Trick or...Samhain? By Stephanie Burkhart

Happy Halloween to all! What a treat to be here at TRS for Halloween. I'm Stephanie Burkhart and I'm addicted to coffee, chocolate, and writing paranormal romance with werewolves.

Writers in the romance genre have taken the paranormal creatures that Halloween has inspired and used them to expand the genre of paranormal romance. I'd like to think Anne Rice's "Interview with the Vampire," really made the genre exciting and helped to invigorate it. Also, Bram Stoker's, "Dracula," and the various film interpretations made in the 20th Century have also painted creatures of the night in a more romantic light.

So what is the attraction of paranormal romance? Is it a fatal attraction between the main characters? Is it the age old theme that a "good" girl can make a "bad" boy change? Where do these creatures come from?

Over 2000 years ago, the Celts were in firm control of Ireland. The start of their New Year usually fell on 1 NOV because that was the time their harvest ended and winter started. The Celts believed that on the night before their New Year, the boundary between the dead and living worlds grew very weak and creatures of the night returned to Earth wreaking havoc. They called his night Samhain. To scare away the dead, the Celts lit bonfires and wore costumes. Vampires, werewolves, zombies, ghosts, and witches became known as creatures of the dead and every culture has their own unique stories.



Fast forward to the late 1700's when author Ann Radcliffe wrote six gothic novels. Her novels had dark castles, a brooding hero, and a heroine in distress. There were secret passages, trap doors and mysterious rooms in her stories. Supernatural events are implied, but a natural reason is given. Omens and prophecies heightened the mystery and suspense.

Paranormal goes one step beyond the gothic, involving the creatures of the night and offer supernatural reasons for events. It's the allure of the unknown, the thrill of the fantastic that hooks us into the paranormal. A vampire's bite takes the kiss one step further, invading the body in a sensual, intimate way. Eyes are the windows of the soul, revealing a werewolf's true heart.

My latest release is "Danube In Candlelight," Book 3 in the Budapest Moon series. How would you feel if you discovered your father was a werewolf? Would you embrace the feral nature of the wolf or deny your father's legacy?

BLURB FOR DANUBE IN CANDLELIGHT:

Morgan Duma has always known she's different. Her eyes have unusual gold rings around her irises, a trait she's inherited from her father. She's faster and stronger than most. Her endurance and stamina allow her to complete tasks in a quick and efficient fashion. Since she was a little girl, she knew there was only one man for her – Adam Varga.


Morgan learned to dance in Adam's arms. They grew up playing the piano together. Adam's calm, soothing presence was the perfect complement to her restless soul. Not only that, he shared her differences down to his feral eyes.

Enter Zoltan Kristos, Hungary's Minister of Reconstruction. He shares those same golden eyes that Morgan possesses. After Zoltan carries her mother's injured body out of a blazing fire, Morgan's life takes a turn she doesn't expect. Morgan discovers the reasons for her differences, and questions her very identity. Is Adam strong enough to be the man she needs him to be?

BOOK TRAILER ON YOU TUBE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgzUIHCRN0I

ENJOY THIS EXCERPT:

"Turn around." Adam's voice brooked no debate. She liked a man who commanded authority. Morgan turned, and he massaged both her shoulders. Heat from his hands trailed down her back. Her core warmed. Her body relaxed, reacting instinctively and with a desire she couldn't hide.

"Did I hit a nerve?" he asked.



"A nerve? In my neck?" She took a step backward to be closer to him.

"No. About your father. Is your real fear about what will happen to your mother once he turns her?" Adam kept his voice low and leaned close to her ear.

She closed her eyes briefly and faced her anxiety. "Yes."

"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..."

PUBLISHER BUY LINK: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-219/Budapest-Moon-Book-III/Detail.bok

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment on what attracts you to paranormal romance and I'll pick one lucky winner to receive a PDF ARC of "Danube in Candlelight," a panera gift card, a stuffed clothed decorative autumn pumpkin and chocolate. Happy Halloween!


FIND ME:
WEBSITE:
http://www.stephanieburkhart.com

TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart

FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Burkhart-Author/149938795021166

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