Showing posts with label Erika Szabo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Erika Szabo. Show all posts

Friday, October 18, 2013

Can't wait for Book 3 of The Iiona the Hun trilogy!


Release Date: December 12, 2013
Digital ISBN 13:978-1-939217-87-5  ISBN 10: 1-939217-87-3
Print ISBN 13:978-1-939217-88-2  ISBN 10: 1-939217-88-1

A woman who embraces her birthright, uncovers secrets and alters her destiny


Destiny Altered, book three of Ilona the Hun trilogy.
In book one and two of Ilona the Hun trilogy, Ilona is an emergency room doctor, born into an ancient Hun tribe which still exists hidden amongst us with its strict and fiercely enforced rules. She discovers growing magical abilities within her that are beyond her wildest dreams. She can use her given gifts for absolute good or absolute evil. She made her choice.
The readers said,
“Brilliantly sets the stage for a fantasy saga about complex characters, relationships, love, secret society and ancient traditions.”
“I found Ilona to be tough, smart, and entertaining. Szabo manages to create the complete woman”

In the third book of the trilogy, Ilona unveils the hidden secrets and finds out who is trying to alter her destiny in order to gain full power. With the help of her adopted family, her true love and her ancestors, Ilona grows into a woman she was meant to be. The future of the Huns and the happiness of her family depend on her decisions, but the weight of this tremendous responsibility makes her stronger instead of breaking her as her enemy hoped. Could she change her destiny? Will she succeed in saving the future? Will she find the happiness she’s been longing for? 

Thursday, November 29, 2012

NEW RELEASE

NEW RELEASE TODAY! CHECK IT OUT! DO YOU HAVE BOOK 1 BIRTHRIGHT BESTOWED? GREAT FOR CHRISTMAS!
 
 

 
 
Available from 5 Prince Publishing www.5princebooks.com  books@5princebooks.com
Genre: Fiction, Romance, Time Travel


Release Date: November 29, 2012

Digital ISBN 13:978-1-939217-16-5 ISBN 10:19392171761

Print ISBN 13:978-1-939217-17-2 ISBN 10:193917172


 

Secrets Revealed

Ilona’s story is provocative, rich in characters and detail that bring a lost world to life, a journey to treasure and remember. In book one Ilona is a lonely doctor discovering her rich tribal heritage and birthright to become a Healer. The barrier created by her insecurity kept others out, but also kept her caged in. She has to break the barriers to discover her true identity. She discovers growing magical abilities within her in the strange world of the Huns, which are beyond her wildest dreams. She can use her given gifts for absolute good or absolute evil; the choice is up to her. Ilona’s birthright as a Healer runs alongside her desires as a woman. She’s secretly and hopelessly in love with her best friend, he seems oblivious to her feelings. Fate brings Zoltan into her life. Will he break her heart, or will he bring true happiness? Ilona is hoping for a red tulip, the symbol of devoted love. Who will offer it to her? She discovers some secrets the Hun society is concealing, a society that is secretive and complex, with strict and fiercely enforced ancient rules; revealed to only those who come of age. Ilona is a rebel, who is determined to control and guide her own life. Resourceful and daring, she crosses the line and breaks those rules. She must face the consequences and has to fight for her men; both of them disappear from the face of the earth. She acquires magical abilities beyond her dreams to find and save them. Ilona has been evacuated from her easy and steady life. She is happy, but she still has many doubts. She hates that she has to hide in the past from a faceless enemy, however enjoys meeting her ancestors.

 
Author Bio:
Erika M Szabo is a Hungarian born American; she lives in the beautiful Catskill Mountains. She has a PhD in Alternative Medicine; she published a few books in this subject. Erika loves the art of healing; however, writing about dry medical facts doesn’t satisfy her thirst for storytelling. The ancient history of the Huns always fascinated her, it is full of holes, mysteries and speculations; there are only a few written facts about them besides their legends. Erika used her fertile imagination to fill the historical voids in the story of Ilona. She raises questions such as - What if healing by touch could be possible? - What if we could find a soul mate no matter the obstacles? - What if we could visit our ancestors on a whim? - What if our destiny is not written in stone and we can create our future?

 

 
HOW TO CONTACT ERIKA:
http://www.erikamszabo.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/Erika.M.Szabo.ND.Author
http://twitter.com/ErikaMSzabo
 

EXCERPT: Thanks to these freaking well-guarded Hun secrets, my life became very complicated almost overnight. Today, in the secret society of the descendants of the ancient tribes everything is structured and everyone is on the need to know bases. They move people around like puppets and create their destiny. I don’t know much about their plans with me and my life yet; I just found out that I’m a Healer by birthright. I accepted and welcomed this discovery, because being a traditional doctor doesn’t give me the opportunity to restructure people down to the cellular level, to heal their diseases, being a kind of magical healer does. To make my life even more complicated, I met Zoltan. All my life I nursed my quiet love for Bela, my best friend. He never gave me any sign of feeling the same; he always just wanted to be best friends and nothing more. Zoltan stirred emotions within me that I didn’t know I was capable of feeling. He is handsome, gentle and sensitive and when he kissed me… oh, what a kiss that was. The dark man relentlessly hounded me and tried to kill me many times. He couldn’t do it himself for some mysterious reasons, but he could influence others to try. Then I found out Ema was my sister. She is the forbidden second daughter of the Healer, who according to the ancient laws could bring destruction to the Hun nation and have to be destroyed. My mother and Elza successfully hid her from the Elders council and the Leaders council– for eighteen years, and then Elza made a mistake by naming her with her true birthright in a dream address. The Leaders decided to visit us bringing – as we suspected – the Law Keeper with them to destroy Ema. We couldn’t let them do that and we were frantically trying to find a way to save her.

I called Ema, told her there was an emergency and she had to come home right away. She panicked; afraid something had happened to Elza. I assured her that she was fine, we just had to decide something very important in a hurry and that we couldn’t talk about it on the phone.

“What is it? Please tell me! You’re scaring me, Ilili,” she begged me.

I knew she was in great distress, because she used my almost forgotten pet name. I was suspicious, not wanting to reveal anything on the phone. Actually, the way I felt was borderline paranoia. Who knows what kind of resources they have? What if they can even listen to phone conversations? I thought, knowing that I had found out so many peculiar and mysterious things about my ancestry, it really scared me.

“It’s okay, love. Come home as soon as you can and I’ll tell you everything.” I tried to calm her, but that didn’t work. I heard the escalating anxiety in her voice.

“Sure you can’t tell me? Not even a hint?” she probed.

“No love, sorry.” She gave up and promised she would be home in half an hour.

I remembered an important task and told Elza we had to prepare some food for the guests. In our tradition, it is an insult from the lady of the household not to offer refreshments to announced guests.

“I’m on it! I’ll get the food.” Elza’s voice trembled as she hurried towards the kitchen, her long skirt floating behind her. She must have been feeling greatly honored, yet scared half to death, by the upcoming visit.

“I’ll help!” I yelled after her as I jumped off the sofa.

“No, you won’t dare!” She turned back, alarmed.

Zoltan gave questioning glances to each of us in turn, “What’s going on?”

“Her culinary talent doesn’t even cover boiling water!” Elza exclaimed, in a hurry.

He laughed lightly. “I’m a good cook. It’s kind of a hobby of mine. Can I help?” He turned to Elza, smiling.

“All right, but you have to keep Ilona out of the kitchen!” she warned him. He had an amused expression on his face. He chuckled, cocked his head towards me and then led me towards the kitchen by my hand. “Are you really that bad?” he whispered.

“So they tell me!” I confessed. He laughed softly and squeezed my hand.

“She’ll just sit and watch.” He promised, turning to Elza.

I sat down across the aisle on a stool, muttering under my breath. They set to work, deciding on small sandwiches and cream puffs, which Elza took out from the freezer to thaw. Soon they were slicing Italian bread which they loaded with various toppings of cream cheese, pepperoni and olives. They flavored them with mustard and red pepper paste. As the pile of small sandwiches grew, Elza looked over to Zoltan with approval. He was a lovely sight to look at. Shirt rolled up to his elbows, and a thin apron accentuating his muscular chest and flat belly. He sliced and chopped at a fast and efficient pace.

“You look beautiful when you’re pouting, by the way,” he announced, smiling at me. My heart sank a little - it must have been apparent how I felt.

“It’s not fair! How can I learn to cook if nobody lets me?” I complained, but I was easing up somewhat.

“I will teach you sometime.”

“Promise you won’t laugh if I mess up?” I asked, suspiciously.

He made the cross sign over his left chest, trying hard to conceal a smile, “Cross my heart.”

“Can I at least set the table?” I asked Elza, still pouting. I was feeling rebellious and left out.

“Actually we need only small plates, napkins and glasses,” Elza replied. “All right, you can put them on one of the cocktail tables. Get the ones from the side cabinet.” She sighed as if she was talking to a small child.

I jumped up happily, grabbing at the chance for something to do. I carefully arranged the cart as Elza had instructed. I dropped only one plate in the process which wasn’t so bad...or so I thought, compared to my usual performances. I heard Elza sighing behind me. “I knew it! That’s why I told you to get the cheaper china.” She admonished quietly, under her breath. I blushed deeply, feeling like a berated child.

“Elzaaa!” I yelled at her, embarrassed.

Zoltan snickered softly while I quickly gathered the pieces on a napkin. “You’re a real klutz, you know!” I swallowed my hurt and looked up. He flashed a warm smile at me.

 

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Launch Day for Birthright Bestowed-Ilona The Hun By Author Erika Szabo


WELCOME ERIKA SZABO!
 

How exciting for your Launch! Why don't you tell us something about Ilona and her Birthright Bestowed.

Ilona is an emergency room doctor, born into an ancient Hun tribe which still exists hidden amongst us with its strict and fiercely enforced rules. She doesn’t know much about her Hun heritage besides legends, customs and rituals that she continues out of respect for her parents whose sudden death ten years before devastated her. She plays her tune on her birthday given to her by her grandmother. Elza – Ilona’s housekeeper - explains, the purpose of the tune is to let the elders know she had come to age. Her mother didn’t have a chance to explain her inherited powers, but after her 29th birthday when she is considered as an adult by Hun standards, she begins to remember the forgotten instructions concealed as rhymes her mother was teaching her since she was a small child. Ilona discovers she can heal with her bare hands; she can rearrange the human body to its healthy state. This ability is exciting as well as frightening. She is conflicted between having confidence in her intelligence and inherited abilities while having no confidence as a woman. Her insecurity created barriers which keep others out, and I also keep her caged in. She’s been in love with her unsuspecting best friend Bela, when a dashing stranger explodes into her life. The sudden magnetic feeling frightens her and discovering evil in him doesn’t help either. A sinister dark man appears, Ilona connects his presence with the series of mysterious deaths around her. Zoltan saves her life by jeopardizing his, which prompts Ilona to start fitting the puzzle pieces together and discovering the ancient tribal secrets that not only can change her future but the future existence of the Huns as well.

Now this has been published before correct?
Yes, I played with Ilona’s story for about a year and finished the first two books when I discovered self-publishing in late 2011. I got many positive reviews and feedbacks from readers which made me decide to rewrite the books and continue with the third book in the series. I sent the first book Birthright to the Best Indie books of 2012 award contest, to my delight, it was chosen as semifinalist. The editor at 5 Prince Publishing read my story recently and they offered to publish the trilogy.

What makes for a good hook in your stories? Where does your inspiration come from?
I can talk about my only novel trilogy so far, although I have some ideas for my next one. The inspiration came from ancient Hungarian history. In my fantasy world, I blended the past and present into a fantasy tale with intriguing tribal secrets, magical heritage and the exciting and dangerous life in a secret society.

Who is your favorite character in your book? Why?
In my novel, Ilona is my favorite. She grows as a person throughout the story from a naïve and insecure girl to a confident woman. She’s not afraid to make sacrifices and to accept her life calling.

Who would be your first choice to play Ilona from your book Birthright Bestowed?
I can imagine, Natalie Portman playing Ilona. I think she could portray her quiet charm, vulnerability, loneliness, self-doubts and great inner strength well.

What do you hope readers take with them after reading one of your stories?

After reading my medical books, I hope the reader will start thinking about developing healthier diet and lifestyle to prevent illness and perhaps decide to use alternative methods with much less side effects when it’s possible. Also, I hope after reading my Ilona the Hun trilogy the reader will have a better understanding of their own struggles coming into adulthood, accepting responsibilities as well as heritage and live up to expectations without losing themselves. I hope they will take with them deep and honest feelings, human values as well as the feeling of freedom to use their imagination.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

In my Ilona the Hun novels there are many messages. First of all, anything is possible if we have reasonable expectations and we are willing to put work into it. Understanding our own positive traits, flaws and limitations help us to create our own future.
Are any of your characters based on real people or events?

I include some historical events in my novels. However, the real events are incorporated into a fantasy story. I can’t really say my characters are based on real people although some of my characters slightly resemble people I know, either in appearance or bits and pieces of their personality. In Ilona’s story, there are some personal experiences. I am ambidextrous and I can’t cook just like Ilona. Elza’s character resembles my favorite sister-in-law, and I worked little stories into the book about my cat Miss Mirci Catchmousky as well as my gentle giant dog, Gypsy. I wrote about some personal experiences as well, from my years working as an ER nurse.
What else would you like readers to know about you or your work?

I worked in many areas of the medical field and found my calling in the Emergency Room setup. I always loved the dynamic and fast paced environment, the unpredictability and demand for acting and making decisions fast. In my personal life, I love and respect animals, and somehow they know it. Abused and runaway dogs and cats in the neighborhood always end up on my doorsteps and they always find love and care. Wild animals feel safe in my backyard as well, chipmunks, crows, groundhogs, bunnies, you name it, they live in my backyard. The orphaned baby foxes we raised - I put together a picture book about the experience - still visit sometimes.
What books or authors have most influenced your life?

It wasn’t any particular author or book; it was my father who loved to read and introduced me to the wonderful worlds locked in books at a very early age. I have many favorites, I cannot choose. I love to read about our past, but not only the dry facts and events. I love to read from authors who can make the past more real and bring our ancestors alive and closer to us in their stories.
How do your family and/or friends feel about your book or writing venture in general?

My family and friends are supportive and read my medical books, however very few of them like fantasy stories. I think most will read my Ilona the Hun novels only when by a miracle or rather with the help of fantasy book lovers becomes a best seller novel.
Please share with us your future projects and upcoming releases.
Currently I’m writing the third book “Destiny Altered” in Ilona the Hun series as well as “Grandma’s herbal remedies” which I will self-publish soon. The history of Hungary goes way back and there are lots of fascinating and heroic events to write about. My next project is going to be another historical based novel combined with fantasy.
How can readers find you?
Where can they go to buy your book?
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR STOPPING BY TODAY! HAPPY LAUNCH DAY TO YOU, AND GOOD LUCK!