Before I was a writer, I was a reader. At an early age, I discovered the joy of having an armchair adventure with my favorite detective, Trixie Belden, or that happiest of families, the Hollisters. Maybe it was then, while reading on a pleasant afternoon, that I first realized I wanted to write books, too.
What other occupation allows you to travel around the world and still be time in home for dinner? Where else can fantasies come true, be they romantic or full of dragons? Who else but writers and secret agents get to lead a double life on a regular basis?
My fifth novel, Thunder in the Night, provides an escape from the everyday. Set largely in Belize, it follows the adventures of a young journalist, Allison Belsar, as she takes a tour of the country with a group from her local zoo. She isn’t expecting danger—and she certainly isn’t expecting love—but she finds both. Together with the charming Mart Lawler, assistant director at the zoo, she foils a crime ring whose sphere of influence travels from the rain forest to her own hometown.
Researching Thunder in the Night was marvelous fun. In fact, I think it took a bit longer to write this novel than it should have because I just kept on reading more and more about this amazing and remarkable country. Thanks to the Internet, I got to fly over the rainforest and view the Blue Hole, a huge cavern sixty miles off the coast. I climbed a Mayan temple (and fell down it with Allison when someone gave her a push!) Hot sunny days led to warm tropical nights—quite a change from chilly autumn evenings here in my real world, in Wisconsin.
I hope when a reader is enjoying my novel she can feel the heat of that sun on her skin and see the view from the top of that temple. I hope she’ll relax into the arms of strong, gorgeous Mart, dancing barefoot with him on the beach under a brilliant moon. I hope her heart will pound when tension builds and Allison finds herself alone with an unlikely killer, far from safety, far from peace, far from Mart. I hope she’ll listen–and be able to hear the Thunder in the Night.
(Because my story deals with the very real crime of exotic animal smuggling, I’ll be donating a portion of the proceeds from sales to wildlife protection groups. I know Mart and Allison would approve!)
Remember to leave a comment in order to be eligible for one of the blog hop’s fabulous prizes! And visit all the other Crimson Romance authors, too. Find the list of participants here: http://crimsonromanceauthors.com/crimson-wonderland-blog-hop/
I am so glad to have found you on this blog hop. I can’t wait to read some of your works!
What I love best is being able to feel what the characters are feeling, if I can cry or get angry to me that’s the making of a great author.
vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com
I love blog hopping because it adds new books to my to read list! The library is my fav escape location! LOL!
grapeapril75(at)gmail(dot)com
Aren’t we having fun Hopping? I’m catching up with so many sisters. It’s a blast reading every one’s blogs too. Off to another one. Thanks, Kate!
Enjoyed reading your post and Thunder in the Night sounds like a great read! I love reading as a way to escape and enjoy all types of romance books!
kacidesigns AT yahoo DOT com
Thanks for being a part of the hop and sharing your post 🙂
That is great idea of donating…
BeckeyWhiteATgmailDOTcom
Your book sounds like a great read.
Thanks for the hop!!
kp_kazamei(at)yahoo(dot)com
Wow, that is so interesting about the smuggling (and heartbreaking) — I think it’s wonderful that you will be donating a portion of your proceeds!
booksconsidered[at]gmail[dot]com
Oh cool! Exotic animal smuggling…very unique and great idea! tchevrestt(at)yahoo(dot)com
I think your donation to wildlife protection groups is very nice. I am a sucker for the Happily Ever After which is why I like the romance books. I especially like the paranormal or futuristic romance books with hot sexy alpha heroes and kick-ass heroines. They can be futuristic, or go back in time, or be contemporary or even on another planet as long as they get me hooked from the very first few chapters. Thanks for being part of the hop and for the chance to win.
reneebennett35 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Greetings Kate,
I can relate! I am a very visual person. If I’m not transported in the story, it’s a disappointment. I treat each book as if I’m a bystander watching the scenes as they unfold. I like to see in my mind’s eye, the people, surroundings, and emotions. I know I’m engaged when I can’t put the book down until I’m done. The story has to have all the elements of a good story to hook me. If not, I feel cheated. I’m an avid reader and know the good, bad, and the ugly….
Wonderful hop! Thanks for the opportunity to share.
Belinda G
belgre AT Comcast DOT net
Sounds like a very intriguing story!
vitajex(at)aol(dot)com
The book sounds great and exotic animals have always been a passion of mine! What a great idea!
sqwalker2@hotmail.com
I love books because of the many adventures I can experience in the comfort of my home.
bituin76 at hotmail dot com
Glad to have been introduced to your work on this blog hop, I will be back to check out more on your book Thunder in the Night, thanks!
Yay!! Just stopping by on my way around the hop! This is so much fun!
Rionna
I like that you incorporated real life into your story and in turn use it for a good cause. Definitely going on my Christmas list.
mel
bournmelissa at hotmail dot com
Thanks for participating in the blog hop!
bme722 at gmail dot com
Lovely post and I like the premise of Thunder in the Night. Also, it’s wonderful you are giving a portion of the proceeds to wildlife protections. Very nice thing to do.
Thanks for participating in the hop. Happy early Thanksgiving. 🙂
imsocool(at)gmail(dot)com
I loved reading Trixie Belden books too! Thanks for making people aware of animal smuggling and donating to such a good cause