Book Tour Stop; Highland Quest by B.J. Scott

I'm thrilled to welcome fellow medieval romance writer, B.J. Scott to my blog today. She talks about her latest release, Highland Quest. Be sure to comment as she 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.

What is your name (or pen name) and where do you live now?
My name is Barb Babbage w/a B. J. Scott. I live in Port Burwell, Ontario, Canada, in a small town on Lake Erie.


First off, how has your week been?
As usual, it has been a busy week, but I am happy to take time out to visit with you and your guests.


Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
What I wanted to be changed frequently when I was a child, but as I got older, going into the health care field or teaching became my goals. I worked for fifteen years as an RN, also spent several years working in Child and Youth work and Developmental Service work ( caring for children and adults with developmental challenges)


Please tell us about your current release.
Highland Quest is the sequel to Highland Legacy, the first book in my series. While both are stand alone titles, they deal with three brothers, their involvement in Scotland’s bid for Independence and the women who impact and change their lives.  Highland Quest is Bryce’s story. I am currently working on Highland Homecoming, the third book involving Alasdair, the oldest and least likely to fall in love or take a bride. That is until he is forced to aid a woman who causes him to question his conviction and chosen path.


Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
Because my books are historical romances, set in medieval time period, it is difficult to incorporate real life experiences. However through research I can imagine what it would be like to live in the day and how I would react if I were the heroine in one of my books.


What was your favourite chapter to write and why?
The first and final chapters are a draw. I like the first because the book is fresh and I try to make my opening chapter exciting. The final because it ties up all the loose ends and brings my book to what I hope will be a satisfying conclusion.


What was the hardest part of writing your book?
The most difficult thing is keeping the muse on track, because I have so many ideas for other books. With an extremely busy lifestyle, it is sometimes hard to find time to write.


Are your books available as eBooks? Were you involved in that process at all? Do you read eBooks or is it paper all the way?
My books come out in e-book first and then are available in print six months later. I write the books, but the editor/publisher takes care of the rest. I used to be a paper all the way reader, but once I got my e-book reader that changed. Now, I find I seldom read a paper book.


Did you have any say in the title / cover of your book?
I chose the titles for both my books, but it is up to the editor in the end. If they don’t like it, they can change it. The cover is designed by a cover artist and the editor has final say. We submit a sheet, a wish list so to speak, but don’t see the cover until it has already been selected.


Is there a part of the story you really liked but had to remove, and if so, could you tell us why?
In Highland Quest, there was really nothing I had to take out. In the first book, Highland Legacy I had to take out several chapters to get the word count under 100,000 words, but they were saved for the sequel because they involved the Hero and Heroine of Highland Quest. When I first started writing my series, I had several POV and had to trim it down to just the Hero and Heroine, a standard requirement of most historical romance publishers. I was told while it enhanced the book, made secondary characters more vibrant and made my story more three dimensional, it did not follow the guidelines set by the publishers and had to keep it to the two POV.


How does your family feel about the book?
My family are my biggest supporters. My husband is very pleased that I am living my dream and is very encouraging. My mom is a long time romance reader so loved the book as did my other family members. But they have to say that right? LOL


If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your book?
I think in hindsight there are always things you would change about a book, especially your first one. But so far, I am pleased with Highland Quest. I strive to improve with each book and use constructive suggestions for my readers and editor to do so.


When you started your book, did you plan on writing it as a series, or did it just grow into one?
I always had a series in mind, but planned to wait and see how the first book made out before making any final decisions. I wrote the first book as a stand alone and did the same with the second. This way, a person can pick up either book and read it with ease. The sequel happened sooner then planned. Fans of the first book asked for a sequel and so did my editor. The outline for the third book just fell into place as I was finishing Highland Quest.
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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

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.
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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.

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Highland Quest is available from Amazon and Soulmate Publishing