Joining us today to answer my questions and tell us more about her newest release, Highland Quest, is author B.J. Scott.
How long does
it take you to write a book?
I am not a speed
writer and it usually takes me close to a year to write and edit a
book. It of course depends on how the muse is talking and how busy
real life gets.
What do you
think is the best way of publishing a book these days?
While it appears
to be easier to get picked up by an e-book publisher and even the
larger publishers are doing more e-books, I still dream about being
picked up by one of the major publishers in New York. I don’t think
print books will ever become obsolete and would love to see the
industry shift back to the traditional forms of publishing.
When did you
write your first book?
In 2001, but
never sent it in for publication. Highland Legacy was my first book I
sent in for consideration and it was published in Nov 2011
What do you
like to do when you’re not writing?
I enjoy reading,
a variety of hand crafts, camping, antiquing and going for walks on
the beach. We live in a small town on Lake Erie.
How many books
have you written? Which is your favorite? I have written five,
published two and am working on the third book in my series now. I
like Highland Quest better than Highland Legacy but think Highland
Homecoming, the one I am working on now, will be my favorite of the
three.
Can you tell
me and your readers something about your main characters?
Bryce Fraser is
the youngest of three brothers. He is by far the ladies’ man of the
group but has no desire to take a wife. His first brush with love,
when he was a lad ended in disaster and he vowed never to risk his
heart again. Strong, handsome and every bit an alpha male hero, he is
fearless in his quest to find his destiny and to rid Scotland of the
English who occupy his homeland. He is driven by passion and the
desire to avenge the deaths of his parents, two brothers, and many
friends lost in battles. He finds the heroine Fallon beguiling when
he meets her in the first book Highland Legacy and his ability to
resist temptation and to stray from his chose path is tested on many
occasions during Highland Quest. He is uncertain of his future, if he
will survive the next battle and carries a secret that makes if
difficult for him to let down his guard.
Fallon MacCrery
is a beautiful, mysterious woman who we first meet in Highland
Legacy. She is the clan healer and takes care of the heroine in the
first book. There is an immediate spark between her and Bryce the
minute they meet, and she believes he is different from any of the
other men she has met, but she has lost everyone she has held dear
and believes her love is a curse. Fallon is also gifted with second
sight, something that Highlanders believed strongly in and often
feared. Because of that she was shunned by many of the villagers and
lived most of her life alone. She sees Bryce’s death in a vision on
more than one occasion, but her attempts to warn him falls on deaf
ears. Fallon is strong, independent and spirited, unlike most women
of the day. She was raised to stand her ground and refused to comply
with or to cower to any man. We see her as resourceful and a woman of
conviction throughout the book, but she is also compassionate and
self-sacrificing, even in the face of dire odd.
Do you hear
from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I love hearing
from my readers and for the most part, they have wonderful things to
say about my books. Many have asked for more and that is the main
reason Highland Quest was done before other books I was working on.
You will always get the occasional person who did not care for you
book and that is to be expected. Sadly they seem to have the most to
say, but it goes with the territory and I feel you can learn as much
from them and maybe more than those who tell you they loved the book.
What are your
favorite book genres in writing and reading? Why?
I am a history
buff and my first pick is usually historical romances, set in
medieval Scotland. Many of my book outlines take place during this
time period. I also enjoy books about the American Civil war and
Native American history. I have outlined books using these topics as
well. I also enjoy time travel, paranormal and romantic suspense.
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. And now readers for a little more about Highland Quest and an Excerpt.
No
longer content in the shadows of his older brothers and on a quest to
find his destiny, Bryce Fraser's chosen path is fraught with danger,
passion, and decisions. Can his unspoken love for spirited, beguiling
Fallon be triumphant in a time of war and uncertainty, or will they
both fall prey to the devious plans of a traitorous laird from a
rival clan?
Excerpt
Loch
Ryan Scotland, 1307
“Wa .
. . water,” Bryce mumbled, but there was no one there to listen.
His
throat was parched and he ran his tongue over dry, cracked lips, but
his action offered no relief. An entire loch lay only a few feet
away, but he couldn’t muster the strength to drag himself to the
bank and quench his thirst.
“Cold
. . . so cold.”
Despite
the sun beating down on him, he’d swear he was encased in ice. His
life’s blood seeped from his wounds, soaking the ground beneath
him. He tried to raise his head, but the excruciating pain radiating
across his chest stole his breath away.
Was this
what it felt like to die? If so, he prayed the Almighty would be
merciful and take him now.
Bryce
moaned, a shift in his position bringing on another nauseating wave
of agony. He sucked
in a short, sharp, gulp of air and stretched his arm out as far as he
could, his fingers grappling in the dirt.
If
only I could reach my sword.
Beads of
perspiration dampened his brow. As the strength slowly drained from
his body, drawing a simple breath became more difficult. The end grew
near. No time to make amends for sins of the past, and he had
committed his share.
Regrets?
He had those, too. “Fallon.” He whispered her name then heaved a
ragged sigh.
More About The B.J. Scott
With a
passion for historical romance, history in general, and anything
Celtic, B.J. always has an exciting work in progress. Each story
offers a blend of romance, adventure, suspense, and, where
appropriate, a dab of comic relief. Carefully researched historical
facts are woven into each manuscript, providing a backdrop from which
steamy romance, gripping plots, and vivid characters—dashing alpha
heroes and resourceful, beguiling heroines you can’t help but
admire—spring to life. A member of RWA, World Romance Writers,
Celtic Hearts Romance Writers, and Savvy Authors, B.J. also writes
contemporary, paranormal, time travel, and romantic suspense.
C.S.
Lewis first captivated B. J.’s imagination in the fourth grade, and
her desire to write sprang from there. Following a career in nursing
and child and youth work, B.J. married her knight-in-shining-armor,
and he whisked her away to his castle by the sea. In reality, they
share their century-old home in a small Canadian town on the shore of
Lake Erie with three dogs and a cat. When she is not working at her
childcare job, on her small business, or writing, you will find her
reading, camping, or antique hunting.
Be sure to leave B.J. Scott a comment before you leave and be entered into her giveaway. B.J. is awarding gifts of swag (including a canvas tote bag, a mouse pad, a pen, book thong, bookmark, can cooler, magnet, and key chain -- US/Canada only) to randomly drawn commenters from this tour and her Virtual Book Tour, as well as a grand prize of one $50 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter from this tour and her Super Book Blast.
