Welcome to another Black Book Chat–this time fo our July 2009 Alternate Book of the Month, Intimate Seduction by Brenda Jackson! Feel free to share your thoughts, comments, or questions regarding the book and remember that we’ll be here throughout the day today (Tuesday) and will wrap up things early Wednesday morning, if necessary.
Description
When a man finds a beautiful woman asleep in his bed…
…he has only one choice. To seduce her with a night of lovemaking she’ll never forget. Trouble is, Donovan Steele’s sultry new housekeeper is just as determined not to become the legendary playboy’s latest conquest.
Trading the Ivy League for down South, Natalie Ford is helping out with her ailing aunt’s housecleaning service. But she finds that this powerful, potent man of Steele ignites a different kind of chemistry-one that defies every law of attraction the science professor ever learned.
Natalie knows she has to come clean to Donovan about who she really is…especially when he starts believing she’s out to sabotage his family business. Will she lose her chance to love the real man behind the seductive legend?
AUTHOR BIO:
Brenda Jackson has received numerous awards and made many trail-blazing accomplishments by being the first African-American author to have a book published under the Harlequin/Silhouette Desire line of books and the first African-American romance author to make USA Today’s Bestseller’s List and the New York Times Bestseller’s List for the series romance genre.
She has written for St. Martins Press, BET, Kensington, NAL, Harlequin/Silhouette and Harlequin Kimani Romance. Recently, she signed a 5-year contract where she will be writing for Harlequin exclusively and is excited to have all her books under one dynamic publishing home.  READ THE COMPLETE BIO
BRENDA’S WEBSITE: http://www.brendajackson.net
Brenda, thanks so much for joining us today! Please start off with telling us more about you and why you decided to write romance over the other genres and how it is to go back and forth between romance & contemporary fiction.
Everyone else, WELCOME! We’re not offically starting until 10AM, but I wanted to go ahead and get things started since I have a busy day today. Please feel free to jump in with any questions you have for Brenda or for the group. I will follow-up with a few questions to get the discussion started.
-Tee
Tee, thanks for the invite. One thing I believe most readers know is that I am a true romantic. Met my hubby at 14 and married him at 19. We celebrated our 37th wedding anniversary in July, and we have two sons, ages 31 and 29.
I love writing love stories and so far I’ve published 67 as of this month, with 3 more due out this year, which means at year ending there will be 70 Brenda Jackson novels out there. I’m shooting for 100 and look forward to that day.
I just finished my 16th Madaris Novel titled, Sensual Confessions, which will hit the stores in April 2010. It is Blade Madaris’ story.
I will be dropping in and out during the day so let me know if you have any burning questions.
Brenda Jackson
Brenda, congratulations on all your successes! Fire & Desire was my first read by you, and I’ve been hooked ever since. The Madaris series is near and dear to my heart, and has special place on my bookshelf.
I’m a die hard romantic myself, and reading a good romance novel is one thing that really makes my day. I know when I pick up one of your novels, I won’t be disappointed.
I don’t have any burning questions right now, but who knows what I’ll think of throughout the day. LOL I just mainly wanted to stop by and congratulate you on your success as a writer!
Renee, I wrote Fire and Desire for my hubby who wanted me to write a book with “some action in it.” I end up liking the story but wasn’t sure how my readers would have a heroine trapsiing through the jungle.
I think everyone fell in love with Trevor and Corinithians and wanted their story from when they first appeared in Whispered Promise.
BJ
Awww, that’s so sweet. It is so awesome to see that type of thing, so I’ll say it definitely makes you the person for romance novels. LOL. And WOW 70 books?? Congrats, congrats!!
How do you find the time? Also, how do you keep the stories fresh?
Lastly, with you writing exclusively for Harlequin now, will we continue to see Women’s fiction or will you solely write romance?
-Tee
70 books? What a great accomplishment!!!
Thanks, Sharon.
BJ
Welcome Brenda!!!
How did you come up with the storyline?
The story line to which book?
BJ
I’m sorry…the storyline for Intimate Seduction.
I came up with the story line based on the premise of the three bears when they came home and found someone in their bed.
I thought it would work for Donovan and I hoped you liked it.
BJ
A few questions to get us started… Answer as few or as many as you’d like OR ask your own.
- Are you an avid romance reader? Do you think it affected your overall view of INTIMATE SEDUCTION?
- Have you read the other books about the Steele’s? If so, what’s your favorite? If not, will you be checking them out now?
- What did you enjoy most about INTIMATE SEDUCTION? What did you enjoy the least?
- Out of the protagonists, which one did you prefer? Donovan or Natalie?
- Did you agree with Natalie’s decision not to tell Donovan about her actual career? Why or why not?
- INTIMATE SEDUCTION showcased the love of family and how the Steele’s looked out for each other. Do you have this type of relationship with your family?
- What about the relationship between the friends? Would you have encouraged your girlfriend to have a fling with Donovan? Would you have had the fling? LOL.
- Are you an avid romance reader? Do you think it affected your overall view of INTIMATE SEDUCTION? Ummm, no I’m not really an avid romance reader, mainly because I know the books will end happily-ever-after, plus they make it hard around the Royal household on the man of the house. I do read 1-2 romances a year, but that’s about it. While I realize the good part is how the characters will get together, I know they will, so that spoils it for me some. I don’t think it really affected my view of the story, with the exception that I felt it could’ve easily been contemporary fiction.
- What did you enjoy most about INTIMATE SEDUCTION? I really enjoyed that Natalie was helping out her aunt, in a position some may say was beneath her. It showed a lot about her character and I liked that.
- Out of the protagonists, which one did you prefer? Donovan or Natalie? I liked Natalie almost from the beginning. The whole falling asleep in someone else’s bed while you’re supposed to be sleeping, I wasn’t feeling…lol. But, I ditto what I said above — especially seeing her career.
- Did you agree with Natalie’s decision not to tell Donovan about her actual career? Why or why not? Nope, I felt she should’ve told from the beginning, but her reasoning did make sense, so it wasn’t that big a deal to me.
- What about the relationship between the friends? Would you have encouraged your girlfriend to have a fling with Donovan? Would you have had the fling? LOL. I liked the relationship shared by the main characters & their friends. It seemed realistic and though I’m not sure I’d agree with the advice, I did love to see them supporting each other. Would I have had the fling? Hmmm, probably not. My alter ego may have though…
Are you an avid romance reader? Do you think it affected your overall view of INTIMATE SEDUCTION?
I am an avid romance reader! I’ve been reading romance since junior high school.
- Have you read the other books about the Steele’s? If so, what’s your favorite? If not, will you be checking them out now?
I’ve read every book in the series, and will continue to do so.
- What did you enjoy most about INTIMATE SEDUCTION? What did you enjoy the least?
I can’t think of anything that I disliked about the book. I did enjoy seeing Donovan cook for Natalie. A man that can cook, and is willing to do it, always gets high marks from me. LOL
- Out of the protagonists, which one did you prefer? Donovan or Natalie?
I enjoyed them both, but if I have to choose, I say Donovan.
- Did you agree with Natalie’s decision not to tell Donovan about her actual career? Why or why not?
No, I didn’t. I don’t see where it would have really made a lot of difference. Donovan didn’t seem to be the type that would be put off by her career choice.
- INTIMATE SEDUCTION showcased the love of family and how the Steele’s looked out for each other. Do you have this type of relationship with your family?
In some ways yes, and in others, no. I’ll just leave it at that.
- What about the relationship between the friends? Would you have encouraged your girlfriend to have a fling with Donovan? Would you have had the fling? LOL.
Since I’m not a person that is into flings, I wouldn’t have encouraged it or had the fling myself. I don’t believe in casual, sex only relationships. I know it might be an old-fashioned way of thinking to some, but that’s just me.
Are you an avid romance reader? Do you think it affected your overall view of INTIMATE SEDUCTION? Yes, being reading romance since I was in the 6th grade, my aunt and grandmother had an endless supply. No, a good story just is a good story.
What did you enjoy most about INTIMATE SEDUCTION? That both Natalie and Donovan, were family people. Which help them to get past their differences to find the love.
- Out of the protagonists, which one did you prefer? Donovan or Natalie? Natalie
- Did you agree with Natalie’s decision not to tell Donovan about her actual career? Why or why not? No, because secrets are not a way to start a relationship.
What about the relationship between the friends? Would you have encouraged your girlfriend to have a fling with Donovan? Would you have had the fling? The friends were there for each other, didn’t agree all the time but stood by each other. In my younger years yes, I would have had the fling.
Brenda as always it’s wonderful hearing from you. I picked up 3 copies of One Night With The Wealthy Rancher on Saturday. Thanks for joining us.
Good morning, Brenda and everyone. I loved Donovan’s story. It took a special woman to grab the heart of this Steele and she nailed it. Just let me say that I felt I was the stairs, too!!!
Thanks for the enjoyable read.
I love your work and how your stories intertwine into others. I can’t wait to meet the new Steele’s, Westmorelands and the untamed bacholer’s or your next series. What will be next for the Madaris and friend’s saga? I think it’s time for Blade to get caught up in the rapture of love, I hope I’ve already met the woman that will capture it.
I do have a few questions that I hope you will answer.
1. Your scenes seem to be very real, do you have difficulty portraying them?
2. Is there such a kiss know as the Ares kiss (from Delaney’s Dessert Sheikh)?
3. Where on this God green earth did you find the cover version of McKinnon Quinn (Seduction, Westmoreland Style)? I’m having a hard time believing that one, LOL!!
Thank you in advance,
Jaime
St. Louis, MO
1. Your scenes seem to be very real, do you have difficulty portraying them?
While sitting to my computer, scenes pop out at me and I write them the way I see them, dialogue included. It’s fun and I’m glad you think they are real. I tell people that my books are for entertainment purposes only, but I’m sure we can find one or two that could possibly provide real life scenerios.
2. Is there such a kiss know as the Ares kiss (from Delaney’s Dessert Sheikh)?
Yes, I didn’t know about the Greek kiss Ares until I met a Greek couple on the cruise I took (my class reunion cruise, where I was really doing research for Perfect Timing, which is about a high shool reunion cruise). I enjoyed dining each night with the couple who enlightened me about Greek romance.
3. Where on this God green earth did you find the cover version of McKinnon Quinn (Seduction, Westmoreland Style)? I’m having a hard time believing that one, LOL!!
Harlequin came up with the model. He’s a cutie, isn’t he?
Thank you, mam! I have some followup questions, I hope you don’t mind.
Yes, I didn’t know about the Greek kiss Ares until I met a Greek couple on the cruise I took (my class reunion cruise, where I was really doing research for Perfect Timing, which is about a high shool reunion cruise). I enjoyed dining each night with the couple who enlightened me about Greek romance.
Wow, and I can’t find information about that kiss and I want to. Did you find information elsewhere, too? If I learn that kiss, I would be dangerous, lol!!
Harlequin came up with the model. He’s a cutie, isn’t he?
The man is hot, I just want to know where he is on this earth.
Who’s story is next with the Madaris and friend’s?
My thought is it should be Blade and the love interest should be with that scandolous nurse that tried to have her ways with Luke while he was in the hospital.
I can’t wait to see who captures Sheikh Rasheed Valedmon’s heart.
I love the Midnight Hour and some Sir Drake Warren. My favorite Forged of Steele novel is Beyond Temptation. When will Xavier’s (X) story be coming out?
Jaime
Wow, and I can’t find information about that kiss and I want to. Did you find information elsewhere, too? If I learn that kiss, I would be dangerous, lol!!
—They sent me material but it was in Greek. I took it to the owner of a sandwich shop here who translated it for me.
The man is hot, I just want to know where he is on this earth.
—I’m not sure where he is. I think he’s in Canada, where Harlequin is based.
Who’s story is next with the Madaris and friend’s?
My thought is it should be Blade and the love interest should be with that scandolous nurse that tried to have her ways with Luke while he was in the hospital.
—Yes, the next Madaris book is about Blade. but he won’t be with that nurse. The heroine is Samari DiMeglio.
I can’t wait to see who captures Sheikh Rasheed Valedmon’s heart.
—My heroine is the sister of Sheikh Jamal Yasir from Delaney’s Desert Sheikh.
I love the Midnight Hour and some Sir Drake Warren. My favorite Forged of Steele novel is Beyond Temptation. When will Xavier’s (X) story be coming out?
—Yes, Xavier’s book is Book 2 in the Bachelor In Demand Series.
BJ
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions!!! I totally forgot about Jamal’s sister, the youngest one, right? I can see it now and can’t wait to read i, I know will be a great read!!!!
I can’t wait to meet Blade’s match, that will be interesting as well.
All I have to say is keep the passion coming, I’m truly a fan and will continue to be.
Jaime
It just hit me, your tying together friends of the Westmorelands and the Madaris’s. Wow!!!!!
“My thought is it should be Blade and the love interest should be with that scandolous nurse that tried to have her ways with Luke while he was in the hospital.”
Brenda, that would be a good story. I remember the nurse. She was something else so it would be nice to see her get her own story.
- Are you an avid romance reader? Do you think it affected your overall view of INTIMATE SEDUCTION? I am an avid romance reader. Mrs Jackson is one of my favorites!
- Have you read the other books about the Steele’s? If so, what’s your favorite? If not, will you be checking them out now? I have read them all. Solid Soul(Chance and Kylie)
- What did you enjoy most about INTIMATE SEDUCTION? What did you enjoy the least? I enjoyed the chase that Donovan put on to get Natalie. I also enjoyed the updates with the babies that were born from the other Steele’s. Nothing was to dislike for me except that it was over.
- Out of the protagonists, which one did you prefer? Donovan or Natalie? Donovan
- Did you agree with Natalie’s decision not to tell Donovan about her actual career? Why or why not? NO. I think it is important to be honest, especially since she knew he had trust issues.
- INTIMATE SEDUCTION showcased the love of family and how the Steele’s looked out for each other. Do you have this type of relationship with your family? Yes. My sisters and I are really close like that. We all get on the 3 way since we are in different states and talk each other through alot of things.
- What about the relationship between the friends? Would you have encouraged your girlfriend to have a fling with Donovan? Would you have had the fling? LOL. Yes to both….No really, if I thought that was what she needed I would encourage it.
LOL @ LaShonda.
Brenda, it was wonderful seeing you at BEA and I always enjoy reading your work.
Good seeing you as well!!
BJ
Did you all see that Harlequin has the Forged of Steele Bundle? Where all the books are combined and available in eBook format?
Description:
Only a special woman can win the heart of a brother…
Meet the Steeles: Chance, Sebastian, Morgan, and Vanessa. Running the family-owned Steele Corporation, these hard-working relatives are successful in business…and once they meet that special someone, they’re lucky in love, too. Experience all the passion and romance of USA TODAY bestselling author Brenda Jackson’s complete Forged of Steele series in one handy bundle. Bundle includes: Solid Soul, Night Heat, Beyond Temptation, and Risky Pleasures, plus the free bonus novella Never Too Late that introduces all the Steeles!
CLICK HERE FOR FORGED OF STEELE
-Tee
- Are you an avid romance reader? Do you think it affected your overall view of INTIMATE SEDUCTION?
I’m becoming one, day by day. No it didn’t affect my overall view of Intimate Seduction.
- Have you read the other books about the Steele’s? If so, what’s your favorite? If not, will you be checking them out now? Yes, I read the other stories and love them.
- What did you enjoy most about INTIMATE SEDUCTION? What did you enjoy the least?
I like that Donovan finally fell in love. That more wasn’t revealed about Farrah and Xavier’s story, but I have a feeling I’ll find out what will happen.
- Out of the protagonists, which one did you prefer? Donovan or Natalie?
Natalie
- Did you agree with Natalie’s decision not to tell Donovan about her actual career? Why or why not?
Somewhat, a woman can’t reveal all of her secrets at the beginning.
- INTIMATE SEDUCTION showcased the love of family and how the Steele’s looked out for each other. Do you have this type of relationship with your family?
Yes, I have this type of relationship with my family and would be lost if I didn’t have them.
- What about the relationship between the friends? Would you have encouraged your girlfriend to have a fling with Donovan? Would you have had the fling? LOL.
Yes, I would encourage a friend and have a fling with Donovan, the man had skills. LOL!
Jaime
What one word would you use to describe the book?
What did you think of the title? Would you come up with anything different?
-Tee
My one word would be HOT. LOL…and I like the title as is. It would’ve been “cute” to see a play on the word Chemistry, though that probably would’ve been corny.
-Tee
My one word would have to be HOT also. LOL I can’t think of another title for it, though.
I the the title as is, too. Steamy is what comes to mind when I think about this story, it could be because that’s the way I felt once I finished reading it, LOL!!!!
Okay, I have a question for all you die-hard Brenda Jackson fans. LOL Is it just me, or do you have every book released by Brenda in duplicate copies, whether they have the same cover or not? LOL I was looking at my shelf the other day, and I have every book released, and in some, like The Midnight Hour, I have three copies! And I won’t part with either of them. I can’t remember how I ended up with so many.
If a book is re-released, I’ll buy it just for the new cover. Crazy, huh? LOL
Girl, I’m just starting to collect and am not happy that I can’t find certain books. I’ll say it again, I love me some Midnight Hour and the star of that story, Sir Drake Warren. He thought his woman was dead for 5 years only to find out she wasn’t and they kept meeting midnight hour.
Sir Drake was quite a character. I knew from the moment I introduced him in Fire and Desire that he would be a complicated character. I enjoyed writing his story, and I knew of no other woman who could handle him other than his one true love.
Actually Brenda is one of only three authors that I have duplicate copies of their books. The others are Beverly Jenkins and Evelyn Palfrey.
I’am a true romance reader! It’s my favorite genre.
Brenda was the first black romance author for me. I use to stalk the Barnes and Nobles near my job each week looking for her books. Took me a while to realize I had to wait months for a new book to be released. LOL!
Brenda, I just wanted to stop by and thank you for taking the time to chat with us today. I know your plate has been full with both life and death. Thank you for always being so gracious to your readers.
Love you! Janice-NY
It’s so wonderful to see everyone enjoying the chat. As a reminder, we will be here on through the evening, so hopefully a few of the after-work crew will stop by and join us!
-Tee
- Are you an avid romance reader? Do you think it affected your overall view of INTIMATE SEDUCTION?
Not really, I mainly use romance novels for vacation reading. I was impressed with Intimate Seduction, considered it a better read than the Harlequin’s I remember my mother having.
- Have you read the other books about the Steele’s? If so, what’s your favorite? If not, will you be checking them out now?
No, this is my first book by Brenda Jackson. Yes, I’ll be checking out more of the Steele’s LOVED the protrayal of large strong black families. LOVED the way they had disagreements with the underlying tone of family forever. Passed the book on to my sister.
- What did you enjoy most about INTIMATE SEDUCTION? What did you enjoy the least?
The thing I enjoyed most about the book was Natalie’s struggle with revealing who she actually was. I have friends who down play their professional accomplishments in order not to intimidate men and I liked Donovan even more after he admitted he admired her.
- Out of the protagonists, which one did you prefer? Donovan or Natalie?
Donovan because he seemed so real…an actual man who needs love but won’t settle.
- Did you agree with Natalie’s decision not to tell Donovan about her actual career? Why or why not?
No – I didn’t agree. I believe in being open and that success is something to be proud of not hidden…..but I knew where she was coming from. I liked Natalie as a person.
- INTIMATE SEDUCTION showcased the love of family and how the Steele’s looked out for each other. Do you have this type of relationship with your family?
Yes, and I thank God for it every day. It’s aggravating, stifling and encouraging at the same time but a security blanket I keep close to my heart.
- What about the relationship between the friends? Would you have encouraged your girlfriend to have a fling with Donovan? Would you have had the fling? LOL.
I was pleased that Natalie’s friend wanted to see her happy. I don’t encourage my girlfriends to have flings because we’re an emotional bunch and the fairy tale is usually saved for fiction.
Brenda,
I thought Intimate Seduction was one “hot” book. So my question is, girl what was your inspiration for the intimate scenes? They had the ability to make you feel as if you were there, even wish you were Natalie. At least I did anyway, LOL.
Brenda
Brenda, I’m glad you enjoyed Donovan and Natalie’s story. My inspiration is 37 years of marriage and a vivid imagination. I believe in romance and that belief inspires me to a great extent as well.
BJ
That is so neat and great to hear. Does your husband read and enjoy your novels?
Brenda
Brenda,
In writing for Harlequin, do you follow a specific format for writing your novels?
Brenda
I want to thank everyone for today’s participation.
Happy Reading!
Brenda Jackson
Brenda, thank YOU for sharing with us! And a special thanks to all of you for participating.
-Tee
Hey Brenda!!
I was not one for reading romance novels until I read A Whole Lotta Love (with you, Frances and others). It got me hooked. I immediately picked up Midnight Hour and Unfinished Business. Both GREAT!!! I have to say that you, Frances and Donna really helped me to see that not romance novels are a syrup-y mushy mess.
Hi!
Your blog was nominated for a Book Blogger Appreciation Award. Please email me at regularrumination@gmail.com with the appropriate contact information so I can send you more information.
Congratulations!!
- Lu
I hate I missed the chat on yesterday. I see a lot of my questions were answered. Between my aunt and I, we have all of Brenda Jackson books.
Oooooh, I can’t wait to read this! It seems deliciously Spicy…just like I like it! ROFL