Today we will be chatting with Brenda Jackson about her book Wrapped in Pleasure, one of our February BOM Selections.
WRAPPED IN PLEASURE by Brenda Jackson
Mass Market Paperback, 368 pages
Publisher: Kimani Press, January 1, 2010
ISBN-10: 0373831773
ISBN-13: 978-0373831777
Two Westmoreland novels—one classic and one new—from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Brenda Jackson
“Delaney’s Desert Sheikh”
A mix-up in Delaney Westmoreland’s vacation plans forces her to share a cabin with a tall, dark and oh-so-handsome sheikh who is bent on her seduction. Jamal Ari Yasir intends to school Delaney in sensuality for his own pleasure. But instead of loving and leaving her, he becomes enraptured by an irresistible and unforgettable passion for his sexy-as-sin roommate. Can the arrogant sheikh convince his secret lover that they are fated for more than just a summer fling?
“Seduced by a Stranger”
Johari Yasir has no interest in returning to her homeland to marry a man she’s never met—at least, not without sowing some wild oats first. And when a handsome charmer offers to whisk her away in his private plane, she impulsively accepts. Rasheed Valdemon is shocked that his bride-to-be would fly off with someone she barely knows— even though he’s the one doing the asking. More surprising is his hunger for this lovely, rebellious woman. Yet what will happen when she realizes she’s been seduced by 
the man who’s destined to be her husband?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Brenda Jackson lives in the city where she was born, Jacksonville, Florida. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Jacksonville University.
Brenda is a retiree who worked for thirty-seven years in management at a major insurance company. She divides her time between family, writing and traveling. She has been married for thirty-seven years to her childhood sweetheart, Gerald, and they have two sons.
Be sure to visit Brenda’s website at http://www.brendajackson.net.
Brenda, thanks so much for joining us today!! Before we get started, please tell us more about you and wow…you’re about to hit 75 books in print? That is AMAZING!! How do you do it?
-Tee
Tee, thanks for the invite!
How do I do it? Writing relaxes me so I write to relax.
Well, you definitely have some happy fans!
Good moring and thanks for joining us today, Brenda!!!! I’m eager to get this dicussion started, so here are the questions I have so far.
1. What was your inspiration for starting the Westmoreland series?
2. What was your inspiration for starting the Madaris series?
3. Why did you decide to join these series together?
Jaime, thanks for your questions.
Inspiration behind the Westmorelands? I needed to start a new family when I signed on with Harlequin and since I considered the Madarises my good guys, I decided to write about a family of more “bad” than good. In that I mean, the Westmorelands were younger and less tamer.
Inspiration behind the Madarises. During the time I was writing the Madarises, there were actually publishers out there who thought AA guys weren’t romantic and only used and abused theor women. I wrote Justin, Dex and Clayton stories to prove them wrong. Originally, there were only supposed to be 5 books in the series – Justin, Dex, Clayton, Uncle Jake and Christie. However, since they collected friends, I expanded to include their friends.
I really haven’t connected the Westmoreland and Madarises not in the same way I did the Steeles. Rasheed is a friend of the Madarises who marries the sister of a guy married to a Westmoreland. I actually married a Westmoreland to a Steele. Not sure if I will actually connect those two families – Madarises and Westmorelands – yet.
But you’ve connected them and I’m happy with that. No, you didn’t marry an actual family with another, but I see the connection.
Hi Brenda and welcome!!!
What inspired you to write romance?
Sharon, I believe in romance, honestly. I met a guy at 14 that I knew I wanted so spend the rest of my life with. I got his ring at 15, and then another ring at 19 when we married, and now at 57 I can still say he is my “forever”guy. I believe in happy endings. I used to love those stories with happy endings and even now I find myself shying away from books and movies who don’t give me one. I know, realistically, life isn’t that way. But it’s okay. Give me a story with a happy ending any day.
Awwww, this is so sweet! Almost makes me want to turn into a hardcore romance reader. LOL.
A real life happy ending…How sweet!!
Love it:) Got goosebumps reading this. I am such a sap. Haven’t read any of your books yet, Brenda, but you are definitely on my list. I have an Amazon gift card that is burning a hole in my pocket as I type:)
Wow! What an amazing, real-life love story. Congrats to you and your husband, Brenda!
We need more positive love/marriage examples.
.-= — Visit Deltareviewer´s site & last blog post at: I WON!!! =-.
Thank you for coming today Brenda!
You are welcome! I appreciate the invite!
<—–thinks she is missing the chat because she does not see any comment after the one she made.
Yolanda, it’s ongoing. We normally start with chatting with the author and then open up the book discussion. So, subscribe to the comments and you can see replies as they come in.
-Tee
I see cmments. Do you all see mine?
Here are a few questions to get our discussion started…
1. What was your favorite scene(s)?
2. Who was your favorite character?
3. How did you feel about the joining of the Westmoreland and Madaris series?
I have a few that I enjoyed. I loved the Aries kiss and if I ever learn that, I’ll be a bad mama jama…LOL!!!! The other scene I like was when Johari was talking to Monty about how her fiance’ was. I hollered when she told him he was old and doesn’t have many years left, his response was priceless.
Jamal was my favorite character. When he warned Delaney that she need to leave because he would seduce her, I wanted him for myself. I give Delaney her props, too. Cause she ready for battle…LOL!!!
That was my favorite part. I was hoping Ms. Jackson would join the two and I was ecstatic to learn that she was.
Jaime, I really loved when Delaney put up the challenge and was losing the battle to stay cool.
I had fun writing those scenes. I wanted Delaney to have spunk and figured after dealing with her brothers she should know how to handle a guy with an attitude.
She did have spunk!!! LaDena, I agree I like how she was trying hard to fight her attraction.
I really enjoyed Delany. She was a realistic character. It was great that she tried to fight the temptation and lost though. It showed she was strong but willing to allow herself to be weak. And he was a great guy to be weak with.
Jamal was my fav b/c of his mystery. I thought Delaney acted much like I would.
.-= — Visit Deltareviewer´s site & last blog post at: I WON!!! =-.
Welcome Brenda,
thanks so much for joining up. I am in the process of completing Wrapped in Pleasure and am loving it~
Blessings,
angelia
.-= — Visit angelia´s site & last blog post at: FORWARD MARCH~ =-.
Angelia, hope you enjoy it.
Welcome Ms Jackson !
Thanks Linda!
Hi Brenda,
Welcome, I’ve read all of the Madaris series and now all of the Westmorland’s AWW! I do have a question about Seduced by a Stranger, I thought because of how easily Johari went with Monty that she had found out who he was and was really ‘zooming’ him. Did you consider that option?
No, in my mind she was completely clueless the entire time. Johari was young, was sheltered and was intent on having fun – those 3 combined makes a person her age do foolish thing. Luckily for her her seducer was her future hubby.
aNN, for a moment I thought she had caught on to him. Then I realized she was too caught up in her fun to notice.
True! She was having a lot of fun. Just imagined never being without a bodyguard and now you’re free for a couple of weeks to do whatever you want.
Thank you Brenda for joining us. I really enjoyed Wrapped in Pleasure and found it interesting how you connected two totally different cultures. How did you choose the two different cultures?
Now, most importantly, the KISS…is it real? If it is, how do I learn it??
I had already done research on Mid-Eastern culture when writing Fire and Desire. Our relationship changed with those countries somewhat after 911 so I had to practically redo research again. Harlequin had just bought Delaney’s story before 911 and it was questionable whether it would go to print or not. I’m glad they decided to do it anyway.
Yes, the kiss is real as told to me by a couple I met on a cruise went on while writing Perfect Timing. Granted, I haven’t tried the kiss out for myself to test it out yet. Come close but haven’t passed out. (LOL)
Shut your mouth…LOL!!! As I’ve said that was my favorite scene. I’m telling you if I ever learn that kiss, tell the cowboys to watch out…LOL!!!!
Jaime go get some water…cold water LOL
We gotta watch Jaime!!!!
No ya’ll don’t. The cowboys might, though. LOL!!!!
Brenda, what book are you working on now?
Sharon, I just finished (as of Saturday morning at 1:30 am) What a Westmoreland Wants. It comes out in September and is Gemma Westmoreland’s story. It was nice writing about a female Westmoreland again. I’m taking a week break to get all that tax stuff together for my accountant and then I’ll start Bachelor Unleashed which comes out in December. This is Xavier Kane’s story. Xavier was first introduced in Risky Pleasures as Cameron’s attorney friend.
Well it looks like I have a lot of catching up to do so I can know the characters…..LOL!!! I’ve just started reading romance novels about a year ago.
I can’t wait for both! Can you give us a hint of what will happen in each story? It has been a while since we had a female Westmoreland, I remember the last almost page for page. If anyone wants a play by play of that story, just let me know…LOL It’s called Seduction, Westmoreland Style.
Hello Brenda, I didn’t read Wrapped, but I plan to! I have to comment on your long marriage to your childhood sweetheart.. how fabulous. I’m love to hear about love, I’ve just never been a big romance reader. I did read one of your books before about the Madaris’ so I need to get that series going again.
Rosa, my new Madaris Book comes out next month. This is Blade’s story and is titled Sensual Confessions.
I will get the entire Madaris series. Does your website list the titles of each book and the order in which I should read them?
Sis I can help you with that if you need it after visiting her website. Just let me know.
thanks Jaime!
Brenda,
Which series brings the warmest feelings from you? As a reader even though I love but series my favorite is the Madaris’ is that true for you?
Ms. Calgon
aNN, yes, the Madarises will always be near and dear to my heart. In fact my editor knows when I write a Madaris book I’m in another zone. That family is so special to me. But I have readers – a lot of the younger ones – who write me and tell me they prefer the Westmorelands and haven’t read a Madaris book. So I guess it’s what you’re looking for when you want to escape.
Good questions, sis!! I love them all, but i have a soft for the Steeles and the Westmorelands.
All I can say is…75 books! Wow!! That is truly awesome.:)
Thanks, and I’m thinking about auctioning off a basket of all 75 for charity. All originals and autographed.
That’s awesome!!
Wow weeee!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would love to get in on that.
.-= — Visit Deltareviewer´s site & last blog post at: I WON!!! =-.
Hey Mrs.J!
It was great revisiting Delaney and Jamal. Had almost forgotten how much I loved their story.
Bet you had no idea that when you wrote Delaney Westmoreland’s story that it would lead to
such a wonderful series. LOVE IT!
Seduced By A Stranger, was a wonderful story and addition to the Madaris/Westmoreland series.
You’re right, I had no idea that Delaney or her brothers and cousins would be a hit. I just finished my 18th Westmoreland novel that is coming out in September.
Will one of your future works have a voluptous heroine?
That’s a good question Jaime?
Thanks, sis!!! Curious minds want to know…
Yes, can’t reveal which one yet, but it’s coming out in 2010.
Sorry, I meant 2011.
Brenda,
IF you have the time, what or who do you enjoy reading? And is Romance genre you favorite to read?
I like reading historicals – Beverly Jenkins, Stephanie Laurens, Kathleen Woodiweiss, Judith McNaught and Julie Garwood.
For modern day, I like Lori Foster, Nora Roberts, Linda Howard, Cindy Girard and others.
Brenda, I didn’t get the opportunity to read the book yet, so I’m peeking in and out as not to see any spoilers. But, I think it’s so cool that you read other authors. I’m so sick of writers talking about they don’t read. It makes no sense to me.
-Tee
Thanks for joining us today, Brenda. I didn’t have the pleasure of reading Wrapped in Pleasure (no pun intended), but I definitely have added that and some of your other books to my to be read list. I love a good romance story.
Thanks. I’m having fun.
Hi Brenda, I have truly become a fan of yours since the beginning of the year. You are turning me into a romance reader although I don’t know if I want to say I am full blown yet. I just want to thank you for creating wonderful stories that can take me away to a different place. I too believe in love and romance and all that sappy stuff so its good to read your real life love story up here too.
Congrats on your success so far and I wish you much more in the future. Thanks again for stopping by as well.
Criss, thanks for such kinds words.
I’m getting my families mixed up. Was Quade a Westmoreland?
Yes, Quade was a Westmoreland who married Cheyenne Steele.
So I’m not crazy. I can’t remember titles right now but it was a book that featured Cheyenne’s sister that first pulled me into your books. I had to read Quade’s Babies after that and I look forward to reading more. I like the Steele women too.
Thanks. I’m writing about more Steele men starting in June.
Mrs.J, I hear you’re headed to New York soon. WHEN???????????
I’ll be doing a booksigning in the Big Apple in May as part of BEA(Book Expo America). More details will be posted on my website as the time and date.
I am not big on romance but after reading all the posts I will have to get all these Westmoreland books and catch up.
Brenda you are going to change me.
Dena,
I think I’m going to have to do the same.
You will have fun while going through your transformation!
I know I’m late. I’ve been home sick for two days, but I had to get in on this and let Ms. Jackson know how I loved that both her stories and the delivery of her stories were quite impressive. With so many books, I wonder if editing is a cinch, now. That was one of the cleanest books I’ve ever read, and HOT!
Hi DJ, and I hope you feel better soon.
I tell people my stories are already writtenout – from start to finish – in my head. The hard job is getting them out of my head into my computer. Just because it’s a done story in my head, there are times when I start pulling them out I decide to add something or take something out. I had to take some things out of Rasheed’s story since it was a short story. There are page limitations to work with. But in the end I was pleased with the final product and hope all of you were, too. I did a lot of my editing, but then there’s a in-house editor with my publisher as well. BJ
I had so much fun visiting with everyone today and I appreciate the invite. I am truly grateful to all those who read my books and hope to continue to write those stories that will make you smile and believe in the power of love.
Brenda Jackson
Brenda, thank you so much!! And a special thanks to everyone who participated.