About Donna Steele

Women strong enough for love. I write about strong women in lots of areas - science fiction, paranormal and contemporary fiction romance - 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 small town romance novels - Homecoming, Welcome Home, Red Shoes, Nowhere for Christmas, Christmas Present and Dance Partner are available at all eBook vendors. My paranormal romance eBooks Learning Trust, The Melting Series, and Wraith's Heart are now available at all eBook sellers. Wraith's Heart and Learning Trust are now also available in paperback through Amazon. I’m a member of Romance Writers of American, the Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal Chapter of RWA and the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers. www.steelestories.com https://www.facebook.com/DonnaSteeleAuthor http://goo.gl/dH6PAA

Discipline

ivory brushRecently I’ve read some spanking fiction – what I read had a lot of humor and love in it and I enjoyed it mostly. Where I stumbled was the discipline. Hubby and I don’t mind a swat on the bum when one of us is walking by, though I prefer a cupping, and small squeeze followed by a caress. That’s my preference but I’m for whatever floats your boat. What I had to learn was the difference between abuse and discipline – I’ve got it now, it’s consensual and arousing for that couple.

What kept causing me to stumble? I had to go back and really think about it. That’s when I realized that I give no one the authority to discipline me. I’m an adult and a strong one – now. There was a lot of discipline when I was younger, not that much physical, but psychologically, oh yeah.

So what happened? How did I become me? I have to give 97% of the credit to Hubby. The stars aligned one day and he saw me in a rare flash of strength and he was attracted to it. !?!?! I had strength? Man, was it undernourished and starving until Hubby. He fed it, hell he held banquets for it and it grew and flourished. I definitely would not be the woman I am today without his loving sustainment of that strength. We’re equal partners and he wants it that way as much as I do.

EntirelyYoursSir

I’m the type of wife who, when I spot someone in the grocery aisle in full hooker attire, I nudge him to check it out, then two or three aisles over we’ll laugh together. I remember having an episode of Baywatch Nights on years ago and a woman was watching the roof of her car with her assets pressed against the driver’s side window of the car. I yelled for him to get in there and see, because that was not a view he’d ever get at home. I trust him. I’ve never been jealous of him. That came with strength. Yes, I have watched *itches throw themselves at him (you can decide on a b or a w for the above, either fits) and I have gotten angry at them, but not him. And he’s given me no reason to. It’s one of the first things I noticed in our relationship – in previous relationships when I was apart from whoever, I was anxious and uncertain about what was going on. That’s never happened with Hubby – that’s when I realized I had an adult and equal partner.

Another component of that is we don’t keep secrets from each other. In a book I read recently, the female protagonist tried to hide that an X-rated movie was in the house. Before it had ever been discovered, I would have been telling Hubby about it and what had happened. And we would have laughed together about it. He would never have thought I needed to be disciplined about it. It wouldn’t make as good a story or be as funny, but it would be the reality around here.

Obviously some people crave being told what to do and how to do it. I’m not one of them and if you want to raise my ire, you tell me that someone is “above” me for the simple reason that that person can pee standing up and I will go ballistic on your ass (metaphorically only). Explains a lot about why I write such strong women who usually have to pull their partner’s ass out of the fire.

I’m so glad I’ve learned the difference now between abuse and discipline. It makes it a lot easier to understand and appreciate a new genre with some really good stories. And again, whatever floats your boat is what’s right for you. For me it’s equality and strength. Okay, back to your reading material…

Jennifer Wilck’s – Miriam’s Surrender

Buy Links – Amazon,   Barnes & Noble

Miriam's Surrender  Thanks so much, Donna, for hosting me today and helping me to promote my newest release, Miriam’s Surrender. I’m very excited to announce the second book in my Women of Valor series, but want to reassure you that it can easily be read on its own. I hope you enjoy it and welcome comments!

Josh Lowenstein is a successful architect, hired to redesign the alumni club of a posh, private school in New York. He is strong, capable and knows the best way to do everything. Except let another woman in.
Miriam Goldberg is the Assistant Director of Outreach, and is Josh’s day-to-day contact for the redesign. She’s taken care of everyone around her, and forgotten how to let someone else take care of her.

With a tumultuous history, neither one is prepared to work together. As they get to know each other, the animosity disappears, but Josh is hiding something from Miriam and its discovery has the possibility of destroying their relationship. Only when they are both able to let the other in, and release some of the control they exert over everything, will they be able to see if their love can survive.

Exercpt —

Josh sat in the cab and looked out the window. Lights and people and cars and buildings rushed by in a blur. His eyes glazed over and in their place Miriam appeared. Miriam touching his arm and reassuring him, Miriam smiling, Miriam’s hair shining, Miriam looking at him as he bent to kiss her.

Whatever made him do it? When they’d stood outside her apartment in the cold night air, her cheeks had turned pink from the cold. He smiled. She controlled so many of her outward reactions to things, but she couldn’t control that one.

From his height and angle, he’d watched the light from the street lamps shine on her hair, making it appear to glow. Their breath, a white fog, had intermingled as they stood facing each other.

Her lips were soft and plump. He’d spent the evening watching them mold words, stretch into a smile, surround her food as she chewed. He couldn’t help himself; he’d wanted to kiss her. It was the briefest wish. He’d made the slightest move toward her. But in the one too-brief second, he’d glimpsed much more. Her pupils had dilated, she’d raised her face to his and she’d parted her lips. He’d discovered Miriam’s desire.

And now he knew she wanted him, it would take all of his control not to give in to his own need.

 

Bio  headshot -Jennifer Wilck

Jennifer started telling herself stories as a little girl when she couldn’t fall asleep at night. As an adult, she started writing them down and after several years of writing, editing and querying publishers, she’s a multi-published author. Her favorite stories to write are those with smart, sassy, independent heroines; handsome, strong and slightly vulnerable heroes; and always end with happily ever after.

When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her family and friends, reading, traveling and watching TV. She volunteers with her Temple and is also a freelance writer for magazines, newspapers and newsletters.

A Heart of Little Faith and Skin Deep were published by Whiskey Creek Press in 2011. The Seduction of Esther, the first in the Women of Valor series, was published in June 2013 by Rebel Ink Press. The next book in that series, Miriam’s Surrender, will be published September 10, 2014. All books can be purchased through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

She can be reached at www.jenniferwilck.com or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-Wilck/201342863240160. She tweets at @JWilck. Her blog (Fried Oreos) is www.jenniferwilck.blogspot.com and she contributes to Heroine With Hearts blog on Tuesdays http://www.heroineswithhearts.blogspot.com and Front Porch Saturdays at Sandra Sookoo’s Believing is Seeing blog http://sandrasookoo.wordpress.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cover Reveal! The Melting – Book 2, The Progression

Coming October 10, 2014 –  The sequel to The Infection – The Melting, Book 1

Melting 2 The Progression flat

Change is never easy. Civilization is gone except for small widely dispersed groups. None of this is what anyone had ever thought global warming would bring, those that had thought about it at all. But the Powers That Be are making the CDC into their own little fiefdom.  Connor Nash wants control in Atlanta, he wants a theocracy where women are less than second class and therefore fair game. Meg Adams has to get her people out of there before it degenerates even more.  And when the hell did she get put in charge?

Their escape isn’t as difficult as they thought it would be. The us vs. them dynamic is finally on their side because who would want to leave all that “safety.” No need to keep an eye on the lowly workers, right? But Meg knows that surviving afterward is going to be hard–food, shelter, all the things everyone counted on will have to come from them alone. And who is this Jim Stephens who has tagged along at the last minute? He may seem legit, but is he “us” or “them”?

Now that cold weather is here how are the people they’ve left behind at the CDC faring. It’s winter and even in Atlanta it can get cold. They’re not prepared, who is? The factions that they left behind–men vs. women–are farther apart than ever. And they have no idea where David, Amanda and Joe ended up. It’s hard enough sleeping alone without all these responsibilities in Meg’s head.

 

The Melting Book 1

 

 The Melting, Book 1, The Infection available at Amazon,  Barnes & Nobles, and AllRomance

 

 

Cassie’s River Living

Cassies-River-Living-Final-200Donna, I appreciate you having me here more than you know. I am a writer of spanking fiction and I know that that is not something most of your readers are looking for or may even know much about. I would love for a few non-spanking enthusiast to read one of the Cassie books; I truly want to know what you think. There are many of us out here who fantasize about being in a relationship that includes spanking. While I realize this is totally foreign to many of you, think back to the famous scene in Gone with the Wind. No one in real life wants to be forced, rape essentially, but whose heart didn’t pound as Rhett carried Scarlett up the stairs into the darkness. The smile on her face the next morning was definitely part of what we fantasize about. For many spanking fantasies work the same way.

There is great love and humor in the Cassie stories. Tom does spank Cassie, usually for fun and their mutual enjoyment, but also for discipline. Oops, I think I just lost some of you! The spanking is consensual – perhaps not at the very moment it occurs, but Cassie will be the first to tell you she has fully consented, and there is not one thing about her life that she would change.

The Cassie books can easily be read out of order. Maybe you’ll try this one, Cassie’s River Living. In this book, Cassie actually explains her theory of why spanking works for her and Tom. Come on, no one will even know you read it… unless you’re willing to tell me what you think of it. Good or bad, I’d really like your thoughts. You can reach me at pk.corey@yahoo.com

Donna thanks again for having me here.

Blushing BooksAmazon,   Barnes & Nobles

Blurb for Cassie’s River Living

Cassie and Tom are happily settling into River living. Cassie is sure this peaceful setting is enough to keep her out of trouble, but with Sue living there too, staying out of trouble proves just too difficult.

Cassie is further concerned about what relationship advice Tom may be giving Ryan. Overheard conversations and statements from Ryan has her worried that Tom may have shared ideas of adult spanking in his advice to Ryan. But when it seems Allie knows too, Cassie realizes she is going to have to try to explain things more fully. Can Cassie explain their way of life to eighteen-year-old Allie?

 Excerpt:

Annie and I were looking through our movies to choose one for the afternoon when Sue said, “Get your drinks girls, I have the movie. Are you two ready for a little adult entertainment?”

“What have you got now?” I asked, in amusement.

Sue laughed and shook a DVD box at me. “Go ahead, I’m for anything Tom wouldn’t want me doing.” Now Tom and I hadn’t exactly discussed X-rated movies, but I assume it was under the blanket of, ‘If you wouldn’t do it if I was standing here – don’t do it’ rule. But really, what was the harm? We were home, it was just the three of us, and we weren’t in a sleazy little theater with dirty old men.

Now you have to know at my age I’ve seen a blue movie or two – but admittedly not many in the past forty years. I want to tell you – things have changed. With a few false starts and figuring out the buttons, Sue managed to get the afternoon entertainment rolling.

Oh my stars and garters! I think the three of us sat there in stunned paralysis. You know I’m no prude, but never in my wildest dreams did I expect to see such things on the big screen. We watched for a relativity short time before I had seen way more than I needed to.

“Sue! Turn this mess off!” As soon as I spoke, it was like the evil spell had been broken and we were able to move. Sue began stabbing at the remote and managed to stop the movie.

“What was that?” I asked in a shaky voice. “How awful! I think I need a shower.”

“I had no idea,” Sue admitted. She was just as shocked as Annie and me. “I just thought it was going to be… well I don’t know what I thought it was going to be – but not that.”

“Shoo…get that out of my house,” I demanded. “And don’t put it in the trash, bury it. If Tom or Steve sees that, we’re dead. Did you rent it or what?”

“It was on the used movie table at the video place. I didn’t know it was that bad.”

“And who checked you out that day?” I started laughing. “I’m not going back there with you. Those kids in there are probably talking about what an old pervert you are. They’ve probably told half the town what kind of movies the Moore’s are watching at night,” I continued to tease.

“They are not!” Sue shouted back at me. “I bet they didn’t know what it was either.”

“You keep telling yourself that,” I told her chuckling. “Kids know everything.”

I love tormenting Sue, but as Annie and I continued to harass her about her movie choice and about the fact it was probably being broadcast all over town, she stormed out of the room and we gleefully trouped after her to keep it up, completely forgetting to remove the offending DVD from the machine. Sigh…

~o~

I suppose none of our memories is all that great because as we came back up to watch Casablanca that night with the boys, it never once crossed my mind. We were getting settled. Tom was fixing us some drinks. Andy was looking at one of the remotes seeing how everything worked when he evidently pushed start or resume or something. All I know is that suddenly in front of God, Tom, and everyone was the scene that had so horrified us earlier that day. Wide screen – bigger than life. Both Sue and I had our backs to the screen as it began. I saw Annie’s horrified look and frantic pointing as I heard Andy’s, “What the hell?”

Reality dawned quickly on both Sue and me as we each turned and leaped from opposite sides at the remote. All we managed to do in that first frantic leap was knock the remote to the floor, and out of our immediate reach, and hit our heads together so solidly that you could have heard the crack down stairs. Grabbing my head with one hand, I continued to scramble after the remote. Sue and I managed to grab it at the same time and frantically began pushing buttons as I heard Tom roar, “Turn that off!

I couldn’t even see the buttons, we were just madly pressing anything in the hopes of stopping what was happening. We did manage to hit something that caused it to begin playing in fast speed – trust me that did not help.

We were still trying when the remote was grabbed out of my hand and Tom clicked off the offending video. The silence that ensued was immediate and complete. I didn’t dare look at Tom. Steve finally broke the silence with, “What the hell was that?”

No one chose to answer him and the silence grew once again. Then Tom spoke, “Cassie, where did that come from?” I stole a quick glance at him. His face was quite stern and I didn’t hold his gaze long. He towers over me enough when I’m standing, but sitting on the floor made him appear like a mountain. I don’t know why I was feeling so guilty – I hadn’t brought the darn thing in.

Sue and I have no problem throwing each other under the bus when necessary, but I was hesitant for some reason. Without planning it, we both turned in unison and stared at Annie. She was having none of it.

“Uh-uh. Don’t look at me. I had nothing to do with this,” she exclaimed.

“Fine, fine – it was me,” Sue admitted. “Shoot me already. I didn’t really know what it was.”