Please help me welcome Morgan K. Wyatt to my blog today. She is giving away a copy of her book to one lucky commentor and a $5 gift card to another so be sure and leave her a comment.
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a life-long writer. My mother taught me to write and read at the age of four to keep me out of her hair. This caused me to be a nuisance in first grade. I told the children on the second day of school how all the reading books ended killing their desire to continue reading Dick and Jane’s adventures. I went on to write notes, fold them in a cute football shape and chuck them at classmates. I believe I singlehandedly inspired those kids to read making up for my end-telling fiasco.
2. If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
My dream location is to live along the North Carolina shore running a B&B. I still experience seasonal changes and a beach.
3. Have you had other careers before becoming a writer?
I taught special needs children for the last twenty years, while raising my own three children. Recently, I decided to devote myself to writing full time.
4. What genre(s) do you write in and why?
I am actually open to most genres, but so far, I’ve only published in Contemporary and Historical Romance.
5. How many books have you written?
Technically, I’ve written twelve books. Six are published. Two are under contract. I am getting ready to self-publish one. Another is under consideration.
I have a couple of favorites. Rebel Bride is my historical favorite, while Unexpected Cougar is my contemporary favorite. Unexpected Cougar was co-written by my husband since the hero is an engineer. Jackson tends to spout engineer talk instead of romantic hero talk, which makes it more realistic and funny.
6. Tell us about your current series/WIP.
I never seem to write one book at a time, so in actuality I have four works in progress. I am 75% done with GONE, which is a romantic suspense, I am about 82% done with Perfect Stranger (it will be a 99-cent weekend read.)
Amy is a scientist involved in biological warfare. She steps out of the shower to find her new husband gone without a trace, as if he never existed. Some people think he walked, others believe she offed him somehow. It’s up to her to discover the truth.
The other book is a Cinderella-style novella called Perfect Stranger. Cinda, owner and CEO of Clear Concepts, yearns to be reunited with a stranger she met in the airport. Unfortunately, she lost his business card, and doesn’t know his last name. Raven, her best friend and retired model, decides to help with unexpected results.
7. What is your next project and when will it be released?
Rebel Heartsong, the third book in the Rebel Heart Series is out now. Escaping West should be out in March. Contemporary romantic suspense, Dangerous Curves is slated for a May release. All these books are by Secret Cravings Publishing.
8. Where do you get the ideas for your stories?
I have constant story ideas. I will admit I am an eavesdropper and a story keeper. Someone told me about an insurance case where a woman killed her husband with antifreeze in jello to get back at him for wrecking her car and V-8 Love Triangle short story was born. I’ll put up on Goodreads to give everyone a chance to read it
The other day I was eating lunch out with my daughter. When two women seated behind me plotted how to hack into the one of their husband’s email accounts to see if he was cheating. That little tidbit stuck in my mind, I might be able to use it in one of WIP where the wife’s husband tries to kill her, but she survives.
9. What is your favorite part of writing?
I like the writing part, but I also like talking to my husband about the characters and motivations. He is extremely insightful, especially with male POV and rationale.
I like the cover art part too because it seems like everything is coming together. I also like communicating with readers and hearing their views.
10. What advice can you offer to anyone deciding to self-publish?
I have a friend who has hit the big time self-publishing, she advised me pay the money to have a professional edit, format, and cover. Reviewers will savage a book that isn’t formatted properly. As a reader I’ve attempted books that weren’t formatted properly and never finished them. Poor covers kill interest too. I remember when VHS rental was popular and the image on the case had nothing to do with the movie. I think the rationale was you’d only rent it once. This rationale doesn’t work for authors.
Rebel Heartsong Blurb
Townsend Audley as heir to the biggest planation in Beufort County was also the biggest marital prize. Life was good at least it was before the war. After the Civil War devalued Confederate money, and stripped their plantation, Townsend became a not so great catch. The only person who stands by him is Yvette, a mulatto companion to his sisters. She jokes she stayed only to watch over him, which she does, quite well. He can’t remember a time the beautiful servant hasn’t taken care of him, almost like a wife. He’s lucky to have Yvette, but someday some man would steal her away. The thought enrages him. He’s unwilling to live without her by his side. Does she feel the same way? If she does, how will they manage when the law declares their love taboo?
Secret Cravings Buy Link
Morgan K Wyatt, raised on a steady diet of superheroes, believed she could fly at a very young age. After using trees, barn lofts, sliding boards, and even a second story window as launch pads, she found her flying skills were limited to fast and downward. By the age of nine, her dreams to be a superhero needed some modifications, which caused her to turn to writing and horseback riding as alternatives to flying.
At the age of twenty, she had another chance at superhero greatness as being one of the few female soldiers trained for combat. The fact that women will be able to serve in combat soon indicates that all the witnesses to the grenade incident have retired. The grenade incident didn’t prevent her two sons or daughter-in-law from enlisting in the service. Having different last names probably helped.
Morgan recently retired from teaching special needs students to write full-time, instead of in the wee hours of the night. With the help of her helpful husband and loyal hound, she creates characters who often grab plot lines and run with them. As for flying, she prefers the airlines now.
Good Morning Cindy,
Thanks for hosting me today.
Morgan, good morning. Welcome to my blog. It’s lovely to have you.
Hi Cindy,
I believe you are the hardest working writer on the Internet. Thanks for having me on your great site.
Ah, that’s so sweet to say. I do try. 🙂
Townsend Audley sounds like a very interesting hero. Rags to riches. How was your research done? Did you visit the area yourself?
Hi Jasmine,
I used to live in South Carolina, so I shamelessly picked a state I knew and had rambled the coastline.
Thanks for commenting.
I meant riches to rags – that’s what’s interesting.
Sounds like a great series. Haven’t read you before but definitely will now.
Hi Cheryl,
It is a fun series, that is followed by Escaping West. I have already started writing Terrance’s story. He was charming US Marshal who shows up in Rebel Bride and Escaping West.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Jasmine,
I knew what you meant. 🙂
I’ve read about your series and I think it sounds great. I’ve read other books, so I know your writing is great. 🙂
Emily, you have absolutely made my day. Thanks 🙂
Great blog, Morgan. I loved reading more about you. Your books sound fun and entertaining – my kind of books. I’ll be checking into them. Thanks.
Hi Sandy,
I will be giving away a few paperbacks on Goodreads soon as soon as I figure their process out. Look for it. Thanks for commenting.
I admire how you can work on several projects at the same time. And, I agree with Emily Allen — this is a great series.
Hi Angela,
Thanks for the compliment. I tend to break every rule of organization. Right now I am knee deep in edits for a contemporary with a sexy agent. Dangerous Curves should be out in May, I think.
Thanks for dropping by.
Hi Morgan,
I’m glad to know I’m not the only writer who mines story ideas by eavesdropping! Not intentionally, of course, these things just happen sometimes… Wishing you success with Rebel Heartsong!