Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Guest: Angi Morgan

Please welcome Angi Morgan to the convertible today.  She's taking us on a sight-seeing tour, so put the top down and hold onto your scarf!

Thank you, Michele, for inviting me to ride with the top down. I’ll share details how my debut Harlequin Intrigue, Hill Country Holdup, was conceived and researched. I also have a couple of contests where readers can win some cool prizes.

Your blog has inspired today to share some photos that were taken from our vehicles while riding either with the top down or at least the window open.  For those who know my family, we love Jeeps. We love to take the soft top off the Wrangler and just drive. There are plenty of roads in Texas and most of the time we choose which way to turn based on the least amount of traffic. First, here are some pictures from our travels.

HAWAII
 

Last year my husband and I rented a Wrangler and drove everywhere on Oahu and Maui.

But even when riding with the top down through some of the most beautiful scenes...you have to get out and squish the sand between your toes.


MEXICO
 
My mom took me to Playa de Carmen for my birthday one year and yes, we rented a Wrangler to see some sights.




 We were told that the beach you see is the same one used for the Corona commercials.

SAN ANTONIO


 The River Walk and the Alamo. My current work in progress begins in San Antonio. Hill Country Holdup, my September Harlequin Intrigue has several scenes in San Antonio, including a walk through the Alamo. .38 Caliber Cover-Up heads north of Dallas, even stopping at the Plano Balloon Fest.

TEXAS


 I love setting my books in Texas. It gives me an excuse to drive and explore even more of my home state. I might seem a little over-proud... but my family has a long heritage here. The first record of my mother’s family is a death certificate for 1752: death by Indian arrow.

There’s just something about a back road to anywhere... The top’s down and you know you’re going to have to eventually pull over when the clean smell of rain begins blowing through your hair.

But as much as I like traveling, sometimes just looking out the back window takes your breath away.

So where exactly did HILL COUNTRY HOLDUP take root? At a Fourth of July fireworks display in Las Colinas, Texas. A judge mentioned my characters’ names were too unusual, so I was joking around with my husband and youngest daughter that I should just write a book called: See Jane Run. And the story took off. The opening scene has things we all observed that evening. The Hill Country journey is actually one my daughter and I took the following Columbus Day. The lake house belonged to my aunt.

I hope to keep traveling and keep being inspired by everything around me. I warn people all the time that they may end up in a book.

CONTESTS: The details for my contests are on my website. Today, everyone who leaves a comment will be entered in a drawing for a copy of HCH.  Hold Up the Cover will run the entire month HCH is on bookshelves--I have several prizes to be drawn for those purchasing the book and sending me a picture of themselves with the cover (and signing up for my newsletter). And there’s one more contest for debut week: I’m blog hopping and if you leave five comments at five blogs this week, then send me an email, you’ll be entered in a drawing for more books and prizes.

Thanks for having me on Riding With The Top Down. This has been a blast.

~~Angi

You can find Angi at her website where all the details of her contests are listed: AngiMorgan.com, friend her at Facebook, or follow her on Twitter: AngiMorganAuthr

36 comments:

Robin Covington said...

Hi Angi! Great story on the conception of HCH. Isn't it funny how things just "click" and then you're off?! Coincidence is the spice of life.

Robin Covington

gigi said...

Hi Angi,
Loved the pictures and the background on idea for HCH. See Jane Run. Sometimes it is the simplest ideas that work.

Helen Brenna said...

Hi Angi - welcome and big congrats on your debut release. Hope there are many more to come!

Love the pics. Texas is a great state with lots of fodder for stories, I'm sure.

I used to think Minnesota was so boring compared to the rest of the country, but you're right - all you have to do is look outside!

Leanne said...

Welcome Angi! Congrats on your release! So exciting. And I love "See Jane Run". So appropriate for a suspense! Don't you love it when you get ideas during family trips? Triple bonus!:)

Cindy Gerard said...

Hi Angi and Welcome! Huge congrats on your new release.

Great photos and fun story about 'inspiration!

Unknown said...

Welcome Angi. I'm on vacation right now so we're traveling some back roads in Wyo, looking for the beat up old ranch where my current heroine grew up. Sometimes research is really fun.

Best of luck with your debut.

LizbethSelvig said...

Hi Angi!
I love the story of how you came up with HCH. And I love travel pics. We don't necessarily have the Jeep part, but we love to travel too. We have some amazing picture-out-of-the-window stories. Thanks for sharing and you KNOW I'm wishing the very very best for your book!

LSUReader said...

Love the photos. Sure know what you mean about exploring the great state of Texas. It is wonderful. Congrats on your release.

Kathleen Eagle said...

Congratulations on the Golden Heart and the publication of HCH at almost the same time! How exciting, Angi. I love the cover. Like the hero, you're off and running.

Gorgeous pictures. Travel is essential for writers, and it's amazing the way the ideas pop up in seemingly ordinary places. It's that "seemingly" that turns out to be the kicker.

Welcome to our ride!

Angi Morgan said...

>>Coincidence is the spice of life.<<

Hey Robin, I would sugguest that there is no coincidence and God puts things in our path to inspire and keep us on track. >>vbg<<

I love all the people who have been placed into my life at the right moment and hope I can be that person for others.

Nice to "see" you again.
~~Angi

Angi Morgan said...

>>Sometimes it is the simplest ideas that work.<<

Wow, how true. With everything. Especially writing. Simple things get complicated fast enough on their own. LOL

~~Angi

Angi Morgan said...

>>but you're right - all you have to do is look outside!<<

That's the honest truth. Life is around us, and characters are everywhere. Even standing around at the pool or watching strangers bowling for the first time.

~~Angi

Angi Morgan said...

>>Don't you love it when you get ideas during family trips?<<

My youngest daughter has had the most exposure to "circumstances" creeping into my writing. One of her roommates' bad habits ended up in my second book. LOL The family's beginning to chant: That'll end up in a book.

Isn't it fun?
~~Angi

Angi Morgan said...

Hey Cindy!
Thank you and congrats on your release this month. Can't wait to read it.

~~Angi

Angi Morgan said...

HI LOIS !! >>>waving<<<
What a fun trip. My husband wants me to set a story there so we can "research." BJ Daniels has that part of the country covered for Intrigue--think I'll stick to Texas and just vacation in Whyoming.

~~Angi

Angi Morgan said...

Lizbeth you'll have to share some of those pictures. Seriously. I launched my blog yesterday: A picture a day. I was totally inspired by Riding With The Top Down. Tell me when and you've got the day.

~~Angi
You can find my blog through my website along with the contests for my first release. :-)

Angi Morgan said...

>>Sure know what you mean about exploring the great state of Texas. It is wonderful.<<

We had so much fun when my daughter turned 15 and wanted to drive. We'd head west on a Sunday, find some backroads, roll the windows down, crank the music up, and just go west 'til the sun hit our faces through the windshield. Then we knew it was time to head home.

Great time with the the kiddo, great memories.

~~Angi

Angi Morgan said...

Hey Kathleen,

My family has taken to saying: THAT'LL BE IN A BOOK. They help me to try to remember to jot funny things down. Ordinary things make books/stories interesting and more believeable.

~~Angi

buddyt said...

Great pictures and I really envy you your trip to Hawaii

I have always wanted to go there.

Thanks for the giveaway.

Please enter me if it is open worldwide.

Carol T

buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

chey said...

Nice pictures. Sounds like you've had some great trips!

D Twomey said...

Congratulations on HCH Angi! The Hill Country is such a beautiful area... and the bluebonnets! There's no way you could go wrong with a book based there. Texas is the best....

I can't wait to read it!

krisgils33 said...

great post, great picks. thanks for sharing.

catslady said...

Wonderful pics. My husband and I waited 15 yrs. before starting our family and we traveled as much as we could. I'd love to be able to do that again (when we win the lottery lol). And what a great way to get inspiration for your writing.

Angi Morgan said...

Carol T,

If you win and aren't in the states, are you open for an electronic copy? I don't mind giving you one of those through eHarlequin.com... Maybe?

I love Hawaii...even under threat of tsunamis (which there were four).

~~Angi

Angi Morgan said...

Nice to see you Chey !!

And yes, we love to travel. It's funny how it changes your kids. We camped a lot with the older two...and visited relatives when they were younger. But as they got older we really began leaving the state (and a trip to Peurto Rico). Traveling gives them a broader perspective...and I guess it helps broaden our own.

Sure does make you appreciate your own bed and pillow.

~~Angi

Angi Morgan said...

~KRISGILS~
You're welcome. Glad you liked it.
~~Angi

Angi Morgan said...

~catslady~

And I envy all your traveling. The hubby's been to the Mediteranian, but I haven't crossed that pond yet. My dream trip is a slow trip across Europe. I'm going to have to make a lot of friends and bum a couple of nights.

~~Angi

Angi Morgan said...

~D Twomey~

I have a tendacy to agree with you about Texas...guess it's part of my breeding.

I hope the bluebonnets are as plentiful next spring as this past one. It would be great to take a road trip...with the top down of course.

~~Angi

Jane said...

Congrats on your debut release, Angi. Cool pics. I love Hawaii. I've been to Oahu and the Big Island, but haven't had the pleasure of visiting Maui yet.

Minna said...

Great pictures!

Angi Morgan said...

Jane and Minna !
Thank you very much for leaving a comment.

Maui is very cool. Especially the road to Hana. The first time we drove it, it was under construction...in the rain...one lane... They'd divert traffic and let cars come down when they could. And THEN...it was dark coming down and we were on the CLIFFSIDE when we passed. THAT was one of the scariest rides of my life...but at least the window was up.

~~Angi

Laurie G said...

Well I've never been to Texas but I know that the state is huge. One day I may get down there o see San Antonio, Dallas, Houston and Austin.

My husband and I hope to travel once we get our sons through college. Youngest is now 20. We're getting there.

Hill Country Holdup sounds great.
Best wishes!

Hawaii always looks so beautiful!

Angi Morgan said...

Hey Laurie,
(Darn kids -- just kidding) I hope you get to travel, have great experiences, and have wonderful pictures to share.

~~Angi

Angi Morgan said...

THANK YOU ladies at Riding With The Top Down for having me as a guest. (And for making me desire another road trip!)

I appreciate everyone stopping by and the support.

Don't forget to check my website for my contests: My Blog Tour and Hold Up The Cover.

'Til next time,
~~Angi

Emma said...

Congratulations on HCH. Have a great weekend.

Angi Morgan said...

Thank you Emma !
It's been a grand weekend. Very nice with the husband around for more than a couple of days in a row. We even went to the Balloon launch this morning at 5 AM. (ugh...yes...5 A.M.)

~~Angi