Rhenna & Arlena
Thank
you so very much for sharing with your readers today about yourself and your wonderful
novels you have written and actually meeting you has truly putting the icing on cake for me
So, let's get started....
Rhenna...would you please tell us about yourself…what would you like for your readers to know about you? What are you most thankful for in the world we live in? Where are you from? Where are you living now? Where would you like to visit in the near future and why?
Wow! So much ground to
cover! Well, I live in Tulsa, Oklahoma and live a crazy busy, but amazingly
blessed life. I’ve got two amazing little girls and a supportive husband, a
full-time day job as an IT Product Manager, and a full-time job as a writer.
(So, yeah...CRAZY busy.) Honestly, though, I don’t think I’d change a bit of
it. As for where I’d like to go, I’m actually about to embark on what I’ve
dubbed Grand Bucket List trip! I’m taking ten days to fly with a fellow writer
friend to Ireland and Scotland. I can’t wait!
I know you are going to have a wonderful visit!
Give us an example of a day in the 'Life of Author Rhenna Morgan'… [Example] on a bright and early Monday. What would we find you doing on that day?
You might want to grab
a cup of coffee for this first…
Monday through Friday
starts at 5 AM and I spend the next hour and a half racing around getting ready
for work, doing half of my mommy to-dos for the day, and trying to keep my hormonal teenage daughter from one of her early morning freak-outs. (You
remember what those are like, right? Where the outfit you were sure would look
awesome the day before ends up looking horrible on you once you put it on? Or
your leggings don’t fit right. Or you have a zit on your forehead? Yeah, good
times!)
I’m at work by 7 A.M. and
rarely have time to so much as think about writing until I head home at 4 PM.
Then I do the other half of my mommy tasks (including the much dreaded fourth
grade math homework) and listen to my kiddos unload the day’s drama from
school. Then I try to squeeze in some yoga (because did you see the part about
school drama?) and dinner before I shower and plunk down on the couch for some
writing!!! I usually try to get in at least 2 hours before I pass out in bed
and repeat the next day.
How was your life growing up and how did it affect your
writing experience? Were you a book
reader? When did you know that you wanted to become an author? What motivated
you to become a writer?
Honestly, I had a
pretty amazing life growing up. My dad in particular was the type that wasn’t
afraid to try anything once. I think that must have rubbed off with me, because
once I’m motivated to do something I do it. Usually head first. That’s exactly
what happened with writing. I’ve always been a voracious reader because reading
allows me to turn my brain off and just relax for a little while. It wasn’t
until about 2012 that I decided to give writing my own stories a go…and it
stuck.
How do you come up with your hero/heroine that you write
about in your novels? Are these taken from people you know?
It’s really weird how
the ideas some to me. Sometimes I get them just from going somewhere or seeing
something that sparks a character or a story line. Sometimes I just have a vague
idea of what I want to write and the character develops as I work through
character sketch worksheets. Usually, once I start free forming “what if”
scenarios, the story takes hold and won’t let go until I know what happens end
to end. And yes, sometimes the characters I write about have quirks or
personalities that match people I know. Gabe is one of them. Someone very close
to me struggles from social anxiety disorders and I saw Gabe as a way to share
just how crippling this challenge can be.
What do you think about standalone and cliffhanger reads as
compared to the series of your novels?
Do you think they are well received by your readers? *Personally, I don't care for
cliffhangers…let me clarify it as little.
For me I read so much from different authors and when it take sometimes
over a year for some authors to get the next series by that author…I would be
at a complete loss. If you look at any
of my reviews…I always let the reader know by adding a book description of the
novel. So, when I get these cliffhanger reads I can go back for the series I
have read and reviewed earlier and try to figure out what is or has gone
on. I love it when I am reading a
series…having it all there then I can read it one after the other as I did with
your Eden series. Remember I won the
whole series from you and I simply loved it!
Anyway, I thought I would throw that in [smile]. Now if they are a standalone…they do just
that…. standalone! Yea!
I hate romantic
cliffhangers…both as a writer and a reader. Now, a cliffhanger for the world?
Those I’m okay with. Especially when you’ve got pre-planned series with a
definitive end. My Eden series worked that way. Every book had a satisfying
relationship ending, but there was always a little unresolved kernel to the
world-wide plot at the end of books 1, 2, and 3. (Of course, the last book ties
everything up quite nicely.)
What is your process when you are preparing to write a
novel?
Well, since I’ve got
several books contracted right now, almost all of my books have plenty of time
to marinate in my head before I ever put my fingers on a keyboard. Once it’s
time to write a book, I start with character sketches so I can get very
familiar with my Hero and heroine. I also jot down all the ideas I’ve “seen” in
my head during the marinate process. Once I’m finished with the character
sketches, I’ve usually got an idea on how the plot will go. Every scene is
planned with key dialogue and developments jotted down.
Then I write. And
write. And write. Until it’s all done and ready to ship to my editor!
How long does it generally take you to complete [write] your
novel[s]?
It depends on the
series I’m working on, but as a rule from the first day I touch a keyboard to
the day I ship it off to my editor—4 to 5 months.
Do you create your book covers or do you have help creating
them? They all are simply all beautiful!
I haven’t created any
of my book covers, though I’ve been fortunate to have had input in most of
them. My publisher for the Haven Brotherhood series, Carina Press, has been
exceptional to work with. I love how inclusive they’ve been throughout not just
cover development, but the entire publication process.
Rhenna, could I get you to list all of your books you are author
of.... in order that you wrote them and the year that each one was published
and may I also have the genres? Are they available on Kindle format and/or
paperbacks? I have added your novels…
Please add publication, genre…Kindle/paperback information. Thanks!
Title
|
Series
|
Publish
|
Genre
|
Formats Available
|
Unexpected Eden
|
The Eden Series
|
Dec-14
|
Paranormal Romance
|
Kindle, ePub, Print
|
Healing Eden
|
The Eden Series
|
Dec-15
|
Paranormal Romance
|
Kindle, ePub, Print
|
Waking Eden
|
The Eden Series
|
Jul-16
|
Paranormal Romance
|
Kindle, ePub, Print
|
Eden's Deliverance
|
The Eden Series
|
Oct-16
|
Paranormal Romance
|
Kindle, ePub, Print
|
What Janie Wants
|
Standalone
|
Jun-15
|
Contemporary
|
Kindle, ePub, Print
|
Rough & Tumble
|
The Haven Brotherhood
|
Feb-17
|
Contemporary
|
Kindle, ePub, Print,
Audio
|
Wild & Sweet
|
The Haven Brotherhood
|
Apr-17
|
Contemporary
|
Kindle, ePub, Print,
Audio
|
Claim & Protect
|
The Haven Brotherhood
|
Jun-17
|
Contemporary
|
Kindle, ePub, Print,
Audio
|
Tempted & Taken*
|
The Haven Brotherhood
|
Nov-17
|
Contemporary
|
Kindle, ePub, Print,
Audio
|
What genres do you generally write for your readers?
I’m a contemporary and
paranormal romance girl, through and through.
Which novel below would you consider your favorite and why?
What genres do you love to read and what books would we find
stacked on your book shelf or your Kindle reader?
Contemporary and
paranormal romance (the hotter the better). That’s it. I know lots of people
would tell me that’s too limited for a writer, but I love, love, love romance.
It’s my drug of choice and I refuse to read anything else.
Do you have a favorite romance authors [beside you] smile?
Ha! Yes! Loads of
them! My top ones are Kristen Ashley, Juliette Cross, JR Ward, Sylvia Day,
Audrey Carlan, Nalini Singh and Kresley Cole.
What authors do you admire and why?
Pretty much the list
above. They’re the others who get an automatic one-click on release day no
matter what because I know I can always dive into their stories and come out
with a big smile on my face.
Have you ever tried writing poetry, if so what were they
about?
Well, sort of. Before
I did writing, my sister and I had a band and we wrote our own music. So, if
you count song lyrics as poetry (which I do), then yes! And as to the
content…romance of course!
Have you ever thought about doing audio for your novels?
The Haven Brotherhood
is available in audio, but I wouldn’t dare try to narrate it on my own. It’s a
very difficult task to get these characters to come alive in audio format and
to do it well. I’ve been very blessed in the narrators who’ve been chosen for
the brothers!
Do you have a blog page, if so where can we find it and what
will be find on it?
I don’t have a blog,
per se, but I do have a website that I keep current with lots of fun stuff
specific to my books: http://rhennamorgan.com
Are you a self-publisher?
If so, what is that process like?
I have! The last two
books in the Eden series were self-published and enjoyed the process immensely.
That said, it’s very time consuming and can be overwhelming when you’ve got a
day job on top of everything else. You’re responsible not just for writing the
book, but for the editing, the covers, the marketing, the promoting, the
metadata and the formatting. It’s a lot more than people think. But it’s also
very gratifying, too.
After the reader has read one of your novels what would you
like the readers to take from your novel long after the read?
I want the story to
linger. For the growth and emotions experienced by the characters to have left
their mark on the reader so they feel like there too.
What message would you have for an aspiring author?
This is the most
gratifying yet difficult thing I’ve ever done. It takes a tremendous amount of
discipline. More than most people can image on the surface. The reason is that
nothing can happen until the book is finished—and the single hardest thing to
do? Finish the book. I’m writing my tenth book right now and while I know the
ins and outs far better now than I did starting out, getting my butt in the
chair and putting my fingers on the keyboard is a huge challenge.
What was the most difficult aspect of writing your novels?
Do you have any problem with writer’s block?
Usually, the hardest
part is getting from the halfway point to the ¾ mark. I’m tired by that point
and wanting to get on with the exciting conclusion, so keeping my pace and
pushing through takes some doing. (See aforementioned note about discipline. J
)
After reading reviews from your readers about your novels,
how have their reviews helped you in the writing of your novels?
The key thing for me
with reviews is the simple joy in knowing that I’ve touched someone. It’s like
giving someone a present. You know how you feel when someone important to you
opens their gift and they’re super excited? How you feel like you’ve genuinely
touched someone and given them a tiny slice of happiness? That’s what a
positive review feels like for an author. At least for me anyway.
How much, if any, of what you write is based on your own
personal/real life experiences?
Bits and pieces
of my life are always sprinkled in. Or bits and pieces of people I know. I
write what I know, so it’s inevitable that parts of me and the people I
know/love would end up in my stories.
Do you write while listening to music ...if so....who may we
find you listening to?
I listen and plot
while driving, but I rarely listen while actually writing. It messes up the
pictures in my head. And the music I listen to while plotting really depends on
the mood of the stories and the characters.
Where do you like to read?
EVERYWHERE!!!
Have you ever just walked away and not finished a story that
you cannot get a hold of the story
line the way you like? If so what was that process like?
I haven’t. Not yet
anyway!
Do you belong to any 'Book Clubs?' If so, what are they?
No, I don’t.
Have you ever thought about co-authoring with another
author?
Juliette Cross and I
have talked about it, but with our pending books still to be written, I’m not
sure how we’ll pull it off.
What may the reader find you doing when you are not writing
your novels?
Every now and then
I’ll indulge in a TV binge or take a trip to the movies with my family. I also
enjoy traveling when money and time allow.
Rhenna, where can we follow you?
https://twitter.com/rhennamorgan (@RhennaMorgan)
Would your give the readers a excerpt from one of your novels…maybe the new one Wild
&Sweet? You bet! Here’s an excerpt from Zeke & Gabrielle’s first
date!
Zeke
stood with the refrigerator door open, his torso leaned in while he shifted
something inside the cooler. The rugby clothes he’d worn were gone, replaced by
a pair of faded Levi’s that molded his powerful thighs and butt, and absolutely
not one other stitch of clothing.
He
turned, a purple Gatorade in hand and flashed her with a big smile. “Hey. You
like the view?”
Holy hell. What’s not to like?
Logically,
she knew he meant the backyard, but in that second she couldn’t give a damn
about anything except the man in front of her. She’d known he had a good build
by the way his T-shirts fit him, but Mother of God, without a shirt he was
lickably delicious. Not over-large where muscles were concerned but compact and
defined. Perfect for tracing her fingers along each dip and curve. Or her
tongue. She wasn’t picky.
She
licked her lip, her eyes drawn to the dog tags that rested between his sculpted
pecs. Weird. He never said anything about being in the military. Then again,
they didn’t look like normal dog tags. They were nicer. Thicker with something
masculine etched in black.
“Gabe?”
Her
gaze darted to his, and she swallowed hard, her adrenaline-rushed fingers
nearly fumbling her plate as she paced toward the table. “Sorry. I was…” Ogling your body like an estrogen-rich
teenage girl. “Yeah. Trevor’s got a really nice place.”
“Yeah,
he does.” He snatched the gray T-shirt draped over the back of the kitchen
chair closest to him and pulled it over his head, but the devious grin on his
face made it clear he knew exactly what had her so flustered. And he liked it.
Pulling
the hem of his T down around his hips, he prowled closer.
She
focused on the food, her pulse hammering loud in her head. Think, Gabe. Say something. Anything. “Did you get something to
eat?”
“I
got enough.” He stopped behind her, reached around and pulled the plate from
her quivering hand. It clinked to the tabletop as he set it aside and turned
her with hands on her hips. “The way you just looked at me, though, I think I’m
juiced enough to go without food for days.” His hands on her hips squeezed and
he leaned in close, skating his nose alongside hers. His warm breath tickled
her skin, tinged with a sugary scent, when he muttered, “Trying real hard to
stay on plan.”
Her
lips parted on instinct, needing his mouth against hers more than she needed
air. “There’s a plan?”
“Oh,
yeah. There’s a plan. Otherwise, I’d have just kissed you this morning. But
then we’d have never left the house.” He lifted one hand and cupped her nape,
resting his forehead against hers as he closed his eyes. He pulled in a deep
steadying breath through his nose and tiny shivers wiggled down her spine. God,
he even managed to make breathing sound sexy.
He
straightened, kissed her forehead and took her hand in his. “Come on, gatinha. Time for you to fly.”
Please leave your name, your email, and your answer below in the comment section area
and Author Rhenna will choose from the list on Saturday, June 3, 2017 and let the winner know by email and also send the paperback you have won to you.
Thank you so much Author Rhenna Morgan for this wonderful interview. It has really been a joy and I am so happy to say I have read all of your novels and have loved every single one of them All of my reviews may be found on Arlena's Book Reviews...My URL http://arlenasbookreviews-arlenadean.blogspot.com. May you be truly blessed with all of your writings!
From me to you Happy Mother's Day Rhenna Morgan on this Sunday, May 14, 2017
