Interview: B.J. Daniels, 'Justice at Cardwell Ranch'

I had the unbelievably fun privilege of sitting next to best-selling romance author B.J. Daniels at RWA's Literacy Signing this summer in Anaheim. First, I'll tell you she has the awesomest bookmarks -- shaped like a cowboy. You can never have too much cowboy-shaped stuff, in my opinion. Second, she was just a joy to sit next to while our adoring fans oohed and ahhed all over us (yes, I live in a fantasy world. I like it here). B.J.'s latest release, Justice at Cardwell Ranch, came out this week, so I had a fantastic excuse to ask her some questions about it and her future books.

Joyce: Welcome to HEA, B.J.! You've had 70 books published. Can you share, say, five that are your favorites?

B.J.: A writer's first book is always a favorite. Mine was Odd Man Out. It had two heroes on the cover. Don't see that a lot.

It is hard to choose, but here goes: Gun-Shy Bride (I even got my heroine on the cover). It was the first book in the Winchester Ranch series and, I have to say, I loved all of those because the Winchesters are so dysfunctional. : )

OK, three more: Justice at Cardwell Ranch (it was so fun going back to "the canyon") and two that aren't out yet: Unforgiven, my first single title for HQN, comes out in December and begins my series set in the shadow of the Crazy Mountains; and Cardwell Ranch Trespasser comes out next April. That book practically wrote itself. It has one of the scariest female villains I have ever written -- and the most fun.

Joyce: So Harlequin has said you can't quit writing Cardwell Ranch stories? Please explain.

B.J.: LOL Joyce. They love the Cardwell Ranch books. : ) And readers asked me to stay in "the canyon" for a while so they could meet more of the Cardwell and Justice families. It always surprises me when some books just strike a chord with readers and they want to see more of those characters. It's wonderful.

Joyce: I agree! Your upcoming November book, Unforgiven, is your first single title. How was writing it different for you than writing category-length books?

B.J.: It was a blast to write. It was very freeing because I had more space and I could write more freely as well. I felt as if I could do anything I wanted. That is a wonderful feeling -- and you know me, I did. : )

Unforgiven introduces the small, near-ghost town of Beartooth, Mont. The town sits in the shadow of the Crazy Mountains. I have been in awe of these mountains for years and wondered about the people who could live so close to them. The Native Americans feared the wildness and the winds that came out of these unforgiving mountains. I knew even fictional characters living so close by would be very interesting to write about.

The book is romantic suspense and begins the series with an old unsolved murder in the small ranching community miles from the nearest "real" town. Everyone knows each other. Or at least they think they do. : )

Joyce: When you're not writing, what are you reading? Cuz I'm sure you have SO much free time to read.

B.J.: That made me smile. There is never enough time to read. I live three hours from the nearest Target store, so I listen to a lot of books on CD. I just finished Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. Loved it! I also loved Defending Jacob by William Landay. I read anything I can get my hands on. I love to mix it up.

Joyce: Please tell us more about Justice at Cardwell Ranch.

B.J.: When I decided to go back to "the canyon" and see what happened to Hud and Dana from Crime Scene at Cardwell Ranch, I got to thinking about high school. Do people really change? Also, the last time Dana saw her siblings, they were trying to force her to sell the ranch and split the money with them. So I wondered what had happened to them in the past six years after that disappointment. Which ones bounced back and which ones were having trouble changing. : )

So with Jordan Cardwell's (the bad-boy older brother) high school reunion happening at Big Sky, I wondered what had made him such a jerk. I found out that his best friend had killed himself their senior year in high school. Or at least that's what everyone thought. Now Jordan comes back to find out the truth and try to get some closure. But when there is another murder of a classmate, Jordan finds himself in hot water with Deputy Marshal Lisa Turner.

I also couldn't resist letting Stacy (the back-stabbing sister) come back. Jordan had grown up, but what about Stacy. Could she really change? What could make her change? I couldn't wait to find out.

Since I write by the seat of my pants, I was as anxious to find out these things as my readers. : )

Joyce: You have quite a busy slate of books coming up. Can you give us a quick overview of what readers can expect this year and in 2013?

B.J.: There will be two single titles from my near Beartooth, Mont., series. Redemption, my second single title for HQN, comes out in February (this book is so me. Not sure that's good. But I felt after finishing it that I had written the book I had always wanted to write, if that makes any sense). I am having so much fun getting to know the residents of Beartooth, Mont. I am currently working on my third one that will come out next fall. It is creepy and wonderfully fun to write. I do love creepy. That book should be out next October.

In April, Cardwell Ranch Trespasser comes out. Yes, as I said, I love this villain. I love all my villains, but this one … Well, you'll see. I really never knew what she would do next. It was rather terrifying for not only my heroine, but for me as a writer. : )

And next Christmas, I return to "the canyon" for a Cardwell Ranch Christmas. It's murder and mayhem, of course, as one of Dana's Texas cousins comes home after 20 years. I had a lot of fun with this book because it involves "codes." My oldest granddaughters and I write back and forth to each other with our own secret codes so I became interested in a clue involving them. Also, the Texas cousin is so darned cute. : )

Joyce: Is there anything you'd like to add?

B.J.: I can't help but be excited about Justice at Cardwell Ranch coming out this week. I am so glad that readers wanted to know what happened -- so I could find out as well. : ) I feel like they are a huge part of this book. They brought me back to the Gallatin Canyon where I have so many wonderful memories.

Joyce: Thanks, B.J.! Your readers and I are thrilled that you listen to us. : )

Readers can find out more about B.J. and her books at her website, BJDaniels.com. You can also connect with her on her blog, Facebook and Twitter (@bjdanielsauthor).