The Lovestruck Novice Welcomes Kat Martin!!!

Happy Tuesday, TLN'ers!!

Feelin' the beginning of the week blues? No worries! You just need to escape into a KAT MARTIN book!!

Kat's no stranger to the Lovestruck Novice and we're always thrilled to have her swing by. There's no better way to learn about the industry than to ask one of its legends! Let's get down to the good stuff!!

1) If you were a book, what would your blurb be?

She worked till it drove her crazy, and loved every minute of it.

2)Using three words, describe your voice. 

Less is more.

3)With numerous novels and awards to your credit: What's been the secret to your continued success? 

Hard work and perseverance.  Never giving up and being true to myself.

4) What's your opinion on the new trends in the publishing industry? Is it all passing fancy or will the changes stick? 

Some of it will stick, some not.  Good writers who have their own stories to tell will stick.  Those who are trend followers will mostly disappear.  Ebooks are not going away.

5) If you had to start all over again, what would be the one bit of advice you'd want to take with you? 

Don’t give up.

6) What's up next? Any news you'd like to share?

AGAINST THE STORM is coming out October 25.  Trace Rawlins’ story.  It’s the fourth book in the Against Series that started with the Raines brothers, Against the Wind.  After that, Johnnie Riggs in AGAINST THE NIGHT, out end of Feb, and Jake Cantrell, AGAINST THE SUN, out the end of May.  So lots going on for me. 

What a fantastic line-up and a perfect example of a writing career done 'write'!! I'd like to thank Kat for the awesome advice and taking time out of her busy schedule to be here today! If you'd like to know more about Kat Martin, please check out her website: www.katmartin.com

THANK YOU, TLN'ers!! Best wishes for a stress-free week! Happy reading and writing!!

Hanging Out With KAT MARTIN!!

Hey, Hey, TLN'ers!!

It's a new day and a new month! Hope you're still on track with your goals for 2011. Here to help us keep our eye on the prize is the ever lovely KAT MARTIN!

What better way to keep the need to succeed fed than a heaping dose of advice from an awesome author like Kat?!

Sit back and kick your heels up. It's show time!!

HITTING THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER LIST
By, Kat Martin

Twenty five years ago when I first started writing, my goal was to become a successful author. I wanted to be able to quit my real estate job and write full time. Fortunately, with my husband still working, I was able to make that happen fairly quickly.

Still, when I finally I sold my first book after months of trying and numerous rejections, I earned the whopping sum of four thousand dollars--not much money for a year and a half of working ten hours a day! But I never lost faith. I thought, “I can do this. I know I can.”

I think one of the toughest things about being an author is continuing to believe in yourself. Insecurities swamp you. Is this book any good? Is this book as good as the last one? Will my readers like it? Will the publisher renew my contract?

After twenty five years, those questions remain. It’s only sheer force of will that keeps a writer pounding the keyboard, sheer determination that keeps an author from quitting.

So when I hit the New York Times printed list (as opposed to the extended list, which I had been on a number of times), it was the kind of validation that keeps a writer going.

Someone must like these books, I thought. Ohmygod, it’s really selling! It was a thrill to get that phone call--a notification that usually comes late on a Wednesday night. That Wednesday, I didn’t get any call so I figured any chance I had was past.

Then early Thursday morning, my agent phoned. “AGAINST THE FIRE made the list! You’re on the New York Times!”


It’s a real moment for an author, the thrill of a lifetime. I had made the Times list last year for RULES BRIDE, one of my Victorian Historicals, but this was different.

My heart is in these books, AGAINST THE WIND, AGAINST THE FIRE, AGAINST THE LAW. Not only did I love the brothers, Jackson, Gabe, and Devlin, but I loved the ladies who snared these hunky men.

When I finished AGAINST THE LAW, I didn’t want to let go.

Couldn’t.

So I didn’t.

In Dev and Lark’s story, AGAINST THE LAW, three of Dev’s friends show up to help him rescue Lark’s missing four-year-old niece. Trace, Johnnie, and Jake were such amazing guys I knew I had to tell their stories.

Fortunately, Mira agreed, and in November, AGAINST THE STORM, Trace Rawlin’s story, is scheduled to hit the bookshelves.

I’m hoping by the time readers finish the Raines Brothers Trilogy, they’ll be wanting more of the yummy AGAINST men and their sexy ladies, and that they’ll be watching for AGAINST THE STORM.

Until then if you haven’t read AGAINST THE LAW, I hope you’ll look for it. And don’t forget AGAINST THE WIND and AGAINST THE FIRE, the first two books in the trilogy.

Until then, happy reading and all best wishes, Kat

Enter Kat's Contest
Join my mailing list
Visit my website
Read Excerpt for Against the Law
Become a Facebook fan of Kat Martin

Purchase Links
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Borders

Videos
Click Title to Play
Interview with Kat Martin
Against the Law
Against the Fire
Against the Wind
Raines of Wind Canyon

WOWZA! Hope you're feeling amped up and ready to conquer your quest, TLN'ers! I'd like to thank Kat for hanging out with us today. If you'd like to know more about Kat Martin and her books, please check out the links listed above.

Kat has generously offered the prize of a personally autographed copy of AGAINST THE WIND to one lucky commenter!! Ain't that the way to make a gal's day bright?!

THANK YOU, TLN'ers! Here's hoping your week is fabulous and full of productivity! I'm lining up some more authors for future interviews and blogs, so sit tight there's more to come!

Winner of the KAT MARTIN Giveaway is. . . . .

Congratulations JUNE!!!

Thank you to all who joined in the fun! :)

THANK YOU, Kat, for the giveaway!!

Hope everyone has a FANTASTIC New Year's!

Pursuing Publication With Kat Martin!!!

Happy Almost Christmas, TLN'ers!!

Of course, with today's Featured Author being THE Kat Martin . . . I'm incline to think Christmas has indeed come early!!

Every writer has a dream of being published and seeing their "baby" front and center when walking in the door of a brick and mortar bookshop. For some, the road is swift and sure. For others, the journey has as many potholes and detours the California Highway system.

A new year is upon us and what better time is there to start putting a writing career into perspective. I was thrilled to book Kat as the final guest for 2010, because I knew her advice would fortify the resolve of any writer--from novice to multi-pubbed.

Let's not dawdle! Get comfy and let's get down to the good stuff! (Prize Alert: Kat is graciously offering a Personally Autographed Book to ONE lucky commenter!!)

Take it away, Kat!


Pursuing Publication, by Kat Martin

I’m sure every author has an interesting tale of how he or she got published. Mine is sort of a merry-go-round story that began when I met my husband, Larry. He had written a Western saga and as we began to date, he asked if I wanted to read it. Being a major reader and beginning to fall in love, I said yes. I loved the book, which was extremely moving and very romantic. It was titled SHADOW OF THE MAST and the odd thing was, he couldn’t sell it.

Since I had read a lot of great books and loved this one, I couldn’t understand why not. (I still have no clue as to how New York publishers actually think.)
After a second reading, I realized there were a number of grammar and spelling errors (no spell-check back then). Since I was good at those things, I decided to help him polish the novel.

By the time I was finished, I was hooked on the idea of writing a book of my own. I chose a Western Romance because I had a western background. My great grandmother came West on a covered wagon; my grandmother was one of the original rodeo cowgirls. I was very familiar with the history of that era and so MAGNIFICENT PASSAGE was born. (I’m happy to say the book is being re-issued for the first time in July of next year.)

Once the book was finished, the journey to publication began. When my hubby puts his mind to something, he’s extremely focused, so he did his do-diligence and researched, by reading the voluminous Literary Marketplace and looking at books on the shelf, to find out who was publishing what.

At the same time, we were attending conferences, going to writing class--a two-hour drive to L.A., and trying to find an agent.

At a conference in Fresno, California, we met a woman who had agreed to read sixty pages of any attendee’s manuscript. We both sent our pages. And the agent took both of us on as clients.

Unfortunately, those manuscripts were both summarily rejected by every publisher in NYC--except, in my case, for the very last place the manuscript was sent. That company bought MAGNIFICENT PASSAGE and made it the lead title for Pageant’s new romance line!

It was a great start for me. During that time, Larry’s manuscript, his second novel, was sitting in the slush pile at Kensington where it had been for nearly a year. It was picked up, read, and purchased. After all the waiting, we were published six weeks apart, which meant we could travel and promote our books together.

Unfortunately for me, the saga continued. My first publisher closed its doors after two of my books were printed and I was out on the street again. Again, I was rejected everywhere.

Totally distraught, at the last possible moment, Berkely picked up the book, CAPTAIN’S BRIDE, and again, I was chosen as a lead title. Even then, it was no easy road. I’ve worked for nearly all the major houses. Some were a real pleasure, others not so much.

Currently, I’m writing for Mira Books. They’re publishing my new contemporary romantic suspense novels, the Raines Brothers Trilogy, AGAINST THE WIND, AGAINST THE FIRE, AGAINST THE LAW. The company held them back so they could publish them close together, which readers seem to like. They’re being released end of December, end of January, end of February.

I’m really excited about the book and hoping readers will like Jackson, Gabriel and Devlin as much as I do. Hope you will watch for them. Till then, all best wishes and happy reading, Kat


Here's hoping inspiration has come knocking on your door! 2011 is almost here and with Kat's wonderful story of perseverance under our wings, I know we're all headed for a year full of success! I'd like to thank Kat for her time and generosity. If you'd like to know more about Kat Martin and her novels, please scope out her website: http://www.katbooks.com

THANK YOU, TLN'ers!! It's been a fun and crazy year. I'm 10 days away from my due date and ready to start 2011 with a bang! Hope to see you all back at TLN after the holidays. Live, love, and eat merrily!! ((Hugs!)) Sarah ps-I'll be posting pics of the baby when she arrives. :)

Make Mine A KAT MARTIN!!

Welcome back, TLN'ers!! Whew-wee! Is it hot enough for you, yet?

Well, grab a glass of something cool, because we've got the sultry KAT MARTIN here with us today!

I'm completely twitter-patted to have Kat in the TLN Hot Seat. Not only is she one heck of an awesome author, but she's a California Central Valley girl, too! Definitely one good thing Calif has in its favor. lol

Kat's latest release RULE's BRIDE hit #18 on New York Times Best Seller List in May 2010, but the good news doesn't stop there, because September starts the re-issue releases of THE NECKLACE TRILOGY!!

If that doesn't have you dancing in your seat, better get ready to boogie. Not only is Kat dishing some killer writing advice, but she's been sweet enough to offer up a GIVEAWAY! One lucky commenter will win a personally autographed copy of RULE'S BRIDE!

Hope you're ready to get inspired. I know by the end of this post, you'll be saying, "Make Mine a KAT MARTIN, too!" And away we go . . .


1)If you were a book, what would your blurb be?

The story of a poor country girl who yearned to become a writer.

2)Using three words, describe your voice.

Concise, emotional, fast-paced.

3)What's been the biggest obstacle you've had to overcome with your writing? What about in your career?

Learning to actually write was the biggest obstacle! I had stories in my head, but no idea how to get them down on paper. Writing as simply as I do has been a career problem. I don’t do flowery description--I prefer dialog and action.

4)Any tidbits of advice you'd like to pass along to all the aspiring writers out there?

Best advice is to write a book you yourself would want to read. Once you start--finish it. Then don’t give up until you get it published. Always keep learning, and if you have to, start another book!

5)Novice writer to New York Times Best Seller: Tell us a little bit about your journey. Is there anything you might have done differently?

I’ve been writing for 25 years. More than half my books have hit the NYT extended list, but I could never make the published list--which is what is important. I think you just have to keep charging forward. Keep your goals in mind and don’t give up.

6)What has been the highlight(s) of your career?

Getting my first book published was a major thrill. Hitting the USA Today list many years ago was fantastic. Being on CBS 48 Hours was amazing. Traveling to different places and countries, and meeting really incredible people is one of the greatest perks.

7)What does the rest of 2010 hold in store for you?

Lots of books coming out in the next few months. 4 reprints out late June. Sept 1, The Necklace Trilogy is being reprinted: BRIDE’S NECKLACE, DEVIL’S NECKLACE, HANDMAIDEN’S NECKLACE. In October, my gift-sized hardcover, THE CHRISTMAS CLOCK, is being re-issued in paperback for $5.99, which makes it very affordable for readers who couldn’t afford the more expensive book. Then Jan, Feb, March, my new trilogy, The Raines Brothers, beginning with Jackson Raines in AGAINST THE WIND.

So you see I have a lot going on! Best and happy reading to all, Kat


The Necklace Trilogy










The Raines Brothers Trilogy














EXCERPT: The Bride's Necklace

Cord flicked another glance at the clock on the mantle. It was two minutes after midnight. Wearing only his shirt and breeches, he reclined on the bed, hoping his plan would work, that his latest strategy would win him the game.

That sacrificing a pawn would net him the queen.

It was a dangerous move and he knew it. Still, Victoria Temple was a difficult opponent and he had been forced to come up with a different approach than he had intended.

Cord grinned at the sound of four sharp raps at his door. Not the soft, tentative knock Claire would have used, but the firm, furious tapping that could only belong to her sister.

"Come in," he drawled, and then waited as the door swung open and Victoria walked in. Standing as she was in the shadows, he couldn't see her face but he recognized her shorter stature and the belligerence in her stance.

"You're late," he said with a nonchalant glance at the clock. "I specifically instructed you to be here at midnight. It is now three minutes past."

"Late?" she repeated the fury in her voice unmistakable. "Three minutes or three hours, the fact is Claire is not going to come."

Victoria stepped toward him, out of the shadows and into a shaft of moonlight streaming in through the window. Her hair was unbound, curling softly around her shoulders, and he itched to run his fingers through it, to know the silky texture. Beneath her wrapper, her breasts rapidly rose and fell and he wanted to cup them, to bend his head and take the fullness into his mouth.

"I am sorry to disappoint you, my lord,” she said, “but your plan for seduction has failed. Claire remains safely upstairs in her room."

Cord came up off the bed and paced toward her, a panther with his prey in sight. "As well she should be."

"What are you talking about? You sent Claire a note. You told her to come to your room at midnight. You planned to seduce her. You--"

"You're wrong, lovely Victoria. I told her to come because I knew you would not let her--which you would come in her stead." He reached her then, settled his hands on her shoulders, felt the tension thrumming through her. Very slowly, he drew her toward him. "It is you I want, Victoria. It has been from the start."

Tory gasped as his mouth settled softly over hers. For several moments, she simply stood there, letting the heat flood through her, absorbing the taste of him, only dimly aware of the hard male body pressing into hers.

Then she remembered why she was there and forced herself to pull away. “I don’t believe you.” She took several steps backward, her breath coming too fast. She told herself it was anger. "You...you would take whatever woman happened to appear in your bedchamber."

The earl shook his head, stalking her, matching her step for step until her shoulders came up against the wall and she couldn't retreat any farther.

"You don't really believe that? We were playing a game, you and I. You were the prize I wanted, not Claire."

"That can't be the truth. Men always want Claire."

"Claire is a child, no matter her years. You're a woman, Victoria." He pinned her with his lion's gaze, caught her chin, and held her so she couldn't look way. "Deep down, you know it's you I want and not Claire."

She swallowed, stared into those hot brown eyes and fought not to tremble. She remembered that same look the night he had come to her room, remembered the way he had kissed her in his study. She remembered the vague hints that he wanted her as his mistress--and God in heaven, she believed him.

The earl tilted her chin up, bent his head and captured her lips. It was a gentle, persuasive kiss, softly taking, convincing her with every touch, ever taste. He kissed the corners of her mouth, pressed his lips against the side of her neck.
"If you're telling the truth," she whispered, "why didn't...why didn't you send the note to me?"

She felt the faint pull of his smile. "Would you have come?"

She wouldn't have, of course. "No."

"I didn't think so." And then he kissed her again.

Tory's hands came up to his chest, fluttered, and flattened against the hard wall of his chest. Sweet Lord, it was heaven, the softest, hottest kisses, his lips hard-soft, perfectly fitted to hers, coaxing yet demanding, giving and taking all at once.

He deepened the kiss and pleasure made her legs go weak. Her arms slid up around his neck, and he pulled her more snugly against him.

Tory trembled. She knew she should stop him. He was the Earl of Brant, a rake and a rogue, a man who would ruin her if she let him. And yet she sensed a need in him, had since that night he had barged into her room.

Her own need surfaced, pulsed to life with every stroke of his tongue, deepened with the feel of his hands on her breasts, smoothing over them, molding them through her robe. He kissed the side of her neck as he parted the blue quilted wrapper and slid his hand inside, over her thin cotton nightgown to cup a breast.

"Give you to me," he said softly. "I know you want to."

God's breath, it was the truth. She had never wanted anything so badly. He was every wicked dream she'd ever had, every wanton fantasy. She had known that about herself, that she wasn't like Claire, that she had desires and wants and she wanted the Earl of Brant.

Tory shook her head, tried to step away, but the earl held her firmly in place.

"Don't say no. Let me take care of you, give you a better life. And you can take care of Claire. Neither of you will want for anything."

He was saying it straight out, asking her to become his mistress. He wanted her, the sturdy sister, not Claire the beautiful one.

Tory simply could not do it.

She was surprised to feel the sting of tears.

Ooh-la-la!! Sounds like every gal's fantasy to have a hunky-dunkie pining and plotting for her. Sign me up! *wink wink*

I'd like to thank Kat for letting me interview her! I appreciate her taking the time out of her busy schedule to dish us up a heapin' helpin' of sweet advice. If you'd like to know more about the lovely KAT MARTIN and her books, please click on over to her beautiful website! http://www.katbooks.com/

THANK YOU, TLN'ers!! If the heat ain't makin' you sweat bullets, how about a sweet piece of country boy to get your thermostat rising! Here's RODNEY ATKINS and FARMER's DAUGHTER. *sigh* Oh, my, my, brings me back the good ole days of ridin' around with my guy while he drove tractor . . . and irrigated . . . and worked cows. OH, WAIT! I still do that, but now I'm juggling a kid or two in the process! LOL Have a fantastic weekend, folks! Catch ya back on 'Moan'day!!

Pssst, DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A PERSONALLY AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF REESE'S BRIDE!!