Welcome to our New Faces column, where you will meet new romance authors and find out about their books! This time, we're visiting with Morag McKendric Pippin, whose first release is the India-set historical romance Blood Moon Over Bengal, an October '04 Leisure release.

Welcome, Morag! Tell us about yourself.

Originally I'm from the Seattle area, and grew up both there and in Glasgow, Scotland. My parents are British and I retain dual UK/US citizenship. I now live in Honolulu. I have a degree in Journalism, but have done many things: sales, modeling, bookkeeping, travel agent, and bar management.

Are you coming to romance writing from another job?

I am writing full time.

What led you to write romance?

A very long time reader! Started when was I was 10 with DuMaurier, Holt, Stewart, and Cartland.

Tell us about your road to publication.

It took a year and a half to write BLOOD MOON OVER BENGAL and a year to sell it.

What kind of research was involved for your first book?

My father served in the British Indian Army during WWII, so I grew up listening to stories of India. However I did have to research flora and fauna.

Tell us about your debut book.

The back copy blurb:
Free-spirited and ultra-modern Elizabeth Mainwarring returned to the sultry, spice-scented land of her birth for one last go at mending the breach with her long-estranged sire. She met Major Covington-Singh, a prince and an officer in her father’s regiment. The man was tall, dark, and utterly irresistible.

Yet there was peril in desiring him. He warned her against falling for a wog, a blacky-white, an Anglo-Indian. It might be modern times in England, but not in India. Even for the son of a duke and a maharaja. Why, even Elizabeth’s father would disapprove! And then there were the recent happenings: the murders, the cruel strangling of those who were indiscreet.

For Elizabeth to love Nigel meant death. But she couldn’t stop, even if there was a…

BLOOD MOON OVER BENGAL

Who are your influences as a writer?

My favorite author is Barbra Erskine. When I read her books I'm THERE.

What does your family think of having a published romance author in their midst?

My family is proud of me.

Tell us about plans for future books.

I'm now writing BLOOD MOON OVER BRITAIN. No relation to BENGAL, except that it is also a romantic suspense: WWII London. How can readers get in touch with you?

My email is pictishwench@verizon.net
My website: www.moragmckendrickpippin.com

Morag, thanks for visiting with us, and best of luck! Readers, we have a review of Blood Moon Over Bengal

here on our website.