Leigh Morgan interview + giveaway

Help me welcome Leigh Morgan to my blog today :) There will also be a giveaway at the bottom.

Welcome!

Thank you for this opportunity to engage with you and your friends again about writing and about my most recent release, Fighting Fate.

You asked about combining my writing life with my work life and how I do both. Since June of this year I've been able to spend more time writing and I'm loving it. I try to write somewhere between 1500 and 3500 words a day consistently. Some days I can do that in a few hours. Others I write and revise most of the day. Many writers also have other occupations and seem to manage their time more efficiently, but having these rough parameters seems to work for me.

My inspiration for Fighting Fate just kind of blossomed from a trip to the Glastonbury plain. I knew I wanted to write about Jesse, Reed's adopted son from Sparring Partners, and I thought it would be interesting to throw the daughter Reed gave up for adoption as a teenager into the mix and see what happened. Then when I visited Chalice Well in Glastonbury the spirituality and magic of the place hit me and I knew I had to weave those mythic elements into this story. Fighting Fate just developed from there. It's sent me on a path I'm loving and my current work in progress, Defending Destiny takes that mythical, magical theme and carries it into Scotland and the Kilmartin Glen area of Argyll. Reed's youngest child, Daisy, is the heroine in that book and we learn more about this secret society of Finders and Bringers of the Light in Defending Destiny. There's so much magic in these areas, you can almost taste it. They're like a writer's playground where anything can happen. I hope I answered your question, sometime I seem to ramble when I'm enthused about a topic.

I choose names for my characters I either love or hate depending on their personalities. When I see them in my mind's eye, I usually get a sense of who they are and I try to pick names that evoke that image for me. I pick names I would name my children or one of my pets; good strong, often Celtic, names. If I write a slime-ball character I choose the name of someone I don't particularly like, or has hurt someone I care about. It's cathartic (evil grin). I played around with Reed's name and shamelessly tried to influence people with that one: phonetically her name is Read More...here's hoping I can keep readers reading more!

Writing gives me the opportunity to explore why people do what they do and how different people react to stressful and sometimes life-threatening situations. I observe and I get to explore motivation, my own as well as the characters I write about. I get to create worlds I'd like to live in and that is really cool. I enjoy telling stories, especially ones where flawed, likeable people love deeply and live fully.

My plan for the Dojo series, which Pen & Sword publishing has re-titled the Warrior Chronicles, is to publish Defending Destiny, book three later this fall. Then I'm going to plot a Scottish historical that will take place in the time of Somerled, about 1000 A.D. where we'll learn how the spiritual artifacts Taryn and Daisy are searching for in Fighting Fate and Defending Destiny, came to be hidden. I'm going to tie the contemporary and the historicals together, but they will all stand on their own as well. I'm really looking forward to that. The Warrior/Dojo series doesn't really have an ending point. I'll keep adding books as long as the stories are solid and people enjoy reading them.

This weekend is the Wisconsin Scottish Highland Games. I'm doing a book signing later today in the MacDonald Clan tent there. My family and I also take our Scottish Deerhounds to the games, the eldest of which is named: Somerled after the founder of our Clan.  Next weekend we'll be in Colorado for the Highland Games in Estes Park. My husband and I have a Scottish food and gear business; we sell haggis and pasties as well as hand-carved leather sporrans and other Celtic leather goods under the name Macskis Highland Foods & Gear. To say that all things Scottish influence me and my writing is like saying humans require water to survive. It's an inescapable elemental truth that is so much a part of who I am and everything I do that I don't even think about it. I love that part of who I am and I bring it out to play whenever I can in my life and in my writing. (Huge smile).

I'm happy to talk Scotland, writing, food, gear and Deerhounds (the most perfect creatures under heaven) anytime! Thanks so much for having me. Look for Defending Destiny this fall!

Much love and happy reading,

Leigh

GIVEAWAY

3 winners of e-copies of Fighting fate 

1. Open to all around the world

2. Ends Sep 17th

3. Just enter :)

    Or comment, ask a question of Leigh, or tell me anything you want.

Review: Fighting Fate - Leigh Morgan

Fighting Fate

*Looks around corner* Hi guys! Remember me? I used to review her regularly and then went all gypsy and started travelling. Then there were ringers, beach bums, cowboys, knights and oh, I sorta, might have, you know, forgotten about reviewing for B. But I’m back now and I’m here to tell you all about Leigh Morgan’s Fighting Fate a story that is really underappreciated if I judge the lack of buzz out there. It has such a pretty cover too!

Fighting Fate is book two in the Dojo Chronicles. I reviewed Sparring Partners back in 2010 and was pleasantly surprised by how good the story was. Like with Sparring Partners, Fighting Fate was a breath of fresh air. That’s saying something because I can’t remember the last time I read a m/f romance book and liked it. That might actually have been a book reviewed for B. 

Back to the book. Fighting Fate focusses on Jesse Mohr, who is on a quest and Taryn Campbell who is the quest and not in the way you think. Though, the start of the book had me doubting that, because it starts out pretty creepy on Jesse’s part. Luckily that picks up soon! 

Jesse is on a quest to find the long lost child of his adoptive mother, a child given up for adoption. Taryn is that child. But Taryn doesn’t want to be found and isn’t all that sure she wants to meet her mother. At first glance this seems like a pretty straightforward romance with some angst and some drama, but there is much more to it as there is much more to Taryn, as the blurb suggests. I won’t tell you what, that’s something you have to figure out on your own. It would give too much away, but trust me when I say, discovering Taryn and Jesse and company and the quest they undertake? Worth it.

Like with Sparring Partners the writing threw me. It’s really good and organized for a new author. It’s stylish and draws your right into to the story to the extent that it feels like you’re right next to Jesse, Taryn and the other. 

Yes, despite the fact that Fighting Fate can be read as a standalone, I think, there are tidbits from the previous story. I loved seeing the other characters again. 

What threw me a bit was the supernatural angle. I wasn’t really expecting it, though I shouldn’t have been surprised. It fit the story. 

The characters are well done, they make the story and I was glad to see that the story didn’t just focus on Jesse and Taryn. There is a solid cast of support characters that make the story and fill it out. I absolutely loved Jesse and wanted to install a filter for Taryn, cause she needs it when she’s drugged but who is also a strong woman who kicks butt! I do so love me a good, strong independent woman who makes the sheets go up in flames at the right times!  

Then there was Merlin….wicked cool! 

So to conclude: GO PICK THIS BOOK UP!  

----Note from B:

I seem to have misplaced Lis' pic, so here you go ;)

I fear the pic went missing in the The Great Photobucket Purge of images I can't use of 2012

Jesse Mohr longs to reunite his adoptive mother, Reed, with her child she gave up for adoption years ago. Taryn Campbell is about to embark on the expedition of a lifetime, trying to decipher the cryptic archaeological clues left to her by her now deceased father. When Taryn learns her true identity, will she accept it or fight her fate?

Author Interview and Contest: Leigh Morgan

Today I am having Leigh Morgan over for an interview. Since Lis has read two of her books, and will read the next one, I asked Lis to ask the questions. 

And at the end of this interview you will have the chance to win one of her books. Open to all. Leigh will be stopping by so go ahead and ask questions :)

About me & what made me start writing: 

My real name is Morganne MacDonald. I’ve been a practicing attorney for the past 20yrs working as a child and elder advocate mostly. I also do mediation and help families settle cases. I have been an avid reader and creator of stories since I was little. My second year of law school I picked up my first romance, Johanna Lindsey’s DEFY NOT THE HEART and that was it for me. I can honestly say I would have shot my in-laws and one or more of my law professors had I not devoured every romance I could find. J After graduation, law practice stressed me in the extreme so I started martial arts training after my first week out. I’m now a 4th degree black belt in Okinawan Shorin Ryu. I have a 4th degree black belt in weapons (Kobudo) as well.  I started writing novels because I thought I could do it as well as anyone <big laugh> ignorance is truly the voice of inexperience.  I joined RWA and quickly learned I didn’t even know what “voice” meant. Two children and years later here I am.

In both Sparring Partners and Second Chances you write strong, independent female leads. Is that something that is important to you in romance?

Yes. Yes. Yes. Not only do I write them, I love them. Maybe that comes from the fact that all the women I know are strong. I’m sure I’ve met some who are not, but they don’t register on my radar. One of the sweetest, soft-spoken, go-with-the-flow women I know lost her husband who was also her best friend after decades of marriage. She picked herself up changed her area of practice to one she didn’t know at all and now she’s supporting herself, her sons and dating again. That’s strength and it’s in us all, no matter how deep. Plus, I’m kind of a pain in the a** so I appreciate women who also carry this trait in their DNA. Women are strong creatures and men and romance should add to their lives --- make them more whole --- not be the end-all-be-all. Plus, romance makes us vulnerable and I love playing around with that on the page.

Where do you find your inspiration for your stories? And do events from real life influence your stories?

What a great question. Most days I don’t find it by looking, it just comes when I don’t close any doors in my heart or in my mind. I know that sounds all kinds of Zenny, so I’ll try to be more specific. SECOND CHANCES began from a song I heard on the radio. The singer’s voice made my toes curl and the back of my neck tingle. Images of champagne, silk and lot’s of naked man flashed through my ‘I-gotta-get-a-room’ brain and voila the seeds of a story were born: Older, well-educated, straight-laced woman seeking herself and her new sexual freedom and a somewhat younger, vastly more experienced sensually knowing man who needed meaning and sincerity and just gets a kick out of her. I love Ram and Rhia and I still love that song.

Sparring partners is part of a series. Can you give us an insight into the series? What are your plans for the series?

SPARRING PARTNERS is book one in the Dojo Chronicles, a series of stand alone books that have martial arts training and philosophy as a common feature. The next book in the series is FIGHTING FATE. It features Reed’s adoptive son, Jesse, now in his late twenties and the daughter she gave up for adoption when she was 16, Taryn. The exterior plot deals with finding a mysterious artifact on the Glastonbury plain in England’s pagan spirituality center. This book, like all my books, is really about what family means and finding our own identities and meaning through our relationships with those we love, grow to love, and those we can’t just make swim with the fishes because to do so would piss off someone we love. <big grin> FIGHTING FATE is in the last phases of completion and should be up in Spring 2012. My dojo is so filled with weird, wonderful, interesting odd-balls that I will continue to write these fun, light stories as long as I can. I will be starting Scottish historicals too, featuring the same family ties (MacDonald & Campbell) as are in the contemporary series. I can wait to start weaving these together!

We all love a hunky, sexy, sweet, romantic man in romance. What does your 'perfect' man in romance look like? 

He looks as imperfect as the real thing to me, then I mess with him a bit and see how he will rise and be his own best self. Again a little Zenny <heavy sigh>. I love strong, kind men who have a sense of purpose or a quest. Men for me must live by a code and be honorable. I don’t have to agree with their code, and often don’t, which is what makes it fun, but they have to be true to it. My heroes all have to love deeply as well and be willing to sacrifice for the higher good when necessary and have fun not sacrificing when it’s not. They all love their mamas – or some female they identify with as mother, sister, aunt etc. I say this with a grin, but I can’t or won’t write a hero I can’t love and so they need to respect women; no misogynists need apply.

How important is a good book cover for you?

VERY. I love my covers. My husband and I created them, at least all the ones up now. Vince is attaching photos of my covers, including the new one for FIGHTING FATE. My husband is an architect and knows many graphic artists. We commissioned one to do a cover for SPARRING PARTNERS. The setting in SPARRING PARTNERS is integral to the story. It’s almost a character for me. That first cover captured the setting perfectly for me and I love it! So much in fact I have the original framed on my wall in its full 11x17 glory. Readers hated it. And by hate I mean refused to read the book. And as much as it pains me to say it, the READERS were RIGHT. The cover simply didn’t fit the feel of the story which is hot, sensual, sexy and fun. So, with that in mind we tried to make the covers for the Dojo Chronicle books reflect the sensuality of the stories. We’re very interested in what your readers think! Thank you so much for your blog…you and your readers changed my cover theme and in no small part have been instrumental in if not changing my life, nudging it forward with a shove!

You recently released Second Chances, what is next on the agenda book-wise?

Finishing, polishing and publishing FIGHTING FATE by Spring. Then I’m going to outline the 3rd Dojo Chronicles book, set it aside, and jump into my first Scottish historical. I’m a Highland girl and very active in Scottish events here in Wisconsin so I’m looking forward to this and welcoming it with open arms. I can’t wait to start fighting with some of the Highland weaponry…I mean research J. I’ll keep you posted.

Thank You again for this wonderful opportunity to share my love of writing and romance with your readers.

Leigh Morgan

GIVEAWAY:
2 winners will each win e-copies of Sparring Partners and Second Chances
(gifted from Amazon)

1. Open to all in the universe
2. Ends Jan 27th
3. Leigh is stopping by today so be free to ask her questions, comment on anything or just tell me if you are entering :)

 Have fun!



You and your readers can reach me at:

leighmorgan@bardintraining.com

You can also get me at:

mlmacdonald@wi.rr.com

My website address is:

www.leighmorganauthor.com or
www.bardintraining.com

Review: Second Chances - Leigh Morgan

Genre: Contemporary romance

Published: July 2011

Review by Lis

History professor, Rhiannon Thorson, flees her life in Milwaukee to pursue research in Southern Wales and get a new start in life. Ramsey Macleod, international rock star, is burned out from life in the fast lane and is looking for a new lease on life. When they meet in a small village in Glamorgan, sparks fly, music is made, and they may get a second chance at love, life and happiness.

Rember how a while ago I reviewed Leigh Morgan's Sparring Partners? Second Chances is her second book. You know how wine only gets better with age? Well this author's books get better with practice. While I liked Sparring Partners I really liked Second Chances. That's saying something because I primarily stick to m/m romance books. The books I review here are the expections to the rule. Anywyas, I'll stop rambling and tell you why I like this book so much!

Romance has a tendacy to be a lot about drama, stalkers, abuse and a lots of other dark themes. Not so for Second Chances. It's a fun, light, funny read with fantastic characters.

History professor Rhiannon packs it up and moves to Southern Wales to do research and just start over. Let me tell you, it takes a lot of courage to just up and leave everything you know behind, but I love how Rhiannon goes about it. One there she meets jaded rock star Ramsey Macleod who is looking for a new look on life. Yes, while it's obvious they will hook up and have a Happily Ever After, I loved the story in between.

No I'm not telling you anything. This is one of those stories you have to discover for yourself. There are just so many funny scenes in this story that I can't even begin to tell you. Poor sheep. It not only had me laughing, but crying at times as well. Okay not literally, but almost.

Both Rhiannon and Ramsey are wonderfully written characters. They are not your everyday romance perfect couple. They have their flaws and made their mistakes, but they are both looking for a second chance in life and well... you know...once they meet. There is also a very solid (and very vain) support cast that makes this story a wonderful read!

Like in Sparring Partners the writing is superb, both witty and funny and well worked through. Something you don't always see in romance writing.

Second Chances is a book I'd like to go into great detail about (yes, I liked it that much) but in doing so I would give a lot away and I don't want to do that. You just have to discover this one for yourself!

So I recommend you just pick this book up yourself. It's not expensive, nor too long, so, yes, you just have to go get it! My only critique is at myself for waiting so long to read this!

Review: Sparring Partners - Leigh Morgan

Genre: Contemporary romance
Pages: 198
Published: September 2010
Review by Lis

What if everything you always thought you wanted could be yours simply by saying "I do"? Billionaire Jordon Bennett needs to find a wife, now, to secure his position as CEO of B.H. Holdings. Reed Mohr could use a miracle to help pay for her alternative elder care facility, Potters Woods. Inside and out of the dojo, can these two survive sparring with each other?  

This book has been in my possession for a while now, but as some of you know (or are most likely in the same situation) my to-read pile is rivaling Mount Everest. Sometimes I even dream about which book to read next and in my dreams all the (e-)books are jumping up and yelling “me first!” Most of those books feature hot men is various poses and states of undress, so they are very tempting. That is why this book was hiding in the back in a corner, because the cover for this book is a bit unremarkable and it felt left out in between the hotty covers.


However, where the cover of this book might be unremarkable in my eyes (you know me, I'm shallow as a baby-pool) the story behind the cover is everything but unremarkable. I have to admit, I was surprised and that doesn't happen all that often anymore. Let me tell you why!


The book starts with the words: 'You need a husband.' Which is true for Reed Mohr. She needs a husband to help her pay for the elderly care facility Potters Woods (like she needed a husband two years prior to help her adopt a troubled 14-year old teenager.) Just as the words 'You need a wife.' ring true for billionaire Jordan Bennett, otherwise he's out of a job.


Not exactly the most promising start of a romance book, mesa thinks. As is the first meeting between Reed and Jordan shortly after Jordan receives the news he needs to find a wife in less than four days. Though the instant Jordan meets Reed, he sees something in Reed's eyes that he thinks he can work with. He reads Jordan correctly, because she is a fierce independent woman who stands for what she believes in and fights for those she loves. After some witty word bandying (and Jordan's thought are brilliant: Jordan heard enough. The art museum needed to post a sign saying: No redheaded elven harpies with great eyes escorting yogurt throwing, overgrown teenagers allowed. Violators will be spanked by the throw-ee) the first date is set and off we go on an intriguing journey!


This was a rocky start of the book for me. My eyebrows were raised almost the entire time and I was wondering where this would go. However, the witty conversation between Reed and Jordan, as well as Jordan's thoughts kept me intrigued.


Within no time at all the two are married and this is when the fun starts. The story evolves in a quite the romance (hmmm...hot steamy sex scenes) with believable conflicts throughout the book. I loved the underlying use of the Dojo where Reed and Jordan spar. It fits the title, because they are partners in more than just holy matrimony. They keep each other on edge, but also complete each other.


Sparring Partners also has a solid support cast, one of whom is Jesse, Reed's adopted son who saw a lot more in his younger years than any kid deserves. Jesse was one of my favorite characters. He's a quirky teen who is smart and compassionate and doesn't let what happened in his past rule or ruin him. One of my favorite scenes is the one towards the end in which he stands up for his mom.


The other characters are not just there to be pretty either, they all have their part to play. Like Reed and Jordan they grow throughout the story.


Underlying the main story is that of Reed's new agey, free spirit aunt Finn and Henry, an employee of Jordan. While I liked it and it fit the story, I'm not always a big fan of a story in a story.


The books centers around Potters Woods, the elderly care facility Reed set up and it is a beautiful place. It had me hoping there would be a lot more places like Potters Woods in the world. It would make life for the elderly so much better. The author really put some thought in Potters Woods and I loved that.


As a last comment, I liked the use of the popularized poems of Rumi throughout the story. Rumi is Jalaluddin Rumi a 13th Century Sufi poet. Usually I'm not a big fan of the use of poems or quotes at the beginning of chapters, but these fit the story.


Sparring Partners is a funny, witty and beautiful read that offers a unique story with lovable characters. It's a book I can really recommend!

 

LIS