Hot guys, and sun, and...sharks? Oh my!

So, about a month or so ago, I was writing along on my WIP -- a  hot, sexy menage that takes place in the vacation spot we hit every year in Florida -- and I had an idea for a scene. It'd be full of action, and suspense, and....

Screeeeeeech...

Okay, wait. Back up. There's a little backstory (I know, I know... :)) that you need to hear first. When we started visiting this spot along the Emerald Coast in Florida's panhandle, we met some wonderful people, who have since become amazing friends. They'd been vacationing in that area for years, so they knew what was what. So when they said to us, "Hey, you know what they say about Inlet Beach?" and we replied with a "Well, no...", their response shocked us.

"Inlet Beach has some of the best shark fishing around."

Um, WHAT?

Sharks? And my kids were swimming in that water? Whoa, baby. In the eight years we've been going down there, I KNOW we've seen a couple here or there. They tend to stay pretty far out, but they're still out there. And no, I'm not confusing them for dolphins. Those bob up and down when they swim. Shark fins glide nice and easy along the water. Big difference, there.

But back to my story idea. I wanted to include a shark fishing scene in this book, but I know absolutely nothing about shark or deep-sea fishing. Helloooo internet! I started out at YouTube, where I looked up shark fishing in general. I came across a poster who had a bunch of videos up there, and wouldn't ya know, he had a website. So, I took a chance and emailed him. Jim Summers, Captain of the Fat Jax out of Pensacola, Florida, responded the same day. He gave me valuable information--vivid descriptions of what a trip out on his boat might be like--along with the nitty gritty of the equipment he used and such. After going back and forth via email a few times, I wrote the scene, and I have to say, I love the way it turned out. I couldn't have done it without Jim's help, though. This was actually my first time officially interviewing someone for information for one of my books, and it was a great experience. Now, if I only had the courage to do what my characters did... Take a look...

Here's my one and only experience with a shark. This was summer of 2011. And yes, we released this little guy right after I petted him...

I'm off to work on finishing this book. I can't wait for you all to read it... Stay tuned!

Kristin
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