Author Guestpost: Angela Morrison

I laughed with and cried over Sing Me to Sleep and Taken by Storm, and to spread my love of her beautiful novels, today I hand over this post to an author who has touched my heart, Angela Morrison!

First, Dwayne and Hanna, I must tell you how much I love your blog title. I kind of know how you feel. When we moved to Arizona from Singapore, I left five of my bookcases behind. I brought two black-laquered Chinese ones that I love, but I'm still down a lot of shelf space. My bookcases are crammed full, and I have baskets and bins of books all over the place.

(I *love* Singapore! And yes, such a pain to see my books crammed under the bed. Grr.)

My husband and I just got back from Scotland where we toured the Highlands. He's a Morrison, so we made it all the way up to the Isle of Lewis where the clan is from. What a wild adventure. Wind. Rain. One-lane roads. Miles of peat bogs, and a few lonely sheep.

Angela's overflowing bookshelf (I envy...).
Spot a few of your favourites?

Guess what I brought back? A whole suitcase full of books. I drug my husband through every black house museum we could find and emptied their gift shops. I want to write a historical romance set during the Highland Clearances, but I got the greatest idea for a modern romance when we happened on sheep dog trials on the Isle of Skye. (Don't you think Skye just oozes romance?) I roughed out the whole plot as we flew home.


Can you tell I love to visit the UK? We lived in Switzerland for four years, and the UK was our favorite destination. It was such a delight to speak English and not feel guilty.

My ancestors emigrated from Birmingham, Kilmarnock, and somewhere in Whales. My historical YA, MY ONLY LOVE, follows the Glovers of Kilmarnock to Nova Scotia. When I lived in Switzerland, I spent more time studying Scots than French. I own the "Complete Songs of Robert Burns" on CD. I made the Glovers' oldest son, William, into the most romantic collier you'll ever meet. He has to leave the lass he loves behind in 
Scotland. As you so adeptly noted in the lovely reviews you wrote of TAKEN BY STORM and SING ME TO SLEEP, I'm drawn to young adult stories full of heart-ache. And love. I hope to find a publisher for MY ONLY LOVE soon.

The novel I'm in the middle of revising, SLIPPED, also has a UK connection. It's set in medieval Switzerland (yeah, before it was actually Switzerland) and stars Jag, a time traveling assassin from a post nuclear winter future, and Margaret, a Bronte-esque heroine who accidentally gets mixed up in Jag's plot. Think Jane Eyre meets the Terminator--but my assassin is way hotter than a robot. I had to throw in a Highland mercenary, too. Couldn't help myself. Every novel needs a man in a kilt. I even gave Lord Byron a cameo (but not a kilt).

Right now, I'm taking a break from SLIPPED to get UNBROKEN CONNECTION, the sequel to TAKEN BY STORM, ready for publication. A new ebook publisher, Top Shelf Books, is releasing it in August. The print edition will follow soon after. I'm excited that readers will finally get to continue Michael and Leesie's journey.

This fall I'm writing CAYMAN SUMMER--the final episode in Leesie and Michael's saga. I'm going to try something kind of crazy--but I think it will be a fantastic experience.

I'm so grateful for readers and bloggers (like Dwayne and Hanna!) who stood by me when Penguin rejected UNBROKEN CONNECTION. I want to do something that will actively involve all of you in my creative process. I've decided to post CAYMAN SUMMER's chapters on a blog as I write them and ask my readers from all over the world to comment and critique. I'll post three different endings to keep you guessing. I love my blogger and reader reviewers. I think they'll make great editors, too. I'll use the feedback to revise and release CAYMAN SUMMER early in 2011!

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Thanks very much Angela! I'll have you know I'm super excited for My Only Love - I love Scotland, YA and tearfully beautiful stories and damn it has everything! Not to mention Unbroken Connection (out in August. Yess!), Cayman Summer and Slipped. Readers, we have a lot to look forward to!

I have gushed over Sing Me to Sleep here and Taken by Storm here, both I truly love.

Why don't you drop by and say hello to Angela on her website? As a bonus, you get to read the epilogue of Sing Me to Sleep (stop! Massive spoilers ahead, hence for readers only :D), the first chapter of Unbroken Connection (stop! Spoilers again) and be the first to know about developments on her upcoming works! As a bonus, you can also listen to Beth's Song. You'll know in Sing Me to Sleep :)

Book Review: Sing Me To Sleep (Angela Morrison)

THE TRANSFORMATION

Beth has always been “The Beast”—that’s what everyone at school calls her because of her awkward height, facial scars, and thick glasses. Beth’s only friend is geeky, golden-haired Scott. That is, until she’s selected to be her choir’s soprano soloist, and receives the makeover that will change her life forever.

THE LOVE AFFAIR

When Beth’s choir travels to Switzerland, she meets Derek: pale, brooding, totally dreamy. Derek’s untethered passion—for music, and for Beth—leaves her breathless. Because in Derek’s eyes? She’s not The Beast, she’s The Beauty.

THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE

When Beth comes home, Scott, her best friend in the world, makes a confession that leaves her completely torn. Should she stand by sweet, steady Scott or follow the dangerous, intense new feelings she has for Derek?

THE HEARTBREAK

The closer Beth gets to Derek, the further away he seems. Then Beth discovers that Derek’s been hiding a dark secret from her …one that could shatter everything.

I'm still too distraught to even begin thinking of writing a review, but I will try. This review was written two days ago. I have recovered.

Sing Me to Sleep tortured me through and through. I have actually predicted the ending correctly, but it didn't lessen the impact one bit. I thought I was ready when I finally summoned enough courage to turn the pages and start reading, but I never really was. I don't think anything would have prepared me for it - except maybe tissues. Tissues would have been helpful. Lots and lots of tissues.

I have been told this novel is heartbreaking, but it's not. It's devastating. The elegant writing is executed with a natural grace that makes it so beautiful. All the emotions that it evokes are real and powerful; rarely does a book exhibit such power over my emotions. Sing Me to Sleep reminded me of the strength of words - just how much impact words can have - and the power of literature - exactly how deep a story can move.

Beth's insecurities begin the novel and is a constant factor in her growth. Her experiences are raw and passionate - hence her emotions, mistakes and reactions are equally passionate and the author translate these effectively through her lyrics and songs. She's a strong character; with every heartbreak thrown at her, Beth endures.

Her princes are two of the most self-sacrificing characters I've met in a long while. What Beth shares with Derek is a consuming romance that connects them both deeply. Though a late bloomer, I'm glad Beth found a pure, untainted love with Derek. However, I couldn't seem to disregard her best friend Scott. I was conflicted between these two. Derek shares a connection with Beth through music - something Scott will not understand. On the other hand, Scott is the one person who stood by her all those torturous years, the person who knew and accepted her inside out. It's an impossible choice, even for me as a reader. I'm pleased with how the author gave weight to the difficulty of Beth's choice.

I rooted for Scott from the beginning but couldn't help but warm to Derek - it's equally torturous to choose one over the other because someone is bound to get hurt, and the least Beth wants is to hurt any one of them. It's a rough emotional road to write but this book captures this perfectly. Her choice measures the power of love and friendship.

Morrison's portrayal of loss is almost brutal, but it's as real as you can get. Perhaps it appeals to me so strongly because I have felt that feeling before - that all-consuming grief that almost deprives you of your heart - and also because I am so familiar with the agony of Derek's 'secret'. But I also am familiar with setting someone free, with letting a loved one go - somehow it was easier with that knowledge, because it can be a relief.

I must admit I did not understand the way the book ended. Somehow it was abrupt, too short for my liking, but it did point out one thing: that love does hurt, but it can also heal. If I think about that, then I think that seals the book quite well.

I'm torn between tucking this book away so I don't have to relive the pain and re-reading it again and again relish the many loving, tender moments that makes this book so beautiful. I want to keep it to myself and share it with the world. Derek and Beth's story is unforgettable. I can never forget this one novel that shook me and touched me more than any other. I would always remember it, and would always cry when I do.

Five tear-filled stars.

P.S. Have you read the prologue yet? Warning, it has spoilers, so strictly for readers only. You can visit Angela's site HERE.

Book Review: Taken by Storm (Angela Morrison)

Leesie Hunt has many rules: No kissing. No sex. No dating outside the Mormon faith.

When Michael Walden--a deep-sea diver who lost his parents in a violent hurricane--arrives in town, Leesie sees someone who needs her. They fall for one another, even though his dreams are tied to the depths of the ocean and hers to salvation above.

Will their intense chemistry be too strong to resist?

Leesie and Michael must make the hardest choice of their lives: whether to follow their beliefs or their hearts.

Angela Morrison's debut novel is a stunning piece of work. Michael and Leesie's story is in itself, moving - but Angela delivers this through a superb writing that is both poetic and honest. It's hard to tear myself away from this book. It's so beautiful.

Taken by Storm will introduce into a romance that will take your breath away; heartbreakingly sad yet honest in every turn, Michael and Leesie's story will challenge, question and provoke readers. The author's impeccable writing style will touch your emotions and will make you ask for more, despite the ache it might bring. Angela perfects the pang of yearning, the heat of passion and the gut-wrenching feel of loss. In short, perfectly constructed phrases, her writing hits the target and stays there.

Michael and Leesie are equal in strength of character. Michael is broken, aching, mournful - his words are coated with grief and loss. His passion for diving, and later for Leesie, is described so accurately. Leesie's ability to heal Michael and guide his lost soul back to his body brings them together. I marvel at Michael's humanity in this novel - the author's ability to paint his emotions accurately does not smother his humanity, but reiterates it. His flaws - particularly his detachment and tunnel vision - made me dislike him at many points in the novel. Even Leesie's indecisiveness at times made me frown. However, their growth is also strongly noted in the novel. They undergo a transformation only they can bring to each other. Michael and Leesie introduce each other to a different outlook in life. 

With an ending that is devastating, moving, poignant and satisfying, Taken by Storm is a novel about loving, yearning, moving forward and remembering. It's about friendship, companionship, passion and love - ultimately, it's about Michael and Leesie. I will remember it as such.

Five Stars.

P.S. I just realised that the title is perfect.

P. P.S. The sequel, Unbroken Connection, will be released next month in E-book format (hoorah!) You can find out more and read the prologue on Angela's website HERE.