It's 1927 and Lord Zoltan Kristos, Hungary's Minister of the Interior, takes great pains to hide the fact he's a werewolf from the world. Despite his efforts, he's recognized when he goes to the Austrian-Hungarian border to inspect the area for damage from a recent rare earthquake.
Zoltan is accused of stealing Kurt Meklau's witch, Inna, and is recklessly pursed to Volturn Manor, a residence belonging to another werewolf family, the Vargas. After a fight with Meklau, Zoltan barely escapes and his adversary is found dead.
Sophia Varga and Tomas Martin find Zoltan. Sophia is determine to attend to Zoltan's injuries and protect her home, but when Kurt's father, Marcus, comes seeking revenege, Sophia is tested like never before. As Zoltan and Sophia work together, attraction and desire flame between them.
Will the secrets Volturn Manor harbors offer Zoltan and Sophia the clues they need to defeat Marcus and give them the opportunity to explore their feelings for one another?
Stephanie will be awarding a back list print book, either The Hungarian or The Count's Lair, from the Budapest Moon Series to a randomly drawn commenter at each stop, and a Grand Prize of a coffee and chocolate gift basket: $10.00 GC to Starbucks, A Coffee Mug, Andes Chocolates, Magnets, and a Lori Powell Original Book Bag to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour (US ONLY).
MY TAKE ON THE SECRET DOOR ( Two thumbs up and **** Stars)
The Secret Door by Stephanie Burkhart is book four in the Budapest Moon series. At first, I was afraid I would not understand what was going on, but the book works well as a stand alone book. Our protagonist, Zoltan, is a werewolf, but he’s trying to hide that fact.
Already you might think this is a paranormal book. It is and it isn’t. Too many authors love to throw in a ghost or two, a magic trinket and the occasional witch or vampire and suddenly their book is a paranormal. This is a drama with paranormal characters with a mystery wrapped around it hiding the love story inside. Simply put, it is a convoluted tale with interesting characters forced to make hard choices.
Zoltan is a werewolf on a mission, but this same mission almost gets him killed. Sophie, the daughter of the Vargas werewolf family, tends to his wounds while an attraction develops between them. It is Romeo & Juliet with more hair and extra-long canines.
This is a thoughtful presentation of common themes. I like the fact it is set in 1927 in old Europe, which gives it the feel of a black and white horror film. The only thing that detracted from the story was overuse of particular words.
The Secret Door starts with action and roars through the entire story. I would imagine a werewolf would never go quietly into anything, which makes the tone and pace of the book fitting. I believe this book should find a following with both paranormal and historic fiction. (I do realize that werewolves aren’t real, but there is some nice historic touches throughout the book.)
What you've really been waiting for....the EXCERPT
Sophia paused, scooped out a new handful of lotion and rubbed it into the scratches on his muscled thighs. Again, a low, uneasy breath escaped from his throat. Her touch drove his body wild. Glancing down, there was no mistaking the bulge of his manhood through his boxers.
Sophia paused, her gaze settling upon his groin, then looked up at him. His jaw tensed, and he drew in a breath.
She nipped at her lower lip, uncertainty in her eyes. "You're hard," she whispered.
"See what you've done to me."
She raised an eyebrow, her question unspoken.
"I assure you this has not happened before," he said.
For a moment she studied him intently, her eyes darkening to the color of sapphires before she continued.
He looked her over seductively. His heart skipped a beat with desire. She rubbed the lotion into her hands and placed them on his stomach. He groaned, reaching out with his left hand and threading his fingers into her hair, jerking her head back so they were eye-to-eye. She set her jaw. His pulse pounded. Something intense flared between them, yet she kept her hands on his abdomen. Encouraged, Zoltan tugged her toward him, pressing her chest against his. Her nostrils flared and her brow furrowed in confusion.
He stopped, reminding himself he needed to offer a choice. "Do you want me to kiss you?"
"No." The sound of her denial was weak. He held her close.
"Do you want me to release you?"
"No."
"How should I solve my predicament?"
"I don't know."
Zoltan is accused of stealing Kurt Meklau's witch, Inna, and is recklessly pursed to Volturn Manor, a residence belonging to another werewolf family, the Vargas. After a fight with Meklau, Zoltan barely escapes and his adversary is found dead.
Sophia Varga and Tomas Martin find Zoltan. Sophia is determine to attend to Zoltan's injuries and protect her home, but when Kurt's father, Marcus, comes seeking revenege, Sophia is tested like never before. As Zoltan and Sophia work together, attraction and desire flame between them.
Will the secrets Volturn Manor harbors offer Zoltan and Sophia the clues they need to defeat Marcus and give them the opportunity to explore their feelings for one another?
Stephanie will be awarding a back list print book, either The Hungarian or The Count's Lair, from the Budapest Moon Series to a randomly drawn commenter at each stop, and a Grand Prize of a coffee and chocolate gift basket: $10.00 GC to Starbucks, A Coffee Mug, Andes Chocolates, Magnets, and a Lori Powell Original Book Bag to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour (US ONLY).
MY TAKE ON THE SECRET DOOR ( Two thumbs up and **** Stars)
The Secret Door by Stephanie Burkhart is book four in the Budapest Moon series. At first, I was afraid I would not understand what was going on, but the book works well as a stand alone book. Our protagonist, Zoltan, is a werewolf, but he’s trying to hide that fact.
Already you might think this is a paranormal book. It is and it isn’t. Too many authors love to throw in a ghost or two, a magic trinket and the occasional witch or vampire and suddenly their book is a paranormal. This is a drama with paranormal characters with a mystery wrapped around it hiding the love story inside. Simply put, it is a convoluted tale with interesting characters forced to make hard choices.
Zoltan is a werewolf on a mission, but this same mission almost gets him killed. Sophie, the daughter of the Vargas werewolf family, tends to his wounds while an attraction develops between them. It is Romeo & Juliet with more hair and extra-long canines.
This is a thoughtful presentation of common themes. I like the fact it is set in 1927 in old Europe, which gives it the feel of a black and white horror film. The only thing that detracted from the story was overuse of particular words.
The Secret Door starts with action and roars through the entire story. I would imagine a werewolf would never go quietly into anything, which makes the tone and pace of the book fitting. I believe this book should find a following with both paranormal and historic fiction. (I do realize that werewolves aren’t real, but there is some nice historic touches throughout the book.)
What you've really been waiting for....the EXCERPT
Sophia paused, scooped out a new handful of lotion and rubbed it into the scratches on his muscled thighs. Again, a low, uneasy breath escaped from his throat. Her touch drove his body wild. Glancing down, there was no mistaking the bulge of his manhood through his boxers.
Sophia paused, her gaze settling upon his groin, then looked up at him. His jaw tensed, and he drew in a breath.
She nipped at her lower lip, uncertainty in her eyes. "You're hard," she whispered.
"See what you've done to me."
She raised an eyebrow, her question unspoken.
"I assure you this has not happened before," he said.
For a moment she studied him intently, her eyes darkening to the color of sapphires before she continued.
He looked her over seductively. His heart skipped a beat with desire. She rubbed the lotion into her hands and placed them on his stomach. He groaned, reaching out with his left hand and threading his fingers into her hair, jerking her head back so they were eye-to-eye. She set her jaw. His pulse pounded. Something intense flared between them, yet she kept her hands on his abdomen. Encouraged, Zoltan tugged her toward him, pressing her chest against his. Her nostrils flared and her brow furrowed in confusion.
He stopped, reminding himself he needed to offer a choice. "Do you want me to kiss you?"
"No." The sound of her denial was weak. He held her close.
"Do you want me to release you?"
"No."
"How should I solve my predicament?"
"I don't know."
Stephanie Burkhart I'm a member of Generation X, and was born in Manchester, New Hampshire. After graduating from Central High, the U.S. Army gave me a job. I spent 11 years in the military, 7 stationed in Germany. While in the military I earned my B.S. in Political Science from California Baptist University in Riverside, CA in 1995. After leaving the Army in 1997, I settled in California. The New England Patriots are still My favorite football team. I've been married for 20 years.
Currently, I work for LAPD as a 911 Dispatcher. I'm a member of EPIC (Electronically Published Internet Connection). I'm published with Desert BreezePublishing and 4RV Publishing.
Follow me onTwitter at:
http://twitter.com/
StephBurkhart
Like my Facebook Author Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/
Stephanie-Burkhart-Author/149938795021166
FIND ME ON GOOD READS:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart
http://www.stephanieburkhart.com
http://sgcardin.blogspot.com
http://www.writing.com/authors/sgcardin
Currently, I work for LAPD as a 911 Dispatcher. I'm a member of EPIC (Electronically Published Internet Connection). I'm published with Desert BreezePublishing and 4RV Publishing.
Follow me onTwitter at:
http://twitter.com/
StephBurkhart
Like my Facebook Author Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/
Stephanie-Burkhart-Author/149938795021166
FIND ME ON GOOD READS:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart
http://www.stephanieburkhart.com
http://sgcardin.blogspot.com
http://www.writing.com/authors/sgcardin
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