Guest bestselling writer Monica McCarty with Giveaway!
April 9th, 2009 by Edie Ramer
First, a huge thanks to Edie for inviting me to blog with you all today! HIGHLAND SCOUNDREL, the third book in my latest back-to-back trilogy from Ballantine, hit the stores March 24th and I’m thrilled to announce it debuted at #23 on the NYT last week!
Puppy Love
No, this blog is not about Donny Osmond, although unfortunately I’m old enough to remember him singing the song on Donnie and Marie (which used to be my favorite show, LOL). To me, there is something inherently romantic about “first love.” I break this down into two types: “puppy love” (the deep crushes we all remember as teenagers) and “true love” (Romeo and Juliet).
Recently, I’ve been caught up in the “Twilight” phenomenon. I know I’m a little late to the party, but it took some persuading by friend and fellow Scottish romance author, Veronica Wolff, to get me to try it out since I’m not usually a vampire fan. I think I read all 4 ½ books in two weeks, which, since I’m also on deadline, meant some VERY late nights. I literally couldn’t put them down.
I think there are many reasons for the success of the TWILIGHT series, but one of the elements that really sucked me in was the first love/true love aspect of the story. Bella’s feelings for Edward were something I could totally relate to (even though I’ve been out of high school for a long time). It made me remember what it was like to be a teenager and to fall in love—or think I’d fallen in love. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one doodling my name with my boyfriend’s last name in my notebooks. (Yes, I read a lot of romance novels when I was in high school, LOL). In real life, finding true love in high school doesn’t happen all the time, but it does happen. When I was a teen, I wanted it to be me. I wanted to be Bella.
In my most recent novel, HIGHLAND SCOUNDREL, I also wrote a “first love” story. Duncan and Jeannie meet and fall in love when they are young, but their “puppy” love takes a beating and they separate. When they come back together ten years later, they are no longer idealistic youths, but adults with very different life experiences. Love isn’t simple and pure the way it was, but complicated. I think the reader can look at their story in two different ways: puppy love that transforms into true love or true love that simply stands the test of time.
Why do “first love” stories appeal to us so much? I think it’s the same thing that makes us saw “awww” when we hear about high school sweethearts who’ve been married for fifty years or former high school sweethearts who reconnect at their twenty year reunion and get married. We can relate to those “special” feelings about these youthful connections and stories like this give validity to those feelings. I think first loves hold a special little corner in our hearts no matter how must time has passed.
For me, it’s wistfulness and the nostalgia factor. These stories tap into the memories I had the first time I fell in love, taking me back to the time when life wasn’t nearly so complicated—when love was simple and pure. Perhaps we even secretly wonder what would happen if we ran into that person again. Would some of those feelings still be there? Don’t get me wrong, I love my husband and wouldn’t seriously want to go back, but I do admit googling an old boyfriend or two.
So what about you…ever googled an old boyfriend? Do you have fond memories of your first love? Are you a Twilight devotee? (I must admit I’m cougaring on Robert Pattinson a bit 
).
One lucky commenter will win a signed copy of HIGHLAND WARRIOR, the first book in Monica’s Campbell trilogy. Anyone commenting before 10pm CST will be eligible. The winner’s name will be posted on the bottom of the blog.
Congratulations, Margaret Golla! You won a signed copy of HIGHLAND WARRIOR! You can email me and tell me where you want it sent.
27 Responses to “Guest bestselling writer Monica McCarty with Giveaway!”
Ooo, I want to read your books! Can’t get enough Scottish warriors!
True confessions: I finally joined Facebook, and yes, I did look someone up from high school. He wasn’t a boyfriend, though I would have LOVED to be his girlfriend. I thought about friending him, but he still looks too damn good, and I don’t.
Monica, thanks so much for guest blogging with us! I admit to googling an old boyfriend a few years ago. He has a common name, though, and there were a ton of pages, so I didn’t continue the search.
I love reunion stories and totally believe they will work out, in real life or fiction. The people were right for each other, but the time and situations were wrong.
So a reunion story combined with a Scottish warrior … you’ve hooked me! I want to read this book, too.
And, Margaret, I think you look great!
Ha! I so didn’t want to like twilight, yet that first book pulled me in as it did everyone else! I, too, read all the books in a very short time.
And yes, I’ve googled past crushes. lol.
Fun post!
Hey, Monica!!
Googling old boyfriends, eek, I have to say that no, I haven’t done that. Quite simply because I look back at the guys I had a crush on and I want to reach back in time and slap myself silly. I mean, what was I thinking crushing on them?? So not the right men for me.
And well, I also met my hubby while I was in high school. No need to google him when I see him every night.
and ps, YES, if you haven’t read any of Monica’s books, check them out! Scoundrel was great. Loved poor Duncan.
I think the first love is the most unforgettable love. It is new in everyway. There hasn’t been anything before it and often times those who follow are held up to its standards. It sets the tone for I believe for the way we fall in love forever. I married my first love, and highschool sweetheart. Sadly it didn’t work out and we divorced after fifteen years of marriage. But it shaped me forever. As much as the marriage failed, I still have fond memeories of those first love moments.
Ohhh… your Highland series looks GOOD!
I’ll definitely be checking them out.
I was very cynical and skittish
so I only fell in love once
but wowsers, did I fall hard!
16 years later, the now-hubby still makes my heart flutter.
Monica: congrats on the NYT! That’s so exciting!
I’m actually very good friends with most of my old boyfriends so I’ve never needed to Google them. But for one, who was *cough* not very nice. That’s all I’ll say about that. I don’t care what he’s up to as long as he stays the heck away from me! Since he’s no longer in the Continental US, that’s good with me. Only all this talk about Googling exes is making me wonder…
In re Twilight, I loved the books, too, but put me firmly on Team Jacob!
Keri has been badgering me about your books for a while now. I haven’t had a chance to get my hands on one, so yeah, I’m so all over the book give away!
Old boyfriends…Guilty. I’ve Googled. (luckily my husband doesn’t know!) My “googlee” doesn’t have a website, although he has an oil company and a legal practice. I’ve never found an email address. His phone is unlisted (but I have that number from him, if I REALLY wanted to talk to him). I last saw him at my 20th HS reunion. We talked all weekend. That was over 12 years ago and I haven’t heard from him. Of all my boyfriends, he’s the ONLY one I ever had any interest in following up on.
And no Edie, I WILL NOT give you a name!
And no Edie, I WILL NOT give you a name!
LOL I wouldn’t have asked. Honest.
Good morning everyone, thanks for the lovely welcome!
Margaret,
Hope you get a chance to check out the books!
I recently went to an event where I ran into a ton of high school friends (which spawned this post) and I was shocked how many people had reconnected on facebook. And I think we all have those “wish” guys from the past, LOL. I ran into one of mine recently and realized I’d done pretty well with hubby.
Edie,
Thanks again for having me and congrats to you for the great showing in AT (I was rooting for you!). I’ve googled my share of old boyfiends, too. Most of them didn’t have much. Glad to hook you with Scottish Warriors, LOL.
Lori,
I’m so with you, I really resisted Twilight, too, and was sucked in big time. It seemed so “not me,” but boy I was wrong.
Hey Keri–good to “see” you again.
How fun that you met your hubby in high school–you are one of those people I “awww” over. 
I think you bring up an interesting point about picking guys that are so not right for us–I did the same thing. I think it’s part of the process. Each of those guys led me to the right guy. But boy I had some doozies along the way. And thanks for the good words about the books–glad you liked Duncan, too.
Lee,
So well said! I completely agree about that first love staying with us. Sorry to hear that your marriage didn’t work out, but I think it’s wonderful that you have such lovely perspective. I recently had contact with my first love and so many of those fond feelings came back. We probably would never have worked out, but as you said it definitely set the tone for my relationships to come and shaped me forever.
Kimber,
Hope you get a chance to check out the books! How cool that you ended up marrying your first love–and what a nice thing to be able to say after 15 years of marriage.
Hey Carolyn,
Hope to see you at Saturday’s meeting? I used to be pretty good about keeping in touch with my old boyfriends, but in the past 10 years I feel like I’ve lost touch with most of them. I don’t think I have any “bad” feelings toward any of them, which I guess is pretty good. So your a team Jacob guy? I liked him much better in the book (where he’s over 6′5″ and muscly)–the actor who plays him in the movie is too short. Since I’m 5′9″ I think about these things, LOL.
Cyndi,
Hope you get a chance to check out the books (and thanks to Keri for the badgering, LOL). How funny that you were able to come up with so much info–like I said earlier, most of the guys I dated didn’t have much info online. I hung out with my ex quite a bit at the party I mentioned, it’s always fun to reconnect.
Hey Moncia, so great having you at Magical! And I had to smile, I LOVE the Twilight series too. I’m on the third book now, and can’t wait to read the fourth. My daughter told me about them, and I’m so glad she did. The stories are fresh, and I agree about the first love concept being a major draw.
Nope, I haven’t looked up old boyfriends. Unfortunately, my first tip-toe into romance was with the wrong guy for me. I eventually woke up, and the rest is history. While I met my hubby when I was young, reconnecting after high school was perfect timing for both of us. I believe in serendipity and our lives reflect that. It’s all in the timing.
Hi Monica,
I’m the crazy lady who bought your first book when I saw your husband played for the Red Sox. However, I spent all of last month reading all of your books one right after the other in anticipation of the new book. I loved them all espcially because of the intense conflicts, the conflict in HIGHLAND SCOUNDREL was stellar. Usually I can take sides with either the H/H but i felt the angst of this couple. Great conflict!! So what are you now working on. BTW do you get the Highlander Magazine? There was a good article on the Clan Wars of the Lamonts/Campbells of 1646. Interesting reading, especially after your book.
As to old BF, being an outsider in high school, my puppy love was from afar. But I do keep track of old crushes and well I am quite happy with my husband of 36 years who keeps our life together an adventure.
HEY MONICA,
SO FUNNY THAT THIS IS YOUR TOPIC, I RECENTLY HAVE GOTTEN ON FACE BOOK AND DID LOOK UP MY FIRST LOVE. I KNOW NOTHING WOULD HAVE WORK OUT (IF I ONLY KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW!) HE WASN’T ON THERE WHICH IS PROBABLY A GOOD THING. I HAVE NOT READ TWIGHLIGHT YET (I’M OBSESSED RIGHT NOW WITH HISTORICAL ROMANCES, I REALLY NEED TO BRANCH OUT) BUT I HAVE A FRIEND THAT GAVE ME A COPY AND IS BEGGING ME TO READ IT. WILL HAVE TO GIVE IT A TRY.
ALSO I HAVE READ ALL OF MONICA’S BOOKS AND THEY ARE ALL WONDERFUL!
Donny? Did someone mention Donny? He wrote Puppy Love just for me yanno!
Congrats on the NYT!
LaDonna,
Thank you for having me! You are in for a treat with #4. I was able to download it to my kindle from her website which was really cool. It’s basically twilight from Edward’s POV. And you are so right about timing. I was having that conversation recently with a girlfriend.
Hey Jody,
I’m so glad you enjoyed the books, and thanks for the nice words about Scoundrel. I’m working on a new Scottish series that I’m SUPER excited about–I’ll be posting more info on my website soon. I don’t get Highlander magazine, but I’ll have to check that out. How cool that they had an article about the Lamont/Campbell feud that I spun off of for WARRIOR. Wonder if it’s online? Congrats on the 36 years–that’s awesome.
So not crazy, I’ve had quite a few pick up the books for that reason–especially new englanders.
Hey Anna,
Too funny–great minds. You definitely have to check out Twilight, I think most romance readers will really enjoy it. But be forewarned, they are highly addicting, LOL. Thanks for the props.
Hey Ms. Karin,
Thanks for the congrats. I did love that Donny. He’s still pretty cute.
Hi Monica,
Congrats on “Highland Scoundrel” debuting at #23 on the NYT list. For some reason first loves remind me of innocence and something pure. I’ve haven’t given in to the temptation and Googled any of my exes. I haven’t read or seen “Twilight.”
Hey Jane,
Thanks for the congrats, it was all VERY exciting. I’m so with you on first love reminding me of something innocent and pure. It feels so uncomplicated. You have more control than I do, LOL. But seriously, give Twilight a try.
I have googled an old boyfriend and yes, I really do have fond memories of my first love. He was a great guy and I was lucky to have him as my first love.
Monica~ Your books look amazing and I would love to be entered.
Congratulations on your latest release and making the #23 spot. That’s something to be proud of. Love that cover! I’m thinking it’s going to jump into many readers hands when they see it on the shelf.
I’ve never googled an old boyfriend and I don’t really have fond memories of my first boyfriend. I’m glad he got away because I ended up with the best husband a girl could ever have. Or, at least I think so. lol
Hi Lori,
I have great memories, too. I also was fortunate in my first. Hope you get a chance to check out the book/series.
Thanks, Kammie–it was really exciting. And I’ve been so lucky with my covers. Definite cover god working (let’s hope you are right about them jumping off the shelves, LOL). You guys that haven’t googled have much better restraint than I do.
And P.S. I hope your husband sees your nice comment about him. 
Thanks to everyone for having me here today…off to bed!
So what about you…ever googled an old boyfriend? Do you have fond memories of your first love? Are you a Twilight devotee?
Oh yeah, totally did the Googling on old crushes from high school/ex-boyfriends. (GAH! Thought I got all that stalkerish, drive-by-his-house-just-to-see-what-it-looks-like business back in high school)!
Definitely not a TWILIGHT devotee, though I thought Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson made for an exceptionally sultry brooding onscreen couple. (Guess there’s a bit of a cougar in me too, ’cause I can totally see basing the next boy in any YA romance on RP’s physical appearance).
Man, you just brought back memories. My first love in highschool … Bruce. (sigh) We reconnected about three years after highschool and dated for awhile. Too bad the reality didn’t live up to the daydreams. That special click just wasn’t there. Still, we had a lot of fun together and I still run into him ‘pon occasion. Maybe I’ll google him just to see what comes up.
Great blog, Monica. Thanx for joining us here at MM.
*doin’ happy dance* YAY! I won!
Thanks for a great blog, Monica. And your book looks fantastic, you must be floating on air to have hit the Times list!
I don’t have great memories of my exes. But I don’t have many, because I met hubby when I was 19. We’re still together 19 years later, so that means we’ve been together half my life. And we’re still happy
.
Finally, congrats Margaret.
I know, I’m too late to win the prize (always late to the party!), but I wanted to say congrats on making the NYT! And I so enjoy first love stories–I’ll definitely be picking this one up!