I so love it when one of my Wild Rose Sistah’s lets me interview them, especially when they’ve got a new book out!
Debby Grahl is a fabulous writer and I can’t believe this is the first time I’m interviewing her!! Let’s get to the questions, and stick around because afterward she’s giving her a glimpse into her new book MOUNTAIN BLAZE.
So, Debby….As a Writer …
What drives you to write?
Writing is something I’ve always wanted to do. I come from a family of artists. My grandmother, aunt, and uncle all painted. My cousin was an art teacher, and I have family members who are graphic designers. I have a disease of the retina called Retinitis Pigmentosa which causes gradual vision loss. I lost the ability to read print in my twenties. I honestly believe since I can’t be creative with my eyes, mine comes out in words.
What genre(s) of Romance do your write, and why?
I write both contemporary and paranormal romance. I’ve always liked reading books with ghosts and witches. I like using them because they’re so versatile. You can have nice or mean ghosts. You can have those who can be seen or not. I also enjoy using ghosts of historical characters. My witches are normal people with different degrees of power. With contemporary books, I always have some kind of mystery and like to set them in interesting places. His Magic Touch is set in New Orleans. Mountain Blaze takes place in the beautiful mountains outside of Asheville NC.
What genre(s) of Romance do you read, and why?
Again, I love paranormal books with ghosts and witches. I’m a history nut and love visiting England, so regency books are a must read for me. I love reading the queens of mystery cozies, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, and Dorothy L Sayers. I also enjoy stories that take place in the twenties. Carola Dunn’s Daisy Dalrymple is one of my favorite characters.
What’s your writing schedule? Do you write every day?
I’m a creature of habit. I try to write each day. I do my best writing early in the morning. I usually get up around five thirty, work out, then start writing. If the words are flowing, I’ve been known to write nonstop until dinner time.
Give us a glimpse of the surroundings where you write. Separate room? In the kitchen? At the dining room table?
A few years ago I had back surgery. Recovering at home, I found my desk chair too uncomfortable. I discovered sitting in the love seat with my feet up worked best. I got so used to this, I still write with my feet up.
Are you the kind of writer who needs total quiet to compose, or are you able to filter out the typical sounds of the day and use your tunnel-vision?
Not at all. I find I can easily get distracted, so I have to have quiet.
Do you listen to music while you write, and if so, what kind? If not, why not?
LOL! If I listened to music, I’d be dancing not writing.( Peggy here – me, too!)
Which comes first for you – character or plot? And why?
I’d say plot because I choose my location first. Then my characters and story line.
What 3 words describe you, the writer?
Relentless, determined, and imaginative.
Debby – just between us…
Tell us one unusual thing about yourself – not related to writing!
Except for bathrooms, I actually don’t mind cleaning house.
Who was your first love and what age were you?
I was thirteen and his name was Vinnie. He had no interest in me at all. Now, fifty years later, he’s a friend on Facebook and cheers me on with my writing.
If you could relive one day, which one would it be? Think GROUNDHOG DAY, the movie for this one – you’ll have to live it over and over and….
This is a hard one, but I’ll say, the first time I held my first printed book in my hands. It had taken so long for me to get to that moment in my life, it’s worth reliving.
What’s one thing you love about your significant other? He likes to cook.
If you had to give up one necessary-can’t-live-without-it item, what would it be? Going to the hair salon.
What three words describe you, the person? Friendly, honest, and loving.
If you could sing a song with Jimmy Fallon, what would it be? New York New York.
If you could hang out with any literary character from any book penned at any time line, who would it by, why, and what would you do together?
This would be Carola Dunn’s Daisy Dalrymple. Daisy lives in London during the twenties. I’d love to ride around in her two-seater car and tour London during that time period.
I love the Actor’s Studio show on Bravo, so this is my version of it:
- Favorite sound — ocean waves.
- Least favorite sound — water dripping.
- Best song every written — Center Field.
- Worst song ever written — Don’t worry be happy.
- Favorite actor and actress — Dennis Quaid and Katharine Hepburn.
- Who would you want to be for 1 day and why? (It can be anyone living or dead) — Agatha Christie. I’ve love to be inside her brain.
- What turns you on? — My husband.
- What turns you off? — Arrogance
- Give me the worst 5 words ever heard on a first date (here’s mine: “Is that your real hair?”)— Can you get the check?
- What’s your version of a perfect day? — Laying on the beach, shopping and lunch with my girlfriend; and leaving for England with my husband.
Mountain Blaze
Can Dillon and Diana elude a killer while their newfound love grows?
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.
Excerpt
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.
Intrigued? You can get your copy here:
A little 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 Wild Rose Press December 5, 2018. Her latest book, Mountain Blaze, will be released November 2.
You can find Debby at the following:
Website — Facebook — Bookbub — Twitter —Goodreads
Peggy here- thanks so much for visiting me today, Debby, and for letting me grill you!!!
Peggy Jaeger, Author 