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!
Thank you for having me over at your house! :) I really appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome. It was a pleasure having you, Melissa. :-)
DeleteFun Questions! Congrats on your release Melissa:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Molly! I'm very fond of this story!
Delete