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Sarah Morgan Under The Spotlight and with a Giveaway!

Today I’m honored to be hosting Harlequin Mills & Boon Medical/Presents and now a new series Bad Blood author, Sarah Morgan.
Sarah, thanks for agreeing to do this interview. It's great to have you here!
Great to be here, Nas! Thanks for inviting me.
Kicking off with some easy questions, I asked her....
On Writing and Reading…
So, when did you start to write, how long did it take you to be published, and how did you decide which genre to write?
I started seriously after my first child was born and sold the third book I wrote. I don’t know exactly how long it took but it was probably a couple of years. I learned a lot from those two rejected manuscripts, most importantly that the happy ever after is supposed to be at the end, not the beginning J. I loved my characters so much I wanted them to be happy from page 1. Lovely for them but very boring for the reader. Fortunately I learned that lesson.
I bet all that juggling of jobs, relationships and commitments gives you plenty of fodder for your books. What sparks your creativity?
All sorts of things. People. Conversations. Things I read. Things I see. Things I overhear. And of course the ‘what if’ question which is a writer’s staple diet….. 
What do you love most about being a writer?
I get paid to make things up! Jobs don’t get much better that that J  Seriously though, I love creating characters and giving them their own stories. I love meeting other romance writers. Most of all I love hearing from readers.
Where do you write? Home office.  Coffee shop etc.
All of the above. I do write at home but I find it helps to vary where I work. Sometimes I work in a coffee shop but inevitably I’m tempted by the endless supply of brownies and cupcakes so when I feel the need to impose discipline I use the library.
Do you have a favorite locale or setting for your novels? What is it and why is it your favorite?
I love setting books in the Mediterranean, particularly Greece. The island of Corfu is one of my favourite places but one day soon I’m going to pack my bags and visit you in Fiji……watch out..
You very welcome! Come visit me anytime!
Which of the books you have written is your favorite?
My favourite is usually the book I’ve just finished writing!
On Romance...
Describe the ultimate romantic meal.
For me it’s the company, not the food.
What is your all-time favorite romantic movie?
I’m going to cheat and pick a TV series,The Vampire Diaries because the writing is exceptional and the acting is flawless. It should be compulsory viewing for anyone wanting to learn more about how to sustain tension and build conflict. And yes, it’s romantic.
And the anti-hero is super-hot and yummy as well!
What is your all-time favorite romantic song or composition?
Anything by Puccini.
What is the most romantic gesture or gift you have received?
Time to write when my children were very small.
How do you keep the romance alive in your relationship?
We spend time together and we talk. Alot. (I might talk just a tiny little bit more than he does J)
What tip would you give your readers to make their lives more romantic?
Learn to appreciate the small things.
Where is the most romantic place you’ve ever traveled?
Florence, Italy
Tell us something about yourself people may not expect or know.
I can’t stand broccoli (please don’t tell my kids)

To finish up, do you have any advice/handy tips/craft skills you'd like to share with unpublished authors?
Whether you’re a ‘plotter’ or a ‘pantser’, make sure you have a strong sustainable conflict before you start otherwise your book will grind to a halt half way through.
What one specific piece of advice would you give a would-be writer trying to kick-start a career?
Write the book you want to write. It’s important that the story that excites you. If you’re not excited by what you’re writing no one else will be either.
NOW TELL US ABOUT YOUR BOOK….
A Night of Scandal is the first in an exciting new series from Harlequin Presents called Notorious Wolfes (it was published first in the UK as Bad Blood and my book was called The Tortured Rake)

Nathaniel Wolfe is the ultimate bad boy, a Hollywood superstar who uses his incredible acting
ability to conceal the shocking truth about his past.  But secrets, especially nasty ones, have a way of escaping and when his carefully protected world fractures and he realises his past is about to be exposed, Nathaniel needs somewhere to hide. He turns in desperation to the first person he sees,
costume designer Katie Field. 

Katie lives alone. Coping with family problems of her own, she works hard, spending all her spare time drawing and designing costumes and trying to follow her dream. The closest she comes to glamour is when she dresses other people …….until the night Nathaniel Wolfe begs her for sanctuary. The only red carpet Katie has ever walked on is threadbare and her budget doesn’t allow for meals in expensive restaurants but suddenly she’s entertaining Hollywood royalty in her cramped London flat.

This is the story of an ordinary girl who finds herself swept into an extraordinary world. Daunted by Nathaniel the movie star, Katie wants to know Nathaniel the man but he fights against revealing that dark, damaged side he’s successfully hidden all his adult life. As their relationship deepens she wants to trust him but how do you believe the words of a man whose greatest skill is his ability to become someone else?

I loved writing A Night of Scandal – I hope readers enjoy it!
Thanks for sharing your insights about writing and some fun facts about your life, Sarah, it's been a honor having you here.
Thanks for having me Nas, it was fun!
Sarah has generously donated a copy of A Night of Scandal to one lucky person.
All you have to do is leave a comment or question for Sarah and you'll go into the draw for this book. And do connect with Sarah. You can friend her on Facebook, visit her on her Website for more news on her upcoming releases and follow her on Twitter.

41 comments:

  1. Nas, once again a great interview. Sarah, thank you for the insights. I read once 'write the book you want to read' and I've used that advice.

    All the best!

    Denise<3

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  2. I just finished this book and LOVED it!!! Everyone, read it! It's incredible!!! Good to get to know u better, Sarah :)

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  3. Hi Denise, thanks for coming by and your lovely comment!

    Hello Maya, Tortured Rake is a great read but then the title A NIGHT OF SCANDAL souns so sexy!! It's for the same book.

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  4. Hi, Nas! Another great interview. I like Sarah's trick of writing at the library to impose discipline. Sounds like an intriguing book!

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  5. I'm curious to know what the next book in the series will be about? Love the plotline to this one!

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  6. A night of Scandal sounds fab, Sarah! And I love the advice..about starting a story with a conflict... No wonder some of the books keep me on the edge of my seat till the end, and some, I find it difficult to go beyond a few pages!

    Thankfully I <3 Presents!

    Great interview Nas...

    Thanks for the giveaway... judimello AT gmail DOT com

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  7. Hi LP, thanks for coming by. Bad Blood is an intriguing series.

    Hello Lorarific, There are eight books in this series all about the Wolfe dynasty, yet stand alone books.

    Hi Ju, you welcome. All the best in the giveaway!

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  8. Hi Sarah!
    I love your books! I just finished Dare She Date the Dreamy Doc? It was fabulous!

    Hmmmm. Writing at the library. I think I may give that a try. Anything to get away from my Internet connection!!! Looking forward to meeting you at RWA national!

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  9. Great advice about the conflict! Thanks Nas and Sarah!

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  10. Hi Wendy, thanks for coming by!

    Hello Lydia, you welcome!

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  11. Write the book you want to write...best advice I've heard in a long time!

    I so enjoy Sarah Morgan's books!
    Judy, South Africa

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  12. Hi Judy!

    Thanks for coming by, and I believe you did do it. You wrote a book, Dancing in the Shadows of Love, you wanted to!

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  13. It's amazing how many people start to write after their first child. Great interview :)

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  14. Awesome interview. Sarah - I just wondered if you know when the book will be released in Aus/NZ and what name it will be published under? Thanks!

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  15. Hi to everyone and thanks for dropping by! Didn't expect to see so many people this early (well it's early where I am!)

    Lolarific, the next book in the series, Disgraced Playboy, is about Nathaniel's brother Lucas and it's written by the fantastic Caitlin Crews (was Shameless Playboy in the UK)
    Sarah
    x

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  16. Love that comment...write the book you want to write...if you not excited, don't expect anyone else to be...Excellent tid bit. Thanks. Gr8 interview.

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  17. I love Florence! So romantic, indeed! And I think that lesson about happily ever after being at the end is something we all learn. As writers we have to learn to be sadistic our characters.
    :) Thanks for the lovely interview, ladies!

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  18. I absolutely love the Vampire Diaries! I'd really like to get my hands on Season 3 now. A Night of Scandal sounds like another great book. Congrats, Sarah.

    Lacey

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  19. Great cover! The perfect image of a tortured rake. Great interview!

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  20. Katie, in Australia I think they're coming out as Bad Blood, which was the UK series (in the US it's Notorious Wolfes). The ebook is already available at this link.

    http://www.millsandboon.com.au/product.asp?productid=4247

    otherwise, www.bookdepository.com have free worldwide delivery so that might be easiest. Just remember that A Night of Scandal and The Tortured Rake are the same book. Sorry for any confusion - the decision to change titles between countries is the publisher's, not the author's.
    Hope this helps!
    Sarah
    PS Thanks to EVERYONE for the lovely comments about my books. I'm so pleased to have given you some happy reading :-D

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  21. I love the sound of Bad Blood, it sounds fantastic..Enjoyed your interview...

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  22. Hi Sarah and Nas,

    That's great advice about making sure you have a sustainable conflict before you start writing.
    Bad Blood sounds great. I like the cover too.

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  23. Hi Nas, Hi Sarah. I thought your blurb was well done. Indeed, how do you trust someone trained in deception. That's not how you put it but that is how I interpreted it. I wish you great success.
    Nancy
    N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium

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  24. I love what she said about the happily ever after coming at the end, not at the beginning - great advice! :)

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  25. Thanks Sarah - have purchased at Book Depository...now to sit and wait for delivery! Thank goodness they are usually quite quick :-)

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  26. The book sounds lovely & I'd love to win a copy *fingers crossed*.
    Broccoli is one of my fav vegetables *grins* but then I'm vegetarian & like most veggies anyway.

    Hope you'll visit my country, Malaysia, sometime in the near future. You might find it pretty romantic too! & maybe be inspired to hv 1 of your books set here.

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  27. Thanks to everyone for dropping by.

    Linda, I'd certainly love to visit Malaysia sometime - it does look very romantic!

    Have a great day everyone
    Sarah
    x

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  29. I've got to say that VAMPIRE DIARIES has grown on me. I didn't like it at first but now I never miss it. That Damon guy cracks me up!

    Beautiful covers! Lovely interview!

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  30. This is a marvelous interview, Nas. To Sarah: Your story sounds extremely interesting. From what you say here, it's obvious you're a Plotter. You're obviously excited about the book, and now I am too. You're right. If you're not excited about what you're writing, the story will be flat and boring to your reader.
    Ann Best, Author of In the Mirror, A Memoir of Shattered Secrets

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  31. Sounds fantastic! I love Puccini, too.

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  32. Nas, you've invited one of my fave romance authors to visit! YAY! Hi Sarah. It's great to see you here.

    I have a book to finish and then a house to clean after focusing on nothing but the deadline, and then I've got your latest to read. It's on my bedside table now, tempting me. Trouble is if I start I know I won't put it down and then my own book will be delayed. It's my end of deadline treat and I can't wait.

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  33. Ooh, this book sounds exciting and mysterious! Great interview. I love Mediterranean settings too :-)

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  34. I lol'd at "I get paid to make things up!" Hehehe

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  35. I haven't watched or read The Vampire Diaries. I should.

    I'd love to get paid to make things up too. So far, all for free.

    Don't enter me in the contest. I enjoyed the interview.

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  36. Hi to everyone and thanks again for dropping by and joining in. It's been great meeting you all.

    The winner, picked randomly from everyone who commented, is Lacey! Congratulations Lacey. Email me at sarah@sarahmorgan.com or just contact me via my website and I'll arrange to send the book to you.

    Thanks to all for being such great company and extra big thanks again Nas for inviting me!
    Sarah
    xxx

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  37. Thank you Sarah, for taking time out from your busy schedule to come by and chat with us.

    Thanks to all my lovely friends for coming by and checking out Sarah Morgan's interview!

    And congratulations Lacey! Contact Sarah for your prize please!

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  39. Coming in late but had to drop in and say hi to Sarah! LOVE your cover for Bad Blood - Tortured Rake- WOW!! He's HAWT!!
    Hugs

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  40. Hi Serena!

    Welcome! You're not late, and yes the cover of Tortured Rake is soooo hot!

    Thanks for coming by.

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  41. Hi Serena! Never to late to drop in - great to hear from you and glad you loved the cover.
    Sarah
    x

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