Sit-down Saturday with Kate James and Giveaway

Today we’re celebrating the release of When I Found You.



This is the third book in your K-9 trilogy. What was your inspiration for writing the trilogy?



Kate: I have tremendous respect and appreciation for law enforcement personnel who dedicate their lives to keeping us safe, and I love all animals, with a particular fondness for dogs. In that context, the K-9 trilogy was a natural outcome for me.

How did you come up with the story idea for
When I Found You?

Kate: I wanted the story to have a plot that dealt with emotionally-charged, current-day issues that readers would find intriguing. I considered the most common specializations of police service dogs and their handlers, and since the first and second books in the trilogy featured search and rescue, and narcotics detection respectively, for the third book, I chose explosives as Logan and Boomer’s specialization.

I have been fascinated by airports and the aviation sector for as long as I can remember. Professionally, I have had involvement in the industry. As such, I have more insight into an airport’s operation than the average person might, and I also tend to pay more attention to media coverage of airport or aviation related incidents. Although I write fiction, my personal belief is that for a reader to be drawn into a story (among other attributes) it has to be genuine and credible. There are a number of elements to this story that I refer to as fictionalizing facts!

Tell us about the research you did for the trilogy.

Kate: I really enjoyed doing the research for the trilogy. My husband put me in touch with some of his law enforcement contacts. After obtaining the requisite security clearance and necessary approvals, I had the great pleasure of spending a considerable amount of time with PC Jim Hilton of Ontario’s York Regional Police. PC Hilton is a K-9 expert and trainer, and is partnered with explosives detection dog, Max. PC Hilton was extremely generous with his time, knowledge and expertise, and I loved meeting the dogs.

How did you come up with the title for When I Found You?

Kate: My editor and I had a challenging time coming up with a title for this book. I wanted it to start with “When” to keep it consistent with the first two books in the trilogy. We considered a number of titles, but none seemed quite right. So we asked readers! I was thrilled to see the tremendous enthusiasm demonstrated by many readers.

As it turned out, we didn’t have just one winner but four. As a token of appreciation, each of the four winners received autographed copies of all three books in the trilogy. (Summer Halls and June Smalls, please contact me, if you are reading this, so I can send you a copy of When I Found You!)

What’s next for you? 

Kate: Mid-June, I submitted the manuscript for my next release, which will likely be the first book in a mini-series set in a small town in the Adirondack Mountains region, the heroine’s home being loosely based on our cottage in Ontario (please see picture below).



For readers who enjoyed my K-9 trilogy, here’s a nice little surprise! When I submitted my most recent proposal to Harlequin, they added an extra book to my contract. There will be a fourth book in the K-9 trilogy! I suppose we’ll have to start calling it the “K-9 series!” It’s the story of rookie K-9 officer, Shannon Clemens, and her rookie police service dog, Darwin, both of whom readers will get to know a little in When I Found You. I’m also writing in the characters for a possible fifth book!
J

If you could pick actors to play the hero and heroine, who would they be?




Kate: We had a Facebook party for our July releases and that was one of the questions I asked participants. There were a lot of great suggestions made, including the actress and actor I had in mind, Megan Fox for Ariana and Ian Somerhalder for Logan.


What would you like your readers to know?

Kate: I would like them to know how grateful I am to everyone who chooses to spend some of their valuable leisure time reading one of my books. I am also very appreciative when those same people take a moment to send me an e-mail or post a review to let me know how they enjoyed one of my books. Ultimately, that’s what being an author is all about!

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Excerpt from When I Found You

While Logan and Boomer worked the area between Gates 16 and 18, Ariana wandered ahead to the next section of the concourse. She watched the members of her team and other airport personnel undertake an orderly evacuation. People had obviously been shaken by the explosion, but the staff were communicating that it was a minor incident to keep everyone calm. She followed in the wake of the evacuation, scanning the area for anything that might’ve been out of the ordinary, although she knew it was futile.

     She was glad she hadn’t dismissed the letter as a ruse. Ariana had been in her job long enough to know that the airport received a considerable number of false threats on a regular basis.

     In this case, the threat just hadn’t felt like a prank, and Ariana trusted her instincts. Whoever was behind it had access to her office, making it far more likely that he’d have means of entry to other secure areas, as well. Granted, security in most areas of the terminals was electronic and far more advanced than the rudimentary manual lock on her office door. And she always kept her door locked when she wasn’t in it. Electronic security was harder to breach, but if someone wanted in badly enough, there were ways. No easy feat, but possible.

     Ariana checked in with her team to get status updates about the search. For the time being, they believed that they were dealing with an individual. Even so, they couldn’t assume that only Terminal 1 was targeted. They had to check the entire airport.

     She monitored the evacuation process for Terminal 1, and she kept Calvin and Molly informed.

     From the cryptic updates Logan received, Ariana surmised that Sergeant Vasquez and his dog had left Terminal 2 and were heading to Terminal 1.

     She caught up to where the passengers were exiting the concourse and paused. She watched Logan as he supervised Boomer. When he glanced at her, she could picture the bright blue gleam of his eyes, although he was too far for her to discern their color. It was only a moment in time, but Ariana felt a spark pass between them, across the nearly empty concourse.

     Disconcerted, she broke eye contact and made her way toward the concession area, still seeking anything that might not appear right.

     Suddenly, Boomer rushed by her in a blur and she heard her name called from a distance. Swinging around, she saw Logan sprinting toward her. She felt the floor shudder, and an earsplitting sound reverberated around her. Before she could process what was happening, she was flying through the air.

© © ©

To celebrate the release of When I Found You, I have set up an Amazon giveaway. You can enter here. (Sorry, Canadian friends. Amazon wouldn't let me set one up for Canadian residents. L)

Finally, I am pleased to announce the winner of my Prism Book Tours blog tour K-9 trilogy prize pack. Congratulations Tracy Snyder! Here is what you have won!!


Happy reading, everyone!



Kate James
spent much of her childhood abroad before attending university in Canada. She built a successful business career, but her passion has always been literature. As a result, Kate turned her energy to her love of the written word. Her writing has been recognized with a number of awards. She and her husband, Ken, enjoy traveling and the outdoors with their beloved Labrador Retrievers, Harley and Logan.

Kate would love to hear from you. You can connect with her by e-mail (readers@kate-james.com), through her website (www.kate-james.com), her Facebook page (www.facebook.com/katejamesbooks), Twitter (@katejamesbooks) or mail at PO Box 446, Schomberg, ON, L0G 1T0, Canada. 

When I Found You (Book 3 in the K-9 Trilogy)

Is she part of the solution…or the problem?


It could be a terrorist threat. Or is it some other sinister plot? An unprecedented rash of security breaches at San Diego's international airport is putting passengers at risk and bringing the competence of the airport's chief of security, Ariana Atkins, into question. With explosives the weapon of choice, police K-9 unit captain Logan O'Connor and his bomb detection dog, Boomer, might be Ariana's best, if not only, line of defense. Logan is certain his belief in Ariana, and his growing love for her, aren't misplaced…but it wouldn't be the first time he's misjudged someone's intentions.

Buy Links
Or  you can by all three books here.


Comments

  1. I love the aviation sector too! I had a dream when I was small that I wanted to work in the airport, but now that I think about it, I don't know which part I would be good at.

    Thank you for your post today! It's very interesting to know how you did your research and your inspiration.

    xoxo

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    1. Thank you for stopping by, Evelyn. Airport and airline operations are complex and fascinating.

      I'm glad you found the post interesting!

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  2. Terrific post as always, Kate! Can't wait to get my hands on your next book! Have a beautiful weekend!

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  3. What a great series, Kate! And congratulations on the contract for a 4th book and also your new series. This is great news for readers of sweet romance!

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    1. Aww . . . thank you, Amie!

      I hope you are having a wonderful weekend.

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  4. A fourth book!!! That makes me so happy! And I love books set in the mountains, so I can't wait to seethe next one. The picture is beautiful. I'm thinking writer's retreat at Kate's cottage? Haha haha!

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    1. Thank you, LeAnne. I would love to host a writers' retreat, but people have to be prepared that my critique team--Harley and Logan--would need to be part of it! :-)

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  5. Yay! Congrats on the fourth book, Kate! So glad we won't be saying goodbye to the pups just yet. <3 Looking forward to the new series!

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    1. Thanks, Anna. I'm working om the fourth book right now . . . and I've already written in the characters for book five! :-)

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  6. Fantastic post today, Kate! The intensive research you do and all that you bring to your books makes each story a true cut above the crowd. I always intrigued with the behind the scenes information in our blogs and yours is chock full, as well. I wistfully pine for the Adirondacks myself, but your photos of your cottage on Facebook in years past are of an idyllic natural wonderland, so you up-coming stories will be greatly anticipated. I was thrilled, chilled to the bone to read that you are creating characters now for even a 5th K-9 book. Doggies forever! Truly, this series could go on forever. Why not? You have so much background now and the intricacies of the lives of the handlers and the dogs are fascinating. We have five dogs in our county in the K-9 Squad, and more in each city.
    Yesterday, I saw a photo of a WHITE GERMAN SHEPHERD. I'd never seen one before. That dog was so majestic, I was spell bound. Probably have to put him in a book.

    Again, thank you for the great radio show yesterday! Didn't we have a blast?
    For those who would like to hear Kate, Amy Vastine and myself, the web site is www.lakeshorepublicmedia.org and the program is archived under "A Look at the Arts with Tom Lounges."

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    1. Wow, Catherine! Thank you! We did have a terrific time yesterday with Amy on "A Look at the Arts with Tom Lounges." You were an extraordinary co-host!

      I have to admit, I am more than happy to do research for the K-9 series. I believe I'll have to do some more very soon. :-)

      As for white German Shepherds, I've seen some and they are truly beautiful. In fact, if you don't mind, I might just make the dog in the fifth book a white German Shepherd!

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    2. . . . as for the Adirondacks, you might have to help me with research and we'll visit Karen Rock! :-D

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    3. Gotta jump in here to say I agree with Catherine on all she said plus I LOVED listening to that radio show yesterday. You ladies are so much fun to listen to :). Anyone who missed it should definitely check it out!

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    4. Thank you, Rula! If not for the fact that Catherine is an extraordinarily talented author, she could have a (second, third, fourth???) career in radio! ;-)

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  7. Kate, I loved this book so much I stayed up all night to read it. And I generally can figure out all of the plot twists, but I honestly did not with this story. So big kudos to you. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

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    1. Aww . . . thank you, Roz. I have such respect for you and your writing that I always wait anxiously to see what you think of my books. I am so glad you enjoyed it.

      After all, it's because of you and Pamela Tracy that I decided to submit a proposal to Heartwarming!!

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  8. Thank you for this great post and wonderful giveaway!

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    1. Thank you for visiting, Melanie. I'm glad you enjoyed the post, and good luck with the giveaway!

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  9. Thank you for this great post and wonderful giveaway!

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  10. On my way to Amazon to pick up a copy! This sounds so intriguing. And I'm excited about more in the series.

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    1. Thank you so much, Patricia! If you do read WHEN I FOUND YOU, I would love to know what you think of it.

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  11. How exciting that you have a new series and get to continue the K-9 series! Very exciting. Congratulations on all your success :)

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    1. Thank you, Amy. I'm excited about your Grace Note Records series, too.

      It was fun doing the radio show with you and Catherine yesterday. If we get a chance to do it again, I'd fly in, as I wish I could have been there in person with the two of you!

      Best wishes with THE GIRL HE USED TO LOVE, and congratulations on all the wonderful reviews!

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  12. Congratulations on the new book! :) I think that art team at Harlequin got pretty close to the pictures you choose for Logan, Ariana and Boomer. The cover looks great!

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    1. Thank you for visiting, Krissie. I'm glad you like the cover! Harlequin has a lot of talented people and it's a pleasure for us authors to work with them.

      Happy reading!

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  13. I loved When I Found You, and the airport setting was very real. So were the characters, including Boomer. Thrilled there's another K-9 book coming, as well as your lake book. The water in the photo looks so lovely and cool, I can hardly wait to dip my toe into the new story.

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    1. Aww . . . thank you, Beth. I am so glad you enjoyed WHEN I FOUND YOU!! Thanks for stopping by, too!

      Best wishes for a terrific weekend.

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  14. Fascinating interview, Kate! I'm totally intrigued by all the hands on research you've done with actual police dogs and their trainers. That's just so cool. And now hearing about your experience in the aviation industry has me dying to read this story! All of your experience really shines through, including your love of dogs and life with your two labs :).

    I loved the radio talk show yesterday and, like others expressed, your photos of your cottage and the gardens makes me want to move in with you lol!

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    1. Oh and I forgot to add...you know, whenever I see pics of your hero/heroine models, I can't help but think that they're all going to have some darn good looking kids!!! :)

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    2. Thank you, Rula. I greatly appreciate all your kind words and you're more than welcome to visit any time!

      As for my heroes and heroines having babies, actually one couple is doing just that in book 4. I'll have to find a really baby picture. I won't have to go far with some of the adorable pics some of our fellow Heartwarming authors have been posting of grandkids and nieces lately! :-)

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  15. Congratulations, Kate! Looks as though your writing spot might rival Janice Carter's Paradise, though it's hard to match that history. Do you know anything about yours? So happy for your K-9 series success - you go, Girl!

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    1. Thank you, Muriel. I purchased the cottage from the person who built it. He is a carpenter and he built it for his family over a number of years while they lived in a trailer on the property.

      My favorite place to write remains a pod on an airplane on a long-haul flight! No internet (generally) and no social media! :-) And I fit perfectly into a pod. (My husband is too tall for them.)

      Best wishes for a terrific weekend!

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