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12/13/2013

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?

 ~ ~ ~
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.
~ ~ ~
"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
~ ~ ~
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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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?

23 comments:

  1. I remember when you lost Dallas and Valentine--so heartbreaking. I'm glad they'll live forever in your new book!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello I'm so happy sharing this, I still can’t thank you enough powerful Priest Elijah, My husband left for a younger lady because i was unable to give birth due to PCOS,I was so devastated i was lonely i cried a lot i even tried taking my life, Then my friend told me about this great man Priest Elijah who helped her made her marriage perfect, I also went online and did more research about him i was not too sure but i decided to give him a try he told me not to worry everything was going to be alright, He told me all i needed to pay which was a convenient fee and i did and he did his work and sent me video proof and told me to wait 24hrs that he will be back, The next morning to my greatest surprise it was Shawn my husband on his knees begging I'm so happy, It didn’t stop there, I'm proud to say that I'm 3 weeks pregnant thank you so much Priest Elijah I'm forever grateful contact him

      Email: universalspellhelp@gmail.com or

      universalspellhelp@yahoo.com

      WhatsApp him +2347054380994

      Website: https://universalspellhelp.wixsite.com/priestelijah

      Delete
  2. So sad to lose a dog. I had two growing up so I can relate!

    I think as long as the story is well-written, I don't mind what the weather is like outside. I have read Christmas stories in summer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So glad to hear that, May ! Thanks for stopping by.
      ~Angi

      Delete
  3. Angi, that's the whole purpose of escapism to suspend belief! Can't wait to read The Marine's Last Defense. What an awesome cover by the way! xxoo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Absolutely, Donnell. Thanks, I hope you enjoy it.
      ~Angi

      Delete
  4. sorry about the loss of your dogs but I'm glad you have new ones to keep you company. I'm such a bookaholic that it does not matter what the season is I'll read it

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's great to have a wonderful hero and heroine for Dallas. Thanks, Jean.
      ~Angi

      Delete
  5. Don't have a preference

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great way to preserve the memory of your dogs, and congrats on your latest Intrigue!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sorry about your dogs, Angi. I still miss my kittyboy Curry. He was old but well loved.

    I'll read any book in any season. But I do have to admit I've been reading a lot of Christmas novellas lately. It's easier to fit them in between wrapping and shipping gifts.

    Marcy Shuler

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Marcy.
      That's a good point and definitely something to keep in mind for next year.
      ~Angi

      Delete
  8. I always enjoy seasonal stories. Of course, here I am in reality sweltering in sub-tropical heat while I read stories set during snowy cold Christmases. I could do with a blast of snow right now.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MARINE's on sale soon there, Mary !!
      There are a lot of people here in the states that would welcome a blast of "swelter."
      ~Angi

      Delete
  9. Yep I went shopping yesterday and it was a mess in town. All most got run over by a shopping cart in Walmart. We don't have many places to shop here so Walmart seems to be the most popular.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad it was a near miss and not a hit & run !!
      ~Angi

      Delete
  10. It's always hard to lose a beloved pet, I'm so sorry for your loss.

    I'm not fussy about the storyline as long as it's a good one. Since I live in the tropics the climate where I am is hot & humid all year round anyway! It's kinda cool (pun intended) to read about a love story set in a snowy white xmas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :-) Linda...
      I hope your tropics are always heavenly !
      ~Angi
      (and thanks...again, it's very comforting Dallas will be remembered in this book)

      Delete
  11. CONGRATULATIONS BN100
    You've won...your surprise will be in the mail this afternoon.
    ~Angi

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hello I'm so happy sharing this, I still can’t thank you enough powerful Priest Elijah, My husband left for a younger lady because i was unable to give birth due to PCOS,I was so devastated i was lonely i cried a lot i even tried taking my life, Then my friend told me about this great man Priest Elijah who helped her made her marriage perfect, I also went online and did more research about him i was not too sure but i decided to give him a try he told me not to worry everything was going to be alright, He told me all i needed to pay which was a convenient fee and i did and he did his work and sent me video proof and told me to wait 24hrs that he will be back, The next morning to my greatest surprise it was Shawn my husband on his knees begging I'm so happy, It didn’t stop there, I'm proud to say that I'm 3 weeks pregnant thank you so much Priest Elijah I'm forever grateful contact him

    Email: universalspellhelp@gmail.com or

    universalspellhelp@yahoo.com

    WhatsApp him +2347054380994

    Website: https://universalspellhelp.wixsite.com/priestelijah

    ReplyDelete