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.

Wild Women Authors features author Debby Grahl and Island Heat a  contemporary romantic mystery set in the always gorgeous Hilton Head, SC. With Debby is bookstore owner Suzanna Shay who will go first.  

Good morning, Suzanna. Thanks for taking time away from the store to chat with us. Let’s start with where you are from. I grew up in Charlotte NC, but now I live on Hilton Head Island SC.  

Tell us a bit about the book. Island Heat begins on a cruise ship and concludes on Hilton Head Island. It’s the second in the Carolina series. Mountain Blaze, the first [in the series] introduces my extended McCoy family.

What did you think the first time you saw Austen Kincade? I won a trip on a mystery cruise through the company I work for, Preston Books. When I signed up for the Who Done It part of the cruise , I was told I’d be paired with a partner. My first thought was I hoped they’d be as excited to solve the mystery as I was. I have to admit I stopped dead in my tracks when I realized the absolutely gorgeous man standing at the bar was my partner.

Works for us! What was your second thought? I hoped Austen would be as attracted to me as I was to him.  

Was it love at first sight? Oh, definitely. I have to admit he’s the first man to fill my head with thoughts of mind-blowing sex at our first meeting.

What do you like most about him? We hit it off as if we’d known each other for months, not hours. He’s funny, charming, and interesting. We share a lot of interests such as books, music, dancing, and pizza.

How would you describe him? Austen is around six foot, with a fabulous body.  His eyes are smokey gray, and his hair is thick and light brown. And he has a sexy southern drawl.

How would he describe you? He said he liked my blue eyes and long red hair. He also seems to enjoy running his hands over my body and doing other pleasurable things.

What made you choose publishing for a career? I always loved books. I tried my hand at writing but wasn’t able to put my ideas into print. So I did the next best thing. I became the manager of Preston Books.

What is your biggest fear? That Austen doesn’t care for me as much as I do him. I fear our time together on the cruise was nothing more to him than a shipboard fling. He says not, but I can’t help but be afraid this romance will blow up in my face like others in my past.

How do you relax? I love to shop! If this isn’t possible, I’ll curl up with a glass of wine and a romance novel.  

Who is your favorite fictional character? Other than enjoying romance novels, I love mysteries. Especially Agatha  Christie. So, my favorite has to be Miss Marple.  

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? If you have a dream, anything is possible.

Thanks for this, Suzanna. We appreciate it very much. Now we’d like to speak with Debby.

What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? I can’t say any one book has had an influence, but like Suzanna, I also love the mystery classics along with romance. I like to combine both in my stories.

Is there an event in your private life that you were able to bring to this story, and how do you feel it impacted the novel? I’ve always wanted to go on a mystery weekend but haven’t had the opportunity. So I decided it would be fun to have a mystery cruise, taking the idea from the game of Clue. I also wanted the setting to be Hilton Head Island and include my wonderful group of friends. One way or another, the girls are mentioned by name or have a little dialog. They’re all enjoying finding themselves in the book.

Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? I write for The Wild Rose Press. A few years ago, I was on a conference cruise sponsored by the Florida Romance Writers. We were able to pitch our stories to agents and publishers. Rhonda Penders, from WRP, was there and she liked the sound of my story. I’ve just published my third novel with them.

What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? I’ve discovered three authors who I can’t get enough of. They are Rhys Bowen, Daniele Garrett, and Verity Bright. They’re all different genres but thoroughly enjoyable.

Lastly, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves? I’m working on the third in my Carolina series. The story takes place in Charleston, SC. I have the plot, characters, and location, but can’t come up with a title.  

Here’s a bit more about our featured author:

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. Island Heat, released May 1, 2023, is 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.

 She can be contacted at deborahgrahl@earthlink.net and

Amazon Author Page -- https://www.amazon.com/Debby-Grahl/e/B00B34HM26