I’m excited to welcome another sister Rose (published by The Wild Rose Press) today. Say hello to award-winning author Debby Grahl! Her latest release is Mountain Blaze, and I’ll give you the scoop on that in a moment. But first, let’s learn more about Debby herself.
Thanks so much for joining me today, Debby! At what age did you write your first story? Around sixteen. I used to entertain my girlfriends with my stories as we walked to school.
A fun way to liven up your walk! Tell me, which genre was the first to hook you? I’ve always loved mysteries. The first manuscript I submitted was a mystery cozy. The editor at the time told me that type of book wasn’t selling. If I wanted to get published, I needed to write romance. This is a genre I also liked, so now all my books have both a mystery and romance.
What was your first published book? A paranormal romance titled The Silver Crescent. The story has romance, a mystery, a treasure hunt, and Victorian ghosts.
Sounds like an exciting read! What’s your favorite part of the writing process? Brainstorming? Research? Outlining? Writing? Editing? I enjoy both outlining and writing. Although, my outline is pretty short. I decide on location, my characters’ personalities, and plot. After that, my imagination takes over.
What are you working on now? Island Heat, which takes place on Hilton Head Island, is the sequel to Mountain Blaze.
Of all the settings you’ve used (or created!) for your books, which is your favorite and why? This would have to be New Orleans. My husband and I first went to the French Quarter in 1988 and fell in love with the city. Since I love ghosts, witches, and legends, there couldn’t be a better setting than New Orleans. Not to mention the great food, fun atmosphere, and unique people.
I’ve always wanted to go there! Speaking of things otherworldly…if you could have a conversation with anyone—dead or alive—who would it be? Agatha Christie. I’d love to hear how she comes up with her plots.
I’d love to meet her too! If you could travel to any time and place, when and where would that be? I’d have two choices: Regency England, and London during the Twenties.
Both of those would be amazing to experience firsthand! If you could step inside any book or series and live there for a week, which would you choose? Carola Dunn’s Daisy Dalrymple series. These take place in Britain during the Twenties. I’ve always wanted to be a flapper.
That would be so cool! If a fairy godmother appeared and offered you one thing—anything at all—what would you request? A thatch roofed cottage in the English Cotswolds.
Gosh, I’d want one of those too! Now, it’s time to learn some of your favorites!
Sound: laughter
Eye color: deep blue
Foreign language (whether or not you speak it!): Italian
Song: “Mony Mony,” by Tommy James and the Shondells
Book: Love Story
Movie: French Kiss
TV show: Alias Smith and Jones
Cuisine: Italian
Cookie: peanut butter
US location: New Orleans
Foreign location: England
And finally, list your preference from the following choices:
Tea or coffee? coffee
Cake or pie? pie
Halloween or Christmas? Christmas
Nancy Drew or Sherlock Holmes? Sherlock Holmes
Jane Austen or the Brontë sisters? Jane Austen
A mortal, vampire, ghost, or fae for a lover? mortal
English gent, Scottish highlander, European count, or all-American guy? English gent
I love your answers! Now, let’s learn more about your recent release, Mountain Blaze:
Disillusioned by his wife’s betrayal, rodeo star Dillon McCoy comes home to the mountains of North Carolina to lick his wounds. When he agrees to take over the family ranch, the Lazy M, he’s unaware danger waits.
Diana Thompson is having doubts about her engagement to Trent Sawyer. She agrees to leave Chapel Hill and spend Thanksgiving with her friend Jenn at the Lazy M. When Diana and Dillon meet, neither can deny their attraction, but both must resolve past relationships while fighting their growing desire.
After Dillon turns down an anonymous offer to purchase the ranch, attempts are made on his life. When a body is found, Dillon sets out to discover who wants the McCoy land enough to commit murder.
A peek between the pages:
Dillon smiled and Diana thought it the sexiest smile she’d ever seen. There was a slight cleft in his chin, and fine lines formed at the corners of his eyes. Diana inwardly groaned. The butterflies were back.
“I’d hold onto you. I wouldn’t let you fall,” he softly said.
With his slow southern accent, the words sounded like warm honey rolling off his tongue. The depth of his eyes and the sound of his voice mesmerized her.
The horses stood side by side. Her and Dillon’s legs touched. He leaned toward her, and the light aroma of wood smoke, hay, and his spicy cologne filled her nostrils. Diana knew what he was about to do but had no willpower to stop him. He cupped her cheek and their lips met.
Gentle at first, his lips glided over hers. He increased the pressure until she opened her mouth and his tongue slipped in. Diana moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck. His arms around her waist, he deepened the kiss. Before she realized what he was doing, without breaking their kiss Dillon lifted her from Flora and placed her across his lap.
Cradled in his arms, Diana clung to him, delicious sensations filling her. Her body came alive in a way that surprised her. The only thing that mattered was this man and this moment.
Flame moved, bringing her back to reality. Diana’s eyes fluttered open, and she stared into Dillon’s, deep with passion and need.
Buy the book on Amazon!
More about Debby:
Award winning author, Debby Grahl, lives on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, with her husband, David. Besides writing, she enjoys biking, walking on the beach and a glass of wine at sunset. Her favorite places to visit are New Orleans, New York City, Captiva Island in Florida, the Cotswolds of England, and her home state of Michigan. She is a history buff who also enjoys reading murder mysteries, time travel, and, of course, romance. Visually impaired since childhood by Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), she uses screen-reading software to research and write her books. His Magic Touch, a paranormal romance, was released by The Wild Rose Press December 5, 2018. Her latest book, Mountain Blaze, was released November 2.
Where to find her:
Website | Facebook | BookBub | Twitter | Goodreads
It’s been a pleasure having you here, Debby! Wishing you all the best with Mountain Blaze.
Judith Sterling 