Wednesday 27 March 2013

Playing 20 Questions with Melissa Keir


EM: Welcome to My World, Melissa. Thank you so much for stopping by to play twenty questions with me. :-)

MK: Thank you for having me. I’m so excited to play your game. What fun questions!

Before we begin, could you tell us a little about yourself?

I’ve always wanted to be a racecar driver but I decided for something more safe and a little less exciting. I’m a wife, mother, full time elementary teacher, publisher and author. Not to mention a chief cook and bottle washer! Too bad in my Brady Bunch family, I didn’t get an Alice.

My contemporary romance stories focus on small town settings and characters that you’d love to be friends with. Growing up in a small town myself, I love to bring that wonderful experience to my readers.

EM: Are you ready to play 20 questions? *rubs hands together*

MK: I have a feeling you are going to enjoy this as much as the readers. J


Which do you find harder to write?

1. First person POV or Third?

I find third person harder to write. The third person is harder for me not to head hop in.

2. As a male or female?

I feel equally comfortable writing for both men and women characters. Sometimes the male point of view is a wonderful change of pace.

3. Beginning, middle or end of the story?

I think it is harder to write the middle, which is why I have so many beginnings in my file. J

4. Fight scenes or smex scenes?

I just took a class to help me write the smex scenes. I wanted to write more realistic scene that causes my reader’s blood pressure to rise.

5. Synopsis or blurb?

I find the synopsis harder to write because I hate that we give away the storyline. I like how the blurb gives the reader a tease about what is going to happen without sharing the ending.


As a writer, do you prefer:

6. Writing in the morning, afternoon or evening?

I love to write at night. I climb into my bed where it’s quiet and write while the household is sleeping.

7. Writing with music, or in peace?

I guess I just answered this question with the last one. My family loves to have the TV on all day long. It makes me crazy!

8. Planning, or Improvising?

I’m definitely into improvising. I have a rough plan of the story and characters but I love to let them tell their own story.

9. Juggling a few projects, or concentrating on one at a time?

I used to say that I had to concentrate on one project but with my full time teaching schedule, I don’t have the time to waste, so when an idea appears, I head to that story to work.

10. Sticking to one genre, or exploring many?

So far I’ve been sticking to contemporary romance but never say never! 


As a reader, do you prefer:

11. Story being told from female view or male?

I love both types of stories!

12. Good guys or bad boys?

Ooohhh bad boys! I’ve always had a weakness for them!

13. Feisty females or fragile damsels?

I love feisty females. They remind me of myself.

14. Stand alone stories or series?

I’m a huge fan of series books. When I find an author that I love, it is wonderful to keep reading about the characters you’ve fallen in love with.

15. Quick reads or long stories?

I’m a sucker for quick reads. I love the 1 Night Stand books because I can read three of them in an evening. J

16. Romance as a side dish or the main course?

Romance must be a big part of the story. I can’t live without my happily ever afters.

17. Erotica or soft romance or something in-between?

When it comes to what I love, I’m always changing! Some days I love raunchy stories and other days, I want something more sweet.

18. More action or humor?

Can I have some of both? It’s hard to choose what you love. After all, a great author will be able to weave it all together!


Just for fun:

19. Vampires or Angels?

Vampires- They are definitely hot!

20. Werewolves or Demons?

Werewolves. I love a wild man!


What are you currently working on?

I am currently working on sequels for Protecting His Wolfe and Second Time’s the Charm. I’m also working on the remaining two stories for the Wilder Sisters series. Currently I have Second Time’s the Charm about three quarters complete and hope to have it submitted in the next month.

Do you have any current release?

Forever Love is my current release. It was released in January from Secret Cravings Publishing. Forever Love tells the story of the oldest Wilder Sister and her decision to come back to Ohio to care for her father.

Blurb:

Fifteen years ago, Syndie Wilder left her small hometown- Amherst, Ohio- to escape the pain of losing her best friend and boyfriend. Deciding that Chicago offered more for an up and coming jewelry designer, she enjoyed the big city life until she chooses to return and care for her father. Taking care of her father and relocating her internet business, Syndie has no time or desire for romance but fate has a way of playing with best-laid plans.

Thom Johnson broke Syndie’s heart all those years ago and regrets it every day. As a firefighter, Thom sets out to protect Amherst and redeem himself for his bad choices. However, he never has forgotten Syndie and the hurt he caused her.

When a chance meeting happens, can the two former friends allow themselves the chance to become friends again, or will the sparks turn a childhood friendship into a forever love?


Purchase link: Secret Cravings Store| Amazon| B&N

~ * ~

Excerpt:

After getting out of my car, I hiked down the stairs. It was a mild September day, and the beach was fairly empty—just myself and a few seagulls. I walked slowly along the shoreline with my head down, not noticing the person swimming in the water until he began to climb out of the surf.

A dark, cropped haircut framed a face so beautiful that it could be described as the face of a Roman god. He had a strong nose and jawline that showed just a sprinkling of whisker stubble. However, it was his body that made me pause. His muscular shoulders and upper arms looked like they could carry a girl off to bed. His wet torso was covered with hair that immediately drew my eyes and tempted me to caress it. The chest hair tapered down his narrow waist and seemed to lead the way to paradise. I stopped walking and just stared. God, please let there be no drool dripping off my chin. This guy was smokin’ hot! Then he smiled and I noticed his face, complete with a little dimple in his chin. He seemed familiar, but I wasn’t sure where I recognized him from. When he saw that I noticed him, he winked as if he recognized me too.

“Hello! Nice day for a walk, huh? The weather has been kind to us this year.” He spoke and my knees wobbled. His voice was like chocolate, smooth and delicious.

“Hi…Yes…I’m glad the weather is nice enough to get out, but isn’t the water too cold for a swim?”

“Not at all. I enjoy my morning workouts after a long shift at the station. You don’t remember me, do you, Syndie?”

My mind was drawing a blank. How did he know my name? Who was this hottie?

“Not really. You do look familiar, but I can’t place you. I’m sorry.”

“It’s been a long time. We grew up together, our parents were best friends. We even went out in high school. I’m not surprised you don’t remember me, you hightailed it out of Amherst like your butt was on fire after graduation. We never saw each other again. I’m Thom Johnson, but everyone called me T.J.”

Oh wow. I’ve got a lot on my plate and he has changed over the years, but to not know someone so connected to most of my life was baffling. This man had been my best childhood friend. I was T.J.’s girlfriend for a while, but he dumped me for someone who put out. Before we went out in high school, I grew up with images in my head of him as the ideal guy. Our families encouraged our dating, thinking we were perfect together. When he dumped me, it broke my heart. I couldn’t stand watching him move on without me.

~ * ~

Any upcoming releases?

I have a flash fiction anthology coming out in March from Breathless Press. Flash fiction is my favorite hobby. I love to use a very limited word count to create a sexy story. You can check out my website for more information and a buy link when the book is released.


Where can readers find you on the internet?

Readers can find me on my website at: www.melissakeir.com or on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/melissaakeir 

I really love to hear from readers!

EM: Thank you so much for joining me!

MK: Thank you for having me. This was a lot of fun and the questions were really a lot easier than I thought!

4 comments:

  1. Thank you for having me over at your house! :) I really appreciate it!

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    Replies
    1. You're very welcome. It was a pleasure having you, Melissa. :-)

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  2. Fun Questions! Congrats on your release Melissa:)

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