6 Sentence Sunday - The Secret Door - paranormal romance

The Secret Door
Paranormal Romance w/witches & werewolves
5.99 novel 

BLURB: Can Zoltan save his witch with Sophia's help?

*****

"I want to kiss you, but I don't dare," he whispered. "Why not?"

"My venom is potent. You understand, don't you?"

 "I do."

"Go ahead of me." His body tensed, and he withdrew. Sophia sensed he struggled with his self-control. 

*****

Reviews:

"The Secret Door's exciting action, paranormal elements, and romance will not disappoint a reader." - Joy Cagil, Amazon Reader

"I was quite pleased to find an original take on the werewolf mythology and was impressed by the author's choice of location and historical accuracy. The Secret Door is a fun read and is highly recommended." - 5 Stars, Jack Magnus, Reader's Favorite Reviews

BUY LINKS:

PUBLISHER: http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com/budapest-moon-book-four-the-secret-door-epub/

AMAZON: http://amzn.com/B00B96KCYS

BARNES & NOBLE: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/budapest-moon-book-four-stephanie-burkhart/1114281656?ean=2940015989762

All Romance Ebooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-budapestmoonbookfourthesecretdoor-1091313-140.html

Writing Inspiration - Poets from the "Romantic" Era

Sir Walter Scott

In the late 18^th, early 19^th Century "romanticism" swept across Europe. It was an artistic and philosophical movement that stressed individualism, subjectivity, and emotion. Generally, romantic era poetry praised the individual, giving voice to the common man, his life, and nature. Nature, in fact, proves to be a very prevalent theme in romantic era poetry.

The style the poetry stressed was everyday language, along with a free form presentation.

While romance and love can be a subject of poetry during this time, the "romanticism" movement has little in common with what we consider romantic today. These poets tended to distrust the human world and invited the reader to believe in the poet.

Several romantic era poets include:

William Wadsworth

Percy Bysshe Shelley

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Edgar Allen Poe

Mary Shelley

Emily Dickinson

Sir Walter Scott.

Enjoy this poem from Sir Walter Scott:

An Hour With Thee

An hour with thee! When earliest day 


Dapples with gold the eastern gray, 


Oh, what can frame my mind to bear 


The toil and turmoil, cark and care, 


New griefs, which coming hours unfold, 


And sad remembrance of the old? 


One hour with thee.



One hour with thee! When burning June 


Waves his red flag at pitch of noon; 


What shall repay the faithful swain, 


His labor on the sultry plain; 


And, more than cave or sheltering bough, 


Cool feverish blood and throbbing brow?


One hour with thee.



One hour with thee! When sun is set, 


Oh, what can teach me to forget


The thankless labors of the day; 


The hopes, the wishes, flung away; 


The increasing wants, and lessening gains, 


The master's pride, who scorns my pains? 


One hour with thee.

Question: Do you have a favorite Romantic Era Poet? I hope you and your muse find inspiration for the  poet in you.  If you'd like to share a "romantic" poem, I'd love to read it. Just put in your comments.

Smiles

Steph

Read an Ebook Week 3-9 MARCH 2013

March is "Read an Ebook Month" and 3-9 MARCH 2013 is "Read an Ebook Week" this week. 

Kindle, 3rd Generation

An "Ebook" is a book length publication in digital form. No one really knows when the first ebook came along, but it's been several decades in the making. "The Index Thomistiticus" was a heavily annotated electronic index to the works of Thomas Aquinas in the 1940s put together by Roberto Busa. 

However the idea of the ebook reader came to Bob Brown in the 1930's, inspired by the "talkie" movies. In an article Jennifer Schuessler writes, "The machine, Brown argued, would allow readers to adjust the type size, avoid paper cuts and save trees, all while hastening the day when words could be 'recorded directly on the palpitating ether.'"

In 1949 a teacher from Spain, Angelia Ruiz, patents the 1st ebook. She wanted to decrease the number of books her kids brought to school.  

In Star Trek, The Original Series and even The Next Generation, Capt Kirk and Capt Picard each use "ebook" readers - though Kirk's was a bit bulker than Picard's. 

In 1992, Sony launched the Data Discman, an electronic book reader that could read e-books that were stored on CDs. 

The establishment of the E Ink Corp. in 1997 led to the development of electronic paper a technology which allows a display screen to reflect light like ordinary paper without the need for a backlight. The Rocket Ebook is introduced but doesn't gain any popularity. 

In the mid 2000's, Amazon released the "Kindle" a slim, convienent, ebook reader that is affordable to the every day public.  Sony does the same. 

"Read An Ebook Week" was first listed in 2004. The purpose was to educate and inform the public about the pleasures and advantages of reading electronically.

Popular formats include: PDF, EPUB, and HTML. 

Some advantages of having an ebook: 

--All fiction books published prior to 1900 are considered in the public domain and free.
--An ebook can be ordered and downloaded immediately.

--The cost is affordable.

--A single reader can have many books.

--There is a wide variety of ebook readers that are affordable.
--It saves on physical space.

--You can ajust the font and add notes if you want.

CONTEST!!
If you go to: http://www.ebookweek.com/index.html
There are two contests along with a great list of "deals and steals." It's a great place to hang out and enjoy an ebook this week. 

Question for you: Do you have an ebook reader? If so, which one. Why do you recommend it? The price? The size? The features?  

Do you have any "Deals and Steals" you'd like to share this week? Leave a comment! 


References: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-book

6 Sentence Sunday - The Secret Door - Paranormal Romance

The Secret Door
Paranormal Romance w/witches & werewolves
5.99 novel 

BLURB: Can Zoltan save his witch with Sophia's help?

*****

He stopped, reminding himself he needed to offer a choice. "Do you want me to kiss you?"

"No."The sound of her denial was weak. He held her close.

"Do you want me to release you?"

"No."

"How should I solve my predicament?"

*****

Reviews:

"The Secret Door's exciting action, paranormal elements, and romance will not disappoint a reader." - Joy Cagil, Amazon Reader

"I was quite pleased to find an original take on the werewolf mythology and was impressed by the author's choice of location and historical accuracy. The Secret Door is a fun read and is highly recommended." - 5 Stars, Jack Magnus, Reader's Favorite Reviews

BUY LINKS:

PUBLISHER: http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com/budapest-moon-book-four-the-secret-door-epub/

AMAZON: http://amzn.com/B00B96KCYS

BARNES & NOBLE: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/budapest-moon-book-four-stephanie-burkhart/1114281656?ean=2940015989762

All Romance Ebooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-budapestmoonbookfourthesecretdoor-1091313-140.html

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

A POLISH HEART

Sweet Contemporary/Inspirational Romance

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

*****

"What's wrong?" Sofia asked.

"My parents are pressuring me to return to the States."

"It's your decision to make. Poland is not like America, and your Rhode Island sounds wonderful."

"Sofia—"

************

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

The Next Big Thing! The Secret Door - paranormal romance

I just want to give a shout out to Jude Urbanski who invited me to The Next Big Thing Blog Hop. You can find Jude at: http://judeurbanski.blogspot.com.  If you have a minute stop on by her blog and find out what her next big thing is.

Now for my "Next Big Thing" 

What is the working title of your book?

The Secret Door

Where did the idea come from for the book?  

            This is book 4 in the Budapest Moon series and it was born out of book 3.  In book 3, Zoltan Kristos is the "bad" guy. He's a werewolf intent on making Morgan Duma his, but she doesn't want him. Zoltan does some questionable things - including turning Morgan into a werewolf herself. I wanted to tell Zoltan's story in book 4 and go about redeaming him. 

What genre does your book fall under?  

          This is a paranormal romance with werewolves and witches.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?  

Joseph Finnes inspiration for "Zoltan"

           

            For Zoltan, I'd pick Joseph Finnes. For Sophia, I'd pick Amy Adams as "Amelia Earhart" from Night at the Museum. 

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?  

           

            Can Zoltan save his witch from being hunted by an evil werewolf with Sophia's help. 

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

            This book is published with a small press and is now avail. as an ebook. 

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

            About 3 months. 

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

Amy Adams inspiraton for "Sophia" 

         I haven't read too many other books, but I have read Karen Michelle Nutt's paranormals and I loved them.  I love Karen's writing. 

Who or What inspired you to write this book?  

           The inspiration was to tell Zoltan's story. 

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

There's a lot of action, adventure, and secrets that spill out as Zoltan works to keep his witch safe. There's never a dull moment. 

Reviews:

"The Secret Door's exciting action, paranormal elements, and romance will not disappoint a reader." - Joy Cagil, Amazon Reader

"I was quite pleased to find an original take on the werewolf mythology and was impressed by the author's choice of location and historical accuracy. The Secret Door is a fun read and is highly recommended." - 5 Stars, Jack Magnus, Reader's Favorite Reviews, 

BUY LINKS:

PUBLISHER: http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com/budapest-moon-book-four-the-secret-door-epub/

AMAZON: http://amzn.com/B00B96KCYS

BARNES & NOBLE: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/budapest-moon-book-four-stephanie-burkhart/1114281656?ean=2940015989762

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

A POLISH HEART

Sweet Contemporary/Inspirational Romance

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

*****

Dracek crossed his arms and glared at Darrin, jealousy laced in his eyes. "Because of Sofia?"

"Yes."

"You will only break her heart, American. You will go back to your country and leave. I see how she looks at you. It's you she wants."

"Not you?" asked Darrin, tersely. Anxiety coiled around his limbs.

"I have known Sofia since we were children. I just want her to be happy, but I am not convinced of your sincerity."

************

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