Friday, November 23, 2012

Undercover Rebel: An Interview, Top Ten, and Giveaway with Author Morgan K. Wyatt

Introducing Morgan K. Wyatt's

Undercover Rebel
REBEL HEARTS BOOK ONE

Emily Sewell couldn't remember when she fell in love with her neighbor, Gray Masterson. He unfortunately didn't really notice her as a woman until the eve of his leaving to fight in the Civil War. A magical evening ensued with him asking her to wait for him. News that he's been killed on the battlefield propels her into action. She knows he is alive - she just has to find him. The only thing between her and her true love is miles of swamp land, a major war, and her own doubts. Emily wrestles with Gray's possible death, imprisonment, or that he's unwilling to return to her.
Can a sheltered Southern Belle navigate the horrors of war to retrieve her fiancé? Emily is willing to try.

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An Interview with the Author

Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a retired special education teacher, and a mother of three. I recently married my soul mate in Vegas at Graceland Chapel.

What is your favorite non-writing pastime?
There are other things besides writing. ;) Gardening would be my second favorite thing to do.

What has been your greatest challenge as a writer? Have you been able to overcome it?
My biggest challenge is editing, but I am blessed to have a wonderful editor in Larianne.

What inspired the idea behind your book?
Many women actually served in the Civil War as soldiers and spies proving there were gutsy women back then too. It didn’t seem too farfetched that a determined woman could rescue her fiancĂ© when he disappeared in battle.

Do you have a favorite character in Undercover Rebel?
Emily is my favorite character because she is willing to do anything for love. Watch for an older couple named The Stamms. I shamelessly included my own grandparents.

Without giving it all away, please tell us a little something about Emily Sewell is going to get through her biggest challenge.
My goodness Emily has many challenges with the biggest being lack of confidence in herself. She’s not too fond of snakes either. She starts to have more confidence after swallowing a potion she believes is magical.

What message do you hope readers take away from the book?
Love is enough. Emily’s determination is fueled by love.

What is your favorite scene in Undercover Rebel?
My favorite scene is a toss-up between the scene at the ball when Gray asks her to wait for him, and the scene where she rescues Gray.

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
All the detail about the war, travel, states boundaries, even loading the pistol is all real. Judith taught me how to load a Navy Colt, which is as long as most women’s forearms.

What kind of research was involved for Undercover Rebel?
I had been researching for a while collecting books, watching Ken Burns’ Civil War series, reading Internet articles, and consulting with experts. I found they often don’t agree. I used to live in South Carolina, so that is the reason behind me locating the family there because I knew the coastline.

Do you have to be alone or have quiet to write?
I often write in the family room while my husband is watching television.

Of the books you’ve written, which is your favorite?
In the historical series, it is Rebel Bride, book 2 of the Rebel Heart Series. In my contemporary romance collection, it is a tie between Unexpected Cougar and Teacher’s Pet, which is not published yet.

What kind of research was involved for the series? Did you find it became easier with each book?
My research was crazy because I wrote book 4 in the series first. What I thought I knew hadn’t happen yet for book 1, so I had to start all over again. Thanks goodness for the Internet, experts on call, and the library.

As a multi-genre author, how do you juggle going back and forth between the different genres? Do you have a preferred genre? 
It is like switching channels on a television. I can be in the 19th century somewhat easy, but jumping to the Middle Ages would be rough because I haven’t researched it.

The Alpha Male comes across better in the historical, but I enjoy the contemporaries too.

Do you have plans for a new book?  Is this book part of a series?
I have the US Marshal series in the works. It will feature both Terrance and Logan who you’ll find in the Rebel Hearts (Book 2 & 4) series. I imagine they’ll have a couple of friends to round out the series.

What has been your greatest pleasure or personal success as an author?
Getting to know other writers, editors, readers, and publishers is the best thing about writing. Surprisingly, they aren’t that much different from me, except better organized 

What type of hero do you like best?
I prefer men who take the lead, who want to protect their woman even if she’s independent.

What type of heroine do you like best?
I like gutsy heroine. She can be impulsive, which sometimes leads to complications, and adventures.

If you could meet any writer, dead or alive, who would it be? What would you want to know?
Jayne Ann Krentz-I’ve met her twice at conventions. She’s fabulous.

Did you have a favorite character or hero as a child? Do you have a literary hero as an adult?
I enjoyed all The Black Stallion books. I was quite the Sherlock Holmes fan too.

Do you write your friends or family members into your books? If so, did they figure it out? 
I write my husband in all the time. I will give the hero some of his characteristics. I make him read it and tell me if he recognizes himself. He always guesses it. I put my old boss in a book once, but I made her male just in case she read it.

Is there any place and time in the world and in history that you would like to visit?
I want to go to Scotland, Ireland, and Easter Island.

What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve received?
To just write without editing my work.

What are you reading now? Why did you choose that book?
I am reading American Ghost Stories. It features regional ghost stories written by famous authors. I bought it for my students, but took with me when I retired.

Quick Answer Questions: (optional and will be used depending upon # of questions answered and length of answers)

Favorite place? Marco Island, Florida

Best Christmas present? A turtle, yep, a live one

Favorite author? Jayne Ann Krentz

Favorite smell? Baking Cookies

Favorite series? Television- Grimm

Favorite movie? Shirley Valentine

Favorite dish? Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Favorite color? Purple

Favorite quote?  Kindness is never wasted.

Your best trait? Persistence

Your worst trait? Caution

Tell us your 10 picks for an actor who would play your hero.
Dominic Rains
Tom Welling
Christian Bale
Bradley Cooper
Jake Gyllenhaal
Ryan Reynolds
Zac Efron
Landon Liboiron
Asher Book
Jared Leto

Tour Giveaway! 
One book and one $5 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky commenter at each tour stop. Be sure to leave your email address to be included in the giveaway. 



Meet the Author
Morgan as a child had to suffer through movies with clueless heroines rescued by smart men. Her mother dutifully read her stories where princesses waited for princes to jumpstart their lives. There were no proactive female role models in the media at that time, with the exception of Wonder Woman. It is for this reason, and that it is fun, Morgan writes about strong women going after what they want.
 


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Nov 21 - (Postponed) Catriona Callum/review

Also available from Morgan K. Wyatt



Eileen Sewell sparks plenty of gossip by spiteful matrons and their horse-faced daughters that she’d find herself alone due to her picky ways. Of course, she didn’t believe them. Then again, she also didn’t expect to be a mail order bride either. It wasn’t easy snagging a husband who hadn’t heard about her willful nature. Eileen finally gave up hope of finding love, and decided to settle for whatever she’d find out west. If that wasn’t lowering enough, she’d just witnessed the first train robbery. Unfortunately, the outlaws saw her too. Enter Marshal Colt Sheppard, who excels at extracting information from reticent witnesses. His crooked smile and broad shoulders won’t charm her. She’d played this game before, only she never had a worthy adversary. Talk about bad timing.

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17 comments:

  1. Wonderful to have you with us today Morgan! I'm enjoying the setting of "Undercover Rebel" and the characters' distinct personalities. So cool that you learned to load a Navy Colt. :)

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  2. Thank you for joining us and touring! Congratulations on this series!

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  3. I am always interested in any book with a Civil War setting, especially those centering around a strong female character. I look forward to reading your book!

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  4. Historical books with accurate vivid settings grab me every time. It's the best way to learn history, IMO.

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  5. Morning MK,
    Thanks for hosting me today. Research taught me they never had gunfights in the street because that would be plain stupid. Most people were shot in the back, not good for movies, though.

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  6. Good Morning Lorraine,

    I believe most historical women were a great deal tougher than people today can imagine.

    Thanks for commenting.

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  7. Hi Ana Morgan,
    I appreciate the historical aspect because I enjoy learning a little something.

    Although I've learned plenty from contemporaries too. :)

    Thanks for commenting.

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  8. Congrats on the new release. I love reading historical books. I like that Emily doesn't believe that Gray is dead and goes about finding the truth. Thanks for the great interview. Can't wait for your US Marshal series.

    e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

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  9. Your book sounds sounds fascinating Morgan and I hope it does really well! :) xxx

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  10. Lovely interview.

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  11. Hi Joanne,

    Thanks for commenting. I find historical romance readers are very intelligent. That's why writers have to do their research.

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  12. Hi Edith,

    Thanks for your sweet comment.

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  13. Hi Ella,

    Thanks for commenting.

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  14. Great interview, Morgan. I love the time period and the location of UNDERCOVER REBEL.

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  15. Hi Liz,
    I am pretty found of the cover too. Thanks for stopping by.

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  16. Thanks for the interview, lots of fascinating insights into your life, thanks for sharing and good luck with the new release.

    elewkf1 at yahoo dot com

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  17. Hi Elf,

    Thanks for commenting and leaving your email address. :)

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