Please welcome B.J. Scott author of Highland Quest. If you leave a comment, you will be eligible to win a prize.
The author will award 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, and a grand prize of one $50 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter from this tour and her Super Book Blast.
Highland Quest
by B. J. Scott
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
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?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1.What or who inspired you to
start writing?
Being a true Gemini and blessed with
the gift of gab and the need to tell a story, I come by it naturally ;) I have always had a fondness for reading and
writing, but started to write in earnest about ten years go. I took a few
creative writing classes at the local college and the day my teacher wrote on
my assignment “Have you ever thought about writing for Harlequin?” I asked
myself, was it because she thought my writing was good or too sentimental? She
encouraged me to take my love of writing that step further and suggested I
submit my manuscripts to publishers.
2.How did you come up with ideas
for your books?
I know it sounds cliché, but they just
come to me. I have always loved historical romance and anything to do with
Celtic history, especially Scottish so this seemed like a good place to start.
I am constantly coming up with new ideas and characters so always have a pen
and pad ready to write down the ideas. There are so many stories, just need to
find the time to write them.
3.What components are necessary
for the genre of this novel?
Researching the time period in which
the story takes place is crucial if you want to be taken seriously as a
historical romance writer. Readers of this genre tend to be very well versed in
the eras and expect accuracy and historical facts peppered into with the story.
The hardest part is not to let the history overshadow the romance. You don’t
want it to become a history lesson
4.As far as your writing goes,
what are your future plans?
Like many writers my goal is to be able
to write full time and give up the day jobs. I am currently working on book
three of the Highlander Series and have several other works in progress.
5.If you could be one of the
characters from any of your books, who would it be and why?
I love both my heroines for different
reasons, but think I would choose Fallon from Highland Quest. She is not only
resourceful and a woman of conviction, but she possesses a level of compassion
and self-sacrifice that shines through time and time again. The fact she never
gives up, no matter how dire the circumstance is something I admire in a
person.
6.Do you belong to a critique
group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing?
I did belong to two large critique
groups but found it difficult to do my share of the critiques and keep up my
own writing. I found the wide range of taste and writing experience in the
members also made it challenging. I now work with three crit-partners and find
this works well. I need extra eyes to go over my work, since a writer often
misses what other see, and working with people who have similar goals and
critique ethics is great. We offer suggestions and honest opinions but do not
try to rewrite the person’s book. Having three amazing, supportive women with
teaching/literature/English backgrounds is very helpful too.
7.When did you first decide to
submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big
step?
I had been working on manuscripts for
couple of years when I met my husband. Things got so busy that I put writing
aside for several years and concentrated on our marriage and life together. A
couple of years ago the writing bug bit again and I started to jot down my
ideas, when my hubby asked what I was doing and read my work, he encouraged me
to follow my dream and submit my manuscripts.
8.What is the best and worst
advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)
Best Advice: Write…write…write. Never
give up and use the rejection notices and constructive criticisms you are bound
to get to your advantage.
Worst advice: really all advice can be
used to better your understanding of the craft. But assuming once the book is
done, the publisher will do all the promo is a misconception. A writer does the
lion’s share so needs to be prepared.
9.Do you have any hobbies and
does the knowledge you've gained from these carry over into your characters or
the plot of your books?
I am a huge history buff and love
anything to do with Celtic and Scottish history, Civil war time period, war of
1812 and Native American history, so this naturally carries over into my work.
I have spent some time in the museum studies and as a costumed interpreter at a
historical village so that helps to get you into character too. I was also involved in war of 1812 and Civil War
reenactments.
10.
Do you have an all time favorite book?
As a child, C. S. Lewis sparked my
interest in books so The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe will always have a
place in my heart. I think I took the book out of the school library at least
10 times when I was in the fourth grade.
11.
Have you started your next project? If so, can you
share a little bit about your book?
I am currently working on book three of
my series. This book while a stand alone title picks up where Highland Quest
leaves off. It features Alasdair Fraser, the oldest brother and least likely of
the three to fall in love or take a bride. When he finds a beautiful woman,
unconscious on the beach and has no choice but to care for her, his convictions
as a sworn bachelor are put to the test.
12.
What is your favorite reality show?
I am drawn to the talent shows like
Dancing with the stars, so you think you can dance, the Voice, X factor. Not a
fan of the ones that have people stranded on an island or ones like the
Bachelor.
13.
Who are your favorite actor and actress?
Can’t honestly say I have a favorite
right now. I don’t have much time for TV or movies so am out of the loop in
this area.
14.
Anything else you might want to add?
Thanks Christine
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and
Links:
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.
https://www.facebook.com/authorbjscott
http://www.authorbjscott.com/
http://authorbjscott.wordpress.com/
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AQKYPU0
Soul Mate Publishing http://www.soulmatepublishing.com/highland-quest/
Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/highland-quest-bj-scott/1114002946?ean=2940016110769&isbn=2940016110769
Kobo http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Highland-Quest/book-3h45k9pPxkaA9JX__x0mRw/page1.html?s=W28tjCmTwESL-eKO_pW68A&r=1
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