REVIEW: Twilight over Moldavia (+$20 Amazon GC Giveaway!)

Title: Twilight Over Moldavia

Author: Stephanie Burkhart

Series: Moldavian Moon #2

Pages: 207

Date Published: January 1st 2012

Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing

Format: Kindle

Goodreads

Source: Goddess Fish Blog Tours
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Synopsis:
Romanian unification is on the horizon. Prince Stefan Sigmaringen travels to Ploiesti, Carpathia. He's to be promised in marriage to the Crown Princes Caroline, a spirited young lady who prefers riding horses and archery to embroidery and dancing.

Despite Stefan's initial apprehension, he discovers that his intended is a pleasant surprise with a caring heart. He also learns a strange man named Timon has an unnatural interest in him.

Two years later, Stefan and Caroline are officially engaged. To Stefan's horror he overhears his mother confessing to a dangerous secret – she cursed him in order to conceive him and Stefan owes his body to Timon. There is a condition to overcome the curse, but Stefan will have to draw on all his courage and inner strength to confront the werewolf who desires to posses his soul. Stefan feels it isn't fair to fall in love with Caroline with a foul enchantment hanging over his head. Dare Caroline break the blood bonds of the curse with her love?

~My Thoughts~

An arranged marriage is at the heart of this sophomore edition of the Moldavian Moon series. Prince Stefan travels to Carpathia with the full intentions of locating his betrothed, Princess Caroline. Unfortunately their meeting is cut short by the arrow that Caroline accidentally shoots at him,  but that's beside the point. As witches, they both have immense powers, though Caroline's are only newly discovered. Shortly after their meeting, it is revealed to both of them the dark history of Stefan's mother's secret and repercussions of dealing with werewolves. 

Following up from Stephanie's previous work...Stefan and Caroline are pretty fabulous. Caroline is the perfect combination of sass, accidents, and wit, while Stefan is broody and a total alpha male, but you can really get a chance to see what makes him tick. Additionally we get more info about Michael, Rosa, and Alina than ever before. Yay backstory! 

Heat-wise, I thought that Twilight over Moldavia was even better than it's predecessor. Maybe because I already know these characters somewhat and I already know the world..so I'm more easily able to fall into their story and meet them at their romance. I love the blend of history with fantasy. Very few authors make the attempt to do both genres justice when they blend fact with fiction, but this series is full of historical clarity and supernatural color, making for a great and fun read with lots of depth and "cool factor". 

Hopefully the next book will continue on making these characters some of my favorites to keep visiting! 

~Try an Excerpt!~

Caroline spun in the direction of the noise, effortlessly drawing an arrow and hitching it to her bow. A horse neighed, and bushes about fifty meters ahead of her rustled.

Someone was there, watching. But who? A blast of adrenaline rocketed through her. She wasn't about to let her guard down. It wasn't wise of her to be looking for Edwina's scarf with the Sigmaringens due to arrive today, but she believed in following her heart. She prayed on this occasion she hadn't been reckless. Spying a hint of color among the leaves, she let the arrow fly, determined to protect her ladies.

"Ow!" A man's deep voice shouted.

Caroline grimaced. She hoped she hadn't hurt anyone. Her arrow had merely been intended to scare away whoever was watching, not to harm them. Racing forward, she parted the bushes and came upon two young men around her age, both in riding clothes.

Caroline's gaze fell upon the young man on the horse. Their eyes locked. Her cheeks warmed, and some indefinable spark passed between them that heated her body. Oh, she had noticed several handsome guards under her father's command, but this man was different. His malachite eyes spoke of duty, the same sense of duty she harbored, yet hinted at a desire for mischief. His cheekbones were sharp, giving him an almost lupine appearance. He had an air of authority about him, a commanding presence that demanded respect.

His square jaw tensed visibly, and her gaze drifted down his leg. Her arrow had ripped his riding pants and blood trickled from a small flesh wound.

Concern flooded through her. She dropped her bow, pulled her scarf from around her neck, and rushed forward.

"I'm so sorry." The words gushed out as clumsily as she moved. "I didn't mean to harm you."

His mouth spread into a thin-lipped smile. Was he displeased? She couldn't blame him. Still, he said nothing. Caroline placed a hand on his thigh, and a rip current of energy shot up her arm. The space around him glowed brightly, and deep, unspoken desire flamed inside her.

Mine.

She shook off the sudden, possessive thought and wrapped the scarf around his leg. The blood stained it, but she applied pressure with her hand and the bleeding stopped. Her heart beat a wild tattoo. His leg was well muscled, exuding power. When she looked back up at him, she couldn't deny that he was a handsome man with a beautifully proportioned body that heated her body with desire from their shared touch. She felt alive in a way she couldn't explain. But what man could ever desire the outdoorsy Crown Princess of Carpathia?

"What's your name?" he asked in a rich, deep voice.

~Meet Stephanie!~ 

Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD.  She was born and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire.  She served 11 years in the US Army and currently calls Castaic, California her home. Stephanie was married in Denmark in 1991 and has two young sons. She adores chocolate and is addicted to coffee.  She writes paranormal, contemporary, and steampunk romance and has two children's books published with 4RV Publishing. 
Stephanie will be awarding a $20.00 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, and a $10.00 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn host. Additionally, Goddess Fish Productions will be awarding a $5 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn host.

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