Today's Special - - Kat Martin's Beyond Control - - Review/Post/Giveaway

Beyond Control
By Kat Martin
Texas Trilogy - Book 3
Publisher: Zebra
Release Date: May 29, 2018
Reviewed by PJ

Victoria Bradford and her four-year-old daughter are on the run from Tory's abusive ex-fiancé. Seventy miles north of Dallas, the Iron River Ranch is pretty much nowhere, exactly what Josh Cain wanted when he came back from Afghanistan. Big skies, quiet nights, no trouble.

When Tory shows up with her adorable little girl, Josh realizes he is in for trouble of the most personal kind. But Josh has seen trouble before, and he doesn't scare easy. Not when "accidents" start happening around the ranch. Not when Tory's best friend is abducted. Not even when he realizes their troubles are only the tip of the iceberg. 

In Beyond Control, Kat Martin has crafted a compelling tale with edge-of-your-seat suspense, heartfelt romance, emotionally wounded characters, and a life-or-death battle against a charming psychopath with serial killer potential. This story grabbed me from the breath-stealing first scene and kept me glued to the pages until the very end. While their circumstances are different, Tory, her young daughter, and Josh are all survivors, vibrant and real. I felt compassion and affection for all three while Tory's diabolical former fiancé - and abuser - filled me with rage. Kat Martin sure knows how to create a despicable villain. Thankfully, she also knows how to give him the justice he deserves. Josh's innate protectiveness and gentleness toward Tory and her daughter while dealing with their unwanted intrusion into the solitary ranch life he craved after his service as a sniper in Afghanistan endeared him to me and had me hoping the three of them could find a way to be a family...if they lived long enough. 

While some crossover characters make appearances in this book (Josh is the younger half-brother of Lincoln Cain, hero of Book One, Beyond Reason), this third book can easily be enjoyed as a standalone. However, there is a secondary plot in the latter portion of the book that will make more sense and not seem as if it comes out of left field if you've already read the earlier books. All three are fast-paced thrillers, with emotionally satisfying romance, that will have you coming back for more of Kat Martin's outstanding storytelling.

A Message from Kat Martin

A Little Time At The Beach

Everyone loves the beach.  Though I live in Montana, I’m fortune to spend my winters at the beach in sunny California.  My writing space looks out on a boat channel that leads to the harbor so I watch the tide go up and down several times a day.

A bicycle-ride away, a sandy beach slopes down to the water where a frothy tide rolls in and out, the perfect place to talk a stroll at the end of a long day or just dig your toes into the warm gritty sand.

For me, there is no better way to spend an afternoon than lying in the sun on a bright-colored beach towel, straw hat shading your face while you read a delicious, page-turning novel.  The rhythmic curl and tug of the waves is the perfect backdrop, lulling me into the story, shutting out the day-to-day troubles of the world, if only for a little while.

As a writer, lying half-asleep in the sun, listening to the soft rush of the wind and the cry of seagulls, is a great way to get story ideas. 

Too often I get stuck when writing a novel (I refuse to call it writer’s block, which is way too scary).  The beach, I’ve discovered, is a great antidote.

While I was writing the third book in my Texas Trilogy, BEYOND CONTROL, Josh Cain and Victoria Bradford’s story, I found myself unable to figure out how the heroine was going to escape the perilous situation I had put her in.  After several sleepless nights, I took a drive along the beach just a few blocks from my house. 

As I looked at the clear blue ocean stretching endlessly in front of me, my whole body relaxed--a little slice of heaven.  An hour away from the computer, watching the waves crash up on the shore, my creative juices started flowing.  Ideas flashed in my head, some good, some not-so-good, as the next part of Josh and Tory’s story opened up in my mind. 

Hurrying home, I madly began pounding on the keyboard, desperate to get my thoughts down on the page.  The story started moving forward again, and I was even able to get a good night’s sleep! 

So the next time you’re feeling jammed up about something, whether you’re a writer or not, whether you live at the beach or in the desert, the mountains or the city, find a place that lets you breathe, refreshes you and lets you face the world again. 

Have a great summer and happy reading. 

Till next time, Kat

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Readers, what place allows you to breathe, refreshes you, and lets you face the world again? One randomly chosen person posting a comment before 11:00 PM, June 1 will receive a copy of Against the Storm. (U.S. only) (Winner's choice of Nook, Kindle, or Paperback)

Excerpt and Giveaway - - Beyond Danger

PJ, here. I read Beyond Reason, the first book in Kat Martin's Texas Trilogy in one sitting when it was released last spring. I could not put it down and have been looking forward to book two, Beyond Danger ever since. Kat Martin sure knows how to keep me on the edge of my seat! 

Beyond Danger
By Kat Martin
The Texas Trilogy - Book 2
Publisher: Zebra
Release Date: January 30, 2018

Beyond Danger is Beau's story. Mega-rich, black-haired, and blue-eyed, Beau is gorgeous to look at, and flashy. He was an amateur race car driver, sort of a Texas Paul Newman, before he left the racing circuit. Beau loves fast cars and fast women.

He is also wanted for murder.

That's where private investigator, Cassidy Jones, comes in.

She's smart and she's no pushover, exactly the woman for Beau. Best of all, she's determined to prove his innocence. 

BEYOND DANGER by Kat Martin

“Kat Martin’s Texas Trilogy returns with a gripping new romantic suspense novel featuring Beau Reese and Cassidy Jones. This dynamic duo embarks on a fascinating journey to solve a high-profile crime in Texas. Cutting edge and incredibly thrilling, Martin once again proves she’s a romantic suspense mastermind! Book two, BEYOND DANGER, is compelling with unexpected twists. Long-time fans of Kat Martin will not be disappointed!”- RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars

      

Excerpt

Beyond Danger

Pleasant Hill, Texas

Beau could hardly believe it.  His father was sixty years old!  The girl sitting across from him in a booth at the café looked like a very pregnant teenager.

“Everything’s going to be okay, Missy,” Beau Reese said.  “You don’t have to worry about anything from now on.“

Missy sniffed back tears.  “I thought he loved me.”

Fat chance of that, Beau thought.  His dad had never loved anyone but himself. 

Running a hand over his wavy black hair, Beau took a steadying breath.  He had always wanted a sibling.  Now at the age of thirty five, he was finally going to have one. 

He felt a surge of protectiveness toward the young woman carrying his father’s child.  Hell, he was worth more than half a billion dollars.  He would see the baby girl had everything she ever wanted.

When Missy’s lips trembled, her mother scooted out of the booth.  “I think she’s had enough for today.  I don’t want her getting overly tired.” 

Beau got up, too, leaned over and brushed a kiss on Missy’s cheek.  “If you need anything, call me.  Okay?”

Missy swallowed.  “Okay.” 

Leaving money on the table for the coffee, he followed the women out the door.  By the time he climbed out of his Ferrari in front of his father’s house and pushed through the front door, his temper had reached the boiling point.

“Dad!  It’s Beau!  Where are you?”  He strode down the hall toward the study.  “Dad!”  Still no answer.  Steeling himself for the confrontation ahead, he shoved open the door.

His father wasn’t sitting behind his big rosewood desk or in his favorite chair.  Beau started to turn away when an odd gurgling sound sent the hairs up on the back of his neck. 

“Dad!”  Beau spotted his father lying on the floor in a spreading pool of blood.  The handle of a letter opener protruded from the middle of his chest. 

“Dad!”  Blood oozed from the wound and streamed onto the hardwood floor.  Beau had to stop the bleeding and he had to do it now.

Praying he wouldn’t make it worse and with no other options, he grabbed the handle of the letter opener and jerked it out. 

“Oh, my God!  What are you--” 

His father’s personal assistant, Cassidy Jones, stood in the doorway.  “Call 9-1-1!” Beau shouted as he worked to stop the flow of blood.  “Hurry, he’s been stabbed!”

The shapely brunette didn’t pause, just pulled out her cell and dialed the emergency number.  Beau’s hand shook as he checked for a pulse, found none.  The stab wound was catastrophic.  No way could his father survive it.

And when he looked at Cassidy Jones, he realized she thought he was the man who had done him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Are you reading Kat Martin's Texas Trilogy? 

Have you read any of her other books? 

One person who leaves a comment on today's post will receive 

a copy of Into the Fury. U.S. only

Purchase Beyond Danger at:

Amazon

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Review, Excerpt & Giveaway - - Beyond Reason

Beyond Reason
By Kat Martin
The Texas Trilogy - Book 1
Publisher: Zebra
Release Date: May 30, 2017
Reviewed by PJ
 

She’s determined to be successful--no matter

who tries to stop her

Someone is willing to kill for control of Drake Trucking, a well-respected firm now run by a woman named Carly Drake.  Big money is involved.  And very big danger.

Multi-millionaire Lincoln Cain is determined to keep the promise he made her grandfather, the man who helped him change his life after he got out of prison.  Cain has vowed to protect Carly, no matter what it takes.

Unfortunately, the only way to keep her safe is to keep her close--and fight like crazy.

After several years as an international flight attendant, Carly returns home to Texas, determined to save her grandfather's successful trucking company which is inexplicably on the brink of bankruptcy following his death. Carly has learned over the years that the only person she can count on is herself. Her grandfather taught her to be strong and independent and she's not about to hand Drake Trucking to Lincoln Cain, no matter how sexy he his, or to a drug lord no matter how insistent and dangerous he is. She's in for the fight of her life.

Lincoln Cain is the quintessential bad boy made good and owes his success to the second chance he was given by Carly's grandfather which is why he promised the man he'd look after Carly after his death. He expected a pampered, sophisticated woman who would eagerly take his money for her grandfather's company and return to big city life. What he discovers is a woman who isn't afraid to get her hands dirty, will fight with her last breath to save her grandfather's legacy and protect those she loves, and isn't impressed by his money or power. His heart could be in real trouble with this one. 

I'm all in for this sexy, action-packed new trilogy from Kat Martin. Set in Texas, Beyond Reason hits the ground running and never lets up. I couldn't read it fast enough. Carly and Linc are fully dimensional, vibrant characters who leap from the pages. Their chemistry sizzles even as they butt heads and battle bad guys but it's their vulnerable hearts beneath the bravado that won me over. There's an intriguing cast of secondary characters, some truly scary (and realistic) bad guys, plenty of action, and a little boy who captured their hearts and mine. 

All I can say after finishing the exciting Beyond Reason is bring on book two!

Exclusive Excerpt

(Chapter 14, 645 words)

It was Thursday morning.  Carly sat across from Linc at the round oak breakfast table in his sunny kitchen, both of them drinking coffee as if they just a normal couple on any normal morning. 

As if time weren’t ticking away, danger pressing in from all sides, getting closer by the minute. 

Through the window, beyond a small courtyard with a fountain in the middle, she could see horses playfully running through a grassy pasture.  It was so peaceful here.  No wonder Linc loved it. 

After their conversation with the Grangers yesterday, they’d had supper at an elegant but quiet Dallas restaurant called the Abbey, then they’d returned to the ranch, and Linc had taken her straight to bed.  The man was practically insatiable and when she was with him, so was she.

Now it was morning and they both had things to do.  She needed to go into her office.  She’d been working on her laptop, getting a few things done, but she needed to pay bills and appease creditors, which meant she needed the loan Linc had promised her. 

Damn, she hated to bring it up.  Having just climbed out of his bed, it felt a little like selling herself.

“What’s troubling that mind of yours this morning?” he asked.  “I can almost see your brain spinning around.”

Carly sighed.  “I’ve got to go into work.  I’ve missed too much time this week already.  You said my pickup’s in one of the garages.  You wouldn’t have to drive me.”

Linc took a sip of the rich, freshly brewed dark coffee, and set his mug back down on the table.  An empty plate that had held a toasted bagel, bacon, and some scrambled eggs sat next to it, along with an empty glass of orange juice. 

“I thought maybe you were thinking about that loan I promised you,” he said.  “You’ll find the paperwork at your office when get there.  Sign the documents, and the check will be deposited in whatever account you want this afternoon.”

How did he do that?  Practically read her mind.  Or maybe it was her face.  She’d bet he was great at poker.

“You’ll pay it back,” he said, still tuned into her thoughts.  “Just keep doing what you have been and it’ll all come together.”

“I hope you’re right.”  Dressed in stretch jeans and a crisp white cotton blouse, she grabbed her purse off the counter.  I’ve got to get going.  If you could just open the garage door so I could get my--“

“Your truck should show up out front any minute.”

Carly flicked him a glance.  Slinging the strap of her purse over her shoulder, she started walking.  Linc came up behind her as she stepped into the entry and pulled open the door. 

“There’s someone in the passenger seat,” she said.  “What’s going on?”

“That’s good ol’ Frank.  Ross says he’s very good at his job.  Says he was having an off night the evening of your little run-in at the Stop and Shop.  I don’t think he’ll let his guard down again.”

“What, he’s my bodyguard?”

“You haven’t forgotten our deal?  I told you I’d insist on personal protection.  I wasn’t talking about condoms.”

If she wasn’t semi-pissed, she would have laughed.  “What’s he going to do all day while I’m working?”

“His job.  Which is making sure no one tries to abduct you again or shoot you.”

Her shoulders slumped.  Hard to argue with that.  “All right, fine.  I’ll take good ol’ Frank with me.”  She started for the door.

“There’s one more thing.”

She turned back.  “What’s that?”

“You forgot to kiss me good-bye.”

Her eyes widened.  “Seriously?”

His sexy mouth edged up.  “Seriously.”

Something melted inside her.  She walked back to him, went up on her toes and pressed a soft kiss on his lips.  “Bye, Linc.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Do you enjoy reformed bad boys?

Do you like a heroine who goes toe-to-toe with the hero?

What book is on your reading radar this week?

One randomly chosen person who leaves a comment before 11:00 PM (Eastern), June 13 will receive one of Kat's books. (U.S. only)