Question#1-In August 2005 you released your latest Regency novel called The Masquerade, book two in your de Warrene series. Can you give us a brief description of the novel?
The Masquerade is a classic Cinderella romance—a young woman pinning from afar for the wealthy titled lord she can never have. But there’s a twist. Fate throws Tyrell de Warenne’s child in Lizzie Fitzgerald’s arms and she claims him as her son. And when her family forces her to confront Tyrell, there’s a big, fat problem—he knows she’s never been in his bed, so something is terribly wrong!
The Masquerade is the second of five novels about the de Warenne and O’Neill brothers and stepbrothers in the Regency period; it follows The Prize. However, I would include three previous books in the series, The Conqueror, in which the dynasty is founded during the Norman Conquest, Promise of the Rose, and The Game.
Question#2-This series is also loosely connected to quite a few novels in your backlist. The Conqueror, The Promise of The Rose, The Game and Scandalous Marriage and a contemporary novel House of Dreams. How did you come up with the idea to tie this series with these novels that according to geology are some 700 to 900 years apart?
I don’t plan ahead, it just happens. When I love a family and I am creating new stories, why not make the hero or heroine a descendant?
Question#3-Speaking of The Conqueror, that novel according to a lot of readers is your finest work, along with The Promise of Rose. They seem to all agree that the series does not feel complete and would love to see another medieval from you. After your de Warrene series is finished in the Regency era, have you thought about returning to medieval times and doing another de Warrene novel with maybe Isabel or Geoffrey’s story?
I would love to do another medieval but it is not in the cards for the next few years, not as a straight historical romance. My publisher is into the de Warennes and O’Neills in Regency Ireland and England and I think I may be doing some of their children afterwards, which would be early Victorian. However, I am now doing Historical time travel/paranormal and they are set in medieval Scotland with medieval warrior heroes, each oversexed with incredible power! These books are a bit different, however, as the heroes and heroines are caught up in a dark, dangerous world…
Question#4-The first novel I read from you was After Innocence and was also my introduction to Romance novels on a whole. Edward and Sophia have always maintained a special place in my heart for their amazing story. I know over the years you have indicated that you regret writing the ending you did for After Innocence, as you were never able to return to it. But given the chance to tie up the loose end, what kind of story would you have wanted to do? Personally I have often pictured a paranormal type story revolving around the painting and with Edward coming in spirit form helping his granddaughter return the painting to the family.
I never saw it as paranormal—I saw it as a contemporary romantic suspense.
Question#5-After a much-celebrated career in historicals most particularly the Bragg Series, a few years ago you branched out into contemporary romance and had success with the novels, House of Dreams, and The Third Heiress. What propelled your decision to return to Historical Romance?
There is nothing sexier than a historical hero! I don’t know how anyone could ever compare a contemporary hero to a historical one. Do you want to make love to an FBI agent or Tyrell de Warenne?
Historical anything is my favourite genre, I am a history nut. I feel very fortunate to be able to write historical romance again, and now the sexy historical paranormals, too.
Question#6-You have written romance for many years providing readers with wonderfully written and sensual love stories. Over the years the industry has evolved has Alpha Males and strong willed Heroes have gone pretty much to the wayside for milder and tamer version. What is the one thing that stands out as an author that you have had to adapt yourself to as an author to appeal to the new market that is emerging in Historical Romance?
I do not change my heroes for the market or the audience. However, I am trying to write shorter for the market and the audience without sacrificing storylines or character development. The latter is a challenge.
However, I do change heroes for the time period. In my new medieval paranormals, the heroes are super Alpha! In my Regencies, they are strong, domineering, and oversexed, but they have to be gentlemen, too, as they are civilized and in society.
Question#7-What is your greatest achievement and your most disappointing moment in your career?
My greatest achievement is the smiles and pleasure I bring to my readers.
I really have to think about the most disappointing moment—my career has been long and successful, and have worked with wonderful people who really like my work, I have been well-published, and I get to tell cool love stories for living. There really hasn’t been a disappointing moment. But as far as disappointment goes, it’s sad that across the board people are reading less, I wonder if fifty years from now people won’t read at all for entertainment!
Question#8-After the de Warrene dynasty is finished. What is next?
It will never be finished! I hope! I mean, I can go back to a dozen different time periods and why not?
Question#9-In regards to the Deadly series, in a question I asked on your message board regarding the series, it was recently disclosed that you and your publishing house will be putting the Deadly series on hold for a while to concentrate on your historicals and this new series that you are doing. Was that a hard decision to make? The Deadly series is by far one of the most alluring pieces of work you have to date. Are you afraid that you may alienate those fans that have come to adore the series?
Of course I worry about leaving those fans in the lurch. But the truth is, not only did my publisher ask me to concentrate on the historical romance and paranormal, I am very burned out/tapped out with the Deadlies. I bet in five years I’ll want to do another one. I had no idea it would be so hard to do a series—writing about one couple for nine books is very challenging. Of course, Francesca remains one of my best all time great heroines, and let’s face it. Calder Hart is probably the single greatest hero I’ve written.
Question#10-The spoiler in the back of The Masquerade for Deadly Kisses is shocking and a great teaser. Without giving much away can you tell us a little bit more about Deadly Kisses?
Nope!
Okay—just this—so Francesca and Calder get tested and Calder is in deep trouble.
Question#11-I read over on Heather Graham’s website that you hosted a costume show during the RT convention earlier this year. Can you tell us a little bit about it?
It was for The Masquerade. We had about eight hundred attendees and there were so many incredible costumes! I was in awe—I wore a pale pink regency ballgown and had my hair done in ringlets, which was so fun. We ate, drank and danced the night away….And my party designer had tons of masks everywhere, even in the floral arrangements!
Question#12-When you’re not writing what is your favorite way to relax and unwind?
MY favourite way to unwind is white wine and General Hospital with my three dogs flopping by my chaise.
My favourite other passion is competing on my horses—which is not relaxing.
Question#13-Regarding the characters in your novels. Which of your hero’s and heroines have held a special place in your heart over the years?
Stephen de Warenne (and Geoffrey de Warenne)—Promise of
the Rose
Edward and Sofie—After Innocence
Katherine Fitzgerald and Liam O’Neill—The Game
Lucy and Shoz—The Fires of Paradise
Eleanor de Warenne and Sean O’Neill—The Stolen Bride coming October 2006
Cliff de Warennne—coming December 2006
And of course, Francesca and Calder Hart.
Question #14-Do you have any rituals when you write, like a favorite scent or candle, listening to music that helps your and your muse when writing?
Nope!
Question#15-Who has been the greatest source of inspiration for you when it comes to your writing?
My muse. God bless her.
Question#16-Who are some of your favourite authors and novels that you have read over the years?
Judith McNaught—Whitney My Love. Sandra Brown—Slow Heat in Heaven. Jude Devereau—A Knight in Shining Armour. James Clavell—Taipan, Shogun, Noble House. Gone with the Wind. Walter Farley—all the Black Stallion books!
Question#17-Reissued novels are great for a author, it appeals to a newer audience enticing new them to an older backlist and body of work. Would you follow in the footsteps of other authors (ie Nicole Jordon and Catherine Coulter) and revamp your older historicals before a reissue? Who makes that decision to do that? Do you feel as an author that something could be lost in the translation of a new version of your older work?
All my titles are in print so it is not an option. But I’d love to rewrite The Darkest Heart and Innocent Fire, nothing else. Styles of writing change---there’s nothing wrong with re-editing. I am actually surprised that older backlist titles of mine keep selling so well, especially The Conqueror.
Question #18-What is your favorite period in History?
Medieval.
Question#19-Your novels contain a strong element on historical details for the period they are set in, which I personally love. How is the research for the each novel that you do, I imagine it varies. Which era in history would like to write in that you have not yet?
Research does vary and it depends on the time period and the plot. I’m not sure what you are asking. I am really good at finding the sources I need eg. For Cliff de Warenne’s story, I have really learned how to captain a frigate in a hurricane!
I really would love to go back and do a lot of stories set from 1100-1400 or so.
Question#20-Just for fun, a producer comes up to you and says Brenda we would like to turn one of your novels into a movie. Which novel would you like see made into a movie? Who would you envision the lead roles being?
Wow, that is hard! I would say the Game or Promise of the Rose. Collin Farrel as Stephen, with some stubble, maybe Mathew Mccaughnty (SP?) as Liam O’Neill.
There’s a new actress on GH who plays a seventeen or eighteen year old daughter of the police commissioner—she would be perfect as Mary. Maybe a younger, red-haired Angelina Jolie as Katherine!