Interview: J.R. Ward, author of 'The Bourbon Kings'

Just recently, I reviewed bestselling author J.R. Ward's latest release, The Bourbon Kings. Think Downton Abbey meets Dynasty in this richly imagined, captivating family saga. Loyal readers of Ward have been eagerly anticipating the start of this new series, and today, I'm thrilled to talk to her about The Bourbon Kings and the inspiration behind it, the fascinating and flawed characters we'll meet and what's to come next in both this series and with our beloved Black Dagger brothers.

Vilma: J.R., thanks so much for joining me today for a conversation on the riveting and wonderfully scandalous Bradford/Baldwine family! I'm so excited to talk to you about this story, which is rife with scandal, secrets and power. '

You've noted that your own move from Boston to Kentucky fueled the story, but what actually prompted you to put pen to paper and shape a brand new series? Was there a particular moment of inspiration? Or was it a culmination of experiences?

J.R.: Thank you so much for having me! And as for the inspiration, I think it's important to continue to stretch yourself in whatever you're doing. Career, sports, life in general. So after being lucky enough to find the Black Dagger Brotherhood stories in my head, I wanted to keep exploring, finding new directions, doing different projects. As a Yankee who now lives in the South, I've been captivated by the lifestyle and traditions here. And after a couple of years, stories started to appear for me ... and as I always say, I do what my Rice Krispies tell me.

Vilma: The Bourbon Kings is a strikingly different world from what you've published as J.R. Ward. It's not a story steeped in fantasy and the paranormal. We've traded vampires and angels for Southern bourbon magnates. Caldwell, New York, for Charlemont, Kentucky. Was this a genre divergence you've been wanting to explore?

J.R.: Again, it was, like the Brothers, just what showed up in my head. That being said, I've been a fan of Dynasty for years, and I was excited to do an old-fashioned family drama series in a new way.

Vilma: Loyal readers of The Black Dagger Brotherhood and Fallen Angels series expect action, sexiness, romance, emotion and, of course ... irresistible (and totally badass) heroes. What can readers expect with this new series?

J.R.: There is romance in it, and emotion, and sexiness, for sure! There are also a lot of secrets and things that happen that may or may not be what they seem. Also, like the Black Dagger books, there is a core group of people working together towards a common goal of survival — in this case, it will be resurrecting the Bradford family's fortunes.

Vilma: The series centers around this dysfunctional Kentucky family, exploring Southern archetypes, particularly of the rich and how they relate to those around them. How would you describe this family and its not-so-typical members?

J.R.: The more I know about rich people, the more I realize that they can be a deeply unhappy and dissatisfied bunch of folks. Money doesn't necessarily solve all problems or make you a good person or help you to do the right thing. So the Bradfords suffer from a lot of dysfunction, some of which will be improved and cured over the course of the books, some of which will not. A friend of mine once said of money and success that it merely magnifies who you are. So if you were generous and connected to others before you got it, it makes you even better. But if you're not that way? It can truly ruin your character, your life and the lives of others.

Vilma: Will each of the subsequent books "feature" one of the heirs (Lane, Max, Gin, Edward)?

J.R.: There will be a core focus in each book, but all their stories are intertwined so there will be an episodic nature to some of the plotlines.

Vilma: This first book spotlights Lane and Lizzie's story. Lane is the Baldwine family playboy who fled Easterly, and Lizzie is the smart, hard-working horticulturalist whose had her heart broken and is not willing hit repeat on that affair. How would you describe the dynamic of their relationship?

J.R.: I think Lizzie is incredibly levelheaded and reasonable — perhaps a little too much so. Lane is the opposite, or was, a womanizing, poker-playing bad boy who wasn't a good bet if you were looking for a relationship. Lizzie grounds him, he enlivens her; together, they make sense. However, Lizzie's ingrained suspicion of the Bradfords and their wealth, coupled with an unfortunate confluence of events with Lane and a woman he casually dated before he and Lizzie got together, create a situation that really seems to prove, rather than disprove, her biases. They have a lot to work through.

Vilma: This series seems like it was so much fun to write. The Bourbon Kings was deliciously scandalous (with great plot twists!) and some really captivating and complex characters. Was the writing process quite different with this book than with the BDB or Fallen Angels series novels? Or were the characters as clear and real to you as they are with, say, the brothers?

J.R.: The way it all worked was the same for me: Pictures in my head, people talking and doing things, making choices that were both good and bad for them. What I love about my job is getting surprised by the directions the stories go in. As always, I figure if I'm like, OMG!, there's a good possibility some of the readers will do the same.

Vilma: Do you know how many books will constitute the series? Do you know how the series will end … or are you in the dark as well, letting the characters lead the way?

J.R.: The characters lead the way! They are in charge.

Vilma: You recently announced the next Bourbon Kings book, The Angel's Share — will that be released in 2016?

J.R.: Yes, in the summer! Readers will be seeing more of Lane and Lizzie and Edward, Shelby and Sutton, and Gin and Samuel T.

Vilma: OK, well, as a super loyal Black Dagger Brotherhood reader myself, I couldn't have you with us and not ask a thing or two about these incredible males of worth we've all come to love. I'm still getting over all the feels from Trez and iAm's poignant story, but we are all so excited to delve back into Rhage and Mary's relationship in The Beast. Have you finished the novel yet? What can we expect?

J.R.: Well, here's the thing that interests me about the original Brothers and their mates: In real life, when you find the person you want to be with, your relationship doesn't just stop at that point. Issues come up, things both internal and external try your bonds, misunderstandings happen even between folks who know each other well. So I like to explore the what-nexts that occur. Because in my mind? They're all still moving forward and evolving, you know.

Vilma: And then this December, we'll get to know Paradise, blooded daughter of Abalone (Wrath's adviser) in Blood Kiss — the first installment of your spinoff series, Black Dagger Legacy. How will these books be different from the core BDB books?

J.R.: I'm keeping the BD Legacy books tighter in terms of numbers of POVs and focus. When I wrote Blood Kiss, I saw viscerally what readers were talking about when they note that the first couple of BDB books were more insular, more traditional romances, then the more sprawling later ones. So I'm getting back to basics with this series and also showcasing some things that I just can't in the BDB books because of space issues. I love writing them!

Vilma: Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us about your newest release and hope to talk to you again soon!

J.R.: Thank you!!!

For more information about J.R. Ward and her books, visit www.jrward.com.

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Vilma Gonzalez is a blogger, reader, marketer, wife and mom. She has an insatiable appetite for happily ever afters and a deep love of the written word. You can find more about her and read full book reviews at Vilma's Book Blog. Please e-mail Vilma at loveinsuspense@gmail.com about content related to this column. Due to the volume of mail, e-mails may not be answered personally, but all will be read.