April 1 Podcast Takeover: Sebastian Dureaux-Russell Interviews D.S. Stephens About Haunted Hearts Series|S5 EP216: Book Banter Podcast
- Dianne Burckhardt
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
A Special Takeover Episode Featuring D.S. Stephens' Langston Watch Hotel and the Real Ghost Hunting Experiences Behind the Haunted Hearts Series and WIP from Sebastian Dureaux-Russell.
Hello My Happy People,
Today’s episode is a special April 1st podcast takeover of Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt — Book Talk Podcast... or is it?
Sebastian Dureaux-Russell steps in as guest host, and for a minute, it might feel like you’ve landed in the wrong show. But stay with it, because this “takeover” has a twist.
Sebastian is joined by paranormal romance author D.S. Stephens, and the focus quickly shifts to the Haunted Hearts series, a seven-book paranormal romance inspired by real ghost hunting experiences from the author’s college years. Starting with Book 1, Langston Watch Hotel, the series blends real haunted locations with emotional tension and that constant push and pull between science and belief.
But here’s the part you don’t get in the episode alone.
The Haunted Hearts series didn’t start as “just another romance idea.” It grew out of real moments, real places, and that very specific feeling you get when you walk into a space and your body tells you something is off before your brain can explain it. That tension, that question of whether what you’re experiencing is real or something your mind is trying to rationalize away, sits at the core of this series.
Sam represents the scientific side of that equation, someone trained to measure, test, and explain. Clay lives on the other side of it, shaped by experiences he can’t dismiss. Putting them together inside a genuinely haunted environment forces both of them to confront where their beliefs hold up… and where they don’t.
And if something about D.S. Stephens sounds a little familiar… well, you’re not imagining that either.
This episode pulls back the curtain on how this romance author persona came to life, why this series matters, and what’s coming next as Haunted Hearts continues to develop.
So is this a takeover? Or is mischief afoot?
You’ll have to listen and decide.
If you enjoyed hearing from Sebastian as host, be sure to check out his full feature on Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt — Book Talk Podcast (Season 3, Episode 143). His novel Burning with the Blue Flame follows pilot Elmer Darrell and race car driver Humboldt Bratka as they compete in a high-speed race from New York to Hollywood, set against a backdrop of speakeasies, masked balls, and jazz. As they chase fame, fortune, and their own pasts, romance and unexpected connections complicate the journey in ways neither of them saw coming. A sequel is currently in development.
Enjoy,
Dianne
Have you subscribed to our podcast yet? If not, do it today!
Because if you love books like we do,
you do not want to miss a single episode of this podcast!
Listen to the Latest Episode Now
^ Just click the purple microphone ^
Episode Promo
Book Banter Magazine
Book Buying Guide
Get Yours Now
Only $2.99
View online or download a PDF copy to view on your devices. Buy your copy now to support our show and help us keep supporting more authors in 2026!
Season 5 of Our Podcast
Is Fully Booked!!
Applications are for Season 5 are closed.
Season 4 was completely booked in three months and Season 5 completely booked in less than three weeks.
Join our mailing list if you wold like early access to apply for
Season 6 in 2027!
Season 5 Lovefest
Every Wednesday
February 4th - April 1st
March
4th - S5 EP 212 NOW STREAMING
Kristine Jensen, Award-Winning Writer and Author of Wednesday Club
11th - S5 EP 213 NOW STREAMING
Jeremy Clift, Award-Winning Author of Space Vault
18th - S5 EP 214 NOW STREAMING
Best of Season 4 Lovefest Replay
Barb Warner Deane, Author of the WWII Romance, The Whistle Stop Canteen
25th - S5 EP 215 NOW STREAMING
Maria Jane, Award-Winning Romance Author of the Perfect Series
April 1st - S5 EP 216: S5 Lovefest Finale NOW STREAMING
PODCAST TAKEOVER!
Sebastian Dureaux-Russell, Award -Winning Author of Burning with a Blue Flame with Special Guest Romance Author, D.S. Stephens
Season 5 Spring Episodes
Every Wednesday
April 8th - May 27th
April
8th - S5 EP 217
Michael Hingson, New York Times Bestselling Author of Live Like A Guide Dog
15th - S5 EP 218
Lady Dhyana Zeigler, Ph.D, Author of Midnight Train From Georgia
22nd - S5 EP 219
D.I. Jolly, Award-Winning Author of Blurred Lines
29th - S5 EP 220
Sylvia Clare, Author of Traveling the Alphabet Geographically
May
6th - S5 EP 221
Tara Hodgson, Award-Winning Author of Dog Logic
13th - S5 EP 222
Tom Strelich, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of Titan of the Stars
20th - S5 EP 223
Sonia Daccarett, Author of The Roots of the Guava Tree
27th - S5 EP 224
Winnifred Tataw, Author of Child of Tempus
Thank You Book Banter Productions Sponsors
Become A Book Banter Productions Sponsor
Do you enjoy Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt - Book Talk Podcast and Book Banter Magazine? You can make sure we can stay in business. All you have to do buy a copy of Book Banter Magazine or just buy us a coffee below. I do not make any profits from Book Banter Productions. I do not charge authors for exposure. Up to this point, this has just been a very expensive hobby, but that will have to change if we are to continue.
If you want to help keep us going , you can just click the link below and buy us a coffee or click the Book Banter Magazine ad below that to buy yourself a digital copy of Book Banter Magazine. Every magazine and coffee helps us to keep going!
Thank you!
Podcast Links
Listen to our podcast, Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt - Book Talk Podcast, every Wednesday. Check your favorite podcast provider for listings.
Listen to Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt on These Featured Podcast Providers:
> You can even just ask Siri or Alexa to play Book
Banter with Dianne Burckhardt - Book Talk
Podcast and hear the latest episode!
> You can also search on Amazon in any country for Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt -
Book Talk Podcast and it will find it for you.
Burckhardt Books Pages:
Members Only Page (Join FREE and get access to exclusive content, lots of freebies, and more are coming)