Thursday, June 2, 2011

Book Club: Against the Wind by Kat Martin

They were known as the "no-account Raines boys" but they've grown into successful, honorable men and everything they have, they've fought for tooth and nail. Now each of the three brothers has one last obstacle to overcome to claim what's eluding them: love.

Secrets don't stay buried long in cattle country. Sarah Allen, the beautiful girl who humiliated Jackson Raines in high school, is back in town. Not so long ago, she couldn't wait to leave Wind Canyon, Wyoming, in her dust. But, recently widowed, she has nowhere else to go and finds herself on Jackson's ranch. And despite everything, Jackson's finding himself reluctant to get rid of her.

Sarah brings her own kind of trouble, and he can't resist trouble. Enemies of her dead husband show up making threats, thinking she has something they're owed. They're not taking no for an answer, but what they will take is the one thing she has left—her daughter. Jackson's the only one who might be able to save little Holly and bring her home.


By: Hope Frost
I will be the first to admit, I hadn't read Kat Martin until this series was brought to my attention by a book buddy. Since everyone knows I am all kinds of in love with cowboys, Annie thought I should look at this new series, and after I read the first one, I not only pre-ordered the other 2 but started systematically devouring Kat's backlist as well. I hope you will all help me in welcoming Kat with us here today. She will be popping in to say hello and answer any questions you might have for her....PLUS she will be giving away one of her books as well.

On to the Raines boys....Against The Wind is a great mix of classic down home detective work, and cowboy ranching-meets-old-flame-who-broke-his-heart but needs a new start. It has been a long road for Sarah during her marriage she was beaten inside and out. She fears now that her husband is finally gone for good that his enemies will never leave her alone. She retreats to her home town and from the first time she needs help with a flat tire, Jackson is there to help. Through many twists and turns and life threatening scenarios, Jackson forgives Sarah for how she humiliated him so many years ago and falls hopelessly in love with her and for Sarah's 6 year old daughter, Holly. Jackson is determined to have them in his life for the rest of his life and Sarah is determined not to let her past mess up Jackson's life.

I really enjoyed this story. The relationships were believable (I loved Jackson)and I found myself tensing up when there was trouble. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I truly couldn't wait until Gabe's story, Against the Fire.

Favorite Quote: "You can be a real pain in the ass sometimes, you know?" Sarah grinned more broadly than he had ever seen her. "I'll take that as a compliment." (Sarah refusing to wait at the hotel when a meeting is set with an informant)

Kat has provided one of her favorite dishes for you to try, and I have given you Texas Caviar since we are talking about the cowboy hunks this week. When I asked my hubby what recipe I should submit this week, he said Rocky Mountain Oysters cause he has a really good recipe (or so he says), but I decided to spare you all from that one, so if you want the recipe, let me know and I will message it to you!!

From Kat Martin:

TIN ANGEL

An Oldie but Goodie

Something new is happening for me this month....the re-issue of an old western romance, one of earliest novels, TIN ANGEL. What makes it different is that this is the only book my husband (a western author of more than 25 books) and I ever wrote together.

In the story, when her father dies, beautiful and strong-willed Jessica Taggart, born and raised in Boston, travels all the way to San Francisco to help manage the Tin Angel, the business willed to her by her late father. There she meets the ruggedly handsome, arrogant and domineering Jake Weston, her father’s partner and now Jessie’s, a man hell-bent on proving she can’t handle the job and determined to force her to sell him her share of the Tin Angel.

Not the restaurant Jessie believes when she leaves Boston, but the most notorious whore house on the Barbary Coast.

I had such fun writing this book, a story they called at the time, A Moonlighting set in the West, after the Bruce Willis, Cybil Shepard TV show. Having never collaborated on a book, we decided that Larry would write Jake’s point of view, and I would write Jessie’s. Jake starts by writing a series of letters to Jessie, telling her not to come West, that he will buy her out and send her the money. Jessie writs back, telling him in no uncertain terms that she is leaving Boston on the next train to California.

Neither of us knew how the other would respond to the pages we were handed. We just rolled with the punches and had a heckuva lot of fun as we worked.

The story ended up being very different from what I usually write and since it’s a sexy romance, way, way different from what my husband usually writes.

It’s only available in print from Amazon, but it has a fabulous new cover, and it’s available in all e-book formats.
It you’re ready to read something just for fun, I hope you’ll give TIN ANGEL a try. And we both hope you enjoy it. Very best wishes, Kat and L.J. Martin


KAT’S FAMOUS CURRY, CRAB, AND ARTICHOKE DIP
1 6 1/2 ounce can of crab
1/4 cup grated onion
1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1 cup real mayonnaise (light mayo won’t do)
1 can of artichokes in water (chopped well)
1 tsp curry powder
1 French Baguette
In mixing bowl, place mayonnaise, onion, and curry. Stir. Fold in chopped artichokes, crabmeat, and parmesan cheese. Place in dish and heat in microwave for 60 seconds or in a 350 degree oven till cheese melts and mixture is beginning to bubble.
Cut baguette into 1/4 inch slices and serve.
Voila!
This dip works well using only artichokes or only crab meat. It is also great with Tostitos.


TEXAS CAVIAR
1 15-oz can black eye peas, drained
1 15-oz can black beans, drained
1 11-oz can shoe peg corn
1 4-oz can diced jalapeno
1 2-oz jar diced pimentos
1 cup chopped celery
1/3 cup chopped red onion or sweet pepper
1/2 cup olive or canola oil
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup white sugar

Combine vinegar and sugar in a heavy sauce pan. Bring to a boil stirring occasionally until sugar is dissolved. Set sauce in fridge to cool. Combine all other ingredients. Add cooled sauce and mix well. Cover and chill for 24 hours. Drain. Serve with tortilla chips.