Debby Grahl Writes Exciting Romance

Fellow Wild Rose author, Debby Grahl, writes both contemporary and paranormal romances. Wait until you discover how creative she is!

Welcome, Debby Grahl

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I grew up in southeast Michigan, but now that my husband, David, is retired, we live on Hilton Head Island, SC. I find water to be calming, so I enjoy walking on the beach or sitting listening to the waves. I’m social by nature so I like meeting people. I love to shop, go to lunch, have cocktail parties, and decorate for Christmas.

I belong to two book clubs, and I’m part of a Bunco group. I also enjoy traveling, especially England. My husband and I have been there three times, and to my total delight, we toured Highclere Castle, which was used in Downton Abbey.

Is there an event in your life that affected you as a writer?

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 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. It wasn’t until the invention of computers and wonderful screen reading software that I was able to put my stories into words. Everything I type is read back to me aloud.

Is writing something that comes easy to you or not?

Artistic abilities run in my family. My grandmother, uncle, and aunt all painted, and my cousin is an art teacher. My niece and cousins do graphic design. I believe with my vision loss, instead of my creativity coming out visually, mine comes out in words.

Do your travels influence your writing?

Another of my favorite places to visit is New Orleans. Each September, the author Heather Graham holds a conference there. After attending the conference, David and I rent a great little place on Dauphine Street. Besides writing contemporary romance, I also write paranormal. Witches and ghosts are my two favorite characters to create. So what better place than the streets of the French Quarter, or St. Louis cemetery #1, for my imagination to take flight.

Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?

I, like many beginning authors, thought that you just write the book and send it off. I quickly learned that there are many no- no’s in writing. For example, I sent twenty-five pages of my first book off to an editor who was offering a free critique. She wrote me back and said I had a good story if I could write it. Ouch! She also outlined all my mistakes in red. To my chagrin, most of the ages were red. I finally got a contract with a small press for my paranormal romance, The Silver Crescent. Needless to say, I was walking on air. About half-way through editing the book, I received an email telling me they were sorry, but due to lack of funds, they were closing their doors.

When I finally calmed down, I began looking for another publisher, and found small press. This time, we made it all the way to the book going to print before they went out of business. After my histrionics ran their course, I actually found a publisher who stayed in business long enough to publish The Silver Crescent and Rue Toulouse. Now, I’m thrilled to say, I’ve found a happy home with The Wild Rose Press.

What project are you working on now or what book will be next?

Mountain Blaze is the first in my Carolina trilogy. Next is Island Heat which takes place here on Hilton Head. And the last, which I don’t have a title for yet, is going to be set in Charleston.

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Mountain Blaze by Debby Grahl

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.

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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.

AMAZON | B&N

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Learn More about Debby Grahl

You can find Debby at the following:

• Website — www.debbygrahl.com
  Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/debbygrahlauthor?ref=br_rs
• Bookbub — https://www.bookbub.com/authors/debby-grahl
  Twitter — https://twitter.com/DebbyGrahl

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Debby Grahl would love to hear from you. Post your questions and comments below.