SPOTLIGHT: The Forbidden Ferrara by Sarah Morgan

It is my pleasure today to host USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan on HarlequinJunkie!

 Thanks for having me here Sara! 

My Coversation with Sarah Morgan....

Sara: What sparked the idea for your novel “The Forbidden Ferrara”?

Sarah M: I wrote a dark, emotional marriage-in-trouble story (published in February) called Once A Ferrara Wife. The hero was the head of a powerful Sicilian family and when I started that story I only intended to write about him. As I was writing the book it became obvious to me that I had to write the younger brother, Santo’s, story and I’m glad I did because I’ve had so many emails asking me about him! The Forbidden Ferrara will be out in the UK and the US at the end of May (ebook 1^st June)

Sara: Which comes first? The characters, story or the idea for the novel?

Sarah M: Always the characters and until I know my characters, the story doesn’t begin to flow. But always I’m thinking about conflict and what situation might challenge them – the ‘what if’ question that many writers ponder continually.  As a reader, when I’m gripped by a story it’s usually because the writer has made me care about the characters so deeply I can’t stop reading until I know what happens to them.

Sara: What were the challenges you faced in bringing “The Forbidden Ferrara” to life?

Sarah M: The first book was very intense and emotional and I knew this had to be similar in feel and yet different because the brothers were different. Also, it is a ‘secret baby’ story. For me, there has to be a really good reason why a woman wouldn’t tell a man he’s a father so I had to be careful to give both characters powerful and believable motivation for their actions.

Sara: What or who inspired you to write your first book?


Sarah M: For me, writing is a drive that comes from inside and the inspiration comes from the world around – things I see, people I meet, snatches of conversation..... there are so many things that trigger the need to tell a story. I was a reader from a young age and writers are almost always readers so I’m sure that was an influence. 

Sara: What is your writing routine?

Sarah M: My routine is to begin the book and to write every day even when life throws a million reasons to stop in my path. I write when my children are at school, Sitting at a desk without moving for long periods isn’t very healthy so I try and break and go for a walk. Occasionally I’ll call a writer friend and we’ll try and sort out plot or character problems together, otherwise I stay focused on the job. It’s hard to switch off when you’re a writer because your characters stay in your head and even when you’re not sitting in front of a computer, you’re often thinking about their problems and working out the next scene.

Sara: What do you do when you are not writing?

Sarah M: Writing is a solitary occupation so when I’m not writing I like to be social and spend time with family and friends. The exception to that is reading. I love to read, but even that can be a social event in my house because we often discuss books and characters. Whenever I’m not writing I like to compensate for all the time spent indoors on a computer screen by getting outdoors either hiking or on my mountain bike.

 Sara: Have you ever suffered from a “writer’s block”? What did you do to get past the “block”?

Sarah M: Some books are harder to write than others and when that happens to me it’s usually because I don’t know my characters well enough and I have to go back and dig deeper to discover more about them and their conflict. Writing a book isn’t as easy as some people seem to think it is and, like any job, you’re going to have good and bad days. The important thing is to keep writing.

Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published?

No, not so far. I’ve been lucky!

Sara: What are your current projects? Can you share a little of your current work with us? Is this book part of a series?

Sarah M: I’m working on a stand alone book for Harlequin Presents which has a strong, but vulnerable (yes, those two things can go together!) heroine who is trying to leave her life behind. I’ve reached the point in the story where it is all about to go disastrously wrong and I’m very excited about it.

On a lighter note..

 Sara: What is your favorite movie & song?

Sarah M: I have to pick just one? That’s too cruel because it depends on the mood. I do love While You Were Sleeping. I definitely can’t pick just one song. Music plays a huge part in my creative process.

 Sara: If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see play the lead role as you?

Sarah M: Angelina Jolie, because we look like twins J

Sara: Do you have any advice for other writers?

Sarah M: Read!

 Sara: What would your ideal career be, if you couldn’t be an author?

Sarah M: If I couldn’t be an author it wouldn’t be my ideal career, but if I had to do something else it would be something creative like actress or musician.

 Sara: Which super power would you like to have and why?

Sarah M: I’d like to be able to fly because I can’t stand the queues at airports

 Sara: Red or white wine?

Sarah M: Both if the book is going badly!




Sarah Thank you for the lovely interview....


Book Blurb: The Forbidden Ferrara

A Ferrara should never share a bed with a Baracchi-however high the stakes! 
Dark-hearted Santino Ferrara has always remembered how long-legged, hot-tempered  Fia Baracchi felt in his arms-much to his frustration. Then a million-dollar business deal throws them together, and keeping his distance is no longer an option. But Fia is living a lie. If it's ever discovered that her precious little son is Santino's heir, she'll be disowned-their families' feud is legendary! But her real fear? That she can't forget the scorching memories of her one night with the enemy-and that she still craves more...


Who is your Favorite Ferrara......The outrageously Gorgeous Cristiano or Dark-hearted Santino? Post a comment

Cristiano

Santino