Interview and Giveaway: Catherine Mann

Please join me in welcoming Catherine Mann to Debbie's Book Bag today. Catherine is here to talk about her latest release, Cover Me. The publisher has been gracious enough to offer two copies of Catherine's book for giveaway. See details at the end of the post.

DEB: Catherine, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
CM: I write military romantic suspense for Sourcebooks and Berkley, and steamy romances for Harlequin Desire. I’m a military wife and mother of four. Before writing, I was a children’s theater school director.

DEB:Tell us a little about your book, Cover Me?
CM: Cover Me launches my “Elite Force” series featuring air force pararescuemen (also known in the past as parajumpers, thus their nick-name PJs.) A select breed, they go through much of the same training as SEALS and are also medic qualified for on-site treatment during high risk rescues (both military and civilian situations. ) These under the radar heroes hold to the credo “That Other’s May Live.”


DEB: What was your inspiration for this book? Have you always been interested in the military?
CM: My husband is an Air Force aviator, so the military has been a large part of my life for over twenty years. Even beyond that, I have always had a great respect for our men and women in uniform. It’s an honor to be able share stories about them.

DEB: What type of research did you do for your book?
CM: My husband is a stellar help with brainstorming and he reads all my military books to fact check them before I send them in. Also, my chiropractor is a former PJ and has been generous in sharing details about his missions.

DEB: What is your normal writing day like? Do you have things that have to be in place to write comfortably?
CM: I set a weekly page count. If I complete those pages by Friday, then I am able to take the weekend off. If I don’t, then I use the weekend for catch up. A writing day can be filled with a number of different activities in addition to working on a manuscript. Other tasks like… plot a synopsis, compile cover art suggestions, brainstorm new titles, read for my critique partner Joanne Rock, revisions, line/copy edits, galleys, promotion, networking online, book signings, blogging. Since I write 4-6 books a year, my days are usually packed.

As for a working environment, I’m a mom of four, so I have to be flexible. In fast I’m writing this interview in my laptop as my teenager drives us to a college visit. Usually, at home, however, I work in a comfy chair with a diet coke nearby, my dogs at my feet and view of the ocean from my office window.

DEB: What was it like when you got the word that your first novel would be published?
CM: Beyond amazing! And rather funny too. We were in the process of moving and hadn’t sold our house yet. We were visiting family during the transition and my cell phone rang. Only two people had the new cell number – our realtor and my agent. When I answered and my agent gave me the news that my book had sold, I started squealing to everyone in the room, “It sold! It sold!” My husband thought our house had sold and kept trying to take the phone away from me. Needless to say, he was quite sheepish when he realized his error. (Happily, our house sold later that week.)

DEB: Do have any advice for new writers?
CM: Read, read, read in the genre you’re targeting. Read recent releases and check out new authors to see what’s catching editors’ eyes.

DEB: When you’re not writing, what kinds of books do you like to read? Do you have a favorite author?
CM: I’m an eclectic reader. Some of my favorite authors… Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Suzanne Brockmann, Lori Foster, Lisa Gardner, Tana French, Sarah Addison Allen, Olivia Gates, Karen Templeton… my list can ramble on and on. Some recent books I’ve read? Water for Elephants and The Peach Keeper.

DEB: What are you working on right now?
CM: I’m finishing up my final draft for “Elite Force” book 3 Under FIre and also starting my next Harlequin Desire. I’m also working on promo for my October Harlequin Desire Billionaire’s Jet Set Babies.

DEB: Tell us one thing that people may not know about you?
CM: I’m an active volunteer for my local Humane Society. I’ve fostered over fifty puppies and special needs dogs over the years. I hope you’ll consider donating a bag of pet food or an hour of your time to help your local shelter. In these tough economic times, shelters are bursting at the seams with animals that have been owner surrendered due to financial circumstances. There’s a saying that goes something like this, "Saving one dog won't change the world, but it will change the world for that one dog."

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Sourcebooks is offering two copies of Catherine's book, Cover Me to two lucky winners from Debbie's Book Bag!

~ You must be a Google Friend Connect follower to participate.
~ US and Canadian Addresses only (Publisher Request).
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST August 2nd.

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