He knows what goes on in the dark.
She’s got the face of an angel and the body of…well, isn’t that what he’d expect from an exotic dancer? But there’s something about this girl that Johnnie Riggs can’t shake. The former army ranger is hot on the trail of an elusive drug lord—and suddenly very hot under the collar, as well.
Amy’s got her own agenda to pursue: her sister is missing and Amy seems to be the only one who cares. She’ll enlist Johnnie’s help and do her best to ignore her growing attraction to finally get some answers. But when the two trails begin to converge and reveal something even more sinister than they imagined, their mutual desire is the least of their problems. They’ll bring the truth to light…or die trying.
~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
I’ve always loved to travel. I was fortunate to marry a man who enjoyed seeing the world as much as I did…or maybe being adventurous was an unspoken quality I was looking for in a man.
I especially love Europe. I’ve been to England, of course, since back then I was writing historicals set in the Regency and Victorian periods. I’ve also been to France, Spain, Austria, Germany, Italy, the Chech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, Scotland, the Caribbean, and miscellaneous places I can barely recall.
On a cruise we took to Mexico a few years back with twenty-five other authors and six hundred and fifty readers (Wow! Was that fun!), one of the stops we made was in Belize.
I mention this particularly because I used my experiences in Belize when I was writing AGAINST THE NIGHT, my newest AGAINST novel, released the end of February.
Our ship anchored offshore and we took a launch boat to the mainland. We spent the hundred degree, ninety percent humidity day with a couple of our favorite friends, Kathleen and Michael Gear, the anthropologist/archeologists who write the PEOPLE books set 10,000 years ago.
The heat was unbelievable! And unbearable! I had never experienced anything like it and hope I never do again. But the tropical landscape and the people who live there left a lasting imprint on my mind that I was able to use when I was writing AGAINST THE NIGHT.
I did, however, leave out the part about our trip to a non-tourist, locals restaurant where we ordered native food (the Gears insisted, though there was no air conditioning and it must have been a hundred and twenty degrees inside! I’ll pay them back for that someday.)
At any rate, we wanted to eat local cooking so we ordered capybara, a meat and rice dish that tasted pretty good but was spicy and hot, like everything else. The bad news was, it turns out a capybara is the largest rodent in the world! A rat about two feet long!
Oh, yeah. We ate it and never forgot the experience.
So you can see where the adventures you have in life make great fodder for stories.
Lots of authors use a journal. I think it’s a great idea. Or just keep a few photos, anything that reminds you of the experiences you had when you were there. And it doesn’t really matter where you go. Anyplace can bring you excitement, adventure, or just simple insight into a place different from where you live.
Along with the memories I had of Belize, I did research on the country, even used Google Earth to give me a fresh look at the tropical landscape I describe in AGAINST THE NIGHT.
It’s Johnnie Riggs’ story, an ex-Army Ranger turn P.I whose specialty is the underbelly of the city. In a place called the Kitty Cat Club where he’s working on an assignment, Johnnie first spots Angel Fontaine, a petite blond exotic dancer.
From the moment he sees her, Johnnie wants her in his bed. The problem is that Angel Fontaine is really Amy Brewer, a kindergarten teacher from Michigan, a young woman risking her life to find her missing sister, whose job she has taken in the club.
I hope you’ll watch for AGAINST THE NIGHT and that you enjoy it. After that, AGAINST THE SUN, with Jake Cantrell and Sage Dumont, will be out the end of May.
Till then, all best and happy reading. Warmest, Kat
~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
For a chance to win Against the Night (paperback, Kindle, or Nook format) just leave a comment below. Good luck! 😀
*Giveaway is sponsored by the author
I love when author’s use their own experiences in their work! You’ve been to some amazing places. We are currently stationed in Germany which has been an experience, especially since we live within the German community rather than on the Army base. The language barrier makes it difficult but our neighbor’s are sweet! 🙂 We are taking a week long trip to Italy over Spring Break, we are so excited about that! Our 9 year old loves living here and sight seeing as much as my husband and I do! This book sounds great but you can’t go wrong with an ex Army Ranger (I love my Soldier)!! 🙂 I’m going to have to check out the rest of this series now!! Thanks for the chance to win!!
Talk about removing someone from their comfort zone, you really left Amy/Angel to sink or swim!
Johnnie sounds like a man who can face fear and tackle any job easily. It’ll be interesting to see how Angel handles Johnnie!
I’ve never been any where exotic. I’m looking forward to viewing it through your eyes Kat.
OMG, I do love to travel… but haven’t for years… This sounds great…
Thanks for the opportunity to read another amazing book. Even if I don’t win, I will definetly be getting this series. I wish I could travel the world. I have some places on my bucket list. Your travels sound like an amazing time.
I would love to read this book.
Love this post. Kat Martin is a new author and I’m going to add it to my TBR. We don’t get to travel much but I love reading about different places.
I love to travel. There are so many places I want to see. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. It sounds very good. Tore923@aol.com
2′ long rat? Wouldn’t that be considered a opossum? Yikes.
Sounds like a great story… can’t wait to read it!!!
Lol you still have to come to Holland then! Lovely blogpost.
Hi, Ya’ll! Lots of readers from other countries. I love to travel. sometimes it can be more work than fun….but the memories are always worth it. I’ve been to Holland…love it!! been to Germany 3 times…Bavarian roast pork OMG Planning to go back to Italy next year. hope you all enjoy Against the Night! very best, kat
I love travel of course! The problem is just the money. 😀
I love to go to Italy (Milan, Rome and Venezia), Japan, Taiwan, and many parts of China.
I love to see historical places..
But of course I prefer to travel with family or friends, because the great places are missing if only to be enjoyed alone.. 😀
I have read all the books in this series, along with past books. Love the characters and stories. Putting past experiences, travel or events, seems to make the book more personal and we, the readers, enjoy the experience too. Please put my name in the pot to win. Thanks for the giveaway.
I have not travelled much, but there are a few places I am looking forward to going to one day… Your book sounds like another great read from you!
I haven’t traveled much but have enjoyed the little I have. I love Portland OR and Amelia Island FL. So I’ve covered the coasts ;).
Hi
I like to travel however it does not seem like I have been many places – need to fix that. Great post about your travel experiences.
I have read the first 3 in the Against series and really enjoy them. Looking forward to picking up the 4th and 5th.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Pam
I love to travel, thought the past 7 years becasue of finances and health of my parents, I have not traveled very far away from home.. But now with my parents both gone and thing letting up a bit, maybe the time has come.. We shall see.. There are a couple of things I want to do this year, acouple of Author meet and greets I want to attend, but have not be able to.. Maybe this year is the time..
I love Kat Martin’s books. I love this series. I would also love to win and read this book. Thanks for the giveaway. I love the Raines Brothers and their friends. Very sexy men, with gorgeous woman, and great love stories. What more could you ask for? Some great sex scenes?
Great recommendations by the readers on this blog! Added Kat to my TBR list. Always love finding a new author!
I used to travel every year, but I’ve never taken a cruise – one with authors would be a wonderful idea. But I’d rather read about those hot humid places than wilt thru it. So I’ll count on Kat to provide the varcarious experience.
I have always loved your historical romances and would love to try a contemporary. Please enter me in your drawing. Thank you for this opportunity.
I love to travel. I only wish I had the money to go all the places that I want to see.
Have never wanted to travel.
I do enjoy your books!
LOVE to travel! We just recieved our passports today in the mail! heading to Cancun for my nephews wedding! can’t wait! love your books!
I love to travel and have been to England, Scotland, Cozumel on cruise, Las Vegas. cruise up St Lawrence with Canadian and US stops, and more. My back now prevents my traveling and I do miss it. Have pics and part are in book so I can look back and remember the great places we went.
Can’t wait to read Against the Night which is on my wish list. I read first 2 books.
Thanks for stopping by to chat and share with us. Would love to win. Thanks
Congrats to Kat on the new release. I love the Against series and can’t wait to read “Against the Night.”
I have read all your Against books. I can’t wait for this next one to come out. I will be getting it as soon as I can. I know our WalMart store has it in. I saw it in the backroom waiting to be put out. (I work there and stock the books from time to time. So I can tell you for sure it will be out as soon as I get to them.) I just recently got Hot Rain. Will be starting that as soon as I am finished with my other book I promised a review on. Thanks for the contest!
I have not traveled much, but I would love to. I get alot of exprience just traveling instate.(Alaska).
I have traveled extensively in my own country, but not the world yet. Spicy Rat huh??
Great video! So looking forward to the continuation of the Against series. Love to travel, wish we could do more of it, but hubby’s job makes it hard to get us away! Hoping this will change.
Wow! what a cool bunch of comments! Some of you are travelers, some not. All of us as readers get to experience the world and the people in it. I sure hope you enjoy Johnnie and Amy’s adventures…and I’m with you on the hot climate. No, no, no! love ya, kat
I enjoyed your post. The book sounds very interesting. I also like to travel.
Thanks for the giveaway. I am so excited about this book! I wish I had tons of money so I could travel all over the world!
I would love to travel and hope to do so some day.
Great post. There are many plays I would love to visit someday.
I’ve been very fortunate in that I spent the last ten years traveling. I have been to England, Spain, France and Italy. I’ve also been to the Hawaiian islands. I love to step out of my comfort zone and dive into a new culture.
Thanks for this, Kat–looking forward to catching up with the Against series!
I’ve been to Belize and had a similar experience… I was offered capybara but have my undergrad degree in Zoology and knew better than to eat it… otherwise 105 degrees in the shade and 99.98% humidity sounds about right!
Can’t wait to read this book!
I’ve always wanted to travel, growing up we never really went anywhere. My husband grew up in a Navy family and they moved all over the place. Now, he is content to stay where he is, which frustrates me because there is so much I want to see! I may need to plan some trips with the girls 🙂 The only really interesting place I have been is Alaska when my husbands parents took us on a cruise.
Would so love to win a paperback copy, thanks so much for the chance to win