Nancy Lee Badger Interviews Author Ava Cuvay

Ava Cuvay stopped by to answer intimate questions about her life and her latest release. Her book, His Precious Cargo, is a Sci-Fi Romance and was released on March 6th. Please tell my readers a little bit about your book. 

Ava- Firstly, Nancy, I’d like to thank you for letting me be part of your blog today! I’m thrilled to be here and have the opportunity to chat about my new release. It’s a hot story about a stripper with dreams of being a princess and an intergalactic thief with a freighter of stolen cargo.

At the outskirts of space and away from the rigid control of Central Command, Granger entices Kaedi to break her strict no-lap dace policy. The repercussions force her to pack up and hitch a ride off-world in the same freighter he has hired. They discover a passion hotter than a super nova, but their plans are shattered by the untimely death of the ship’s captain, the duplicity of the co-pilot, and the appearance of Granger’s best-friend-turned-torture-happy-enemy. When Granger’s heritage is revealed, Kaedi believes herself unworthy, but he realizes she is more precious than stolen cargo.

Nancy- When did you start writing toward publication?  

Ava- While on a milestone birthday trip to Las Vegas, I sat poolside with my friend, reading a romance novel and drinking margaritas. I couldn’t even say which book or what author, but when I finished, I turned to my friend and declared, “You know… I bet I could write one of these.”

Being the good friend she is, she lifted her cocktail in silent toast. “I bet you could, too.”

Blame the margaritas, or the Las Vegas influence, but I began writing. It’s taken me six years and four (currently “tabled”) manuscripts, but I finally self-published my first book, His Precious Cargo.

Nancy- Having achieved your goal to be a published author, what is the most rewarding thing?

Ava- The reward is two-fold. First, there is the physical realization of the story which began as a niggle in my head. From the words on the page to the cover art to simply holding its weight in my hands, seeing it come to fruition is pretty amazing. The second part is all the friendship and camaraderie I’ve discovered along the way. The romance writer community is so immensely supportive, and I’ve met so many kindred souls here.

Nancy- Will you share some encouraging words for authors still struggling for that first contract?

Ava- Since I went the route of self-publishing, I don’t have advice specific to acquiring a contract. But would like to cheer “You can do it!” to anyone who wants to write and have their stories published (regardless if you go self or traditional). How to accomplish this goal, I’ll leave to other, more knowledgeable and successful authors… But I would encourage everyone who is working toward being a published author to enjoy the journey as well as celebrate their success. My own journey has been filled with many wonderful authors who have been supportive, encouraging, and instructive. Had I tried to walk this path alone, I certainly wouldn’t be this far along (heck, I’d be wandering in circles at the very beginning), and I wouldn’t have made so many friendship with so many awesome authors!

Please Share three fun facts about you that most people don’t know.

1) I danced ballet and modern for ten years and into college. My natural turn-out is all I have left to show for it! J

2) I was a Junior Miss Beauty Scholarship pageant winner in High School.

3) I think frogs are cute.

Nancy- What’s next for you?

Ava- The next book in The Heart Nebula Series: Love and the Corps. Coming soon, er, coming as soon as I finish edits! It won the 2015 Over the Far Side Contest in the Sci-Fi/Futuristic category, and it’s hopefully even better.

Excerpt from His Precious Cargo

                            

Granger caught up with her several steps later. When he moved to stop her, she whirled, crossed her arms over her chest again, and waited with barely contained anger.

He stared at her battle stance for a moment. His eyebrows lifted. “I’m not Cal. And I know it hardly needs to be said, but I don’t like how he looks at you.”

Her anger fled instantly. Her arms dropped to her side and she glanced toward the galley. “That makes two of us.”

“You will avoid him like Klutha-9 when you can, and keep your guard up when you can’t. And remember what I taught you to do with your hands.”

She wasn’t one for taking orders, but liked that Granger was concerned for her. Since his advice was reasonable, she decided not to argue.

“I remember what to do: hit his nose, poke his eyes, box his ears.”

“No, the part where you keep them on me and only me.”

Amazon     Nook     Kobo     iBooks

You can find more information about 

Ava Cuvay here:

WEBSITE      BLOG    Facebook     Goodreads   

Donna Steele Shares her New Release: Rth Claimed

I'm pleased to announce that the second book in my Rth Rising series is now out! Rth Rising was my premiere novel. It's been re-edited and released.

Now Rth Claimed continues the story of the colony on New Home.

Kat and Davd were able to escape Puter but that doesn't solve the problem of the potentially terminal code left behind and the thousands of fellow colonists still at risk.

Rth Claimed is the story of Castra, Kat's aunt, a programmer and possibly the only hope for the continuation of the colony. But she has little faith in herself having been shunted aside by Puter – because she wasn't as good as her father, or because Puter saw her as a potential threat? She and her protégé, Setha are on the front lines now to continue Kat and Davd's fight. 

Blurb

Kat and Davd along with a small handful of family and friends have managed to escape Puter and now live outside in freedom. But that leaves thousands trapped inside the arcologies under Puter and the sabotaged programming whose sole purpose is to condemn the colony.

Can Kat’s Aunt Castra and her young protégé dismantle the programming that has already killed Kat’s father and grandfather? And is time running out? 

Excerpt

Torr started to speak, but Roch held up his hand. "We don't have that much time. I might not be able to tell you everything tonight but I've received permission to bring you in. I hope I'm not making a mistake."

"Bring us in? Roch, what are you talking about."

The enforcer took a deep breath. "It’s a complicated story. Your niece, Kat was assigned to bring in a shirker who was part of the enforcer team here at Thirdport. His name is Davd Palfy."

Torr nodded slowly. That was the name Cal had given him that day at their apartment.

"Davd and I work for an underground movement to help people escape the arcologies. We, all of us in the movement, think that we should move out onto the planet. Do you want me to stop now?"

"No," Torr and Castra spoke together and for the first time Roch smiled.

"Good. We could use people like you. First, it is extremely rare for an enforcer to shirk. It's even more rare that when it happens, an enforcer from a different arcology is brought in for the search. There had to be some urgency for doing it that way and I'm not in the loop about that. I'm sure you've heard the story Cal is floating, that Davd murdered Kat and Head when they caught up with him. Davd supposedly threw the bodies into the incinerator to get rid of the evidence. Then Cal was able to overpower Davd and kill him, also tossing his body in the incinerator. The whole thing is a flaming lie. Cal couldn’t overpower a three cycle old except in his imagination. Puter put Cal in the job, so that should explain a lot.

“Davd has worked for cycles helping to lead people out to live in villages we've seeded around Thirdport." He stopped at the gasp from Castra, then continued. "Now Kat is helping in that effort and your mem has become the doctor for one of those villages."

"They're alive, they're safe?"

Roch nodded seeing Castra's relief.

"They won't be coming back."

Roch looked down then shook his head. "But someday maybe you can visit them. If enough people want to leave, we believe they should be allowed. Let anyone who wants to stay inside… fratz remain

Bio

Women strong enough for love.

I write science fiction, paranormal and small town romance eBooks about women coming into their

strength and having the courage to find and accept love.

Now that I have retired from going into an office every day, I created my own at home and write full time. Talk about living the dream!

Since I learned to read 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 to write them myself and I’m delighted that I’m able to share these stories with you.

My premiere novel, a science fiction romance was released in March 2012. Since then I've been fortunate enough to release 16 more works, including my first self-published novel – Alien Embrace. Please stop by my author page for excerpts of my books.

I’m a member of Romance Writers of America, the Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal Chapter of RWA and the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers. 

Buy links

RthClaimed      

RthRising 

Nancy Lee Badger Presents Donna Steele

Donna Steele stopped by to share her holiday romance novel:
Christmas With Family.  

Nancy- Let's start off with something intimate! Please share 3 things readers might not know about you.

Donna- I feel like I'm an open book, but here you go:

1) I never realized just how much I was going to adore retirement. I have had a job since I was twelve years old, so this is new territory and the best yet.

2) I was born with EB (Epidermolysis Bullosa) fortunately the mild kind but please check out the Butterfly Fund for a wonderful cause helping those children who had a much worse case than my sister and I had.

3) Since my retirement I get up at 6 a.m. just like "normal" and swim for 30 minutes – much better for me than the stress eating I was doing on the job.

Blurb for Christmas With Family

When Symone finds herself unexpectedly in custody of her confused and frightened four-year-old niece for Christmas she knows she has to make it work. Symone's sister had to get to her husband, injured in Afghanistan and in critical condition. Rachel is left in limbo with only a few days 'til Santa comes.

It helps when Blake, a friend of her brother-in-law, shows up to try to make it a merry Christmas for Rachel but Symone doesn't know the man or the history he's hiding. And she's not interested in another holiday with the wrong guy. Can they save Christmas for the child they both love?

Excerpt 

   Without warning Rachel darted past Symone and flung herself into the arms of the large man. "Not a rag doll, Rachel!"

   He hugged the little girl and then looked into her face. "I can never remember that. Are you sure your name's not Rags? With that hair?"

   Symone relaxed slightly. The two obviously knew each other.  Rachel had the same red hair she and Alicia had, if a little lighter at her age.

   "Aunt Symone, this is my Uncle Blake."

   Symone blinked at that. Jerry was an only child.

He shifted the child in his arms and held out his hand.

   "Honorary uncle. I'm Blake Connelly, a friend of Jerry's."      She saw the tightness return to his eyes at the mention of Jerry's name, but he said nothing in front of Rachel.

   "Please, come in." She stepped back and he followed her, giving her a chance to close the door and keep the cold outside.

   "They said Daddy got hurt. Were you there?" Rachel asked him.

   "No, Rags. I'm sorry I wasn't. But I'm sure he'll be fine."

   "Momma went to get him, so she won't be here for Christmas."

   "I thought about that and that's why I came to check on you."

   "You'll stay here?" The little girl's arms went around his neck. "You can have your old room."

   Symone blinked at that and froze. Wait a minute, who was this guy?

   "I probably shouldn't stay here. You and your Aunt Symone have plans I'm sure."

   "No we don't. Please Aunt Symone. He can stay can't he? He always does. You two could share the room. It's a big bed."

   Symone just blinked again, trying to regain her equilibrium.

   "I can get a room close by—"

   "Do you usually stay here when you visit?" Symone managed to ask.

   "Yes, but this is different."

   Symone looked into the pleading eyes of the little girl nestled comfortably in his muscular arms. The holiday was already so screwed up. "I can move into Alicia and Jerry's room."

   "Yes!" Rachel squealed and Symone winced slightly. Blake seemed to take it in stride.

   "Are you sure?"

   Symone straightened her back. "Yes. It'll be fine."

   He nodded, the gesture saying more to her than he could in front of the child and Symone smiled, relaxing a little more.

   "I was coming to ask Rachel what she wanted me to fix for dinner."

   "Could we have grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup?" Rachel responded immediately.

   "That would be perfect. Suit you, Blake?" Symone asked.

   "That's exactly what I was going to ask for." He let the little girl down and Rachel scurried off to find something she wanted to show him.

   As soon as Rachel was out of the room, Blake spoke. "I don't have to stay here. I realize I'm a stranger."

   "I know. But she's already so upset. I think it would be good for her if you're here."

   "Thanks. I'll be on my best behavior."

   She chuckled as Rachel careened back into the room carrying the tattered Christmas catalog to show Blake what she had asked Santa for this year.

   "I'll go get started on dinner."

   "Need any help?"

   "You're already giving it." Symone smiled and headed for the kitchen, keeping an ear out for the conversation going on in the great room. She still didn't know for sure who tall, dark and gorgeous was, but Rachel obviously knew him well.

Nancy- How can my readers buy your book?  

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

AllRomance  

Nancy- What’s next for you?

Donna- I try to take turns and since this is a small town romance, I need to turn back to Sci Fi/Paranormal. I have contracted a time travel book with Soul Mate Publishing, so I've got to get into the deep editing of that.

More About Donna Steele

Women strong enough for love.

I write science fiction, paranormal and small town romance eBooks about women coming into their strength and having the courage to find and accept love.

Now that I have retired from going into an office every day, I created my own at home and write full time. Talk about living the dream!

Since I learned to read 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 to write them myself and I’m delighted that I’m able to share these stories with you.

My premiere novel, a science fiction romance, was released

in March 2012. Since then I've been fortunate enough to release 13 more works, including my first self-published novel – Alien Embrace. Please stop by my author page at www.steelestories.com for excerpts of my books.

I’m a member of Romance Writers of America, the Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal Chapter of RWA and the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers.

Website & Blog -   http://steelestories.com  

Twitter @steele_donna

Facebook    Goodreads   

***And she has just released another book!

Rth Rising, a 'new kind of sci-fi romance'. 
Buy it at Amazon

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 3^rd 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

Facebook     Goodreads

Amazon Author Page   LinkedIn