Karen's Killer Fixin's

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with SHADOWS AT DAWN, A Maximum Security Novella #Romantic #Suspense by Kat Martin #recipe ~ Italian Sausage & Peppers and Rita Michell’s Bacon Tomato Balsamic Pasta

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Karen’s Killer Fixin’s
**AUTHOR SPECIAL**
with KAT MARTIN!

Welcome to my Friday bonus feature called Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special**!! Today, in lieu of one of my own recipes, I’m going to introduce you to a new author who will share one of her favorite recipes. Not only will you and I occasionally learn how to make something new and delicious, but we’ll get a chance to check out some wonderful authors. Introducing author, KAT MARTIN, and her favorite recipe for ITALIAN SAUSAGE & PEPPERS and RITA MICHELL’S BACON TOMATO BALSAMIC PASTA!

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SHADOWS AT DAWN
A Maximum Security Novella
BY KAT MARTIN

Blurb

Don’t miss this scorching novella, part of what Publishers Weekly is calling Kat Martin’s “tantalizing” new Maximum Security series!

Private detective Jaxon Ryker swore to himself he would keep his hands off Mindy Stewart. No matter how much Jax might secretly wish otherwise, his colleague at The Max is strictly off-limits. But when Mindy is the victim of an attempted kidnapping, everything changes. With both of them thrust into danger, Jax swears to protect her. As they work together in search of answers, it becomes clear Mindy’s life is on the line, so a trap is set—with Mindy as bait. Jax and Mindy have to put aside their overwhelming attraction, but if they live through this, all bets are off…

“Martin keeps the twists and turns coming in the sensuous and spirited Maximum Security romantic thrillers.” —Publishers Weekly

Reviews

“It’s a quick, easy to read, entertaining, action packed read and is just as amazing as the other books in the series!”

“Mystery, suspense, thrills and chills with a whole lot of action!”

“This story is a cute, sweet and steamy romance full of suspense, excitement and unexpected twists that keep readers hanging on to the edge of their seat.”

Interview: Kat Martin

Myths

One of the great myths about writing is that it gets easier over time.  As the author of more than seventy novels, I can tell you it just gets harder.  Perhaps because with each new book you demand more of yourself.

Sentence variety and paragraph construction become easier, grammar and spelling, the basics of writing all become second nature.  But penning the actual novel?  Not so much.  You have to come up with a different plot, make each of your characters stand out in some special way, try to give the readers something you haven’t given them before.

In the novella, SHADOWS AT DAWN, Jaxon Ryker, a former Navy SEAL, now a detective at Maximum Security, was definitely hero material, but at the same time, he was different, kind of soft-spoken, not arrogant, just a really nice guy.  Unless you pissed him off.

Turns out Jax had a protective streak a mile wide and the sweet little receptionist at The Max was his weakness.  When Jax happens upon three men attacking Mindy in the parking lot, his hero instincts kick in–big time.

Jax is convinced the attack isn’t random and that Mindy still isn’t safe.  And no way is Jax letting anything happen to her.

I hope you’ll watch for SHADOWS AT DAWN and that you enjoy it.  If you like Jax and Mindy, you can find them again in my latest novel, THE DECEPTION, and also THE CONSPIRACY.  Till next time, all best and happy reading.  Kat

SHADOWS AT DAWN
A Maximum Security Novella
BY KAT MARTIN

Excerpt

Finally satisfied with her progress for the day, Mindy shoved her round tortoiseshell glasses up on her nose, slung the strap of her purse over her shoulder, and headed for the door to the parking lot behind the office.  She managed not to glance at Jax, but it wasn’t easy.

The early April weather was humid, warm but not hot, the last of a pinky gold sky fading to darkness.  She spotted her little red Volkswagen Beetle, one of the few vehicles left in the lot, and started in that direction.

If she hadn’t been working for a security firm, listening to crime stories on a daily basis, she might not have noticed the white Chevy van whose motor sparked to life and began idling in the shadows not far from her car.

When her steps unconsciously slowed, she told herself she was being ridiculous, a paranoid response to the guys’ sometimes gruesome, often frightening tales.

Pausing to dig her car keys out of her purse, she took a deep breath and tried to calm her racing heart.  When the effort failed, she forced her feet to move, closing the distance between her and her vehicle.  She had almost reached her destination when the van doors slid open and three men dressed head-to-foot in black wearing black ski masks jumped out and started running toward her.

Terror struck.   Mindy let out a high-pitched scream, dropped her purse, whirled, and started running.

~~

Jax’s long day wasn’t over yet.  Before he picked up a pizza and headed home for a couple of beers, he had a meeting with a client on the other side of Dallas, a cold case he had been working where the mother of a murder victim had discovered new evidence she believed would help find her daughter’s killer.  The police weren’t convinced, but Mrs. Donahue had hired Jax to prove it.  Or at least find out the truth.

He checked his heavy black wristwatch.  If he wanted to make his appointment on time, he needed to get on the road.  Grabbing his laptop off the desk, he headed for his dark blue Dodge Ram pickup, parked in the lot behind the office, his mind on the case he figured would earn him a nice fat fee–and maybe help bring a killer to justice.

He had just stepped out the backdoor when a blood-curling scream cut through the sticky night air.  A petite young woman with long dark hair and glasses struggled with three masked men.

Adrenaline shot into his blood.  Mindy!  Even as he bolted into a run, Jax registered their appearance: one tall and lean, one average height and weight, one big and beefy, thick-shouldered and muscular.  He was flat out running by the time Mindy spotted him and started screaming his name.

“Jax, help me!  Jax!”  Kicking and biting, she fought like a wild thing, but she was no match for the men.  As they hauled her toward the open van doors, Jax grabbed the tall man and pulled him off her, pounded a fist into his face and slammed another into his stomach, doubling him over.  A hard right sent the guy careening backward, hitting the ground on his back and sliding across the asphalt.

The second man, Mr. Average, stepped in and swung a punch Jax ducked.  He shot out a kick, knocking the assailant into the side of the van, then heard the sound of a switchblade snapping open behind him.

“Jax, watch out!”

Whirling toward the threat, he dodged the flashing blade and shoved Mindy toward safety, then went back in for the kill.  Rage burned through his usual calm.  She worked with him, as far as he was concerned, was under his protection.  More than that, she was kind and sweet and he cared about her far more than he should.  Jax wanted to end the bastards who were trying to hurt her.

“Run!” he shouted.  “Go back to the office and lock the door!  Call 9-1-1!”  The knife flashed.  Jax dodged the sweep of gleaming silver wielded by a big, thick-fingered, extremely capable hand, jumped back from out of the way of another slashing attack as he and the big man crouched and circled each other.  From the corner of his eye, he saw the tall, thin man back on his feet and rushing toward him.

Jax looked up to see Mindy swinging her purse like a ball and chain, smashing the bag into the side of the tall man’s head, sending him staggering, grunting as he landed on his hands and knees.

“Bitch! he screamed, shaking his head to clear it, providing the distraction Jax needed.  He kicked the knife out of the beefy man’s hand and threw a punch that sent him reeling.  Mr. Average had already climbed into the van and shoved the vehicle into gear.

“Come on!” the man shouted through the open passenger window.  “Let’s go!”

The tall man turned and ran, leaping through the open van doors, and the big, muscular man shot in behind him.  Tires burned and smoke rolled up from the wheels as the vehicle screeched away.

Meet Author Kat Martin…

Bestselling author Kat Martin, a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, currently resides in Missoula, Montana with Western-author husband, L. J. Martin.  More than seventeen million copies of Kat’s books are in print, and she has been published in twenty foreign countries.  Fifteen of her recent novels have taken top-ten spots on the New York Times Bestseller List, and her novel, BEYOND REASON, was recently optioned for a feature film.  Kat’s next hardcover, THE DECEPTION, a Romantic Thriller, will be released on September 10th.

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Links to Kat’s website, blog, books, etc.

I hope you enjoy the recipe Kat and Rita are sharing today on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy Eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 447 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right-hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.

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ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND PEPPERS

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Heat the cooking oil over medium high heat in a large skillet.
  2. Add the sausages. Cook for 4-6 minutes, turning frequently so it browns evenly.
  3. Move the sausages to the sides of the skillet and add the peppers and onions.
  4. Sauté the peppers and onions until soft and slightly caramelized.
  5. Transfer the sausages to a cutting board and slice on the diagonal. About 4-5 slices per sausage.
  6. Transfer the peppers and onions to a serving plate. Top with sausage.
  7. Season with sea salt and black pepper, to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley.
  8. Enjoy!

BACON, TOMATO, BALSAMIC PASTA
By: Rita Michell

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces uncooked spaghetti
  • ½ cup minced red onion
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 pound thick-sliced bacon strips, chopped
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • Grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

  1. Cook spaghetti according to package directions.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels with a slotted spoon; drain, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings. Sauté tomatoes, garlic, and onions in drippings until tender. Drain spaghetti; stir into skillet. Add the spinach, bacon, vinegar, salt and pepper; heat through. Sprinkle with cheese. Yield: 4 servings.

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**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Enter Kat’s Monthly Contest: https://www.katmartin.com/monthly-contest Happy Reading!!

Thanks, Kat, for sharing your book with us!

Don’t miss the chance to read this book!

 

5 thoughts on “Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with SHADOWS AT DAWN, A Maximum Security Novella #Romantic #Suspense by Kat Martin #recipe ~ Italian Sausage & Peppers and Rita Michell’s Bacon Tomato Balsamic Pasta”

  2. Good morning, Kat, and welcome back to Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. I love sausage and peppers. I also occasionally add potatoes for a one meal skillet. Thanks, too, to Rita for sharing her pasta recipe. Sounds yummy!

    Thanks, too, for sharing your newest book. I cannot wait to dig into Jax and Mindy’s story!!

    Reply

  3. Great interview. I hadn’t thought the more novels written, the harder New plots became but it stands to reason.
    Also great excerpt and recipe.
    Thank you, Karen an d Kat!

    Reply

  4. Thank you for a new book, can’t wait to see what Jax and Mindy are up to.
    Also thank you for the recipes. Sounds delicious.
    Have a great day.
    Linda B

    Reply

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