A look at the ipad-mini & news from the Publishing World - Jan 2013

Lulu.com has recently announced that it is going to stop using DRM (Digital Rights Management) to protect ebooks that it sells direct to buyers.

Apple reported that 40 billion apps were downloaded for use for the iphone, ipad, and ipad touch.

The skinny on the ipad-mini

Thinking of getting an ipad-mini?

Here's the lowdown:

The basic model has 16 GB of storage, WiFi only and costs $329.00

10 hours battery lifemakes music

edits photos

7.9 inch display

light to hold

great for reading

good for watching video

surfs the web

Screen is not as bright or vivid as ipad

Avail with a 32 or 64 GB memory.

Question for you: Do you buy ebooks from Lulu? Why or why not?

Would you get an ipad mini? What are the pros/cons for you?

Author Bio: Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD.  Her 99 cent title, A Polish Heart, is a sweet, contemporary romance.

Blurb: Can Sofia's faith give Darrin his heart back?

Opening Line:

This was going to be the most challenging thing he'd done in his life.

Buy LInk: http://amzn.com/B007AS29AO

6 Sentence Sunday - 99 cent contemporary romance: A Polish Heart

A POLISH HEART
Contemporary Sweet International Romance

BLURB: Can Sofia's faith give Darrin his heart back?

*****

Sofia giggled. "We took down the ugly tone-toned Soviet buildings first."

"How naughty," Darrin teased.

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

Darrin chuckled. "It's a Hilton."

Sofia glanced at him. How she adored his winsome smile. "Are you teasing me?"

"We have a lot of Hiltons in America." 

****

BOOK TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC6_397PerU

Review:
"Sofia and Darrin's story is a heartwarming one. Totally enjoyable read." - Tara Manderino, Amazon Reader

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON:http://amzn.com/B007AS29AO

BARNES & NOBLE:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-polish-heart-stephanie-burkhart/1111503774?ean=2940033247875

SONY EBOOK STORE: https://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/stephanie-burkhart/a-polish-heart/_/R-400000000000000712746

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

Book Review Friday - In For a Penny by Maggie Toussaint

Book Review for: In For A Penny

Written by: Maggie Toussaint

Muddle House Publishing

ISBN: 978-0-9833614-4-2

Avail as an ebook

5 Stars

Toussaint pens a cozy "who-dunnit" mystery with "In For a Penny." When Cleopatra Jones finds her ex-husband's best friend, Dudley, dead as a doornail, on the golf course, she's 'in for a penny,' as the Hogan's Glen police investigate her friends and family as suspects.

Cleopatra (Cleo) Jones is an accountant in the small town of Hogan Glen. Everybody knows everybody. While playing golf with her best friend, she discovers Dudley's dead body. News travels fast and it seems everyone has a motive to do Dudley in. There's Cleo's best friend, Jonette, Cleo's ex-husband, Charles, Charlie's wife, Denise, Jasper the golf course maintenance guy, Jasper's mother, Cleo's neighbor, Ed, the mayor, and the shady real estate developer guy. The police start an official investigation, but Cleo's determined to find the murderer herself. As the danger gets closer to Cleo, will she find a killer or get killed herself?

"In For A Penny" has an endearing cast of characters. There's Cleo, the beleaguered, yet determined heroine, Mama, Cleo's exasperating mother, Jonette, Cleo's steadfast best, friend, Brit, the bossy cop, Dudley, who was no "doright," Charlie the cheater, and Rafe the golf pro hottie. Toussaint does an excellent job giving Hogan's Glen a life of it's own.

Toussaint builds the mystery slowly, but masterfully, up'ing the emotional involvement with each new angle Cleo investigates. The ending promises to keep the reader on the edge of their seat as Cleo returns to the scene of the murder to catch a killer. "In For A Penny," will have you smiling, fuming, biting your nails, and cheering for Cleo. Toussaint earns two enthusiastic thumbs up from this reader. I highly recommend this book. 

Writing Tips - Types of Romantic Men

I thought I'd talk a little about the types of romantic men we come across. 

The Alpha Male

Superior. Powerful. Assertive. Masterful. Those are just a few words that describe the alpha male. I remember reading Rebecca Brandewyne's "Upon a Moon Dark Moor." Draco was the quintessential alpha hero.  He was silent about his feelings, yet steadfast in his desires. Draco possessed a ruthless nature, but he was passionately in love with the heroine, Maggie. An alpha hero is one who owns the company and runs it himself. Like James Bond, he's dangerous to the bone. An alpha male is very determined and won't hesitate to charm the heroine into changing her mind if their wishes aren't the same.

An alpha hero thrives on confrontation. He's serious, rarely laughs, and captures a larger than life presence. His peers believe he's the toughest guy around and the alpha male thrives on the recognition.

The Beta Guy

He's the good-looking affable, family type guy. He's got a lot of friends/unlike the alpha and omega men. A beta guy doesn't care for a confrontation, but he won't back down from one either.

Beta guys have a great sense of humor and are down-to-earth. Beta guys own companies too, but they put the capable guys in charge so they can enjoy their leisure time.

The Omega Man

The omega man is the toughest guy on the block, like the alpha male, but unlike the alpha male, he cares little for the recognition. He's confident in the fact he's tough, smart, and strong.

The omega man isn't a "joiner." He has no desire to join or belong to a group, and he usually has one or two intimate friends. The omega man doesn't care to have acquaintances, but the alpha male thrives on them. For the omega man, he's much more subtle than the alpha. The alpha male is "in-your-face," where the omega man isn't.

Motivations

Each hero type must have a motivation. If he wants to prevent the heroine from doing something (conflict) he better have a good reason or he'll come across as a control freak or a stalker. All hero types need to have enough character introspection to help the reader understand why they do what they do.

Question for you: What type of "romantic" man do you prefer? Does it matter? Do you have anything to add, questions, comments, concerns? Feel free to share. 

Reference: On Writing Romance, by Leigh Michaels, F&W Publications, 2007

The Next Biggest Thing Blog Stop: A Gentleman and a Rogue, steampunk romance

Hi all, I was tagged by Celia Yeary and here I am answering a few questions:

Question: What is the title of your book?

Steph: A Gentleman and a Rogue.

Question: Where did the idea come from for the book?

Steph: This is the sequel to "Victorian Scoundrel," from the Windsor Diaries, my steampunk romance series. Edmund and Keira were paired together as a couple in book 1. Book 2 is their story. Edmund realizes Keira is the love of his life and is determined to win her heart.

Question: What genre does your book fall under?

Steph: Steampunk romance

Question: What actors would you choose to play in the movie rendition?

Steph: Robert Pattinson for "Prince Edmund Windsor" and Keira Knightly for "Lady Keira Russell."

Question: What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?

Robert Pattinson

Steph: Will Lady Keira Russell win Queen Victoria's approval for her work with compressed natural gas, or will Edmund ruin Keira's chances with his mischief-making?

Question: Where can we get your book?

Steph:

PUBLISHER'S BUY LINK:

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-366/The-Windsor-Diaries-Book/Detail.bok

ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS:

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thewindsordiariesbookthreeagentlemanandarogue-996194-141.html

BARNES & NOBLE (NOOK)

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-windsor-diaries-book-two-stephanie-burkhart/1113777499?ean=2940015869538

AMAZON (KINDLE:)

http://amzn.com/B00A5CF24C

Question: How long did it take your to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Steph: 3 months.

Keira Knightly

Question: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Steph: Karen Michelle Nutt's short story "Storm Riders," for the time traveling element.

Question: What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?

Steph: There's grand adventure, unique leather-clad characters, cutting edge inventions, time travel, parallel universes, and Queen Victoria!

Blurb: Royals Edmund and Alice Windsor return to 2011 only to discover their world is now powered by gasoline and electricity - not compressed natural gas. Their attempts to persuade their grandmother, Queen Anne II, falls on deaf ears. Taking matters into their own hands, they enlist Jonas Byron's help and travel back to 1855 to set the time line right.

Now in Lincoln, Edmund is reunited with Lady Keira Russell, the love of his life, but if it isn't one obstacle, it's another. Keira does not want to fall in love with him again. Jonas Byron has taken up with Keira's father to build a windmill, and Edmund's brother, Richard, the Guardian of the Time Machine, has followed Edmund to ensure Queen Victoria makes the right decision when choosing the fuel of the future. Edmund has a choice - make mischief to ensure time marches to the beat of the right drummer, or trust in Keira and her belief that Queen Victoria will make the right decision on her own. Will Edmund lost Keira for good if he makes the wrong choice?

Reviews: "I was hooked in it and did not want it to end. All of you romantic historical fans don’t miss this one – it is a winner." - 5 Stars, Trudi LoPreto for Reader's Favorites

"It’s the Amazing Race with energy sources in Stephanie Burkhart’s second steampunk." - 5 Stars, Muddy Rose Review

The next stop on the Next Biggest Thing (Monday, 14 JAN 2013) will be with the talented Karen Michelle Nutt at her blog: Karen's Shenanigans blog on her website http://www.kmnbooks.com 

12th Day of Christmas in Song - Joy to the World

Joy to the World is one of my favorite Christmas carols because it's so uplifting.

The song was first published in 1719. The lyrics were written by Englishman Isaac Watts, who based them on Psalm 98 from the Bible. Watts wrote the lyrics with the intent to glorify Christ's triumphant return at the end of the 2^nd coming.

The music was adapted and arranged by Lowell Mason in 1839 using an older melody from Handel. Several musical verses were taken from Handel's "Messiah," but not the entire song.

Did You Know?

Joy to the World is the most published Christmas hymn in North America.

Author Bio: Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD. Her 6-year-old son, Joe, LOVES Eggnog.

Question: What's your favorite Christmas/Holiday drink?

Thanks so much to everyone who stopped by during my 12 Days of Christmas in Song. I hope you enjoyed it. J

Smiles

Steph

The Green Rose

Fantasy Romance

Blurb: Sonia and Ivánstan embark on a quest for the green rose in order to save Gaia from Balthyser's evil threat.

Opening: Ivanstan whirled around and thrust his sword into the wyldebeast. His pulse thundered under his skin. Sweat beaded on his temple. With a jerk, he withdrew the blade and the creature stumbled forward, collapsing on its side. A foul stench from the beast filled the air -- copper and sulfur. Ivanstan steeled his spine and toughened his resolve, running his gaze over the creature and studying it. He had never seen the feared wyldebeast up close, but now Komodo Field was stained red with their blood. His jaw tensed and Ivanstan drew in a breath to tamp down his fear. The creature was tall, yet thin with coarse fur, long fingers, and orange eyes. Its fangs and nails were said to ooze poison.

"Ivan! Be on your guard!"

Ivanstan turned about. His friend and mage, Cason, rode past on horseback and threw him a shield made of Taveran steel, the hardest metal known to man.

5 Stars, Scorching Book Reviews

I don't read much romantic fantasy, but this was so well structured and so lovely, I could not put it down.

4 Stars, Laura Carter for Reader's Favorites:

I loved the characters of Ivánstan and Sonia and the romance growing between them is sweet and believable.

BUY LINKS:

PUBLISHER'S SITE

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-280/The-Green-Rose-Stephanie/Detail.bok

AMAZON KINDLE:

http://amzn.com/B007QUBU2E

BARNES & NOBLE NOOK:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1109853031

ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS:

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thegreenrose-769936-143.html

SONY EBOOKS:

http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/stephanie-burkhart/the-green-rose/_/R-400000000000000673505

Victorian Scoundrel 2012 Romance of the Year

Victorian Scoundrel, Book 1 in "The Windsor Diaries," my steampunk romance was picked as the 2012 Romance of the Year at Deep in The Heart of Romance. I'm so excited to win and I want to thank everyone who voted for the book. I really appreciate it.  

HERE'S A LOOK AT VICTORIAN SCOUNDREL:



Winner: BRONZE 2012 Reader's Favorite Contest, Romance: History

2011 Hope Chest Reviews Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Romance Series

BLURB: When Alice follows her cousin, Edmund, back through time, she has no idea the mischief she's in for!

BOOK TRAILER: 


REVIEWS: Reader's Favorites: 5 Stars, Molly E: She grips the reader instantly, and keeps them hooked until the last page... I highly recommend this with highest of 5 stars, and I can't wait until the second Windsor Diaries installment releases! 

Pen & Muse Reviews: A wonderful historical, paranormal steampunk read this was. The author really had me hooked from the first chapter... I loved the humor in this read along with the historical facts.

"Stephanie Burkhart has done an excellent job of combing several genres to create a highly interesting, entertaining story that once you start to read you will not want the story to end." - 4 Stars, Anita, Kindle Book Review 

Long & Short Reviews, 4 Books, Larkspur: It’s the perfect romance if you love the proper etiquette of the Victorian era mixed with the fantasy of time travel. This is the first in this new series and I’m excited to read the next episode." 

Scorching Hot Reviews: 4 Stars:

Overall, a fun and breezy read that really doesn’t take itself seriously. With sweet and funny characters, the tale was enjoyable and engaging. A fantastic edition to the steam-punk genre....bring on book two :)

Hope Chest Reviews: 4.5 Stars:

Victorian Scoundrel was a nice easy read, but sometimes that's just what the doctor ordered. The pacing was pretty snappy with the plot moving right along, while the dialog was sharp and sometimes witty

ENJOY THIS EXCERPT: 

Tired and thirsty, she finally made it to the courtyard. Edmund was nowhere to be found. She should have expected it, really. No doubt he was in the palace filling their great-grandfather's head with forward-thinking ideas. She crossed her arms, staring at the steps.

 Several carriages waited nearby. No one in their right mind would let her into the palace looking like she did -- like she had just stepped out of the gutter.

"Excuse me, who are you?"

Alice spun around to find herself face-to-face with two gentlemen who stood near one of the waiting carriages. One gentleman was older, Alice guessed in his fifties, one younger. The older gentleman stared at her like she truly was a guttersnipe, but the younger one -- he was tall, with chiseled cheeks and sensitive hazel eyes. His broad chest filled his suit well and he measured her with a cool, appraising look that hinted at... appreciation. An uncomfortable feeling washed over her. Never had a man's stare made her feel so... warm. 



"Well?" asked the older gentleman.

Alice straightened her posture with her usual royal dignity and took off her glasses as she always did when she introduced herself. "I am Her Royal Highness, Princess Alice of York." 

The men looked at each other, at her, then back at themselves. She wasn't sure if they were befuddled, confused, or wanted to laugh. Finally, the older gentleman spoke. "Princess Alice is seven years old." 

Alice bit the inside of her lip, realizing she had totally forgotten where she was due to the younger gentleman's attention. She slid her glasses back on. "Simply call me Alice -- Alice Windsor." 

"And you may call me Prime Minister." 

BUY LINKS: 
AMAZON KINDLE: http://www.amazon.com/Windsor-Diaries-Book-One-ebook/dp/B0058UG9Q6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1316808713&sr=1-1

BARNES & NOBLE NOOK: 
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-windsor-diaries-book-one-stephanie-burkhart/1104099940?ean=2940012813824&itm=1&usri=victorian%2bscoundrel

SONY EBOOK STORE:
http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/stephanie-burkhart/victorian-scoundrel/_/R-400000000000000429246

ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS:
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thewindsordiariesbookonevictorianscoundrel-571272-141.html

PUBLISHER'S BUY LINK:
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-183/Stephanie-Burkhart-Victorian-Scoundrel/Detail.bok

KOBO:

http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/The-Windsor-Diaries-Book-One/book-QYpbdTFmHEm64JwO_p9T1w/page1.html?s=-6Oq9Moeg0STYnHLUVccWQ&r=7

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/