered to receive a FREE PDF of the book!

Snippet Sunday: 99 cent sweet contemporary romance - A Polish Heart #snippetsunday

Hi all, I'm participating in the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday. This month, I'll be taking snippets from my sweet contemporary romance, perfect for the Easter season, A Polish Heart. You can find the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday list at:

This snippet:       Darrin and Sofia share a laugh.

*****

Sofa turned into a parking lot, "This is your hotel. It is one of the finest in Warsaw."

Darrin chuckled, "It's a Hilton."

How she adored his winsome smile, "Are you teasing me?"

"We have a lot of Hiltons in America."

"Ah."

He reached over and squeezed her hand. Warm blasts of reassurance threaded up her arm. 

****

This snippet has been modified to fit the 8 sentence limit. 

"A Polish Heart" is a sweet contemporary romance.  Darrin Riverton, an architect from the United States is assigned to a challenging project which requires a trip to Poland. Sofia Buraczynski is assigned as his translator and his first sight of her heats his blood.

With Sofia as his guide, Darrin discovers Poland and many new things about himself, as well. When a chance is presented for him to remain in Poland, will he leave behind family and all that is familiar to follow his heart? 

****

Reviews for A Polish Heart:

5 Stars, Reader Lady, Amazon Reviewers
"This is an excellent read!"

5 Stars, Tara Manderino, Amazon Reviews
"A totally enjoyable read."

5 Stars, Diane Craver, Amazon Reviews
"A wonderful and fascinating read."

BUY LINKS: 
Amazon:
http://amzn.com/B007AS29AO

Barnes and Nobles:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-polish-heart-stephanie-burkhart/1111503774?ean=2940033247875

Smashwords
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/164429

Kobo:
https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/a-polish-heart

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/

New Release: Brady's Lost Blanket, children's book #newbookrelease

Welcome my new release: Brady's Lost Blanket from 4RV Publishing. Illustrator Bridget McKenna's drawing are whimiscal and heartfelt and a perfect compliment for the story.

BLURB:Brady is a sensitive young boy who takes his blankie wherever he goes. After traveling with his parents to visit his new cousin, Brady accidently leaves his blanket behind. Can Brady learn to get by without his blankie?

INSPIRATION:
I was one of those young kids who grew up with a blankie.  My blankie was blue and soft and I loved to rub the silky part against my cheeks. When my blankie was close, I felt very confident and secure. However, I think there comes a time when one "outgrows" a blankie and it's time to let go. Unfortunately, letting go can be hard to do. Learn how Brady lets go and grows up a little in my new children's story.

Author Bio:

Stephanie Burkhart was born and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire, but now calls California her home. She currently works for LAPD as a 911 Dispatcher. Stephanie has been writing since she was five, when she crafted homemade comic books on the kitchen table. Her previous books with 4RV Publishing include: The Giving Meadow, and First Flag of New Hampshire.  Stephanie enjoys coffee, adores chocolate and is currently the Den Leader for her son's Cub Scout Den.

BRADY'S LOST BLANKET is available in print from 4RV Publishing.

BUY LINKS:

4RV PUBLISHING BOOKSTORE: http://www.4rvpublishingcatalog.com/burkhart.php

AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Bradys-Lost-Blanket-Stephanie-Burkhart/dp/1940310040/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1423445945&sr=8-8&keywords=stephanie+burkhart

BARNES & NOBLE:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bradys-lost-blanket-stephanie-burkhart/1121138037?ean=9781940310046

******If you are interested in reviewing the book, please send me an email at: Botrina_Buchanan@yahoo.com and I'll make arrangements with you to send you a review copy.****

February is NaHaWriMo! Enjoy #haiku

What a treat to discover February is National Haiku Writing Month. I’ve always enjoyed writing Haikus for their brevity, sensual imagery, and word play, but as I prepped my blog for today, I learned that haikus are a lot more complicated than they appear.

 A haiku is a short style of poetry from Japan. The actual presentation of a haiku is written in Japanese varies from its presentation in English. The big difference occurs with sound and while a “traditional” Japanese haiku strives for 17 sounds, it loosely becomes a 5-7-5 syllable scheme in English.

 I learned when translating haikus into English is a bit of an urban myth because counting sounds in Japanese and syllables in England don’t translate well. When writing haikus, don’t feel limited by the -7-5 scheme. 

Traditional haikus focuses on the human condition as it relates to the environment. It should strive to evoke an image or feeling. A haiku should include two juxtaposed (opposite) ideas that allow for a deeper interpretation and use language that involve the five scenes. What do you see or hear? What does it taste like? What’s the texture of the touch? What does scent evoke? Strive for subtle images and avoid clichés. It’s easier said than done.

The challenge of NaHaWriMo is to write a haiku a day for a month. Don’t feel limited by believing you need to follow a 5-7-5 syllable scheme. It’s the thought put behind the words that is the haiku.

Enjoy some of these of these haiku.  Which one is your favorite? If you have a haiku to share, please do! 

 

PEACE

Flash fills my vison

Bang assaults my ears

Peace lingers in deeds

 

BUCKET

Drop in a bucket,

ripples inconsistent waves,

fleeting beauty fades

HEAVY

Snow in New England,

heavy, crushing, dominates-

oppressive beauty.

 

SHADOWS

Sun casts a dark shadow

against a clear blue sky,

bringing unwanted relief

 

RUST

Rust floats to the ground

coating beauty long past done

evoking bitterness.