Hi Debby, and welcome! I’m excited to have you on my blog today, talking about your new release, Mountain Blaze. How did you get interested in writing fiction?

This began at a young age. I have a disease of the retina called Retinitis Pigmentosa which causes gradual vision loss. I lost the ability to read in my early twenties, but even when I had sight, seeing the printed word was always difficult for me. Reading a book would take me twice as long as  a person with normal sight. I became frustrated with this and began to make up my own stories. I recall entertaining my girlfriends on our way to school, by telling them my latest story. Today, they’re some of my biggest fans.

Are you an outliner or a pantser?

I’d have to say I’m a combination of both. I come up with the basic story line, then I choose my location and do a character outline. After that, I let it flow. Sometimes the characters themselves take over, and I end up in a different direction than originally planned.

What advice would you give an aspiring writer?

Do your research. Readers will catch the smallest mistake, such as if you have a specific building or street, make sure they’re in the right location. In writing historical, check to make sure you’re using the correct devices in the correct time period. Take online writing classes. I found these to be extremely helpful with beginner writing mistakes. Writers need to learn about tag lines, POV changes, correct punctuation, and grammar, also info dump and character development. When you submit your MS, make sure it’s as perfect as it can be. Editors will reject your work in seconds if there are too many mistakes.

Do you read your reviews?

I love reviews! Although I hold my breath each time there’s a new one. Being an author, you have to learn quickly not to take bad reviews to heart. Even though your book is your baby, and you want to challenge anyone who doesn’t love it as much as you do, ignore those that are nasty and move on.

What kinds of books do you like to read?

I love earlier British murder mysteries. Contemporary, paranormal, and regency romances, along with books about hunky cowboys and navy seals.

Who is your favorite author?

This is hard because there are those in different genres. British mysteries: Ngaio Marsh. American mysteries: Martha Grimes. Regency romance: Stephanie Lawrence. Historical romance: Amanda Quick. Paranormal romance: Heather Graham. Contemporary romance: this has to be Nora.

What was your favorite book as a child?

I loved Pippi Longstocking.

If you could bring a fictitious character to life and become friends with that person, who would it be?

I’d love to time travel back to the twenties and become friends with Daisy Dalrymple.

What superpower would you like to have?

I want to time travel. How cool would it be to go back in time and meet writers, famous people, and experience life in different time periods.

What’s your favorite place to visit?

New Orleans. My husband and I first went to the Crescent City on our honeymoon. We fell in love with the eclectic pulse of the city. Not to mention the history, food, music, and ghosts!

What’s your all-time favorite song?

Mony Mony, by Tommy James and the Shondells. LOL, I’m showing my age.

Great song! My world was shattered when I realized I’ve been singing the wrong lyrics for YEARS. Lol! If you could have dinner with any person, living or dead, who would it be?

Agatha Christy

Now hers would be an interesting brain to pick. What’s your favorite guilty-pleasure TV show?

Outlander!

I guiltily admit I have never seen Outlander. I’ve only heard great things about it. What’s something that’s on your bucket list?

I’ve always wanted to swim with dolphins.

Fun! I hope you get to do that someday. Thanks for visiting my blog today! It was a lot of fun to learn more about you and your writing.

Mountain Blaze Blurb

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.

About the Author

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.

Connect with Debby

Website — www.debbygrahl.com
Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/debbygrahlauthor?ref=br_rs
Amazon Author Page — https://www.amazon.com/Debby-Grahl/e/B00B34HM26
Twitter — https://twitter.com/DebbyGrahl