This summer the Romance Writers of America bestow their Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement award on Brenda Jackson. Brenda is one of those reliable romance writers that make loving this genre that much easier. Her books are always full of character, love, family, and personal journeys - and attractive heroes.

 

Brenda has written dozens of books, and at Romantic Reads we'll be highlighting some of her work starting with June's Courting Justice (Harlequin Kimani Arabesque Series). Brenda is not only a treasure among romance novelists, but she's gracious and approachable too. She was nice enough to share some of her thoughts on her career achievement and her latest book - a Madaris family friends entry.

Also at Romantic Reads this week: we start the summer season off right, with a batch of new releases that are full of must-read authors. (I'm especially excited about the Julia Quinn and the Rachel Gibson books, not to mention the latest Psy-Changeling novel from Nalini Singh.) We're continuing to share what we're reading now, and also asking for lend-friends. What's better than sharing a book?

Maybe getting a glimpse into the thought process of a favorite writer. To that end, here's a tease of my conversation with Brenda Jackson. For the complete Q&A session, click here!

First, congratulations on being awarded the RWA Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award. Can you tell us a little bit about what this means to you?

Brenda Jackson: I attended my first RWA convention a good 5 years before publishing my first novel in 1995.  At that time I was a reader groupie.  I knew my favorite authors and made sure I attended their workshops to hear what they had to say.  As an aspiring author this was important to me and I made sure I listened and took in all that was said.  One of the most memorable workshops was one where Nora Roberts was on the panel.  After listening to her, I remembering jokingly whispering to a friend who attended the conference with me - "I want to be like her when I grow up..."  Fast forward 22 years later.  I have a long way to go to be like Ms. Roberts, but I am receiving an award named in her honor and to me that is the highest accomplishment I can get for all the books I have written.  Nora Roberts is my shero and I feel both honored and blessed to receive such an award.  

You've been working as a novelist for so long, does a moment like this make you look back on all the stories you've created? Do you have favorite book memories?

Brenda Jackson: I can't help but look back and reflect, which is something I seldom allow myself to do.  I prefer looking forward rather than back.  But it's good to take the time to look back now and again, and recall the struggles and challenges, they make the accomplishments that much sweeter.  I recall others would say, "I wouldn't write that many books", or "you shouldn't just write connecting books", or "I wouldn't get up at 3:00 am in the morning to write."  Everyone is driven by some kind of passion and for me, it is writing a story readers can enjoy and connect to. 

...FOR MORE OF BRENDA'S THOUGHTS ON WRITING AND HER TAKE ON Courting Justice (Harlequin Kimani Arabesque Series), HEAD ON OVER TO ROMANTIC READS. And until next week, happy reading!

Melanie Murray is a writer and editor, and the moderator of Romantic Reads, BN.com's all-romance, all-the-time community forum. You can follow her on Twitter at @Melanie_Murray and get all the latest Barnes & Noble book news from @BNBuzz.