Q&A & Excerpt for "Moonlight Sonata" FREE Read

#1 What is "Moonlight Sonata" about?

STEPH: This is a free read offered by Desert Breeze. My heroine, Lady Amelia Andrássy is a talented pianist. When "Moonlight Sonata" starts, she has just recently learned of her husband's infidelity. Shortly after that, he dies. When Amelia receives the news of her husband's death, she faints – right into Count Anton Varga's arms. A spark passes between them, but Anton is haunted by his own demons. Amelia and Anton become friends. Can Anton inspire her to play the Moonlight Sonata again?

#2 – Why did you write it?

STEPH: I wrote "The Count's Lair," Anton and Amelia's story, which begins two months after "The Hungarian" ends, but then I realized I needed to write about the events that occurred between Anton and Amelia, after she fainted and he decided to clear his head. It provides a strong emotional connection for the characters.

#3 – Why is Amelia attracted to Beethoven's music?

STEPH: For her, the music provides her with a wide range of emotions to express. With the Sonata Pathetique, the music allows her to express her loneliness and heartbreak. With Moonlight Sonata, it allows her to express her attraction to Anton.



#4 – Anton has met Amelia previously. Why doesn't the spark pass between them sooner?

STEPH; He wasn't prepared to see it until then. He wasn't willing to open up his heart until that moment.

#5 – What did you enjoy the most in writing Moonlight Sonata?

STEPH: The rich character introspection. Both characters acknowledge their shortcomings, dare to hope, and grow in courage.

Here's an excerpt from Moonlight Sonata, the prequel to "The Count' Lair."

"Hello, Amelia."

She bit the inside of her lip. The rich scent of mulberries and spice hung around him, fueling a growing agitation in the pit of her stomach. He looked like a magnificent beast -- ready to tempt her to sin. "Hello, Anton."

"I'm sorry I didn't call, but I wanted to see you."

She stood rooted in the spot next to the coffee table. Anton walked toward her, his feral gait even, his expression full of confidence. He passed in back of her, pausing. She felt the heat of his breath on her neck. She didn't know what to say. She'd enjoyed his friendship and she had wanted to call him later this evening, but he seemed bolder, determined. He had the look of a man who knew what he wanted. Her hand went to her breast, trying to stop the nervous fluttering of her heart.

"I was looking forward to seeing you as well," she finally said.

He rounded the coffee table and stopped in back of the couch, putting his hands on the couch's backrest and looking directly at her.


Amelia swallowed. The look in his eyes was unmistakable. They danced with the flames of desire. For her?

"I've been giving what you said a lot of thought--" he began.

"What did I say?"

"You challenged me to be a better man."

"I did."

"Well, that's what I want to do."

"Good."

"But I have no idea how to be a better man. My role models were poor. My father was a drunk and womanizer. My brother was a gambler. I don't want to be like either of them."

Amelia was speechless. She didn't know what to say. She rubbed her forehead, trying to reconcile her anxiety with the growing agitation in the pit of her stomach. Truth be told, she found him incredibly attractive with his tussled hair, chiseled cheeks, and full, red lips. And the way he looked at her -- it warmed every fiber of her being. "Ah, would you like a drink?" she finally asked.

He raised a dark eyebrow. "Would you?"

You can download this story for FREE from the Desert Breeze Publishing Website:
Free Link: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-131/Stephanie-Burkhart-Moonlight-Sonata/Detail.bok

Images from Dreamstime, character inspriation for Anton & Amelia.