Monday, July 9, 2012

Things that go bump in the night – Horror vs Paranormal



When I was a little girl I was convinced there was a vampire under the bed.  No joke. The darned thing used to poke me through the mattress. I was six years old and used to pull the covers up over my neck thinking that would keep the darn little creature away from my neck. Silly me. Mom wouldn't let me use garlic.

What convinced me I had a vampire under the bed was watching a show called Creature Double Feature.  That show had it all – vampires, werewolves, zombies, mummies, and even Godzilla. Creature Double Feature was all about horror. The creatures were out to scare you. I got the chills watching those little nasties in action. And that's what horror is all about – giving you the chills. The Spooks. The Shivers.

You know what gives me the spooks? Bugs.  Spiders. Little Creepy things. They inspire horror. You can find some of my horror tales at my port on Writing.com at: http://www.writing.com/main/portfolio/item_id/966516-Horror-Short-Stories
My favorite stories are Grave of the Devil, the Secret Pyramid, and The Scorpion Temple.

Paranormal Romance? That's a different "beast" altogether. Sure there are vampires, werewolves, zombies, shifters, etc… but there's no intent to give you shivers – it's all about giving you the warm and fuzzies and making you believe in the power of love.

Our hero (or heroine) may suffer from lycanthropy or deal with a lust for blood, but their desire to control their condition and seek love is the crux of their journey. Romance is about HEA. Horror has no HEA.

My paranormal romance, Danube in Candlelight, which released in NOV 2011 is now a finalist in the 2012 Reader's Favorite Contest in the Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy category. What would you do if you found out your father was a werewolf? Morgan Duma has her world turned upside down when she discovers her father's secret. She explores the lupine elements of heritage, growing reckless, but will her recklessness driver her to become a wolf herself?

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

4 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.

3.5 Stars, The Hope Chest Reviews:
Danube in Candlelight was a pleasant, easy read. Ms. Burkhart has created an interesting world with a mythology that is a little different than any other werewolf stories I've read to date, and the historical settings make them more intriguing to me than many contemporary paranormal stories.
5 Lips, Two Lips Reviews
I found the setting for Danube in Candlelight intriguing. The 1920 period Ms. Burkhart chose for this story lends it a wonderfully dynamic tempo.   The discerning reader will not want to miss reading Danube in Candlelight; I highly recommend it.
 
Enjoy this Excerpt:

"Morgan, our fathers' condition has a host of positive traits -- heightened senses, for example, but the best trait is the healing factor."
"I understand, Adam. That healing factor will help my mother recover from her awful injuries, but it comes with a tradeoff -- she's going to become a werewolf."
"Is it better she become addicted to morphine? That addiction is a beast in itself. Which would you prefer she'd become? The soldiers hooked on morphine have vacant eyes, and their hands tremble for their next fix. Do you want that for your mother? Fighting something she can't win against, or do you want her dealing with a manageable condition? Both our fathers are good men. They've managed it."
Morgan pursed her lips. Adam's tone was laced in objectivity and confidence, offering her a plausible reason for her father's actions. Morgan didn't want a shell of skin and bones that resembled her mother -- she wanted her mother well, both emotionally and physically. Why had she been so selfish not to see that?
"It doesn't bother you that you have these traits?"
"I'm comfortable with who I am."
Morgan spun around, pressing the length of her body against Adam, curving her hand around the nape of his neck, and bringing his lips to hers. Their mouths met in a searing kiss full of desire. Want. Warmth. Pleasure replaced Morgan's emotional pain, and she deepened the kiss between them by sweeping her tongue into his mouth.
Adam groaned, wrapped his hands around her waist, and tugged her closer. Morgan continued the kiss, nipping his lower lip with her teeth. A blast of heat from his body washed over her like an ocean wave, sending pleasure spiraling through her. God, she had never felt so wonderful.
He threaded his hand through her hair and then yanked her head back. His mouth fell to her neck. Shivers of delight followed the hard, demanding kisses he placed on her skin.
"Adam, God, don't stop..."
He did just that. He withdrew his hand from her hair, sliding it down the side of her body to rest at her waist. She looked into his golden eyes blazing with the flames of desire. Adam drew in a deep breath.
"Damn, Morgan, I am a man, and I have more control than that."
She placed her hand over his heart. "You enjoyed it. Don't deny it."
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14 comments:

Hammarblad said...

Great post! Where's the Like button? Blogs need like-buttons, lol.

I had a monster living under the bed when I was a little girl. No one believed it, but I knew he was there. Every time I put my feet on the floor, I expected hairy hands with claws to grab my ankles and pull me in. The monster didn't go away until I had a dog sleep under the bed instead. They make monsters go away :-)

Patty said...

The vampire under your bed... LOL! My bed had a monster spider under it. Small girls' beds seem to be the favorite hiding places of all sorts of nasty things!

Maria--that's a great idea to have replaced it with a dog. I still sleep with a light on. ;)

Stephanie Burkhart said...

Maria, lol!! Those Monster - they get around, don't they? Never thought to use a dog to scare them away. Hey, I was seven! :)

Patty,
Spiders are so icky. ((hugs)) I think I'd rather have a vampire!

Smiles
Steph

Neecy said...

My closet had a very scary something in it, and I never took a shower when home alone. I guess it was a good thing I had six sisters and a brother. Never had to worry about being by myself. Just the boogieman in the closet that was going to eat me after they all fell asleep.
Good post,
Neecy

Maggie Toussaint said...

I thought every bed came with a monster under it. As a kid I would make Flying Wallenda leaps into bed from just about the doorway to my room, just so there was no chance of the monster getting me. I was always safe in the bed. Funny how I rationalized all that out.

Stephanie Burkhart said...

Neecy, yikes! A boogeyman in the closet? That sounds scary to me. Thankfully, my closet was HUGE and stuffed with old clothes. I knew all the hiding places and I think I scared the boogeyman away! LOL.

Maggie, my gosh, flying wallenda leaps? I was never that talented. I agree - amazing how we were all safe in the bed, despite the creature under it.

Smiles
Steph

Tina Pinson said...

I wrote a story for my son about the monster beneath the bed called Milton's Monster, because I freaked him out so badly one day acting like there was a monster there.

I used think the clothes in the closet were assassins, standing there, their guns pointed on me. I'd pull up my blanket shield and pray for them to go away.

I wrote a story about that for my middle son, Nathan's Adventures in the Land of Night, who has graduated from potty training and is trying to get past the shadows and to the bathroom so he won't get his big boy underwear wet.

Angels Cove said...

well ihavent really thought about which i like more the paranormal reads or horror they both seem to go hand in hand with me so i guess i guess i could read both signed micheleann oboyle angelwolfmystic@yahoo.com

J. Morgan said...

I had a nun with a ruler living under my bed. I think she's still there to tell the truth. Anybody want to check for me?

Savannah Chase said...

I love my paranormal, no matter what. Have a soft place for vampires. Just love them. I don't think I was ever scared of them as a kid either..

Sarah J. McNeal said...

A very ckever blog, Steph. I used to be afraid of foxes as a kid. I thought they were as big as houses and wanted to eat kids. When my dad took me to the zoo and showed me this tiny fox only slightly larger than a house cat, I felt positively silly.
Love paranormal stories. I really enjoyed your book Danube by Candlelight.
I wish you all the best, Steph.

Tami Dee said...

Oh, Great post, Steph! I was shivering with fear the whole time I read it. :-)

Stephanie Burkhart said...

Tina, how creative you are! Thankfully none of my boys have suffered from the "creature" under the bed, but Joe, my 5 year old likes to sleep with a stuffed animal.

Thanks for popping in Angel's Cove. I enjoy writing both genres simply because I enjoy the world building.

Bill, Ack! I hate to say it, but I'd rather take the Nun under the Bed than the vampire. ;)

Savannah, you are one brave girl!

Sarah, what a delight to see you here. Foxes? Thankfully you didn't have any under the bed, huh?

Tami! Scaredy Kat!

Smiles
Steph

John said...

This article is really worth reading, it has too much details in it and yet it is so simple to understand, Thanks for sharing the picture it has great detail in it and i really appreciate your true artistic work! & yea this color really suits you


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