I rarely promote book on this site – except for mine. But I make an excepting when I know the author personally. Donna Steele is one of my all time favorite writers. I’ve read this new book (I've read all her books!) and I loved it. Donna’s books are not in our genre. She doesn’t write spanking books, but that’s the only complaint I have of her work. She does paranormal and science-fiction neither of which is my favorite – except when Donna writes them. She is a great writer and she makes it work! Here’s her latest.
A paranormal romance, Hazardous to the Touch
is the 32nd book by Donna Steele.
Blurb –
When Detective Sal Capello is called to the scene of a gruesome murder, he has no idea how his life will change. The diminutive woman, hiding in plain sight makes an impression, but why? She couldn’t be involved in anything like what he’s just seen, right?
Amelia Cambridge has always been in the shadows, observing life but never taking part. It’s not safe for her or the people around her. She only went to the crime scene to pay her respects. How did the detective get so close to her physically and why does he keep showing up?
Excerpt –
Amelia was shaking as she let herself into her place. How had the detective done that? How the hell could that man get so close to her without her realizing? She felt everyone else standing outside at that house, their curiosity as well as their excitement. They didn’t know enough to be repelled and sickened.
She knew when people were close to her. Had for as long as she could remember, but he, this detective Capello, walked up and stood within touching distance without her realizing. She hadn’t known he was there until he actually spoke.
Was it the crime? Had she been that intent, that distracted by . . . no, she’d known what was in that room before she arrived on the street. He managed to get that close somehow without her being aware. What was different about him?
She needed to calm down and think. Heading into the kitchen, she poured a glass of iced tea. Then she wandered back into the living room and picked up the sketchpad on her coffee table. She returned to the kitchen and took a seat at the island. While she drank her tea, she began her sketch.
A credible version of the detective began to emerge. His eyes were dark. She always started with the eyes because they usually couldn’t hide what the person was thinking, at least not from her. His face was square with a strong chin and jaw line. His nose was a little large, possibly broken once in the past, but that gave his face the interesting touch that kept him from being pretty. He was definitely masculine. His ears were close to his head, and his hair long enough to curl slightly over them. His hair was thick and looked as though it would be soft to touch. The dark chestnut color worked for him. She’d noticed that even with only her quick glance at him.
The department probably thought he needed a haircut. She wouldn’t know those regulations, but it was a good length for him in her opinion. His hair curled slightly over his collar and was long enough in front to flop down over his broad brow, but not into his eyes.
His eyes, she thought about them again and added a line or two to her sketch. They noticed things. He took in her appearance with once glance, she was sure of that. He approached her, not any of the others standing there wishing to be part of the excitement.
Abruptly she closed the sketchbook. Why was she thinking about him after the devastation to that poor woman? How was she able to turn her thoughts from that? What word did she use at the scene—disrespectful? That’s what this felt like, Detective Capello shouldn’t be her focus. No, though she would never sketch the scene left in that bedroom. But even for a distraction, drawing the detective didn’t seem right.
Washing her glass, she tidied up, leaving no evidence that anyone had used the space. Returning to the great room, she flipped on some music, light jazz, and curled up in her favorite chair with her current book. She was alone. She was safe.
She shook her head. How had he gotten so close without her feeling him?
Buy links –
Amazon, iBook, B&N, Kobo
Bio –
Women Strong Enough For Love
Donna writes science fiction, paranormal and small town romances about women coming into their strength and having the courage to find and accept love.
Now that she has retired from going into an office every day, she created an office at home and writes full time. Talk about living the dream!
She was the girl at the party who was yearning for the quiet corner and a book to read (go Rory Gilmore!) and has been writing in her head since she learned to read. Getting those stories down on paper (or in her laptop) has been more fun than she ever imagined it could be.
The possibilities of science fiction have always drawn her, and she’s read them all, there just needed to be a little more romance in them. She finally got up the courage to write them herself and is delighted to be able to share these stories with you.
She is a member of Romance Writers of America, the Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal Chapter of RWA and the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers.
Please sign up for her newsletter at –https://www.steelestories.com/newsletter/
And follow her at–Amazon, Twitter , Facebook, Pinterest, Bookbub,
Donna has also written several series that I just love! Here at the links to two of these series that I recommend as strongly as I can. You'll love them!
The Melting Series
The Conall Clan