Shadows and Light, Stephanie Burkhart (Borealis II Anthology)

I get to welcome Stephanie Burkhart back today. Stephanie visited my blog back in May for the release of her paranormal novel, The Hungarian. Then she visited in July to talk about her WWII Historical. She's recently had a children's book published, and now she has a new story in the space anthology, Borealis II. Steph, you are a woman of many talents! Welcome to my blog.

I'd like to thank Shawna for having me here today so I can talk about the Borealis II Anthology and my story, "Shadows and Light." This story is a science fiction romance. It is "sensual" nature with a heated kiss and some tender caresses, but does not go beyond that. The Anthology itself is rated "warm" by Desert Breeze Publishing.

Gail Delaney, the editor-in-chief, told me about the anthology in FEB 2010 and I expressed interest in it. I love science fiction. Who doesn't love Star Wars and Star Trek? I'd never done a science fiction romance. A couple weeks later she asked me if I wanted to write "Shadows and Light." I jumped at the chance.

Finding the Shadows

What I liked about the story's background which was given to me, was there was built in dichotomy. Elijah and Persephone were tripping on each other's feet to find info on the Uudon trade. So I said, why not play into that.

Persephone was the goddess of the underworld in Greek mythology and the perfect choice for my heroine's in the story. Persephone's "underworld" in the story is Korn, a high priced bar that sells the best booze. Persephone is from the Hadon Province on Pith. Hadon is taken from Hades. Persephone also has a little "Savvik" in her. (from Star Trek) She's telekinetic with limited telepathic qualities. I cast Frieda Pinto as Persephone. Her darker, exotic looks capture the essence of the character's qualities. Despite Persephone's appearance, the light in her soul shines through a warm heart. She's loyal to the rebellion, and her attraction to Elijah just might be her undoing.

Finding the Light

In the story's background, I was given the name Elijah Kess for my hero. My first thought was that Elijah is a strong biblical name. Elijah has soft blond curls - almost angelic. Elijah believes in the greater power. His contact is a man named Daniel inspired by the Biblical Daniel. Yet Elijah has to temper the light in his warm heart as he goes undercover as a TPP Enforcer. He must be more "shadowed" to fit in.

Playing on shadows and light, good vs evil, and on opposites attracting against a science fiction background was a nice challenge for me - letting me branch out in a romantic subgenre I hadn't tried before.

Here's an excerpt:

A man slithered forward with beady little eyes and yellow teeth. Elijah stood a discreet distance from Persephone, resting his back against a pillar. He pulled an audio plug out of his utility belt so he could listen to the conversation. Of course, all the other conversations around him would be loud, too. He'd have to concentrate to hear Persephone.

"Well, if it isn't the high and mighty Persephone Talon. What are you doing here? Slumming?"

"I want something, Pauly."

"Pauly's not cheap," said the man next to Pauly. Elijah squinted. A bodyguard, perhaps.

"You can't afford me, Talon."

"You'd be surprised."

"I heard you were losing money at Korn," said Pauly.

Persephone snickered. "Hardly. I want to hire one of your wenches."

"Not for sale."

"I'd pay you, of course."

"How much?"

"A thousand credits a week."

Pauly's bodyguard whistled.

"Fifteen hundred credits."

Greedy bastard, thought Elijah.

"Don't be a fool, Pauly. A thousand credits is more than reasonable to allow one of your wenches to moonlight at Korn."

"A day."

"A week will be three days for three hours a night," said Persephone.

"Who do you want?"

"Libby."

"She's my best wench."

"That's why I want her. She's the best."

"I don't want her dancing. She can do whatever you want her to, but she only dances here."

"Fine."

"I want three weeks up front. Now."

"What? I didn't bring the credits with me."

"Look here, you fancy bitch, you want something from me, you pay now."

Elijah slid up beside Persephone, exchanged a quick glance at her, and sneered at Pauly. "I don't like your language."

Pauly pointed at his bodyguard. "Jasper--"

Jasper got up and lunged at Elijah. Seeing the sloppy attack coming, Elijah landed a quick punch to Jasper's jaw. The bodyguard crumpled to the ground. A quick look at Persephone showed that she appeared cool, calm. Unfazed.

"Well done," she said.

Elijah nodded his head and then turned his attention to Pauly. "You'll get the money tomorrow. Three weeks up front. Is that what you agreed upon?"

"R-right," Pauly stuttered.

Elijah looked at Persephone. "Finished?"

"Yes."

Elijah placed his hand on Persephone's elbow. Out of the corner of his eye, he spied the bar wench Persephone had talked to earlier. Her expression was even, but her eyes hinted at a sense of... pride? Admiration? He wasn't sure. They walked away from Pauly's table. When they were out of Pauly's eyesight, Persephone shrugged her elbow away from Elijah but stayed at his side as they exited the establishment. Her pace increased.

"We need to talk," he said.

"No, we don't."

Here's a link to the Shadows & Light Story Teaser on You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV2moYlgwCA

Goodie Time: Leave a response and I'll be back tomorrow, 6 NOV to pick two people to receive an autographed postcard of the Borealis II cover.

Answer this question: What is your favorite Science Fiction TV series and movie and tell me why. I'll pick a winner to receive a coffee mug with a picture of the Borealis II Anthology cover on it.

The Borealis II Anthology is available for Kindle, Nook, Sony Ebook Reader, All Romance Books and at Desert Breeze Publishing.

Here's a link to the Borealis II Anthology on the Desert Breeze Site: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-121/Borealis-Space-Anthology-Stephanie/Detail.bok

You can find me on the web at:

Website:

http://sgcardin.tripod.com/

Blog:

http://sgcardin.blogspot.com/

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Burkhart-Author/149938795021166?ref=ts


Romance Under the Moonlight

MATCHMAKING A-MUSE-MENT
BE MUSED, APRIL 2010
THE HUNGARIAN - MAY 2010 Desert Breeze Publishing


Visit me at:
http://sgcardin.blogspot.com/
http://sgcardin.tripod.com/

Steph, thanks so much for visiting. Best wishes with Borealis II. I'm a scifi lover, so I have it on my Kindle. :)