Author Spotlight - Michelle Levigne casts the characters!

This is a story where I had the germinal idea, and had to fill in all the blanks. Sometimes, I start with a character in a situation, and have the situation "come to a head," and work through it. For instance, for "The Family Way," in other books I had already talked about what a nasty man Mr. Montgomery was, and how people pitied his daughter-in-law, and I had even introduced Lisa and Todd and their on-again/off-again romance in a rough draft for a Quarry Hall novel (Blatant plug for the new Women's Fiction series, here!). So I had characters and situations already established for me, which actually gave me material to work with and a foundation to work on.
So, starting from scratch, how do you cast a story?

The germinal idea -- and I even mention the source of it within the story -- came from half an episode of "Northern Exposure." Anyone remember that show? How, you ask, could I work from half an episode? Well, I saw the first half, and never watched the second half! I think I was at a friend's house and watching TV while I waited for her to finish getting ready to go out. The story: a local celebrity was having his annual blow-out party -- gourmet food, fancy decorations, fancy plates, fancy invitations, etc. The new guy in town, the doctor, hears from everyone else what a great party it is. And of course, the doctor is invited -- but his invitation is lost. And before I turned off the TV, he was already facing the dilemma of not admitting that he didn't get an invitation to the big fancy yearly party.

So, that's where "Invitation to a Wedding" started. What happens if your childhood friend is getting married, and you're invited, but someone doesn't just lose the invitation -- they make sure you don't get the invitation?

The first question is: Why would someone do that? What kind of person is the heroine, that someone would want to keep her from going to a wedding?

Other questions I had to ask, so the story was believable -- especially when Stacy and Dinah don't get a chance to talk and fix things in the first two chapters -- dealt with why they weren't talking, compressing the timeline and circumstances to make it believable that Stacy wouldn't be included. Then I had to work on the hero -- what kind of a guy was he, that he would find out Stacy wasn't coming to the wedding, at a very late date, and be so upset that he had to do something about it?

What I came up with was: 1) Heroine is low on the social scale -- not that it matters to the hero and her childhood best friend. 2) Bride has been living in another state and lost contact with heroine. 3) Hero has been away from home for years, in the military and then seminary. 3) Bride eloped, so it isn't a wedding, but a weekend trip home for a wedding reception months later. 4) Childhood nemesis is living near the bride and pretends to be changed, so she is trusted with party details, and no one suspects when she takes over.

Compressing the time element of the story helped with the "why don't the idiots just sit down and TALK?" factor. I don't know about you, but I hate stories where the conflict could have been resolved in chapter 2 if the two main characters could have just been face-to-face for half an hour.

What I ended up with was a Cinderella story, and a year-long correspondence between the hero and heroine that gives everyone an overview of what else will be happening in Tabor Heights in Year Two.
Enjoy!

FIND MICHELLE AT:

www.Mlevigne.com
www.Tabor-Heights-Today.blogspot.com
www.MichelleLevigne.blogspot.com

buy:
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-383/Tabor-Heights-Year-Two-cln-/Detail.bok

Author Spotlight - Meet the Cast of "A Gentleman and a Rogue"

I enjoy casting my characters. For me, it really plants a great visual in my mind. If they let me cast the movie, here's my picks for "A Gentleman and a Rogue."

EDMUND WINDSOR – Robert Pattinson

Edmund's the hero. He's gone back in time with the intention of setting the time line straight, but all his plans might go out the window when he sees Keira again.

KEIRA RUSSELL – Keira Knightly

Keira is the heroine. She's managed to develop the practical applications needed for compressed natural gas to work, but she's got a lot of competition and Edmund proves a definite distraction.

RICHARD WINDSOR – Christian Cooke

Richard is Edmund's older brother and determined to put an end to Edmund's mischief making – until he meets Jocelyn.


JOCELYN DUNKIRK – Nina Dobrev

Jocelyn believes in her father's black oil project. Aside from her steampunk taste in clothes which includes leather skirts and poofy shirts, she's loyal to bone to her friends.

LORD RIDGECROFT – Alan Rickman

Jocelyn's father is very protective of her. He's grateful for her help with black oil. He's also a bit of a brass and iron inventor.

ALICE WINDSOR – Mena Suvari

Alice is up to her old mischief making tricks picking locks and planning to steal rivets.

GRAYSON KENTFIELD – Orlando Bloom

Grayson is right at Alice's side, but it's never easy trying to keep her from making mischief.

QUEEN VICTORIA – Emily Blount

What's Steampunk without a guest appearance from Queen Victoria?

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

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/

Author Spotlight - Casting the Future Savior Series w/Jennifer Hartz

Before I really get to the heart of this blog, I'd like to tell everyone about an awesome contest I'm having:

BECOME A PART OF THE STORY!!! Have you ever wished you could be a character in a fantasy novel? Well, now's your chance! Swing by my website to learn more: http://jenniferhartz.com

Okay, for today's blog I thought it might be fun to cast the book! People like to ask me who I would cast as the characters in Future Savior if it ever became a movie (dream big!) so I thought it would be fun to share my picks with all of you.

Christina:

Ugh! She's the hardest one to cast! I think since Future Savior Book One: Conception, I've picked about five or six different actresses for Christina. Here are some of them: Alyssa Milano, Serena Gilroy, Kate Beckinsale. Right now? I like Sarah Bolger from The Spiderwick Chronicles. She might be a little bit young for Christina, but I think she would do well. What do you guys think?





Shaw:

Excuse me while I drool for a second…. Okay, I'm back. I don't think I would let people make a movie of Future Savior unless they cast Kellan Lutz as Shaw! If they wanted to do it without him I wouldn't sell the rights to it! He IS Shaw.





Jonus:


Zac Efron would make a fantastic Prince Jonus.








Rayliex:


Hayden Christensen is another actor who I had picked a long time ago. Rayliex is the tortured bad guy… who better to play that then Darth Vader! Plus he really looks the part.










Drexton:


Ryan Reynolds has the perfect amount of cheeky charisma to pull off Drexton. He's hysterical, but can also show a serious side when need be… plus he's easy on the eyes which helps too!












Beliza:



Not only is Mandy Moore so beautiful, but she also has the singing chops that Beliza needs.








Charis:

I've always liked Carla Gugino for Charis. I'm not sure what it is about Carla that fits, but every time I see her in a move I say, "Hey, it's Charis!"





I hope you've enjoyed casting the book with me. Sure there are many other characters in Future Savior that would be fun to cast like Markella, Leticia, Brezkin and Trayd. Maybe we'll hit those characters up next time.

But now it's your turn to BECOME PART OF THE STORY! Don't forget to go to my website http://jenniferhartz.com to learn more about this exciting contest. You could be a character in Future Savior Book Four: Desecration. And who knows, maybe someday we'll be casting you in the book ☺

Here's the blurb from Future Savior Book One: Conception… just to wet your appetite!

"I do not think it is a question of where, but when." were the words that Charis left my mother with thirty years ago when I disappeared from Meric…before I was born.

Shortly after being sent back I've been attacked by man-eating Vaipes. I've learned that my father was a power wielding Guardian. I've discovered that the silvery-blue eyes intriguing me my entire life belong to my Watcher, Shaw who is without a doubt the most handsome man I have ever seen. And somehow I need to stop a war mongering tyrant who can manipulate people's thoughts.

So my question isn't where or when. It is how? How can I help the people of Meric when I can't stop myself from falling in love?
Please feel free to harass me on the web at the following places:

Website: http://jenniferhartz.com
Twitter: @JenniferLHartz
Facebook: : http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100000624983529

Author Spotlight - Meet the Cast of "Twilight Over Moldavia"

Agim Kaba circa 2005

I enjoy casting my characters. For me, it helps to give my character bios added depth. I hope you enjoy my choices:

Prince Stefan Sigmaringen: Agim Kaba

I saw Agim on "As The World Turns" and I enjoyed his acting. I thought he'd be perfect for the young cursed prince.





Princess Caroline Moldoveanu: Anne Hathaway



When I started writing this story back in 2005, I think Anne's biggest role at the time was "The Princess Diaries" and I loved her as the long lost princess. She captures nobility well.











Prince Michael Bacau: Dax Griffin


Michael has gone through various casting changes, but when I saw Dax, I knew I had my Michael. He's got that fierce, intense look to him combined with rugged handsomeness.













Lady Rosa Getzi: Jessica Alba


Jessica has a very exotic look which is perfect for Rosa.













Queen Theresa Sigmaringen: Julianne Moore


Young Theresa in The Wolf's Torment was Jennifer Ferrin and I think Julianne Moore is perfect to play the older, tortured Moldavian Queen as her dynamic acting can take Theresa from pride to despair in seconds.








Countess Alina Getzi: Selma Hayek



Selma has the exotic look at Alina requires and also captures that air of mysticism that the character embodies as well.













King Mihai Sigmaringen: Jon Hensley


Hensley's aged well and so has King Mihai.














Lady Elyse Corvinus: Julie Andrews


I didn't realize it at the time of my casting selection, but Andrews played Hathaway's grandmother in "The Princess Dairies." These two are perfect to play a granddaughter/grandmother relationship.










Timon:



I'm embarrased, I can't remember his name. Help me out. Richard, I believe? He's British and a well known character actor. He's got the look for Timon, the bad wolf in the series.








BLURB: Would you marry a man cursed to become a werewolf?

4 Stars, Vijaya Schartz, author
In this novel full of danger and intrigue, sexy scenes, and unspeakable secrets, the werewolves are the villains, and oh how dangerous they are, and unwashed, and uncivilized. The kind of villains you love to hate.

5 Stars, Mona Risk, Author "No More Lies"
Burkhart's writing style grabs the reader from the first page. She keeps you breathless with her suspense as she transports you to exotic areas you will enjoy discovering.

Barbara Hodges, Author, "The Blue Flame"
Twilight Over Moldavia whisked me into a part of the world I knew nothing about, and gave me a wonderful love story filled with suspense too. What more could a reader desire? I will be reading the first book in this series and will be looking for the third, I can’t hardly wait.


BOOK TRAILER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSAhxv0lTIM

BUY LINKS:

ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS:
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-moldavianmoonbooktwotwilightovermoldavia-667833-139.html

AMAZON KINDLE:
http://www.amazon.com/Moldavian-Moon-Book-Two-ebook/dp/B006RQ7LU8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325479348&sr=8-1

PUBLISHER'S BUY LINK:
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-247/Moldavian-Moon-Book-Two/Detail.bok

WEBSITE:
http://www.stephanieburkhart.com

TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart

FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Burkhart-Author/149938795021166

GOOD READS:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart

Author Spotlight - The Characters in "Danube in Candlelight"

Our stories are all about characters, but creating characters can be a chore. I've got some ideas that will make creating characters fun and I'll share with you my casting choices for my latest paranormal release, "Danube in Candlelight."

It's all in the faults…and strengths.

What makes a character rich and complex is how "human" they are and how you show their strengths and weaknesses.

None of us are perfect. Don't expect your characters to be. To present 3D characters, they need to strong…and weak. Morgan's strength in "Danube in Candlelight" is her loyalty and her nursing. She's confident in her abilities. Her weaknesses? She makes reckless choices that put her in danger. Haven't we all made poor choices? Morgan's restlessness stems from learning her father's secret – he's a werewolf.

Adam Varga is an all around good guy. His strength? He's loyal, steadfast and confident in who he is. His weakness? He's too trusting and that can get him into trouble.

I like to create characters bios with the basics about my characters – a physical description and 3 likes and 3 dislikes. Then I like to list strengths and weaknesses. Writing a short scene or short story helps me to flesh out the push/pull of a character's emotions.

When it comes to painting a physical description, I like to cast my characters. For me, it brings them to life and gives them a face.

"Morgan Duma"

For Morgan I cast: Abir Timani. She's got that exotic look I'm striving for in the character with rich dark hair and haunting dark eyes.









"Adam Varga"

For Adam, I picked Jacob Young. He's got those blonde hair, blue-eyed looks that embody the character's mother, Amelia. He possess a stiff lip that speaks to the determination that Adam needs and eyes that speak to the passion inside the character's heart.








"Max Foldi"

For Max Foldi, Adam's best friend, I selected James McAvoy. He's got the look that says "best friend," to me. His acting taps into a sense of honesty and genuineness the character embodies.








"Emily Duma"

For Emily Duma, I picked Liv Tyler. Emily is Morgan's half-sister and big sister, and Liv has such a way about her, she brings out Emily's kindness, toughness, and talents, qualities many "oldest" children usually have.












"Zoltan Kristos"

For Zoltan Kristos, I selected Joseph Fiennes. He's got that arrogant, cocky look needed to embody Zoltan's feral nature.

I hope you enjoy my character choices for "Danube in Candlelight."

REVIEWS:
5 Stars, Reader's Favorite:
This story is the closest I have ever come to reading a book that feels like a movie!

5 Hearts, Sizzling Hot Book Reviews:
Once again, Stephanie Burkhart has touched my imagination and with her writing brings 1922 Hungary to life. Danube in Candlelight is a very romantic, yet spicy read. This is a must read if you enjoy the paranormal werewolf stories or even if you merely enjoy a great romance.

Book Trailer on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgzUIHCRN0I

BLURB:
Set in Budapest 1922, The Hungarians are recovering from the war. Adam Varga is Hungarian to the bone and becomes an architect to help rebuild his nation. Morgan Duma returns from England also intent on helping to rebuild her country.

After a tragedy happens to her mother, Morgan discovers her father is a werewolf. She begins to question who she is, becoming more reckless, more daring, and her choices more bold. When Zoltan Kristos, a known werewolf, requests Morgan accompany him to the summer ball, Morgan has to decide which man will best fit her life.
PUBLISHER'S BUY LINK: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-219/Budapest-Moon-Book-III/Detail.bok

AMAZON KINDLE BUY LINK: http://www.amazon.com/Hungarian-Moon-Book-Three-ebook/dp/B0061XJFG0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1320188529&sr=1-1
BARNES & NOBLE NOOK BUY LINK: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hungarian-moon-book-three-stephanie-burkhart/1107039692?ean=2940013659148&itm=1&usri=danube%2bin%2bcandlelight

FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:
WEBSITE:
http://www.stephanieburkhart.com

TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart

FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Burkhart-Author/149938795021166

GOOD READS:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart

Author Spotlight Week - Cast the Movie: The Wolf's Torment

A story is all about characters and a writer must get into "character" so they can live and breath and entertain. To do that, I use character bios to help me round out my character's personality. I also cast the characters. I find that casting the characters really give me a strong visual of them and the actors style also gives the characters an added depth.

I'm going to share my casting choices with you for The Wolf's Torment. These actors are in no way affiliated with the story and their images have been used for inspiration only.

Enjoy!

Mihai
The initial inspiration for Mihai was actor Jon Hensley circa 1985-1986. He's best known for "Holden" on As The World Turns. I love Hensley's look during this time. He's tall, well defined, has that thick ebony hair and his character at the time had a bit of an edge to him.
















However, if casting Mihai for a movie right now. I just might select Daniel Radcliffe from Harry Potter. Daniel is young, well defined and has the eyes I envision Mihai has.

Theresa
The initial inspiration for Theresa was young Julianne Moore. She has the eyes and hair I envision for Theresa. However, if I was casting Theresa for a movie right now, I'd cast Jennifer Ferrin. She's best known for her work as "Jennifer" on As The World Turns, but she has that look that is completely Theresa.



















Viktor
Oh, Paul Walker is perfect for Viktor with his blue eyes and blond hair. I just melt when I see him.














Sonia
I love Jennifer Love Hewitt for the role of Sonia. She captures that delicate femininity that Sonia embodies.


















King Stelian:

Michael Douglas has that older look to him and I can imagine he'd pull off Stelian's "saltiness" with ease.

Bane
Christian Bale is perfect for my heartless werewolf, Bane. He's got the grit and hard edges that Bane needs.

Hecuba
Young Hecuba is Emmy Rossum. Emmy has that young, exotic look I envision for Hecuba. For Old Hecuba I'd cast Olympia Dukakis.

Beatrice
Keri Russell is perfect for Beatrice. She's got that auburn hair and winsome smile that embodies Beatrice's personality and makes her look convincingly like a sister to Ferrin's "Theresa."


















REVIEW FOR THE WOLF'S TORMENT

From The Pen & Muse:
A complete werewolf story through and through, Burkhart does it again with an amazing cast of characters, entertaining dialogue and plot. Lovers of historical paranormal romance will enjoy this read, the first in the Moldavian Moon series.

Link: http://thepenmuse.net/archives/2720


ENJOY THIS EXCERPT:

A knock on the door shook her out of her musings.

"Come in."

Mihai entered wearing breeches tucked into riding boots and a simple white linen shirt with long sleeves. "Do you have a minute?"

She put the brush on her bureau and motioned for him to sit on her bed. "What, no 'good morning?' Where are your manners?"

Mihai flashed her a quick smile, but paced the length of her bed instead of sitting on it.

Something had made him anxious. "Good morning, Sonia."

"So, what has you so full of vigor this early in the morning?" she asked.

"I had a dream last night."

"Do tell."

He stopped and looked directly at her, his eyes dancing with confusion. "Theresa came to me in a dream. She wanted to wish me a Merry Christmas."

Sonia raised an eyebrow. She knew he was sensitive to the emotions of those around him and his dreams were exceptionally vivid. Their mother was a witch and they suspected these sensations were inherited from her. Sonia was good at reading others' expressions, but she wasn't as sensitive to those around her -- not like Mihai.

"Say something," he said.

Sonia smiled, the imp in her unable to resist teasing him. "Did you wish her a Merry Christmas back?"

"Sonia, do not joke!"

"What do you want me to say?"

"I...I don't know. What's she like? Did you see her in September?"

"I did, and in fact, she sent you a gift for Christmas. It's under the tree. I sent her one back from you."

"What did you send her?"

"An ornament for her tree."

He clasped his hands in front of him. "Thank you for being so thoughtful."

"You're welcome, but why are you so anxious? It was just a dream."

His shoulders tensed and she knew he was in turmoil. "Does she have auburn hair? Hazel eyes? Is she slender?"

"Yes."

"She's very pretty," said Mihai. It was more of a statement than a question.

"She has attractive features, I suppose."

"She's pleasant? Has a nice disposition?"

"Yes. Why are you asking me all this? What did your dream tell you?"

"I've been dreaming of her since I was five. She was a girl then. My last dream was several years ago, before I left for England. I stopped dreaming of her while I was away."

"How unusual. You don't just dream of the same person over and over."

"It's our mother's blood working in me -- I'm convinced of it."

"So...are the dreams good or bad? They don't sound harmful. Are they perhaps enlightening?"

"No, they aren't harmful. Theresa is a lovely young woman and I fear I might have ruined things for her."

BLURB: Mihai Sigmaringen has a secret – he's a witch. Will love give him the courage to save his family from a destructive werewolf.

Visit the Book Trailer on You Tube and give it a 'like' at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzHE2spBeeU

The Wolf's Torment is available as an ebook only on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and Sony Ereader. Formats include: PDF, html, and epub which can be found on the Publisher's Website at: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-163/Stephanie-Burkhart-Moldavian-Moon/Detail.bok

About the Author: Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. She also served as an MP in the US Army. Multi-published, she has a children's book, "The Giving Meadow" with 4RV Publishing. She's an avid reader , loves coffee in the morning, and her favorite Harry Potter movie is "The Prisoner of Azkaban."

You can find me at:
Website:
http://www.stephanieburkhart.com
Blog:
http://sgcardin.blogspot.com
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Burkhart-Author/149938795021166
Tweet me at:
http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart