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INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR

What initially got you interested in writing?

I absolutely love to read, and one of my favorite things to do is hang out in our local Barnes & Noble bookstore. There’s just something awe-inspiring about walking in those doors and seeing the proof of countless hours of hard work that people have poured into their projects. Every so often while visiting the bookstore, I would have fleeting thoughts that maybe I could try my hand at writing a novel, especially since I’ve been told (more than once!) by my friends and family that I tend to add a lot of “flair” when telling stories. Since I first began tinkering around with the idea of becoming a writer, I’ve started at least 20 novels. While I never got very far, I always enjoyed bringing a character or a setting to life. And when I finally became serious about writing, I ended up writing the novel that became Dangerous Decisions.

How did you decide to make the move into becoming a published author?

My family has provided all the incentives I needed to get serious about my writing. A couple of examples that come to mind involve my mom and my sister. My mom, who has repeatedly reminded me that she’s my #1 fan, would wait patiently for me to email her snippets of what I was working on. Her subtle prodding for more emails helped me to keep moving forward with my novel. Inevitably, as a die-hard “pantser”, I ended up writing myself into a corner. I called my sister and explained my dilemma and she talked to me for hours, brainstorming ideas that propelled my storyline in the right direction. Once I had a near-finished product, my husband and two daughters were the perfect sounding boards to help me reach the final draft. After I had perfected my manuscript, I begin the arduous process of submitting it to potential publishers, and thankfully Crimson Romance liked what they saw!

What do you want readers to take away from reading your works?

I read as a form of relaxation. It’s a way for me to leave the troubles of the real world behind for a little while and instead worry about the troubles of the characters – troubles that don’t affect me in the least! I would love it if my readers were able to escape into Ramon and Carino’s world for a little while, and when they’re finished reading, to feel like they have traveled a worthwhile journey alongside the characters.

What do you find most rewarding about writing?

The most rewarding, by far, has been the incredible encouragement and support I’ve received from friends and family. At first, I was very nervous to even tell anyone I was writing a novel, much less let them read my work. But once I gathered up my confidence and started telling people, the positive responses I received were truly overwhelming.

What do you find most challenging about writing?

The most challenging aspect is having patience, as I’m definitely a fan of instant gratification. I’ve become conditioned to getting the things I want quickly and easily – books that are downloaded in seconds, TV shows that stream on demand, questions answered by a simple Internet search on my ever-present smartphone. I’ve had to learn how to wait, whether it’s for an idea to fully form, to have free time to write, for constructive feedback on a draft, or – and this one has been the toughest of all – for a response on my manuscript submissions.

What advice would you give to people wanting to enter the field?

I would say: don’t give up. Ever. Not if you’re serious about getting published. Yes, rejection is hard to swallow, and trust me, I was rejected plenty of times by publishing companies and literary agents alike. But I did my best to keep my chin up…some days were harder than others…but I never gave up. I never let myself feel like I wasn’t good enough to at least keep trying. I kept reminding myself that the right person just hadn’t read my query and when they did, everything would fall into place. And then I received the publication offer from Tara Gelsomino at Crimson Romance, which is easily one of the proudest days of my entire life!

Is there anything else besides writing you think people would find interesting about you?

I think people might find it interesting that I’ve been accepted into law school, starting in August 2015. It’s an innovative Hybrid education approach being offered by only one law school in the entire country (William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, MN) and I’m thrilled and blessed to be a part of it. My schedule will be crazy busy, managing school, a full time job and a family, but I will most definitely be carving out time for the two fiction projects I’ve been working on…if for no other reason than to maintain my sanity.

What are the best ways to connect with you, or find out more about your work?

You can find me online here:

Website: http://www.bbcruz.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bbcruzauthor

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bbcruz13

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/bbcruz

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/bbcruz

ABOUT THE BOOK

Someone is feeding the Feds information on alleged illegal activities at the Franklin Everly law firm, and Carino Montgomery is targeted as a prime suspect. There’s enough evidence to put her in the hot seat when hired gun, Ramon Terrones, arrives to uncover the mole.

But from the moment they meet, Ramon relentlessly pursues Carino, triggering a whirlwind romance packed with fierce emotions … and secrets that won’t remain buried. Both Ramon and Carino have worked hard to put their pasts behind them, but the truth could bring their whole lives crumbling down.

Will their unlikely relationship be worth sacrificing everything they’ve worked for? Or will their secrets prove to be bigger than their love?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

B.B. Cruz currently lives in Alaska with her husband, two teenage daughters and two little doggies. She’s a huge fan of romance, and loves to cozy up with a novel, which definitely makes the long winters and cold nights easier to handle.