Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome TJ Bennett to the blog today .
TJ, can you please share with us a little about yourselfMy father was career military, so I traveled quite a bit in my youth. I’ve been all over Europe, visited Morocco, and even managed to hit Australia in my older years. I think that is where my love of historicals comes from. Seeing all that history up close. I’ve also been a contract negotiator, an educator, a ghostwriter, a cake decorator, an editor, a dissertation reviewer, and currently I coordinate professional development programs for the staff of a state university in East Texas. I know, it sounds like I can’t hold down a job, right? Learn more about TJ here: Website Blog Twitter Goodreads Newsletter
Have you always wanted to be an author?
Pretty much since I was eight years old. I stopped to do other things for a while (see my response to your first question), but the desire has always been in there somewhere.
What is your most interesting writing quirk?
I always have to go edit the last few pages I wrote before I can move on to the next part. It is my way of getting back into the mood and character of the story. That, and the munchies. Must have munchies when I write. That might be why I suffer from what is affectionately (or lamentably) known as “writer’s bottom (insert your own euphemism here).”
I always have to go edit the last few pages I wrote before I can move on to the next part. It is my way of getting back into the mood and character of the story. That, and the munchies. Must have munchies when I write. That might be why I suffer from what is affectionately (or lamentably) known as “writer’s bottom (insert your own euphemism here).”
Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)? 
When young widow Catherine Briton is washed ashore, the sole survivor of a violent shipwreck, all she wants is to go home to London. But injured as she is, she can’t escape when a shadowy stranger rescues her and takes her to his castle—where she’s healed with suspicious, almost magical speed.
When young widow Catherine Briton is washed ashore, the sole survivor of a violent shipwreck, all she wants is to go home to London. But injured as she is, she can’t escape when a shadowy stranger rescues her and takes her to his castle—where she’s healed with suspicious, almost magical speed.
The more time Catherine spends in the castle, the more her curiosity rises where her fiercely handsome new “master,” Gerard, is concerned. As she begins to investigate, though, her discoveries only bring more questions. It seems Gerard isn’t the only one on the island keeping secrets…The small town is full of strange mysteries and townspeople who know more than they should about her. And when a hulking beast that stalks the nearby hills and valleys catches up to her, Catherine must figure out what’s going on before it’s too late.
How did you come with the idea for this story?
The first line of the book came to me, and it just spun out from there. I felt much of the time I was working on it that the book was writing itself. It really isn’t like anything I’ve ever done before.
Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
I’m working on a late-Victorian set piece that has a lot of drawing room wit in it. At least I hope it does. I’m enjoying the characters and their banter and repartee. The characters are showing up fully realized, another thing that is unusual for me, and it looks like there might be more than one story to tell there—several intriguing characters in star-crossed lover sort of tales. We’ll have to wait and see.
Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?
Laura Kinsale. She is just brilliant. Her characters are multi-layered, complex, her research is extensive and yet seamlessly woven into the story and she always does something unexpected and smart. I’d love to just talk to her and find out how her brain works.
What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Make sure you do your homework, pay your dues, have very thick skin, and a whole lotta patience, because you are going to need it! Also, don’t give up your day job. It can take a long time for you to hit it big, if ever, no matter how talented you are.
Can you share with us something off your bucket list.
I have always wanted to travel to Alaska by ship. And I’d love to go back to Scotland and do the Highlands and Islands tour this time. My husband and I went to Scotland early on in our marriage before the kids were born and we’ve talked about going back and seeing what we missed, but there never seems to be time.
What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
I actually like the Richard Castle mystery books. They are quite good, and since I love the TV show, I can picture the characters behaving the way they do in the show. I’ve downloaded the latest but haven’t read it yet. I’m also anxious to get started on JK Rowling’s nom de plum book The Cuckoo’s Calling.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thanks for letting me visit! I hope your readers get a chance to read Dark Angel.
When young widow Catherine Briton is washed ashore, the sole survivor of a violent shipwreck, all she wants is to go home to London. But injured as she is, she can’t escape when a shadowy stranger rescues her and takes her to his castle—where she’s healed with suspicious, almost magical speed.
The more time Catherine spends in the castle, the more her curiosity rises where her fiercely handsome new “master,” Gerard, is concerned. As she begins to investigate, though, her discoveries only bring more questions. It seems Gerard isn’t the only one on the island keeping secrets…
The small town is full of strange mysteries and townspeople who know more than they should about her. And when a hulking beast that stalks the nearby hills and valleys catches up to her, Catherine must figure out what’s going on before it’s too late.
Find more tour stops here:
10/22: Spotlight – http://www.
10/23: Guest post – Bea’s Book Nook http://beasbooknook.blogspot.
10/24: Guest Blog – Romantic Reads and Such – http://romanticreadsandsuch.
10/25: Spotlight/Review – Lusty Penguin Reviews – www.lustypenguin.com
10/26: Spotlight – Indie Authors Books & More – http://
10/27: Tens list or interview – Laurie’s Thoughts http://lauriethoughts-reviews.
10/28: Guest post – Mark of the Stars http://markofthestars.com/
10/29: Guest post – Books to Get Lost In – http://bookstogetlostin.
10/30: Spotlight – Deal Sharing Aunt –http://dealsharingaunt.com
11/1: Spotlight – In Shadows – http://brynnacurryguests.
11/3: Interview – Romance with Flavor – http://www.romancewithflavor.
11/4: Spotlight – Must Read Faster – http://mustreadfaster.
11/5: Interview – Books n Kisses – http://books-n-kisses.com
11/6: Interview – Becky on Books (http://beckymmoe.com)
11/6: 2nd stop – Spotlight – http://www.myeroticnotions.
11/7: Spotlight – Le Book Squirrel – http://lebooksquirrel.
11/8: Interview – You Gotta Read Reviews – http://yougottaread.com
Thanks for the opportunity to share with your readers, Kelly!
We are honored to have you on the blog today!