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."
PUBLISHER'S BUY LINK
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ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS 

FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:
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FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBurkhartAuthor

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

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Monday, June 25, 2012

Summer Reading Trail

Have you discovered the Summer Reading Trail yet? No? Check it out! There are many free reads featured, and the list changes each month. Some of the reads are entire books, some are chapters.


I have two books on the list: Cowboys Dream Too (A Morgan O'Reilly book) and Rachel Dahlrumple (by Shea McMaster). Both have the full first chapter posted. In a few days, when the calendar rolls over to July, the titles will swap out. If you haven't read the books, and you're curious, jump on it! 


Come July Jmo will also have a book on the reading list, so make sure you check back, possibly while chillin' over the 4th. 



Sunday, June 24, 2012

Blog Hop Winners!

Without further ado, we present the winners of the Sexy Summer Solstice Just Romance Me Blog Hop!

Grand prize, NOOK GlowLight:
Missy C.


Other Prizes:

Theresa J.
Stacia D. Kelly: $25 Amazon Gift Certificate

Lisa J.
Nina Pierce: $15 Ellora's Cave Gift Card

KEK219
Shapeshifter Seductions Authors: Talbot's Peak Calendar & assorted ebooks off backlist

Kathy G. <== Email me with your snail mail! (morgan at morganqoreilly.com)
Morgan Q. O'Reilly: Morgan O'Reilly tote bag and pen
Graylin Fox: Signed copy of Your Biggest Fan

Renee B.
T.L. Schaefer: Choice from backlist
Rhonda L. Print: Guardian e-book
Maddy Barone: Free download of Wolf Tracker

Cathy M.
Olivia Brynn: Choice from backlist
Alianne Donnelly: Download of Bastien
Trina M. Lee: Choice from backlist

Catherine
Casey Crow: Dance with a Millionaire
Rosanna Leo: Up in Flames
Casea Major: One Knight in Brooklyn

Juana E.
Lauren Fraser: Choice from backlist
Monette Michaels: Cold Day In Hell e-book
Annie Nicholas: Omegas in Love, Book 4 of The Vanguards

Tiffany C.
Bronwen Evans: eBook copy of To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield Regency Romance
Paige Tyler: Choice from backlist
Virginia Cavanaugh: Mixing Business with Pleasure

Stacie D.
Desiree Holt: Two ebooks of reader's choice
Alanna Coca: Choice from backlist

Amanda W.
Alix the Weaver: Winner's choice of ebook
Kayelle Allen: Surrender Love

And from The Morgan Diaries Blog side drawing, Catherine Lee, you win a copy of J.Morgan's Bite Marks Book One: Bite the One You're With

Congratulations everyone and thanks for playing along!

Blog Hop Day 5

Yes, sadly, we're at the end of the blog hop, but we're also down to the top ten movies on our list of all time favorite Romantic movies. Know that we argued long and hard over this. I still have bruises over most of my body and in places no man should have bruises. Morgan O. fights dirty in case you didn't know.

Be quiet before that soprano lilt to your voice becomes permanent, Jmo. Because, I'm still thinking Murphy's Romance needs to be in the top ten, but our other choices didn't allow it. 

Do you mind putting down the cattle prod? Pretty Please. I agreed Murphy's Romance was the closest thing we had to a tie for ten. However, you know as well as I do, Dennis Quaid in his prime trumps James Garner after his prime. 

So--drum roll please--without further ado,we present the Greatest Morgan Romance Movies of all time!!!!!!





10. The Big Easy
9. Romancing the Stone
8. Bridget Jones' Diary
7. The Ghost and Mrs Muir 






6. African Queen
5. My Big Fat Greek Wedding
4. Notting Hill
3. Princess Bride
2. The Quiet Man
1. Casablanca







Thanks for playing along with us. Be sure to coast through to the end and get signed up for the grand drawing. One luck winner will get a Nook loaded with ebooks, and of course, something fabulous from me, a Morgan O'Reilly tote bag and pen. Very cool stuff! Jmo has a book in there as well.  Join our blog and stay in tune with what's newest and greatest in the world of the Morgans. It's sure to be entertaining!

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Sexy Summer Solstice Hop Day 4

Getting close to the end here. Have you been through the blog hop? Signed up to win? Commented for extra chances? 


You should be seeing a lot of Cary Grant here. He's the best, in my opinion. Just haven't made anyone like him since. If there was one actor who you think might be capable of filling Cary Grant's shoes, who do you think he is? Of course I'm all about the men. Jmo may have some opinions on female leads. I think Julia Roberts is up there for him.

Hey don't dis my Julia addiction, but this is definitely the Morgan O. block of the countdown, but we agree on a lot of the choices, otherwise they wouldn't be on here. Though, there was some biting and slapping over a couple of the picks on this part of the countdown. That was mainly me getting out of that closet Mo locked me in. By the way, could somebody explain why my mouth tastes like dog butt?


40. The Runaway Bride
39. The Cutting Edge
38. Victor Victoria
37. Sweet Home Alabama
36. Something to Talk About
35. Across the Universe
34. Pillow Talk
33. Bride and Prejudice
32. Operation Petticoat
31. My Fair Lady 

30. Chocolat
29. Fifty First Dates
28. Father Goose
27. Love Actually
26. Kate and Leopold
25. You've Got Mail
24. Witness
23. Jane Eyre
22. An Officer and a Gentleman
21. An Affair to Remember
20. When Harry Met Sally
19. Paint Your Wagon
18. It Happened One Night
17. Sleepless in Seattle
16. Moonstruck
15. Mama Mia
14. Ella Enchanted
13. American President
12. While You Were Sleeping
11. Murphy's Romance



Keeping up with the list? Coming in mid-stream?  If you're not signed up on the Sexy Summer Solstice Blog Hop with JustRomance.Me, get over there now and get with the program! Don't miss a chance to get some cool sway and great books!


As for our countdown list, you can find links to the past few days over on the Archives list. It's there to the right, scroll down until you see it and then click! You're in like Flynn.

Friday, June 22, 2012

Sexy Summer Solstice Hop - Day 3

On to day three of the hop, day two of our Romantic Movie Countdown. Jmo's still in the closet with the Beggin' Strips, but now I hear him howling for more. While I go toss in some more, take a look at the next section of our countdown. Agree? Disagree? Maybe you'll like our top ten better and that will explain many of our choices here.


70. Snow White
69. Smoky and the Bandit
68. Serendipity
67. Sense and Sensibility
66. Mystic Pizza
65. Robin Hood Men in Tights
64. Road House
63. Pride and Prejudice
62. Pretty Woman
61. Overboard
60. Out of Africa
59. Only the Lonely
58. Never Been Kissed
57. Robin Hood Prince of Thieves
56. Must Love Dogs
55. The Graduate
54. Two Mules for Sister Sara
53. Sleeping Beauty
52. Dr. Zhivago
51. Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer
50. Gone with the Wind
49. Rooster Cogburn
48. People Will Talk
47. Cleopatra
46. Charade, the original with Cary Grant and Audrey
45. Philadelphia Story, again with Cary Grant
44. On a Clear Day, You Can See Forever
43. My Favorite Wife
42. McClintock
41. Breakfast at Tiffany's



We have more movies to go! If you're joining us just today, feel free to check back for the last two days in the archives and see how we've ranked the movies. Also, the more you comment, the more generous we feel! If you've lost your way on the Sexy Summer Solstice Blog Tour, click on the link for JustRomance.me and join the hop! You could be the lucky owner of a Nook loaded with great books!


Need more info? Check out Day 1 and Day 2 of the hop.


And if you're looking for more reading material, check out this review for Morgan O's Til Death Undo Us, the beginning of the Shaughnessys and all those hot redheaded men!



Thursday, June 21, 2012

Day Two of the Hop

Today is day one of our countdown of Romantic Movies. Don't quibble too much over our choices, or at least their placing. Jmo and I argued long and hard over the order. I won. I'm the female, I know. I also led him into a closet with the promise of bacon flavored Oreos. He's now locked in there and I'm wondering when or if he'll figure out it's only Beggin' Strips in the bag. Hell, bacon tastes like bacon, right?

Anyhow, starting the countdown with 100 through 71. The odd numbering is so we can wind up with our top ten at the very end. The top ten is the most important, so we'll work our way there.



100. Music and Lyrics
99. Mulan
98. The King and I
97. Jerry McGuire
96. Hope Floats
95. Hitch
94. He's Just Not That Into You
93. Heaven Knows Mr. Allison
92. Hairspray
91. Grosse Point Blank
90. Four Weddings and a Funeral
89. Empire Strikes Back
88. Doc Hollywood
87. Dirty Dancing
86. Elisabeth Town
85. Cinderella
84. Chances Are
83. Bridges of Madison County
82. Beauty and the Beast
81. Aladdin
80. A Star is Born
79. 27 dresses
78. Top Gun
77. To Wong Foo
76. Tin Cup
75. The Ugly Truth
74. The Phantom of the Opera
73. The Mexican
72. The Gods Must be Crazy
71. The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill and Came Down a Mountain


I'm willing to bet you'll argue the placement of some, or most of our choices. You're free to do that, but this is our list, so this is how it stands. Tomorrow we'll see the next 30 down the list.


Remember to leave a comment, and if you fall off the hop, or want to start at the beginning, go to JustRomance.me and get on board!