PLEASE MAKE WELCOME AUTHOR MARY MORGAN!

A SPECIAL SURPRISE FROM MARY!

 

  I'm overjoyed to share with everyone that DRAGON KNIGHT'S MEDALLION will be released on December 5th! Now you can curl up with Stephen and Aileen for the holidays. 

Please make welcome, historical, time-travel, Scottish Highlander author, MARY MORGAN to my blog!  I have found Mary to be an extraordinary person, and when I asked her to tell readers a bit about herself, this is what she had to say:

I’ve been married to my own knight in shining armor for thirty-one years and have three grown children. I’ve held many jobs in my lifetime, but it was my position at Borders Books that really stepped me on the path I’m on now. I loved the interaction and sharing of books with others. 

Faith: When did you first know you wanted to write and why?

Mary: I’ve been writing since I was a young girl. It started with my diaries, poems, and plays for the family. Of course, I always did have an active imagination and daydreamed constantly of faraway places. Yet, as I got older, those dreams were forgotten.

Faith: I have heard exciting comments about your work, and of course you know I’m a fan but tell us a bit about your series, “Order of the Dragon Knights.” How did it evolve?

Mary: Like my heroine, Brigid, in “Dragon Knight’s Sword,” I’ve been fascinated by the mythology of Ireland for years. I took my love of those ancient tales and created my own. I can still remember the moment, sitting on a boulder in the Highlands surrounded by sheep, wool, and heather; I heard the stories unfold within my mind. Originally, I had planned on seven brothers in Ireland, but was torn with my love of Scotland. I had an epiphany while driving one day—why not combine both countries! And from there, the Order of the Dragon Knights was born.

Faith: How did you settle on which brother’s story to write first?

Mary: Ha! I didn’t—they did. I wanted to write the oldest, Angus’s story, but he waved me off with a few choice words I cannot repeat. Quietly, Duncan strode forward and said, “Ye will tell my story first.”

Faith: How much research did you have to do in order to write this series?

Mary: I read books on the history of Ireland and Scotland, studying medieval periods. Part is historical and the other, fantasy. Research is one of my favorite aspects of writing. I’m always learning something new.

Who is your favorite brother?

Mary: They all have a soft spot in my heart. Each so different in their personalities. Duncan will always pull at me a bit more, since he was the most tortured of the brothers.

Faith: I know you have traveled to Scotland, so can you tell us a bit about your trip? What you saw…etc?

Mary: It was more what I felt as I gazed upon the mountains draped with mists, heather that carpeted the ground, or pricking my finger on thistles. My soul connected with the spirit of the land, especially when I was on the Isle of Skye in 2000 on Summer Solstice. Standing there in the evening by a lake, the past and the present surrounded me. It was truly a magical experience.

Faith: What did you feel when you were first contracted?

Mary: That this was only the beginning! Euphoric!

Faith: And what is your favorite part of the process?

Mary:  Besides writing, when the book—my baby is released.

Faith: You have a wonderful grasp of druids in your books, what research did you do to clarity some of the festivals, etc?

Mary: I read many books on the druids. They had this amazing way of learning through oral study. Traditions were passed down orally, leaving no written record of themselves. I combined some of their own nature beliefs/rituals with my own imagination to create the festivals and marriages in my books.

Faith: Do you have favorite sites you go to for research?

Mary: Not really. I love to pull out my old Scottish and Ireland maps along with reference books on these countries. However, my favorite “go to” site when I’m missing Urquhart is Google Earth! Love flying down to the entrance of the castle ruins and map out images.

Faith: If you could pair yourself with any of your heroes, which would it be and why?

Mary: That’s a tough one, Faith. If I absolutely had to choose, it would be Angus—the true knight. He’s tortured just like his brothers and this has left him with a feeling of complete failure. He failed in his responsibility to his family. I can understand this, since I’m the oldest, too. In addition, I love a man who can argue with me, and I’m finding that Angus is more than what I thought.    

Faith:  With the publication of “Dragon Knight’s Sword” and the upcoming release of “Dragon Knight’s Medallion” do you feel a sense of accomplishment?

Mary: Yes, though it’s a quiet sense of accomplishment. Don’t get me wrong…after the release of Dragon Knight’s Sword, I remember holding my book, and shouting, “I did it!”

Faith: What type of books do you like to read when you are not hard at work writing?

Mary: History—non-fiction and fiction, Science Fiction, Romance—Regency, and any good medieval or culinary mystery. 

Faith: What do you do to relax after a hard day of creating characters and plots?

Mary:  Cook! I love whipping up a meal after sitting and using my brain all day. Food feeds this writer’s soul.

Faith: What sage advice would you care to give to aspiring authors?

Mary: It doesn’t matter if you write 100 or 1,000 words every day—just write. It helps to keep the creativity flowing. Also, don’t let fear keep you from writing. Use it as a sword to conquer and not a shield to hide from the world. 

Faith: Is there anything you would like to say to your fans?

Mary: You are the best ever! I’m in awe of your passion and love for the Dragon Knights! Thank you! Simple words, but they’re packed with so much love to all! 

Faith: And do you have a schedule of where you will be doing book signings in the future.

Mary:   I don’t have a schedule yet, but you can keep updated by signing up for my newsletter and blog.

Now remember if you want to reach out to Mary, she is available by these avenues online! 

http://www.marymorganromancewriter.com (Blog and Newsletter)

http://www.marymorganauthor.com   (Website)

http://www.facebook.marymorgan.564

http://www.twitter.com/m_morganauthor

http://www.pinterest.com/marymorgan50