Welcome back to Books-n-Kisses Julie Ann.
For those who missed your prior visits can you please share with us a little about yourself
Julie: Hello! *waves* My name is Julie Ann Walker. I write the bestselling Black Knights Inc. romantic suspense series. I’m addicted to three things: coffee, handbags, and shoes. I adore travelling and hope to visit 100 countries before I die – so far I’ve been to 43, which means I still have a lot of plane rides ahead of me. LOL! I’ve been married fifteen years to the love of my life. And I ride my bicycle everyday when the weather is nice.
Have you always wanted to be an author?
Julie: Well, I got my degree in mathematics, so I suppose the answer to this question in no. 😉 On the other hand, I’ve always written. It’s just that I treated it more like a hobby because I figured the dream of actually becoming a published author was too big, unattainable for the likes of little ol’ me. Imagine my surprise, then, when first a literary agent, and then a publisher actually wanted to print my books. LOL!
Are you a plotter or a pantser or combo of both? And can you explain the difference?
Julie: I’m a pantser all the way – meaning I write by the seat of my pants. A plotter is someone who outlines their books beforehand, thinking through all the ins and outs, devising all the plot twists and character arcs. Sometimes I wish I could do that. It certainly seems more efficient. But, alas, my method it to just sit down at the keyboard and go… letting the story take me where it will. Yeehaw! *wink*
What is your most interesting writing quirk?
Julie: I don’t know how interesting it is, but I’m obsessed with post-it notes. If I have an idea about what should happen 20 pages further along in the book, I use a post-it note. If something has occurred to me that should be added to a scene I’ve already written, I use a post-it note. If I have an upcoming book reading or signing, I use a post-it note. If I have a payment due for, say, a conference or something, I use a post-it note. My office looks like total mayhem, but it’s actually quite organized. Just DON’T TOUCH MY POST-ITS! Or I might have to murder you… *gives the evil eye*
Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
Julie: I’d love to! So, Born Wild is sort of the book BKI fans have been waiting for. The hero and heroine, Wild Bill Reichert and Eve Edens, have been dancing around each other since the beginning of the series. We know there’s history between them… deep, dark, delicious history. And in this book we finally find out what all the hot fuss is about. Plus, in standard BKI form, there’s a devious villain, some flying bullets, kick butt motorcycles, and, of course, smokin’ hot sexy times. 😉
How did you come with the idea for this story?
Julie: Like most of my books, I pulled this one straight out of my… ahem… you know. *shakes head* I never know where exactly the story will take me until I’m actually finished with it.
Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
Julie: Absolutely! I’ve just started working on the seventh book in the series. It’s hero is BKI’s crazy cool Latin lover, Carlos “Steady” Santos. And the heroine is the President’s daughter, Abigail Thompson. There’s a kidnapping, ransom demands, a race through Southeast Asia, and some sweet lovin’ that’s guaranteed to set the pages on fire. I’m having a blast writing it!
Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?
Julie: I would kill to meet Suzanne Brockmann. She is the reigning queen of romantic suspense, and she’s the entire reason I started writing in the genre. If I ever get the opportunity to meet her, I’ll likely prostrate myself at her feet. So if you see me on the floor of a hotel lobby, kissing some woman’s toes, you’ll know it’s Suz Brockmann standing before me. *snicker*
What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Julie: Read, write, read, write, rinse, and repeat until you’ve got something that’s ready to be put out into the world!
Can you share with us something off your bucket list.
Julie: I would love to live abroad in Ireland for a year. It’s one of my most favorite spots on the planet. The pubs, the Guinness, the soda bread, the fields of heather, the blarney… *sigh* Heaven.
What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
Julie: My friend, Amanda Carlson, writes some of the best Urban Fantasy out there. The third book in her series, Cold Blooded, debuted about a month ago, and I can’t wait to dig in!
What is one book everyone should read before they die?
Julie: Gone With The Wind… without a doubt. I’ve read it at least a dozen times. And every time, I find something new and wonderful about the story. Scarlett is such a difficult heroine. She’s so complicated and easy to hate, yet she’s amazingly strong and resilient. I love characters that are deeply three-dimensional.
What is your favorite time of year & why?
Julie: Summer! I’m outdoorsy. And when I can’t go out and play, I get – as my husband so delicately puts it – cranky. 😉
Who is your Celebrity crush? And what would you do if you ever meet them?
Julie: Currently, I’m a bit enamored of Tom Hardy. I mean, those lips. Hubba, hubba. If I ever met him? Well, I’ll probably try to steal a kiss. Just a quick one. Nothing to get me in trouble with Mr. Walker. LOL!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Julie: Just a giant cyber hug and my heartfelt thanks for having me back on Books-N-Kisses. This is always such a treat!
BORN WILD
IN STORES NOVEMBER 2013
Amazon| Barnes and Noble | Books-a-Million | Discover a New Love | iBookstore | Indigo/Chapters | IndieBound | Sourcebooks
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julie Ann Walker dives back into action with the red-hot romantic suspense Black Knights Inc. series! They claim they’re bad-boy bikers who own custom motorcycle shop, but these special-ops guys–a mix of Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, Marines, FBI and more–handle the jobs too tough for the government to tackle.
TICK…TICK…
“Wild” Bill Reichert knows a thing or two about explosives. The ex-Navy SEAL can practically rig a bomb blindfolded. But there’s no way to diffuse the inevitable fireworks the day Eve Edens walks back into his life, asking for help…
BOOM!
Eve doesn’t know what to do when the Chicago police won’t believe someone is out to hurt her. The only place to turn is Black Knights Inc—after all, no one is better at protection than the covert special-ops team. Yet there’s also no one better at getting her all turned on than Billy Reichert. She has a feeling this is one blast from the past that could backfire big time…
PRAISE FOR BORN WILD:
“One heck of a riveting plotline… Born Wild is definitely not to be missed!” —RT Book Reviews, 4 ½ Stars
“A wild roller coaster ride of a story… Nonstop action.” —Fresh Fiction
“Drama, danger and sexual tension… Romantic suspense at its best.” —Night Owl Reviews, 5/5 Stars, Reviewer Top Pick
A little about Julie Ann:
Julie Ann Walker is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Black Knights Inc. romantic suspense series. She is prone to spouting movie quotes and song lyrics, and prefers impromptu travel over the scheduled kind. You can find her on her bicycle along the lake shore in Chicago or blasting away at her keyboard, trying to wrangle her capricious imagination into submission. For more information, please visit www.julieannwalker.com or follow her on Facebook, www.facebook.com/jawalkerauthor, and Twitter, @JAWalkerAuthor.
You ready for an awesome giveaway?????
Check out the rafflecopter below for details.
Thanks so much for having me back on Books-n-Kisses! As always, it’s a pleasure and an honor!
I lovers you, Jules! Thanks for the shout. And what a great interview. I want to go to Ireland with you 🙂 XO
LOVE having you on the blog ALWAYS!!!!!!!
XOXO
Congrats on Born Wild! Loved every page of Wild Bill’s story!
Congrats Julie on the series!!! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
love the series 🙂
I just love this series! Can’t wait to read more about the men of BKI!
The book sounds great and what a awesome giveaway.
This is such an amazing series. I love it. Thanks for this great giveaway opportunity. Hope to see you in Ireland. It’s a trip on my Bucket list also. 🙂
Carol L
LOL! I’ll meet you there!
I have read and loved the previous books and can’t wait to read about Bill and Eve!
Hi Julie! My question is, are there any characters in your books based on people in your real life?
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!!
Great question, Elizabeth! And the answer is, yes! All my characters share characteristics with folks I know. Whether it be a certain smile, way of walking, addiction to lollipops, I use real-life in my books!
I’d really like to meet these BKI guys!
Oh, if only they were real… *sigh*
Great interview. Born Wild sounds goodt. I love the cover.
Love the cover!
Well, hello Julie Ann! I adore romantic suspense and action along with that…so I’m glad to see a new book of yours to feed my reading addiction. The Black Knights are awesome guys! 🙂
Thank you! I think so, too!
Congrats on the new release, Julie Anne. Are there other genres you would like to try writing?
Thank you so much for the post and giveaway! I really love this series and would love to own the series. Fingers crossed to win! 🙂
YAY! Another BKI book! Love this series!
Julie, I hope you never stop writing this series! How many more do you have planned, at this time?
Got to love alpha biker males. Rawr. I cannot wait to start reading the last book! I know I have been suggesting the Black Knights Inc Books to various people.
Looking forward to reading this one! 🙂
I can’t wait to read this one. Thanks so much for the great giveaway!
Well Julie, we are from the same cloth. I also love coffee, shoes and handbags. I am also a fan of romance and suspense. Combine the two and you have a winner!! Thanks for the great giveaway and continue to do what you do best. You have a God Given talent.
I am so excited to finally be getting Bill and Eve’s book. I have been anxiously awaiting this one. So much tension between them.
Thanks for the awesome giveaway. I would love to read these books. Sound very good.
This sounds like a good book and I love the cover! Thanks for such an amazing giveaway. I was Like #100 on your Amazon page. 😉
bmndshuler(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks for a Sensational Series & Fantastic Giveaway!!!
Those who have seen the film “Gone With the Wind” should definitely read the book–there’s so much more to Scarlett than was ever shown on film!
Have you envisioned your own books being made into films? Whom would you cast as the characters you have created?
Thanks for the interview with Juiie – I admit that I’m obsessed with handbags and coffee too….not shoes so much though because I have problem feet…..lol….I have this series on my kindle just haven’t had a chance to dive in but it’s definitely going to be read.
This series sounds so awesome!! Im loving the sound of your characters! I cant wait to read this series! Thank you for sharing!!
Interesting sounding series
I got my bandana!
Love this series!
So excited to read these!
awesome giveaway
Congrats Julie on the series!!! Thanks so much for sharing.