Interview with Monica McCabe, author of Diamond Legacy
Author: Monica McCabe
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Format: Kindle/Paperback
Blood diamonds, corruption, and undercover spies are no match for the chaos of one stubborn veterinarian…
What happens when a dental zoologist flies to Botswana to give a rare albino hippo a root canal? She lands smack in the middle of a diamond smuggling ring and right in the way of an undercover agent for International Diamond Security—one who knows firsthand the horror of conflict diamonds. Determined to bring down the cartel, he accepts the veterinarian’s help. But when the past catches up to him and the stakes skyrocket, he must risk all to save her from an evil that has haunted him for fifteen years.
ORDER INFORMATION
Diamond Legacy is available for order at Amazon, B&N, Kobo and Google Play
Q: Welcome to The Writer's Life, Monica McCabe. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how long you’ve been writing?
A: Well, I first got the idea of writing a novel when I lived in Alaska. I spent 4 years there and it was pretty much fantastic. Except for winter. That was challenging and I needed something to distract me from the intense cold and perpetual dark. I’m an avid reader, so I figured writing a book was just the thing. It would be a historical romance, complete with a dashing sea captain hero. I wrote the book, but it was awful. I eventually gave up on the idea. But a funny thing happened. The urge to write never really left. Time passed, I traveled a lot, and eventually settled in Nashville, TN where I tried my hand at it again. I got smarter this time around though and took classes, and in 2002 I joined Romance Writers of America.
Q: Can you please tell us about your book and why you wrote it?
A: Diamond Legacy is my debut novel and a romantic suspense that faces the harsh reality of conflict diamonds. It’s a serious subject and I try to do right by it. There’s all the fast paced action you’d expect, including gun battles, explosions and government corruption. But my writing also has a humorous undertone. I can’t help it. It just happens. And I didn’t start out to write a serious novel about gun runners and blood diamonds. I had this idea about an animal dentist. I saw a newspaper article where our local zoo had an orangutan in need of a root canal and they had to fly in specialist. I was fascinated. Before I knew it, I’d hatched a plot with a dental zoologist heroine who flies to Botswana to help a hippo in need, and ends up clashing with an undercover agent on the trail of diamond smuggling.
Q: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced writing it?
A: Research. I had to do tons of it. Things like…how much anesthesia does it take to sedate a hippopotamus? What is the largest city in Botswana? That would be Gaborone, where the book is set. I needed info on the Kalahari, game preserves and peace parks, gun runners, security issues, politics of the Kimberly Process, it was intensive. But in reality, research is sort of my favorite part of writing. I can get lost in it.
Q: Do you have a press kit and what do you include in it? Does this press kit appear online and, if so, can you provide a link to where we can see it?
A: As a debut author, some things are still new to me. One of those things is a press kit. I’m trying to get it put together and I have some basics on my website at: www.monicamccabe.net It’s very much a work in progress though!
Q: Have you either spoken to groups of people about your book or appeared on radio or TV? What are your upcoming plans for doing so?
A: I haven’t any radio or TV spots scheduled, but I have spoken to groups. And I was lucky enough to have a wonderful outdoor garden style author reception and book signing. Sunny afternoon, lake side setting, wine slushies, I loved it and it was a great success.
Q: Do you have an agent and, if so, would you mind sharing who he/she is? If not, have you ever had an agent or do you even feel it’s necessary to have one?
A: Currently I do not have an agent, but it is a possibility. I believe a good agent can open doors and find opportunities that I wouldn’t otherwise be aware of.
Q: Did you, your agent or publisher prepare a media blitz before the book came out and would you like to tell us about it?
A: As a debut book, Diamond Legacy enjoyed a modest publicity push. It’s been a true partnership, the publisher working to promote the release as well as myself. There’s been review requests, social media promo, and guest blogging. More to come!
Q: Do you plan subsequent books?
A: Yes! Diamond Legacy was originally contracted as a stand-alone romantic suspense. But I’m about to sign for two more books and so the Jewel Intrigue series has been born. Book #2 is almost complete, and book 3 is currently cooking.
Q: Thank you for your interview, Monica McCabe. Would you like to tell my readers where they can find you on the web and how everyone can buy your book?
A: Thank you, I’d love to share!
WEBSITE: www.monicamccabe.net
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/monica.mccabe
TWITTER: twitter.com/monicamccabe
GOODREADS: www.goodreads.com/author/show/9788486.Monica_McCabe
PINTEREST: www.pinterest.com/meerkat77
Diamond Legacy is available at most all online book retailers. Here’s a few…
AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Legacy-Monica-McCabe-ebook/dp/B00ONTR8Y0/?tag=kila0c-20
NOOK: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/diamond-legacy-monica-mccabe/1120611660?ean=9781616507077#productInfoTabs
KOBO: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/diamond-legacy
Thank you for having me today! I appreciate the fame. =)
ReplyDeleteHow exciting to have published your first novel Monica!! Congratulations!! It sounds like a great read, I must pick up a copy. I'm sure we will see many more from you :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm about to turn in book 2 to my editor. It's a librarian vs modern day pirates story. =)
DeleteHow exciting to have published your first novel Monica!! Congratulations!! It sounds like a great read, I must pick up a copy. I'm sure we will see many more from you :-)
ReplyDelete