Thursday, October 31, 2013

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT ON B.J. DANIELS & GIVEAWAY




As many of you know, I am a super huge fan of author B.J. Daniels. This lady is something else writing her memorable Western Romantic Suspense novels with a flair like no other. I am very fortunate to have been able to ask B.J. some questions and I wanted to share all with you!


1.     Can you please tell us a bit about yourself?
I was born in Houston to a father who loved to travel. I was on the road at two weeks old, so wonder I too love to travel. My family moved to Montana when I was five and, even though I’ve left the state for short periods of time, I always come home. Montana inspires me.

2.    When and how did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I was eight when I decided I was going to be a writer. I’ve always had stories going in my head. Plus my father’s family were storytellers (or born liars.) Uncle Jack always said, “If you’re going to tell a story, make it good or don’t bother.” J

3.    Tell us about your upcoming work?
Right now I’m working on my Beartooth, Montana series. The series began with UNFORGIVEN, then REDEMPTION and now FORSAKEN is out. ATONEMENT comes out in March. I’m working on MERCY right now. My drop-dead gorgeous U.S. Marshal goes rogue to catch a serial killer. His only clue is a woman he tracks to Beartooth. I’m having a lot of fun with it.

I also have more Cardwell Ranch stories. CHRISTMAS AT CARDWELL RANCH comes out Nov. 1. It introduces the first Cardwell cousin from Texas. All five brothers will be making their way to Montana where they were born.

4.    Do you have any mentors? Heroes?
All the writers who have come before me and got me dreaming are my heroes. I fell in love with reading, escaping into those other worlds. I so admired them and wanted to build my own worlds.

BJ and I at the RWA NYC 2011


5.    Can you tell us your favorite character from your books so far and why?
Boy that is hard. They all made me love them, even the villains. Right now I would have to say Maddie Conner in FORSAKEN. She is so wonderfully capable. I love that about her. And she tries so hard not to show just how vulnerable she is. I admire her.

6.    Was it difficult for you to get published?
I lucked out. I cut my writing teeth working for a newspaper, writing a lot and on deadline. Then I wrote short stories for Woman’s World. I wrote a lot of them before they finally bought one because I had to have adventure in mine. I think I wore them down. J I wrote a bunch of short stories and only ended up selling about 40.
So by the time I wrote my first book…I’d done some writing. I sold the first book I wrote – but only after I’d rewritten it several times.

7.    Who are your favorite authors/reads?
Oh gad. I love so many. Lisa Gardner is always a favorite. Same with Elizabeth George. Gillian Flynn, John Grisham, Ken Follett, Jennifer Weiner, Sandra Brown and so many more.

8.    Hobbies aside from your awesome quilting?
LOL, yep I took up quilting and am now hooked. I also love to snowboard, waterski, boat, swim, camp, fish, travel, read, play tennis. I love being on water the best.

Looking totally awesome in a Book Obsessed Chicks tshirt!

9. Does your husband read your books? Do your kids?
My husband read all my books up until book No. 5. J It’s best he doesn’t know what goes on in my books, don’t you think? J My daughter reads them all.

10.    What is your dream job?
have my dream job. I couldn’t be happier writing books. I have to pinch myself. I never dreamed even half of all the wonderful things that have come from writing – including the amazing people I have met.

11.  Do you have any favorite TV shows?
Oh yeah. I love The Good Wife, Project Runway (how do they come up with those designs? It is beyond me), The Mentalist, Revenge, Empire Boardwalk, Drop Dead Diva (I know), Hostages. I’m sure there are more. J

12.  What’s next for you?
Another six Beartooth, Montana books are in the works that will tell the stories of the Hamilton sisters. I think that will be a lot of fun, finding them amazing men who can handle these amazing sisters – especially when we all know how dangerous Beartooth can be. 

13.  Where can we find you?
In my office. Or sometimes on the tailgate of my pickup out by the lake writing. But most of the time, you will find me writing. The area where I live inspires me and I often have to get out in it and write.

14.  What would you like readers to know about you?
I am bowled over by the wonderful readers I have connected with through my books. It is such a thrill to hear from them. I can’t tell you how amazing it is when they enjoy my books and share my characters and their stories. Those characters become real to me as I write them, but how cool is it that they become real to anyone who reads the book?
I feel so blessed that I get to do this and share Montana and my characters’ stories. (Pinching myself.)




46 comments:

  1. Love every book with the words Cardwell Ranch in the name!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Denise, thank you so much. I apologize for getting here late. I am visiting my granddaughter in Seattle. Thank you for stopping by.

      Delete
  2. I love every book by BJ Daniels! 8-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Reading books by authors I admire for who they are as well as for their writing skills is a greater pleasure than reading alone. BJ is someone I have learned to admire through what I've seen of her online. Her books are excellent. It's delightful to see someone as interesting as her books.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Susanna!!! Thanks so much for coming on over to the blog!!! Thanks for the awesome comment

      Delete
    2. Susanna, Kimberly is a delight, isn't she!!

      Thank you for the kinds words!!

      Delete
  4. I like every book by BJ Daniels!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I get to travel to many breath taking places in the pages of a BJ Daniels book and in the company of such cowboy hunks!!! Thanks for the many wonderful hours of reading fun!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nyoka thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!!!! Much appreciated

      Delete
    2. Nyoka, so glad I can bring you to Montana!!!

      Delete
  6. Awesome as always. Just love BJ ♥

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have had the pleasure of reading two of BJ's books thus far--amd looking forward to reading them all!!!!! She takes me to places and with others I have only dreamed of in the past. I feel like I have actually been to these places and still I yearn to do so! *~*CAROLE*~*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awwwww I am so glad you have enjoyed her books so far! Thank you for commenting!

      Delete
  8. I love Christmas romance stories. Can't wait to get yours tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OMG Margie, it was on the shelf at my grocery store today and you know U have to have it in print as well as E

      Delete
    2. I'd love to have it in print. Wonder how it will look hanging from the ceiling. My bookshelves are overflowing. Have to come up with somewhere to put more books..

      Delete
    3. LOL Margie!! Send me a photo of it hanging from the ceiling!! Hope you enjoy it!

      Delete
  9. B.J. IS THE BEST WRITER I HAVE EVER READ. I HAVE READ ALL OF HER BOOKS OUT SO FAR. I RAN ACROSS ONE OF HER BOOKS THAT WAS FREE AND THOUGHT WHY NOT TRY IT. IT LOOKED INTERESTING. I WAS HOOKED FROM THE FIRST CHAPTER. I LOVE THE FACT THAT SHE DOES NOT ALWAYS REPEAT HER SELF IN HER SERIES OF BOOKS. SHE ONLY REPEATS ENOUGH SO THAT YOU REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED IN THE OTHER BOOKS. I HOPE SHE NEVER QUITS WRITING.YOU WILL FEEL LIKE YOU ARE IN MONTANA WHEN YOU READ HER BOOKS.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for commenting Marylou65!!!

      Delete
    2. Wow, MaryLou, thank you so much!!! I'm so glad I can share Montana with you!!

      Delete
  10. I have read BJ's books especially Forsaken and am looking forward to the Cardwell Ranch books.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have read the White Horse books and look forward to reading more. Just got the Christmas Cardwell book today. Looking forward to a great read.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Enjoy the read.. It really is a great story!!!

      Delete
    2. Velveteena, I hope you enjoy it!! Let me know. Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  12. Kimberly, thank you for such a wonderful feature page! I'm sorry I couldn't get here sooner. That darn grandbaby has kept me busy today.
    Thank you all for stopping by!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you, ladies for a fun interview! B.J., I LOVE your books and was hooked when I read your first Cardwell Ranch book only last year. Since then...well, I have been reading and reading. My dream is to actually move to Montana (soon I hope). It draws both myself and my husband, much to my children's consternation, but we both love everything we have been finding out about it. I'm gathering all the info I can at the moment to see just where in that beautiful state we will live!
    Have a great day, gals!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phyllis, glad you liked the interview! And the books!! Hope you get to Montana soon. I think you will enjoy it. The kids might too. :)

      Delete
  14. I'm another who discovered B.J. Daniels through a free book during Harlequin's 60th anniversary. And as much as I enjoy and love your writing, my 89-year-old mother LOVES your writing. She'll be so happy that CHRISTMAS AT CARDWELL RANCH downloaded automatically to our Kindles this morning. Please keep writing your wonderful Montana stories.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How cool Marie-Nicole about you and especially your mom. Tell her hello for me!! If you were to send my her snail mail address to bjdaniels@mtintouch.net I would love to send her a bookmark!

      Delete
  15. I loved the Q&A. The books look good and you look great in the BOC tee!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww Thanks Lori!!! She does look great in the tee doesn't she?

      Delete
  16. Love your books!! Can't wait for more Cardwell Ranch books!!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. You are a new author for me & I'm looking for some great reads!
    leamei1981@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great!! looking forward to reading your books

    ReplyDelete