Paranormal Week - Character Questions

CHARACTER INTERVIEWS

5 QUESTIONS FOR BALMUNG, FROM TAMI DEE'S "BEYOND A VIKING HORIZON."


QUESTION #1 - Why does farming appeal to you more than aviking?

BALMUNG: I feel a connection with the earth. The roots of my crops symbolize my own roots ~ home, family and security. I am compelled to nourish and protect life, not take it, unless of course, I have no choice. I will do anything to protect those who belong to me, and I have.

QUESTION #2 - What went through your mind when you realized you traveled to 1930's Denmark?

BALMUNG: My first thought was to acknowledge the irony of the situation. I had all but mocked Time, insisting to my family that if I should find love, I would do so from my land on my terms.

Ha! Time has a quirky since of humor, for in truth, I never left my land, yet I had certainly left my Time. When I first set eyes on Iris and her four children, I knew that I had truly come home. All that had been missing from my life, from my land, had been Iris, and thanks to Time, I now had the love I had secretly longed for times four.

QUESTION #3 - What was the first thing you thought of when you saw Iris?

BALMUNG: That she was exquisite. Her skin was the color of a starless night, a tantalizing contrast to my Noetic paleness. Her eyes held intelligence, kindness, and, in time, trust, which humbled me greatly.

QUESTION #4 - Do you like time traveling?

BALMUNG: That is a difficult question to answer. As I have mentioned, Time took matters into its own hands by shifting me from my land in 908 to, well, my land in 1930. I am happy for my unexpected journey, because I gained a wife and four children. Yet Time saw fit to bring myself and my new family back to my world, and now that I have the love of my life here with me, I have no desire to travel through Time again.

QUESTION #5 - What's your favorite musical instrument?

BALMUNG: I have no musical ability what-so-ever, but I do love to hear Iris as she sings our children to sleep each night. Her sweet voice is the most beautiful instrument I can think of.

5 QUESTIONS FOR MADISON LEE, FROM J. MORGAN'S WERE LOVE BLOOMS:


QUESTION #1 - Where are you and Nicholi planning on getting married?

MADISON: A Baptist church, if I have my way. Mated Smated. I am a Southern Deb, and Southern Deb's do not get hitched in the woods. That smacks of shacking up and I won't have it.

QUESTION #2 - Have you met any other wolves?

MADISON: Just my half brother Jonas, and apparently my dad who can keep a secret like nobody's business. I'm sure I'll have to meet Nicholi's side of the family sooner or later, but I'm putting that off until I see the size of my diamond.

QUESTION #3 - Have you ever seen a vampire?

MADISON: Vamp-what?! I'm just coming to grips with the werewolf stuff. I prefer my vampires safely tucked away in a nice Anne Rice book or on True Blood. That Eric is smoking hawt with a capital AWT!

QUESTION #4 - What's your favorite dish to cook?

MADISON: I don't cook. If Nicholi expects me to, he better have 911 on speed dial.


QUESTION #5 - Did you ever get a new Mustang?

MADISON: Please don't be crass. Ms. Stang isn't even interred yet. The service will be this Sunday. Mark Martin will be officiating.

5 QUESTIONS FOR KATHERINE DUMA FROM STEPHANIE BURKHART'S THE HUNGARIAN

QUESTION #1: When did you know Matthias was the one?

KATHERINE: Sigh… that magic moment? It was when we took a walk in my sister's garden during my birthday. I loved how his unusual eyes sparkled in the moonlight. Matthias was so attentive and he listened to what I had to say. And our dance! When we danced, my heart just soared and I just knew.

QUESTION #2: Did the thought of being an instant Mom scare you?

KATHERINE: No, not at all. Emily is such a sweet girl. She just wants to be loved and I know, from losing my own mother at a young age, that a mother's love means everything. I can give Emily something I never had and she'll thrive because of it.

QUESTION #3: Marrying Matthias means moving away from everything you knew and those you loved. Was that frightening to you?

KATHERINE: I was a little apprehensive, but not as I much as I thought I would be. I grew up reading books with adventure and excitement and finally I got a chance to experience my own adventure. Matthias, Janos, Lazlo, and Resa are all very kind. I do miss Liz, Ed, Paul, and my Uncle, but I would do it all over again.

QUESTION #4: What do you love most about Hungary?

KATHERINE: The beauty of the land. Budapest is a thriving city like London and the architecture is breathtaking. I love driving over the Széchenyi Bridge, walking along Fisherman's Bastian and taking boat rides on the Danube. The sky feels so close to the Earth, I could almost reach out and touch the clouds.

QUESTION #5: Lastly, I know Matthias howls at the moon, but have you ever though about doing a little howling yourself?

KATHERINE: I'm a little nervous about it. Someone has to stay human during the full moon for the kids. Maybe when I'm 35 I'll think about it.

READER FEEDBACK: Fess up – who would you like to be for Halloween: Balmung, the time traveling Viking, Madison Lee the werewolf who lives in Louisiana or Katherine Duma who lives in Hungary and is married to a werewolf?

JMO, Tami, and I hope you've enjoyed paranormal week and hope you enjoy the rest of your October. Are we out of Oreos again? (Steph & Tami suspiciously glare at JMO…)

Desert Breeze Book Trailers

Hi all, I thought I'd share a couple of Desert Breeze Book Trailers with you today. Just click on the Link and it should take you to that book's trailer.

Enjoy!
Steph



















BEYOND A VIKING HORIZON





















DAUGHTER OF ASHES




















IN THE MANOR OF THE GHOST



















SEARCH FOR PARADISE



















THE HUNGARIAN

The Reviews are in! The Hungarian by Stephanie Burkhart

THE 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?

****

The Reviews:

5 Stars, Tami Dee, author of "The Mists of Time" series.

"Ms. Burkhart takes the reader though the intricate emotional ups and downs her hero and heroine go through, and the reader feels a since of accomplishment and joy as Matthias and Katherine grow and mature throughout the story, learning to trust one another completely."


5 Stars, Readers Favorites Book Reviews

"This book is extremely entertaining. The plot is sensual and romantic. Katherine and Mathias were together. This is the first book in a new series. I look forward to reading the next entry."


5 Stars. Stiggles, (Margaret Young, Reader) Amazon Review

"She brings history to life, from noble life in Victorian Era England, to the mystic, rural countryside of Hungary... This is a must-read for anyone who loves a good love-story with a twist. You won't be disappointed."


4 Stars, Regan Taylor, author of "The Photograph"

"If you can tear your gaze away from the hauntingly beautiful cover of Stephanie Burkhart's Budapest Moon long enough to read it you will find yourself lost in this wonderfully woven tale."

5 Stars, Celia Yeary, author of "Texas Promise"

"This brilliant, rich story is ... a touching love story between two passionate people who live in different worlds but come together to care for a child."

You can see "The Hungarian's" Amazon Reviews at: http://www.amazon.com/Budapest-Moon-Book-One-ebook/dp/B003K15NG2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=books&qid=1274744190&sr=1-1-spell

Character Interview - Katherine Archibald The Hungarian) talks to Madison Lee (Were Love Blooms)

Justine Cotsonas, inspiration for "Katherine Archibald."

Madison Lee (J Morgan in character) from "Were Love Blooms" visits the blog today to dish the fur with Katherine Archibald (Stephanie Burkhart in character) and talks about life, love, and doggie biscuits.

****

My name is Madison Lee and welcome to the Desert Breeze Blog.

To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure why I'm here but Stephanie Burkhart accosted me at the Niemen Marcus perfume counter and said I'd be perfect to host a blog about Women who love men who howl at the moon. Sounded kinda Jerry Springer to me but she offered me a Sephora gift bag if I'd do it. So here I am, as they say.

After reading Budapest Moon Book One: The Hungarian I knew only one person could fill the hot seat. So give a rousing round of applause for Katherine Archibald, a woman who went looking for a little adventure only to find herself embroiled in a romance with a man in wolf's clothing. Something I know a thing or two about. As my nana used to say, you lay down with dogs, you're bound to wake up with the mange. My nana was a little peculiar, as you probably guessed. I just hope it doesn't run in the family.


Madison: Katherine welcome to the blog. No dear, those aren't cookies. They're dog biscuits. I wasn't sure if you were bringing your better half along on not.

Katherine: Well, I kept him home. Last night was the full moon and he's "resting" before he has to transform again. We do have a dog, Joszef, so I'll take the biscuits.

Madison: Okay, but leave a few. I might get peckish. I forgot about the full moon. Anyway, let's get right to the point. Tell our audience how you met Matthias Duma. Don't leave out any of the juicies, either. It's ratings week and we need all the scandal we can get.




Katherine: Juicies? Yikes! I was in the library reading a book. No seriously, I was! And he walked in. Boy was he HOT. He was tall, muscular, thick hair, sparkling green-gold eyes. I almost melted into the seat! I thought he was undressing me with my eyes. We didn't kiss until a week later. Sigh.....

Madison: He probably was. Men are such perverts. So, he seduces you in the library. Did he make his move right away? Throw you against a stack of Barbara Courtlands and have his wicked way with you? Don't give me that look. We all know how those European men are.

Katherine: Well, he made it pretty obvious he only had eyes for me. Barbara Courtland? No, try Jane Austen. We didn't you know, ah, *blushing* make love until after we married.

Madison: I guess I'm the only one who made that mistake on my tour of Europe. When did realize that he was the ONE?

Katherine: Bless you, I was tempted, don't feel bad. At my birthday party. We walked into the gardens looking at the stars. He likes the stars, you know. He told me all about my zodiac sign. I melted. He knew all about me because he knew all about what it was like to be a Gemini. He was really into the zodiac and when I looked into his eyes, I knew right then and there that he believed in the things I did. He knew me on the inside.




Madison: Now, here's where things get sticky if you know what I mean. You're in love with the guy. There's no going back from it, and you're basically stuck. So, when did you find out his little secret and how did you react?

Katherine: Oh, yeah - I was totally in love with him. And then he tells me he's a werewolf. My mouth dropped to the FLOOR. No, make that my mouth dropped all the way to Budapest. **The** man I was in love with was a wolf! I was stunned. Shocked. Anyway, he did it when he proposed to me. Proposed to me!! "Katherine, I love you. Marry me. Oh, by the way I'm a werewolf." I told him I needed a week to think about it.

Madison: Least you got a chance to think about. I found out the hard way about Nicholi. By the way, he ran off and I got to howl at the moon for twelve months before he showed up. Back to you, sorry but that rant just won't go away. I'm sure it took longer than a week for the shock to wear off. What finally convinced you that he was worth all the flea dips and having to clean up all the wolf hair off the furniture once a month? Oh, any tips you can give in that department would be appreciated.

Katherine: Flea dip? I'll ask Resa, Matthias's witch. Well, Matthias didn't have a mother growing up. She died in childbirth. My mother died when I was five in a boating accident. I always wanted to belong to my "own" family and Matthias always wanted "his" own family since he was boy. It might be unconventional, but we both wanted a family. So what did a little fur matter in the long run?

Madison: Yeah, you can say that. You're not the one considering using duct tape for a bikini wax. Speaking of which, I'm due at Miss Mabelle's in an hour. Sorry to rush this along but before we go, is there any advice you can give to anyone out there contemplating dating a werewolf? Well, aside from the obvious answer of make sure he has all his shots.

Katherine: Make sure you have a healthy dose of courage. And don't get jealous when his witch rubs an aloe/camphor over his body to help him. It's not about her.

Madison: Sound advice for any relationship. Though the camphor thing kinda freaks me out.

I would like to thank Katherine for joining us today and urge everyone to rush out and get a copy of the The Hungarian. I won't say a pack of wolves will show up at your door if you don't, but why take the chance? Katherine, any last words for all the readers out there?

Jonathon Rhys-Meyers, inspiration for "Matthias Duma"


Katherine: It was great meeting you. If you're ever in Budapest, pop on into my bookstore and say Hi. I'll probably be drinking tea with my friend, Amelia Andrassy.

Madison: So, Katherine care to join me for a day at the spa? I'm sure I can get Mabelle to fit you in. one thing though, Mabelle can get a bit nosy. Everyone can't mind their own business like me.

Katherine: Oh, I'd love to join you at the spa. My curly hair can get a bit *wild* if you know what I mean.

Madison: Tell me about it. Any hoo, while we go get beautified, feel free to check out all the dazzling places you can find out about Katherine, Matthias and the incomparable Stephanie Burkhart. Come on girlfriend. After the salon, I know this place that serves the best jell-o shots this side of the Mason-Dixon line and they'll even let you slurp them straight off the waiters.

****

Book Trailer for "The Hungarian"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZwaF8hAdow

Buy Links: Desert Breeze Link in the Title

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=1273585439&sr=1-1

Featured May Release - The Hungarian by Stephanie Burkhart

Desert Breeze congratulates Stephanie on her release!

The 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:

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."

******
About the Author:

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. 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.

***

"The Hungarian" is available at the Desert Breeze Publishing Website, All Romance Books, and Amazon for Kindle.

Interview with author Stephanie Burkhart, author of "The Hungarian"

Desert Breeze author, Stephanie Burkhart has an upcoming release 1 MAY, "The Hungarian." She's here today to talk about it.

Q: Tell us about your upcoming release, "The Hungarian"

Steph: It's set in 1901. Hungarian Count Matthias Duma harbors a dark secret. He's a werewolf. When he meets a young British noblewoman, Katherine Archibald, he risks everything, including his secret, for her love.

Q: Why a werewolf?

Steph: I love the paranormal, especially werewolves. What I enjoy about werewolves is that they're alive, breathing, and oh so human. If you subscribe to classic myths, than a werewolf is a man 26 days out of a 28 day lunar cycle, and it's the struggle of the man and how he deals with his condition that is fascinating to me. Does he carry himself with quiet nobility? Is he moody? Intense? Selfish? That's what I want to explore.



Q: Where is the novel set?

Steph: The first half of the book takes place in England, where Matthias meets Katherine. He's a widower and he's gone back to England so his young daughter, Emily, can meet her mother's parents. The second half of the novel takes place in Budapest. Matthias takes Katherine back to his country.

Q: What was life like in 1901?

Steph: On the cusp of remarkable change. Automobiles mingled on the street with horse drawn carriages. The telephone had been invented and was in use. Trains allowed for faster transportation, but airplanes were not around. Photographs were in use. There was electric light and heating. Medicine was improving as was dentistry. Old ways clashed with new inventions. Imperialism had embraced Europe. It was the last glory days of monarchy.

Q: Do you cast your characters?

Steph: Sure. I cast Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as Count Matthias and Justine Cotsonas as Katherine.

Q: Do you have a book trailer you'd like to share:

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

Q: What's the landmark on the cover of "The Hungarian?"

Steph: The Széchenyi Bridge. It was one of the first suspension bridges built in 1840's. It spans the Danube River and connects "Pest" and "Buda" the two cities that make up Budapest. It had to rebuilt after World War II, but it represents the heart and soul of Hungary. At least, to me, it does.

Q: Have you been to Budapest?

Steph: Yes, in 1997 while I was stationed in the Army. I was deployed to Taszur, Hungary and I went to Budapest on an USO sponsored Rec Trip. It's a trip that resonates with me today.

Q: Do you have any hobbies outside of writing?

Steph: I'm always looking for a racquetball partner. *grin* I love reading.

Q: What was the latest movie you saw?

Steph: "New Moon." It's not easy for me to go see a movie. My husband and I usually go in shifts since we have a 3 year old and it's hard to find a babysitter. I really want to see "Young Victoria" with Emily Blount. I think it's just come out on Netflix.

Q: Thanks for popping in today, Steph.

Steph: Thanks for having me. "The Hungarian" releases 1 May with Desert Breeze. If you get a chance, join me on my blog tour in support of the novel. It starts tomorrow. You can the schedule at my blog, "Romance Under The Moonlight" http://sgcardin.blogspot.com

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."

Book Link: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-87/%3Ci%3EBudapest-Moon-Book-One%3C-fdsh-i%3E-cln-/Detail.bok