Lynette: How long have you been writing? What is your first writing/composing memory?
Steph: Believe it or not, I've been writing since I was 6. I remember I loved watching the Spiderman skits during a show called "The Electric Company." (shsh, I'm dating myself) After the show, I'd go to the kitchen table with my pencil, paper, and crayons and draw up a Spiderman comic based on the skit.
Lynette: Where do you find inspiration for your stories?
Steph: Not from dreams, surprisingly. I don't get much sleep, between 4-6 hours so I sleep very hard. Most of my inspiration comes from researching my topics.
Lynette: Who had the most positive influence on your life and why?
Steph: I did not have an idealistic childhood. I had people around me who inspired hope, but it wasn't until I met my husband did I find a positive influence that really grounded me. He's patient and kind and he helped me to grow on many levels.
Lynette: What is your favorite movie and why?Steph: The Sound of Music. I love the music, Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, plus I'm a sucker for a historical setting.
Lynette: If you had a time machine and could take one trip to any time in history, where would we find you?
Steph: Across the Fickle Winds of History alongside Paul and Ian as they meet Czar Nicholas II's daughters, Olga, Tatiana, Marie, and Anastasia.
Lynette: Tell us "Across The Fickle Winds of History".
Steph: It's published under my pen name, SG Cardin through Lulu.com It's a 40K novella and is a "sensual/warm" time traveling romance.
It is set in 1913, which brought the tercentenary of the Romanov dynasty to Russia and the last glory days to Nicholas II and his family – but even as the Romanovs celebrated, the underpinnings of discontent and dissension began to make their way through Russian society.It is in this world that Olga Nicolaievna Romanov finds herself coming of age. A young woman of seventeen, Olga and her sisters meet three strangers on the grounds of the Catherine Palace. Immediately, she's drawn to a handsome young man, Paul Kerensky. The girls take the strangers into their home – and their hearts.
Lynnette: That is a heart-pounding summary. Let's leave our readers with some reviews of "Across the Fickle Winds of History".
REVIEWS:
"A creative and surprising theory that solved the murders of the Romanovs." – Aimee Merizon, ForeWord Magazine
4 Stars, Lulu Book Review
"Cardin breathes a certain life into her characters and setting that make this short novella quite intense. " – Shannon Yarbourgh
ENJOY THIS EXCERPT:
I took his hand and led him to the nearest balcony, wanting to be away from prying eyes. With the glass door shut behind us, I pulled him to the darkest corner of the balcony had to offer and put my hands on his waist, looking up into his eyes. My heart pounded in my chest as my breathing became deep and ragged."What spell have you woven over me, handsome stranger? You have been on my mind since the moment I saw you? And what will happen when this evening ends? Will you go home the way you came?"
"I…I can't go home. Not yet," he choked. His entire body shook, as if he was holding himself in rigid check.
"Will you stay at the palace?"
"I have no reason to."
"Are you looking for one?"
BUY LINKS:
LULU: http://www.lulu.com/browse/search.php?fListingClass=0&fSearch=across+the+fickle+winds+of+historyFIND STEPH ON THE WEB AT:
WEBSITE: http://www.stephanieburkhart.comTWITTER: http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart
FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Burkhart-Author/149938795021166GOOD READS:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart
Lyn, thanks so much for having me here.
ReplyDeleteSmiles
Steph
Hi Stephanie, I loved what you said about your husband - that he helped to ground your life. What a blessing to have a great marriage. Your book sounds so interesting. June F.
ReplyDeleteHi Stephanie, Your story sounds wonderful. I have always loved that part of history. They certainly have a lot of intrigue to draw from.
ReplyDeleteIt is great to have support from our husbands. I know mine really is my biggest support and I love it.
Good luck with lots of sales.
Sounds like another wonderful story. I love this era as well and the whole mystique of the Romanovs. - Jillian
ReplyDeleteJune, my husband is the bestest though he's gone a bit saltier and crustier with age, I wouldn't turn him for younger model.
ReplyDeletePaisley, I agree - there's a lot of intrigue with the Romanovs.
Lynn, I agree - the Romanov stuff is a perfect storm for diaster. My heart went out to them when I first discovered them at 17. It really effected. I use to give blood all the time, moved by Alexi's story of hemophilia, but then I was in Germany in 1996 when England had a mad cow outbreak and now I can't give blood at all. It's disheartening to me, but it's good to know that there are ways people with hemophilia can deal with the ailment and live healthly lives now.
Smiles
Steph