Author Interview with 2022 Reviewer’s Choice Award Nominee Mary Morgan

by
Wishes Under a Highland Star Book Cover Wishes Under a Highland Star
A Tale from the Order of the Dragon Knights
Mary Morgan
Scottish Historical Romance, Medieval Historical Romance
The Wild Rose Press, Inc
‎ December 5, 2022
Kindle
‏ 190 pages

As chieftain for his clan, Alex MacFhearguis struggles with the burden of an unwanted responsibility. With the midwinter feast approaching, he flees his castle to find comfort and solitude within the forest. Yet on his quest, Alex stumbles into a world filled with magic, mysteries, and a woman with beguiling eyes who could capture his heart.

When half-Fae Aine Fraser makes a powerful wish, her simple request unlocks the magic she possesses and brings forth a Highlander into her world. Though the man has lost all his memories, she finds her attraction growing for this brooding warrior with each passing day. Unable to deny her feelings, Aine risks everything when she confesses her greatest secret.

Can a beauty who wished for a champion tame the beast of Leòmhann Castle?

2022 RCA Author Interview with Mary Morgan

Interview by Sherry Perkins

Mary Morgan found her knight in shining armor (with a tetch of tarnish around the edges) and married him. Then, in many ways, she wrote about him in her Order of the Dragon Knight series books. She added a wee dram of her love for the Celtic places she’d visited, conjured up a half-fae or two, and traveled back in time to tell a story– a story like all good time-traveling tales that ends back at the present where Mary will be celebrating her 40th anniversary with her real-life knight tomorrow. Happy Anniversary, Mary!

1. What was the inspiration for your Paranormal Romance Guild 2022 Reviewer’s Choice Award nominated book, Wishes Under a Highland Star, in the ROMANCE/HISTORICAL, and A Tale from the Order of the Dragon Knights SERIES category?

Wishes Under a Highland Star wraps up the last son of Clan MacFhearguis. In writing Alex and Aine’s story, I found a part of my love story woven into theirs. The stars did collide when I first set my sight on the man who would later become my husband. So yes, I do believe in love at first sight. My knight, though tarnished, was older, brooding, and very much like Alex. But we fell passionately in love, and the rest is history.

To research Alex MacFhearguis, I had to travel back in time to when he first stepped through a story, specifically, Dragon Knight’s Sword. With each book in the Order of the Dragon Knights series, I found a stern, quiet, yet complex character. He hid his angst well at being thrust into the role of leader to the MacFhearguis clan. In addition, the loss of his younger brother, Adam, haunted him.

When this chieftain encountered a half-Fae lass, he believed himself not worthy of her. However, Aine Fraser proved him wrong each and every moment in their time together. She accepted and loved all of the man—scars and his flaws.

In the end, they both will understand the meaning and sacrifice in finding true love.

 

2. What bit of advice you would give to new writers?

Never let anyone tell you you’re not good enough to write. If you have passion, drive, and believe in your story, keep onward—keep writing from your heart and see the story through to the end. Criticism is good on some levels, but don’t let the negative keep you from pursuing your dreams.

3. Why do you think your book should win — in other words, what makes it unique?

After a rough year in 2021, this story led me back to my writing cave. It’s dedicated to my own knight—my husband who encouraged me to keep on writing. And voting ends on February 12th, our 40th wedding anniversary. A special occasion that makes this book dear to my heart.

AN EXCERPT FROM 2022 RCA ROMANCE/HISTORICAL NOMINEE WISHES UNDER A HIGHLAND STAR:

Alex grumbled a curse and walked away. Striding with intent, he gave a curt nod in passing when Aine stepped from her safe haven.

She hurried after him. “Ye are bleeding.”

“Aye,” he returned, making long strides through the bailey and ignoring her concern.

“The cut requires tending to. Glenna is a healer. I can take ye there,” she suggested, doing her best to keep up with him.

“Nae need.”

“What do ye mean?” she pressed.

Alex clenched his jaw. Rory’s talk about marriage settled like a nettle’s sting. Without a clear path in front of him, he had no intention of luring any woman into his life with false hope. Especially the one who smelled like wildflowers on a spring day with enchanting eyes that beguiled him.

“The wound will heal in time,” he gritted out, sweeping past a yew tree and heading toward the sounds of a nearby stream.

Aine grasped his arm with a force that surprised him. “Can ye stop for a moment!”

Halting his stride, he glared down at her. The look he gave her would singe the hair from any warrior or animal. “Do ye have more to say?”

“Why do ye refuse aid?” she demanded, fisting her hands on her round hips.

Her stubborn refusal to leave intrigued Alex. Would she flee if he challenged her? He lowered his head near hers. “Why do ye care?”

Her eyes widened, and her luscious lips parted. “Because I do,” she whispered.

Alex’s breathing became shallow and the air around them thick. Her pink lips begged to be kissed. Would they be as sweet as berries? Or as heady as the wine he drank last evening? An ache to take her in his arms filled him.

He wrestled with the conflict—duty, honor, possession. She was pure as new-fallen snow on a crisp morn, and he no better than a rutting stag. Though his hands shook to hold her in his arms, Alex steeled his emotions and moved away from her.

Ye deserve a better man, Aine. Ye are a beauty, and I am but a beast.

Aine’s smile came slowly as she took a step toward him and did the unthinkable. Standing on her tiptoes, she brushed a kiss along his bearded cheek. “Is it wrong to care for ye?”

Indecision plagued him as he regarded her—disbelieving, curious as to what his real fear might be. Shoving aside the conflict within, Alex grasped her around the waist. He nuzzled the spot below her ear. “Ye tempt your fate with a kiss, Aine? With a man ye do not ken?”

She lifted her gaze to his—her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue. “Did I tempt ye?”

 

ABOUT MARY MORGAN:

Multi award-winning paranormal romance author, Mary Morgan resides in Northern California with her own knight in shining armor. However, during her travels to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part of her soul in one of these countries and vows to return.

Mary’s passion for books started at an early age along with an overactive imagination. Inspired by her love for history and ancient Celtic and Norse mythology, her tales are filled with powerful warriors, brave women, magic, and romance. Now, the worlds she created in her mind are coming to life within her stories.

If you enjoy history, tortured heroes, and a wee bit of fantasy, then travel back in time within the pages of her books.

CONTACT MARY MORGAN AND ORDER WISHES UNDER A HIGHLAND STAR AT:

 

 

 

 

 

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