Good morning. It’s Meet and Greet Monday!
With us today is Romance Author, Melissa Keir.
Welcome, Melissa!
Thank you for having me Kacey. I’m excited to share more about myself and my book with you and your readers.
- What are the first 3 things you do when you wake up in the morning? (besides the obvious personal things! LOL No need to share those!)
First I check my cell phone to make sure there hasn’t been a snow day called. Then I have to untangle myself from my dogs. They sleep on top of me and snuggled up with me. Finally I have to drag myself to the bathroom to start my day with all the normal morning things.
- Describe how a typical writing day will go for you?
There’s nothing typical for me. I have a day job as a teacher. So I’m up by 6 am and at work by 7:15. I teach kindergarten this year and am on the go all day. Sometimes I don’t even get to use the bathroom until I come home. In the evenings I’m promoting, writing, making dinner. Whew. Now I’m tired just reading all that!
- Tell us, what’s the first thought that comes to your head when you read the following words –
Romance …Love and books
Spring …Is it ever going to come?
The 80s …Valley Girl
Karma …It’s a b*tch
Iron Man …Can he marry me?
- Tell us a bit about yourself. Where do you live, do you have a significant other, any young Keirs’ running around?
I’m married to a wonderful guy. We are a blended family, like the Brady Bunch. He has two boys and I have a boy and a girl. All our children are now young adults so we don’t get to see them as much, even when they still live with us. We’re very proud of our children and the people they’ve become. To keep us busy, we’ve adopted two furbabies which take up our time and attention. They are our little children and are spoiled rotten.
We live in a small town in Michigan, hence my hatred for the snow and cold right now. Our winter has been the snowiest on record ever. Anyone interested in letting me move in with them?
- What is your favorite junk food?
Gobstoppers. I love the candy and have a box sitting on my bookshelf.
- How many speeding tickets have you ever had?
When I was younger, I had so many speeding tickets that if I had another one, I would have lost my driver’s license. Since then, I haven’t had one. *Knock on wood* But I drive like Mario Andretti.
- What is your least favorite household chore?
I hate dusting. For some reason, it makes me crazy.
- What are you a collector of?
Do books count? When I was younger, I used to collect porcelain dolls. I also have a collection of Native American pieces but now my only collection is books. They fill my shelves. *g*
- If we were to come over to your house for dinner, what dish would you make us?
I would make Chicken Scaloppini. I love to cook for guests and always make desserts. Right now, we are finishing up a cherry pie.
- Have you read any books that have made you cry?
I actually love books that make me cry. It means that I’ve connected with the characters and have been pulled into the story.
- Did you always want to be an author?
When I was eight, I wanted to be a music star. I used to put on shows in the basement. I’ve also wanted to be a geriatric nurse and work with animal husbandry. But writing has always been an important part of who I am. I told stories to my sisters while we waited to fall asleep. I wrote silly horror stories during typing class where all my classmates had starring roles. I’ve written poetry for most of my life. Being a published author has just been an extension of my passion for writing.
- No matter the story, where do you always draw inspiration from when you begin each story?
I always draw inspiration from the world around me… the people and their stories.
- What three words do you think best describe you?
Caring, dedicated, shy.
- What three words would your husband use to describe you?
Beautiful, driven, loving.
- What kind of beverage specialty would you provide for a dinner party?
I love to make frozen pina coladas and daiquiris.
- If you were given an all-expense paid, five day/night trip to anywhere, where would you go?
I would love to go to Scotland to see the land my husband’s family came from, or maybe to one of those island retreats in the Pacific where you have a hut on the water to yourself.
- What is your one pet peeve about the writing business?
My biggest pet peeve is about how little authors really make because of how much is taken out by Amazon and other retailers.
- Who are some of your favorite authors?
Laurell K. Hamilton, Nancy Gideon, Liz Crowe, Susan Sizemore, J.D. Robb, Margaret Atwood.
- Who/What are you currently reading?
I’m currently reading some books by friends, Betrayal by Jenna Jaxon and Worst Week Ever by Liza O’Connor.
- What do you find most challenging about writing?
The most challenging part for me is finding time. With the day job and owning a publishing house, I have so many other things that take up my time. I don’t spend any time on myself and put my own writing aside to get things done for others. I wish I could be more frivolous but that’s the driven and determined part of me.
Top Three Favorite Madams-
My book Chalkboard Romance features a mysterious man named Draikoh San who has a matchmaking and dating service. He’s found many clients’ one and only. Some people would consider him a Madam as he sets up people for a one night stand. Considering this, I wanted to share my top three Madams from books, movies and television shows.
- Belle Watling from Gone with the Wind– She is seen as the comfort for Rhett’s demons and is a staunch Confederate. But she’s also a woman who knows her place. When Melanie tells Belle that she’ll acknowledge her if she sees her on the street, Belle tells her not to. Belle is more concerned for Melanie’s repuation than her own.
- Miss Kitty from Gunsmoke– As a madam, she was revered by the town’s marshal. They had a loving relationship but never consumated it. The town respected her and came to her saloon for more than a drink but shoulder to cry on. She’s also one of the town’s business woman as she became the co-owner of the saloon.
- Miss Mona Stangley from Best Little Whorehouse in Texas-Miss Mona runs a clean brothel that has been turned a blind eye to by the town and local sheriff.She pays for sports teams in town and helps financially in other ways. Her love affair with the sheriff is under wraps until he is forced to close her brothel down. His romantic proposal at the end where he sweeps her off her feet is the stuff of romance novels.
Now that you’ve seen my choices for top three Madams and you’ve heard about Draikoh San…don’t you want to sign up and find your own happily ever after?
Check out Chalkboard Romance and see just how spot on Draikoh is with his choice for Lauren and Mac.
Blurb:
Lauren Walsh, a divorcee and elementary teacher, wanted to feel sexy again, after her ex tossed her aside for a younger woman. Her teaching partner and best friend encouraged her to sign up for The Playhouse–a renowned dating agency.
Mac Thomas remained trapped in a marriage to a money grubbing socialite. Forced to stay away from his young son, Mac lost the ability to trust. After the death of his wife, he returned to care for his son but his sister wants more for him. She sets him up with The Playhouse.
Passion ignites but Mac’s a parent of one of Lauren’s students. A teacher and a parent dating could cost Lauren her job and her chance at happiness. Will Mac be able to convince the school and Lauren, that love is the most important thing?
Buy Links:
About Melissa:
As a writer, Melissa likes to keep current on topics of interest in the world of writing. She’s a member of the Romance Writers of America and EPIC. Melissa is always interested in improving her writing through classes and seminars. She also believes in helping other authors and features authors and their books on her blog.
Melissa doesn’t believe in down time. She’s always keeping busy. Melissa is a wife and mother, an elementary school teacher, a book reviewer, an editor for a publishing company as well as an author. Her home blends two families and is a lot like the Brady Bunch, without Alice- a large grocery bill, tons of dirty dishes and a mound of laundry. She loves to write stories that feature “happy endings” and is often found plotting her next story.
Melissa loves hearing from readers!
http://www.facebook.com/melissaakeir
http://www.facebook.com/AuthorMelissaKeir
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Kacey's Kreations 
Thank you for having me on Kacey! I loved getting to share my book with your readers. If anyone wants the recipe for the Scallopini, it’s easy!
Great interview – and Chalkboard Romance is on my TBR list! 🙂
Thank you Kristen. I’d love to hear what you think when you finish it.
Great interview questions and answers, ladies. Love getting to know more about you, Melissa.
Thank you Diane. It’s always fun to learn more about each other. It brings us closer together!
Fun interview! Thanks for the book love shout out! On my way to Amazon to One Click (sorry it’s not ALL going in your pocket!).
Thank you Nancy. I have your original books on my keeper shelf. They are precious to me and I’ve read them more than once!
Your interview garnered a great deal of responses. Let’s see what I still remember. Most important one: DO NOT, I repeat, Do NOT try to live in a hut on the water. Huts are flighty at best, and don’t do well on water. Second, it will be a difficult commute to Michigan. Fortunately, I’ve forgotten my other comments. The idea of you floating in a hut washed the other comments out of my head. .
I know that a hut wouldn’t be great but man what a vacation! (as long as it wasn’t hurricane season!) And if I could live somewhere warm, I wouldn’t want to commute back to Michigan. The snow has driven me batty this year!
Great interview. My parents live across the Detroit River in Windsor, so I know what you mean about a rough winter there- they’ve been complaining for weeks. But hang in – spring will arrive!
Tweeted.
Thank you Daryl! They are practically neighbors! We might be in the 40’s this week. Yea~!
Interesting interview, Melissa. Fun to learn all these things about you.
Thank you Maris. I love that we can learn so much more about each other. 🙂
Fun interview, Melissa! You are such a busy and hardworking writer, and I wish you much success (and more $$!). I like the idea of a hut on a beach somewhere warm, too.
Lucy
I feel like I don’t have enough time for everything, of course what I shortchange is myself and my hubby. Maybe some day I’ll have the money to retire and enjoy myself more.
Hi, sweet friend: so loverly to wake up to your nice interview. I hate dusting too; however, Swiffers make it a lot more…well, not fun. Maybe easier? How does one sleep with dogs on top of them? lol
I don’t know Vicki! The dogs are nice and warm though. This morning they had my legs pinned down and the legs were protesting. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by.
Melissa, I loved the interview and getting to know you better. I hate dusting, too, because I’m allergic to dust and sneeze the whole time.
How does your husband fit into that bed with those dogs all around you. Even our cats know they go to the bottom of the bed. lol
I Googled+ and liked on Facebook.
Thank you Sandy! My poor hubby has all the room on his side because the dogs are only on my side. One is on my legs and the other is under the covers next to my belly. It’s a wild night with me!
Oh no, how do you get any rest? Poor Melissa!
Wonderful interview! Book sounds great too 🙂 Can’t wait to read it!
Thank you Jennifer! I appreciate that you are considering my work! 🙂
Great interview, ladies and I simply love the cover, Melissa. I am determined to make more time for reading and have this one in my pile.
Thank you Karen. I’d love your thoughts after you read it. 🙂
Enjoyed the interview, ladies. Just how I like them, short and sweet but packed with entertainment. Best on luck on this one, Melissa. On my TBR pile.
Thank you Margo! I love different interviews. Each one gives me a chance to learn something new!
As a mother of a kindergartener, I don’t know how you do it either! One exhausts me! I don’t know who you handle 25 or 30 small children–but I’m sure glad you do! Best wishes!
Thanks Alyssa. They exhaust me too! But it’s a fun day!
What a multi-tasker!! Congrats on the release, your publishing house, staying sane, and making scaloppini.
Thank you Sheri. I’m not so sure I am sane. I certainly don’t do much for myself. 🙂