Meet Romance Author Debby Grahl
I am so happy to introduce you to romance author and fellow Rose, Debby Grahl. She writes steamy romance peppered with mystery and suspense. She has just released a new romance.
Welcome Debby…
Why did you become a writer?
This dates back to when I was about twelve. 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.
What do you do when you are not writing?
I love to travel, visit my family and friends, play a dice game called Bunco, go shopping, and to lunch with the girls, walk on the beach, and in the evening enjoy a glass of wine.
Do you have an unusual hobby?
Not anymore, but my husband I met when I was doing Civil War reenacting. I was part of a ladies’ group who did living history, and my husband reenacted the battles.
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 pages 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. After I finally calmed down, I began looking for another publisher, and found a 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.
Can you tell us about any other upcoming book, series, or writing plans?
Island Heat is the second in my Carolina series. Mountain Blaze, the prequel, takes place outside of Asheville NC. The third in the series will be set in Charleston SC. I have the plot, characters and setting, but I’m having trouble with the title.
Island Heat
by Debby Grahl
When bookstore owner Suzanna Shay and writer Austen Kincade meet on a Who Done It mystery cruise, their instant attraction has them more interested in romance than searching for clues. But when the leading actress in the shipboard murder skit, Austen’s publisher’s wife, throws herself at Austen, she’s furious when he rejects her advances and vows to have Austen no matter what it takes.
After the ship docks, with plans for a future together, Suzanna and Austen part, unaware vindictive lies will soon test their newfound love and entangle them in a real mystery that proves deadly.
Available from
AMAZON | B&N
Learn more about Debby Grahl
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. Visually impaired since childhood by Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), she uses screen-reading software to research and write her books.
Rue Toulouse, a contemporary romance set in the French Quarter, medaled as second place in the Readers’ Favorite international competition, and was awarded first place in the Top Shelf Fiction for the Romance category. His Magic Touch, a paranormal romance, is also set in New Orleans. Her latest book, Island Heat, released May 1, 2023, and will be the second book in her three-part Carolina series. The first, Mountain Blaze, released November 2, 2020, has received a five-star review from Readers’ Favorite.
You can find Debby at the following:
Zara, thank you so much for hosting me today!