Interview & Giveaway: Twisted Summer by Lucy Morgan

About the Author
Lucy writes sharp contemporary fiction, usually with a liberal splatter of filth. She is a Lyrical Press author and a screenwriter.
Her upcoming new adult novel, TWISTED SUMMER, is a gutsy take on forbidden love starring an even gutsier heroine.

Her contemporary series, encompassing CHAIRMAN OF THE WHORED and THE WHORED'S PRAYER, features slick London lawyers with a penchant for sensual violence. It's definitely on the darker side. BEAUTIFUL MESS, her current release, is a snarky, sexy friends-to-lovers romp.

Lucy is currently working on new novels, and is developing a paranormal television series with producers (think The Vampire Diaries meets The 4400).

She is still trying to kick her dirty Pepsi habit.

Website | Twitter

Chat with Author Lucy Morgan

Tell us about yourself and why we should read Twisted Summer?
I'm 29, British, and one of those weird redheads who actually tans(!). Lots of people are telling me they love that TWISTED SUMMER is very different from a lot of NA reads out there; if you like the idea of a bisexual heroine running off with a very forbidden older man, you might like it.

What is it about forbidden love that's so appealing?
Heh. As Danni and Gabe say in the book:


“I feel like I’m in one of those daytime soaps,” I confessed.
“Illicit trysts by the ocean,” he mumbled into my collarbone. “Oh no, we shouldn’t! We mustn’t!”
“We can’t!” I giggled.
“This forbidden lo—lust shit is TV crack, isn’t it?”
I tried so hard not to pause at his slip. Failed miserably. So I sat back and stroked the wind-ruffled hair from his face. “Yeah. I’m starting to get that now.”

I think we're drawn to things we can't have; especially those of us who suck at delaying gratification. But for Gabe and Danni, the "forbidden" aspect is partly in their heads. There are so many reasons why they shouldn't work as a couple and the prospect of the risk scares them.

How much of your personality goes into your characters?
Lots, although I tend to give each character just one of my traits. It helps me to relate to them. With Danni, I very much played on the idea that at eighteen--Danni's age--I was basically a bit of a twat. A lot of eighteen-year-olds are, in many ways; you just aren't aware enough of anything. You get hurt, other people get hurt in the process. I wanted to throw Danni into a bit of an emotional craptrap and watch her grow as she works her way out of it.

What book are you reading now?
LIVING DEAD GIRL by Janine Pilkington--a very awesome NA paranormal romance. It's about a trainee mortician, her snarky (HOT) punk rocker boyfriend, and a very sarcastic British reaper.  Has loads of very engrossing relationship drama. It comes out later this year.

How do you make the romance/relationships feel real?
I think a small dose of awkward makes things feel real. That moment when you're trying to hug someone and you sidle up all sexy...and their elbow goes in your face. That happens. That's real to me.

If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world which would it be?
Ooh. Anything by Anne McCaffrey, please. I want to live on Pern with a warrior and have my own dragon.

Who is your favorite character from your book and why?
That's hard--I like all of them in a way. Gabe endears himself to me because he doesn't hide who he is. He has a lot of the typical male weaknesses but he doesn't pretend they aren't there, or that his behaviour is okay. He admits things and apologises. In the beginning, that's the difference between him and Danni.

What is the most rewarding experience you've had since your book has released?
Lots of things, actually! I love the little messages people send me on Facebook on Goodreads when they tell me how much they've enjoyed the book. I also love it when I read a review, and the very astute reader has picked up on something I didn't even realise I'd implied (or written); an emotion or undercurrent or facet of a character. That's awesome. And getting to number one over here on iTunes UK was amazing.

Are there any upcoming projects that you'd like to tell us about?
I'm writing another NA at the moment. It's very much work-in-progress and has no title, but the hero is rather, ahem, skilled in the art of sports massage. I also think he's the first genuine "hero" I've written; I tend to write very flawed men, but Harry has a heart of gold. A bit of an antidote to the stereotypical bad boy, if you will.

Is there a question you wish interviewers would ask and the answer to that question? Or if you'd like to, share a fun fact about yourself?
Heh...I've no idea about a question. (Maybe I should interview myself more often?!) Fun fact: I like to play The Sims. It's great for plot bunnies. I like to make my characters and then watch them interact with each other autonomously...it's amazing how accurate it is.

Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for having me!

Synopsis via Goodreads:
Purchase: Amazon
A dark New Adult romance.You have to understand that we never meant for it to happen. We knew it was stupid. We knew it was wrong. 

Eighteen-year-old Danni Warren has big plans for her last summer before college: a cool job, a concert she wouldn’t miss for the world, and spending time with her beautiful girlfriend, Esme. But after one hell of an argument, Danni’s mother packs her off to stay with her estranged step-uncle, Gabe, in his lodge on the English coast. So begins a weekend of the worst punishment imaginable: no phone signal.

With his sun kissed good looks and sarcastic manner, twenty-nine-year-old Gabe Asher isn’t anything like Danni expected. She wants to hate him—he’s her punishment for standing up to her mother—but between surfing lessons and beach hikes, Gabe and Danni grow close. Maybe too close.

Now Danni’s questioning everything: old family secrets, her future, her strained relationship with Esme. One sun stained afternoon, Gabe and Danni go too far. And then everything else falls apart…

The prize pack includes A beach bag by pro surf brand Brakeburn, Korres Cherry Lip Gloss, Signed print copy of Twisted Summer, and Luxury chocolate bars from Choccacino Devon.
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