Hey there word nerds!
Today I have the pleasure of speaking with New York Times and USA Today bestselling author B.J. Daniels!
After a career as an award-winning newspaper journalist, B.J. wrote and sold over 37 short stories before she finally wrote her first book, Odd Man Out, which went on to be nominated for Best First Book and Best Intrigue for 1995 in the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Awards.
Since then she has sold more than 40 short stories and over 100 books, and has won numerous awards including a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award in 2002 with her novel Premeditated Marriage, and a Career Achievement Award for Series Romantic Suspense in 2002 from the Romantic Times.
Her latest novel, Stroke of Luck, kicks off her newest romantic suspense series, Sterling’s Ranch.
So listen in as B.J. and I chat about this awesome book and how to weave together the suspense of mystery with the tension of romance into one amazing story.
In this episode B.J. and I discuss:
- Using a compressed space to amplify the tension between your characters.
- How to craft the “fool” supporting character archetype the right way.
- Happily ever after, making the inevitable romance ending surprising every time.
- Bringing a unique world to life through the eyes of your characters.
- How to write a series for new readers and loyal fans at the same time.
Plus, B.J.’s #1 tip for writers.
About B.J. Daniels
B.J. Daniels is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of numerous romance novels and novellas.
After a career as an award-winning newspaper journalist, she wrote and sold over 37 short stories before she finally wrote her first book, Odd man Out, and sold it to Harlequin Intrigue. This book went on to be nominated for Best First Book and Best Intrigue for 1995 in the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Awards.
Since then she has sold more than 40 short stories and over 100 books, writing for both Harlequin Intrigue and HQN, and has won numerous awards including a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award in 2002 with her novel Premeditated Marriage, and a Career Achievement Award for Series Romantic Suspense in 2002 from the Romantic Times.
She lives in Montana with her husband, Parker and three springer spaniels. When she isn’t writing, she quilts, boats, snowboards, waterskis, camps, plays tennis and, of course, reads.
To connect with B.J. check out her website at www.bjdaniels.com.
Stroke of Luck
The Sterling Ranch’s season opening isn’t going so smoothly. With the ranch’s lodge full of guests and a Montana blizzard threatening, Will Sterling needs help—and he needs it fast. So when his childhood friend Poppy Carmichael agrees to lend a hand, he’s grateful for a second chance…and more enticed by the woman she’s become than he cares to admit.
For Poppy, it was supposed to be a retreat full of horse rides and hoedowns—with a side of showing Will what he’s been missing all these years. But as the snow deepens outside, the guests’ suspicion and mistrust turn sinister inside, catching Will and Poppy in the crosshairs.
Weathering the storm in each other’s arms is all too easy for Will and Poppy, but will a confrontation with a killer mean their reunion is short-lived?
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author B.J. Daniels starts her Sterling’s Ranch series off with a bang in this suspenseful story of romance and revenge.
If you decide to check out the book, we hope you’ll do so via this Amazon affiliate link, where if you choose to purchase via the link DIY MFA gets a referral fee at no cost to you. As always, thank you for supporting DIY MFA!
Link to Episode 240
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