Please tell us a bit about
yourself:
I started writing at the age of seven, with a self-illustrated tale
about princesses, flying cats, flying horses and a riverboat captain. Our house
had a library, with my Dad’s beloved science fiction books on one side and my
Mom’s ancient history books on the other. I thought there needed to be more
romance in everything! I’ve always written but didn’t get serious about
becoming published until the end of 2010, when my grown daughters and my
grandson were out on their own. Carina Press published my first book in 2012
and since then I’ve released ten more. A year ago I made the switch from the
day job to being a full time author. I write science fiction romance and
paranormal romance set in ancient Egypt.
Here’s the blurb - She saved countless soldiers in the wars … but does she have the weapons to fight an outbreak?
Dr. Emily Shane, veteran of the Sector Wars, is known as “The Angel of Fantalar” for her bravery under fire as a medic. However, the doctor has her own war wounds–severe PTSD and guilt over those she failed to save.
Persuaded to fill a seemingly frivolous berth as ship’s doctor on the huge and luxurious interstellar cruise liner Nebula Zephyr, she finds the job brings unexpected perks–a luxe beach deck with water imported from Tahumaroa II, and Security Officer Jake Dilon, a fellow veteran who heats her up like a tropical sun.
However, Emily soon learns
she and Jake didn’t leave all peril behind in the war. A mysterious ailment
aboard the Zephyr begins to claim victim after victim … and they must race
against time and space to find the cause and a cure! Trapped on a ship no
spaceport will allow to dock, their efforts are complicated by a temperamental
princess and a terrorist–one who won’t hesitate to take down any being in the
way of his target. If anyone’s left when
the disease is through with them…
What inspired you to write
this particular story?:
I was fascinated by news accounts of norovirus
outbreaks on ocean-going cruise ships, and started thinking what if such a
thing happened on an interstellar cruise ship? And what if the relatively
harmless-but-unpleasant bug was actually the first stage of something much
worse? I enjoy writing stories set on ships sailing the stars!
Please share a favourite
snippet from your book:
This snippet is
from the scene where the disease starts showing up in its second, more deadly
stage.
The portal to the corridor burst open, and Mr.
Enzell struggled into the lobby, half carrying his wife and surrounded by their
white-faced children. Syl was sobbing in great gasps, and the boys’ faces were
set in expressions of terror. The oldest had a blood-soaked wad of cloth
pressed to his nose. Mrs. Enzell’s head lolled, and she looked as if she was
crying tears of blood. Clint immediately moved to support the woman on the
other side, calling for Emily as he did so.
“Seven hells, here we go.” Emily was right behind
them as the men helped Mrs. Enzell to an exam room and onto the bed.
“Trynna started bleeding a few minutes ago, Doctor,”
Mr. Enzell said as medical personnel hurried to get their new patient hooked up
to monitors. “She said she was dizzy and then—then her eyes—she was—the tears
were blood. And next thing I knew, my son’s nose was bleeding. What’s going
on?”
Emily caught Relba’s attention. “Call Bevar in,
stat. I’ve got this, Vicente. Take the boy into room two and get him in bed,
please.” As her staff moved to carry out the orders, Emily busied herself setting
up the intravenous flow of fluids for Mrs. Enzell and added a basic clotting
factor. “This is apparently a complication of the intestinal virus, Mr. Enzell.
Do you have any symptoms?”
He blinked. “I’m fine. Marc, my oldest, he’s not
doing too well.”
“My nurse is taking care of him right now. And Syl?
And the middle child?” Emily spared a glance for them.
He clutched the kids closer to him. “Fine so far.
Scared for their mom and Marc. How can bleeding from the eyes be related to an
upset stomach?” Mr. Enzell’s voice was rough.
“Sometimes an infection affects different areas of
the body at different times.” She tried to keep her own tone soothing.
“So you’ve seen this before? You know what to do?”
He stepped closer to the bed and took his wife’s hand. “How long before she’s
better?”
“Being in sickbay should do the trick, dear.” Sick
as she was, Mrs. Enzell made an effort to reassure him. “Don’t give the doctor
a hard time. I’m sure I’ll be all better by tonight.” Her voice was a thready
whisper.
Which comes first for you
– a character's looks, personality or name?: The personality
Any tips for aspiring
authors?: Keep getting words onto the page and don’t be overly self-critical on
your first draft. Time enough to edit
and polish later!
Questions for fun:
If you had the power of
time travel, is there anything you would go back and change? Why/why not?:
I’d
go back and observe some events perhaps, would love to see some of ancient
Egypt. I wouldn’t try to change anything though. I think the world is the way
it’s supposed to be and if I were to change something, I might not like the way
the ripples carried forward to my own timeline!
What super-power would you
choose?:
Flight! I sometimes dream I’m flying.
If you could have three
wishes, what would they be?:
1. For my children to be happy and healthy (which
includes my son-in-law and my grandson). 2. For one of my novels to be made
into a movie. 3. To write a book that became a mega bestselling, beloved
classic! (Might as well wish big, right?)
Coffee, tea or wine?: Tea!
In a pretty china tea cup, with sugar and milk.
What is your favourite
book? (aside from one of your own!):
Depends on my mood but currently either
RADIANCE by Grace Draven or SHIELD OF WINTER by Nalini Singh
Favourite genre and why?:
Science fiction romance – I love the possibilities!
Favourite colour?: Purple
Upcoming news and plans
for the future?:
I have two more new books coming out in May and June – LADY OF
THE STAR WIND and HOSTAGE OF THE STARS respectively, both scifi romance. I’m
currently working on another SFR for the early Fall and I’m hoping to get to
writing the sequel to DANCER OF THE NILE in my ancient Egyptian paranormal
series this year.
Thank you so much for
taking the time to talk to us! Thanks for having me as your guest!
Bio:
Best Selling Science Fiction &
Paranormal Romance author and “SciFi Encounters” columnist for the USA Today
Happily Ever After blog, Veronica Scott grew up in a house with a library as
its heart. Dad loved science fiction, Mom loved ancient history and Veronica
thought there needed to be more romance in everything. When she ran out of
books to read, she started writing her own stories.
Three time winner of the SFR Galaxy Award,
as well as a National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award, Veronica is also the
proud recipient of a NASA Exceptional Service Medal relating to her former day
job, not her romances! She recently was honored to read the part of Star Trek
Crew Woman in the audiobook production of Harlan Ellison’s “City On the Edge of
Forever.”
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/vscotttheauthor
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Veronica-Scott/e/B006CUCJ92/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
STAR CRUISE: OUTBREAK
Buy Links:
Thank you very much for having me as your guest today! Fun questions :)
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure!
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