Stephanie Burkhart's Blog, page 41

Welcome Guest Author - Penny Ehrenkranz Interview #pennyehrenkranz #guestauthor

   Author Penny EhrenkranzPenny: Hi Stephanie, thank you for hosting me today and giving me the opportunity to talk about Mirror, Mirror, published by MuseItUp Publishing. 
Giveaway Opportunity: I would like to offer an electronic copy of Mirror, Mirror to one of your readers.  They simply need to leave their names, comments, preferably about why they would like a copy of the book, and their contact information.
STEPH: What is Mirror, Mirror about?
PENNY: Mirror, Mirror is a time travel romance. Here’s the blurb: Lindsey Baker is intrigued by everything about the middle ages, but when she purchases an antique mirror and a costume to attend a Renaissance Faire, she suddenly finds herself transported back in time.  There she finds she’s been called by a witch to right a terrible wrong. 
Graham loves Prudence, but he can’t marry her because he’s landed gentry, and she is only the baker’s daughter.  Before Lindsey can return to her own time, she must convince Graham to marry against his father’s wishes.  Unfortunately, she also finds herself falling for the handsome gentleman.
Can she find her way back to her own time, or will she be stuck in a time when women had no rights?
STEPH: How long did it take you to write?
PENNY: This is a twenty-seven-page story, so it wasn’t a long involved project.  It only took me a few days to do the first draft.  Of course, after that came the revisions before submitting and the editing once it was accepted for publication.
STEPH: What was the inspiration behind the story?
PENNY: Our small community actually hosted a Renn Faire one year, which I was able to attend.  As I wandered around the faire grounds, I kept wondering what it would be like if someone who followed these faires around the country would be transported back in time to an era where they would be forced to live out their fantasies.
STEPH: How does the cover reflect the story?
PENNY: I think the artist, Suzannah Safi, did an excellent job of depicting a young woman who is conflicted by her circumstances.  The cover art also lets the potential reader know the story is set in bygone times.
STEPH:  Lindsey Baker is the heroine. What are her strengths? Weaknesses?
PENNY: Lindsey’s strengths lie in her determination to succeed and her belief in her own abilities.  She’s gutsy and doesn’t go into a panic when she finds herself in a new and unbelievable situation. Her main weakness is also part of her strength.  She simply cannot believe that she can’t do the things she was able to do in her own time, such as read and write. Her other weakness is Graham…
STEPH: Graham is the hero. What attracts him to the heroine?
PENNY: Graham actually believes Lindsey is his own love, Prudence.  He doesn’t know Lindsey was magically transported to his time to convince him to marry Prudence. Through an old crone’s sorcery, Lindsey appears to all who see her as Prudence.
He has loved Prudence since they were children.  Of course, he is also a bit confused that “his” Prudence is suddenly so headstrong and determined to prove she is far more capable than women should be in his time.
STEPH:  Tell us about your writing space.
PENNY: I have three places I enjoy working.  My office is located near my bedroom and has a wonderful wraparound desk for my desktop computer and tons of bookshelves for all my reference books and little treasures I’ve collected over the years. In this room, I have a window that looks out through my sunroom into my side garden. I also like to sit in my Ikea chair with my feet on a footrest and my laptop secure on my lap.  When I sit here, I’m joined by both my small LhasaPoo dogs and commonly my cat as well. Here, too, I have a lovely view of my side garden through a wall of picture windows.  Lastly, when the weather is warm, I enjoy sitting on my patio with my laptop, enjoying the birds and butterflies and flower aromas.
STEPH:  Do you have any advice to aspiring authors?
PENNY: My best bit of advice is to have faith in yourself as a writer.  If you enjoy writing, if you’ve studied the genre in which you want to write, if you’ve perfected your grammar and writing skills, then don’t be afraid to submit.  What one editor might not like, another might love.  It sometimes just comes down to being in the right place at the right time with the right story.
STEPH: Fun Question: What's your favorite sport or hobby?
PENNY: Is reading a sport? LOL.  I’m not very sports oriented, so I will answer with my favorite hobby being crocheting and crafting.
STEPH: What book did you read recently?
PENNY: I’ve read several recently including the Divergent series, which was well written, and Orphan Train, which I loved. I tend to enjoy fantasy and science fiction, but I belong to a book group that forces me to expand into genres I might not try on my own.  Orphan Train was on our book group list, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it.
STEPH: I'm reading the Divergent series now and I'm totally hooked! Love it. Just finished Insurgent and it has the BEST ending for a 2nd book in a series that I've read yet! 
BUY LINKS FOR MIRROR MIRROR :Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Mirror-Penny-Lockwood-Ehrenkranz-ebook/dp/B006R0A3KY/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
MuseItUP: http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/now-available-in-ebook/mirror-mirror-detail
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mirror-mirror-penny-lockwood-ehrenkranz/1108148500?ean=2940032955863
ENJOY THIS EXCERPT:
After Stefany left, Lindsey adjusted the water spigots on her tub.  A few drops of bubble bath went into the water, and the soothing scent of lavender filled the moist, steamy air.  While the tub filled, Lindsey tried on her Renaissance outfit for the upcoming Faire. She couldn’t believe her good luck at finding the perfect pieces.  She tested the bath water to be sure it was the right temperature. Then she picked up her antique mirror to get a better view. Was this a scryer’s mirror at some point in time? It slipped from her wet hands into the bathtub.
“Nuts,” she mumbled as she leaned over the tub.  She pulled one sleeve up on her blouse and fished around in the bubbles for the mirror. When she pulled the mirror from the water, spots appeared in front of her eyes, and she felt faint.  While she watched her reflection in the old mirror, the background changed.  She no longer saw the inside of her bathroom.  She closed her eyes as the room around her went black.

AMAZON REVIEWS: 4.0 out of 5 starsTime Travel or Magic, August 30, 2013By  Marva Dasef "YA Fantasy Author" (Eugene, OR) 
This review is from: Mirror, Mirror (Kindle Edition)Lindsay loves antiques, spending a large portion of her time searching through dusty shops. One day, she finds an old mirror which has to have. Hey, for only $9.99, why not? She takes the mirror home and proceeds to dress up for the upcoming Renaissance Faire in full medieval wench array. Checking her image in the mirror...zap! She falls on her butt in a muddy courtyard amidst a pile of dirty laundry.
She soon finds herself scrubbing shirts and getting the 411 from a crone, who gleefully lets Lindsay know she's been grabbed up from the future to help a young scullery maid named Prudence capture the hand of Lord Graham. While he loves Prudence, his father will not allow his only son to marry the maid.
Lindsay realizes she has to solve Prudence's problem by getting Graham to stand up to his old man. She uses her 21st C. smarts to unite the star-crossed couple and, by so doing, get her ticket back through the mirror to her own time.
I enjoyed this short time travel by magic short story. I'm not a big romance fan, but I couldn't help but root for Lindsay's match-making skills to unite Graham and Prudence. I got the fantasy story I like, and the romance readers get a sweet romance with a happy ending.
4.0 out of 5 starsGood reading!, June 7, 2013By  DB - 
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)This review is from: Mirror, Mirror (Kindle Edition)A very short time travel. A nice little story of love in the Middle Ages. All I can say is that it was to short!
5.0 out of 5 starsYesterday=Today, June 2, 2013By  Lady Bug Lin "Ladybug Lin Reviews" (United States) 
This review is from: Mirror, Mirror (Kindle Edition)Have you ever wondered what it must be like to, without warning or design, be like Alice and fall through the equivalent of the rabbit hole, or melt into the Looking Glass?
Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz takes us, her attentive readers, on just such a ride in this, her latest Muse It Up Publishing historical romp.
Poor Lindsey, Penny's heroine...buys an antique mirror rumored to have belonged, in days gone by, to ascryer. Is it true? How can one tell?
Into the bathtub it falls, and through the tendrils of time, Lindsey is swept...called by the ancient scryer...There's a task she must perform...all on her own. If she fails, will she remain locked into this ancient piece of history?
Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz is a brilliant author who gives you, right from the opening dilemma all the way through the satisfying conclusion, delightful reading pleasure.
Mirror, Mirror is a fantastic, powerful read. My only criticism is I wish it had been longer. Still it is a DYNAMIC story worthy of all our eyes, so I take great pleasure is awarding it 5 shining stars.
Well Done Penny.

5.0 out of 5 starsCouldn't Put It Down, March 27, 2013By  Janet Glaser  
This review is from: Mirror, Mirror (Kindle Edition)I opened Mirror, Mirror, to the first page and never stopped reading this amazing story till the end. Ms. Ehrenkranz easily moves us from contemporary time to the Middle Ages. The shift is so well done and smooth. But the reader knows where she is at all times because the language and descriptions are appropriate for the time change. Loved the twist at the end. Very satisfying.
5.0 out of 5 starsA delightful time travel romance!, April 7, 2012By  S.Durham  
This review is from: Mirror, Mirror (Kindle Edition)Mirror Mirror is a delightful short story about a modern young woman, who, by way of an ancient scrying mirror, quite literally `falls' into the year 1421.
When Lindsey Baker, who loves all things renaissance, finds herself abruptly transported back to the fifteenth century, and is tasked with convincing the handsome Master of the manor (Graham) to marry against his father's wishes, identities and emotions become befuddled, passions ignite, and Lindsey must sort it all out before she is lost, not only in time, but to the man she's fallen in love with.
Ms. Ehrenkranz has created a gutsy heroine (even humorous at times) in Lindsey Baker, making this a cleverly plotted romance and an absolute page turner all the way to the surprising end!

5.0 out of 5 starsFun dip into the middle ages, March 28, 2012By  Edith (Nürnberg, Deutschland) 
This review is from: Mirror, Mirror (Kindle Edition)
As a fan of the middle ages, I was intrigued by the blurb of this story and didn't get disappointed. The writing is great and beautifully reflects the time shifts. Lindsey's a vividly drawn character and ideal for the mission she's whisked away to although she might not agree. The ending had me balk at first until a fantastic twist made me laugh out loud. Nice one, Ms. Ehrenkranz!

Book Review for: Allegiant by Veronica Roth #bookreview

Book Review for: AllegiantWritten by: Veronica RothKatherine Tegen BooksISBN: 978-0-06-202406-0Avail: in hardback and ebook
4 Stars
Roth defines life outside the gates of Chicago with "Allegiant." Wanting the factions back, Tris's friends form the "Allegiant" to go up against the factionless and Evelyn. A handful of loyal supporters are picked to venture past the gates and find out what's outside, but are the answers what the allegiant hope they will be?
Tris, Tobias, and their friends go past the gates and discover a community of geneticists living in the old remains of O'Hare Airport. There they come to understand the purity war and the important of having pure genes. It's one shock after another as Tris and Tobias realize the extent of lies and manipulation regarding the inner city where they grew up. Can they save the community from a memory erase or will the lies in the name of genetics continue?
Roth's writing is easy to read, however the book's narrative is told switching between Tris and Tobias. Unfortunately, Tobias' character voice sounds an awful lot like Tris, leaving the reader uncertain at times as to whose point of view the story is being told from. I often found myself double-checking the chapter heading to see which character was narrating.
The plot moves well and there's plenty of twists and turns. The characters are achingly human in this haunting dystopian society. Tobias possesses inner strength, but is tormented by the violence he's encountered. Tris is strong-willed, yet vulnerable when it comes to Four.

Allegiant offers explanations that helps Tris to understand her world. The best part of the novel is the ending - in the aftermath of war, we all still have to pick up the pieces and live. Allegiant is a satisfactory ending to the series and will resonate with readers long after they've put the book down.
Question for you: Did you see Divergent the movie? Did you like it? Why or why not? 

Snippet Sunday - 99 cent Easter Romance: A Polish Heart #snippetsunday

Hi all, I'm participating in the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday. This month, I'll be taking snippets from my sweet contemporary/inspirational Romance: A Polish Heart. You can find the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday list at:



This snippet:   Darrin gets his assignment.

*****
Mr. Czyinski talked in rapid Polish, gesturing with his hands, holding Darrin with his eye contact. His enthusiasm and pride were evident in his mannerisms. When he was finished, Sofia spoke.
"Mr. Czyinski is pleased to meet you. Mr. Dracek will give you the plans so you can look them over this weekend. On Monday, he wants to hear your comments based on the plans. Then you can begin your hands- on inspection. This is part of the company's quality control, and Mr. Czyinski appreciates having your expertise."
****
A Polish Heart takes place leading up to Easter in Warsaw, Poland.  Can Sofia's faith give Darrin his heart back? 

Reviews:
5 Stars, Reader Lady, Amazon Reviewer: "This is an excellent read."
5 Stars, Billie Houston, Amazon Reviewer: " I loved this warm-hearted tale. Ms. Burkhart has a talent for wrapping drama around ordinary people and spinning a touching love story."
5 Stars, Tara Manderino, Amazon Reviewer: Sofia and Darrin's story was a heartwarming one. A totally enjoyable read." 
****Link to You Tube Video:  http://youtu.be/lC6_397PerU


BUY LINKS:
AMAZON:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007AS29AO
BARNES & NOBLE:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-polish-heart-stephanie-burkhart/1111503774?ean=2940033247875
SMASHWORDS:http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/164429

FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:
WEBSITE:
http://www.stephanieburkhart.com
TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart
FACEBOOK: 
https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBur...

GOOD READS:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart
YOU TUBE CHANNEL:
http://www.youtube.com/user/botrina?f...
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Book Review for: High Five by Janet Evanovich #bookreviews

Book Review for: High FiveWritten by: Janet EvanovichSt. Martin's PressISBN: 978-0-312-97134-2Avail as an ebook and in print
4.5 Stars
Evanovich pens another delightful romp with Stephanie Plum through Trenton, New Jersey with "High Five." Uncle Fred has gone missing and it's slow at the bond agency so Stephanie decides to help out and look for her uncle. Unfortunately, all she gets is trouble.
Stephanie meets with Aunt Mabel and learns Fred was in a dispute with the garbage company. She discovers Fred was cheap, a cheater, and had photos of a dead person. She reports them to the police. Soon she's being followed by a bookie named "Bunchy" who wants to find Fred, too. When she finally brings in a bail jumper named "Briggs," she's forced to take him into her house when his is wrecked.
Lula comes back to help Stephanie's investigations and Grandma Mazur tucks her gun into her handbag for an assist as well. Ranger offers Stephanie work to get by and both discover an attraction. Can Stephanie find out what happened to Uncle Fred before more people die at the garbage company?
Evanovich's writing is crisp, witty, and easy to read. The narrative will make you smile and then have you anxious about what's going to happen next.
The supporting cast consists of endearing characters that will have you cheering for them. Stephanie is a very likeable heroine, admirable to a fault, still struggling to find her way, but it's reassuring to know she's on the right path.

"High Five" is another excellent story and a "must read" in the Stephanie Plum series. It's full of smiles, laughs, and nonstop action. I highly recommend this book.
Question for you: What is your favorite Janet Evanovich book? 

Is Divergent Romantic? #divergent

The "Divergent" series is set in a dystopian future. There are five factions that contribute to the society – Amity, Erudite, Candor, Dauntless, and Abnegation. Each has a certain job to do.
The heroine, Beatrice "Tris" Prior, belongs to Abnegation. When she goes for her aptitude test, she learns she's 'divergent' with an aptitude for multiple factions. And being 'divergent' is not good.
When Beatrice switches to Dauntless, she meets 'Four,' a Dauntless initiate trainer. And her is where the 'romance.'
I wouldn't call "Divergent" romantic, but there are romantic elements peppered in the storytelling.
It's the buzz Tris feels when Four casually touches that infuses her skin.
It's the warmth in Tris' cheeks when Four stares at her.
It's the acceleration of Tris' heartbeat when Four pays her compliment.
Tris and Four gravitate toward each other in the face of adversity – this attraction offers not only them, but the reader, hope.
In "Divergent," there's no proclamation of love – just a 'knowing' that Tris and Four are meant to be together. Tris and Four hold hands, they touch, and perhaps in a gesture of trust and intimacy, they share each other's fear landscapes.
There's no traditional romance in the novel, but the reader knows its about the journey Tris and Four will make together and they need as much hope, trust, and respect that love will bring them.

QUESTION: Have you read "Divergent" or the series? Did you like the story? Why or why not?
Author Bio: Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD.  She loves coffee, adores chocolate, and her favorite Divergent character is "Tris." 
FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:WEBSITE:http://www.stephanieburkhart.com
TWITTER:http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart
FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBur...
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/

Goddess Fish Book Blast - Patriot Priest by Patricia Daly-Lupe #booktour

PATRIOT PRIESTByPatricia Daly-Lipe
ABOUT THIS BOOK:   
Patriot Priest tells one man's personal experience over several epochs and areas of history. It is also, in part the story of one unique individual, author Patricia Daly-Lipe's great uncle, Msgr. William A Hemmick. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, and raised in Europe, he became fluent in five languages. When the First World War broke out, he felt committed to help the troops. After the war, he was proclaimed the Patriot Priest of Picardy by the Army and Navy. After years spent in Paris, William Hemmick was asked by the Vatican to come to Rome. Ultimately he became the only American Canon of St. Peter's representing the Knights of Malta to the Holy See. It was he who performed the nuptials of American film star Tyrone Power and Linda Christian. He also converted the future Queen Astrid of Belgium.


ENJOY THIS EXCERPT:
In 1944, when the bombers of the 8th Air Force were attacking synthetic fuel plants, another German wrote, as a boy, that despite the raids by American bombers,
We Germans never feared the Americans. When the Americans arrived, "the soldiers were friendly and approachable. Their generosity toward children was constant." But all too soon, the Americans pulled out. It was now the Russian troops taking over occupation of East Germany. "We feared the Russians," he wrote. And, although the officers were European, in the beginning, the troops were Asian. Soon, however, the Asians left and just the Europeans remained. "The Russian soldiers (and the Asians when they were there) … were especially dangerous if they had been drinking. Since they were nearly always armed, alcohol made all of the Russians very dangerous.
 This was what the children in Germany were subjected to after the war ended: irrational and often brutal behavior. Daily, the children lived under agonizing situations including hunger, cold, and fright. Yet they had resilience. Reading their stories in Wolfgang W. E. Samuel's book, The War of Our Childhood, Memories of World War II, it is awe-inspiring how that generation of German children was able to emerge from such debilitating conditions and become sane and productive human beings as adults.
Twenty-five years after the end of World War II, Adam B. Ulam wrote: "A study of the history of the past twenty-five years …can suggest which of our hopes and fears are realistic and which are not …" (Ulam's preface to The Rivals, America & Russia Since World War II) Although today (2013) the Cold War (the theme of his book) is over, the fear of a global conflict still exists. My point is that the past, and our understanding of it, enhances our ability to understand the present. Today's events take on a new interpretation in light of what came before This is what is known as historical process. This is not a search for answers; it is a search for perspective and questions. Your perspective is formed according to your source of reference: the scholar, the statesman, the politician, the military, the businessman, or, in this case, the life and time of William A. Hemmick [or my interpretation resulting from extensive research.]
In 1953, in predominance was the Soviet-U.S conflict. Some said it was not an isolated moment in history, but a natural evolution of a struggle that began in the past as we saw with Germany. Nations seeking power fall in competition for prestige and security, sea lanes and natural resources, markets and even empires. And so, some asserted in the fifties, it was precisely in this context that the Soviet Union justified its position. George F. Kennan, Secretary of the American Embassy in Moscow in the middle thirties, wrote in an article for Foreign Affairs (The Source of Soviet Conduct, 1947):


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dr. Patricia Daly-Lipe, is an Author and Artist. She has written six books, all different genres. She is winner of the San Diego Book Awards, Best Books Finalist, the JADA Novel Contest, USABookNews.com Finalist, 2009 2nd place in poetry by the Virginia Writers Club, Inc, and 2013 winner in historical fiction at the Annual Royal Dragonfly Book Awards for 'A CRUEL CALM, Paris Between the Wars and 2013 winner for her short story by the Virfginia Writers Assn.
Although born in La Jolla, California, Patricia spent equal time in Washington, D.C., home of several generations of her mother’s family.
She has taught at colleges and writing centers, written for magazines and newspapers (including the Evening Star in Washington, DC, La Jolla Village News, The Georgetowner andUptowner), and her paintings have been accepted and sold in Juried shows, art galleries, and private homes. Two of her books feature her paintings on their covers.Patricia served as President of both the La Jolla and DC Branches of the National League of American Pen Women.
Patricia now lives in Virginia with her husband, Dr. Steele Lipe, three dogs, three horses, and two cats. For years, Patricia raised, raced, and showed Thoroughbred horses. Now she rescues them. She is the mother of three and grandmother of six children.
BOOK BLAST GIVEAWAY INFORMATION: 
The author will be awarding a $25.00 Amazon gift card to one randomly drawn commenter, so leave a comment about the blurb, the excerpt or ask Patricia about how she came to write the novel.  Don't forget to leave your email address.
The more you comment, the more your chances of winning! You can find other Book Blast Tour dates at: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2014/02/book-blast-patriot-priest-by-patricia.html
My Review is forthcoming. 
BOOK LINK ON AMAZON:  http://www.amazon.com/Patriot-Priest-...

Goddess Fish Virtual Book Tour - Out of Practice Aphrodite by SE Babin #booktour

I      STEPH: I'd like to welcome author S.E. Babin on her Goddess Fish Virtual book tour for "Out of Practice Aphrodite.  S.E. sat down for a little bit and shared a little about about the book with me.  Now, I don't know much about "Out of Practice Aphrodite." What's it about?
S.E. The main character is Aphrodite. She’s been blending in with the mortal population for years now, but her peaceful existence is about to be shattered when Mount Olympus comes calling. Now she’s caught in the middle of a high stakes power play, and it’s up to her to take down a powerful goddess before Abby’s existence gets wiped out.
It’s a mixed genre book – part mystery and part humor, so the tone throughout most of the novel is light, mostly because she can make fun of herself…and everyone else, of course!
2    STEPH: How long did it take you to write?
S.E.: The book took about a year to write, but the bulk of it was done over a period of about four or five months.
3   STEPH: Did you have to do a lot of research for the novel?
S.E.: I did do quite a bit of research on this one, only because I wanted to make sure the book stayed true to the characters. I did take major liberties with some of the stories to make it my own, as many authors do. For Aphrodite, I pulled from The Theogeny. For the others, I used traditional myths. This was done to keep my main character from being related to everyone in the story!
4   STEPH:  How does the cover reflect the story inside?

S.E.: That’s a great question. Have you ever picked up a book thinking it was written in one style because of the cover, only to start reading and figure out you were completely wrong? I hate that. I think this cover is reflective of the story. Aphrodite (Abby) is trying to fit in with the mortals. She wears regular clothes, loves pop culture, and (as you can see on the cover) she loves a good cup of coffee. The cover is in the vector style, which I love, and shows the work inside probably has a lighter tone.
5    STEPH: Oh, I love a good cup of coffee. Now, Aphrodite (Abby) is the heroine. What are her strengths? Weaknesses?
S.E.: Let’s talk about her weaknesses first. In mythology, many of the gods and goddesses are vain and manipulative. Abby stays true to that with vanity, at least in the beginning. She is the Goddess of Love and the most beautiful woman in the world. After thousands of years knowing that, she’s bound to have some issues being humble. However, as the novel progresses, she tones that down a little bit because more important things come to light.
Her strengths are many, though. She cares for her friends very much, although she struggles with selfish behavior sometimes. She also cares about Zeus even though she can’t quite figure him out. Overall, she’s a very loving person who’s been way too complacent over the years. Things change quickly for her, but she adapts to those changes with as much grace as she can.
STEPH: Tell me about the heroes in this book. 
 S.E.: I have two heroes in this book – Hermes and Marshall. Abby struggles with her feelings for both. On one hand, she knows Hermes is probably the better choice because he’s a god and he understands her better. On the other, Marshall touches something inside of her she thought was long buried. They both love her personality and how far she’s willing to go to make something right.
STEPH:   What was in the inspiration behind the story?
S.E.: It was a what if moment. What if Aphrodite (who tries so hard to be normal) unwittingly gets tied up in Olympus politics?
STEPH:   Do you have an ebook reader? If so, which one?
S.E.: I do. I have a Kindle Paperwhite. I don’t like the glare from reading on a Fire or iPad, so I chose to go with the simpler device. I’m a simple creature at heart.
STEPH:    What are you reading right now?
S.E.: I am reading a few books right now – The Naked Truth About Self-Publishing, Swamp Sniper by Jana Deleon and Fashionably Dead by Robyn Peterman.
STEPH:  Fun Question: Do you have any Spring Traditions you'd like to share? Do you garden? Go to festivals?
S.E.: I do garden. Every year I plant a butterfly garden. This year will probably be straight herbs. We just redid the landscaping in the front and put in Bougainvillea, Agapanthus, Texas sages, Plumbago and a few others. It’s starting to look great outside!
I’m not a festival person, only because I don’t like crowded places. I really have to love something to put myself in an area with tons of people.  However, if something interests me, I will usually take the plunge. In fact, I just did one of those underground supper club things. We sat and ate a professionally prepared meal with about 30 strangers. I had so much fun doing that.
Thanks so much for hosting me today!
STEPH: Thanks so much for being here today. Here's a link about the book: 
Out of Practice Aphrodite:  
Abby’s major screw-up brings the wrath of Zeus upon her head. He offers her a choice – work for him or spend the rest of her days hanging out in Hades with her ex-husband. For Abby, this choice is a no-brainer, especially when Zeus says the only thing he wants her to do is make a love match.
She’s the Goddess of Love. What could go wrong?
Everything.
Abby stumbles into an ex-lover, a dead demi-god and the realization that a crucial relic has been stolen right out from underneath Zeus’ nose. Eris, the Goddess of Chaos and Discord, is behind the theft and murder and the faltering powers Abby is trying to keep secret. With Zeus breathing down her neck, she’ll need to keep her wits about her as she races against the clock and Zeus’ imposed two-week time period.
Of course, this is easier said than done. Not only is she struggling with a budding attraction to a sexy lawman and feelings for long-time friend, Hermes, she’s also trying to keep everyone out of the path of a vengeful goddess while saving the Earth and Olympus from the reign of a tyrant. What’s a goddess to do when the fate of the world rests upon her fashionable shoulders?
ENJOY THIS EXCERPT: More tears rolled down my face and golden light blinded me and still I stood there, sucking every bit of magic I could from her. She would never hurt anyone again. “We are gods, Zeus. We are all beyond help.”
“No, Abby. That’s where you are wrong. Look at you. Look at the life you have made away from Olympus. Look at the man you are killing someone for.”
I stared at Marshall, still with his hand out toward me, green eyes watchful and wary.
“You have shown me things I long thought the gods were incapable of – compassion, love, hope, and I hope now you’ll show mercy.” He stood there, powerful in his own right, the King of the Gods asking me to show lenience against someone who would have destroyed him. I looked away, no longer wanting to see the pity or the longing for his daughter in his eyes.
I shut my eyes, willing this all to go away, wishing I could wake up in my bed none the wiser. When I opened them, I turned away and saw Artie standing in the doorway of the den, tears in her eyes and a hand over her mouth. The look of horror in her eyes was my undoing. I released the magic with a gasp and fell to my knees. Sobs racked my body and I couldn’t stop them. The horror of the last few weeks caught up to me in that moment, and I laid my head on the smooth concrete of the floor and succumbed to the grasp of magic.
ABOUT THE GIVEAWAY:  The author will be awarding a chocolate/coffee/wine-themed gift basket (US only) 
BUY LINK: 
http://www.amazon.com/Practice-Aphrodite-Naughty-Goddess-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00J1ABHQG/ref=la_B00J1J236A_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394975176&sr=1-1
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Sheryl has had a book in her hands pretty much from the time she could hold things with her hands. Her love of reading turned into a curious exploration to see whether or not she could write her own. Beginning with random, terrible poetry and a slightly popular reimagining of Beowulf’s Grendel in her high school English class, Sheryl ended up spending way too much time in the library, killing any chance of her becoming a cheerleader or anything even remotely cool.
Sheryl has a fondness for humorous, lighthearted stories but also secretly covets bad-ass leather wearing chicks who curse too much. It helps if they’re funny, too. She writes a little bit of everything but is currently focusing on light paranormal mysteries. Visit her at http://sebabin.com/.
Twitter - @hungrybiblio
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
Website - http://sebabin.com/

Shamrocks Rock! Happy St. Patty's Day #shamrocks #stpatricksday

Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

With St. Patrick's Day here, it's okay to go green and celebrate. The Shamrock is a native planet to Ireland. Shockingly, I discovered it's a…weed!  It's registered as a trademark by the Irish government. Symbolic for Ireland, this little plant has a unique history.
A shamrock is a 3 leaf clover that is very populous in Ireland. It's been said when St. Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland, he used the shamrock to help illustrate the Holy Trinity and how it could be three (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) in one entity.
It's medicinal properties including helping as an antidote to snake and scorpion bites. 
Interesting notes:
A shamrock is in the lower right corner of the flag of the city of Montreal, Canada, representative of the Irish population of the city.
Queen Victoria decreed soldiers from Ireland should wear a sprig of shamrock to recognize those fellow soldiers who fought bravely during the Boer war.
Don't confuse a 3 leaf shamrock with a 4 leaf clover. A 4 leaf clover is good luck!
Question for You: Does anyone else have any cool shamrocks facts or stories to share?
Relax and go green on the 17th!
Let me leave you with a couple of Irish sayings:
Idleness is a fool's desire.
3 things come without asking: fear, jealousy, and love.

That butter and whiskey will not cure, there is no cure for.
*******Author Bio: Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD.  She loves coffee, adores chocolate, and her favorite Irish food is soda bread. Her 99 cents story, Night of Magic, is set in Ireland.
NIGHT OF MAGIC: Blurb: Finn braves the fires of Samhain, but does Aithne want to return? 

Opening Line: "Darkness is coming." 
Enjoy this Excerpt:
Finn remained silent as he prowled the room and studied its features. Aithne lit a candle and put it in a pewter holder on the same table with the key. Then she closed the door so they were completely alone. Finn observed a shelf near the entrance with blankets, cups, kegs, various clothes, and a water bowl. In the middle of the room stood a pole which Finn believed acted as a support. On the opposite side of the room was a glass door which led out to a balcony. He was curious as to where he had been taken in the castle since he hadn't noticed a hightower upon his approach. Done surveying the room, his gaze settled upon Aithne. Her eyes shone bright in the pale starlight."Where should we start?" she asked.Finn held out his wrists again. "Untie me."Her eyes grew hooded like a hawk's and she glided across the floor to the glass door, ignoring his request. Opening the door, she let cool air into the room. Starlight softened her appearance."Five years ago I led the procession through the bonfires as part of the cleansing ritual. When I reached the center, I felt a tugging force and came here. The people were suffering. The wolves from Stonemar Tor were vicious. I advised the king I could help."Finn's eyes narrowed, exasperated that she hadn't unfastened the rope around his hands, but intrigued by her story. "Darius told me.""When the Ruairc defeated the wolves, King Vashon gave me a choice. I elected to stay. When he died, I became their Queen."

BUY LINKS:AMAZON:http://amzn.com/B00D2XP4R6 

FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:WEBSITE:http://www.stephanieburkhart.com
TWITTER:http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart
FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBur...
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/

Snippet Sunday: 99 cent contemporary romance: A Polish Heart #snippetsunday

Hi all, I'm participating in the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday. This month, I'll be taking snippets from my sweet contemporary/inspirational Romance: A Polish Heart. You can find the Weekend Warriors Snippet Sunday list at:



This snippet:   Darrin arrives at the Warsaw Airport and offers his translator a gift.

*****
He stopped in front of her and held out his flowers, "Dzien dobry."A wide grin crossed her lips and she dropped the sign she was holding, "Hello, Mr. Riverton."A look of relief passed over his face. "You know, I practiced that phrase all morning on the plane.""I admire the effort. Are the flowers for me?""Yes," His smile was full of pride.


****
A Polish Heart takes place leading up to Easter in Warsaw, Poland.  Can Sofia's faith give Darrin his heart back? 

Reviews:
5 Stars, Reader Lady, Amazon Reviewer: "This is an excellent read."
5 Stars, Billie Houston, Amazon Reviewer: " I loved this warm-hearted tale. Ms. Burkhart has a talent for wrapping drama around ordinary people and spinning a touching love story."
5 Stars, Tara Manderino, Amazon Reviewer: Sofia and Darrin's story was a heartwarming one. A totally enjoyable read." 
****Link to You Tube Video:  http://youtu.be/lC6_397PerU


BUY LINKS:
AMAZON:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007AS29AO
BARNES & NOBLE:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-polish-heart-stephanie-burkhart/1111503774?ean=2940033247875
SMASHWORDS:http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/164429

FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:
WEBSITE:
http://www.stephanieburkhart.com
TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart
FACEBOOK: 
https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBur...

GOOD READS:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart
YOU TUBE CHANNEL:
http://www.youtube.com/user/botrina?f...
PINTEREST:

http://pinterest.com/sgburkhart/

Happy National Pototo Chip Day! #potatochips

Okay, so yesterday was National Potato Chip day and who doesn't love a good mouth watering, salty, thin, (or kettle style) crunchy, fried (or baked) chip?
Everyone has a favorite brand and favorite flavors. I'm a sucker for a good ol' fashioned Wise Potato chip (but I think they're regional because I can't find them in California). There are thousands of brands. Currently in my pantry I have a bag of 7-11 BBQ chips and Lays Original in the yellow bag.
According to tradition, the potato chip was created in 1853. George Crum was a chef at the Moon Lake House Restaurant in Saratoga Springs, NY. A fussy customer didn't care for Crum's thick, soggy, and unsalted French Fries and sent the order back. Insulted, Crum sliced the fries thin, fried 'em to a crisp and salted them to the hilt. He sent the order back to the fussy customer (rumored to be Cornelius Vanderbilt, but there's no proof) and Mr. Fussy LOVED them.
The potato chip was born.
Then there's a story that Crum's sister, Katie Speaks Wicks invented the chip in a culinary mishap. A 1917 obituary of Wicks credits her for creating the tasty treat.
Chips are great as snacks, appetizers, and a side dish. The first potato chip companies include Tri-Sum, (1908), Mike Sell's (1910) and Wise (1921) in 1926 Laura Scudder in California created a wax bag that helped preserve the chips they went mass market. Before then, chips were sold out of bins in stores.
Lays Potato Chips came along in 1932. George Lay was a traveling salesman whose hustle and determination made the company into a national success.
Question for you: What's your favorite brand? Your favorite flavor?

Author Bio: Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD.  She loves coffee, adores chocolate, and her favorite potato chip is Wise original. Her 99 cents story, A Polish Heart, is a spring/Easter inspirational contemporary sweet romance.
A POLISH HEART: Blurb: Will Sofia's faith give Darrin his heart back? 
Opening Line: This was going to be the most challenging thing he'd ever done in his life. 
Enjoy this Excerpt:
Her teeth nipped at her lower lip as she ran her eyes over this beautifully proportioned man, her body warming at the sight of him. He looked tough and lean and his handsome face kindled with a sort of classical beauty she hadn't seen on a man before. His leonine stride radiated self-confidence. His hair was sandy blond in a short, neat cut and his cobalt blue eyes pierced her professional armor. He stopped in front of her and held out his flowers. "Dzien dobry."A wide grin crossed her lips and she dropped the sign she was holding. "Hello, Mr. Riverton."A look of relief passed over his face. "You know, I practiced that phrase all morning on the plane.""I admire the effort. Are the flowers for me?""Yes." His smile was full of pride.Sofia took the flowers and held them up to her nose. "Freshly picked. Thank you.""You're welcome." He paused and it grew awkwardly silent between them. Sofia realized for the first time in meeting a client, she had forgotten her professionalism."Forgive my manners. My name is Sofia Buraczynski and I'll be your interpreter while you are here." She put the sign in her left hand and held out her right hand for a handshake.
BUY LINKS:AMAZON:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007AS29AO
BARNES & NOBLE:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-polish-heart-stephanie-burkhart/1111503774?ean=2940033247875
SMASHWORDS:http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/164429
Find me on the Web at:FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:WEBSITE:http://www.stephanieburkhart.com
TWITTER:http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart
FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBur...
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/