by Kat Martin
THE FIRE INSIDE is the second book in my Vixens of London trilogy, a fact most readers don’t know. The book, part of a series, was published by a different company who insisted on changing the name. Originally, the three books were titled HEARTLESS, RECKLESS, and SHAMELESS. After HEARTLESS was released, the second book became THE FIRE INSIDE, the third, FANNING THE FLAME. Tricky to find even today.
St. Martin’s Press recently re-issued HEARTLESS with a gorgeous new cover and it’s currently available in both print and digital. The FIRE INSIDE and FANNING THE FLAME have been out of print for years.
In September that will change. For the first time in more than a decade, THE FIRE INSIDE will be available, though only in a digital edition. In October, FANNING THE FLAME will also be released in e-book format. Unfortunately, the paperback of both those books will continue to be unavailable.
In THE FIRE INSIDE, Kassandra “Kitt” Wentworth is a young woman ahead of her time. Considered headstrong and rebellious, she has no intention of obeying her father, a powerful viscount. Unlike other marriageable women her age, Kitt refuses to submit to a husband or even to fall in love.
But Kitt never thought a man like sinfully handsome Clayton Harcourt, the wealthy bastard son of a duke, would ignite such a burning fire inside her.
Clay, one of London’s most infamous rogues, is no stranger to scandal. Though he disapproves of Kitt’s wild spirit, Clay finds himself drawn to her. Taking a wife isn’t in his plans, but when he hears the unfair gossip that has begun to surround Kitt Wentworth, it awakens a desire to protect her.
But first he’ll have to tame her.
It’s a battle of wills between two headstrong people, a story that deals with secrets of the past that could destroy the chance for a future together.
This was one of my favorite stories to write. Clay and Kitt are both such vibrant, fiery people it was fun discovering the path of discovery that would draw them to each other and give them a happy ending. My muse believed the pair was a perfect match. But Kitt was wild and free, while Clay was one of the biggest rakes I’d ever written.
In the end, it took a strong-willed man like Clay to help Kitt become the woman she was meant to be, and a loving woman like Kitt to capture the heart of a rogue like Clay.
I hope you’ll watch for THE FIRE INSIDE, and next month look for FANNING THE FLAME. Till then, all best wishes and happy reading, Kat