A huge thank you to Keri and everyone at ENALR for having me here to blog today, for making HIGHLAND WARRIOR February’s “Must Have” read, and for the fabulous review. Wow!
HIGHLAND WARRIOR is the first book in my new back-to-back trilogy from Ballantine, featuring the “bad boys” of the Highlands, Clan Campbell. Back-to-back means you won’t have to wait long to find out “what’s next?” The second book, HIGHLAND OUTLAW, hits stores tomorrow and the final book, HIGHLAND SCOUNDREL, at the end of March.
HIGHLAND WARRIOR is the story of Jamie Campbell, the ruthless enforcer of Scotland’s most powerful clan, who vows to use any means necessary to vanquish lawlessness and unrest in the Highlands. Driven by a fierce sense of law and order, Jamie never questions the righteousness of his cause until he meets Caitrina Lamont, the doted upon daughter of a rival chief who challenges him—and arouses him—like no other woman.
I’m often asked where I find inspiration for my stories—which gets to the title of this blog. Basically I follow the Law and Order approach of taking actual “ripped from the headlines” events and spinning them into a fictional story (with a sensual twist of course!). My “headlines” just happen to be from a few hundred years ago, LOL.
I didn’t start out intending to do this, but Scottish history books are filled with such amazing stories, it just kind of happened. I don’t want to give away the “ripped from the headlines” event for HIGHLAND WARRIOR because it’s a bit of a spoiler, but in HIGHLANDER UNCHAINED (book #3 of my first trilogy), I came across a story of a 
MacLean chief who’d apparently grown tired of his Campbell wife and decided to tie her up on a rock out at sea to wait for the tide to swallow her up. Unfortunately for the chief, a fishing boat (filled with Campbells no less) happens by and rescues the lady before she drowns. When the “grief-stricken” husband arrives at her father’s castle to tell him about her death, he’s surprised to find his wife sitting at the table. Seriously, you can’t make this stuff up! (Don’t worry he’s not the hero—the story serves as the basis for a curse).
One of the side benefits of writing about actual events and real people is that it gives me a great excuse to travel. On my website I have “picture books” with photos of many of the places in my books. Want to see the rock where the chief left his wife to drown (now called “Lady’s Rock”), just check out the picture book for HIGHLANDER UNCHAINED. I’ll be posting the picture book for WARRIOR tomorrow, so if you’ve read the book you’ll want to check it out.
There is one recent “headline” that I would love to write about (if there were airplanes in 17th Century Scotland). My family and I have been rabidly following all the news stories about Captain Sully. We were glued to Katie Couric’s interview on 60 Minutes a couple weeks ago. I’m not sure exactly why, but the story really moves me. I hear things about how the passengers were yelling “women and children first” and it makes me tear up. Same thing about the husband who was separated from his wife and children and how strangers stepped up to help her. And talk about a real life hero—Captain Sully’s cool under what must have been incredible stress and pressure personifies the strong, alpha hero I admire. My husband and I have been using him as an example to our children of what constitutes a hero.
What about you…have you been moved by the story of Captain Sully and the crew of Flight 1549? Why do you think the story has so captured the public’s attention? Any other headlines you’ve been following?
Two commenters will receive an autographed copy of Highland Warrior, so don’t be shy! Stop in tomorrow to see if you won!
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | Heros, Inspiration, Monica McCarty
I am so glad to read that your books are coming out back-to-back. I get frustrated by series books that are a year or more apart. Honestly, sometimes I forget the series and forget to buy the next book! And I LOVE Scottish history. I laughed out loud at the husband who tried to kill his wife and went to tell her family about her death. BRAWHAHAHAHA Sometimes real life is SO good you have to wonder how fiction writers can improve the story.
Captain Sully – I am SO IMPRESSED with how calm he was, how much he cared that everyone got off…The fact that he successfully ditched in the Hutson River is incredible. Shows how valuable age and experience is. We mustn’t ever forget that. Sully is a true hero in every sense of the word. I heard that every person on board got $5000 to replace lost items in the luggage compartment. I heard the other day that some of the passengers are considering suing for more money. Frankly, I think these passengers should thank God every day that they are alive.
Good luck with your series. I look forward to reading all three.
That entire story of Captian Sully just amazes me every time I hear it. And I never get tired of hearing about it! It’s one of those endless stories that you want to read more of and hear more of.
The Lady on the Rock story makes me laugh every time. At the end of Monica’s books, she gives an author’s note detailing who some of the characters were based on, live relationships, and events that happened. It’s fascinating and brings the books to life for the reader on a whole new level! How she weaves all that history together into fiction just boggles my mind.
Thanks for coming out Monica.
Hi Cindi,
I love the back-to-back scheduling, too. I know it can mean a little longer between books, but it’s nice being able to get those books virtually all at once. (I sometimes forget series myself, LOL). Glad you enjoyed the story.
I hadn’t heard that story about the money for replacing luggage. I’m kind of surprised that the airline hasn’t done something to keep the positive energy going from this near disaster–I hope they settle it before a lawsuit. I’m with you, I would be so thankful just to be alive. It truly was a miracle that everyone survived. I hope you enjoy the books!
Hi Keri,
I’m with you, I devoured every article. I never get tired of feel good stories like this, it could have turned out so differently.
Thanks so much for having me!
Monica, I love your Highland books. I’m almost done with Highland Warrior. I love the characters and the timelessness of the story. A man always has and always will do what has to be done. And sometimes the woman has to just be ready to welcome him back with open arms when the job is done. I can’t wait to read more about the Campbells.
Hi Jill,
Hope all is well with you, I haven’t “seen” you around much lately… I think I’ve been locked in a cave for a while with my computer, LOL.
Thanks so much for the nice words about the books–I’m so glad you’re enjoyed WARRIOR, too.
Monica, welcome to ENALR. I can’t wait to read your book.
I think for me, it’s the fact that the captain remained in control and he was determined to make sure everyone was out. But even more than that, the way people worked together, helping each other, when in today’s times, so many may have pushed people out of their way.
The airline water landing and rescue were nothing short of AMAZING. There were many heroes that day. It is such an inspiring story.
Monica, I have loved your other Highlander books. I am really looking forward to this next trilogy!
Hi Vicki,
I agree with you completely about the captain–total calm under fire–and checking twice to make sure everyone was out. It gives me chills. I’m not sure why, but the whole thing makes me think of Titanic. Kind of this old honor code or something. Hope you enjoy the books!
Hi Cheryl,
You are right, there were so many heroes that day–I think that is one of the reasons the story resonated so strongly with everyone.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the first series! I hope you like the second one even better.
Monica, I’ve been sick and seriously chained to my laptop.
I love the Captain Sully story because I think times are so bad that we latch on like an abalone to a rock on good stories. We beg to believe in peoples goodness and when we get it we don’t let go.
Hi Monica,
Congrats on the release of book 2 of the Campbell Trilogy. It feels like “Highland Warrior” was just released yesterday. I was definitely inspired by Capt. Sully and his crew. I couldn’t believe everyone survived when I saw the plane slowly sinking into the Hudson River. I love it when ordinary people do extraordinary things. One of my favorite things to watch is ABC News’ Person of the Week segment.
Hi,
I already read an excerpt and your book sounds great. I’m wondering though if each book can stand alone. (Speaking only for myself, I don’t buy a series if I have to read all 3 to get some central story question answered, so I’m leery of series.)
I also heard about the $5,000. I wonder what kind of reception someone would get from a jury if they sued. I think juries award big amounts where someone died – as a token of sorrow or as payment for culpability. But when you lived? In an accident that clearly wasn’t the airline’s fault. Seems greedy.
Good luck with the series.
Carly
Jill,
I was sick last week–not bad, but enough to make me really tired.
Hope you feel better soon.
Hi Jane,
Thanks! I can’t believe #2 comes out tomorrow–these back to backs are such a whirlwind. Blink and you miss it, LOL.
I don’t watch that show–when is it on?
Hi Carly,
You definitely don’t need to read all three books–each on stands on its own. I’m completely understand not wanting to get sucked into a series to see the story to the finish. I’ve given up on a couple of those myself lately,
I agree, it would be interesting to see what a jury would do with something like this. But I’ll be they’ll come to some kind of settlement before that.
Carly, I actually read all of Monica’s first series in all sorts of backwards order! I think I read book 3 first, book 1 second, and book 2 last! I wasn’t confused at all. Book 2 and 3 I read back to back (with a week or so break in between), and even then, I wasn’t confused.
I do want to take time to go back and re-read the series in the right order to see if I missed anything!
Well, you’ve got one enthusiastic reader-to-be looking for your book — it sounds wonderful. And another tomorrow? Just the way I like it!
I have to say yes yes yes on all the comments about Captain Sully — I just hope everybody leaves him alone after an appropriate period for admiration so he can go back to what he obviously does so well without having to be everybody’s poster boy. I have to say I was enormously impressed the day of the crash when I heard him say that his main concern after he knew everybody was safe was to reach his wife before she heard about the crash any other way. And he did. That to me makes him a domestic hero as well.
Monica, all I had to read was “bad boy Highlanders” and I was sold!
Margay
Hi Monica,
I haven’t read your book yet, but I can’t wait to get my hands on one.
The way Captain Sully handled the crash and everything since then is amazing. A true hero in my eyes! Shame on anyone looking to gain from this accident! Greed runs so rampant in our society today. It’s really sad.
Too funny, Keri! I really do intend for each book to stand on its own, so it’s nice to know it worked!
Hi Beppie,
Yay! Glad they sound like something you’d enjoy.
As far as Sully, I’ve been so impressed with the way he has handled all the media attention–you can tell it doesn’t make him comfortable to be in the spotlight, but I think he really understands peoples need to look at him as a hero. I love that he said that about his wife, too. I can’t imagine how emotional that phone call must have been.
Hi Margay,
Ah, a bad boy lover? Awesome. Hope you enjoy!
Hi Melissa,
I hear you about greed, I’d hate for this uplifting story to be turned into something else.
Hope you get a chance to check out the books!
Monica, ABC World News with Charlie Gibson features the Person of the Week segment on Fridays at 6:30pm.
I will definitely put this at the top of my must buy list!
Hi Monica, can’t wait to read the new stories, and glad we don’t have to wait long in between each release.
Captain Sully is such a hero, just reacting and not thinking of himself as one. With all the tragedies in the news, uplifting to see one avoided.
Thanks, Jane, I will definitely have to check it out. CG is great.
Thanks, Margay.
Hi Pam,
I hope you enjoy them!
I agree about CS–so uplifting in times when we are so used to hearing terrible things on the news. It’s nice to have balance sometime.
Thanks to everyone for having me here today and making me feel so welcome!
Monica thanks so much for coming out! We enjoyed having you here today.
I’ll post the winners in a bit!