Blast to the Past: Dangerous Memories

Adding Local Flavor to a Story

You might have seen this last week on Just Romantic Suspense. 

I've added more pictures.

I love to work local landmarks into my books. I’ve had several fans say they learn something about the Texas city where the story takes place each time they read. Dallas’ Pioneer Plaza is one of my favorite places to take friends and family. I’ve been several times and end up taking photographs each time because I always see more details. One of my favorites is pointed out in the video: the horsefly.

In DANGEROUS MEMORIES I needed a location that could be slightly public but also add a bit of excitement to a chase scene. On the other side of the Cattle Drive Sculpture is one of thee oldest graveyards in Dallas County. And on the same acreage is the Dallas Convention Center. What better place to add a life and death chase. I actually have my husband to thank for this location. At the time, he’d done a lot of work at the convention center and knew how to get in and out of the underground parking facility.

Below is the chase scene through the statues and gravestones. Levi and Jolene are running from men who had abducted her. You’ll see a reference to Rainbow Man–it’s Jo’s dangerous memory from childhood that’s put her in peril. If you haven’t read Dangerous Memories…I hope you’ll give it a try.

Excerpt from Dangerous Memories:

    They headed for the shadows, just out of the spotlight circling a larger-than-life statue of a cowboy wrangling longhorns. They hid in the darkness and tall grass. It wouldn't last long, the shadows were barely large enough for them both and not nearly dark enough to disguise them from someone walking past.

"Where are the cops? Or your friendly FBI? Didn't they want to tag along for the fun?" she asked, untying the sleeves of her shirt, rolling it and making a bandage of sorts under his pants leg. "This looks bad."

"Bad and I wouldn't be able to walk. I'm fine. You're in a chipper mood. You forgetting that you almost died back there?"

"I remember. But once you arrived, I didn't think about dying. By the way, you're getting slow," she whispered with a grin and yanked harder on the sleeves.

The jolt of agony blasted through his entire body.

A bullet pinged off a bronze longhorn. He turned back and discharged his weapon to keep the shooter pinned behind an oak tree. 

"Jo." He grabbed her shoulder with his free hand, forcing her to look at him. "You're going to run up that hill, get across the street and call Lanning. He should be close."

"Does Lanning have the GPS info?"

"Yeah."

He handed her his cell, whispering as firmly as he could without being overheard. "Just like in the garage. You lead the way. I'll be close behind."

She understood and nodded her head.

"I'll lay down cover and you run." One step backward and his hand dropped. He took a couple of shots and she took off. She didn't let the gunfire slow her down.

Another shot hit a tree trunk just behind him, coming a little too close. He laid down cover fire and got to his feet to follow.

"Watch out for the horn," Jo cautioned.

He faced forward just in time to miss taking a two-foot longhorn across his neck. She waited long enough to see him miss it, then darted between the statues and the rock ledge up the path.

He had less and less feeling in his foot and it was harder to move. They'd made it across the cattle drive sculpture and into a cemetery at the top of the slope. A frickin' cemetery in front of him and an empty convention center to his right, closed businesses across to his left, and the driver of the van on the road behind him.

"Which way?" she asked. "Can you make it to the road?"

"No good, we don't know where the driver is."

"Then we go through the cemetery. We keep moving until George finds us. That's what you said, right?"

He doubted it. But he waved her onward. He had no intention of following the entire distance. He couldn't. The footsteps slogging up the hill were closer. The guy chasing was certain to see them with the multicolored neon lights from the Omni illuminating the place like the Vegas strip.

She darted to the next tombstone, then a tree, her silhouette as plain as if a spotlight shone upon her path.

It was imperative to stop the guy following them before he caught up with Jo. He searched the darkness. Waited for movement. Had the perp skirted the outside of the cemetery? Had he just sent Jo into an ambush?

    Hide on the back side of the building and call Lanning, he instructed even knowing she couldn't hear him.

To his right. Next tree. Ten or twelve feet. There's the bastard.

No time for stealth. Levi stepped into the open. "That's far enough."

Taken by surprise, the man turned and fired. Levi dove and hit the damp leaves. Rolled. The man got closer. Levi fired twice. He didn't miss.

The man dropped to the ground covering a gravestone with his still body.

"Levi?"

*

Jo ran to him, tree branch in hand, ready to help as much as she could. He hadn't moved since LuLu's murderer had fallen. She hated to wish anyone dead, but this man had shot her old babysitter without a moment's hesitation.

She could hear sirens approaching. Heard a train whistle in the distance. And oddly, the lights shining through the trees and rippling across the tall hotel were beautiful blues, pinks and purples.

She dropped the stick.

Levi blew a long, forceful breath through his lips as he got to his feet. He limped to the body, kneeling on his good leg to feel for a pulse. Then he shook his head, confirming death. "Was this Rainbow Man?"

"I don't know, but he's the one that shot LuLu."

"What about the other guy?"

From the corner of her eye, something flew from behind a tall tombstone.

"Watch out!"

A knife.

She ducked and knocked Levi off balance, then they were both on the ground. A guttural wrenching cry split the air, as the man leapt for his long blade.

"Get out of here, Jo! Get help."

Easier said than done. The crazed man

was still rolling across her legs, pinning her to the ground. Levi had the man by his hands, stopping him from reaching the weapon. In return, the driver straddled Levi, pinning him next to his dead partner.

Jo pulled the phone, wasting precious seconds finding Lanning's number. "We're in a cemetery. Levi needs help."

"We're almost there." Lanning's voice faded as she tossed the phone behind her, hoping they'd be found quickly.

She tripped over a branch. It was the only weapon she could find. She swung at the man, heard a grunt. The man pounded Levi's kidneys. The men struggled for dominance, constantly changing positions. But if she found the gun, she could save Levi.

As bright as she'd thought the neon lit night had been, it barely illuminated the ground. She dropped to her knees, feeling for the cold metal of the weapon. She let her eyes adjust to the darkness again. There it was. She got her hands around the handle and a cold hand pried at her fingers.

"Levi!"

If you haven’t read Dangerous Memories…I hope you’ll give it a try.

Here’s what a couple of people thought

"From the echoing shots in a cemetery straight through the hair-raising conclusion, this story of missing memories and murders will rattle readers from the opening pages, as they guess and guess again who the real culprit is." ~RT Book Reviews

"I loved this book! From the very first page to the last, I could not put it down. The first few chapters were compelling, well written, pulled me straight into the plot and never let go. I loved the characters and from the beginning, I could envision them together. The author perfectly matched the two opposing forces so that from the romance angle, it was a delight to see their story unfold." ~Amazon 5 star review

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USA Today Bestselling author ANGI MORGAN writes Intrigues where honor and danger collide with love. Her work is a multiple contest finalist and Publishers Weekly best-seller. She drags her dogs –and husband– around Texas for research road trips so she can write off her camera. They now have a map with highlighted roads they’ve traveled. Every detour somehow makes it into a book.

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Angi's January Release

A former Marine and a pet-sitter, both with broken pasts, find healing and a future neither imagined possible. Saving a puppy, fleeing murderers, and a recognition of each other's shattered dreams, draws them together and creates a bond that goes beyond either's logic.

~4 STARS from Romantic Times Magazine
"Morgan launches the volley from the first pages so readers aren't left wondering whodunit, but they'll have to pay attention to the escalating action to keep up with the characters, who are in trouble from the get-go." 

Here are a couple of pictures from our research trip from Dallas to Amarillo.

My friend Linda Castillo sent me some pictures of the snow in Amarillo two days after our visit.

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ANGI MORGAN writes “Intrigues where honor and danger collide with love.” She combines actual Texas settings with characters who are in realistic and dangerous situations. Angi's work has been a finalist in the Bookseller’s Best Award, Romantic Times Best First Series, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence and the Daphne du Maurier.

Website   Facebook   FB Fan Page   Twitter@AngiMorganAuthr

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TWO CHANCES to WIN a copy: the GLIAS Christmas Wishes giveaway or my monthly drawing for a book & gift card.

I'm not a big snow person. Give me a nice sunny beach any day and I'm much more happy. How about you? Snow or Sand?

Meet Jake & Bree

The MARINE'S LAST DEFENSE

on shelves now

digital available January 1

Felix Baumgartner as Jake Craig.

Meg Ryan as Sabrina Watkins.

And Dallas...as herself.

Why Felix? About the time I came up with the idea for THE MARINE'S LAST DEFENSE, Felix Baumgartner did something no man had done before. On Oct 12th, 2012, Felix broke the sound barrier wearing only a space suit--without a vehicle. Amazingly, STAR TREK 2009 did it, too. I was in a hotel room when my husband called to tell me to watch the live feed. It was so amazing seeing another piece of STAR TREK coming to life. Baumgartner is impressive. A dare devil. And a very good-looking man. Jake is not--a daredevil that is. He's running from problems he doesn't admit he has. And somehow a six month old black labrador helps him face those problems.

Why Meg? Well, why not? I love this photo of her. During THE MARINE'S LAST DEFENSE, Bree has dark hair that she's dyed because she's in hiding. I thought of Meg in JOE vs. THE VOLCANO where she portrayed several roles. Bree plays several roles in the book: heroine in jeopardy, possible con artist, dog walker, successful business entrepreneur and the only person who fills a void in Jake's soul.

And I've already shared why the pup is named Dallas. (Read more about Dallas.)

TWO CHANCES to WIN a copy: the GLIAS Christmas Wishes giveaway or my monthly drawing for a book & gift card.

I have to admit that I was completely satisfied with the young George Clooney look-alike on the cover. Had you ever heard of Felix Baumgartner before today?

The Story Behind the Story

THE MARINE'S 

LAST DEFENSE

TO THE REST OF THE WORLD, SABRINA WATKINS DOESN'T EXIST. BUT TO THIS COP, SHE IS VERY MUCH ALIVE.

After escaping a killer, playing dead was the only way Sabrina Watkins could get out of Amarillo alive. Now she's living in Dallas, where no one knows her true identity. Until homicide cop Jake Craig shows up. 

A half-frozen pup he finds at a crime scene brings Jake to Sabrina's doorstep. Suddenly, the former Marine is playing hero to a desperate woman on the run. Sworn to clear her name, Jake's already falling for the stunning brunette with the amethyst eyes. Can he keep her safe and turn a rescue mission into a last chance at love?

Read a little...or Buy the whole thing.

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The Marine's Last Defense is a special book to me.  When Harlequin Intrigue had to push my TWIN books from January to May...we realized I'd go a year without a book release, so they offered me the January slot. I had to write a quick proposal and it needed to include a blizzard. I already had the concept for a murder and the location while bike riding with my husband. I just needed a plot.

The news came when we were on vacation. While chatting about possibilities (yes, sometimes my husband helps), we received a call from our dog sitter. Tim mentioned that would be a good way to hide...moving from house to house, not paying bills, etc. And just that fast I had a story.

From the get-go, I was including a black Labrador pup. I found out a couple of years ago that black animals make up 70% of all animals that have to be destroyed. I would definitely be putting a combination of my two black Labs (Dallas & Texas) into the pup I called Bear. I sold the book in January and began writing it in February. It was coming together nicely and then...

On February 13th, ten minutes before I arrived home, Dallas had a seizure resulting in a stroke and died. I was devestated. Dallas and I were very close. She was a fearless, loving dog. Abandoned on the side of the road, her rescuers thought she'd been tossed from a car. She had skin problems--didn't matter. She was blind in one eye--didn't slow her down. And she had unexplained seizures--we thought they were under control with medicine. I've loved all my dogs, but her death was so unexpected. It just hit me hard.

Even though the murder was in Dallas. I renamed the pup from Bear to Dallas in her honor. The mannerisms are all hers. I share pictures of my Labs all the time. All my on-line friends mourned Dallas. What most don't know is that we immediately adopted another 2 month-old black Lab we named Valentine. Unfortunately, she left the shelter with distemper and she was only with us 2 weeks. So I'd lost two precious pups in two weeks. 

At first it was hard to write, but the book was written in a record number of days for me. I'm glad to share how Dallas became so special to my hero, Jake. And how she became his "last defense." I will never forget Dallas or precious little Valentine. And just to let you know, Tex is now 2 years old and his new playmate, Roxie, turned 1 last Monday.

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"Former Marine Jake Craig is now a homicide detective who keeps people at a distance, but there's something about the pretty woman at the local coffee shop that captures his attention. Sabrina Watkins has built t a successful business walking dogs, but she's also on the run from men who want her to take the fall for their illegal activities-after she's dead. How can she get involved with a taciturn cop who could slap the cuffs any minute? Before he knows it, Jake is busy trying to keep Sabrina alive as he worries that he's falling hard for a felon. Morgan launches the volley from the first pages so readers aren't left wondering whodunit, but they'll have to pay attention to the escalating action to keep up with the characters, who are in trouble from the get-go." ~Romantic Times Magazine, 4 STARS

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ANGI MORGAN writes “Intrigues where honor and danger collide with love.” She combines actual Texas settings with characters who are in realistic and dangerous situations. Angi's work has been a finalist in the Bookseller’s Best Award, Romantic Times Best First Series, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence and the Daphne du Maurier.

Website   Facebook   FB Fan Page   Twitter @AngiMorganAuthr

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ENTER Angi's Monthly Contest: Rafflecopter

& leave a comment for my weekend drawing...I'm going shopping and will pick up something special to give away.

Join us next week for Mary Duncanson, Jessica Hart, Chris Green & Kristina McMorris.

Don’t forget to FOLLOW us on Twitter #GetLostStories or LIKE us on Facebook to keep up with all our guest authors and their prizes. ~Angi

DO YOU LIKE SEASONAL STORIES? Like winter stories in winter and beach stories in summer? Or does it matter what the weather's like outside while you're reading about a blizzard?

Romantic Suspense RITA Winner Laura Griffin

EXPOSED
A Tracers Novel

Pocket Books

Every picture tells a story. But not all of them have happy endings.

As a forensic photographer at the Delphi Center crime lab, Maddie Callahan is used to seeing violence up close, but she’s never before been the target of it. When a freelance photo shoot goes awry, she realizes she may have seen, and perhaps photographed, the kidnapping of a key witness in a federal probe. And although her camera was stolen, Maddie knows she has something that could be even more valuable to investigators.

FBI agent Brian Beckman has spent months investigating a vicious criminal known as the Doctor, only to have a key witness abducted on his watch. Worse, he’s falling for the woman who may be the Doctor’s next target. Maddie’s aloof facade hides a world of hurt that he wants to heal, no matter how much she keeps him at bay. But first he has to protect her from the danger that’s just out of focus, drawing close enough to shoot . . . and kill.

EXCERPT

ALL ABOUT LAURA

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author LAURA GRIFFIN started her career in journalism before venturing into the world of romantic suspense. She is a two-time RITA Award winner (for the books Scorched and Whisper of Warning) as well as the recipient of the Daphne du Maurier Award (for Untraceable). Laura currently lives in Austin, where she is working on her next book.

ANGI: What’s your favorite fairy tale?

LAURA: My favorite (modern) fairy tale is probably Star Wars. I love the themes of good versus evil and people finding their inner courage to face impossible odds.

ANGI: What do you like about the hero of your book?

LAURA: The hero of my story is FBI agent Brian Beckmann. I love him because he’s strong (of course), smart, confident. He’s not afraid to go after what he wants (in this case, my heroine Maddie, who is very reluctant to give her heart away and for good reason). Brian is younger than Maddie, and she sees that as a problem, but he is determined to prove her wrong and overcome her many reservations about getting involved. Of course, he’s very convincing...

ANGI: Can you tell us about a real-life hero you’ve met?

LAURA: I have had the honor of meeting some of our Navy SEALs. I am so impressed with the sacrifices our men and women in uniform make and I don’t think we do enough to help and appreciate them when they are home.

ANGI: What sound or noise do you love?

Laura accepting her 2013 RWA RITA
for SCORCHED

LAURA: my children laughing

ANGI: Fairy Tale or Action Adventure?

LAURA: Action adventure!

ANGI: What’s a book in your To-Be-Read pile?

LAURA: My sister just gave me The War of Art. And I’m looking forward to Lee Child’s new thriller, Never Go Back.

ANGI: What’s your favorite movie of all time?

LAURA: I love so many movies! One of my favorite movie series is Jason Bourne. I loved Matt Damon as Bourne and then was thrilled to see Jeremy Renner in the latest film, The Bourne Legacy.

ANGI: What is your biggest vice?

LAURA: My biggest vice is books. I load up twice a year (usually during the holidays and before summer) and then devour them all year long. I can never stick to a budget when it comes to books, so those one-click buttons are dangerous.

ANGI’S GOTTA ASK: You've got a matching set of RITAs for your office. Mind sharing where you're keeping your ladies?  

LAURA'S GOTTA ANSWER: I love the two RITAs! I have them in my office as bookends, with my books in between.

FIND LAURA

Contact    Website    Facebook    Twitter @Laura_Griff

Goodreads    Blogs    Previous GLIAS interviews

UP NEXT for LAURA

FAR GONE, coming in February 2014

PREVIOUS RELEASES 

by LAURA

More about the Tracers Series

SCORCHED

RITA Award winning novel

a Tracers Novel, book 6

TWISTED

 a Tracers Novel, book 7

LAURA WILL BE DRAWING for a signed copy of her new book EXPOSED.

Note: COMMENTERS are encouraged to leave a contact email address to speed the prize notification process. Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be emailed to winners. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a timely manner, the author may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize. GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the commenter publicly posts their email address.

DON’T FORGET to FOLLOW us on Twitter #GetLostStories or LIKE us on Facebook to keep up with all our guest authors and their prizes. Join us Monday & Tuesday for Lizbeth's Birthday Bash. And come back tomorrow when Donnell hosts Beth Watson. ~Angi

LAURA GRIFFIN WANTS TO KNOW: I love to go to the movies. What is the best film you’ve seen this summer? Any upcoming movies on your must-see list?

Falling in Love with a Genre

I thought I'd share my post from Just Romantic Suspense last week. I hope you don't mind the rerun.  >>grin<<

I'm often asked in interviews "why romantic suspense?" Without thinking much, I've always been drawn to things with a mystery. Scooby Doo and Johnny Quest were two of my favorite Saturday morning cartoons. The Hardy Boys & Nancy Drew… Even the original book of 101 Dalmations had an element of the unsolved crime and righting a wrong. And I loved the NBC Mystery Movie in the 70's that rotated between Columbo, McMillan and Wife, and McCLoud. Who could resist Dennis Weaver in a hat and boots walking the streets of NYC? But my love of reading came from being taken to the library as a child.

I was fortunate that my mother didn't take a full-time job until I was 12. My summers were full of walking to the swimming pool and stopping by the library on the way home. Lots of reading when there wasn't much more to do on rainy days. In fact, I still feel like writing or curling up with a good book when the rain is pouring outside.

I can't remember when I found Mary Stewart. It could have been as early as the fifth or sixth grade. Or maybe I saw THE MOONSPINNERS on the Wonderful World of Disney. Whenever I did, I devoured everything she'd written. I couldn't get enough. I loved the combination of mystery and love story. Timeless stories and writing… And then I discovered THE CRYSTAL CAVE and the Arthurian Saga, but that's another post. LOL

So I fell in love. From the first western I began to the current work-in-progress about twin brothers determined to save not only the women they love, but their family ranch… mystery, suspense, danger, honor, and love tangled together somewhere in the state of Texas. 

Helped by the anticipation that a book would be on the shelf and available to borrow. Spurred on by my imagination and curiosity about how the characters sounded, how they moved. Driven to recreate those images long-after I'd returned the book. Compelled to want more adventures for the characters I loved so much. I guess I was destined to become a writer. Seven sales later and I still love my genre. And to think…it all began with a love of reading and trips to the library. 

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Angi Morgan writes “Intrigues where honor and danger collide with love.” She combines actual Texas settings with characters who are in realistic and dangerous situations. Angi's work has been a finalist in the Bookseller’s Best Award, Romantic Times Best First Series, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence and the Daphne du Maurier.

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FIND ANGI

Website   Facebook   FB FanPage    Twitter @AngiMorganAuthr

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LEAVE A BLOG COMMENT. Angi will draw from blog commenters for a hand-painted Texas-themed tile. AND for another chance for a one-of-a-kind tile, ENTER ANGI'S June contest: register at Rafflecopter through June 30th.

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I'd love to know what inspired you to read or what's your favorite rerun?

PROTECTING THEIR CHILD

The Davis Mountains became a character in Protecting Their Child. The landscape presented as many obstacles to Kate & Cord as the men chasing them. I'm always inspired by visiting the story location and hope to write more books based in West Texas.

I get introduced to my daughter's friends and one of the first things she tells them now is to be careful about what they say...they may just end up in a book. And ironically, from all the people I know and have worked with that knew I was a writer, her friends are the only ones that have asked to have characters named after them.

I did. Can't wait to see if their stories sell and I return next year to the Davis Mountains and Valentine, Texas.

A BIG THANK YOU TO MY HUSBAND for the new Book Trailer.

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I have 2 $10 Gift Cards to draw from blog commenters the 25th-28th.  Winner's Choice: anywhere I have access.

Register for my APRIL SHOWERS giveaway.

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My May contest is open just for GLIAS commenters. Here's a chance to enter before anyone else. I'm giving away a special necklace on June 2nd.  Register through RAFFLECOPTER. 

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FIND ANGI

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You're all readers...have you ever had a spark of a story idea? Care to share what you'd write about?