Q: Of all your books, what is your favorite?
A: Although all my books are special, I would have to
say my very first book, Justin and Lorren's story in Tonight and Forever,
is my favorite because it was my first.
Q: Will you continue to write books about the Madaris
Family?
A: Yes, I will continue to write about the Madaris Family.
I like keeping readers up to date as to what is going on with that family.
I plan to write Slade, Blade and Lucas' stories, with Slade book coming
out in 2007. Then I'll decide if I want to write about some of the other
cousins from the family tree or start writing about the kids.
Q: Your cruise in 2005 drew over 300 of your readers.
What do you think is the reason you have such a large following?
A: Because from my first book, I let my readers know
they were special. It wasn't any planned strategy I used, it was me being
me, and wanting to treat my readers the way I would want to be treated.
I was a reader before I became a writer, and I had encountered a lot
of authors who wanted me to buy their book but didn't have the time or
inclination to respect me as one of their readers. I refuse to be that
way with my readers. I appreciate them.
Q: If you had a chance is there a book you would like
to rewrite?
A: No. I'm sure all authors think after they finish
a book it could have been better, but I'm happy with the way I presented
all my books to my readers. The story was written the way I thought it
out at the time.
Q: You write a lot of sequels. Do you ever think enough
is enough?
A: As long as I have readers who want to know about
a particular family, then I let them decide when enough is enough. But
I'm hoping that they will continue to enjoy the new families I plan to
introduce.
Q: Do you have a favorite book?
A: Yes, Night Song by Beverly Jenkins. I'm almost embarassed
to say how many copies of that book I own. And recently one of my readers
sent me the hardback version so I'm in hog heaven. I fell in love with
Chase Jefferson the moment I read the story. I also like the model on
the cover of the book and thought he represented Chase well. In fact,
years later I asked for that same model (Kendall McKarthy) to be on the
cover of one of my books. He is Uncle Jake on the cover of Secret Love.
Q: Does it bother you to be considered a "romance
writer"?
A: No, because that's what I am. Although I like to
try different things and have written stories that are considered mainstream,
I still like giving whatever story I write a romantic twist. I love reading
love stories and that is why I enjoy writing them. I truly am a romantic
at heart. I'll take a happy ending over an unhappy one any day.
Q: Do negative reviews of your book bother you?
A: No. Although I put out what I consider
my best work possible, I don't expect everyone to pick up a Brenda Jackson
book and enjoy it. A review is one person's opinion of the
book and does not represent the views of the masses. Everyone
has a right to their opinions, although I have to admit I've seen a number
of reviews that were more author bashing that were done under the disguise
of book reviewing. I usually ask readers to read the
book for themselves and form their own opinions. And
I believe my readers are doing that because some of the books that I
receive the worse reviews turn out to be my biggest sellers. People
who read romance novels have varied tastes and preferences. There is
such a diverse range of stories that readers today can find a large number
of books to suit what they are comfortable with reading. I
write hot, steamy romance stories. Hot and steamy isn't for everyone. Romance
is a work of fiction and is for entertainment purposes. If
a person has read my books and continously not enjoy them, then I recommend
they stop buying them and spend their money on books they do
enjoy.
Q: You still work outside the home and maintain a
tight writing schedule. How can you do both:
A: Time management. I love my day
job. I'm a supervisor for a major insurance company. I like
the work I do and the people I meet. I also enjoy being in the
business sector. I've been working at my place of employment for
35 years. Writing is my fun time. I don't consider
it as work and that's why I enjoy doing it. Writing is the
time I come home from work and relax. It's my stress reliever. I
put everything out my mind and go into my office and escape with my characters. Taking
them to places I've never been and involving them in a love story that
I feel is just right for them. And writing is a way for Mr.
J and I to spend time together. With both of my sons grown and
out, I love taking Mr. J with me for weekend trips to places I want to
write about in my stories while I do research of those places.
Q: Will Delaney's Desert Sheikh ever be reissued?
A: Yes! Thanks to all my readers who
had made their desires known to Harlequin, a decision was made to reissue
Delaney's story as an e-book in early 2007. Now for those of you
like me who prefer the hard book instead of reading a book off the computer
or IPOD, I am working with Kimani to make Delaney's story as a reissued
2nd story in another sheikh book I plan to write. For those who
have kept up with my Madaris Series, you probably remember a sheikh by
the name of Prince Rasheed Valdemon (Fire and Desire and Unfinished
Business). I plan to write his story and connect his family to
Sheikh Jamal Ari Yasir's family through marriage. More information
about this union will be posted in future newsletters so make
sure you are on the list to receive my monthly newsletters.
Q: A number of your Madaris Books are out of
print. Will there be a reissuance of them as well?
A: Yes!! Due to the overwhelming success
of my 3-books-in-one, The Madaris Saga, Harlequin plans to come out with
a couple more books 3-in-one-books that will include the remaining books
in the Madaris Series such as Fire and Desire, One Special Moment, Secret
Love etc. Check future newsletters for more information about
this huge reissuance program.
Q: What is your next woman fiction book, WHAT
A WOMAN WANTS about?
A: This book looks into the lives of 4 women to
determine just what they want. I had fun writing his book,
as well as introducing the 4 heroes. One particular couple
in his book is very near and dear to my heart. Those of you who
have read Ties That Bind, will remember Anna Ross-Fuller and Zack Wainwright. After
that book I received a lot of requests for Anna and Zack's story. Most
readers wanted to know did they eventually fall in love and marry. That
question will be answered in this book. Also, I wanted to write
about heros that are connected to other guys I've written about before. In
this book you will meet Shane Masters (brother to Quinn Masters from
A Family Reunion and brother to Grey Masters from The Savvy Sistahs. Then
there is Adam Corbain, brother to Linc Corbain (Welcome to Leo's) and
Sydney Corbain (Let's Get It On). And last but not least is Lyle Montgomery
- brother to Lance Montgomery (The Playa's Handbook and No More Playas). I'm
hoping my readers will enjoy meeting these handsome men as well as the
reunion of characters from former books. What A Woman Wants
will hit the stores in January and in some places will be in the stores
in time for Christmas.