BTB-Melissa Keir's Chalkboard Romance & Giveaway!!!

Hi and welcome to my blog! Today Melissa Keir is here talking about her book, Chalkboard Romance. Thanks for stopping by, Melissa. Oh, did I mention there's a giveaway too??

My Inspiration for Mac Thomas

Thank you for having me on your blog. I hope that your readers enjoy visiting with me today. I want to share a little behind my character creation of Mac Thomas, the hero of Chalkboard Romance.

I’m a news junkie. I admit it. We watch very little television at my home except for the NBC Evening News. At 6:30, hubby announces it’s newstime and we sit and watch what’s happening in our world. When it came time for me to create Mac Thomas, my thoughts kept returning to Richard Engel, NBC’s chief foreign correspondent. I enjoy his reports from the front lines during the conflict’s overseas. He has a calm demeanor that draws me into the report. He has stood on the front lines of conflicts from Egypt’s protests to the War in Afganistan. For his outstanding coverage, he’s received many awards and accolades. However, viewers don’t know much about Richard’s personal life. We only see the business side of him each night on the news. It had me wondering. Dangerous to a writer!

When I created Mac, I wanted him to have been a correspondent in the Middle East conflicts. I wanted him to have met with foreign dictators and tried brokering for peace. But like Richard Engel, we didn’t know much about Mac’s life outside of his career until he gave it all up. I see these men as ones who focus on their assignments rather than their own lives. So I wrote a backstory for Mac…a wife who wanted his money more than his time and attention. However, I knew that Mac deserved his own happily ever after and put Lauren in his path.

Do you have a favorite television reporter or news show you must watch? Is there a book character that you feel is similar to someone in real life?

Title: Chalkboard Romance                          

Author: Melissa Keir

Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing                

Genre: Erotic Romance

Length: 89 pages

Release Date: December 31, 2013

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:

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Excerpt:
“Not happening. The dates arranged by the mysterious Master Draikoh San are legendary.” Melanie perched on the corner of Lauren’s desk.

“Supposedly he’s arranged for a few Hollywood and rock-n-roll bigwigs. His ability to find the pefect date is astonishing.”

Lauren avoided eye contact, pulling papers off her desk. “Since thedivorce—Boy, I hate that word—I’m hesitant to jump into the dating scene. I don’t want a permanent relationship right now.”

“You need to get back on the horse. We talked about this. Someone to soothe your feminine ego would be perfect.”

Lauren did want to feel desired and loved again. The Playhouse happened to be hideously overpriced but offered a private select screening with a deep background check on all their clients. Few things were known about the owner of The Playhouse, but Master Draikoh San appeared either part god or part magician but totally reliable, very well respected. He guaranteed his results whether you were looking for a casual affair or long term love. Most of all, he was discreet.

I’m ready to move forward. She couldn’t keep letting her husband’s—ex-husband’s—infidelity overshadow her life. Atleast, the alimony would go for something good. She took a deep breath. “I’ll check my email.”

Lauren logged into her account. An email from Master Draikoh was at the top of the list. Her heart began to pound. Nervous to see who Master Draikoh recommended, she hesitated, fingers poised above the keyboard. She agreed to Melanie’s demands partially to get her off her back. She pulled her hands back, then twisted them. Apprehension, excitement, and determination fought for control.

Teachers aren’t seen as hotties except in campy ‘80s music videos.

She shuddered. The video for Hot For Teacher crowded her mind. If I take this step, what will happen to my career? What if someone found out I used a dating service? Lauren chewed on her lip as she continued to wring her hands anxiously. She threw her shoulders back. Who am I kidding? The whole process is safe. Besides, I don’t care if someone does find out. I deserve this.

She inched her fingers back toward the keyboard. With a few strokes, she’d find out. Her curiosity would be answered.

“It’s here,” she said with a whisper. Lauren opened up the email, then read the details aloud to Melanie.

“Your night is arranged for next Monday night. I’ve found the perfect guy for your date. I have included the flight information to Chicago, your room accommodations at the Lotus Hotel, in addition to some details about the man you’ll be meeting. Remember our rule…for this first date, only use first names. This enhances your connection. If you want to meet again, you can arrange to exchange numbers afterward. I’m sure you’ll have the night you dream of.”

Melissa Keir has always wanted to be an author when she wasn’t hoping for a career as a race car 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. In middle school and high school, Melissa used to write sappy love poems and shared them with her friends and still has those poems today! In college her writing changed to sarcastic musings on life as well as poems with a modern twist on fairy tales and won awards for her writing. You can find many of these musings along with her latest releases on her website and blog.

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 is always interested in improving her writing through classes and seminars. Her current projects include her short story “Forever Love” published in the Valentine Anthology, Love, Again, set to be released on Feb. 14th as well as two books—Second Time’s the Charm and Protecting His Wolfe- published through Rebel Ink Press this year.

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 seen plotting her next story.

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The Giveaway:

$10 Amazon Gift Card

Entry



TOUR SCHEDULE
Monday, February 10, 2014
For Whom The Books Toll {Guest Post}                     
Simply Ali {Guest Post}                                     

Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Eden Ashe {Guest Post}                                     /
Authors’ Cafe {Spotlight}                      

Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Fierce Dolan – Words Without Limits {Author Interview}                 

Thursday, February 13, 2014
Behind Closed Doors {Spotlight}                          
As the Pages Turn {Guest Post}                         

Friday, February 14, 2014
LeAnn’s Book Reviews {Spotlight & Review}               
Romance Me {Spotlight}                                              

Saturday, February 15, 2014
Booklover Sue {Spotlight}                                                      
Snarky Mom Reads . . . {Spotlight & Review}                       
Open Book Society {Character Interview & Review}