And our Sue's Clues Mystery Author is:

Every once in a while, a new author comes along with a debut novel that can't be ignored. This is one of those times. Morag McKendrick Pippin is a name you will want to remember.

Her debut novel, BLOOD MOON OVER BENGAL, has made a huge splash in the pool of romance novels. Even more remarkable is the fact that it really shouldn't have done as well as it has, which is a testament to the author's talent as a writer.

Set in the not-so-popular time period of the 1930's in the not-so-popular setting of India, her book has reminded us that there is more to writing than the ability to put out a book that happens to be 'the thing' at the moment. Morag is able to redirect our interest to the story that she wants to tell and does so in a such a way that the reader doesn't even remember that they normally wouldn't read a book set in this time.

Even more to her credit, the book will appeal to fans of different genres. It is set far enough in the past to appeal to historical fans, current enough to appeal to fans of contemporaries, intriguing to gain the interest of suspense fans, and full of romance to gain the general romance reader's attention.

If you haven't read her book, you will want to if you don't want to miss an author you are sure to hear more about in the future. Her storytelling ability is, without a doubt, going to rank up there with other popular authors that have become household names.

Visit Morag's website and learn more about her. Take a minute to read the excerpt from her next novel, Blood Moon over Britain - it will whet your appetite for more of this lady's work.

http://www.moragmckendrickpippin.com/index.html

Now, on to the interview.....

1. I love your name. Definately a bit of the Scot showing there. Just one question, how exactly is it pronounced? Moe-rag? More-ag? Am I even close?

Morrrrag. Roll that r girl! Morag means Mary or Sarah in Scot's Gaelic.

2. Can you tell us about your husband?

He's a tall, dark, handsome, and charming Scorpio. And he has a mustache. I love mustaches. We've been married since 11 Sept 1988.

He sounds like a special guy from the way you've mentioned he encouraged you to write your novel. Has he read it?

Yes, Loren is special. He came to bed one night to find me with his rival -- a romance novel. He told me since I read so many I really ought to write one. I told him I didn't want to work that hard, (open vein, pour blood on keyboard -- no thanks) but the more I thought about it the more it appealed to me. So a few years later we acquired a computer and I went to work on essays and short stories before attempting a book. BLOOD MOON OVER BENGALwas my first ms. Yes, he has read it.

3. What has been the reaction from family and friends?

Wow! Congratulations!

4. What has it been like for you to have your book published? It's a fantastic book, btw. I just loved it. I have to wonder if that adds stress to following up with your second book or if it helps to know you're doing it so well?

After receiving THE CALL I was shell-shocked for a few months, sometimes I still can't quite believe it -- but it's fantastic! Yes, it does stress me with a follow up. BLOOD MOON OVER BRITAIN is different. As well as the others I plan are different from each other.

5. Where did you get your idea for BLOOD MOON OVER BRITAIN?

My dad served in the British Indian Army in WWII. I grew up listening to his stories of India and read M.M. Kaye, John Masters and Rudyard Kipling voraciously.

How much time and research did it take to write?

It took a year and half to write. I'm a slow writer.The research I did was mostly flora and fauna. I poured over his army photos.

6. How cool that you are able to split your time between England and Hawaii in here in the U.S.! Where do you live in the UK- London or in the country?

Loren and I go frequently. Mostly we stay in a London Hotel. When I go with my mother we visit family.

I'm green with envy. *G* Is it hard to adjust when you relocate considering how different the two environments are?

Jet lag bothers me now - it never used to. I grew up in the different environments so I'm used to it.

7. You mention at your website that you spent summers in Scotland or Canada, and the rest of the year in the U. S.? Tell us about your childhood.

I spent my summers either in Glasgow with my paternal grandparents or in Winnipeg with my maternal grandparents. It was confusing as a small child. The customs are different. I attended school in Glasgow, which was very different: school uniforms, two 'grades' in one 'form', let loose for 'dinner' at mid-day to return til 4pm. I didn't get UK/US spelling straight until college. Spelling was my worst subject I was always mixing them up.

The first supermarket in Scotland opened in 1976. We visited the shops (butcher, green grocer, baker, newsagent) everyday. Electricity is an extremely finite resource in the UK. That's why beer - as well as soda - is usually served warm. Heaters (in homes as well as hotels) are not turned on until November. One generally doesn't use a blow dryer everyday and many do not own clothes dryers, but hang the freshly washed laundry out to dry in all kinds of weather. Just a few things we take for granted in the US. My maternal grandparents 'dressed' for supper. Tea was served at everymeal - even to children. In her youth my grandmother had been head nanny to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire's daughters. She told very entertaining stories!

8. Your descriptions of India are so vivid and it is so easy to picture each scene in your book. Have you ever visited the country itself?

No, but as I mentioned I grew up with my dad's stories and photos.

9. Tell us about your next book, BLOOD MOON OVER BRITAIN. I read the exerpt and it looks 'bloody fantastic'.

I'm so glad you liked it!

*G* When will we be able to get our hands on it?

Next year, I hope!

Is there going to be more 'Blood' books to follow?

Yes, one or two more. None have the same characters. BLOOD MOON OVER BRITAIN is a WWII romantic thriller. Lots of mystery and espionage.

10. BLOOD MOON OVER BENGAL was set in 1932. That's a rather unusual time for romance books, at least I can't think of too many that have been written recently. Was it hard to get the book considered for publication considering the popularity of paranormals and regencies at the moment?

The general reaction was that it wasn't a good time period to try to sell. I thought for all of two minutes about writing another time period, but decided the reader would know I didn't have my heart in it.

11. Do you plan to continue with the suspense romance?

Yes.

What time periods might you take on in the future?

WWI, 1920's, 1930's, WWII, and immediate post war - no fifties.

12. What has been the hardest part for you writing?

Writing when I don't feel like it.

The easiest?

email is easy.

What's been the hardest part since publishing your novel?

It seems everytime I get back into the BRITAIN groove, some different aspect of promotion comes up to get busy with.

The best part of being published?

The accomplishment.

How have things changed for you?

No excuses. This is a job now.

13. What do you like to do when you are not writing?

Go to the beach, the pool, hike in the Hawaiian wilderness, boating, visit the Honolulu Swap Meet on Sundays, go to the movies with Loren, travel.

Any hobbies?

Reading.

14. What do you like to read?

Romantic Suspense, WWII Espionage, mysteries, Regency and Medieval Historicals.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Barbara Erskine, Diana Gabaldon, Ken Follet, Tess Gerritsen, Natasha Monstert, Meg Chittenden, Lucy Monroe, Elizabeth Thornton, Karen Robards, Shirlee Busbee - just off the top of my head.