Catherine Mann Interview

A lot of your books feature "Men in Uniform" what made you decide to focus on PJ's for the Elite Forces series?

I had been churning around the idea for a few years. In fact, I had a PJ hero in one of my Wingmen Warrior books – FULLY ENGAGED. Once the timing and opportunity came around to showcase these unsung heroes, I was ready to roll!

Did you have to do a lot of research into search and rescue procedures for the Elite Forces series?

Absolutely! Air Force pararescue jumpers carry out their rescues in so many different realms – mountain, water, land. They work in not only combat settings but also assisting when needed in civilian operations. And on top of all that, they are fully trained medics. Truly an “elite force,” there are only about 350 of them in the world.

Do you know how many books will be in this series?

I’m currently working on the 4th “Elite Force” book, tentatively titled, FREE FALL.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I used to be a strict plotter, but I’m becoming more of a pantser.

What is your writing routine? Do you write every day?

I set weekly page count goals. That allows me more flexibility. Some days I may work 18 hours in order to take the next day off. I also write slower at the start of a book, needing more time for the characters to gel in my mind. I may take an hour to call my critique partner – Harlequin Blaze/Historical author Joanne Rock – to brainstorm. Then the last ½ of the book becomes very intense, long writing hours every day.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Lori Foster, Lisa Gardner, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Teresa Medeiros, Suzanne Brockmann, Sarah Addison Allen, Jill Shalvis…. I could go on and on. I read a lot!

I know you are very active with the Humane Society and foster many animals, how did you get started fostering?

We have always been supporters of our local animal shelters and all of our pets have been adopted from the Humane Society. But as for fostering – my son needed a service project for his church confirmation, so we opted for fostering a litter of motherless puppies until they were old enough for adoption. We thought it would be a one-time deal, but the experience totally hooked us. We’ve now fostered over 50 puppies and special needs dogs, and I serve on my local shelter’s Board of Directors.

How many animals do you have?

We have three dogs and a cat (who thinks he’s a dog.)

I have a feeling that we will be seeing more of Rachel Flores and her rescue dog Disco in upcoming books.

Do you often add animals to your storylines?

Yes, Rachel and Disco will be featured in the next “Elite Force” book UNDER FIRE coming out in May – thanks for asking! Animals do have a way of showing up in my books, but then animals are such a part of the fabric of our family life, it seems natural to me that they would be a part of my characters’ lives. I also have two novellas coming up in 2012 that will feature animals even more prominently. (An anthology in June with Lori Foster and another anthology in November with Vicki Lewis Thompson.) And yes, we will still have military hero hotties as well!

It's the New Year, so I have to ask the obvious questions. What are you looking forward to in 2012?

I’m looking forward to attending Lori Foster’s Reader/Author Get Together in June in Cincinnati, Ohio. While the internet is awesome, I thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to visit with readers face to face.

Did you make any New Year's Resolutions?

I’m determined to exercise more, beyond walking my dogs. So far, I’m loving the elliptical machine and yoga classes.

Author Bio:
USA Today bestseller Catherine Mann writes military romantic suspense for Sourcebooks and Berkley, as well as steamy romance for Harlequin Desire. She lives in Florida with her military flyboy husband and their four children. Check out her website http://catherinemann.com/ FMI on her upcoming books: PROTECTOR (March), HONORABLE INTENTIONS (April) and UNDER FIRE (May.)

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