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!

"Justice at Cardwell Ranch"

by B.J. Daniels, AF, 2012, 224p, rating=4
Source:  provided by author for review
Purchase and read excerpt 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 a fun read!  Right from the prologue I was hooked and the read thereafter just flowed.  I quickly got engulfed in the storyline because there was richness in all the characters.  Not only do we see the growth and what transpired to the Cardwell siblings six years after the split but we also see the range of maturation of the side characters from high school years to twenty years later.  Add a mysterious secret that results in a death to the mix and you've got yourself a recipe for a suspenseful, back stabbing who-dun-it.  Didn't hurt too that there was romance in the air.  The kind of romance that soothes the heart instead of the loins.  But above all, I like the principles that this story shouted to me ...believe in family, have loyalty, honor your marriage, work hard, love gently, integrity matters, care for people, friends are great, and so on.  Beautiful!  Well done Ms. Daniels.  Thanks for the wonderful reading experience.

I was transported to the Cardwells' Montana and I liked it!  I'm going back again because I will read more of Ms Daniel's books.  And if the rest is like this book, then I've found myself a go to author for comfort reads.  Yay!

WINNER of Banned Books Week Hop

Rafflecopter has spoken. Congratulations Nikki M.! You are my Banned Books Week Hop giveaway winner. You have won a choice of a banned/challenged book. You have 72hrs to reply to the email I sent you.

Thank you to those who entered and for the follows. I truly appreciate the support. 

Didn't win?  Stay tune ..Gratitude and Christmas Hops coming up ...and I think I'll do a surprise giveaway as well. :D

Until the next time, take good care and be happy!!

Guest Post: Cover Reveal & Giveaway of The Faerie Guardian by Rachel Morgan

I've read the four short stories that this novel originated from and enjoyed the read!  I'm happy to see that Ms Morgan decided to combine the novelettes and turn it into a novel.  Oh, in this format, you're in for an awesome reading experience!

Okay, now for the cover reveal and giveaway information by author, Rachel Morgan:

Title: The Faerie Guardian
Author: Rachel Morgan
Release Date: 5 Nov 2012
Add to Goodreads

Protecting humans from dangerous magical creatures is all in a day’s work for a faerie training to be a guardian. Seventeen-year-old Violet Fairdale knows this better than anyone—she’s about to become the best guardian the Guild has seen in years. That is, until a cute human boy who can somehow see through her faerie glamour follows her into the fae realm. Now she’s broken Guild Law, a crime that could lead to her expulsion.

The last thing Vi wants to do is spend any more time with the boy who got her into this mess, but the Guild requires that she return Nate to his home and make him forget everything he’s discovered of the fae realm. Easy, right? Not when you factor in evil faeries, long-lost family members, and inconvenient feelings of the romantic kind. Vi is about to find herself tangled up in a dangerous plot—and it’ll take all her training to get out of it alive.

[This novel was originally published in four separate parts: Guardian, Labyrinth, Traitor and Masquerade. It includes bonus scenes at the end.]

Giveaway Time!

The bonus scenes at the end of the book are NOT written from the main character's point of view. If you'd like to win a $10 Amazon gift card, all you have to do is guess whose point of view these scenes are written from! Head on over to the cover reveal post at Rachel Morgan Writes and fill in the Rafflecopter form. There's a list of characters there that you can choose from. Good luck!

Guest Review: Scary School by Derek the Ghost

Please welcome my 9 year old son, David, who  read this book and agreed to review the book through a Q&A.  I think he did a marvelous job so don't be surprise if you see him here again.  In fact I think I'll have him run the reviews of Young Reader books here from now on because he's sharp and a natural!  ~By the way, isn't he such a handsome young lad?  I sure think so!!  Love you eternally, Son!  Thanks for the review!  Mwuah!!  ~Be sure to leave David a comment to tell him what you thought about his review.  :)

Scary School by Derek the Ghost aka Derek Taylor Kent, Scott M. Fischer -Illustrator, YR, 2011, 237p, rating=5
Source: library

You think your school's scary?
Get a load of these teachers:
"Ms. Fang," an 850-year-old vampire
"Dr. Dragonbreath," who just might eat you before recess
"Mr. Snakeskin"--science class is so much more fun when it's taught by someone who's half zombie
"Mrs. T"--break the rules and spend your detention with a hungry "Tyrannosaurus rex"
Plus
Gargoyles, goblins, and Frankenstein's monster on the loose
The world's most frighteningly delicious school lunch
And
The narrator's an eleven-year-old ghost
Join Charles "New Kid" Nukid as he makes some very Scary friends--including Petunia, Johnny, and Peter the Wolf--and figures out that Scary School can be just as funny as it is spooky. (Goodreads)

What would you rate this book? (1-don't bother; 2-satisfactory; 3-overall good; 4-highly recommend; 5-a must read)
5, a must read!

What do you like and not like about the book?
I liked that the author used very descriptive words so I can really see the pictures in my head.  The thing I didn't like about it was absolutely nothing!

What's your favorite part?
When Frank N. Stein showed up, that was very surprising.  I was thinking Frankenstein would come.

Who was your favorite character and why?
I liked Jason because he had a crush on Ms. Fang, that was funny!

Describe the feelings you felt while reading the book.
I felt like I was really in Scary School.

Would you read another book from this author?
Yes, because I really liked this book so why wouldn't I like another book?

What's your overall impression of the book?
I loved the book and I would love to read Scary School 2.

If you could change something about the book, what would it be?
Hmmm, well actually nothing at all!

What would you like the author to know?
I love the book and thank you for such an awesome book!

Side note:  This was a spur of the moment adventure.  I asked questions from the top of my head and David was very excited to answer them.  He truly enjoyed this opportunity to voice his thoughts about this book.  He wanted to stay up to see this post go live but of course I had much to do to set this up and it would be well pass his bedtime by the time I finish it (because I'm slow like that!).

Oh, I did read this book as well and wasn't as enthusiastic about the read as David but I'm long past childhood so my sense of fascination isn't in tune with a young reader's mind.  I personally would rate this book a 3.5.  That said, since this book is geared to young readers, David's review is more apropos.

"Twilight: The Graphic Novel, Vol. #1"

by Stephenie Meyer, Young Kim -artist, YA, 2010, 224p, rating=2.5
Source: library

When Isabella Swan moves to the gloomy town of Forks and meets the mysterious, alluring Edward Cullen, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. With his porcelain skin, golden eyes, mesmerizing voice, and supernatural gifts, Edward is both irresistible and impenetrable. Up until now, he has managed to keep his true identity hidden, but Bella is determined to uncover his dark secret... (Goodreads)

I'm not sure what I was expecting but the storyline presentation was too Dick and Jane for me.  I'm not much of a graphic/comic book reader so perhaps that simplicity was the point.  I suppose that I enjoyed the depth of the read of the book edition too much to appreciate this version.  However, I was very impressed with the illustrations.  It was fantastic!!  Beautiful lines, gorgeous art.  Though, I didn't like the pages with the mixture of photography and illustrations ..seems like cheating.  It wasn't of course, because in art nothing is really a wrong way.  It's beauty is a matter of taste to the viewer.  So there, this graphic novel overall (including script) to me was sirloin rather than filet mignon. ;)

Oh, If Only!!

(source)

"Too bad reading doesn't burn more calories ... Then I'd be skinny in no time!"

Again, oh, if only!!  :)