Novelist Megan Michelle chats with me today about her new novel, Skylark.
Feel free to check out her other virtual book tour stops (below) as she tours with Wow! Women on Writing.
Welcome, Megan. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
I write for the fearless women who are ready to reclaim their power and confront the shadows of their past. Mo novels explore the complexity of love, power, and identity, while inviting readers to dive deep into the hearts of women who don’t just survive—they thrive, reclaiming their power and rewriting their stories on their own terms.
Please tell us about your current release.
Skylark is the story of Rachel Ryker, the first female Navy SEAL. She’s on a mission to dismantle the patriarchy and liberate women from global subjugation (whether the Navy thinks that’s what she should be doing or not!) Oh, and she may be in love with her best friend who’s also her second in command, Christopher Williams.
What inspired you to write this book?
I honestly don’t know what inspired this novel. I was recovering from open heart surgery in the fall of 2022 and this story just came to me, like a download from the universe. It was playing out like a movie in my head until I finally grabbed my phone and started typing into the google docs app trying to get everything down before I forgot any of the details. I love romance and I love action-adventure, so I did my best to combine the two. I basically wrote the book I always wanted to read- strong FMC, none of this having the guy save her, and the series follows the same two characters because one book about them is simply not enough!
Excerpt from Skylark:
Being the first female Navy SEAL is no easy job, but someone’s got to dismantle the patriarchy. Rachel Ryker, call sign ‘Skylark,’ can out run and out gun just about anybody, and with her second in command, Christopher Williams, by her side, she’s practically unstoppable. Christopher would follow Rachel to hell and back… or maybe just to the Middle East. When a top-secret malware code is stolen from the CIA, Rachel and Christopher lead their SEAL team through the Middle East in an attempt to recover it.
They both have their own reasons for fighting, but as the team gets closer to finding the stolen malware, Rachel discovers that the man they’re looking for may be closer to her than she thinks. Will Rachel’s obsession with completing their mission override her common sense and causes her to lose sight of what is really important- keeping women and children safe from the oppressive patriarchy they are all living in?
With secrets, pride, and a strict no fraternization policy keeping them apart, falling in love would mean sacrificing everything Rachel and Christopher have worked for. But when Rachel gets injured in combat, everything changes. Now Rachel will have to choose: does her devotion to the Navy outweigh her love for Christopher?
What exciting project are you working on next?
So, book 2 in the series, Born in Blood just went live on Amazon. I’m working with my printer to get special editions printed as quickly as possible. (I think books should be pretty!) I’m also working on a piece for an anthology – Heroes, Holidays and Hope Volume 3 which is a military romance anthology written with love and gratitude by veterans and veterans’ family members. On top of that, I’m participating in another anthology project through The Indieverse Awards which is sort of like a reader’s choice awards for indie authors mostly promoted through Instagram. And of course, book 3 in my main series is well underway and is titled All Roads Lead to Hell. That should be out (fingers crossed) in November 2026. I’m also working with the nonpartisan group Military Families for Free Expression to fight back against the book bans happening in military academies and on military bases all over the world. We’re still in the early phases of this, but I’m very passionate about free expression and helping military families, so I had to get involved!
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I think I’ve always considered myself a writer. Considering myself an author, however, is new. It’s still a bit surreal that people are buying my books and enjoying them. But I would say when I finally got a box of my books delivered to my house and held that special edition paperback in my hands for the first time . . . I thought “wow, I made this!” I think having a physical copy made it more real.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I have one of those 9-5 corporate jobs currently, so I write before and after work and on the weekends. It’s difficult to balance, but self-publishing is expensive so, I need to keep the job that pays me a steady income for now so that I can keep working towards my goal of being a full time author.
I live near the beach, so I’m at the beach a lot and I also volunteer at an equine therapy center with veterans and special needs kids about once per week.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I write better with my hair up. A messy bun is best because then I’m not sitting playing with my hair. I’ve also found that a glass of red wine and bag of tortilla chips helps the process.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A princess, popstar, actress, or fashion designer. I’ve been writing since I was a kid and don’t think I really considered it as a job or “what do you want to be when you grow up” because I was already doing it.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Being able to write and publish this series is a dream come true for me. I think we’re told too often to be practical and get “a real job” but I think following your passion, finding your purpose is the greatest thing you can do with your life. For me, that’s writing and using my writing as a platform to advocate for military families and veterans. Whatever your passion and purpose is, always follow your dreams. XO Megan Michelle
Links:
Website | Instagram | Books2Read
Blog Tour Calendar
July 28 @ The Muffin
Visit the Muffin for our blog tour launch of Skylark by Megan Michelle. We’re interviewing the author and giving you a chance to win a copy of her book.
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
July 29 @ Words by Webb
Visit Jodi’s blog for insights on word choices, featuring books like Skylark by Megan Michelle. https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog
August 1 @ Words by Webb
Join Jodi for her review of Skylark by Megan Michelle. You won’t want to miss this exciting romance! https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog
August 4 @ Writer Advice
Visit Lynn’s blog for a guest post by Megan Michelle on what romance in fiction can teach you about yourself. https://www.writeradvice.com
August 4 @ Tracey Lampley’s blog
Visit Tracey’s blog for an interview with author Megan Michelle about her book Skylark. https://www.traceylampley.com/guest-author-interviews
August 8 @ Word Magic
Come by Fiona’s blog for a guest post by author Megan Michelle on whether a funding campaign is a good choice for your novel. https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/
August 10 @ A Wonderful World of Words
Visit Joy’s blog for an excerpt of Megan Michelle’s Skylark. https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/
August 11 @ Storey Book Reviews
Stop by Leslie’s blog for a guest post by Megan Michelle on writing during times of stress. https://www.storeybookreviews.com
August 13 @ Create Write Now
Visit Mari’s blog for a guest post by Megan Michelle on the topic of mental health. https://www.createwritenow.com/journal-writing-blog
August 13 @ Avonna Loves Genres
Visit Avonna’s blog for her review of Skylark by Megan Michelle. https://avonnalovesgenres.com/
August 14 @ The Faerie Review
Visit Lily’s blog for her spotlight of Skylark by Megan Michelle. https://www.thefaeriereview.com
August 15 @ What Is That Book About?
Join Michelle on her blog to catch an excerpt of Skylark by Megan Michelle. https://www.whatisthatbookabout.com/
August 17 @ Chapter Break
Visit Julie’s blog for an interview with author Megan Michelle about her book Skylark. https://chapterbreak.net/
August 18 @ Book Reviews Café
Visit the Book Reviews Cafe’s blog for a review of Megan Michelle’s book Skylark. https://bookreviewscafe.wordpress.com/
August 20 @ Just Katherine
Visit Katherine’s blog for her response to our blog tour prompt on how she finally found the one.
You can also read a guest by Megan Michelle on finding time to write when you are too busy. https://justkatherineblog.wordpress.com/
August 22 @ Choices
Visit Madeline’s blog for a guest post by Megan Michelle on encouraging good mental health during writing routines. https://www.madelinesharples.com/blog
August 24 HERE!
August 28 @ Boys’ Mom Reads
Join Karen for her book review of Skylark by Megan Michelle. https://karensiddall.wordpress.com/
August 31 @ Silver’s Reviews
Join Elizabeth’s blog for a spotlight of Skylark by Megan Michelle. https://silversolara.blogspot.com/
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