Wednesday, January 21, 2015

RELEASE SPECIAL, REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: AGAINST THE SKY (The Brodies of Alaska Book 2) by KAT MARTIN




The Perils of Research--Our Road Trip to Alaska

I can’t speak for other authors, but having written more than sixty books, including AGAINST THE SKY, out the end of January, I’m always looking for new story ideas.  Which is why, when the opportunity arose to travel for a month to Alaska in a small pickup camper--I said yes.
With a contract for three new AGAINST novels at Kensington, I needed ideas.  A trip to Alaska seemed the perfect opportunity to find new plots and develop interesting characters--though the journey wasn’t my first experience with the vast beauty and rugged conditions of Alaska.
MIDNIGHT SUN was the result of my first trip some years back.  AGAINST THE WILD, Dylan Brodie’s story, was the first of my three new Alaska books.
In AGAINST THE SKY, the second book in the trilogy, out January 27th, Nick Brodie, a former Anchorage homicide detective, has a serious case of burnout.
Nick wants a new life, something that doesn't include violence and death.  Unfortunately when his neighbor, twelve-year-old Jimmy Evans, comes to him beaten and battered, claiming his father was murdered, Nick has no choice but to help him.
To make matters worse, Nick has a lady friend visiting from San Francisco.  Samantha Hollis, owner of the Perfect Pup pet grooming parlor, isn't cut out for the harsh life in Alaska.  Unwillingly swept into Jimmy's problems, she finds herself on a wild ride with Nick that leads them into passion and incredible danger.
The first kernal of an idea for AGAINST THE SKY arose when we were in Anchorage.  Something about the Russian mob? I thought.  And how about a woman who can’t deal with Alaska at all? 
As the novel took form, we traveled to Valdez, which became the setting for Nick’s brother, Rafe’s, story, AGAINST THE TIDE, which comes out the end of May.
I love road trips, just heading out with no particular destination, simply rolling along, encountering whatever life throws your way.  Dealing with flat tires and engine trouble can be exasperating, but there is the also the reward of meeting new people from all different walks of life.
If you love history, you might wind up in a place like Dawson City, way off the grid, the original destination for Klondike gold miners at the end of the nineteen century.  A lot of the buildings are still there, still being used, and the streets are still paved in dirt!  It’s a town right out of the wild West, a place that attracted authors like Robert Service and Jack London.
People often ask where I get the ideas for my stories and I can tell you that a five-thousand mile driving trip on a two-lane road is stuffed with fodder for books.  Whether you’re an author or a reader, it wonderful to open yourself up to new adventures, new places, and new people. 
In the meantime, I hope you’ll watch for Nick Brodie and Samantha Hollis in AGAINST THE SKY.
Very best wishes and happy reading, Kat    

REVIEW
Ex- Ranger and retired police detective, Nick Brodie, doesn't know the meaning of the word vacation, until his brother sends him on a very needed one to Las Vegas. His hometown of Anchorage, Alaska is truly a beautiful place, but Nick also knows the seedy side from his line of work, and getting away for a while is just what he needs.

Marketing phenom, Samantha Harris is in Vegas to research more venues for the Pet Salon business. Returning to her hotel room, she is accosted in the hallway by a very drunken man, but before the drunk can do any lasting harm, Samantha is saved by possibly the most handsome man she has ever set eyes on, Nick Brodie. 

Neither Nick nor Samantha thought they would would meet someone who sparks such interest and passion. Only problem is, Samantha lives in San Francisco and Nick in Alaska, and we all know how difficult long distance relationships can be. So after a perfectly wonderful time with a steamy sexual escapade, Samantha and Nick return to their perspective lives, but still having the other in their thoughts. Several weeks after their time together, Samantha discovers she is in a situation she never expected, and when Nick invites her to Alaska so they can get to know each other better, Samantha struggles with how she is going to apprise Nick of the situation.

Once together in stunning Alaksa, both Nick and Samantha get thrown into a criminal case that can have some serious repercussions and dealings with the dangerous Russian mob, murder, kidnapping and child prostitution. When Samantha sees the true Nick Brodie, she finds a good and caring man, but also a dangerous foe to have when someone attempts to hurt those he cares about. As much as her feelings have grown for Nick, she knows that Alaska is not the place for her. Nick also realizes that Samantha doesn't belong in the wilds of Alaska and maybe not even with a man like him, but it doesn't make him feel any better after falling for Samantha, hook, line and sinker, even if he can't admit it to himself.

Is it possible for Nick and his friends to get to the bottom of the criminal activity wreaking havoc on his domain? Will Samantha have the courage to go back to her life after all is said and done, continuing on with her life? All that and so much more is discovered in AGAINST THE SKY by KAT MARTIN. Don't miss it.

AGAINST THE SKY by KAT MARTIN has taken a spot as one of my favorite books in the Brodies of Alaska series, and is predecessor, the Raines of Wind Canyon. Nick Brodie is a formidable alpha hero. He is a gentleman when he needs to be and force to be reckoned with when push comes to shove. For having so much on her plate, Samantha keeps her head on straight, even when faced with soaring bullets. This story is action packed and well written and emotionally charged and it all comes together with perfection only Kat Martin can create.  Along with her main hero and heroine we quickly become attached to, the intriguing cast of secondary characters cement their own spot in this story where the readers ends up caring as much for them as for Nick and Samantha. I couldn't put AGAINST THE SKY down once I began. A thriller and a love story wrapped up into its own convenient little package that will stay with me. 

~KIMBERLY~ 

AGAINST THE SKY
By Kat Martin
Release date: 1/27/15
BACK COVER COPY:
ALASKA. In America’s last wilderness there is no limits to what a man can do.
For detective Nick Brodie, that means keeping the perps off the streets of Anchorage 24/7. Nick has never backed down from danger, but after the horrors he’s seen, he’s definitely in need of a break.
Samantha Hollis never thought she’d meet anyone like Nick, especially in a place like Las Vegas. But after one reckless, passionate night, she discovers the charismatic stranger is everything she wants in a man. But can he ever be more than a one-night stand?
When Nick invites her to Alaska, Samantha decides to find out, never guessing the depths she’ll discover in him or the tangle of murder, kidnapping, and danger about to engulf them both …
SHORT BLURB:
AGAINST THE SKY is a fish out of water story.  Nick Brodie, an ex-Anchorage cop, is tough as nails, a true man's man, comfortable in the hard life in Alaska.  But Samantha Hollis, owner of a pet grooming parlor in San Francisco likes shopping at Sak's and a day at the spa.   Unwillingly swept into Nick’s problems, Samantha finds herself on a wild ride that leads them in to passion and terrible danger. 
It was fun finding ways to make their relationship work when they seem so very far apart. This one’s very fast paced, but it has a soft heart.  It turned out to be one of my favorites.
KAT’s WEBSITE
AGAINST THE SKY BOOK TRAILER VIDEO
CONTEST
BUY LINKS
Amazon
BN
Indiebound

REVIEW QUOTES
Against the Sky by Kat Martin sizzles enough to melt a polar icecap. She allows these two polar opposite to find that elusive chemistry that the world craves, but their differences present enough of a challenge that one wonders I love can conquer all or not. Kick in the suspense and danger from the Russian mob and voila! Romantic suspense!”
“Wow, the action scenes are so exciting. I never knew what would happen next.”
“The second book in Kat Martin's Brodie's of Alaska series delivers an awesome punch of suspense and romance.”
SOCIAL MEDIA
Twitter: @katbooks
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/luvromance/
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Kat-Martin/e/B000AQ0OJQ/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/49381.Kat_Martin

GIVEAWAY ALERT!!!
LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE ENTERED TO WIN A PAPERBACK COPY OR AN EBOOK OF
 AGAINST THE SKY BY
 KAT MARTIN

7 comments:

  1. Totally enjoyed Against the Wild. Can't wait for this one to be released!

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    1. Margie, I hope you have read the Raines of Wind Canyon as well! It began my love of Kat Martin... I have gobbled up almost every book of hers..happily so!!!

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    2. Hmm.... I haven't but I have the first book so I hope to get started on the series.

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  2. Sounds very intriguing. thanks for the review Kimberly.

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  3. Can't wait to read this! - Candace M.

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  4. Kimberly-- thanks for your wonderful review. So glad you enjoyed the book. It turned out to be one of my personal favorites. I'm hoping to revisit Alaska down the road. I would love to write Noah and Derek's stories. Thanks for having me on your beautiful website. love ya, kat

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    1. Kat,it's always a pleasure to have you here on Book Obsessed Chicks. Thank you for all you do and the wonderful stories you write!

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