Martin, Kat 1947- (Kasey Mars; Kathy Lawrence, a joint pseudonym)

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MARTIN, Kat 1947- (Kasey Mars; Kathy Lawrence, a joint pseudonym)

PERSONAL: Born June 14, 1947, in Tulare, CA; daughter of Vern (in transportation) and Helen (a homemaker) Kelly; married Larry Martin (a writer), April 20, 1985. Education: University of California, Santa Barbara, B.A.

ADDRESSES: Home—Missoula, MT. Agent—Robert Gottlieb, Morris Barber Agency, 1325 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019.

CAREER: Real estate broker in California, 1980-85; writer, 1985—.

MEMBER: Romance Writers of America, Western Writers of America.

WRITINGS:

Magnificent Passage, Crown (New York, NY), 1988.

Dueling Hearts, Crown (New York, NY), 1989.

(With husband, Larry Martin, under the joint pseudonym Kathy Lawrence) Tin Angel, Avon (New York, NY), 1989.

Captain's Bride, Berkley Publishing (New York, NY), 1990.

Lover's Gold, Berkley Publishing (New York, NY), 1991.

Creole Fires, Dell (New York, NY), 1992.

Gypsy Lord, St. Martin's (New York, NY), 1992.

Savannah Heat, Dell (New York, NY), 1993.

Sweet Vengeance, St. Martin's (New York, NY), 1993.

Natchez Flame, Dell (New York, NY), 1994.

Bold Angel, St. Martin's (New York, NY), 1994.

(Under pseudonym Kasey Mars) The Silent Rose, Pinnacle Books (New York, NY), 1995.

Devil's Prize, St. Martin's (New York, NY), 1995.

(Under pseudonym Kasey Mars) The Dream, Pinnacle Books (New York, NY), 1995.

Midnight Rider, St. Martin's (New York, NY), 1996.

Innocence Undone, St. Martin's (New York, NY), 1997.

Nothing but Velvet, St. Martin's (New York, NY), 1997.

(With others) 'Tis the Season, Kensington (San Diego, CA), 1997.

The Duchess of Carbon County, Five Star (Unity, ME), 1997.

Dangerous Passions, St. Martin's (New York, NY), 1998.

Wicked Promise, St. Martin's (New York, NY), 1998.

Night Secrets, St. Martin's (New York, NY), 1999.

The Silent Rose, Kensington (San Diego, CA), 1999.

Silk and Steel, St. Martin's (New York, NY), 2000.

The Dream, Zebra (New York, NY), 2000.

Perfect Sin, St. Martin's (New York, NY), 2000.

The Secret, Kensington (San Diego, CA), 2001.

Heartless, St. Martin's (New York, NY), 2001.

Hot Rain, Zebra (New York, NY), 2002.

The Fire Inside, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 2002.

Secret Ways, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 2003.

SIDELIGHTS: Kat Martin is an immensely popular writer of "Regency" romances who has also penned romance novels set in the American West, the antebellum South, and modern-day locales. Martin's novels abound with scenes of passionate love, but they also present readers with characters who are trying to forge long-lasting relationships despite their own flaws. In a Publishers Weekly review of The Secret, a critic commended Martin for novels that are "solidly written, deftly balancing intense emotion with satisfying intrigue." Martin has traveled widely to compile research for her books, but the plot ideas often come to her while she is reading the newspaper or watching television. Many of her historical romances feature strong-willed female characters who rebel against traditional views of womanhood, and who find themselves attracted to men who have unconventional motives of their own. A Publishers Weekly reviewer praised Martin for her exploration of "glittering Georgian England," concluding that the author offers "a boisterous carriage ride in which Martin . . . shows herself to have a firm grasp on the reins."

Kat Martin once told CA: "Unlike most authors, my desire to write was never a lifelong dream. The idea occurred in my late thirties, when I worked for a while with my husband, who was writing his first western novel. It seemed like writing might be fun, and I had a head full of story ideas which, fortunately, have continued to come over the years. To date I've written more than fifteen books and have many more novels planned, both historical romance fiction and contemporary romantic suspense.

"Though writing is much more difficult than I had first imagined, it is incredibly rewarding. There is always a challenge, something new to learn. I don't ever plan on retiring. I believe writing helps keep me young."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, May 1, 1999, Ann Bouricius, review of Night Secrets, p. 1582; September 15, 2000, Nina Davis, review of Midnight Rider, p.225; October 1, 2000, Diana Tixier Herald, review of Perfect Sin, p. 327; May 1, 2001, Maria Hatton, review of Heartless, p. 1671; April 1, 2002, Maria Hatton, review of Hot Rain, p. 1311.

Publishers Weekly, January 8, 1996, review of Midnight Rider, p. 65; November 25, 1996, review of Innocence Undone, p. 70; May 26, 1997, review of Nothing but Velvet, p. 83; January 12, 1998, review of Dangerous Passions, p.57; April 26, 1999, review of Night Secrets, p. 79; December 13, 1999, review of Silk and Steel, p. 69; September 11, 2000, review of Perfect Sin, p. 74; February 5, 2001, review of The Secret, p. 73; March 19, 2001, review of Heartless, p. 82; January 14, 2002, review of The Fire Inside, p. 46; April 1, 2002, review of Hot Rain, p. 59; July 1, 2002, review of Fanning the Flame, p. 61.