Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Today's Special - - Kat Martin


Today, we welcome back a Dish favorite, Romantic Suspense author Kat Martin!

New York Times bestselling author Kat Martin is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara where she majored in Anthropology and also studied History.   Before she started writing in 1985, Kat was a real estate broker.  During that time she met her husband, L.J. Martin, author of thirty western, non-fiction, historical, and suspense novels.  A resident of Missoula, Montana, Kat and her husband spend their winters in Ventura, California.  She is a currently writing her next Romantic Suspense.

With fifty five novels to her credit and more than fifteen million copies of her books in print, Ms. Martin has been published in twenty-one foreign countries including France, Japan, Greece, Argentina, Russia, Sweden, Turkey, China, and Spain.






AGAINST THE MARK

For AGAINST THE MARK, my newest Romantic Suspense, out the end of August, my husband and I headed for Los Angeles, more specifically to Marina Del Rey.  That’s where the heroine, Haley Warren’s father is killed in a power boat explosion.  Though we live in Montana, we spend our winters on the California coast so we didn’t have far to travel. 

In the story, private investigator Tyler Brodie--you met Ty in AGAINST THE NIGHT with Johnnie Riggs, and also in AGAINST THE EDGE with Ben Slocum.  When Ty agrees to help hot little blond Haley Warren find out the truth about her father’s death, he doesn’t realize the danger he and Haley are going to find themselves in.

After all, tens of millions of dollars worth of stolen art is plenty of motive for murder. Besides a trip to the marina, which is surrounded by condos, restaurants, businesses, and shopping, we also drove the Miracle Mile, also known as Gallery Row, the location of the L.A. County Museum of Art and a number of other wonderful art galleries. 

Investigating the settings, going to the galleries, restaurants, and staying in hotels in the area, makes the book feel more real--and hey, it’s also a lot of fun.

I hope you’ll watch for Ty and Haley in AGAINST THE MARK, the ninth book in the series.  And that next year, you’ll look for Ty’s cousins’s, the Brodie brothers, starting with Dylan Brodie in AGAINST THE WILD.

Tell me, what is your favorite LA hot spot?  If you've never been to LA, tell us about a favorite hot spot / hangout where you live!

Till then happy reading and have a great summer.   Kat 

Kat is giving away one copy of AGAINST THE MARK to a randomly chosen person who leaves a comment today.  (U.S. address only)   


P.S. Visit my website www.katmartin.com. Or join my Facebook page.  


The perfect murder is a work of art ...

In one catastrophic instant, Haley Warren's estranged father was taken from her. She never got the chance to reconnect with him, so now she's doing it the only way she's got left: by proving the explosion that killed him was no accident.

When Tyler Brodie, the provocative and handsome P.I. hired by Haley, discovers that her father was investigating a suspected art theft, he knows his death is no coincidence. After all, tens of millions of dollars worth of stolen art could motivate a thief to go to any lengths including getting rid of anyone poking around where they don't belong.

As Haley and Ty get closer to the truth, the truth gets ugly: Did Haley's dad know too much …or was he in on the take? And although Ty's a consummate professional, he's having trouble focusing on the facts of the case, and not the figure of his gorgeous client. The two are determined to get to the bottom of the case, even if it means they die trying.


Excerpt #1
Against the Mark, by Kat Martin

“I’ve got another client for you.  Tyler Brodie, I’d like you to meet my grandniece, Haley Warren.  Haley’s out here from Chicago.  Her grandmother was my sister.”
Just to regain a little of his dignity, Ty let his gaze roam over her, starting at the frosted-pink toenails peeking out of strappy high-heeled, open-toed sandals, sliding up a pair of long legs in snug fitting jeans, across that bare midriff with its glittering bellybutton ring over a set of nicely rounded breasts to a pretty face framed by long, softly curling honey blond hair. 
She had big blue eyes, and an Angelina Jolie mouth that made him think of dirty sex.  Maybe she read his thoughts for a faint blush rose in her cheeks.
Good.  A little payback only seemed fair. 
Besides, she was a real pleasure to look at.  Not beautiful in the classic sense like some of the women he knew, but with those dimples and big blue eyes, she was way beyond cute.
“Nice to meet you, Ms. Warren.”
The smile was gone and she assessed him coolly.  “Aunt Ellie tells me you’re a friend, as well as an investigator.”
“I like to think that’s true.”
“Of course it’s true,” Ellie said.  “That’s why I know we can count on Ty to help us.”
Wariness slid through him.  Ellie had a way of bringing him clients who were nothing but trouble.  “How’s that?”
“Well, you see, three months ago Haley’s father died when his power boat exploded.”
“I’m sorry for your loss,” he said to her.
Grief flashed in her eyes an instant before she glanced away.  “Thank you.”   
“At the time everyone thought it was an accident,” Ellie continued, “a gas leak of some kind that turned deadly.  Haley’s stepmother doesn’t believe it.  About a month ago, Betty Jean started emailing Haley, trying to convince her to come to Los Angeles and help her find out the truth.”
Ty focused on the leggy blonde.  “And you think she’s right because...?”
“I don’t know if she’s right or not.  I’ve never met her.  Before he died, my father and I had been estranged for nearly five years, ever since he left my mother and ran off with another woman.”
“Betty Jean,” he said, just to make sure he was getting this straight.
“That’s right.  After he moved to L.A., Dad tried to mend our relationship, but I just...I couldn’t get past his desertion.”  She glanced down and her eyes misted.  “Now my father’s gone.”
Ty nodded, beginning to get the picture.  “So your dad’s dead and you regret not mending your fences.”
“Yes, I do.  Very much.  But the thing is, some of the things Betty Jean says make sense.  I owe it to my father to find out what really happened.”
He flicked a glance at Ellie, whose features looked a little too bland to suit him.  “I take it you’re here to convince me to help her.”
“That’s right.  You know how good you are at these things, Tyler.  Johnnie’s out of town on some case or other.  And Haley will be helping you.  That’ll save you from having to do everything by yourself.”
Haley would be helping him.  He could think of any number of things he’d like her to do for him, but none of them had anything to do with business.  The fact was Haley Warren was Ellie’s niece.  Seducing her probably wasn’t a good idea.
“Have you talked to the police?”
“Betty Jean has,” Haley answered.  “The police said there was nothing to indicate any sort of foul play.  But my stepmother isn’t convinced and if she’s right--“
“I’ll tell you what.  I’ll look into the circumstances of the accident, see if anything looks suspicious.  I’ve got friends in the department.  If something’s not right, I’ll talk to them myself.”
Haley reached over and caught his arm.  He felt a little zing of awareness and figured she must have felt it too since she stepped back as if she’d been burned. 
She glanced away, took a deep breath and forced her eyes back to his face.  “I want to be involved in this, Mr. Brodie.  I need to find out for myself.  I owe it to my father to find out the truth.”

26 comments:

  1. Congrats to Kat on the new release. I love to go to the small cafes and bakeries where the food is delicious and affordable.

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    1. I have a fondness for small cafes and bakeries too, Jane. It's nice living in a city again where I have access to them.

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  2. Congratulations and best wishes. When I go out with a friend for tea or a latte it is at a cozy neighborhood cafe where they have the most delectable treats and the tastiest confections.

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    1. Neighborhood cafes seem to be a theme here. *grin*

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  3. Congratulations on your new release, Kat. Our family has a lovely getaway condo at the beach in California. The only thing we have had trouble finding is a nice family oriented breakfast place. Until this last week end! My DH finally found a terrific family run place that is excellent. We've only tried it once buy I know that we will be back!

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  4. I forgot to tell you the name! It's Café Amri in Oxnard, California and they are famous for their Cinnamon Rolls!

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    1. It sounds delightful. I do love good cinnamon rolls!

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    2. we spend our winters in Ventura-- that's just down the road. Can't wait to give Cafe Amiri a try! You might try Mrs. Olsens down on at the beach. no reservations, though, so breakfast is a bit of a wait, but the scenery is great! kat

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  5. Never been to LA, but would love to! Our favorite getaway is going to the mountains in North Georgia. I rarely get to go anywhere because I raise horses and its hard to find good help to take care of them. That's why I read so much! I love this series and can't wait to read Against the Mark. Thanks Kat for all you do!

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    1. Lots of lovely little towns in the North Georgia mountains. It's a great area to explore.

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    2. wow, I'd love to go there. never been much in Georgia.

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  6. I'm unfamiliar with LA. One of our favorite places to visit is Madison, Wisconsin. Beautiful hiking trails, gardens, parks, a zoo, museums, State Street with it's ethnic restaurants, The State Capitol, farm market on the Square, art galleries, breweries, bars, swimming, biking, The Memorial Union Terrace with free music overlooking Lake Mendota, concerts, classes and sporting events. Madison has it all!

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    1. It sure sounds like Madison does have it all! :)

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  7. I have never been to LA but I hope to visit someday in the future. It has been a while since I have been to a hot spot but I do enjoy going to the beach and having a nice seafood dinner.

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    1. Fresh seafood at the beach can't be beat. Unless, of course, you have a cold margarita and a great book to go along with it! *grin*

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  8. I have never been to LA, but I have lived in Houston (another large metropolitan area!) for many years. The best hot spot is the little local eatery and all are usually good.

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    1. Whenever I visit a new city, I always look for the small eateries where the locals eat. They're usually the best around!

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  9. Hi Kat! Welcome back and congratulations on the new book.

    The only time I visited LA, I was eleven years old so I'm afraid hot spots weren't high on my priority list. ;-) I recently moved to Charlotte, NC and am having fun exploring new places to get together with friends here. One of my favorites is a little French bistro called Cafe Monte. It has an intimate atmosphere, excellent, friendly service, delicious food and some of the best tiramisu I've had.

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    1. PJ-- I love French food. France is my favorite country.

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  10. I loved your last series and am looking forward to this one. I've never been to California sadly. I'm too old for favorite "hot spots" or at least what I think of as a hot spot lol. We spend a lot of time at our American Legion but they do have dances and entertainment and holiday parties!

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  11. Never been to LA so I don't know, but here where I'm at, there is a fun indie, independent coffee shop I like to go and read. Thanks for sharing!

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  12. I think Hot Spot was the wrong word. I'm usually in bed by ten o'clock! I do enjoy a great dinner, though, and am very open to different kinds of foods. Hope you all enjoy Against the Mark! warmest, kat

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  13. I've never been to LA and I guess it makes me sound old, but my favorite place to 'hang out' is at home. I am...and always have been a homebody.

    Marcy Shuler
    bmndshuler(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  14. We drove through LA about 30 years ago, so really have no favorite Hot Spot there. We dot have any Hot Spots here at home, come to think of it. We like to travel and usually find favorite places where we visit. We were in Missoula, MT in July. We spent the night on our way from Glacier National Park to Pierce, Idaho. We went to Hu Hots (I think that was the name of the place) for dinner. We had our 15 year old grandson with us, and this was his first experience with Mongolian Bar-B-Q/stir fry. He loved it. We tried to stop for lunch on our way back through headed to South Dakota 3 days later, but it was closed for repairs. We found our "Hot Spot" and couldn't go back. If we ever get to Missoula, we will try again. If you have any other suggestions since you know the area, let us know. We'll look for them up. We stayed at Ruby's Inn and had one of the best breakfasts on the trip - important when traveling with a 6 foot tall teenage boy who cost a small fortune to feed on the trip. It was our first trip to Montana and we loved it. Glacier is spectacular. We revisited Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, and Rocky Mountain National Parks before getting to Glacier. I'm not sure which our grandson liked best, but for my husband and I it was Glacier.

    Our true Hot Spots tend to be places in Nature that take the breath away and make the heart soar. The West is rich in so many of them. From the pictures I have seen of your house, you live in a beautiful "Hot Spot," quiet though it may be.

    I hope the release of AGAINST THE MARK goes well. I need to catch up with the books in this series I haven't yet read.

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  15. Dodger Stadium - went last Sept for the first time.
    patoct

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  16. Librarypat-- glad you enjoyed our scenic Missoula. We like Johnnie Carinos for family and fun, great Italian food and big portions, not too much money. You are right-- I live in a beautiful "Hot Spot." I'm just hoping we can make it through another fire season without losing or gorgeous forest view. kat

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