Monday, April 13, 2015

Nancy Lee Badger Interviews Donna Steele

Nancy- Donna Steele stopped by to share some intimate details about herself as well as share her book, The Melting, Book 3 - Cohesion. This is a sci fi/paranormal romance and was released on February 10, 2015. Please tell us a little about the book

Donna- This is the 3rd book in The Melting series.  In this series, a science fiction/medical thriller the glaciers have melted, thawing out an old virus for which humans have no immunity. In the third book the virus has run its course, but civilization, as we know it is gone. The first winter has passed, showing the survivors their vulnerabilities. What civilization is left was clustered around the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, but the ‘us vs. them’ dynamic had groups defecting and melting into the darkness. Now two of those groups have found each other, and the changes the virus has left behind is beginning to manifest itself within them…

Nancy- Describe the genre of this particular title, and is the only genre you write in?  

Donna- This is definitely sci fi/paranormal. I love the possibilities of an unknown future, both reading and writing it. I have several books in the paranormal bent; however, I find myself also writing small town romance – I came from a very small town and though I left it years ago, apparently you never really get away.  I know, the two genres couldn’t be more different, but then I am a writer – LOL!

Nancy- What is your writing routine like?

Donna- It has just changed! I have retired to write full-time. Snatching minutes after work or weekends did allow me to complete twelve books/novellas/short stories, but I wanted the time to do it exclusively. Having one of the world’s best husbands helped there. I’m best in the mornings, so 8-12 I’m off-limits - no internet scrolling, no emails. I’m at work and have things to do. The afternoons (unless it’s really flowing) are current set aside for internet, research and the dreaded housework.

Nancy- Are you a member of any writing organizations and, if so, have they helped?

Donna- I’m a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA) and within that, a member of the Raleigh, NC chapter – Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, as well as the special interest chapter of RWA - Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal. I can’t even describe how helpful these groups have been. That first meeting I was so nervous – I didn’t belong in a room with published and well-known authors. I was only a wannabe, but they embraced me, encouraged me and just being in the same room with all that creative energy, inspired me and showed me I was in the right place. They explained things I didn’t know to ask and made me one of them.

Nancy- Will you share some encouraging words for authors still struggling for that first contract?
 
Donna- The most important thing is not to give up. I’ve heard so many stories from authors – best sellers – you have been rejected over and over. Now there are other options, self-pub for one, but the key is, they didn’t quit. If that submission isn’t going where you want it to, safe it and go on to the next story. It’s still there waiting and can always be polished and resubmitted, but don’t stop there. There’s another story to be working on while you’re waiting. And I’m waiting to read it, so get to it!

Nancy- Please Share three fun facts about you that most people don’t know:

1) I started out writing fan fiction for the X-Files
2) I just became a grandmother for the first time
3) I still get together with my college roommates at least a couple of times a year (our kids call each other cousins)

Nancy- What’s next for you?

Donna- I’m finishing up the first draft of the story of a woman who wakes in the hospital with no memory and apparently no past. It is sci fi and I’m really enjoying where it’s taken me.

BOOK BLURB  for The Melting, Book 3 - Cohesion
It began in the north, in the ancient cold from before the birth of man. Whether from the actions of man or the cycles of the planet, the primordial ice was melting and bringing back to the atmosphere a virus. One with no known cure for modern day humans.

Civilization has we knew it is gone, but civilization does still exist and is beginning to grow again. David Morrow, world-renowned scholar in global warming and sustainability and Amanda Sutton, physician turned researcher are swept up in the pandemic. She received one of the precious doses of a vaccine that is developed too late. But he recovered, the only one found to have done so.

Both lived at what used to be the CDC, but civilization is not what it once was and their safety depended on their escape.

Meg Adams, former office manager and Jim Stephens, former army sniper led more survivors in an exodus from the CDC when the new regime began an attempt to take power there. The first winter, with little time for preparation and no civilization to rely on, has ended.  But can these far-flung survivors continue without cohesion?

Cohesion, and all of 
The Melting Books 
are available at:

Amazon    NOOK    AllRomance


MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Women strong enough for love.
I write science fiction , paranormal and women’s fiction romance eBooks about women coming into their strength and having the courage to find and accept love.

As an empty nester with my beloved best friend and husband (who actually encourages this mad passion of mine) I write all the time – whether or not I have a pen or keyboard handy.

Ever since I learned to read—from Superman Comics, Dick, Jane and Sally held no appeal—I’ve wanted to write. The possibilities of science fiction have always drawn me and I’ve read them all.  There just needed to be a little more romance in them. I finally got up the courage and I’m delighted
that I’m able to share these stories with you.

My premiere novel, a science fiction romance – Rth Rising – was released on March 3, 2012 through Rebel Ink Press. My paranormal romance eBooks Learning Trust, Wraith’s Heart,  and The Melting, Book 1-The Infection and Book 2-The Progression are now available at all eBook sellers. Wraith’s Heart  and Learning Trust are also available in paperback through Amazon.

My small town romance novels – Homecoming, Welcome Home, Red Shoes, Nowhere for Christmas, Christmas Present and Dance Partner are available at all eBook vendors.

I’m a member of Romance Writers of America, the Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal Chapter of RWA and the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers. You can find more information about me here:
Website     Blog     Twitter


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