Interview and Giveaway with Mary Morgan - Author of Dragon Knight's Sword

I'm thrilled to have fellow Wild Rose Press author Mary Morgan on the Flight Deck today. She has very kindly offered a copy of 'Dragon Knight's Sword to one lucky reader of this post.  So don't forget to leave a comment with your email address when you've read her fascinating interview answers.

 Good morning Mary.  Let's sip a glass of something sparkling, make ourselves comfortable and find out more about your new release: Dragon Knight's Swords, first in series of the Order of the Dragon Knights

PURCHASE LINK
                             

Duncan Mackay will do anything to lift the curse from his family — even forfeit his own life. But his plans change when he encounters the woman from his dreams, literally. She is from the future, somehow has his lost sword, and can talk to the Dragon that is able to lift his family’s curse.

Brigid O'Neill has spent her life listening to the mythological legends from Ireland and Scotland. So, when an ancient sword lands at her doorstep and she starts dreaming of a rugged Highlander, she drops everything and takes on a quest that will alter everything she believes.
Before their journey ends, not only will Duncan and Brigid battle an ancient curse, they must also find the courage to believe in the destiny that brought them together.

Time Travel
Rating: Spicy (PG13)
Page Count: 380
Word Count: 91636
978-1-62830-397-1 Paperback
978-1-62830-398-8 Digital


Excerpt:

He stood next to the waterfall. Beads of water glistened from his dark locks.

Brigid watched as they trailed down his chiseled torso, traveling down to where his tartan was wrapped low on his waist. The wind whipped at the folds of his plaid, the power coiling within and around him, as mystical as the land he stood on.

“Ancient warrior,” she uttered softly.

When she looked up into his eyes, they smoldered with desire, and it startled her. A sensual shiver ran through her, wanting to be crushed within his embrace. The raw desire to be in this man’s arms, touching and tasting him, was so potent, she could feel her heart hammering inside her chest.

He tilted his head to the side, as if studying his prey.

Brigid didn’t know if she should run or step into his massive arms.

He took a step toward her, and her pulse quickened. The very air around her seemed electrified. He then took another...and another, until he stood merely inches in front of her.

Her breathing became labored, as he bent his head leaning close to her ear. She was engulfed in a sensual haze wanting his lips to touch her anywhere and put an end to her torture. His mouth was so close, she could feel a dark lock of his hair against her cheek, and she shuddered.

“Bring me back my sword,” he growled into her ear.

Brigid’s eyes flew open, clutching the sheets as the last fragments of her dream faded.

Oh this sounds like a wonderful read Mary, I need to get this book!  Tell us a bit more about it, and what was your favourite part of writing the book/series?

MM: Dragon Knight’s Sword, which was just released, is the first in The Order of the Dragon Knights. I always thought I was telling the story, but the characters would often lead me down different paths. I had the ending plotted out for a year, but in the end, the hero took over surprising me with his vision.

LOL - the heroine of my first book did that to me, too!  So what comes first in your stories: the plot or the characters?

MM: Definitely the plot. I always have these scenarios running through my mind, and then all of a sudden the characters start to enter the scene.

If someone were to play one of your characters in a movie, which character and actor would it be and why?

MM: Ahh…Richard Armitage. He has this intense look, as if he can see right through you. Yet, there is also a softer, gentler side to him, too. I love the contrast, which is exactly how I envision Duncan. Besides, Richard and Duncan are both very sexy alpha males.

*Squeal* Ooh sorry, it's just that he's one of my favourites too - I couldn't agree more about his intense look - and the softer side. I was crazy about him in the
 Robin Hood series, and although he was even darker in 'Spooks' I loved him in that too.  *Sigh* If he's a model for Duncan I've definitately got to read the book now!

Andy Android - another cool drink please, and lower the atmosphere a notch, Mary and I suddenly feel very warm! :)  Phew let's get back to the interview again. What’s your writing process Mary? Has it changed since writing your first book?

MM: Absolutely! In the beginning, all I had to focus on was the writing. Now, I have to find the balance between the business of promoting and the writing. I find that it’s easier to take care of the business side in the early mornings and focus on the writing in the early to late evening. Of course, I have to find time for my husband, too – chuckling here. 

Ooh, the dreaded promotion - it can be a real time suck! Do you listen to music when you write and if so, what kind of music – or do you find it distracts you?

MM: I definitely listen to music when writing. It’s a huge part of my inspiration and contributes immensely to my writing. I listen to a lot of Celtic instrumental, since my books are steeped in Celtic mythology. With Dragon Knight’s Sword, I listened to Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance. No matter how often I hear this piece, it helps to open up the well of creativity.

A lady after my own heart. I love Celtic instrumentals too, and of course being a Celt myself, I love Celtic mythology.What sort of research do you do for your books and what’s your favourite source of information?

MM: I love delving into the research for a book. It’s positively fascinating finding out information to add or support to my writing. I tend to have many resources for research – from books, magazines to historical sites on the internet. At the moment, my favorite is Google Earth! I love whisking myself over to the ruins at Urquhart. I can almost touch the stones.

Yes, Google Earth is amazing isn't it.  And I've been to Urquhart myself, a beautiful part of Scotland! What is your personal definition of success?

MM: If you can feel my story, then I have accomplished what I set out to do – tell a great story. I have been successful in the “telling of the tale.”

Absolutely! Is there any advice, as a new writer, that you were either given, or wish you had been given.

MM: If you want to write, then write every day. It doesn’t matter if it’s 100 words, or 1,000, just write. It helps to keep the creativity flowing.

Great Advice Mary, and finally, before you board the shuttle back to Earth,  if you were an animal, which one do you think you would be, and why?

MM:I would want to be a falcon. I could watch them all day, jealous of their capacity to fly. It would be so freeing to soar to any destination. Perhaps, that is why I love to travel in planes. I probably was a falcon in my past life. 

LOL wouldn't it be just wonderful to fly like a bird of prey!  Well thank you so much for being my guest, Mary, and for your fascinating answers to my questions.  I  can't wait to read your book myself.  Before you leave, can you tell us where we can buy 'Dragon Knight's Sword'?

You can purchase it from

TheWild Rose Press

Amazon

Barnes&Noble

Thanks again Mary - and wishing you much success.

AUTHOR BIO

I am a constant daydreamer and have been told quite often to remove my head from the clouds. Yet, this is where I find the magic to write my stories. Not only do I love to weave a good tale, but I have a voracious appetite for reading. I worked for Borders Books for almost fourteen years. Imagine my delight to be surrounded by so many books, talking to others about them, and getting paid.

Pure bliss!

I have traveled to England, Scotland, Ireland, and France. There are those who know me well when I say, "My heart is in the Highlands." I believe I have left it there, or maybe in Ireland.

When not writing, I enjoy playing in my garden-another place where magic grows. Of course, there is time spent with my family. They are the ones that keep me grounded.

You can visit my website: http://www.marymorganromancewriter.com