Welcome to my Second Acts series!

Today, we have award-winning and Amazon best-selling author B.J. Scott talking about her books and her life experiences.

Briefly describe your first act.

On a literary level, this comes in two parts. On a personal level there are several facets to my first act.

The series I am currently writing is set in medieval Scotland, early 1300s, during the time of the first Scottish war of independence.  While I include some actual historical facts to enhance the book and to share some interesting bits of history with my readers, they are romance novels and works of fiction.  It follows the lives of three brothers– all very different from each other– and the women who impact upon and change their lives forever. 

The first book in my series, Highland Legacy, deals with the middle brother, Connor, the dashing, sensible, responsible brother who is often too serious and extremely dedicated to the cause. After the murder of his parents and siblings, he vows to avenge their deaths and to rid Scotland of the English invaders.  He does not count on meeting Cailin MacMillan, a feisty lass who runs away after finding out she is betrothed to a man she detests and is accosted by English soldiers. When Connor happens upon them, he rescues her and kills one of the men, a crime for which Cailin is later accused of and subsequently sentenced to be executed.  

The second book in the series, Highland Quest, deals with Bryce, the handsome, charismatic youngest brother and known for his way with the ladies. Tired of living in the shadow of his brothers and with no land or title to call his own, Bryce continues his involvement in the fight for Scotland’s independence. When he fist meets Fallon, a beguiling woman with the gift of second sight in Book 1 of the series, the instant attraction and chemistry between them is undeniable. But Bryce harbors a secret from his past, a devastating incident that has haunted him since he was a lad and caused him to close his heart to love. Fallon, unlike most women of the day learned at a young age to fend for herself and is not afraid to stand up to a man or go it on her own if necessary. When reunited in Highland Quest, the spark rekindles, but duty, pride and stubbornness keep them from admitting their true feelings. But when Fallon learns of a planned attack on Robert the Bruce’s camp and her uncle is executed for offering aid to Bryce when he was wounded in a scuffle with a rival clan, supporters of the English, she risks all to warn him. Putting them both in the path of disaster and danger. 

My latest release and the final book in the trilogy is Highland Homecoming. This is Alasdair’s story. The oldest of the three brothers and least likely to fall in love or to take a wife. Born fighting for his life, Alasdair has battled some form of challenge his entire life and always confronted them head on. A larger than average man, no nonsense kind of man, he feels unworthy of love and while he secretly yearns for the happiness his brothers have found in their wives and children, he refuses to admit it. Instead he puts on a gruff demeanor and does his best to convince everyone, including himself that he doesn’t need anyone or anything but his sword to meet his destiny. When on a furlough from the war, he finds an beautiful, unconscious woman on the beach, he delays his journey to assist her, a decision that changes his life forever. But Lauren harbors secrets of her own, ones that once discovered can reaffirm Alasdair’s mistrust for women and keep them apart forever.

What triggered the need for change?

After spending fifteen years as a Registered nurse and then five years as a Child and Youth Worker, caring for challenged children, I decided to pursue my life-long passion for writing. I took some college courses in creative writing to hone my skills and joined some online writing groups. While I was no longer actively nursing, I was still working in the Child and Youth Work field. When I met my husband, Steve, and we decided to get married, things changed. There were no jobs in my immediate area in Child and Youth Work so I took a position with Community Living, working with challenged adults. I did this for three years, but old sports injuries caused me to retire from the field. I started a small business selling pet supplies and doing pet oriented gifts. This allowed me the time to pursue my writing as well as earn enough to help pay the bills.

Where are you now?

While I write and continue to do the small business on the side, I missed working with kids, so re-entered the child care field as a private nanny, specializing in special needs children. I have been with the same family for six years.

Advice for anyone planning to pursue a second act?

I guess the only advice would be to follow your dreams. Nothing is impossible if you want it badly enough and are willing to work for it

Any affirmations or quotations you wish to share?

Keep your mind and heart open because the learning never ends.  While this is not an actual quote, it is something I try to keep in mind.

Blurb 

The last thing Alasdair Fraser expects to find on an isolated beach in Northern Scotland is a beautiful, unconscious lass. Unable to turn his back on someone in need, he delays his journey and tends to her injuries-an act that has him questioning his destiny and his plans to rejoin the fight for Scotland’s independence.
Will he drop the shield that guards his heart or will the secrets she fails to reveal and his own stubbornness keep them apart forever?

Where to find B.J.

http://www.authorbjscott.com

http://authorbjscott.wordpress.com

Joanne here!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Highland Homecoming and look forward to reading Books I and II. Thank you for sharing your journey and insights, B.J.