Q: Why are the new Deadly books credited to you as Brenda Joyce, instead of to your pseudonym, B.D. Joyce that was used with previous book?

A: Many authors today are writing in different genres and using one name, like Catherine Coulter. We originally decided to use a pseudonym to differentiate between the series and my "big" books. Oddly, we assumed everyone would know that B.D. Joyce is Brenda Joyce! But that did not happen. We simply made a mistake using a pseudonym.

Q: Is Deadly Desire the last book?

A: Absolutely not! I would love the series to go on for years, if possible, but that is not up to me. No one can force a publisher to publish a book. The success and longevity of the series will depend on sales. Launching a new series is a difficult task. I am hopeful that the series has been successfully launched, however, and if the sales are good, my wish of continuing the series for years will be met. Sp spread the word! In any case, we are planning to sign up another 3 deadly books this summer, and as soon as we do, I shall announce that news, too, on my site.

Q: When will the next Deadly book be on sale?

A: I am hooked on the Deadly series, too. In fact, even though I am finishing revisions for a romantic suspense called Double Take, I have already planned the cliffhangar ending for book 5. I am taking a short break and will write that over the second half of this summer. Readers, I am writing as fast as I can! I wrote four books last year, and am finishing a fifth now. I hope the next Deadly book will be published in spring or summer of 2003. That is not a decision made by myself or any author. When I know the publication schedule, I will post that information on my message boards on my website.

I am also hoping to do two Deadly books a year, if I can manage that schedule.

Q: Will Francesca wind up with Calder Hart? And what about Rick Bragg, I thought he was the hero?

A: I had no idea when Francesca began to find herself attracted to Calder Hart that the response from my readers would be a huge uproar. There is a HUGE debate about which man Fran should choose on my message boards, so please join in! There is also a poll, and the last time I looked, Hart was slightly ahead of Bragg! I have a firm policy not to give away any future story lines. I will not reveal whom, Fran will eventually choose! One reason being that anticipation will keep my readers coming back for more. The other reason is that my characters always take over their stories and often do not do as I planned! Francesca is especially strong-willed. I will say this, however: Fran is in a love triangle and the series now has two heroes, not one. I also promise that Fran, Bragg and Calder will all find true love by the end of the series. In fact, I am soon introducing another female character to the series, and if things go as I plan, she may become the love interest of our odd man out.

Q: What if the series has to end? Will you leave us hanging?

A: I would never, ever, leave my readers hanging! When the time comes to end the series, I shall have a final, concluding book to tie up all loose ends with a happily ever after ending for Francesca, Bragg and Hart. I also envision happy endings for Connie and Sarah. That is a promise!

Q: Is there a sequel to Captive?

A: My plans for a sequel to Captive had to change when I left Avon Books, which published Captive. It's really hard to write a sequel for a different publisher, as they do not want to publish a sequel to a book published by a different house. I would love to continue Alexandra and Blackwell's story!

Q: Do you plan to write a sequel to The Third Heiress?

A: Right now there are no plans to write a sequel to The Third Heiress. It never occurred to me that there should be a sequel --- and I always follow my muse!

Q: Is there a complete listing of all your books available?

A: A listing of my books can be found on www.brendajoyce.com in the "Novels" section. The only books not listed here at the moment are two titles, which are out of print: The Darkest Heart and Lovers and Liars. You may be able to find a copy of each of these at your local library or a used bookstore. Also, check Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com, which often have resources to locate out of print titles.

Q: Do you consider House of Dreams a part of your DeWarenne series?

A: Yes and no. Cass de Warenne, the heroine, is absolutely a descendant of Rolfe and Ceidre from the Conqueror. And her ancestor, the ghost Isabel, is as well. So the books are connected, but there is such a time difference --- centuries --- which is why I equivocate.

Q: What is the order of the Bragg books?

A: A complete listing of the Bragg books can be found on my website in the "Novels" section. The books are listed in order of their publication, which is pretty much the order they should be read. I say pretty much, because there is an overlap with some of the books, and between the Braggs and the Delanzas.

Innocent Fire, Firestorm, Violet Fire, then either Dark Fires or Fires of Paradise, Scandalous Love, Secrets, After Innocence would be the order I would read in. Beyond Scandal should be read before The Finer Things. (Not Braggs or Delanzas.) My new Deadly series features Rick Bragg, an illegitimate son of Rathe Bragg from Violet Fire. The first book in the series, Deadly Love, is available now. There are three more books coming in March, April, and May of 2002, and they'll continue the story of Francesca Cahill and Rick Bragg. I'll keep readers up to date by posting details on my website, so be sure to check www.brendajoyce.com often for details.

Q: How do you do research to ensure that the historical data in your books is accurate?

A: At times I hire someone to find the material for me, as I am hopeless in a library. Biographies are really good to get a picture of a time period. For the Deadly series, The New York Times is essential. But since I began my career, I have built up my own research library. Whenever I travel, especially to Great Britain, there is so much research material to pick up, either in bookstores or at various museums and historical sites. I also do a lot of shopping online through BarnesandNoble.com, and these days, there isn't anything you cannot find, including out-of-print books, as long as you can pay for it. My little library is a real pride and joy of mine.

Q: What romance writers do you read?

A: I really find it hard to enjoy reading romances, only because the experience of writing them is so intense, and no read can match that. However, I have recently discovered Susan Elizabeth Philips, from time to time I really get into a Nora Roberts, and I like Sandra Brown's books before Exclusive. I wish I could find an author doing big epic historical romances. I read David Baldacci, and recently discovered Laura Van Wormer --- she does the Sally Harrington mysteries, which I really got into. Honestly, I have little time for reading!

Q: Who were your early influences?

A: I devoured Walter Farley's Black Stallion series as a child, and as a young teen Zane Grey. Then it was James Clavell's (Taipan being one of the all-time best reads ever) and some gothic authors like Victoria Holt. I didn't pick up a romance novel until about 1985 --- didn't even know they existed. Big romance influences then, just before I began writing, were Rosemary Rogers, Johanna Lindsey and Catherine Coulter.

Q: How did you first get published?

A: I had written two novels, which were practice. Then I wrote Innocent Fire, The Darkest Heart and Lovers and Liars. I joined Romance Writers of America (RWA) and went to a local chapter meeting. I had not a clue as to what I was doing --- early in my career I was operating solely on instinct. An agent was there. I gave her Innocent Fire, which I felt was my best work. She sold it in ten days to Avon --- her fastest sale ever. Then we turned around and did another 2 book deal. The rest is history!

A note --- I simply was burning to tell my stories, I had to write and finish them. Not being published did not stop me from completing the 3 manuscripts.

Q: Do you have any advice on getting published?

A: Write, write, write. And read. Read who you like and figure out why you like that author, what makes her work compelling. When you read someone you don't like, analyze why. And finish your manuscript. I hear from would-be authors all the time, and the most common problem is they have not finished a manuscript, usually because they do not have the time. If you are burning to tell your story, you'll find the time. You cannot sell (rarely, anyway) in today's market without a completed work.

Join RWA. Subscribe to Romantic Times. Get connected on the net. With your finished manuscript in hand, you can begin to start making the crucial connections necessary to finding a young, needy agent. Forget a good agent! You simply need to make that first sale...then you will probably move on. Note --- I believe in RWA. Go to their local meetings and their national conference. So many editors and agents go to national, and this is your chance to sell yourself. Making your first sale is very, very hard, and very few will succeed. But if you are a true storyteller, it will happen.

Q: If I sent you books or bookplates, could you autograph them?

A: Unfortunately, due to the volume of requests I receive, I cannot autograph individual copies of books. From time to time, though, I will be running contests on my website and the prizes will sometimes be signed copies of my books. Make sure you check back often for details.