Today it's my pleasure to present an interview of romance author Stephanie Burkhart.
Latest book: "The Green Rose," a fantasy romance.
Buy Links:
PUBLISHER'S SITE: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-280/The-Green-Rose-Stephanie/Detail.bok
AMAZON KINDLE: http://amzn.com/B007QUBU2E
BARNES & NOBLE NOOK: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1109853031
ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thegreenrose-769936-143.html
SONY EBOOKS: http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/stephanie-burkhart/the-green-rose/_/R-400000000000000673505
BOOK TRAILER: http://www.youtube.com/embed/gFuFCDhZQMc
BIO:
Stephanie Burkhart was born and raised in Manchester New Hampshire. In 1986, she wanted a grand adventure and joined the U.S. Army, becoming an MP (military police). She spent 7 years stationed overseas in
In 1997, she left the Army and settled in Castaic California. She now works for LAPD as a 911 Dispatcher. She's a huge fan of Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings," movies and the "Game of Thrones" mini series.
Q: What part of the book is the easiest for you to write? Why?
A: I'm a panster at heart, so when I prepare to write a book, I gather my characters together, draft up character biographies and outline a plot for the first 3 chapters. I want the opening to be fast-paced, filled with action, or introduce the problem and engage the reader. I spend a good amount of prep work on the opening chapters and I usually find they're the easiest for me to write.
Q: What part of the book is the hardest for you? Why?
A: I always find the middle most challenging. You have to build the conflict, the sexual tension, and allow the characters to grow emotionally, so I'm usually a bit slower here as I plot out and then write these chapters.
Q: If one of your books became a movie, which celebrity would you like to star as your heroine? Tell us about the heroine.
A: Sonia Peregrine is the crown princess of Tapin, the land of the falcons in "The Green Rose." Her father, King Julian, is kidnapped by the evil mage, Balthyser and she goes on a quest for the green rose with Prince Ivánstan. Sonia has trust issues, but she can sling a sword with the best of them. I would love for Alexandra Daddario to play "Sonia." She was "Annabeth" in "The Lightning Thief" movie.
Q: If one of your books became a movie, which celebrity would you like to star as your hero? Tell us about the hero.
A: Ivánstan is the crown prince of Dahaka, the land of dragons, in "The Green Rose." He accompanies Sonia on a quest for the magical object. He's heroic, noble, and fearless – and totally "into" Sonia. He's determined to earn her trust and win her love. I would love for Kellan Lutz to play Ivánstan. His most memorable role is "Emmitt" from The Twilight Series.
Q: Do all your heroes and heroines look the same in your mind as you "head write?"
A: No. In my preliminary work, I cast my characters, forming a clear picture in my mind what they look like.
Q: What hobby(ies) to do enjoy when you're not writing?
A: Time permitting, I like to walk, play racquetball (but partners are scarce), watch Dancing with the Stars, and traveling/exploring California.
FIND ME HERE:
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/">http://pinterest.com/sgburkhart
DESERT BREEZE AUTHOR http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-template/StephanieBurkhart/Page.bok
4RV PUBLISHING: http://4rvpublishingcatalog.yolasite.com/burkhart.php
Victory Tales Press: http://onceuponaword1.blogspot.com/p/stephanie-burkhart.html
BLURB:
Eight hundred years ago on the continent
of Gaia, war rocked the countries of N'Gasse, Tapin, Daháka, and
Ravenrock. The fearsome wyldebeasts of the black east threatened to
destroy the known world. King Xeres of Daháka gathered the most powerful
magicians of Gaia along with Queen Rhysia of N'Gasse, King Erik of
Ravenrock, and Nyla, the High Priestess of Tapin at Komodo Field.
Daháka
brought pollen taken from the bees of the Tagrassé Forest. N'Gasse
brought sap from the old mahogany trees. Tapin presented dust from
falcon eggs. Ravenrock offered a rose. Together, they forged the
indestructible green rose, a harbinger of powerful magic.
Using
the green rose, the nobles and peoples of Gaia fought the wyldebeasts,
led by the dark wizard, Augustin. Once the evil threat was defeated, the
Eastern Wall was built along Ravenrock's borders to keep the foul
wyldebeasts out of Gaia. Ravenrock was given the responsibility of
guarding the 50,000 kilometer granite barrier.
King
Xeres feared those who harbored evil in their hearts would seek the
green rose. He tasked three witches to guard the flower and sent them
into the heart of Tagrassé Forest.
Now, hundreds of years later, the peace of Gaia is once again threatened.
EXCERPT:
Ivánstan
stood behind her, pressing the firm muscles of his chest against her
back. He wrapped his arms around her waist and placed both his hands
over hers. His warm breath caressed her ear and her body tingled from
their contact. Despite her unease, she felt protected in his arms.
"You're
tense. It's understandable, but I need you to relax -- to trust me."
His voice was low and seductive. Sonia nipped at her lower lip with her
teeth. How could she relax when the physical presence of him drove her
senses to distraction?
"Clear your mind. Think of your father. Recall a happy memory of him. That's it -- he's smiling at you, pride on his face."
"You can see my memory?" she whispered.
"Aye. We're sharing heat -- magical heat. Now push out. Space doesn't exist. Only your father. Concentrate on his face."
Sonia
drew in a breath and brought her father to mind -- the sound of his
voice, deep and commanding, his face, rugged and lined, his scent,
currants and earthy, his touch, gentle, yet firm. A vision of him
appeared in her mind, but it was blurry and dark. Her father's tunic was
torn, and he had been stripped of his weapons. The coppery scent of
blood lingered over him.
Fear ripped through her and
then the vision was gone. She grew limp, but Ivánstan tightened his
grip. "He is not dead, but wounded and in a dark place."
"Thank Nyla," she whispered. "Is there more? Can we try again?"
"Not
now. Your body is exhausted and needs rest. Tomorrow morning we can try
to connect with your mother. The calling should be easier." His lips
brushed against her ear, sending a warm pulse of physical awareness
through her. Ivánstan was all male. Slowly, she turned around in his
arms to gaze into his eyes. They were soft now, the orange reminding her
of the sun; his pupils, while still slitted, were narrow.
Stephanie, I'm a panster, too. I make a detailed list of my characters on paper with their traits, etc. I have ideas in my head, but I only write the ideas down nothing more. It just flows from there.
ReplyDeleteI liked your excerpt and your answers in the interview.
Sandy it's a pleasure to meet you. Yes, that's how I write. I develop everything as I go along. It's fun discovering the story like that.
DeleteSteph
You decribed exactly the way I write. Hate the soggy middle. Great interview and excerpt.
ReplyDeleteJean that's what it is too - soggy! I just have to buckle down and tackle it.
DeleteSteph
Nice getting to know you, Stephanie. I'm a pantster myself. Your book sounds exciting. What a great cover. Were you at the NJ conference in 2011? I think I met you somewhere. Good luck with your book.
ReplyDeleteCara no I haven't had an opportunity to go to any conferences. I'd love to get out but the boys need to be older.
DeleteSteph
Ladies
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for bring patient with me. I've been working and then NaNoWriMo hit! Sign... It's rewarding but time consuming.