The Secret Door by Stephanie Burkhart

REVIEW

The Secret Door - Budapest Moon Book 4

The Budapest Moon series shows us werewolves have feelings too. There are good and bad in their species as there are in humans. Humans do not understand how a werewolf's nature and honour work and because of this the wolves must hide their true nature from fellow humans.

The Secret Door is a gripping story from beginning to end. It starts with a chase, a fight and a problem to be solved. This led me through the book as each chapter solved some problems but  brought more issues to the forefront of the story. A wolf is slain when he tries to recover his witch from an enemy. This starts a feud between the clan of the killed wolf and the one who has the witch. The fact the witch wishes to stay with her abductor means nothing to the warring clan, they believe they have the right and will not stop until the witch is returned.

Ms Burkhart shows us how even a rogue wolf can turn from bad to good if he is guided along the right path. A human can fall in love with a werewolf if the wolf can prove he is not evil. I came to a greater understanding of werewolves as I read this novel. I always assumed no matter the nature of their human side, their wolf side was evil. The author showed me this is not always so and love can bloom in the weirdest places. The characters of this book had their own lives, problems and careers before they all came together which provided them with a rich depth making the story even more alluring. Well done Ms Burkhart, The Secret Door is a tribute to your talent as a writer.

BLURB:

It's 1927 and Lord Zoltan Kristos, Hungary's Minister of the Interior, takes great pains to hide the fact he's a werewolf from the world. Despite his efforts, he's recognized when he goes to the Austrian-Hungarian border to inspect the area for damage from a recent rare earthquake.

Zoltan is accused of stealing Kurt Meklau's witch, Inna, and is recklessly pursed to Volturn Manor, a residence belonging to another werewolf family, the Vargas. After a fight with Meklau, Zoltan barely escapes and his adversary is found dead.

Sophia Varga and Tomas Martin find Zoltan. Sophia is determine to attend to Zoltan's injuries and protect her home, but when Kurt's father, Marcus, comes seeking revenege, Sophia is tested like never before. As Zoltan and Sophia work together, attraction and desire flame between them.

Will the secrets Volturn Manor harbors offer Zoltan and Sophia the clues they need to defeat Marcus and give them the opportunity to explore their feelings for one another?

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EXCERPT

"Can you hang garlic plants among the peppers? Even as men the garlic should keep Marcus and his brothers away." Zoltan stood at the entrance to the garden, his soulful grey-blue eyes unable to hide his disgust at the damage before him.

"We have some garlic, but not enough for the entire crop," replied Tomas.

"If Marcus sends his gypsies who aren't wolves, the garlic won't stop them." Sophia studied Zoltan. He now exuded a feral masculinity in his firm expression and an air of command in his voice. He appeared well rested and it was early in the day -- 12:30 p.m. Usually, her parents didn't get up until 2 p.m. after a transformation.

"We'll need the patrols, too." Zoltan paused, glancing at Tomas.

Tomas nodded. "I believe there's a farmer's market in Sopron's main square today. I'll send a crew out to buy as much as they can, but I don't think it will be enough."

"Send some workers to Györ to buy from their markets as well," suggested Sophia.

"Good idea." Tomas clasped his hands before him, and Sophia spied a spark of hope on his face.

"I suggest you focus on that task, Tomas. It needs to be completed by nightfall. I'm going to confront Marcus."

Sophia furrowed her brow. "Now?"

"Yes, now. Do you have an auto?"

"I do, but--"

"Then I hope you don't mind if I borrow it."

Sophia pursed her lips, disapproving of his request. "Have you thought this out?"

"Marcus is a beast. I will not cower to him, and I want him to know it."

"Then I'll come with you."

"No." His voice was firm.

"If you want to use my auto, I'm going with you."

"This isn't your problem."

"You made it mine when you brought Inna here," she retorted.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

I'm a member of Generation X, and was born in Manchester, New Hampshire. After graduating from Central High, the U.S. Army gave me a job. I  spent 11 years in the military, 7 stationed in Germany. While in the military I earned my B.S. in Political Science from California Baptist University in Riverside, CA in 1995. After leaving the Army in 1997, I settled in California. The New England Patriots are still My favorite football team. I've been married for 20 years.

 Currently, I work for LAPD as a 911 Dispatcher. I'm a member of  EPIC (Electronically Published Internet Connection). I'm published with Desert BreezePublishing and 4RV Publishing.

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