Blog Tour Q&A with Kira Morgan, Author of Captured by Desire

Please join me today to visit with author Kira Morgan.

1Q.  I see that you write under three names: Sarah McKerrigan (historical romance), Glynnis Campbell (historical romance) and now Kira Morgan.  Why have you chosen different pen names?

Kira Morgan:  Sometimes, no matter how good an author's reviews are, circumstances of marketing or timing or other issues beyond the author's control affect the sales.  If the publisher is wise and recognizes this, they give the author a fresh launch with a new pen name in the hopes of generating better sales the second (or third) time around.  Only nine more names till I catch up with Dean Koontz!

2Q.  All three names write historical romance. Do you have plans to write in any other genres?

Kira Morgan: Yes!  I have plans for a historical biography about an amazing Italian Renaissance woman, a paranormal YA series, and a trilogy of contemporary romances involving the rock-and-roll world (I have an inside scoop since my husband is in the classic rock band, America).

3Q.  What most inspires your plots?

Kira Morgan:  I'm most inspired by "what if" situations, and the more challenging, the better.  My last Sarah McKerrigan book, "Danger's Kiss," started with "What if the hero were the man who executed the heroine's father?"  The inspiration for "Captured by Desire" was "What if the hero shot the heroine at the beginning of the book?"

4Q.  Why did you choose the particular time period and setting for Captured by Desire?

Kira Morgan:  It's always an interesting challenge for me to write a romance set against a backdrop of great conflict.  It proves that love does indeed conquer all!  The time of Mary Queen of Scots was full of political upheaval, especially along the Borders, where King Henry VIII of England had pummeled Scotland repeatedly, leaving the land in ruins.  What better place to create a hero of the people, who poaches game on his lord's lands to feed the starving peasants?

5Q.  Can you summarize Captured by Desire in one sentence?

Kira Morgan:  No.  I'm afraid you'll have to read the whole thing .  Well, okay, I'll try.  When the queen's jeweler takes sanctuary in a church for a crime she didn't commit, it's up to an honor-bound huntsman to prevent her escape, leaving him torn between duty and desire when he begins to fall in love with his spirited captive.

6Q.  In Captured by Desire is there anything that your heroine would never be caught dead doing or saying?

Kira Morgan:  Willful Florie Gilder would never utter these words:  "Sure, I'll do whatever you say."

7Q.  Is there an ancillary character you had the most fun with?

Kira Morgan:  I loved writing the villainess, Mavis.  She's deliciously spoiled and mean, yet there's a pathetic quality to her that almost makes you feel sorry for her...almost.

8Q.  What was one of the most surprising things you learned in researching this book?

Kira Morgan:  Seeking sanctuary in a church was a very complex prospect that went something like this: 1) outrun pursuers, 2) sound special knocker on church door, 3) run to fridstool (the seat of refuge) near the altar, 4) make confession to priest, 5) promise to surrender sharp weapons and help in case of fire, 6) survive 40 days on kindness of strangers, and finally, either go on trial or agree to be exiled.  Sanctuary wasn't for the faint of heart!

9Q.  Do you write for yourself or for your audience?

Kira Morgan:  Wow, interesting question.  I think I do both.  I feel like I'm sharing the ride, like I've pulled readers aboard my stallion and we're charging off together on an adventure.

10Q.  What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing?

Kira Morgan:  I love to travel, and sometimes I'm lucky enough to tag along on my husband's tours, which is great fun!  I also like to sing, go to the movies, dance, do voice overs, garden, and of course, read.

11Q.  If you could have readers finish a sentence what would it be? (I’d like to use this one for the Giveaway if that is agreeable.)

Kira Morgan:  I liked CAPTURED BY DESIRE, because...
(With their permission, I'd love to use snippets of your readers' "reviews" on my website!)

12Q.  Just for fun: Since your bio indicates that you do voice overs, which has been the most fun for you to do?

Kira Morgan:  Probably my most fun voice over was playing Julie Winters in the MTV animated series, "The Maxx."  Most of the time, voice over actors are isolated and do their sessions in the studio one at a time, but for "The Maxx," we were all there together, so we could play off of one another and create genuine chemistry.


Martha: Thank you Ms. Morgan for sharing with us.