Author Interview and Giveaway: Justice at Cardwell Ranch by B.J. Daniels

I am happy and honored to welcome author, B.J. Daniels, to my blog today.  I thank her for taking time out from her busy schedule to answer some questions.  It certainly was a pleasure getting to know more about her through this interview.  Now, enjoy getting to know her and Jusctice at Cardwell Ranch as well!

B.J. Daniels' life dream was to be a policewoman. After a career as an award-winning newspaper journalist, she wrote and sold 37 short stories before she finally wrote her first book. Since then she has won numerous awards including a career achievement award last year for romantic suspense.

She lives in Montana with her husband, Parker, two Springer Spaniels, Jem and Spot, and a temperamental tomcat named Jeff. When she isn't writing, she snowboards, camps, boats and plays tennis. (Goodreads)

Read my review HERE

Six years ago, Dana Cardwell found her mother's will in a cookbook and became sole owner of the Cardwell Ranch in Big Sky, Montana. Now happily married, Dana is surprised when her siblings, Stacy and Jordan, show up on the ranch…and trouble isn't too far behind.As danger draws closer to the ranch, deputy marshal Liza Turner quickly realizes that Jordan Cardwell isn't the man the town made him out to be. (Goodreads)

What was the best and hardest part about writing JUSTICE AT CARDWELL RANCH?

Not letting my readers down. They had loved Crime Scene at Cardwell Ranch. Now it is six years later. I wanted my readers to love Justice just as much.

What did you learn from writing JUSTICE AT CARDWELL RANCH?

That people can change – but often don’t. I found it interesting to see if bad-boy Jordan Cardwell and his back-stabbing sister Stacy had changed – and how much. And if so, what had brought about that change. Their brother Clay had always been a fence-rider and never as mean as the other two when it came to the ranch. Jordan had needed the money from the ranch desperately to keep his super-model wife. Stacy needed the money as well but for other reasons.

So what happened when they didn’t get it? I had to find out.

Also I wanted Jordan to come back for his 20-year high school reunion. So it got me wondering about his classmates. We all knew mean girls and the popular snobby kids. So I learned a lot about the Cardwell family by going back to see what had shaped their lives.

How did you choose the genre you write in?

I love mystery and suspense and romance. I was so excited that I could mix all three in a book. That’s how I began writing for Harlequin Intrigue. It was perfect for me.

What do you do for fun?

I spend time out in our boat either fishing, swimming, waterskiing or just plain daydreaming. I also quilt, snowboard, camp and play tennis.

What is your pet peeve?

Gee, I have to think. Not much really upsets me. I guess it would be people who are
inconsiderate to others. Where I live, everyone holds the door for you. Recently I was in a larger town and a man slammed the door in my face. I just figure his mother never taught him manners.

How did you come up with the names of your characters?

Now this is tough. When you’ve written as many books as I have, it is hard to come up with names. When I hear a name I haven’t used that I like, I instantly write it down!

Who do you see playing your main characters in a movie?
Sam Elliot and Ali McGraw when they were younger.

(Author did not provide images.  I'm a visual person so I had to Google. 
Oh Sam, I see why Ms Daniels picked you!  Hot!!)

What advice would you give a new writer?

Read! And write. It surprises me how many aspiring writers don’t write. Write what you would love to read and once you publish, write a lot of books and never stop learning.

What is one of your guilty pleasures?

Coke Zero

If you were stranded in an island, which book would you want there?

Oh man. I would have to pick my first single title that comes out in December: UNFORGIVEN

If there is something you could change about JUSTICE AT CARDWELL RANCH, what would it be?

I can’t think of anything. I even love the title. I have since moved on to my next Cardwell Ranch book, CARDWELL RANCH TRESPASSER (April). I can’t seem to leave the ranch.

GIVEAWAY TIME (US address only, >12yo)
 

I enjoyed Justice at Cardwell Ranch and wanted to give you the opportunity to read it so I'm parting with my paperback ARC copy and offer a chance for one of my readers to win it.  All you have to do is leave a comment about your thoughts regarding the interview/book.  Be sure that you provide an email address if there is no link to your profile.  For extra entry, you are welcome to share this post and if you do so, just leave a separate comment for each share and the link to where you shared it (FB, Twitter, etc).  Contest ends 10/12/12, 9pm PST.  Need not be a follower to enter but certainly appreciated.  ~Good luck!