Adrenaline - Book Tour and Giveaway

Adrenaline
Laurel Glen Series Book 1
by B.L. Scott
Genre: Romantic Suspense 

A successful woman wary of charming men. A man full of regret for a massive error in judgement. Their fiery relationship that almost wasn’t. A novel of international intrigue, last chances, and trust.
Lindsey Kelly loves two things—fast cars and her counter-terrorism business. She’s a self-made Beltway Bandit who rewards herself for her successes by racing her “baby,” a Ferrari F430 Spider, at Laurel Glen. When the car malfunctions during a practice lap, she meets a new track mechanic, Gavin Blake. Lindsey initially finds his looks compelling, but his judgmental and know-it-all attitude remind her of everything life with her ex-husband taught her to avoid.
For his part, Gavin isn’t interested in rich women who think they own the world. Or so he tells himself. In his previous life as a high-powered attorney, someone like Lindsey could have been his, but now, simplicity is what he craves. He hopes an uncomplicated life as an auto mechanic with little responsibility will help him avoid another colossal error in judgment.
The lives of these two self-avowed loners keep colliding, however, and a steamy on-again/off-again connection develops. They are eventually pulled into a vortex of danger when a terrorist organization attempts a takeover of Lindsey’s company. Working with the CIA, Lindsey becomes bait to draw out the leader of this radical group. Faced with personal jeopardy, Gavin and Lindsey discover a love and trust that is necessary for their very existence.


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B. L. Scott is new to the literary scene. For the last thirty years she has been involved with a security training facility and weekend road racing venue located near Washington, DC. The company conducts counter-terrorist schools Monday through Friday and hosts sportscar and motorcycle racing on the weekends.

Her work with both racers and government clients like the CIA, SEALs, and FBI was exciting, and she hopes to express this excitement in her series based at a similar facility, fictionally christened Laurel Glen. Adrenaline is the first of this series.

Though she misses the exhilaration of facing the challenges of a multifaceted business, she's delighted to have the time to follow her passion--writing stories that excite and touch the heart.

She lives in the Virginia countryside with her aged yellow lab, Abby.


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Tell something about yourself and how you became an author.
I’ve always enjoyed reading, but it was my sister’s influence that got me into writing. She’s an award winning author of historical romance and science fiction. When I sold my business she encouraged me to start writing using my years of experience in counter-terrorist training as background. I’ve had so much fun thinking up plots and dialogue, now I’m hooked. I write nearly every day. It keeps me sane and entertained.

What is something unique/quirky about you?
I like to dance around the house for some exercise. My favorite tune is Dancing Queen by ABBA.

Tell us something really interesting that’s happened to you.
In my youth, I was chosen to be a foreign exchange student to Germany. I struggled with the language and homesickness at first, but ultimately it changed my life by broadening both my mind and horizons. My German family is still an important part of my life, and I credit my wanderlust to that year in a foreign country.

What are some of your pet peeves?
The stupidity of partisan politics.
Not being able to physically do everything my mind thinks I can.
People who only talk and think about themselves.

Where were you born/grew up?
My dad was career Air Force, and my family was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska when I was born. I grew up living on Air Force bases in Alaska, Ohio, Virginia, DC, and Colorado.
When we lived in Ohio, Dad was unable to get base housing at first, so we lived on a farm in the country. We had an old horse, Dusty, and two ducks, Fluffy and Duffy, which helped entertain my sister and me. I was younger by several years, so one day, she was appointed to lead me around on Dusty through the fields. When we came to one of the trees along the fence line she yelled, “Duck, Barbara.” My response was to say, “Duck, duck, where duck.” At which point I was duly knocked from the horse by a low hanging branch. I still have a dimple in my cheek to this day from that adventure.
As I grew older, we lived on different military bases, and it was fun having lots of kids to ride bikes with and play outside most days in a safe, happy environment. It was a wonderful childhood.

If you knew you’d die tomorrow, how would you spend your last day?
Laughing with my daughters!

Who is your hero and why?
My dad. He was an ordinary man, no super hero traits, but I knew I could always count on what he said. He was a constant inspiration to me growing up. I aspire to live with the same integrity.

What are you passionate about these days?
Writing stories of desire and suspense that readers may enjoy, and traveling to gain insight into diverse cultures—truly my inspiration for what I write.

What do you do to unwind and relax?
I walk in the fields on my farm, poke around in the garden, or spend time with friends and family. When I’m by myself, I like sitting on the back porch with a glass of wine watching the sun go down over the back fields.

Describe yourself in five words or less.
Friendly, family-oriented, caring, responsible, organized.

When did you consider yourself a writer?
When I held my first published book in my hand. What joy!

Do you have a favorite movie?
Not really. Hallmark Christmas movies are always fun!

Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?
All of them, of course!

What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
I consider all of my travel as literary background material. I used a trip to Dubai for descriptions in Adrenaline, travel to Jordan as inspiration for scenes in Foreign Threat, and vacations in the Cayman Islands for the setting in Tortuga Sunrise.

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/sprit animal?
The owl—cunning and wise. I have quite a collection of owls I found on my many trips. I find their large eyes seem to look into my soul. Very contemplative!

What inspired you to write this book?
Every writer I knew who wanted to help get me started told me to write what I know. So after thirty years of operating a counter-terrorist training school and weekend motorsports racing venue, I thought it would be the perfect background for my first series. The fictitious Laurel Glen facility was born.
Over the years, I’ve dealt with men and women dedicated to serving their country who were being deployed to high-threat areas all over the globe. I’ve also known the drive and organization it took to make a training business successful—government contract submissions, facility upgrades and maintenance, and finding the right people to make it all happen. I felt there were enough interesting twists and turns in that real life to make for an exciting setting for my novels. Then I combined that with a recent travel destination, Dubai, traits from people I’ve met along the way, and conflict, both internal and external, embedded in my two main characters.
Of course, the historical portions about ISIS are slightly fictionalized, but research through my contacts with the State Department and the CIA gave me the material to make the situation realistic. With that background in my head I made a loose plot outline and started to type. Fun!

What can we expect in the future?
There are four books in the Laurel Glen Series that are only loosely held together by the owner of the facility, George Trenton, who appears in every book. Adrenaline, book one, was published last fall. Both book two, Foreign Threat, and book three, Tortuga Sunrise, have also been published. I’m currently working on book four, Shadows of Deception, which is George Trenton’s story and takes place primarily in the Hunt Country of Virginia.
It’s a segue into my next series that will be set in the Virginia countryside, though I may take a side-step to write a book that takes place in Arkansas in the seventies.

Do you have any “side stories” about the characters?
I haven’t developed any side stories yet, but have at least one character, Darlene, a mechanic from Arkansas in Foreign Threat, who might deserve her own story. She is quite an original and I enjoyed developing her personality.

Can you tell us a little about the characters in Adrenaline?
Lindsey Kelly loves two things—fast cars and her counter-terrorism business. She’s a self-made Beltway Bandit who rewards herself for her successes by racing her “baby,” a Ferrari F430 Spider, at Laurel Glen. When the car malfunctions during a practice lap, she meets a new track mechanic, Gavin Blake. Lindsey initially finds his looks compelling, but his judgmental and know-it-all attitude remind her of everything life with her ex-husband taught her to avoid. 
For his part, Gavin isn’t interested in rich women who think they own the world. Or so he tells himself. In his previous life as a high-powered attorney, someone like Lindsey could have been his, but now, simplicity is what he craves. He hopes an uncomplicated life as an auto mechanic with little responsibility will help him avoid another colossal error in judgment.

How did you come up with the concept and characters for the book?
Lindsey’s desires and motivation are fairly parallel to my own experiences, though the novel is in no way autobiographical. I combined that with several other women I have known—one who loved to drive the racetrack at high velocity as a form of speed therapy, another who had been hurt badly in a former relationship.
avin needed something in his background that would make him not trust his own judgement, so the former attorney angle came from a brainstorming session with my sister and a few friends. The preconceived notions and biases about rich, strong women or being a mechanic, were thrown in for yet another hurdle for the characters to overcome. Awareness about judging others and then changing to become non-judgmental is a theme in several of my books.
The minor characters’ personas are drawn from experience over the years with people in national security related jobs.

Where did you come up with the names in the book?
Just liked the sound of them. In subsequent books, however, like Tortuga Sunrise, I researched the names common in the Cayman Islands to come up with Dylan and Leri Bodden, who were descendant of one of the founding settlers. And in Shadows of Deception, book four in the series (not yet finished), Charlotte Jordan’s family can be traced to two historical Virginia families. Her name and her children’s names are related to those families.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
Creating the dialogue—such fun!

How did you come up with the title of your first novel?
Adrenaline just popped into my head. It plays in several forms in the novel—the adrenaline one feels from racing around a high-speed track to the adrenaline one experiences when in danger. A satisfying love relationship can also be quite an adrenaline rush!

Who designed your book cover?
My sister, Merry, who writes historical romance as Hannah Meredith, collaborated with me on the design, and she pushed the Photoshop buttons.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Since I’m a compulsive “tweaker,” I change things constantly as I go along. When I finish, I frequently go back and add scenes to enhance the emotion or explain more fully. But, finally, I press “Publish” and that’s it. No regrets.

Did you learn anything about the writing of your recent book?
I learn a lot when I’m researching the setting and background for a book. I like to study the history, culture, and religion of any country my characters visit. It’s important to me to get the setting correct. With each book I write I think I’m becoming more authentic.

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
For Lindsey, I see Rachel Mc Adams, Jessica Chastain, or Olivia Wilde. All are strong, but sexy. For Gavin, Henry Cavill, hands down. Dark good looks, 6’1”, and a man who knows his wine.

What is the favorite part of this book and why?
Spoiler alert!! It’s on the eve of the terrorist sting operation. There’s a lot of tension, Gavin apologizes for his over-protectiveness, he and Lindsey learn to trust, and all the emotion brings on a brief, but spirited, interlude of love-making. Fun!

If you could spend time with a character from your book who would it be? And what would you do during that day?
I’d like to spend time with Lindsey. She’s tough, complex, and smart, but also kind and funny. I think she’d be an interesting conversationalist and a good listener. We’d go on a long walk in the country, talking endlessly about our hopes and dreams. Then we’d end the day on the porch with a glass of wine while we watched the sun go down over the fields.

Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
A combination of real and imagined. Bits and pieces of each character are from people I’ve known, but no single person represents a character. My imagination embellishes every personality.

Do your characters seem to hijack the story, or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?
As the writer, I have control of my characters emotions and actions. Sometimes it seems like a monumental responsibility to get it right. Occasionally, to place my heroine in a dangerous situation, I inadvertently make her—TSTL, Too Stupid To Live—which is totally out of character for any of my heroines. So I must carefully go back and rewrite the section to make it realistic.

Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.
Reading any of the books in the Laurel Glen series is an experience that shouldn’t be missed. The characters are realistic, mostly likeable, and full of life. Their past indiscretions usually come back to bite them, to which most people can relate. Also the locations of the novels take the reader on a journey to intriguing places. Romantic suspense is a genre with which I identify. I transport myself into the book and live an exciting life vicariously through the characters and their story. Yes, each book in the series is a must read for the insight into human nature and the exploration of the passions we all have buried inside.

Have you written any other books that are not published?
Adrenaline is the first book in the Laurel Glen Series. Book two, Foreign Threat, and book three, Tortuga Sunrise, are now both available. I’m currently working on book four, Shadows of Deception, which should be out by the fall.
I have no completed books other than my WIP. When I wake up early, my mind swirls with ideas. My next series will be set near a small town in the Hunt Country of Virginia. Strong, intelligent, independent women will once again be featured with equally savvy men either in the local law enforcement field or from a federal agency brought in on a case.
I also have pieces of dialogue and settings that want to be a book. The idea for a book set in 70’s Arkansas came to me with the first lines bouncing around in my head. Here is an excerpt:
If I’d known what small town Arkansas in the 1970’s was like, I’d never have married Jimmy Ray Pickett.

“Maryanne, rise and shine, doll. You’re sleeping half the day away.” Eulalee’s high pitched, southern drawl, screeched at her from the hallway.

Maryanne didn’t want to get up yet. Jimmy had kept her up late last night to perform her wifely duties after his parents had gone to sleep. Heaven forbid their love making might be overheard. When Jimmy had slipped out before dawn to go hunting with his dad, she’d cozied down in the quilts and had just dozed off when she heard Eulalee at the door. She pulled the pillow over her head and groaned.

“I hear you in there, Maryanne. Now get up you lazybones. We have three bushels of purple hull peas to shell.”

“Be right there, Mother Pickett.” Oh, joy, she thought and groaned again.

If your book had a candle, what scent would it be?
For Adrenaline, which takes place partially in the United Arab Emirates, I would light a Jasmine scented candle. Many of the indoor spaces in Dubai have Jasmine growing so it would put me in the mood for an exotic adventure.

What did you edit out of this book?
Not much. Mostly I went back during the editing process and added more detail.

Is there a writer whose brain you would love to pick for advice? Who would that be and why?
Nora Roberts is an author I greatly admire. She has been a prolific writer across several genres. Her romantic suspense, such as Hideaway, is spectacular, but my favorite series she’s written is the Eve Dallas series which she writes as J.D. Robb. I’d love to know how she comes up with all the futuristic elements, the varied plots, the twists and red herrings, and on top of that her witty repartee is amazing. What I’d give to meet Rourke in the flesh!

What are your top ten favorite books?
For fun and escape I like several series:
J.D. Robb’s Eve Dallas Series
Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander Series
P.D. James’ Adam Dalgliesh Series
Elizabeth George’s Inspector Lynley Series

As for stand-alone books that I’ve enjoyed:
Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See
Amor Towles’ A Gentleman in Moscow
JoJo Moyes’ Giver of Stars
Jaimie Ford’s Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
Jeanine Cummins’ American Dirt
Ken Follett’s Pillars of the Earth

What book do you think everyone should read?
Winnie-the-Pooh

How long have you been writing?
10 years

Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?
I write in scenes, so if I think a new character would make the scene more interesting, I add them. Of course, then I usually have to go back and put some information about the added person in the story before that point. Thank goodness for the cut and paste feature of computers!

What kind of research do you do before writing a book?
I do extensive research on the locations, the culture of the people, and the history of the area.

Do you see writing as a career?
Yes.

What do you think about the current publishing market?
Using traditional publishing houses has become difficult and in some ways obsolete. If an author is lucky enough to attract a publisher/editor’s eye the process of getting the book to market is a lengthy one. However, since there are so many writers going the indie/self-publishing route, the market is jammed with thousands of titles in every genre. It’s difficult to find your readers.

Do you read yourself and if so, what is your favorite genre?
Yes, I read voraciously. For relaxation I usually choose a spy thrillers or romance novel, but read a lot of main stream literary fiction as well.

Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?
Silence. Most noise, even music, distracts me.

Do you write one book at a time, or do you have several going at a time?
Usually, several in different stages. One in editing, while I begin the next in the series. Then I also have several in outline form (one page). When I think of a new idea, if I don’t write it down, I’ll forget it.

If you could have been the author of any book ever written, which book would you choose?
Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca for the sheer beauty of the mystery and the flow of words.
Coming in a close second would be Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance about the “metaphysics of quality.” I’ve used the lessons learned from that book throughout my life.

Pen or typewriter or computer?
Definitely computer. I have a small laptop I can take anywhere. Occasionally, I jot something down in a notebook if I don’t have my laptop.

What made you want to become an author, and do you feel it was the right decision?
I have so many stories bottled up in my mind that I want to tell, and I was looking for a creative outlet, so chose writing, since I can’t draw or paint.

A day in the life of an author.
My morning routine is what gets my mind and body in gear: Start a pot of coffee, go for a brisk, short walk, return for the coffee, and work a samurai sudoku or crossword. Then I’m ready to begin. I usually only write for three or four hours unless I get caught up in the story. Research is also an important part of the day. I sometimes spend more time learning about the history of a region than I do actually writing the story.

Advice you would give new authors.
Try to write 1,000 words per day, at least five days a week.

Describe your writing style.
From the beginning, I knew the stories I wanted to tell in the first series. I wrote out six one or two-page outlines with the basic plot for each story. Then I started writing. I guess that makes me a “pantser.” Amazingly, after taking several courses explaining character arcs and timing in a novel, I have somehow, accidently, hit the prescribed formula for turning points: the core need, the goal in play, no turning back, the dark moment, and the climax. It’s just the way a story unfolds in my mind.

What makes a good story?
The author must engage the reader to care what happens to the main characters.

What are you currently reading?
The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante
Beach Read by Emily Henry
Forgotten in Death by J. D. Robb

What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Taking themselves too seriously. Have fun with the characters, the dialog, the story, and then so will your readers.

What is your writing Kryptonite?
Travel planning and travel itself. It takes me away from writing, but in the long run, makes my writing stronger with more adventures to incorporate into the new novels.

Do you try to be more original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I try to be original and authentic, writing for my own creative satisfaction. My only criteria is to deliver a HEA for the reader. How I get there is the fun.

What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters of the opposite sex?
Describing what they’re thinking or feeling. I have several male friends that help me with realistic male feelings and dialogue. I ask them, “Would a guy say this? Think this? Even think about this?” It can be illuminating!

How long on average does it take you to write a book?
The first book took eight years to finish. Since then, on average it takes about six months from writing the first paragraph to pushing the publish button.

Do you believe in writer’s block?
Not really. If the words aren’t flowing, I just go for a walk or do some background research until the sparks fly again.


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