J.M. Northup: Author Savannah Morgan's WIP

WIPs and New Releases

1) Tell us about your work-in-progress, or WIP, as it’s known as in the industry…

Ø What is the story about?

· This is the story of how Sapphire Springs and the Blackthorn family, as we know it today, began. It’s the story of two people who love passionately, but are willing to do anything to make their family happy, even destroying someone else for their happiness.

Ø Who is the main character?

· Actually, there are two: Dominick Blackthorn and Kathleen Devereaux Blackthorn

2) What inspired this tale?

Ø How did the story come to you?

· I guess you could say writing Dreams: A Sapphire Springs Novel inspired this story. I always knew I would write a story for each of the Blackthorn children, so it only made sense to write a story for how it all began and what caused Dominick to take Devin from Nadine and Kathleen’s part in destroying the Allen and Wilkinson families.

Ø Did you have to research for this novel and if so, why?

· Actually, I did have to research for this entire series. There are a lot of characters in this series and as each of the Blackthorn Children are into their own thing, even though the boys work part time for their eldest brother Devin and his security firm, they have their own careers and interests. On top of learning everything there is to know about everything from ranching to security firms to IT to veterinary medicine, I had to research names and origins as well as Montana, Colorado, Oregon and Washington States.

Ø If you did research, what do you think surprised you most to learn and why?

· I could fill several books on all that I’ve learned. I actually have and have enough information to fill several more. Haha.

· Probably the most interesting thing I learned is how to be ruthless. Believe it or not. A ruthless individual doesn’t see themselves that way. They have a goal and focus on making that goal a reality in any way they can.

3) Do you relate to your character?

Ø Is your protagonist anything like you personally?

· I’d have to say Dominick and Kathleen are both like me in several ways. But, on the other hand they differ from me in a lot of ways too.

Ø If yes, then how?

· Their devotion to each other and family is all consuming. They both believe loyalty is key and are willing to do anything to protect their family. They are both driven people who can’t say ‘Uncle’. They will literally kill themselves to make their dreams a reality.

Ø If no, how do you differ from one another?

· They say everyone is capable of murder given the right circumstance, however, I don’t think I have it in me to actually take someone else’s life or destroy them to where they do not have a chance for a meaningful life. I’m not a vindictive person, but I do love writing these types of characters. They are so intriguing. Absolutely fascinating.

Ø What made you write this character; what made them important to you or made you want to tell their story?

· I think, any legacy or long standing family has to have a paternal member, or members, who are willing to make the legacy true. Complex families fascinate me. And when you think about it, all families are complex in different degrees.

· The Blackthorns are just one type of family. They have their ups and downs, their internal squabbles, but you would never want to get on the wrong side of one of them because you would have to face the whole united unit.

· I suppose that stems from me being the youngest and my siblings being much older than I am. Also, the fact that my father was not an active member of the family until I was an adult. My siblings and I weren’t all that close growing up, but I had the fantasy of if I ever needed them, they would come running. I learned over the years, what I considered arms-bearing worthy was not the same as their definition, but I still love them, and I’d still fight to the death for each one of them.

· I also still maintain a fantasy that some fathers would lay their lives down for their children. I suppose that is a childish fantasy, but I’ve been witness to some truly outstanding fathers, and others who tried hard to be so.

4) Is there anything you specific want readers to know about this piece of work?

· Only that it is a work of fiction and meant to be enjoyed.

· There is no great moral or lesson to be learned. I write to entertain myself and others. Just crack open the book, or fire up the e-reader, and visit my fictional town of Sapphire Springs, Montana, and enjoy. Reading a Savannah Morgan book is meant to be an escape, but with modern and sometimes headline gripping subject matter.

· There is one thing that might be of interest to readers. Something that happens in Betrayed will be the catalyst for Dominick and Kathleen’s only daughter, Elizabeth (Bethy), being hurt. Elizabeth’s story is going to be wrenching to write and read. It is truly the sins of the parents being visited on the child. Beth does not deserve to be hurt the way she is, no one does, but the basis for her being targeted is due to the wreckage of her parents’ past.

· You can catch Elizabeth’s story in His Revenge, which, by the way, will be the final Blackthorn book. It won’t end the Sapphire Springs series but it will allow me and the readers to move on to other members of the town; like, Josh Culverton, Gabe Donovan, Trent Maddox, Luke Kincaid, and Justin Sinclair, to name just a few. There is much more to come in Sapphire Springs.

5) When will the novel be available for purchase?

· Late January or early February.
I’d meant to have it out before Christmas but other projects kept pushing it back. I guess that means I’ll need to expand it past the holidays. Haha.

Ø Has the book already been published?

· Not yet. It’s still in the WIP phase, but at least it is now at the top of the list.

Ø If not, when is the approximate release date?

· Date to be announced