As seen in the April issue of Uncaged Book Reviews.
Uncaged: What inspires you to write in the western romance genre? Can you tell us more about the Cowboys of Colorado series?
I love writing about men who love nature, their family and treat women like queens. Most Cowboys are down-home and caring. They take care of their homes and families, work hard and aren’t afraid to get dirty.
The first book in the Cowboys of Whisper, Colorado was inspired by a student I had who was selectively mute. She was receiving equine therapy to help with her anxiety. Taking a piece from her life and from another piece of my history, I wove the story together. After all, who wouldn’t love finding a way to help your child?
Uncaged: How many books are you planning for the series? Can you tell us what is coming next?
The Cowboys of Whisper, Colorado keeps growing. Each time I think I’m finished, another character pipes up and wants a story. I don’t have a plan for when it will be done. I’m working on some other books at this time but my next story in the series will be the story of the owner of the pizza place. He was a secondary character in Bidding for the Cowboy’s Heart.
Uncaged: You are an attending author of Wild Deadwood Reads coming up. Are there any other conventions you are attending this year? What is your favorite part about attending?
This is my first time attending Wild Deadwood Reads. I’m excited to see the area. South Dakota has been on my bucket list and getting to be a part of this amazing book signing has me on top of the world.
I am attending Once Upon a Book in Frankenmuth, Michigan in August. It’s a fun event which features a dance party, amazing dinner and the best readers!
My favorite part of attending book signings is meeting people. I love to meet other readers and have become close friends with some as well as meeting readers. There’s nothing like talking to someone who has enjoyed your story. It’s like winning a million dollars.
Uncaged: Do you read your reviews? What do you take away from them?
Reading reviews is a double-edge sword. I like hearing what people think about the story but some reviews can hurt. I do always try to find the positive and take away the constructive criticism. I value any time someone reads one of my books and appreciate hearing what they think of them.
Uncaged: What is one of the nicest things someone has said to you about your books?
Recently, someone told me I was one of their favorite authors. It was such a stunner for me because I’m a fangirl myself and follow my favorite authors. This person said they loved how my stories were always a “feel-good” read for them and filled with positivity. I do firmly believe we need a little more Happily Ever After in our lives!
Uncaged: What is your favorite parts about being an author? What have you found to be the least favorite?
My favorite part of being an author is giving life to my stories. I enjoy putting the ideas and characters down on paper and seeing them come alive. I’m a little strange because there isn’t really anything I don’t like about writing. I even love edits and learn so much! But since you asked, my least favorite is promotions. I like to talk about a variety of things but I don’t like to “push” my books. I’d rather share about what I had for dinner or the crazy things my dogs did.
Uncaged: What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?
Be sure to check out my bio. You can see I’m a busy person. I adore guest teaching and working with students. I substitute in a variety of classrooms from pre-school special education to middle school. I also appear on the radio each Monday giving my thoughts on the latest movies. In addition, I own a publishing house where I give authors a chance to realize their dreams of being published. Add in a wonderful husband, children and my silly pets…I don’t have much downtime.
Uncaged: What is the hardest part of a book to write? What is the easiest? From start to finish, how long does it take to finish a complete book?
The hardest part of the book to write is the middle. I have an idea of the whole story but the small pieces in the middle are ones where I get stuck. It’s like I can see the road but there are all these roadblocks I have to get over to reach the prize.
The easiest part is the first page. I love putting those words down and starting a new story. It can take me three to five weeks to complete a book. My stories are novella length which means you can read them in one sitting and enjoy your happily ever after before you close your eyes at night!
Uncaged: What would you like to say to fans, and where can they follow you?
Thank you Uncaged for giving me this time to share my books with your readers. And thank you to all the people who have picked up one of my stories and given me a chance. I know it takes a leap of faith to spend money on a new author and I appreciate you taking the time and money on mine.
I enjoy meeting and chatting with readers on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/melissaakeir). Please friend me and reach out! I’d love to hear about your favorite food or what you would do if company suddenly arrived at your home unexpectedly. I also am on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Keir/e/B0078TCJX2/), where you can get an email each time a new book releases.
If you want to stay up to date and get sneak peeks at my covers and books before they are released, you can join my group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/281344902289428). Melissa’s Mod Squad is not a street team per se. I don’t ask you to share or promote, just be there and see what others won’t see until later. 🙂
Melissa Keir has always wanted to be an author when she wasn’t hoping for a career as a racecar driver. Her love of books was instilled by her mother and grandparents who were avid readers. She’d often sneak books away from them so that she could fantasize about those strong alpha males and plucky heroines.
[symple_box color=”black” fade_in=”false” float=”center” text_align=”left” width=””]Melissa doesn’t believe in down time. She’s always keeping busy. Melissa is a wife and mother, an elementary school teacher, a movie reviewer with WHMI (a local radio station), owner of 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 seen plotting her next story.[/symple_box]
