stephaniedraven.com » Greek Mythology

How Stephanie Draven Spins Greek Mythology

Stephanie Draven — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:19:05 +0000

Ok, I couldn’t be more tickled about this feature story in Romantic Times Magazine’s online blog today. The article goes through each of the stories in my Mythica series and compares them to the actual mythology and then demonstrates how I twisted each story to make it a romance. Here’s just an example: Book Four: “Siren Song” Greek [...]

Holiday Baklava Recipe

Stephanie Draven — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:09:22 +0000

Baklava is a flaky mediterranean desert comprised of butter, walnuts, phyllo dough, sugar, honey…and did I mention the butter? My mother makes a version that is so rich my mouth starts watering just thinking about it and since we’re heading into the holidays, I thought I’d share my thoughts on this desert with my readers. Another [...]

Minotaurs Don’t Fall In Love…Usually

Stephanie Draven — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:00:37 +0000

When you think of the minotaur of ancient Greek mythology, romance probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. You’re probably imagining the man-eating monster, abandoned by his parents and locked away in a lonely labyrinth to hunt down his prey…hey wait, that does kind of sound like the alpha hero of a modern-day [...]

Revenge is a dish best served hot…

Stephanie Draven — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 20:21:13 +0000

So, it’s that time again. Back cover copy writing time. This is the little enticing summary at the back of a book that is supposed to tell the reader what the book is about while drawing in their attention with all manner of unanswered questions. So, for my latest novella, THE FEVER & THE FURY [...]

Which Season is the Season for Romance?

Stephanie Draven — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 13:51:53 +0000

Day 11. We’re almost there! Release Day is tomorrow. I’m giving away a free electronic ARC of my latest novella, SIREN SONG or one of my backlist titles to one reader every day for twelve days. All you have to do is answer the question of the day. (Extra points if you tweet or blog or [...]

Damsel in Distress or Woman to the Rescue?

Stephanie Draven — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 13:41:19 +0000

Day 10 of my 12 Day Extravaganza! I’m giving away a free electronic ARC of my latest novella, SIREN SONG or one of my backlist titles to one reader every day for twelve days. All you have to do is answer the question of the day. (Extra points if you tweet or blog or facebook about [...]

Older Heroes: Is there Room in Romance for the Silver Fox?

Stephanie Draven — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 13:27:30 +0000

Day 9! I’m giving away a free electronic ARC of my latest novella, SIREN SONG or one of my backlist titles to one reader every day for twelve days. All you have to do is answer the question of the day. (Extra points if you tweet or blog or facebook about the giveaway.) Question: Because my series [...]

Fish Tail, Fangs, Fur or Other Romantic Disasters?

Stephanie Draven — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 18:19:52 +0000

Day 8 of my 12 Day giveaway extravaganza continues. I’m giving away a free electronic ARC of my latest novella, SIREN SONG or one of my backlist titles to one reader every day for twelve days. All you have to do is answer the question of the day. (Extra points if you tweet or blog or [...]

Your First Music Concert Was …

Stephanie Draven — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 14:13:06 +0000

Today is Day 7 of my 12 Days of Christmas giveaway and we’re still going! I’m giving away a free electronic ARC of my latest novella, SIREN SONG or one of my backlist titles to one reader every day for twelve days. All you have to do is answer the question of the day. (Extra points [...]

Most inspiring movie love scene?

Stephanie Draven — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 18:01:47 +0000

Today is Day 6 of my 12 Days of Christmas giveaway and we’re still going! I’m giving away a free electronic ARC of my latest novella, SIREN SONG or one of my backlist titles to one reader every day for twelve days. All you have to do is answer the question of the day. (Extra points [...]

Merry Christmas! Your Favorite Eats…

Stephanie Draven — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 13:57:34 +0000

Today is Day 5 of my 12 Days of Christmas giveaway. (Yes, I’m running late, but are you really going to refuse free gifts after Christmas?) I’m giving away a free electronic ARC of my latest novella, SIREN SONG or one of my backlist titles to one reader every day for twelve days. All you have [...]

Day 4 of my 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway: Can People Change?

Stephanie Draven — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 17:51:21 +0000

I’m giving away a free electronic ARC of my latest novella, SIREN SONG or one of my backlist titles to one reader every day for twelve days. All you have to do is answer the question of the day. (Extra points if you tweet or blog or facebook about the giveaway.) Question: Because of a mistake [...]

Day 3 of my 12 Days of Christmas: Does Setting Influence Your Reading Habits?

Stephanie Draven — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 17:48:06 +0000

Day 2 of my 12 Days of Christmas Extravaganza

Stephanie Draven — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:42:07 +0000

Excerpt from Siren Song, the Latest Mythica Novella

Stephanie Draven — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 19:53:58 +0000

When the sexy lead singer of an Annapolis indie band is accused of luring midshipmen to their deaths, she learns she’s not the only one with a killer voice… In January, I have a new novella coming out with HQN Nocturne. You can read more about Siren Song here, download a free pdf for your [...]

This is a Book that Made Me Think

Stephanie Draven — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 20:14:32 +0000

A day will come when my books will be panned. I am ready for it. But this is not that day. Today a very thoughtful review of POISONED KISSES was published at Long & Short Reviews. It delighted me. My favorite part: Poisoned Kisses isn’t a light and fluffy read. It’s hard edged, gritty, and serious. It [...]

The Mythology of Heartbreak

Stephanie Draven — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 16:07:02 +0000

Cross-posted from Bitten by Books The ancients thought the heart was the source of all human emotion and passion. This is probably because of the way our heart thumps when we fall in love, and the way our heart seems to seize inside our chests when we’re frightened or grieving. The heart is a wonderfully resilient [...]

Five Little Known Facts About the Daughter of Ares

Stephanie Draven — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 17:02:34 +0000

Cross-posted from Cherry Mischievous Blog Ares, God of War, was known to the Greeks as “the bane of mankind, all crusted in blood.” But he was apparently also quite the family man. Ares had numerous progeny and wasn’t a neglectful father. He liked to ride into battle with his kids. I guess he thought, the family [...]

Love, Monsters & Mythology

Stephanie Draven — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 18:49:21 +0000

Of all the things I thought I’d have to learn in becoming a professional writer…learning to design flyers wasn’t one of them. I’m going to be celebrating my launch party at Constellation Bookstore here in Maryland and I have created this flyer for the event. You’re welcome to come! I will give away chocolate [...]

Poisoned Kisses First Chapter

Stephanie Draven — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:00:11 +0000

Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate just an writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.

Chapter One Kyra was dressed to kill. Literally. Just beneath her short red skirt and only inches above her high-heeled boots, a small but deadly hunting knife was strapped to her thigh. A gun might have been more useful, but Kyra preferred the weapons of an older, less complicated time. A knock came at the nightclub’s bathroom door—probably another gaggle of drunken Italian socialites—but Kyra wouldn’t be rushed. She stared at her reflection in the mirror to steel her courage. She might not be able to do much to thwart Daddy and his bloodthirsty minions, but she could do this one heroic thing for humanity. This was her destiny. She’d been born for this. But the mirror reflected a distorted image. It was cracked, as if the thumping club music burst through the wall from the other side. Still, she could see that her plunging pearlescent halter top complemented neither her black tresses nor her ghostly pallor. No matter. Kyra never let mortals see her true form, anyway. Tonight, her prey would see her as she wished him to see her: with blue eyes and cropped platinum hair; after all, she’d studied Marco Kaisaris long enough to know his type. And she was ready. Hydras like Marco were dangerous, but surely not to someone like her. She just had to kill him. Like Theseus and Perseus of old, she had a monster to slay. With that thought, Kyra gave the bathroom door a shove and it swung open like a gate to the underworld. She stepped into the nightclub’s press of bodies and people made way for her, as if they sensed her power. As the dance beat drummed at her pulse points, she brushed against the crowd, and it excited her because she had a nymph’s nature; she found the vitality of humans to be infectious and distracting. This was, of course, one of the many dangers of getting too close to mortals...