Okay, so I always thought I had to go to Greece to see the Parthenon, but apparently not. There’s a shiny replica in…wait for it…Nashville, TN.

Oh, you already knew this, you say? Well, I was apparently the last to know. And it makes no sense to me. According to the Examiner, Nashville is “The Athens of the South.” Having never equated the home of The Grand Ole Oprey with the cradle of western democracy, this gives me pause, but it’s on the internet, so it must be true.

Having grown up in Greece, NY, I feel as if my hometown has failed to live up to its promise. I don’t remember any pillars at Greece Athena High School. I do remember some kind of flashy diner on Mount Read Road with a Greek motif, but it all seems pretty lame next to the PARTHENON. Some might say that my paranormal romance series for Silhouette Nocturne, which weaves ancient Greek myths into modern day love stories might be monumental accomplishment enough for my hometown, but those people are wrong. (And I would like to meet them.)

I hereby challenge my hometown to outdo Nashville–and that huge church that’s shaped like a trireme with a battering ram on the front doesn’t count. A town called Greece needs a Colossus, or at least some awesome bronzed statuary. Maybe a decadent banquet hall, or a classical agora. Something, anything, to take away the shame at having been bested by Nashville Tenessee…

Hi everybody!

I wanted to thank all of those who entered my contest to win a free ARC of WILD, TETHERED, BOUND. I chose the winner today–Kathy Kozakewich. But I don’t want to let the rest of you go empty handed, so I offer a very short free e-novella for you, entitled THE KNIFE’S EDGE. It’s an experimental, otherworld fantasy with romantic elements. A little steamy, politically incorrect, and featuring an anti-hero. I thought you might like it.

In the meantime, WILD, TETHERED, BOUND is getting lots of good reviews, and I hope you’ll pick it up! It’s also available on Amazon.com for the kindle.

Thanks for making my very first contest a success!

~Stephanie

Here are some excerpts from my latest reviews!

CataRomance

A bright future is forecast for talented author Stephanie Draven. Her narrative is poetic, as she is able to express every aspect of her story in an insightful way to let readers know exactly how each character feels and the motives behind any reactions. Nick and Dessa are two very complex characters, he for his troubled mental state and she for her mission in life. The emotional impact of how the lives of these two interconnect is frequently thought-provoking, as the reality of how war can affect a soldier is exceedingly convincing. Ms. Draven also shows how the compassion of someone who cares about these brave individuals can have life-changing consequences.

This couple captures your heart as the reasons for their current behavior is revealed, making this story deeply emotive. The storyline as a whole is innovative while also being repeatedly poignant and even sometimes optimistically encouraging. Nick is a tortured hero for a number of reasons, as he has several inner demons to face because of past distressing traumas. When the mystical character of Dessa interacts with Nick and his all too real problems in today’s world, the scenes are emotionally charged. The love scenes between this couple are blazingly heated, as their connection linking them together is potently passionate. WILD, TETHERED, BOUND is expressively detailed with plausible scenarios and a stirringly magical romance.

Book Wenches

Stephanie Draven gives us an intriguing and emotional tale of pain, guilt, and the healing powers of love. This story mixes the brutal realism of war with creatures of mythos, giving us a reading experience that is both pleasurable and absolutely unique. This is no simple throw-away romance. While this novella is quite short, Ms. Draven packs a lot into its pages, and I found myself dwelling on it well after I had read the final page.

Ms. Draven gives us strong and complicated characters in Dessa and Nick. Neither is what you would typically expect to find residing within the pages of a romance novel. Not only is Dessa a magical being surrounded with the mystique of an immortal, but she is strong and determined and hell-bent on obtaining that which she desires the most. She is also vulnerable enough to catch our sympathy, especially when she sees how her actions affect Nick.

Nick is fascinating. He is a chimera, equal parts dragon, lion, and goat, but he is human as well and a very damaged and fragmented soul. This presents something of a puzzle to the reader. Is he really a chimera of myth? Is the split within him physical or simply psychological? I found myself repeatedly posing this question to myself as I read this story. Ms. Draven does an excellent job presenting Nick as three separate beings who are in actuality one person, and when this spills over into the story’s love scene, the results are surprisingly sensual.

In all, I found Wild, Tethered, Bound to be readable, entertaining, and quite thought-provoking. The blend of fantasy and reality that this story offers us is exceptional, and the conflict and characters ensnared me. Ms. Draven is a writer to watch, I believe, and I am extremely interested to see what she comes out with next.

Eye on Romance

There are many feelings the reader will have as they read this story. There is despair as Nick surveys the death and destruction around him as he fights an enemy. The loss of self as he realizes he has three parts that make him whole, and the lack of control he has of these three parts of his personality. Nick’s self destructive tendencies as he tries to deal with it all. The glimmer of hope he feels with Dessa. In turn Dessa, leaves and places herself in a place where she feels the most at peace and awaits her mate.

This is story is a Nocturne Bite and gives the reader a wonderful glimpse of two characters who are lost and alone and manage to find each other and themselves. Their connection is one that will remain forever and that hope, love and caring amidst destruction can exist for those who are willing to be open to all around them.

Night Time Romance Reviews

Wild, Tethered, Bound has plenty of action and some sarcastic scenes between the main characters. Dessa isn’t a human and doesn’t think like one. She has her own way doing things, which just plain annoys Nick and causes readers to laugh out loud.

Mad Ramblings

As with Draven’s first Bites, MIDNIGHT MEDUSA, this is an intelligent and well-written story. It is refreshing to read Bites that stray from the norm of weres or vamps, and this one links current affairs that people are (or should be!) aware about with a challenging love story. I just love Draven’s application of mythical creatures to things that are happenign in our time.

The conflicts and emotions were real and believable, the premise was clever and well-thought out. I enjoyed the characters, particularly the hero, Nick, although the heroine (Dessa) was also very appealing, earthy and deep.

Today I finished my manuscript and sent it off to my editor. You know what that means? I think you do. It’s time for me to celebrate, and there is no better way than to scream wildly with bad karaoke. You want to hear me. You know you do.

Click the link and hear me celebrate. I dare you! You will be so hot for me. Especially with the extra grunting at the end.