Liz's Lair: Meet Romantic Suspense Author Angi Morgan

Please help me welcome my friend and fellow DARA chaptermate Angi Morgan to Mysteries and Margaritas. Angi writes heart-stopping Romantic Suspense for Harlequin Intrigue. Her third book, DANGEROUS MEMORIES, debuted February 1^st and is on sale right now at the usual places.

So without further ado, let’s find out about Angi.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for having me, Liz. AND for reading DANGEROUS MEMORIES. WOOT WOOT !!

A little birdie told me that you’ve just signed a three book contract with Harlequin. Can you tell us about that and give us a little hint at what the next three books will be about?

Well, I've been told by my editor that she wants the VALENTINE VALOR series, but no contract yet…they asked me to write a book quickly for a January release. Then there's the twin heroes in May & June of 2014. THEN we're looking at the VALOR series. Whew…  So I have PROTECTING THEIR CHILD (May '13); THE MARINE'S LAST DEFENSE (Jan '14); DOUBLE TAKE & DOUBLE BLIND (May & June '14) and then (hopefully) RESCUING RONNI, DEFENDING DANNI & SAFEGUARDING SCOTTI.

That is exciting to put in writing. The May release is set in the Texas Davis Mountains. A TX Ranger has to protect his estranged (and pregnant) wife. My writing buddies couldn't believe I put a pregnant woman climbing the mountains, in the rain & snow. They didn't say I was cruel…just that I like to throw lots of rocks at my characters. LOL

Wow! You're going to be a busy girl. I always love all the suspense you pack into your stories, and your newest offering, DANGEROUS MEMORIES is no different. Before I get into questions about you, can you tell us a little about it? Maybe share a short excerpt?

Here's a SNEAK PEEK.

I think the back cover blurb really does justice to DANGEROUS MEMORIES:

THE MORE SHE REMEMBERS...

After witnessing her mother's murder as a child, Jolene Atkins forced the memories from her mind. Now the killer has resurfaced, but this time Jo has Levi Cooper to protect her. Even if he is disobeying direct order from the U.S. Marshal service to do so.

THE MORE ONE U.S. MARSHAL HAS TO PROTECT HER...

Levi vowed years ago to always keep the innocent beauty safe. So when Jo insists on getting some answers, Levi has no choice but to help her. Watching as the pain of the past threatens to crush a spirited Jo, Levi ignores every professional instinct and pulls her into his arms. After one night together, he's more determined than ever to close this case. Because one night with Jo would never be enough.

Your books are always fast paced and leave me on the edge of my seat. What’s your secret? Is your life that adventuresome?

LOL --Adventures from my writing couch? HAHAHA  Honestly, I don't plot, just a loose outline and I let the characters take me everywhere and anywhere (in Texas, grin). Tim and I do travel a lot, and when I need a location he's always willing to explore it with me. Once I visit the terrain, my imagination takes over. As for packed full adventure? Well, I envision the book like a movie and I don't want anyone to think they can miss any scene in the bathroom. 

Do you read other genres besides Romantic Suspense? Do you have any desire to write in another genre or have one under your bed as we speak?

Weeellll….I wrote a book long ago that was requested by DUETS. Unfortunately, the line closed and that romantic comedy has stayed hidden in its file. I've taken it off and after this deadline, I intend to put it out there for readers. I love the story about a young woman losing weight and getting into all sorts of situations she's never faced before.  THEN there's my historical time travel series…so many ideas and so little time.

How long does it take for you to write a completed manuscript from start to finish and what does your typical writing day look like?

A BOOK: I'll shoot the idea around with friends and get enough ideas to write a synopsis (but that synopsis is written last). I write 50 pages for the proposal and then submit for changes to my agent. That takes about 2 weeks now that I've got my writing legs under me. When it sells, and I have the deadline, I write about 10K a week and finish up in 5.  I normally can write an Intrigue now in a total of 5 to 6 weeks.

MY WRITING DAY: Never really ends. I have a hard time relaxing and everywhere I go I see and gain new material. But an actual day begins with email, promotion, blogs, and by 10 AM I try to be in my writing chat room with my pal Jen FitzGerald. She's my encouragement partner and keeps time for me. I've written the last four books in 20 minute sprints. Keeps me fresh and taking regular breaks. When Tim's gone, I might write 10 to 12 hours, 7 days a week. When he's here…I try to quit when he gets off work and take at least one day a week to be with him.

I found the sexual tension between Jolene and Levi in DANGEROUS MEMORIES so hot at times that I could almost physically feel the heat. Do you have to get in the mood before writing these scenes? If so, how?? (I cant wait for this answer!)

My first thought is REALLY?  Mood…not really. If I could deliver all my books without love scenes, I'd be a happy camper. But I'm glad you're telling me about the tension. Honestly, I have no clue. I thought I wrote fast-paced action/adventure stories and recently, my agent said she loved my "emotional" writing. I'm like, "Say what?" Seriously, I had great critique partners that pounded emotion, emotion, emotion into my brain before and after I sold. I pack everything in there I can--in between running for their lives, fighting for their lives, and trying to find who wants to kill them.

Okay, if you really want to know…Tim is gone an awful lot. LOL So maybe tension isn't so hard for me to imagine after all.

Before you all go thinking I'm some kind of perv, I wanted to explain why I was so curious. When I tried to write my very first sex scene, I tried everything--wine, candles, incense, romantic dinners, new lingerie--and nothing worked. One day I was sitting outside the orthodontist's office waiting for what was supposed to be my daughter's 5 minute adjustment and I had no makeup, no hair-do. Plus it was the middle of August in Texas. By the time she came out, I was sweating like a pig and had IMO the best scene of all the ones I've written since. I never had to edit it at all. So I'm always curious how others get in the mood.  Now back to the questions.

And finally. When can we expect the next Angi Morgan book?

PROTECTING THEIR CHILD,  Harlequin Intrigue, May 2013

A RANGER WITH UNFINISHED BUSINESS AND A BABY ON THE WAY

Cord McCrea was the Texas Ranger of her dreams...but their life together ended like a nightmare. They were too proud and stubborn, and there was no repairing the damage done to their family. All Kate Danver McCrea had was the reminder he'd left growing inside her.

Now the crazed gangster who'd shattered Cord's life was a free man, and he wanted to settle some old scores. Cord would do anything to protect his ex-wife, but once she's safe, they will go their separate ways again. Only...the baby changes everything. Doesn't it? If they can survive the perils of a west Texas winter while outmaneuvering danger at every pass, they might have a second chance. Because with a traitor in their midst, they had no one to trust -- except each other.