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Monica McCarty, new author extraordinaire, has a new back-to-back trilogy out — two books already on the shelves, and the third on shelves now! Her books have already hit the USA Today and New York Times lists, and critic and user reviews are through the roof!
*Jaunty smooths his quills, and rubs in a little Shine-u-pine gel*
1. Monica, my sweet, can you tell us a little about each book and the trilogy as a whole?
My debut book, HIGHLANDER UNTAMED, is the first book in a back-to-back Scottish historical trilogy featuring the MacLeods of Skye. The year is 1601, the dawn of a new century and the beginning of the end of an era known as the age of feuds and forays. Rory MacLeod, Chief of MacLeod, is forced to handfast with Isabel MacDonald to end a feud between their clans. Though Rory has no intention of keeping his unwanted handfast bride, the fierce chief never anticipates the captivating woman who seems too good to be true.
Book two, HIGHLANDER UNMASKED, belongs to Rory’s brother Alex, a flinty warrior fighting against injustice and the demons of his past. But his mission is put in jeopardy when he crosses paths with Meg Mackinnnon, a determined woman intent on uncovering his secrets.
And the third book, HIGHLANDER UNCHAINED, just released on Tuesday, belongs to their half-sister Flora, a headstrong heiress who vows to be a prize for no man. But she doesn’t count on Lachlan MacLean, the rugged chief who kidnaps her in order to win her heart.
Like the TV show “Law and Order” my stories are “ripped from the headlines” of history, bringing to life actual people and events with a sensual fictional twist.
2. Sounds like a great concept. Why Scottish?
I assume you mean reasons beyond the strapping, sexy men in kilts? I’m deeper than that, really I swear. Okay, actually it was while at Stanford Law School that seeds of HIGHLANDER UNTAMED were first planted. In my third year I took a comparative legal history course and wrote a paper on feudalism and the clan system. Around the same time, I picked up a book called OUTLANDER by Diana Gabaldon. I was hooked, devouring every Scottish romance I could put my hands on.
3. The ladies tell me that your covers are “hot.” I think they are quite manly myself. Which is your favorite? *muffled sound of hands covering a porcupines’ mouth, then shrieks from the resultant pain* What do you mean I can’t ask? Like choosing one of your children?!?! *muffled sound ensues*
I love each of them equally. That is the PC answer, but I assume you will tie me up in a poorly lit room torturing me with your sharp quills until I tell you??? Okay, under pain of death, the third one (HIGHLANDER UNCHAINED). And that’s mostly because the pose feels fresh to me (and it was my idea to boot!). I love Nathan Kamp’s very sexy arm in the first one and I think the second one with the great purple cover really stands out well on the shelf.
4. Would you think about including a jaunty porcupine with a sword in your next book?
No offense, but assuming you could manage to lift a claymore, do you think porcupines are sexy? I mean how are you going to do in a side-by-side with Mr. Kamp? What do you wear under all those quills?
5. A jaunty, SEXY, porcupine with dagger sharp quills?
Hmm. I’m seeing a scene with a carriage accident. How do you feel about playing road kill?
6. A jaunty, SEXY, ALIVE, porcupine lothario who uses his rapier wit to slay his enemies?
My you must be sharp witted, indeed. Perhaps I should reconsider. Do you have an agent? We should do lunch.
7. I am my own agent and my client would be delighted to have lunch with you. *raises eyebrow quills lecherously* While I make reservations, what is next in your writing quest?
If you can believe it another back-to-back Scottish trilogy! It will center around clan Campbell. The first two books are off secondary characters in HIGHLANDER UNMASKED: Jamie and Elizabeth Campbell.
8. Sounds porcupinelicious. Which brings me back to food. What is your favorite fruit? One that I may serve with a porcupine pool boy and a large fan, mayhap?
A pineapple because it reminds me of my favorite animal—the very yummy porcupine.
9. Good answer, good answer! What do you think about throwing it all away and running off with a porcupine? A very manly one who uses his rapier wit to slay his enemies and is learning to heft a sword?
I’m thinking it sounds very good right now (as kids are screaming in my ear and husband is asking me what’s for dinner). How do you feel about the Four Seasons? Maui or the Big Island? I have miles . . .
Comment in this post to win a copy of Highlander Untamed and Highlander Unmasked!!!
Filed in: Jaunty Guests
Sep 27th
2007
4:26 am
Stefanie D Said:
OMG, those covers are HOT!!
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Sep 27th
2007
7:13 am
AndreaW Said:
Hilarious interview!!
Monica, I have all three books and can’t wait to read them all in a row!
Congrats on hitting the USA Today and NY Times bestseller lists! Did you do anything special to celebrate?
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Sep 27th
2007
7:16 am
Shana Said:
Oh, Jaunty! Don’t worry. You’ll get your cover one day.
Monica, thanks so much for being with us today. I like Andrea’s question. How’d you celebrate?
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Sep 27th
2007
9:10 am
Robyn DeHart Said:
Well, I suppose it’s too much to expect Jaunty to behave with our guests. We really should start sending out fruit baskets on his behalf. Welcome, Monica, and I totally agree super HOT covers. And I like the 3rd one too, course I’m a “back” girl.
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Sep 27th
2007
9:19 am
Buffie Said:
What a great interview!!! Monica, I have read the first two books and just picked up Unchained this morning. I have truly enjoyed the books and have raved (and raved) about them on other websites. I think the one thing I truly love about the books (other than the impossibly hot highlanders!!) is the fact that most of the characters in the books are true historical figures. Thanks for providing the notes at the end of each book as I find them very interesting.
I am so glad that you are continuing the stories of some of your secondary characters.
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Sep 27th
2007
9:58 am
Monica McCarty Said:
Hi Everyone! Thanks so much for having me! I’m so glad everyone seems to be liking the covers as much as I do.
Nathan Kamp is definitely not hard on the eyes.
Andrea, I hope you enjoy the books–as a reader I love being able to read all the books in a row as well so I was thrilled when the opportunity to do a back-to-back trilogy came up.
Thanks for the congrats on the bestseller list! I did celebrate. We went out to a nice dinner both times. Although last week’s (when I hit the NYT) was a little delayed because of my kid’s very crazy schedule. My husband also brought me flowers and these fabulous cupcakes from a local bakery. Not bad.
Buffie, Thank you so much for all of your kind words and for talking about the books! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed them so far–I can’t wait to hear what you think about Unchained.
Sorry to be so brief, but I wanted to pop in before taking the kids to school. Back in a little bit…
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Sep 27th
2007
12:22 pm
Anne Mallory Said:
Hot, hot, hot! Can’t wait to pick up Unchained tomorrow, Monica!!!
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Sep 27th
2007
12:58 pm
Crystal B. Said:
Great interview. This series sounds great. Love the covers. Very hot.
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Sep 27th
2007
1:20 pm
Monica McCarty Said:
Thanks for having me Anne–hope you like the book!
Hi Crystal! Thanks for stopping by. Hope you’ll check out the books. You can read excerpts etc. and see more about the books at my website: http://www.monicamccarty.com
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Sep 27th
2007
2:23 pm
Bonnie Said:
Wow, my favorite setting. I have one of the books in my TBR pile and am looking for the other two so that I can read them all together.
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Sep 27th
2007
2:32 pm
Cherie J Said:
Great interview! Love those covers and I love Scottish historicals.
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Sep 27th
2007
2:36 pm
Kathryn Said:
I love the covers, especially the last one — I agree Monica, it is very fresh. And if you can work Jaunty into the next story may you rest on the NYT list forever! Payday tomorrow and I have four books to buy…. Jenna’s and Monica’s three. Hope it’s a rainy weekend!!!
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Sep 27th
2007
2:43 pm
Jenna Petersen Said:
I’m slow, but welcome Monica!!! Glad to have you with us.
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Sep 27th
2007
3:19 pm
Monica McCarty Said:
Bonnie,
I hope you enjoy the books–you should able to find them at any of the big bookstores, Walmart and Target. You have the perfect name to go along with being a Scottish fan.
Hi Cherie–Glad you liked the interview. That porcupine is a pretty frisky guy. If you like Scottish, you definitely have to look into the books.
Kathryn, Ooooh…now there’s an idea. I better get jaunty’s agent on the phone before someone else snatches him up. Happy payday tomorrow and happy reading over the weekend.
Thanks for having me, Jenna!
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Sep 27th
2007
3:26 pm
Carol Said:
Thanks for the fun interview with Jaunty. Too cute. I love the covers and I have to agree the cover of Highlander Unchanged is my favorite. Love a strong back.:-)
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Sep 27th
2007
3:36 pm
Helen Said:
I love Scottish historicals I will defiantly picking these books up to read and I love the covers abd great interview Monica thanks Guys.
Have Fun
Helen
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Sep 27th
2007
4:31 pm
Jami Alden Said:
ooh, If monica’s not up for it, Jaunty, I’d love to run away with you! I’ve had it with these kid things – totally overrated.
what’s not overrated? monica’s books. I’m reading the first book of the new trilogy (what you could call a WARC – Way advance reading copy) and it’s fantastic.
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Sep 27th
2007
4:43 pm
Sue A. Said:
I love a good series! A Scottish historical is just want I need to escape the stress of real life.
Thanks for the interview!
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Sep 27th
2007
4:50 pm
Tracy Grant Said:
Great interview, Monica and Jaunty! Monica, much as I love these covers (not to mention the books inside them
, I think you should do lunch with Jaunty and see what you can work out for your next trilogy. As all authors know one is always looking for a way to make a cover “pop” and I don’t think I’ve ever seen on a porcupine on a romance cover–of course it would have to be a porcupine in a kilt 
.
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Sep 27th
2007
5:39 pm
Bella Andre Said:
Monica, you and Jaunty should take your act on the road.
But seriously, for anyone who hasn’t dipped their toes into the hot Scottish waters of Monica McCarty’s books, this trilogy is AMAZING!!!! Love them. All of them.
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Sep 27th
2007
5:41 pm
Monica McCarty Said:
Hi Carol, glad you liked the interview–jaunty made it very easy.
I agree: you’ve got to love a good back.
Hi Helen, hope you enjoy the books and thanks for stopping by.
Jami, stay away from jaunty. And thanks for the nice comment about the WARC–hope it holds up!
Hi Sue–yes, nothing like escaping to Scotland. Sigh.
Hi Tracy, you are right: jaunty would be a first and would sure make the cover “pop.” Maybe I’ll reconsider. He’s going to need to bulk up though.
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Sep 27th
2007
5:43 pm
Monica McCarty Said:
Bella,
I’m ready to road trip with Jaunty any time!
I’ll give you the $20 later.
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Sep 27th
2007
7:18 pm
Nathalie Said:
It is my first visit to the blog and I am sure coming back!!
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Sep 27th
2007
7:19 pm
Lily Said:
Wow… Stanford Law, and I sometimes feel a bit guilty because I am a med student who loves romance… but you thought about your book while attending this great University!!
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Sep 27th
2007
7:21 pm
Lila Said:
Your covers are pretty hot
Loved the interview and your books sound really great 
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Sep 27th
2007
8:09 pm
Monica McCarty Said:
Nathalie, so glad you found the blog–the girls with the Quills are fabulous.
Hi Lily, no guilt allowed!:) And wow, a med student! I can’t even imagine. I was not the scientist to put it mildly. I’m surprised you have any time for reading.
Hi Lila, thanks for stopping by. Hope you’ll check out the books!
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Sep 27th
2007
8:30 pm
Isabel Said:
Jaunty, Monica, I loved this interview!
Monica ~ I discovered your books thanks to Anne Mallory, she’d mentioned a book signing you did together last month and since I couldn’t attend, I looked up your website and then found your books.
Isabel & Rory, Meg & Alex, yum, yum, yum!
Congrats on hitting both the USA Today and NYT Bestsellers lists, your books are amazing.
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Sep 27th
2007
8:33 pm
Lily Said:
Thanx for the permission for not having guilt… I am in my 4th year
and when when my friends see me with a novel they think I am a bit crazy… because we have so much reading to do in general!!!
And you are not the only one surprised that I have time to read
I am sometimes in awe myself, though I keep it only for the week-end when I want to relax!
PS: I am going to go check for your books in the library. I love Scottish romances!
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Sep 27th
2007
8:35 pm
Lily Said:
Hum… I am Canadian and I was wondering when I say Library… I was referring to Bookstore as in Librarie in french… Is it the same in english or does it mean more Public Library?
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Sep 27th
2007
9:10 pm
Stacy S Said:
Great interview. I haven’t read them yet, but plan to. The covers are awesome.
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Sep 27th
2007
9:21 pm
catslady Said:
I don’t know how I missed your books – I love anything with a Highlander in it and those covers are to die for
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Sep 27th
2007
9:54 pm
Monica McCarty Said:
Isabel, Glad you enjoyed the interview and so glad you heard about the booksinging with Anne and discovered the books. It was a fun booksigning…maybe next time. Thanks for the congrats–it’s been very surreal.
Lily, I did excatly the same thing in law school with reading to relax–even though I had tons of school reading I couldn’t give up my nightime book. Library in America refers to a Public Library, but I remember my French Librarie. Are you French Canadian?
Hi Stacy, hope you enjoy them & I did luck out with the cover gods.
Catslady, if you love Highlanders you definitely have to check them out!
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Sep 27th
2007
10:08 pm
ladydawgfan Said:
Am I too late??? I loooove me some Highlanders!!!! This sounds like a series aimed directly for my bookshelves!!!
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Sep 28th
2007
12:47 am
Monica McCarty Said:
ladydawgfan,
I don’t think you were too late–thanks for stopping by. Hope you’ll check out the books!
Thanks to the Jaunty Quills lady for having me–it’s been so much fun!
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Sep 28th
2007
1:28 am
Pam P Said:
Monica, congrats on making the bestseller lists!
I love Scots and seeing Buffie and many others raving about your books, bumped right up top of my overly large buylist. Great, and fun, interview.
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Sep 28th
2007
2:05 am
Minna Said:
Ooh, I love reading Scottish romances! Your books sound wonderful!
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Sep 28th
2007
5:40 am
Eva S Said:
Great interview and so hot covers, can’t wait to read them!
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Sep 28th
2007
11:23 am
PJ Said:
I’ve read all three books and all I can say is hot covers, hot heroes and fabulous writing. I defy anyone to walk away from one of these books disappointed. It’s just not possible.
Buffie turned me on to Monica’s books and, after reading them, I’m doing my best to spread the word.
Monica, I’m anxiously awaiting the next trilogy. Do you know yet when those books will be published?
Great interview, Jaunty. You’re pretty hot yourself.
~PJ
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Sep 28th
2007
1:43 pm
Maureen Said:
Congratulations on the new book! It sounds great.
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Sep 28th
2007
4:41 pm
Kimberly Logan Said:
As always, I’m a bit late to the party, but thanks so much for joining us and for putting up with Jaunty, Monica! We were so glad to have you.
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Sep 28th
2007
4:58 pm
Christy H. Said:
I’m even later to join the party.
I enjoyed the interview and the Monica’s Highland trilogy sounds fantastic.
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Sep 28th
2007
9:49 pm
KimW Said:
Coming in a wee bit late. Enjoyed reading all your answers. I can’t resist a Highlander. Your series sounds really good. Oh, and I like the third cover best, too. Yum! That’s one that should stand face out on the bookshelf. lol
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Sep 29th
2007
12:51 am
Monica McCarty Said:
Hi everyone–I’m so glad I checked back. Sorry to be so late, I was running around all day. Pam, thanks for the congrats! And it sounds like I need to thank Buffie again for the fantastic word of mouth!! PJ, I don’t have publication dates yet for the next trilogy. I will update my website with the information as soon as I do. Hope everyone has a great weekend and thanks for making my day the quill girls so much fun.
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Sep 23rd
2008
8:43 am
Elise Anderson Said:
I just put down Highlander Unchained, I found it in a used bookshop after finishing the 6th Diane Galbadon book….I was in a serious need for a Highlander fix and this book did it!
I look forward to the others.
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