My guest blog...

KC Cavanaugh was gracious enough to have me on her website to discuss my newest release in the FBI/Romance series Fire Burns Hot.
Check it out here.

Also, my blog book tour will be starting up soon, and I'll have a list of all the websites that will be hosting my interviews, reviews and books!

Back to the grind!

Much Love, Mayhem and Murder,

~ Morgan.

Happy Thursday!

Sorry I haven't blogged in a couple of days! I'm under the gun here and buried in murder up to my eyeballs!
Here's an update of what's going on in my world.

Celestia is Falling (Book 1) has had it's proofing. It's going to need it's final read through by me for approval. The proof copy arrives Monday, and it'll take me three days max. That means the book is going to probably release a week today. (Give or take a day.)
Yay!

Darkness of Truth (Book 6) is going to Tammy on Sunday to be proofed for first read through. As soon as she does that, we're looking at a release in June or end of May. It's going to depend on what she finds as she digs into it.

Vegas is Dying (Book 2), the sequel to Celestia is Falling is slotted to be written in the next three weeks. I'm going to try something crazy, and write that one and the follow-up book Christmas is Killing (Book 3) back to back. That's six weeks of straight writing. It may kill me...
Or may not. We shall see.
That one's coming out just in time for a little murder around the holidays. Who doesn't love a good serial killer in time for egg nog and homemade cookies?

I'm also changing up the book lineup for the FBI/Series. I had intended to do a book called Home Sweet Evil to follow up Darkness of Truth, but I had so many people stirred up over the fact that I was contemplating killing someone off, that I rethought my options and am taking a different route. So, the next book in the series with Elizabeth, Callen and Ethan is slotted to be Devil Hath Come (Book 7). It's going to roll out around Halloween. (My favorite time of the year.)

So, everyone wondering if I'm going to kill Callen or Ethan, you can relax (maybe...)
*Evil laughter*

Also, later today KC Cavanaugh is having me as a quest blogger, talking about Fire Burns Hot. For those of you that haven't read it yet, I'll post a link to her blog once it's up and you can check it out.
For those of you that are waiting for Darkness of Truth and Celestia is Falling, hang in there. I'm working day and night to get them out as soon as possible!

Much Love, Mayhem and Murder,

Morgan.

 

Hello Monday! Welcome! I missed you!

Yeah, I know! Who's excited about Monday?
Me.
It was a long weekend here in Crazy-town on a personal level. I'm just wrapping up a kid's birthday weekend and a few down days from working.
Today I'm back at it and pushing ahead to get Celestia is Falling out by next week some time. Tammy and I are currently both doing a final read through, and then she's ready to go!
Yay!
On the other book front, Darkness of Truth (book 6) in the FBI/Romance series is going to have it's final read through from me before heading off to Tammy next week. It's slotted for release in the next month or so. By July at the latest.
After that, I'm going into lock down for 5 weeks straight to write two books in the Croft & Croft series back to back. I may not be blogging much in those 5 weeks, but I promise to update everyone as much as possible.
I will be answering emails, so keep them coming. I had some great ones this weekend, and I'll be posting them this week as I get some spare time.
Promise!
I have been getting quite a few emails for the Blog tour schedule, and I'll be contacting the woman running it today and get a breakdown for the blog. It's coming! I promise!
Hang in there!

Off to get some killing done!

Much Love, Mayhem and Murder.

Morgan

Excuse me... But I have a question!

Greetings from Morgan-land!

I'm getting a late start this morning on the Blog. It's been a packed week here.

Tomorrow begins the final read through of Celestia is Falling, and I can't wait! Releasing a book is much like giving birth. You grow your work of art, love it and nurture it until it's time. Then you deliver it for the world to see.
I'm in the final stages just waiting to hand my new baby over to all of you!
I hope you love her!

I had some really great questions this week. Some were regarding the books and some were about me. I picked one of each to answer today.

Morgan,
What happened to the plans for the paranormal book series? I was looking forward to it!
Cynthia.

Cynthia, I was too! Unfortunately with my time schedule it isn't possible this year. I'm not saying I won't try, but with my books slotted for release and vacation time scheduled, I can't seem to make it work. As I've stated before, my year runs Sept to Sept. If I complete the last three books for this year, I'll have released 10 novels. That's all I can really pull off. Writing is a multi-stepped process.
Write the book.
Add detailing.
Read through.
Edit.
Off to proofing.
Clean up.
Read through.
Final Proofing.
Final approval before release.
Those nine steps have to happen with each and every book. There's more if there's an issue. For example, with Fire Burns Hot, Tammy had a few concerns, and I had to do a re-structure on a few scenes. That meant adding another read through. From start to finish here's the time frame.
 It takes me two weeks to write each novel
 A week to add details.
Three days to read through.
A week to edit.
Tammy needs up to 2 weeks to proof each manuscript line by line.
It takes me 2 days to clean up (sometimes more)
Read through is another week.
Final proofing is three to five days.
Approval is two more days.
Right there you're looking at nine weeks to get a book out start to finish, if nothing else happens in life, like parties, events, kids appointments, and general mayhem.  Usually I'm a few books ahead, but this time, I'm releasing Celestia is Falling without the second book already completed. That's rare for me. I like to tie my books together and make sure they sync. Fire Burns Hot  was done, and so was the following in the series Darkness of Truth. That makes my life easier. Now I'm in the situation with a projected deadline approaching and no books on the back burner done. Once Celestia is Falling  and  Darkness of Truth release, I then have to write their sequels.

Tammy and I made an agreement this year that by November 15th, all work would be done (for her) until January 1st. I'll be writing, but nothing will be in the process for release until January 1st when we both go back to the grind. Trying to get a paranormal out while on hiatus would be a half assed effort on my behalf, and that's not how we like to roll. (I channeled my inner Elizabeth.)

I promise to try and get the series out for next year.

Morgan,
We all have guilty little pleasures. What's yours?
Tamara

Oh, where to begin.
Tattoos. I think they're probably my most favorite thing in the world. I have my back done, and I'm currently working on my ribs. In fact, I have an appointment on May 8th to get my one side done. There's something that draws me about them. I love the art, the story behind them, and I find a man with tattoos very sexy.
After tattoos, my second guilty little pleasure is shoes. I'm a typical girl. I have a shoe fetish. Which is entertaining since I don't leave the house to work. I love heels and crazy shoes that look like medieval torture devices. I have a pair of blood splattered pumps.
They make me laugh whenever I put them on.
Life is too short to be serious.

Thank you all for the great questions! Please don't forget to leave some book reviews on amazon! Spread the word!


Much Love, Mayhem and Murder,
Morgan.









 

I've been MIA, but I'm back!

Good Morning!

I apologize for not blogging the last two days, I've been neck deep in work and personal life and couldn't spare a single moment!
But here I am now!

I have some updates for all my readers. Celestia is Falling (book 1) had had a little name change, only because it fits better into the series of books following it. I decided to lose the apostrophe 's' and toss in the word 'is', instead. Other than that, it's the same book.
For those of you anxiously anticipating the release, I can tell you that tomorrow I should receive the proof hard copy, and the final read through begins. Tammy will get her copy on Friday and we should have a book release in about two weeks.
YAY!
I'm looking forward to this book coming out for a few reasons. One- It's a change from Elizabeth, Ethan and Callen. Not that I don't LOVE them, but it's nice to switch up the mind every now and again to some new material. Two- I really fell in love with Greyson and Emma. Their love story is sweet and reminds me of my own life. (minus the killing and dead bodies!) Girl meets boy, girl and boy date short time, girl and boy fall hopelessly in love and stay together for a very long time! (happily ever after)
So, I really hope you all love them as much as I do!

Next up on the agenda, is Darkness of Truth (book 6). I've finished detailing it and I'm working on a read through. It goes to Tammy around May 10th for first edit. So we're looking at the release around the middle of June sometime. I found myself laughing quite a bit in this book. If it entertains me the writer, I hope it makes y'all giggle too. Elizabeth, Callen and Ethan have formed a very tight unit, almost unbreakable. Unfortunately, someone from their past is about to rear her head and shake the family up. Callen's heart is about to take a major blow.
I enjoyed writing about Julian and Tori too. I've slotted a series for them and a book by winter, but it may have to be pushed back until January, only because I have a pretty heavy book schedule and not a lot of time to get it done. If I want to roll out Home Sweet Evil (book 7) in the FBI/Romance series, Vegas is Dead (book 2) and Christmas is Killing (book 3) in the Croft & Croft Adventures, I may need to sacrifice Julian and Tori's book until 2014. In my head, I still believe it's doable. Unfortunately, on paper...it looks improbable.
We'll have to see!

Possibly this weekend, I'll release the book back cover for Darkness of Truth (book 6). I've had a few emails from readers that finished Fire Burns Hot (book 5) and are 'dying' to know what happens next.
If I get it done, I'll give you all a sneak peek.

I had great email questions this week!
I'll post a few tomorrow in my blog. Thank you all for purchasing my books this week, emailing me your questions, and reading my blog!

I appreciate it!

Don't forget to leave me some book reviews on amazon! Your review could convince someone else to fall in love with Elizabeth, Callen and Ethan!

Much love, Mayhem and Murder!

Morgan




 

Thank you!

I saw the great reviews that are starting to come in on Amazon, and I greatly appreciate it!
Thank you!!!
Thank you!!!
Thank you!!!
If you haven't left one, please do! I need the input to have an idea on how long I should run the series. I don't want to keep it going if everyone's blasé about it. So, please... Tell me if you like it or not! I know one comment was too much sex. Do you agree? Disagree? 

I'm wrapping up Darkness of Truth (book 6) today, and then doing my final read through before it's ready for proofing in May. Starting next week, I'll be writing the sequel to Celestia's Falling.  I've already had emails regarding it, and that's terrific that everyone's excited already!
YAY!

I hope you all have a really great Sunday!
Keep reading!
There's more Elizabeth, Ethan and Callen coming!
Plus Emma and Greyson are about to roll out in a couple weeks too!

Much Love, Mayhem and Murder,

Morgan.

Q & A Saturday.

Happy Soggy Morning from the North East!

I received some really great emails this week, and I thought I'd share them with you.
The response to Fire Burns Hot  has been amazing! It's outsold all the other books in the series in the two weeks it's been available.
So thank you!
I appreciate all the great emails and comments you've sent me.
Here's two:

Morgan,
Will you ever end your FBI series or do you plan on running it for as long as possible?
Amy.

Well, I don't really know. I always tell everyone that the characters have a life of their own, and when they tell me it's time, then it's time. So far, I still plan on giving Christina a sexy Native, I want to pair off  Doctor Leonard and Doctor Magnus with their own ladies, so that's potentially 6 more books. I love Elizabeth enough that I could keep going with the novels for years to come
BUT
(yes you read a but)
Not at the pace I'm working at right now. My year runs from September to September (I have no idea why, it just does) By the time I reach the end of my year, I'll have dropped 10 novels. That's in one year alone. I'll be honest, I'm going to have to cut back at some point. I either need to cut the books back to 2 per series per year, or I have to cut back on the size of the books.
I'm pushing out 500 page novels every other month and I'm exhausted!
(Yeah, I know. Poor me! I get to work in my PJ's on my couch.)

The other issue is I need more people to leave reviews of the books. My ranking rocks! I'm pulling five novels all under 30,000 on Amazon. That means that out of all the Kindle E books, I'm ranked around 30,000's for each one. To put it into perspective, there's almost 1 million E books out there. To a writer that doesn't really advertise, or publicize her books, that's spectacular. I want to keep Elizabeth, Ethan and Callen going, but other than the emails I get from the few readers, I don't know if the series is making people happy.

Sales+ no reviews = bewilderment on my behalf.

If I could get more reviews, then I'd be able to gauge how many more books I plan on writing with the Blackhawks.

Morgan,
I want to be a writer, what advice can you give me?
Dorothy

I get this question a lot. There are two kinds of writers in the world. Those that make a living off it, and those that don't. If you can write and pay your bills, awesome. If not... That should be your goal. Until you get that first big royalty check, and you can put some of it away, writing is a hobby.

Here's my suggestions:

Keep practicing your craft.

Write every day and don't stop.

Publishing is great, but it's like any other skill. It's about the practice. Before I published my first novel in 2002, I had ten manuscripts on the back burner. None of which saw the light of day, but had been my test runs.

Don't try and make your work like anyone else's. The reason the big sellers rocked it out, was because they wrote something completely different. Find your own niche and stick with it!

Don't set unrealistic goals. Not everyone can write a novel in 2 weeks. If it takes 3 years, it is what it is. Setting yourself up for failure isn't helping you reach your goal.

Take advice- if you ask someone to read something you wrote, and they don't give you the response you wanted to hear, still heed it. What you see as a work of art, or your 'baby' may be rough around the edges and need some help.

Find someone you trust to help you fine tune it. Pick one person and stick with them. That trust you build is important. Where it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a team to build up and break down a literary work.
(I have Tammy. She runs me through the ringer, but I put my faith in her to be honest and not bullshit me.) I fight back, but generally she wins in the end, and that's how it should be. I'm the writer, but she's my audience. I'm not here to write for me, I'm here to write for everyone else.

Work on a schedule and stick to it. I get up at 2 a.m., and bed at nine every night. It's a routine and I work best when I'm doing something familiar.

Lastly, don't jump around. If you start a book, finish it. By quitting or stopping half way to 'shelf' it, you're only giving yourself permission to never go back (I've done it myself and they're still waiting for me.) 

I hope this answers your questions! Keep the emails coming! I'll post more questions and answers tomorrow!

Okay, back to Darkness of Truth (book 6). I have a schedule to keep and need to channel my Elizabeth Blackhawk!

Much Love, Mayhem and Murder.

Morgan





 

Morning all!

Going to ask a favor!
If you read the FBI Series with Ethan, Elizabeth and Callen, can you post a review on Amazon?
Tell me what you thought about it there and maybe others will be inspired to fall in love with them too!

I get all your great emails, but sharing your thoughts on Amazon will spread the word further! WE LOVE ELIZABETH! Now go out and share with all the others who have yet to fall for her charm, charisma and sense of sarcasm.

More questions coming tomorrow! I'm deep in the bowels of Darkness of Truth (book 6). I spoke to Tammy yesterday, and Celestia's Falling (book 1) is fairly clean and will be out before we know it!
YAY!
I hope you all love Emma and Greyson as much as you cherish Elizabeth, Ethan and Callen!

Much love, Mayhem and Murder

Morgan.

Back to work!

Morning from Morganville. It's a sunny day here and I'm just prepping for the rest of my day. I had some issues with the kindle version of Fire Burns Hot yesterday. For some reason, Kindle formatting isn't doing what it's supposed to, and the chapters are not starting on full pages. After spending five hours trying to get them to line up, I've sent numerous emails, etc. I had to let it go, so here and now I'll apologize that the start of each chapter isn't on it's own page.

Sorry!

I really tried to make it look as clean as possible, but after butting my head against the publishing wall numerous times, I had to just let it go.
AND breathe.

Onto better news...
Celestia's Falling is off at the proofer getting her makeover, and today I'm neck deep in Darkness of Truth (book 6). Once the kids are off on the bus, I'll be shutting down my phone and getting down and dirty with Elizabeth, Ethan, Callen, Tori and Julian.
In darkness of Truth, we're encountering skinwalkers, and I'm taking it back to my Native roots and going hardcore American Indian- even on the Rez.
Since the book is already written and currently at 460 pages and 152,000+ words, I'm just adding the fine details and cleaning it up. This one should hit 500 pages easily.

After that project, I'm going to be writing Vegas is Dying (book 2) in the Croft & Croft adventures. Thanks to Tammy last night, I can say it's going to involve Showgirls and some gruesome murder. I can't wait to see how Special Agent Greyson Croft and his new wife Detective Emma Starling-Croft handle it. I hope I don't gross you all out too much!
*wink wink*

Once I finish Vegas is Dying, I'll be writing Home Sweet Evil (book seven). This is the one where we find out who in the family dies. I'm still getting random emails trying to bribe me and beg me not to kill Callen or Ethan off...
My lips are sealed, Darlin'.

I'll also be writing Stolen by Moonlight (book 1), featuring Tori and Julian. That was going to be my last book for the year, but I opted to toss in a Christmas book in the Croft & Croft series too. I believe it's going to be called, Christmas is Killing  (book 3). As it stands, I'm aiming to have it done for December, so I have to have it written by September. Once November gets here, I've promised Tammy no work through Thanksgiving until New Years for her. I'll be writing, but she's on hiatus.

As you can see, that's three full novels I need to have completed by September. 600,000 words and 1500 pages written, in order to assure I stay on deadline. Let's toss in there that I'm going to be on vacation most of September. (That's when I'll make Tammy work in the word mines toiling away!)
*evil laughter*

I hope I can deliver!

Thank you all for your emails and comments! I'll be featuring a few later this week!
Off to work!
Hi Ho, Hi Ho....


Much Love, Mayhem and Murder.

Morgan.








 

In honor of Boston....

My love and peace to the poor people hurt at the Boston Marathon yesterday. My heart goes out to you and your beautiful city. May your hearts heal, your souls find solace and may those of you that lost loved ones, one day find peace.
To the family that lost their child in this senseless act, I am so sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine your pain.

Today is about the ones lost.


Blessed Be.

Morgan.

One of th possible Celestia is Falling back covers

Happy Monday Mourning!
In my opinion, the worst day of the week! I always feel like I'm three days behind on Monday, even if I'm not!
I'm almost done with Celestia is Falling. I'm doing my final read-through and it get's sent off today or tomorrow morning. So, like I promised here's a possible back cover to the book. I have three, so I'm not saying this is the one, but it's a candidate.
Anyway, for everyone dying to know what the book is about, it'll give you a basic idea.

Celestia is Falling; (Book one)

In life there are few constants.
We're born.
We die.
And we all have secrets.
Emma Starling is no different. She's on the run and trying to escape the murder of her brother, and the death she chased on the Philadelphia streets that stained her soul. To make it out alive and wash away the blood on her hands, she's forced herself into self imposed exile . Nothing matters now but keeping her sanity and patching up her life.  
Celestia is her new found sanctuary and the best part? No one thinks about murder in the sleepy utopia. That is until a serial killer comes to town, targeting the women he deems guilty of the oldest sin. 
What's a skittish sheriff to do?
Nothing less than call in the FBI before it gets out of hand.

Greyson Croft comes to Celestia on the trail of his own serial killer, and what he finds is something he never expected.
Love at first sight.
Now he has only one chance to keep his woman alive. If the killer doesn't get her, he has a chance of catching her himself.
Love conquers all, but can it beat back a homicidal maniac bent on Celestia Falling?

 

 

 

Tomorrow I'll answer some of your questions that I've received this weekend via email!

 

Have a really great day and keep reading!

 

Much Love, Mayhem and Murder.

 

Morgan.

Update on the next book

I've had a slew of emails this weekend already regarding my next book. Celestia is Falling will be out in a few weeks. It's not part of the FBI series, and will stand alone as book one in it's own coming series of books. It is a romantic thriller. I'll be posting the synopsis for the back cover tomorrow!

As for the Elizabeth, Callen and Ethan's books- They have one slotted for summer. I know you want them all right now, but I can't keep up!!!  I promise you'll all find out what's going on in their lives in Darkness of Truth (Book 6)  At 500+ pages each book, it takes me a couple of weeks to get the book out. Bear with me! 190,000 words isn't a 40 hour job, but I love (and appreciate) your enthusiasm about it!

Keep coming back to the blog to get the details on my upcoming Blog tour! It's fast approaching!
I believe there's 11-13 different Blog venues slotted for the schedule. It should be a blast!

Much Love, Mayhem and Murder.

Morgan.

April Showers...

Bring days where I want to blow off work and bake cookies for the kids.
(maybe eat some too...)

Morning all! It's a chilly, wet day in Morganville. I've been up working and I'm in the mood to shut down the laptop and watch movies all day with the kids.
Maybe that's a sign I need a vacation.

Anyway, pushing forward... Doing the read though of Celestia's Falling in an effort to stay on track for the weekend. I'm taking a holiday in Salem MA in a few days, so I'm trying to wrap up everything that needs to be taken care of before hand.

This book is going off in three days, and before I leave I'll have done my detailing of Darkness of Truth.  I like to keep Tammy busy when I'm away... (Idle hands are the devil's workshop- that always makes me think of my granny!)

I had some great emails from you all! Thank you for reaching out to just tell me your opinion and ideas! I wish I could use some of them, but sadly, Elizabeth's journey already is written in the stars. But thank you!  I love how you all are taking an emotional investment in the characters!

I did receive an email from a disgruntled reader upset about the sex in the books. I'll address that here and now. (Once again!)

I'm sorry that you believe that my novels can be written without the graphic sex. This is why they're classified CONTEMPORARY ROMANCES. If you want romances that are less sex and more feeling, you can search for Christian Romance Novels and not have to deal with sex and language. Granted, I understand your perspective, but try and understand mine. If you read the book description on Amazon, BAM or Barnes and Nobel, you will see that it's tagged with a warning about graphic sex. I do that to appease the readers that don't want any surprises in their books.
Lastly, I'm the author and I like sex in my romances. I think it acts as a cohesive bond between the two (or three) characters. Since my name has to go on them, I stand by it.
Off my sex soap box and back to the grind!

This weekend I'll be posting a synopsis for Celestia's Falling.  Keep checking back!

Much Love, Mayhem and Murder,

Morgan.


 

Crazy day in Murderville!

Happy Thursday everyone!

It's been a crazy hectic week here, and I feel like I'm way behind on just about everything (including the blog and updating my website!). I'm still answering all your emails and I love hearing from all of you!

Today I'm wrapping up the final proof for Celestia's Falling.  By Monday I'll be handing it over to my 'go to girl' and she'll be doing her first read through. I hope she enjoys it, because writing it was fun!
I decided to take the story a little different route. I know so many of you have told me that you love Elizabeth and her toughness, but this time I'm going to be making the heroine a bit softer. I don't think I can ever replicate Elizabeth and run another series with someone that's just like her. She's completely unique and individual.
Instead we're going to be meeting Emma. She's pretty much the polar opposite of Elizabeth. Less crass, less hardened and more gentle. She's going to be running into the man of her dreams. I have to say, creating Grayson was an adventure too. He was definitely made for Emma.
Can you say 'SOULMATES'?
He's old school.
Possessive.
He believes women are delicate creatures to protect and nurture (Elizabeth would kick his ass!)
I wanted him to be the opposite of the heroine and play off her weaknesses. I think I've done it!

When they come together a few things are going to happen. Sparks will fly, tempers will flare and they will have to learn how to deal with the intricacies of a relationship amid a serial killing .

I'm in love with them!
I hope when you meet them you love them too!

Now as for some questions from you the reader.

Morgan,
I loved how you made Tori so fragile at the end of Fire Burns Hot, but will we see how tough she is coming up in the next book?
Marla.

Marla, WE WILL!  At the end of Fire Burns Hot, we find her battered, emotionally broken and in pieces. In the next book, Darkness of Truth , Tori comes into her own strength and ends up being the one Julian needs. We're going to see a complete transformation in her as the next book opens. She's found love, is blossoming and ready to handle life.
I'm excited about it!

Morgan,
You said you have a few series coming out. Will they be like the FBI one?
Tania

Tania, in some respects yes, and some no. In the FBI series, we have a family that's running FBI West. It makes the books fairly easy to write because they all work together. I have the scope and magnitude of the FBI to use in the novels. In the next series (The Croft & Croft Adventures) it will still have Grayson as an FBI agent, but Tori won't be joining him. I have a plan for them when Celestia's Falling concludes. When book two in the series, Vegas is Dying  comes out, you'll see what I mean. (I can't give away too much- it'll ruin the book.) As for the next series, we'll be following Tori and Julian. I've created a way to spin them off and give them their own little realm. Again, I can't tell you too much, since the book that kicks their adventure off isn't released yet. By the end of Darkness of Truth  you'll see what I mean.
Hang in there for a month or two!

Morgan,
On your blog you mentioned a cyber book tour. When is it?
Christiana

Christiana, the dates are going to be announced in a couple days. The person handling my tour hasn't given me the final itinerary yet, but as soon as she does, I'll post it all. Then you can follow me from the comfort of your own home.

I will say this. There was an interview that was conducted, and it was between the Blog host, Ethan and Callen. Entertaining, fascinating and funny stuff. That alone is worth following me around the internet! You get to see the world from the eyes of the men in Elizabeth's life.

PRICELESS!!!!

Okay, more questions another time! I have three books on the schedule and only 24 hours in a day.
Get ready for more steamy excitement this summer with Ethan, Elizabeth and Callen. Tori and Julian, as they start their adventure and Emma and Grayson finding each other and falling in love.

Much Love, Mayhem and Murder.

Morgan.















 

Thank you! Thank you!

I have been buried in lots of great emails from all of you!
I'm so darn happy that you're all loving Fire Burns Hot.  As a writer, it's amazing to know your baby is loved and cherished!
So many of you have sent great emails asking a ton of questions, and starting Thursday, I'll be going over some of them.
Right now I'm neck deep in Celestia's Falling and on a deadline to get it to my fabulous proofer by next week! She's itching for some work, and I aim to please!

Tammy and I are contemplating bumping the book schedule up a little, since so many of you devoured Fire Burns Hot over the weekend. Seriously! You all finished it in two days? I love my readers!!!! Awesome!
That's some feat, since its over 500 pages.

If possibly, I'm thinking of releasing the next book in the series Darkness of Truth  in July instead of September. I can't make any promises, but WE will do our best! If that's the case you may see the entire schedule bumped a bit forward.

Keep visiting this site and keep reading!
If you get my book on amazon, leave a review! I want to hear from you!

Much Love, Mayhem and Murder.

Happy Sunday!

Good morning all!

I hope you're having a really great weekend! Thank you to everyone that has been buying my new release and emailing me about it. I appreciate your kind words and perspectives!

I received some emails the last few days (I will be replying to everyone today, I'm a little behind on some work.) I do want to thank the reader that gave me an excellent review on Amazon for Fire Burns Hot. It turned out it's a guy and that's awesome!
Your reviews made me laugh. You rock!

I appreciate everything that you all say and post! I may not mention it non-stop, but it's always in the back of my mind. Keep your reviews coming! What you post helps others decide if they'll love Elizabeth, Ethan and Callen too!

On a side note, a fellow author who is hosting my Blog Tour is promoting her first mini-novel. Here's her blog. Pop in and check her out. There's a link to Amazon there.

KC Cavanaugh.

As soon as I have a list of my upcoming blog tour sites, I'll list them here for you. As for the next book in the series Darkness of Truth (book 6) Expect it out sometime this summer. Sorry to make you all wait so long, but there's other books in the works before it. I'm doing my read through of Celestia's Falling  right now, and then it's off to Tammy for proofing. (No release date on that yet, but I'm projecting that it'll be the beginning of summer. I'm aiming for Memorial Day, but we'll see.)

Everyone have a great weekend!

Keep on reading!

Much Love, Mayhem and Murder!

Morgan.

Released!

Fire Burns Hot is now available on Amazon!


I've also sent the free download to the winners.

Enjoy!

Morgan

Fire Burns Hot!

Good Morning Everyone!

I received some emails regarding the release of my newest novel, and I'm here to answer them for you!

I just approved the cover art and the interior, so Fire Burns Hot should be available sometime today! I wanted to get it out before the weekend, only because I know I love reading on Saturday and Sunday.
(it's supposed to rain here on the East coast, so that means fuzzy blanket and a book.)

The paperback version will also be out today, for those of you that like to hold your books in your hands and save them for years to come. (me too!)

I hope you all enjoy the story of Julian and Tori, along with our regular antics of Elizabeth, Callen and Ethan!

Don't forget to follow me on my Blog Book Tour that's coming up in may! I hear that there's going to be an interview with Ethan and Callen, so you may get some insight to what it's like to love and share a bed with Elizabeth!

Much Love, Mayhem and Murder!

Morgan.

Free Kindle WInners!

The contest has ended and the following people have won a free Fire Burns Hot (book 5)Kindle download!

Susan Rickards
Ammy Frankel
Trisha Belamy

The autographed copy of the book goes to Harley Nader. ( you also get a kindle download for answering both questions right!)

Here were the questions and answers!

Question one:

What is the name of the woman who came between Callen and Ethan on the Rez twenty years ago?

Kaya Cheek

Question two:

What is Timothy Blackhawk's deceased wife's name?

Naomi Blackhawk

To the winners: Send me your email addresses attached to your Kindles and I'll get you your download as soon as the book releases today!

Much Love, Mayhem and Murder.

Morgan

Fire Burns Hot Release date.

I just authorized the release of Fire Burns Hot. (Book 5)

It should be available tomorrow night or Saturday morning!


I hope you all Enjoy  it!
After a 48 hour marathon, I'm going to crash!

Tomorrow is the drawing for the free e-book giveaway! You have until midnight tonight to get me your trivia questions!



Much Love, Mayhem and Murder

Morgan

Fire Burns Hot Free Giveaway!

Hi all!

As mentioned previously, I'll be giving away a few kindle downloads of my new release, Fire Burns Hot on the day it comes out.

In order to be eligible, you need to:
1) Be a follower of this blog - There's a button on the left that says 'join this site'. You need to click on it and add it. You can use a yahoo addy, AIM, or google email account.

2) you need to click on the tab above that says 'April's Trivia Contest'
In it, there are 2 questions. You can email me the answer to either one at author.m.kelley@gmail.com. If you get either right, you are entered into the drawing. If you want to answer both, and you get them right, there is a separate drawing for the E-book and also a signed copy of the book from me.
You need to get both questions correct, in order to be entered in the drawing. (for the signed edition)

The day the book is released is the day you'll be given the prizes (The book will follow since I need to sign it, get your address and mail it to you.)

I'm giving away 2-5 kindle e-books of Fire Burns Hot, depending on how many email replies I get with the correct answer.

Please don't post the answers in the comments!

Good Luck and look for  Fire Burns Hot  to be released in the next five days or so!

Much Love, Mayhem and Murder!

Morgan

Fire Burns Hot Update

The proof was gone through and the corrections are made!

Now I just have to do a final read through! If I don't find anything, the book will be out for the weekend!
Yay!

Everyone have a good day! I'm off to go read Deep Dark Mire (for enjoyment and to get back into the Elizabeth mindset) and then roll into Fire Burns Hot!

Today's a good day to curl up with a coffee, fuzzy blanket and a book!


Much Love, Mayhem and Murder!

Morgan

Blog Book Tours, Book Release and Book Completion

Morning all!
Sitting here with my coffee and about to start my day.

I have a few things to get out there and make public to all my readers.
I'm going to be kicking off my Book Blog Tour next month. It's like a meet and greet, but all done via the internet and blogging site.
Since time is a commodity for me, I can't get out and do a bookstore tour yet. This is my next best option to getting out, talking to everyone and keeping you up to date about what's happening with my books and new series.
It's being hosted by Eternal Connections Book Blogging Tours. If you want to host please contact them, and they'll tell you all the details.
That being said, I'll be posting a listing of blogs and dates where I'll be popping up on the big ole' web.

One of the other things was that yesterday, some of you were victims of April Fool's Day pranking. I love that you all nearly went crazy with the emails and postings worried about me. If you missed it, here it is.
Morgan Kelley Update. I hope those of you that fell for it have recovered! My email nearly blew up! I was feeling the love.

Fire Burns Hot  should be released around Monday next week. I give this date tentatively, because any time I give a date, something happens. I'm aiming for Monday. Let's put it that way. I only have to sit down and do a final read through of the book to approve it.

So, tomorrow there's going to be a trivia question posted for a couple free kindle downloads of Fire Burns Hot. I may even offer up a free signed copy, if more people participate.

So here's the deal. Click on the little bottom on the left side of my blog that says Join this site, and then give the question I post. It'll be found in one of the books. If you've read them, then you'll know the answer.
Email me your 'official' answer to author.m.kelley@gmail.com, and I'll put all the correct answers in a pool and pick a few winners. I may do up to five free give aways, depending on how many people participate.

Lastly, Celestia's Fallling is done. Yes, you read that right. It's done. I finished the Epilogue this morning at three a.m. Now it gets printed out, proof read, details corrected and then off to Tammy for her read through and critique. As soon as I ship it off, I start adding details to Darkness of Truth (book 6) to get that one released this summer.

Lots of work on the horizon! Remember, keep checking back for Book Blog tour details!


Much Love, Mayhem and Murder,

Morgan.





 

As per your MANY email requests

Yesterday on KC Cavanaugh's Blog, there was a big discussion over my upcoming new release, and the fact I don't give out too many details before hand. Well, today I'm going to spill my guts, as requested! Here's the official front cover and a brief synopsis.

I hope you're all looking forward to it's release as much as I am!

Fire Burns Hot (book 5)

In Fire Burns Hot, we continue the story of Ethan, Elizabeth and Callen, but are introduced to two more characters trying to find each other and love.
Julian Littlemoon likes women without baggage. He lives life carefree and to the fullest. Then on that fateful day, he meets Special Agent Victoria Christensen and everything changes. Not only does he fall hard, but he'd do anything to heal her broken spirit- no matter what the cost.
Tori Christensen is an ex-Army soldier, haunted by one moment that changed her life forever. She managed to dodge Julian once before, but this time she's fighting the truth that chases her. Facing him on her turf should be easy, but Julian complicates everything in her well-ordered life.
Now they're working together again, trying to find a serial arsonist with the propensity for killing strippers just to watch them burn. Partnered up with her boss, Elizabeth Blackhawk, Tori has to stay one step ahead or she just might be the next woman going up in smoke.

Sometimes love is forever, and sometimes it's just until the flame goes out…



I'll share Celestia's Falling when we get closer to it's release.


I'm also going to be giving away 2 free Kindle e-books to two lucky readers on the day of Fire Burns Hot  releases. There's going to be a trivia question, and the all the correct answers will be going in for a drawing!

Stay tuned for the release and the prizes!!!!


Much Love, Mayhem and Murder

Morgan.

Hippity Hop

Happy Overdose on your Kid's Easter Basket Day!

Eggs are hidden, baskets are made and torn into and it's another Sunday,
While you were wrestling your child for the only Cadbury egg, (yeah you!) I was up early working. Nothing like beating your kids out of bed on Easter morning to deal with death.

Hmmmm....

Today I have a couple of questions from emails that the readers have sent me, so today is going to be question day.
As for books, I'm still working on Celestia's Falling. I have fifty pages left to get through and I'm done! I should wrap it up today and begin my official read through.
YAY!  

Okay, on with the questions, so we can get back to eating chocolate!

Morgan,
I have to ask, do you sit in your PJ's all day and work? If I was a writer I'd live in mine!
Kara.

Well, interestingly enough, the answer to that is no. I have two kids, and they have doctor appointments, dentist appointments, play dates, sleep overs etc. I live on a quiet street where my neighbors know my real name and not that I kill people for a living, so I do get dressed.
I wish I could sit in my flannel skull PJ's all day.
It just doesn't happen.

Next question!

Morgan,
You say on your blog you get up at 2 am daily to work, but what does your normal day look like?
P. Hart

My alarm goes off at about 2 a.m. I lay there in bed and think 'what the hell? It's time already?'
at about 2:15 I wander down to the keurig and have cup number one.
I read my emails from the night before and check my book related sites.
At about 2:45 I read the news, so I at least know if North Korea is planning on blowing up my house or not.
At 3 a.m. I begin working. If I stopped in the middle of a scene, I have to re-read to the beginning of the chapter and pickup my train of thought.
I work until 7 a.m. 
Coffee break.
My sister drops her kids off to go to work (see... normal un-murder like)
I feed 4 kids breakfast.
Off to the bus.
Home from the bus.
More coffee.
I do the laundry, dishwasher, beds etc. Whatever needs to be done.
Start working.
Coffee break
working again until 3:30 when I get the kids off the bus
Dinner with family
More working
bed time for kids at 8 pm
More working
I outline the next days scenes for the last hour.
In bed by 9 ish or10 at the latest.

REPEAT.

If it's a weekend, I sequester myself in my office and work all day, I only stop for coffee. The husband takes over kids Friday when he gets home until Sunday when they go to bed.
On weekends I work 3 a.m. until 6 p.m.
I generally log 30 hours of working on the weekends and 40 hours during the week.

There you go.
That's my day in a nut shell.


Thank you both for the really great questions!
AND the emails!

Keep them coming, or just post something on the blog. I promise I'll get back to you!

Happy Easter!

Much Love, Mayhem and Murder.

Morgan.


 

Coming Events!

Good Morning and Happy Saturday!

Just starting my day and wanted to give you an update!
My hopes are that I can get Fire Burns Hot out in the next week or so, and do a swap with Tammy for proofing.
Celestia's Falling is almost done. It just needs the last 100 pages and a good read through by myself first.
The cover's been redone. I kept revisiting the black one and it wasn't sitting right with me for the next books in the series.
So here it is....

 

I opted to keep the same cover art, but went with a little break in color. I'm glad it's done, because I hate finishing a book and having to be up in the air about the cover.

 

Once Celestia's Falling is released, I'll begin working on the sequel and Darkness of Truth (book 6) for the rest of the spring and into the summer.

Tomorrow I'll post a synopsis for the series for the first time! It's going to be similar to the FBI Romance series, but yet a little different.

 

 

I Think I'm good on the next book's cover. Vegas is Dying is book two in the Croft & Croft Romance Adventures. I genuinely like the books direction and that makes them easier to write. Just like the FBI series, I fell in love with Elizabeth, Ethan and Callen, and I'm crazy, stupid in love with Emma and Grayson.

 

I hope when you all meet them, you fall in love with them too!

 

In May my books will be featured on The Cavanaugh Connection. It's a blog for writers, by writers. http://cavanaughkc.blogspot.com/ Check it out!

K.C. has some free book give aways by signed authors in her monthly contest, plus she features up and coming authors and their books. I'm offering up the first two books in my series, plus a signed book. Who doesn't love free stuff?

On May 2, 2013 my FBI Romance Series will be featured along with the prologue and teaser for Fire Burns Hot. (book 5).

Then on May 25, 2013 she'll be interviewing me too. You never know what juicy little secrets I'll throw out there for the world to see. Make sure you pop in and check it out! (Maybe I'll spill some details about Darkness in Truth (book 6)

Thank you all for your emails last night, tomorrow I'll be answering 2 questions I received in my blog. I wanted to do them today, but I really need to get Celestia's Falling done by tomorrow.

Have a great Easter weekend!
(Bite off lots of bunny ears for me!)

Much Love, Mayhem and Murder.

Morgan.












 

Back to the grind...

Happy weekend to you all!
After a slow work day yesterday, I'm back in the saddle and pushing forward with Celestia's Falling. It'll be done by Sunday, and then tweaked before it's shipped off for proofing. It looks like it's going to be about 450 pages when it's done.
 Give or take a few. Not bad for the first book in a new series.

I'm going to release Fire Burns Hot (book 5) in the next few days, and then start adding the details to Darkness of Truth(book 6). If all goes on schedule I'll start writing the next book in the series for Emma and Grayson's story, Vegas is Dying and the first book Stolen in Moonlight for Tori and Julian's story.
I hope to get them completed before vacation in August.

Busy next few weeks ahead!

Before I head back into the book, I promised I'd answer the other question I received yesterday, so here it is.

Morgan,
Are you going to kill anyone off in your FBI series? Please don't Kill Elizabeth. It's nice to see a tough woman kicking butt.
~A. Camden.

Yeah, there's a possibility that someone's going to die, and I already have an idea on who it's going to be. Not too long ago, Tammy and I had this conversation. It's also been a reoccurring theme with my other girlfriends. I've been warned that if I harm even one hair on Ethan or Callen's gorgeous heads, I'm a dead woman.
I'll be voted of friendship Island.
I'm contemplating taking out someone in Home Sweet Evil (book 7) or book 8) and that's all I'll say. Book 7 is going to shake everyone up in the family when they personally become the targets of a lunatic. It's going to deal with loss. I have two possible scenarios in my head, and I just need to work out which one feels right to me.

I value everyone's opinion on the characters in my books, but I have to be honest. These books write themselves. I start with an idea and as it progresses down the trail, it twists and turns into something completely different. I never intended to have them take the path they did, but i'm glad they did.

My girlfriends give advice (and I generally ignore it)
I mostly use them as my insanity barometer. I can tell when I've gone too far to one side or the other by their reactions. When I told them I was going to give Elizabeth two men, the shit hit the fan. BIG TIME. Now that I'm contemplating taking out a key player, the Natives are all riled up, so to speak.

I also get comments from the readers, and most of the time they're great. Don't get me wrong, I get a few comments or emails that tell me I ruined it, blah blah, sanctity of marriage, yada yada.
I value their opinion, but honestly I don't take what anyone says into consideration.

Today I had a book return for Deep Dark Mire and an email that said:
 "I liked your books because of the love between Elizabeth and Ethan, and now you made her into a cheap trashy novel."

Thank you for your opinion, but I disagree. I think Elizabeth is anything but trashy. I think she's a woman dedicated to a family of men, and specifically has found her heart is divided in half. I wanted to explore the question of 'can a woman love two men and make it work?'
Trashy implies Elizabeth is having random sex with lots of people. She's committed to two men, and I get that it pushes people's comfort zone, but that's part of my job. To take the things that we don't have in our lives and give the reader a peek into it.

Does that mean every series I write will go that route?
No. I had NO IDEA that Elizabeth would be shacking up with two men. No clue. It just happened. One day I was talking to Tammy and said, 'I think I'm going to do a different kind of family' and she said 'oh boy'.

Elizabeth is strong enough to handle two men, mentally, emotionally and physically.

I can tell you now that  Tori and Julian will have their own series (You meet them in True Love Lost, Deep Dark Mire. - Fire Burns Hot,  and Darkness of Truth  are their story)  Julian wouldn't put up with his 'woman' with another man, and honestly, Tori is a one man kind of guy. SO they are going to be completely monogamous.

In Celestia's Falling, You meet Emma and Grayson. He wouldn't put up with another man either, so that's not going to happen in their books either. In fact, Grayson is old school, possessive, territorial and doesn't give a damn if people hate him for it. Tori isn't anything like Elizabeth, and couldn't carry that kind of relationship.

Ethan and Callen were a 'perfect storm' and everything lined up just right for it to happen. Will one of them be sacrificed on the murder altar? It could happen. (let the angry emails begin!)

In my opinion, you can't kill someone and bring them back and keep your street cred. I know authors have done it, but once they did, I lost desire to read them. Most of the time they brought them back to appease the audience. Sorry, that's not me. I value you all, but I have to own what I put down in words, or not do it at all.


So there you have it. A really great question, A. Camden. Thank you for emailing me!

Keep them coming!

Back to the grind. Enjoy your Easter weekend!

Much Love, Mayhem and Murder.

Morgan.






 

Only time for a Quickie...

Yeah, Yeah, I know.

Sorry this Blog is late and short, but I'm balancing three books at once right not.
Celestia's Falling (1)
Fire Burns Hot (5)
Darkness of Truth (6)

I'm a bit under the gun and way behind schedule. I did get all your emails last night and replied, and I have two very good questions.

I'll answer one now.

Morgan,
Is Doctor Tony Magnus in love with Doctor Chris Leonard? Will they ever find love?
~ Karen.

Funny you should bring that up. I was approached with the idea of making Tony gay, and I decided to not go there. I didn't think I could pull it off and still keep the integrity of the story. So, No. Sorry, but he will have a love interest, as will Christina (Darkness of Truth) and Chris Leonard (Book 8)(sorry- its not named yet)

Later tonight I'll answer the next question which was FABULOUS!

I'll tell you what it's regarding. One of my clever readers wants to know if someone in the FBI Romance series is going to die soon.

Hmmmmm.. Ethan?  Elizabeth? Callen?  We shall see....

Who am I?

I get a plethora of interesting questions from emails.
Some ask about the books and some ask about me.
I thought today I'd tell you a little about me, since I've had the pleasure of meeting all of you through the emails and messages you've sent me.

Here goes.

First and foremost I'm a mom. I have a daughter and a son. In the front of my books you'll often see a dedication to Isabella and Alexzander. They're my greatest masterpiece.
She was named after Queen Izabella of Spain and my son was named after Alexzander the Great.

I live in Pennsylvania in a very small town. It's tiny and much like the one I described in Salem. Population 8000 ish.

I'm married.

I have one vice in life and it's coffee. I drink way too much of it, but when you get up at 2 a.m. to work, you need it.

I love gardening. My obsession is rose bushes. The big joke with my friends is 'If you need to hide a body, take it to Morgan's.'  Next to my kids, my heirloom 7 sister's rose bushes are my pride and joy.

I love bacon. (ok, it's my second vice. Followed by cheese burgers)

I hate to run, but I still do it. I wish I could be like Elizabeth and do a 6 mile run happily. By 4 I'm miserable, angry and sweaty. I don't think while I run, I curse and swear there has to be an easier way to keep eating bacon and burgers.

I'm almost 40. That didn't hurt too much. I remember sitting in my college dorm trying to decide what to be when I grew up, and now I'm there.

I don't eat bread. Or rice and potatoes. I spend most of my life living low carb, simply because at my age (yeah, I know) my blood sugar doesn't like when I eat them. Thus the love affair with bacon, cheese and meat.

My favorite food is peanut butter. I could eat it on anything and often do. I also eat it right out of a jar with a spoon. You can tell how stressful my day has been writing by how empty my jar is...

I have two sisters and a brother, but I'm the oldest. That has it's advantages and disadvantages. I get the old jokes alllllll the time. Oh and how I'm going to die if I don't stop eating the bacon.

I'm a type A control freak. I have to micromanage every damn situation to death. My cabinets look like a crazy person organized them and my underwear drawer is color coded. I kid you not.

I have a cat. His name is Mr. Frodo. We found him wandering, and in honor of the Lord of The Rings books, he was given his name. I didn't think he looked like a Bilbo Baggins, so he was dubbed Frodo.

I'm Native American, Italian, and Irish.

I believe in happily ever after.

I personally reply to every email that you send me. Sometimes multiple times. Go ahead. Test that out. You know you want to. Even if it's just to say Hi! I will reply.

I speak Spanish and am passable with French. When I went to Paris, I had to pick it up fast. I know the basics and can understand most, but can't conjugate for my life.

My parents think I'm weird. Not in a bad way, but sometimes when I tell them how I'm killing the next person, my mom get's this look on her face like she wonders where she went horribly wrong.

I have 5 tattoos. My back holds 4 of them. Ok, it covers my back, practically. I also have my next appointment to get my ribs done on May 8th. My arm is next. (See above regarding my mother. THIS is her big gripe. I'm altering her work of art.)

I love Christmas, even though I personally celebrate Yule. This year my tree is going to be bright red and have all black Victorian ornaments all over it. Every three years I get a different tree and change the theme. This year is Gothic Christmas. My husband isn't as amused as I am.

Favorite color: Apple Green. My kitchen is that shockingly bright color, highlighted in electric blue.
Favorite place in the world: Alexandria Egypt.
Favorite drink: I love a fun martini or two.
Favorite splurge: I collect ugg boots.
Favorite kitschy item: I have black heels with red blood splatters.
Favorite Author: Edgar Allen Poe
Favorite car: I like mine. I have an H3.

There you have it. Morgan Kelley in a nutshell. You now know more about me than you probably ever wanted to. I know it had nothing to do with books today, but essentially I am part of every book I write. So there's my technicality.

Now I need to finish working on Celestia's Falling It's going to be a series, and I have my work cut out for me.

Much Love, Murder and Mayhem.

Morgan.







 

Quiet day in Morgan's world.

Morning all.

It's a fairly quiet day here.

I woke up at two and continued working on Celestia's Falling  I'm at the halfway point and there's no turning back now. It should be finished with the first steps of production by Friday.
Since it's Easter this weekend, I was contemplating taking it off, but instead I'm going to work through it, doing a final read through on Fire Burns Hot.  I'd like to get it released as soon as possible, and then do the detail fill on the 6th book in the series. Since Darkness of Truth is already written, it should be painless to clean it up and ship it off to be proofed.

I've revamped my list of books to release for the rest of this year. I'm pulling the paranormal series I planned on releasing for this summer. I'm just not feeling it, so back on the shelf it goes and onto other projects.
I think this is the new timeline... (and the characters involved)

Fire Burns Hot  (April)           Elizabeth, Ethan and Callen
Celestia's Falling (June)                 Emma and Grayson
Darkness of Truth (June)        Elizabeth, Ethan and Callen
The Blood Seduction (July)            Jolie, Jacques and Flynn
Stolen by Moonlight (Sept)            Julian and Tori
Home Sweet Evil (Oct)           Elizabeth, Ethan and Callen
Vegas is Dying (Nov)                    Emma and Grayson
Affair to Fear (Dec)                        Julian and Tori

If I can pull this off, it would mean releasing 11 novels in one year. Since my books average around 190,000 words for each novel, that's more than 2 million words in 365 days.(or over 5,500 pages of print) That gives me a headache just thinking about it.

Right about now, Tammy my proofer is reading this and freaking out. (I love a early morning meltdown.) Don't worry, we'll get through it. (I'm shutting my phone off the second I post this blog)
Let those be my famous last words!

With this timeline, I'll be running four series at the same time. It should be fun, and I hope I can keep all the names straight.

I love an adventure!

Much love, Murder and Mayhem

Morgan

Celestia's Falling... behind.

Hello all!

Greetings from 'buried in murder' land. Today I'd hoped to get a big jump on Celestia's Falling, but I fell a little behind with other things. (Darn kids wanting food in the house!)
I'm about one hundred pages into the first read through and had honestly hoped for it to be done by tomorrow.
Not going to happen.
I've found a flaw in it, and I'm working on resolving it before Tammy get's her hands on it. (If I try and sneak it by her, she'll kick my ass.)
Seriously, she will...

Anyway, I'm going to hit it hard this week in hopes to get it to her for next week for proofing. I'm on a schedule and I really hate when I fall behind. I feel like a slacker if I don't keep my self-imposed deadlines.
Sometimes being your own boss is brutal!

That being said, Fire Burns Hot was dropped off to Tammy this morning to be proofed this week. (I literally dropped it on her porch and ran for it. I kid you not...) So, she's got it in her capable hands, and we'll see if she gives me the thumbs up or down. Either way, the release is projected in April. As soon as I get an idea of when, I'll let you all know. I'm aiming before April 26th. I'm going to be taking a few days off to head to Salem, MA.
I'll be wandering around in all my witchy glory!
I'm going there to get some ideas for my paranormal series that I'm rolling out sometime this year. (and I'm on burnout and need a vacation. Who doesn't want to stay at a B&B in the witch-town USA?)
I'm dragging my husband there, much to his horror and boredom. Maybe I'll post some photos when I get back! He'll be the one holding my purse with a cranky look on his face.

Happy Sunday to everyone! Keep reading!

Much Love, Murder and Mayhem.

Morgan.

 

One of my most favorite things...

There's nothing I love more than waking up to emails from anyone that's reading my books.
I truly love the interaction with the reader. (I do reply to the emails too!)
Whenever I find that a reader has enjoyed the story and is dying for more, it validates what I do as a writer.
Sometimes the emails question my sanity (I also find myself doing that too!)
Then there are ones that tell me they wish they were Elizabeth! (I want to be her when I grow up!)
Others just tell me they love my books.

I enjoy hearing from all of you! Please, keep the emails coming! I swear that I'll get back to you as soon as I get them. (I work out of my phone, tablet and laptop most of the day- so unless I'm asleep, I reply as fast as possible!)

Today I rolled out of bed around five a.m.(usually I'm up around two-ish, but today is my day to sleep in) and I found an email from a delightful woman named Carol from Australia. She made my day and validated everything I believed to be true.

           Elizabeth, Ethan and Callen are amazing together!

As I drank my coffee, I was smiling and so grateful for the amazing support and words. So, Thank you Carol! I appreciate you taking the time to drop me an email. I know it may seem like an insignificant thing, but honestly, it is awe inspiring!

Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!

To Everyone that emails me, Thank you too!  You make murder lots of fun!


Much Love, Murder and Mayhem,

Morgan

Another day, another murder...

Morning all!

Happy Friday!

The weekend is here and there's a bunch of things on my agenda.
 Fire Burns Hot is going to it's final read-through, and baring any horrific issues, it will continue onto the final process before release.
Yay!
Then it's a break from Elizabeth, Ethan and Callen for a few months. Book six in the series is written, Darkness of Truth but won't be shipped off for editing until May or June. I have some 'Blackhawk' downtime going on to focus on other projects. I'm on a time crunch, since I'm losing part of August and most of September to vacation. I'll be bringing my laptop and tablet to work when it's raining at the beach.

Today I'm neck deep in the next book coming out, and I'm excited. It's running smoothly (and I just jinxed myself-watch and see.) and I'm enjoying everything about it.
The cover is done and ready to go and for me that's a huge deal. Covers are the first impression of the book and matter a great deal.

I'm excited and enjoying the process of this book immensely. My bestest girl liked the cover and gave me the okay, so I'm thrilled to have that part of it all wrapped up.
Right now the book is in the detail process.

When I write a novel, I get out the stripped down version and on my first read-through, I put in all the details of the sex scenes, the descriptions and any other tidbits I feel it needs. I'm working on that  job right now.

Celestia's Falling is bare bones at 266 pages. I'm thirty pages in and already added lots of details. Will this book be as big as the others? Probably not.
I'm hoping to end in the 400 page neighborhood. Essentially, I'm doubling the book in details and scenes. Sometimes it happens and sometimes Tammy (my proofer) goes nuts and strips it back down.

It's a craps shoot.

Needless to say, I hope you all have a really great weekend! Be safe keep on emailing me and reading!!!!!!

Much Love, Murder and Mayhem.

Morgan

 

 

 

The Killing Times is done!

Morning all!
Just back from my celebratory coffee from Dunkin' and thought I'd get a blog in before I start work for the day.
Today I released The Killing Times back onto Kindle and paperback format in it's second edition. It takes Amazon up to five days to update their site with the new cover, but the new one looks great and is ready to go. In fact, here it is....

.

Anyway, back to my Dunkin' and my work.

Much Love, Murder and Mayhem.

Morgan.







 

Today's the day!

Morning all from the snowy Northeast! It's a good day to sit by the fire and work, so I'm not going to bitch and moan that it's nearly April and we're still getting snow.
Okay, maybe I'll complain a little bit later when I have to go shovel.

Today I pulled the kindle version of The Killing Times  from production. It's being corrected and uploaded today and tomorrow, plus it takes a day for approval and upload of the new cover. Bear with me and I promise I'm working non-stop to get it back out by Friday for the weekend.
I swear!
I started a line by line read through last night and was back at it at 2 a.m. this morning. It's looking to be a slow moving day, as I have four kids under the age of 11 at the house today while school is delayed.
(here comes the bitching...)
I hope you all enjoy the new cover picture and don't forget to download the updates in 'manage my kindle'!
Some details have been added and the rest has been re-edited.

If you got hit with the snow have a safe day and enjoy!

Much love, murder and mayhem.

Morgan.
 

Monday Mourning.

All good things must eventually come to an end.
Yeah, vacation is over.
I was up at three a.m. toiling away on the projects that I put off for the week.
I just released the next book in the Vampyre series. The Blood Retribution. It'll be out on kindle and paperback by Wednesday.
My only regret about the series so far, is I don't have the publishing rights to my first book until 2016. Yeah, I signed a contract with a publisher and now I'm locked into them holding that book hostage.
Bleh.
Oh well, it's a lesson learned when dealing with publishing companies. That's why I ran for the hills as fast as I could with the rest of my books. I now finally re-own the rights to The Junction  and in January, I retain the ownership to Serial Sins. Both will be reissued with new covers and on kindle.
Yay!
Today I get The Killing Times back from the re-edit. I'll be pouring over it to get the second edition for the book released by Friday. From what I've been told, there were some editing issues and everything is currently cleared up. As a writer, I don't have the ability to edit my own work. When I'm reading I don't see the basic mistakes. So, that's why I always use a second set of eyes.
Since I haven't been ripped to pieces on the other books, I'm going to assume they're fine...
Yeah, that statement will come back to bite me in the ass, I'm sure.
I also picked the new picture to be the cover art of the second edition book. I really like it, but then I really liked the first book too.

This is by Alexei Novikov out of Sweden. I like his work a great deal.

 

This was my final choice, and the one that will be taking the place of the artwork. I got good reviews on the cover and a few bad ones. Some didn't like how the first book wasn't a picture and the rest of them were and others liked the colors and unusualness.
Which goes to prove that you can't please everyone.

We had some really great sales this weekend. I'm guessing the weather helped here in the Northeast. I did notice that my books were also purchased in Japan, Germany, Great Britain, and Ireland. So, to all the readers outside the US, enjoy and email me! I look forward to hearing from you.

Back to the grind today.
Yay!

Much Love, murder and mayhem.

Morgan

 

Update on The Killing Times (book one)

Hi all!
Just a little note to keep you all in the loop. Last week it was brought to my attention there were some errors and issues in the first book in the series. (I apologize profusely!) It's in the process of being re-edited to clear up any typos or issues that may detract from the reading.

It's going to be released under a new cover and a new edition. If you downloaded it via kindle, you'll be able to get the update.
If you go into your 'manage my kindle downloads' on your computers, it'll have a little message that an update is available. Look for it in a couple of weeks.

Again, I apologize that it had errors in it.
Working on making it better for you all!


Much love, Mayhem, and murder!

Morgan.
 

Things that go bump in the night or in Morgan's Brain!

Just sitting here with my coffee and my laptop answering emails.
I thought I'd post a blog and then head back to my last two days of self-imposed hiatus, before back to the grind on Monday morning.

Today I had a question regarding adding paranormal to my storylines. I guess that's going to be today's topic of Blogging.

Morgan,
I just read book two in your series and noticed you teetered on the edge of giving Timothy Blackhawk psychic ability. Will there be more in your books yet to come? I Love a book that gives us a glimpse into ESP and other psychic gifts.
~ Tania

Okay, here it is. I've tossed around using a paranormal twist in my upcoming books. Will it be in the FBI series or the Private Investigator series? No it won't.
Will I be launching a new series using the paranormal and magic?
Yes.
I currently have a book in production for a little twist on Magick and Witches. (Which if you know me, you know both are near and dear to my heart)  I have just completed the cover the other day and am planning on a fall release. There's going to be approximately three books in the series. I'll post the cover for you all to see.

This book is about ninety percent written. If all goes well, it'll be out in early fall, or perhaps for Halloween. I love a good book about witches just in time for Samhain.

Now to address a book with FBI agents with paranormal abilities. I know it's been done before, and I'm not ruling it out, but I have to come up with something so outside the box that it's fresh and new. If I can pull that off, then possibly  next year one will make an appearance. I have an idea, but can I make it into a series? That's a whole other story.
Literally.
I have something cutting edge in mind, but I need a way to make it uniquely me. (I like to shake everyone up a bit.)

There you have it, Tania. I hope that answered your question!

Much love, mayhem, and murder.

Morgan.







 

Best Questions Yet.

I get lots of great email questions and here were two of my favorites this week.


Out of all of your novels, who is the most like you?
~ Jessica.

Why a Native man as the sex symbol?
~Pietra

Okay, the first question.
Everyone that knows me personally tells me that Elizabeth is my personality doppelgänger. I really don't see it. If there is one character that I relate to the most, it's Christina- Ethan's head lab tech. I'm a total nerd, love science and always need an answer. I get that Elizabeth and I resemble each other and yes, she's brash, sarcastic and hard core just like me, but I'm really not her.

And question two.
When I wrote the books, there was only one thing in my mind.
The portrayal of the Native American community had to be spot on. I wanted to incorporate the Rez.(the reservation) I wanted to make people aware that Natives are steeped in tradition. (The war bonnet and women wearing it is a HUGE NO!) I was tired of seeing the Natives kicked around in media as being drunks, who sucked the gov't dry of money and resources. We don't all drink. We certainly don't all live off casino money, and we don't all wear war bonnets and carry bows and arrows. It's irritating that if someone were to speak of any other ethnic group with stereotypes, there'd be a huge explosion, but hey, Natives are free game.

For the record, I have been known to correct people who refer to Native Americans as Indians. INCLUDING my daughter's teacher. It's simply a pet peeve for me.

I'm Native American and I always get the weirdest questions regarding it, so this is my attempt to bring part of me to the forefront and share a culture that's often overlooked.

So, when I decided to write a novel, I wanted to dip into the Native heritage and show people that the 'leading man' could be Native, sexy and be everything a non-native could be. (Plus in my head Ethan and Callen are hot!) I tell my husband all the time, if someone that looks like Ethan or Callen comes a knockin', I'm a walkin'.
Oddly, he's not even worried.
Hmmmm.

So there you have it!
 

First read through complete!

Today I met with Tammy over coffee.
Over the last week she's been working on the first read through of Fire Burns Hot. That's always the worst part of the process (for me and I'm sure for her too!)  It's where I get the first feedback on the story. She doesn't like knowing much about the book prior, so before she sees it, the 180,000 words have only been alive in me. At this point I'm a hot mess.
Will she like it?
Will she hate it?
Will she tell me I've lost my damn mind?
One of the best things about Tammy is her blatant honesty. Don't ask her if your ass looks fat in the pants you're wearing. She's going to tell you the truth. So, every time she takes the next book, I'm on the edge of my seat worried out of my mind.
I can tell how bad it's going to be by the amount of calls I get in the week she has the manuscript. When it's really quiet I'm nervous, and when she does call I'm even more scared.

This week she told me to take a vacation.
In Tammy-ese that means she's either concerned for my sanity or hers.
Possibly both.

So, taking her advice I'm on vacation. As some of you that emailed me noticed, I still answered your questions. That's because I live out of my phone. As for the writing aspect, I had given myself until today to finish Darkness of Truth.  Needless to say, it's not done. I'm about sixty pages until completion. Even though it's not slated to be released until fall, I can't start writing the spinoff series until I have that book wrapped. Once it's finished, I can begin the next series.

I wouldn't want tammy to be bored out of her mind at the beach this summer. That and I have plans to take almost a month off to head to Myrtle and be a beach bum with my kids. I won't be taking my phone or laptop with me. I'm going to have wine, lay in the sun and be at one with the waves.
        (That's my real vacation. It should run smoothly, unless a body washes up on shore.)

So for everyone that's asked me when the next book is out, the timeline I've listed in my blog is still accurate. Fire Burns Hot  will be released sometime in April.

 

Romance... Thriller... Romance.... Thriller

Where to even begin? Nothing is more frustrating as a writer when you get a review that makes no sense.
Today I was actually told my novel was a good mystery, but too much sex. If the person wanted a romance, they would have bought one...

Okay, let's address why this confuses me. If you read the description on amazon on all of my books, you'll find two things. 1) They are called ROMANCES. It's right there in bold print. 2) there is a disclaimer at the bottom of the description that warns you of the sexual content. I am simply put, a romance author. My books have a thriller twist, but for the most part are a ROMANCE.

Hmmmm....  For the life of me, this is befuddling. I'm frustrated as a writer on how I can be more clear on this detail. Don't get me wrong. I appreciate that it was called a good book, and a good mystery, but as a writer I'm here to please you the reader. I want every experience to be a fun one, and worthy of the hours it takes to read the book.

So how do I do it?
How do I make it perfectly clear that my books are first and foremost romances? I'm a romantic at heart and believe in the magic of love.

Can someone answer this for me?

Editing issues and reviews

Okay, it's been brought to my attention that there are some editing issues with the first book in my series The Killing Times. I've heard your comments and I'm going to take care of it this week. The book is going to be pulled and re-edited with a fresh set of eyes.

I apologize if this was a problem for any of my readers. I completely understand and get it, and want to make the reading experience as smooth as possible.

Generally, my reviews are good, and when I get a bad one, I take it very serious. If you the reader think the book is a little rough, then I'm going to work on fixing that. As for the sex in the book, I'm not touching it. Sorry. The language? I tend to slip and drop some profanity when I'm all stirred up and so does Elizabeth, so that's not going either. As for the killing details, yeah, sorry. That's not changing either. For a reader that actually believed book one to be gruesome, don't read the rest of the series. The first book is the least descriptive.  I don't plan on altering that either.
I know I can't please everyone, but I'll try to cover the majority.

It's being bumped up on my list this week to take care of it, and should be reissued and ready to go by next week. I'm also thinking of a new cover for the second edition. If I'm going in to fix it, then I'll address the issue of the cover artwork being blah.

Bear with me folks. I promise to get it taken care of ASAP.

Much love, murder and mayhem,

Morgan