Today we have author, JJ Ranger, visiting. JJ Ranger began her
writing career in May of 2009, spurred on by the creation of a sexy cowboy. She
loves to read and watch movies for inspiration, but more than anything she loves
creating worlds of her own.
* So, JJ, what inspired you to become a writer?
A haunted dude ranch and a hunky cowboy for inspiration.
* When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of
it?
My first erotic story was intended for Harlequin’s Spice Brief
line. The length was just over 5000 words. It was rejected—rightly so because
the hero bored even me. It still sits in my ‘to be fixed’ pile. Someday I will
gather the courage to unearth the mess of words and make it pretty enough to
submit somewhere else.
* How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
Two, including the first sold.
* What genre(s) do you write in? What drew you to write in it/them? What’s your
favorite genre of all to write in?
JJ Ranger only writes erotic. I officially decided to write
erotic romance during a writer’s retreat. I was bouncing ideas of one of the
editors and my friend, CR Moss, when the idea for Dume Ranch popped into my
head. Dustin Dumen was born.
* What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
Best piece of advice was
to write what I love. That love will shine through to the reader. Worst piece
of advice was to not write unless guaranteed to sell. Where’s the fun in that?
* How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
When I received the
acceptance letter for Dustin’s Gamble, I admit I was stunned. I couldn’t
believe the editor liked the story. I mean, I was an erotic writer virgin, so I
expected the rejection. When the
acceptance truly sank into my brain, I squealed and danced around the office. When
rejections come, especially the personalized letters that give feedback, I soak
up the suggestions. Maybe the editor can tell me how to improve. If they only
give me a form rejection, that’s okay too. Every rejection is a step closer to
getting published.
* In regard to the book you’re promoting, which actor and actress do you
envision playing the roles of your hero and heroine? If there’s a villain or
other characters who are pertinent to the story, who would play those parts?
Hmm, I think for Dustin
I would like to have Michael Weatherly (Tony from NCIS). He’s the perfect
smooth charmer, and I love his sexy smile. For Shannon, I think I would pick
Holly Marie Combs. She could keep Dustin in line quite nicely.
* The book you’re promoting, is it a stand-alone story or part of a series? If
it’s part of a series, please list the order the books need to be read in for
maximum reading enjoyment.
Dustin’s Gamble is Book
2 in a four-book series. Again, this series came from a brainstorming session
with an editor and a good friend. To
date, the books available in the series are Deacon’s Touch by Callie Croix, and
Dustin’s Gamble by JJ Ranger.
*** Now for some fun info… ***
* Are you a cat, dog or both kind of person?
Both. Though cats seem to have attitudes that match my own. I
socialize when I want, but I like being aloof. Pet me when it’s my idea,
otherwise go away. :)
*
Which do you prefer: rain or sun & warm weather or cold weather?
I so love thunderstorms and snow. I can’t handle too hot because
it makes me physically sick.
* Are you a morning person or night owl?
I am a mid-day girl. I wake up around 10:00am and then feel like
I’m ready to crash by 3:00pm.
*** About JJ’s book… ***
Blurb:
After leaving for a career in NYC,
Shannon Piermont has come home to Bandera, Texas. Her cousin is getting married
and her grandmother has died, but all she can think about is Dustin Dumen. The
sexy ranch owner had once been able to charm her pants off, but not this time.
Just because they’d once shared a passion hotter than the Texas sun, didn’t
mean she’d settle for barefoot and pregnant in a one-horse town.
Dusty knew Shannon couldn't settle down until she'd seen the world and he'd
taken a huge chance she'd find her way home. Now that she has, the stakes are
higher and he'll do whatever it takes to keep her there. He’d gambled with
their love once--he won't do it again.
Can Dustin convince Shannon she can have it all—a career and a family—or will
he have to settle for one last ride of passion?
Excerpt:
Drawing in a deep breath, she raised
her hand and pressed the doorbell. She waited for two minutes and then hit the
button again. She leaned her forehead against the oak door and tried to calm
her ever present nerves. How would Dustin react when he saw her? Did he really
know she was coming? And what would he think when he found out she intended to
stay for good?
“Guess nobody’s home,” she mumbled.
The door swung open, and she lost
her balance with a startled squeak. She reached out to grab something, anything
to stop her descent, and latched on to a pair of denim-clad hips. The material
slipped down and with it, she landed on her knees, face-planted against a very
masculine crotch. The tip of his cock peeked from the front of his red plaid
boxers. Heat flooded her belly and moisture pooled in her panties in response
to his arousal. The familiar scent of leather and sandalwood tickled her nose.
Dustin. Memories of a night over a decade ago filled with sweat-lathered
bodies on the bank of the creek swam before her eyes. She shivered. All it
would take was the slightest turn of her head and…
“Not that I’m complaining about your
enthusiasm, honey, but you’re a little too far to the left,” a familiar, deep
masculine voice teased.
She looked up into Dustin’s amused
face. That crooked grin hit her in the gut with lust so fierce she wanted to
toss away caution and jump him right there. Mortified, she pushed away and
leapt to her feet. Dammit, of all the impressions she could have made, falling
face first into his cock was not the way she intended to go.
Heat burned in her cheeks. “Dillon
needs you at the lodge.” She turned on her heel.
“Wait.” He gripped her hand. “Aren’t
you going to say hello or anything?”
Shannon shook her head, keeping her
gaze locked on the safety of the door. “I can’t talk to you with your…your
thing exposed. Pull up your pants, for God’s sake.” Only he could make her feel
like a blushing virgin.
His laughter vibrated through her
breasts, and her nipples hardened against the lace of her bra. “Well, darlin’,
my exposed thing never bothered you before. But if you insist…”
The rustling of denim against skin
teased her imagination and whetted an appetite she hadn’t known in a long time.
She squeezed her eyes shut, blocking out the image of his cock saluting her.
“You can turn around now.”
Drawing in a deep, calming breath,
she did. He’d fastened the button-fly of his jeans, much to her relief. But the
exposed V of his pelvis was too distracting for her peace of mind. She focused
above the waistline and on his face. Hazel eyes were emphasized by small lines
around the edges. A strong jaw was softened by full lips. Gone was the boy
she’d fallen in love with. In his place was a man who could very well destroy
her if she let him get too close.
“Hello, Dustin.” Shannon forced a
smile and resisted rubbing her damp palms against her thighs. “Dillon asked me
to let you know you are needed at the lodge.”
His eyes smoldered, and the corner
of his mouth kicked up. “So you said.”
She gave a tight nod. “Right. Well.”
She lifted a shoulder in an awkward gesture. “I had better get to the cabin.
Have to get ready for tonight.” She swiveled toward the door. “Nice to see you,
Dusty.”
“Welcome home, Shay.”
***Find JJ here***
Thank you for joining us here today, JJ! It was a pleasure getting to know you
and your work.
