Book Tour Stop with BJ Scott/Contest

Contest Information: 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. Please leave a comment along with your email address as well in case you win we can contact you for BJ Scott.

I  encourage you to follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/12/virtual-book-tour-highland-quest-by-b-j.html

Welcome to my Reading Nook, BJ Scott. Please make yourself at home and let my cabana boys/girls get you a drink.

Comfortable? Wonderful. Now let’s get started.

Tell us about your latest book, including its genre. Does it cross over to other genres? If so, what are they?

My current release is Highland Quest, a historical romance that takes place in medieval Scotland. While it is a stand alone book, it is the sequel to my first book, Highland Legacy. It follows three brothers, their roll in the fight for Scotland’s independence and the women who changed their lives.

How do you come up with ideas?

I know it sounds cliché, but they just come to me. I am a history buff by nature and a hopeless romantic so always have my nose in a book when I am not writing or working. Historical romances are my favorite, especially ones that take place in medieval Scotland so writing about the time period seemed the logical choice.

What do you enjoy most about writing?

Being able to share my love for history and writing with my readers. If I can give even one person a brief escape from the stress of everyday life or enlighten them about the time period, my effort was successful.

Where do you start when writing? Research, plotting, outline, or...?

All of the above.  After I select my time period and have a basic idea about what I intend to write, I make an outline based on my research. They work hand in hand for me. How the book will progress and even how it starts depends on the events that are going to happen so I need to have an idea of a timeline first.  I usually have the entire book planned and outlined, but am also a pantser so nothing is set until the book is done and off to the editor. Sometimes the outline and finished book look nothing alike ;)

What did you learn from writing your first book? 

I learned a lot about the writing and publishing process. Being a social media virgin, I had to learn all about things like Facebook and blogging in a hurry. Still have so much to learn in that area. I also found out that the bulk of the promo falls on the shoulders of the author and not the editor. Which most, including myself, assumed to be true.

Is your muse demanding?

It can be very demanding when speaking to me and very stubborn when it isn’t. There are times when I can write from dawn to midnight and other days I stare at a blank page and nothing comes. On those days I have to step away and focus on something else.

Are your stories plot or character driven?

In historical romance it is a combination of both. The key is not to lose the romance and characters in the plot and history…a fine line when writing in this genre.

How do you balance a life outside of writing with deadlines and writing muses?

It is not always easy. I work full time and have a small business on the side. The writing muse comes when it wants so have to try and take advantage when I can. Needless to say, I always have a pad and pen ready. I meet deadlines the best I can, but my editor is very understanding about the fact life is not predictable so is flexible and that helps.

If I was a first time reader of your books, which one would you recommend I start with and why?

Because this is a series, it makes sense to start with the first book, Highland Legacy. But I wrote them in such a way that a reader can hopefully pick up either one, read it and not feel lost or confused about what is happening and why. They can then read the other either in order or out of order and will hopefully enjoy it as well. The third book, I am currently writing is done in the same way.

If money were not an object, where would you most like to live?

It has always been my dream to visit Scotland. I could imagine living in a stone croft in the mountains. But I also loved Hawaii when we visited there on our honeymoon so it would be hard to choose if given both options. Funny they are very different from each other too.

If you came with a warning label, what would it say?

Stay clear until she has her morning cup of green tea.

Care to tell us what may be coming next from you?

I am currently working on Highland Homecoming. The third book in the series and it centers on the oldest Fraser brother, the least likely to fall in love or to take a bride…that is until he finds an unconscious woman on the beach and must care of her. This feisty lass puts his resolve to the test.

Teaser from Highland Quest by BJ Scott

Buy Links:  

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

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?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bryce closed the gap between them. She heard his footsteps, felt his warm breath on the back of her neck as he spoke, but didn’t turn around.

 “Please dinna be angry with me, Fallon. I could not bear to think you held me any ill will. This is for the best.” He gently touched her shoulder.

“Dinna leave.” She dropped the sack and whipped around to face him, the words escaping before she could stop them. “Why must you go? Why must you risk your life?”

“You know why.” He yanked her against his chest and captured her mouth.

But this time she did not fight his advances. She wrapped her arms around his neck, responding with equal enthusiasm to his kiss. Her lips parted, welcoming the sweep of his tongue. As he deepened the exploration, her knees buckled, and she clung to his tunic as if her life depended on it.

Unshed tears stung her eyes, but she managed to blink them away. This might be the last time they would see each other and she suddenly found herself wanting a memory that would last forever. What she was about to ask was wrong, and could only lead to heartache. While she knew she should fight temptation with her last breath, she was only human.

“Join with me, Bryce,” she whispered against his lips.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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/