The Divas welcome special guest Sabrina Jeffries!

We are pleased to have with us today and tomorrow historical romance author extraordinaire, Sabrina Jeffries.  I am a huge fan of hers and am delighted that she agreed to join us for an interview.  She has a new book out in two week, Only a Duke Will Do, and I asked her to drop by and talk about it.

Candice:  You have a new book coming out next month, the 2nd in your School for Heiresses series.  Can you tell us a little about the book?

Sabrina: It's actually a joining point for both of my most recent series because it's the story about the couple who DON'T marry at the end of To Pleasure a Prince (from the Royal Brotherhood series). The hero of Only a Duke Will Do is Regina's brother Simon, the Duke of Foxmoor, and the heroine is Marcus's sister Louisa. The school does play a part, however, since Louisa helped prepare many of the girls for their debuts at court, so Mrs. Harris et al show up along with Marcus and Regina.

The story goes like this: After having spent the past seven years as Governor-General of India, Simon has returned to England to pursue his ambition to be prime minister. But he hasn't counted on Louisa North and his still overpowering attraction to her. What ensues is a battle of wills and secret motives, and both of them end up uncovering interesting things about their respective pasts before they can lay their differences aside and live happily ever after.

CH:  I wondered if we'd see Louisa North again!  How totally cool that you are overlapping characters from both series.  I have to confess that I'm in serious envy of your ability to come up with great series hooks.  I seethed green with jealousy over the Royal Brotherhood concept.  What a fabulous idea -- bastard sons of the Prince of Wales!  And now you have yet another great series.  Tell us how you came up with the School for Heiresses. 

SJ:  The generation of this series wasn't nearly as clearcut as for the RB series. Pocket said something about wanting a character who went across all the books, and for some reason, I thought of Charlie's Angels. Weird, I know, but I did love that TV show, and I think I'd just seen one of the movies. Anyway, I loved the camaraderie of the women in the show, and I especially loved the anonymous Charlie. I wanted so badly to find out who he was. So that was in the back of my head when I came up with the series -- I wanted an anonymous benefactor who could end up in a romance with the school's headmistress (whom I subconsciously named after Charlie by naming her Charlotte, even though the mysterious guy is Cousin Michael). Then it went from there.

CH:  Looks like we're both on a female-friends-from-TV kick -- my latest series was inspired by Sex and the City!  So, how many Heiress books will there be?

SJ:  That is being hotly debated right now. Several booksellers have told me not to go beyond four for a historical series, my publisher says it's up to me but if it ain't broke don't fix it, and I really, really don't care. I felt very strongly that the RB series probably couldn't sustain too many books, but I'm happy to keep writing heiresses as long as I have ideas for them. For sure, there will be two more books (not counting the novella coming out in January) -- the Scottish Scourge's book (he appears in Never Seduce a Scoundrel) and the book for Charlotte and the mysterious Cousin Michael. Beyond that, I don't know. I'm leaning toward keeping it a 4-book series, but I'd be curious to know what readers think.

CH:  Okay, we'll ask the readers of this blog.  Readers, tell Sabrina (and the rest of us, too) how you feel about the number of books in a series.  No more than four?  Only three?  Endless numbers?  I think we'd all be interested to know how you feel about this since several of us are writing series.  But back to Sabrina -- I can't help it, I have to ask this.  Your last Royal Brotherhood book, One Night With a Prince, featured a red-haired hero.  What was reader reaction to him, and his hair? Because frankly, I get grief from the other Divas who don't share my fondness for a red-haired hero. :-)

SJ:  So far I've only had one negative comment (an Amazon review, and even that was mild) where the reader said she preferred dark-haired heroes. Nobody else has commented specifically about my hero Byrne's hair color either way, although I've seen a few readers express a dislike for red-haired heroes on bulletin boards and blogs. But you'll notice that the step-back for One Night With a Prince shows a dark-haired hero. I think too many readers think of "Howdy-Doody" or a young Richie Cunningham from Happy Days when they read about red-haired heroes, and that just isn't appealing.

CH:  I can just imagine all those Diva heads nodding.  But I thought Byrne was incredibly sexy, red hair and all.  And I had the same cover issue with my book Once a Dreamer -- the guy on the cover has long flowing dark locks, though the hero has short red hair.  Sigh.

SJ:  Even in movies, I suspect there are more brunette actors who serve as leading men than redheads or even blondes (Brad Pitt, Jude Law, Heath Ledger . . . who else? Can't be many). There's just something about the dark hair that seems to signal "bad boy."

CH:  Yeah, we love those tall, dark, and handsome bad boys!

We'll continue the interview tomorrow, when Sabrina will tell us a bit about her writing process, about her very first book, about growing up in Thailand, and a little bit about her family. AND Sabrina has offered to give away a copy of the first book in her School For Heiresses series, Never Seduce a Scoundrel, to one of the commenters on today's or tomorrow's blog.  (Remember, you don't have to include an email address to comment, but you DO need to include one if you want to be eligible to win Sabrina's book -- that's so we can contact you.)  So, let the comments and questions begin!

Comments

[Minna]

I suppose it depends on the series. Sometimes 3-4 books is a good number, but with some series the number of books in a series could be endless.

[Danny]

HI Sabrina,

I really love series. Four books are a good number but sometimes not enough. Yesterday I finished reading the last book of a 7 book series and I was really sad when I was on the las page.

Great interview. I love your books!

[Deanna Stillings]

I don't think it matters how many books you have in a series as long as each is still interesting. If you have enough characters in the series that cry out for their own story, then you must tell it.
Thanks Divas for bringing us new authors to enjoy.
Dee

[Crystal B.]

Hi Sabrina. I love your books. I think it is interesting how Charlie's Angels inspired your character development for your series. I loved that show. :)
I enjoy reading series. I think if the characters have a good story it doesn't matter how many books are in the series. I will keep reading if I am enjoying the stories.

[sharon]

I enjoy your books and the characters are so well developed. Just keep the series going when they are so fascinating.

[Elsie]

Hi Sabrina! Welcome!

I love series books because they are all about friendship, unity and being together in good times and bad times.

I love your Brotherhood series especially "To Pleasure a Prince" because my favorite fairy tale is "Beauty & the Beast". How can you not love a "Dragon Viscount" like Marcus?

I also agree with a 3-4 books in a series and then the next series being about the children. I hope to see a series that would include the future "dragons and belles dames de sans merci".

[KateMoore]

Sabrina, welcome. It's fun to see your smiling face at the top of the blog. I missed seeing you in Atlanta for the national conference. That female friendship thing actually got in the way as a group of eight friends had one of our quasi-regular reunions that same week in Martha's Vineyard. Of course I love the sexiness of your books and your men. Any tips for all of us on how you create those strong male heroes with or without red hair?

[Patricia J]

Hi Sabrina!!
I am a fan of all of your books :)

I really enjoy books in a series. It is always a lot of fun to find out what happened to previous main characters and also read about what happens to secondary characters. I have never been disappointed with a series!

[Melissa]

Hi Sabrina,
Nice to "see" you here! I enjoyed reading your interview. And, I can't wait to read your "School For Heiresses" series. Your books are fantastic!

[RobynL]

I agree that as long as there are characters that seem to want their story told than do it.
After 3-4 books it might be hard to connect more characters together and still see the 'whole' story from start to finish.
Welcome and have a good day!!!

[Tonda/Kalen Hughes]

Hey, Sabrina! Can't wait to read this one. I gulped down Candice's latest Sunday (fab by the way, which I knew it would be) and now my TBR pile needs a new "burning book" if you all know what I mean. LOL!

I've loved all your books, but the Royal Brotherhood series stand out for me. The first one kept me reading romance when I was ready to give up on the genre.

So, thanks for saving me and keeping me in the fold!

[Jennifer Y.]

I love Sabrina's books! No question...just wanted to say that!

[Margot James]

I'm a sucker for series books. I love seeing hints of the next story in the book I'm reading, then anticipating that next book anxiously.

Haviing said that, I do think a series can go on too long. As much as I love Julia Quinn, I think the Bridgerton series fizzled out after about 5 books. And Stephanie Laurens' Cynster series has gone on way too long. I was very happy when she started the new one, the Bastion Club series.

So maybe that bookseller was right. Four books in a series is workable. Beyond that number you have the potential to lose readers' interest.

[Cherie Japp]

I think 3-4 are usually a good number. Especially if the author takes a long time (like a year) to release each one. One of my exceptions to this is Christine Feehan's books. For example, her Game series has so many characters that she can do multiple novels and still keep my interest. Great Interview!

[Sabrina]

Hi, y'all! Wow, I didn't expect this many comments so soon or I would have checked in earlier.

Glad everyone seems to be enjoying the books, and I'm finding the input on number of books in a series fascinating.

Here's the thing. Right now, the number of characters left that I feel I HAVE to write about is set--the Scottish Scourge, definitely (his real name is Sir Lachlan Ross and he's chief of the Ross clan), Simon's aide-de-camp (you'll hear about him in the upcoming book) who is the hero of the novella coming out in January, and of course, Cousin Michael and Charlotte. In a way, that's already five. IF I went on, I'd have to introduce the characters in the book I'm working on right now, but I fear that might be forcing things.

So more and more it's looking like a limited series. Plus, I've been thinking about new series and I'm kind of excited about those ideas.

On the other hand, I happen to be a huge fan of Johanna Lindsey's Malory books and I could read about all of them and then the Anderson brothers forever. So unlike some people, I'm not the least put off by long series.

You see my dilemma? *G*

[Sabrina]

I should add that I love Candice's books as well. I don't know why she's talking about envy over series ideas--her new series idea is great! I was envious of that one myself.

That's the trouble--it's hard to find a new one that's original. Families have all been done to death, yet they're often the most fun. Schools and Clubs and groups of friends get used a lot. Sometimes it's hard to be creative in the series idea and in the books, too. But all of us do try.

[Maureen]

Hi Sabrina,

I'm wondering if you are going to set any stories outside of England. If so, where?
As to the question about the number of books in a series, I don't think it matters. As long at the stories are good, then I'll read them.

[Sabrina]

I want to wave to my author friends Kate and Tonda (Kalen), too! Kate, we missed you at conference! Tonda was the life of the party!

[Bonnie Ferguson]

I don't have a problem with longer series. If I love the characters then I'm quite happy to have the series go on :)

[Sonja]

I loved Julia Quinn's however-long-it-was Bridgerton series, so I say go for as many as you can. :-)

[Dorothy Sexton]

I enjoyed this.

[Tonda/Kalen Hughes]

I don't think I give a fig about the number of books in a series. All I care about is ARE THEY ALL GOOD? I'll give the author one or two ho-hum books, but that's all. Luckily that's never been a problem with any of the FCD, or with Sabrina.

I’m not sure I was the life of the party in Atlanta. I think Monica in her fabulous red dress blew the rest of us away. *GRIN* I have major dress envy.

[Estella Kissell]

I don't care how many books there are in a series as long as they are well written.

[Haven Rich]

I love books that apart of a series. And if the series is really great and the author doesn't tire of them, then the more the merrier.

I know I'm a bit late to this topic but I just got home from a birthday bash in New Orleans with my mom, a bit early but it was fun.

BTW great interview and I can't wait til tomorrows post.

All the best,
Haven

[Sabrina]

You always notice dresses, Tonda. It's the costume-lover in you. *G*

Sonja, your opinion was my publisher's. But they also said it was totally up to me. I never thought I'd say this, but sometimes creative freedom is NOT a good thing. *G* Not if you can't make up your mind, anyway.

[Michelle Parks]

Hi Sabrina!

Alright, first the normal sucking up portion. I love your books, I just finished the first book in the Heiress series and I couldn't have loved it more! Thanks for keeping my TBR pile a mountain!! LOL Plus, I love all of the would be writer helps on your website! I think everyone who reads them attempts to write them at least once!!

OK, now how many books in a series. Well, I am an offical bonified series addict. I love reading books that involve the same characters and places. I can't get enough of them. I believe as long as it is well written and the ideas are fresh a series can keep going. Not to mention, you get more personally involved in them and you feel invested in what happens. That could just be me and my wierd compulsive obsessive side, but that's my opinion! I think that the characters that keep a series moving kind of jump out at you as you read. So, if you happen to introduce characters in your newer books that leap off the page, there's you signal to keep it rolling!

Thanks for all of the wonderful hours of reading Sabrina! It has been wonderful!!

[Kathryn]

Great interview and lots of interesting comments. I, too, love a series, but only as long as it is fresh and keeps the readers'interest. Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series is a good example and I am looking forward to picking up the second book in Candice's current series. Charlie's Angels as an inspiration -- there is another series out there inspired by the show -- new author Jenna Petersen and her Lady Spies series. I love a new twist on an old idea. I'm gonna have to check out your books now Sabrina!

[Sabrina]

Kathryn, just remember that the Charlie's Angels influence mostly has to do with the fact that readers don't know the identity of the school's mysterious benefactor. My heroines aren't spies or anything, although the one in the first book of the series, Never Seduce a Scoundrel, DOES have a penchant for landing in adventures, whether she wants to or not. That works out pretty well, since the hero is an American Marine who routinely courts trouble. *G*

Haven, how did New Orleans look! I'm originally from New Orleans (was born there, grew up elsewhere, moved back there to go to grad school and stayed for 17 years, then moved to NC 9 years ago). I still have many friends there, and my husband still has relatives there, so the post-Katrina stuff has been hard. We both want to go back, but right now is not a good time, and we're not sure how our son would handle it.

Was this your first time or had you been before?

I should clarify--we both want to go back TO VISIT. Not to live. Our reasons for moving here haven't changed, so that's out of the question. But I sure miss it.

Michelle, I'm glad you liked Never Seduce! And I never mind the sucking up. Who does? *G* I think we all need someone who can greet us in the morning with a statement about how fabulous we are. Wouldn't the world be a nicer place if everyone had that every day?

[Jen in WA]

Sabrina,

First, I have to say that I loved "Never Seduce a Scoundrel" and am really looking forward to the rest of this series.

I love series. As for the number of books in a series, I really think it all depends on the characters and their situation. I do have to say that the thing that bothers me the most (and you know when it's time to hang it up) is when your hero and heroine are both complete newcomers to the scene. For me, the draw of a series of books is that you have that sense of familiarity as it goes along, getting to know the characters over the course of several books.

[Barbara Freethy]

Hi Sabrina - Welcome to Fog City! I'm really enjoying all the comments on series, interesting stuff. I tend to think a series can get old after 3-4 books, but maybe because I have a short attention span. I like changes, new families, etc., although I think some more open ended series work really well because each story can be so different from the other while sharing some characters and themes.

[Monica M.]

Welcome to the blog, Sabrina. I'm a huge fan as well and I look forward to as many books as you can think of in this wonderful series. (And Tonda, thanks for the red dress compliment--I'm looking forward to Christmas when I can pull it out again!)

[Carol]

Hi Sabrina,
Wow, you have a lot of fans!! I say keep writing about those series books until they (the characters) run out of steam or run away with your stories.

[Sabrina]

Jen and Barbara, I think you're both onto something here--what makes a series get old and what makes a series stay fresh.

I absolutely agree that new characters out of the blue are unacceptable. You have to know them first. That's why I had no trouble getting sucked in when Lindsey introduced the Anderson brothers in Gentle Rogue. Getting to know them there was enough to make me want Warren's book (which is one of my faves, too, although nothing tops Gentle Rogue for me).

BUT a series stays fresh if you don't pile the characters on too much. There's no reason to see every character of the series in every book. The smaller series give you the ability to do that--the Royal Brotherhood series was so compact that I had no trouble having all the brothers show up in all the books, but I couldn't do that with my Swanlea Spinsters 5 book series.

Simon's book, however, only has Marcus and Regina (since it's technically not part of the RB series). There's no mention of the hero for the next book and only passing mentions of the heroine. Mrs. Harris does figure prominently (she always does), but she doesn't appear at all in the Scourge's book because, well, it takes place in Scotland. She is only part of it in the letters (which are in every book).

Maybe that's the key to doing a long series--dipping into the world selectively and not trying to visit every character with every book. Hmm. Must think about this more. VERY, very interesting discussion, I must say.

I'll tell you what *I* like about series--I like having the same world to dip into. Having a familiar character show up out of the blue is nice. But I do think the best long series only work as long as the books can stand alone, so that the series part isn't essential but just icing on the cake. Does that make sense?

[KimW]

Hi Sabrina! Nice to see you! I'm a big fan. I have almost all of your books except the last few which are on my list to get. I don't think there's a certain number to end a series at. As long as there are memorable characters and a great storyline, I'll keep reading.

[KimW]

Hi Sabrina! Nice to see you! I'm a big fan. I have almost all of your books except the last few which are on my list to get. I don't think there's a certain number to end a series at. As long as there are memorable characters and a great storyline, I'll keep reading. (rwestgaard @ ameritech.net)

[KimW]

Oh, jeez..hiding head in shame. I didn't mean to post twice. I wanted to add my email and thought I stopped it. sorry!

[Haven Rich]

It was my first time to New Orleans. We just moved close to the area about a month ago and haven't visited there yet.

We mostly stayed in the French Quarter and from what we saw it looked untouched. But my mom came in from Slidell and she said it was heartbreaking in that area. We came in by the causeway and actually didn't notice that much damage but I'm sure a lot of rebuilding has been done since Katrina.

In the Quarter, they are now selling shirts that mock both the Katrina/Rita and FEMA. And most of the stores offer a donation to help the rebuild of New Orleans.

All I can say is we did our part in helping the locals by buying a ton of stuff lol. Plus my mom is a huge tipper, so all the waitstaff loved us.

I promise to post more about it on my blog later, plus pics.

[Sabrina]

Great, Haven, thanks! I'll be sure to stop by there.

[Bella Andre]

Great interview, Sabrina! Based on everyone's comments today about how fab your books are, I know exactly which books I'm buying next time I'm in the bookstore--YOURS!
;-) bella

[Lis]

Great interview :o) I'll be sure to check the book out when it comes out!

[Angie]

Hey Sabrina!
Another author asked the question about the number of books in a series last week!
How many is too many? When the stories are no longer fresh and interesting, then you know its time to start a new project. As long as the series works for the author and the readers, I say go for it!

Now, as to red-haired heroes...I have a theory about red-heads....they are either really attractive or they are...not! Seriously. Take Eric Stoltz for instance.
Attractive, right? Prince Harry, attractive. Marcia Cross, attractive.
Carrot Top....I rest my case! :P

[Barbara Freethy]

Angie - I think you just made Candice's day with your love of red heads - well everyone except carrot top. My first boyfriend was a redhead, I must admnit, but I've never written a hero with red hair.

[Sabrina]

Maureen, I missed your question earlier--sorry! The answer is, my June book next year will be set in Scotland, but that's as far outside of England as I'm planning to set any books right now. My books as Deborah Martin were set all over the place, though, so you could always read those. *G* I'm just not finished mining England for material yet. Plus, it's my favorite setting.

Angie, I LOVE Eric Stoltz!! Whenever I think of an attractive red-headed guy, that's who comes to mind.

Oh, and Barbara, it's great to see you here, too (yet another author on this board whose books I enjoy).

[Sabrina]

Kate asked about tips for creating strong male heroes. Huh. Wish I could tell you. That's pretty much instinctual for me--I just really go for macho guys, so I describe the kind of macho guy I go for. Since I have two very macho brothers and a macho father, all with hearts of pure marshmallow, I don't have to look far for inspiration.

My husband isn't what I'd call macho, but he's the epitome of the strong silent type, so he influences my heroes a whole lot. And then there's all those movie stars . . . *G* I watch way too many movies.

[Ranurgis]

I love series too. I've never thought in terms of how many books there should be in one. I guess I've read up to 7 in one series (The Williamsburg Series by Elswyth Thane, still one of my all-time favorites) but it was different from the kind you're talking about here. It was more a saga-type series moving from the Revolutionary War through the Civil War and WW I. Well, come to think of it, the longest one is probably the "In Death" series by J.D. Robb.

I don't really care how long a series is as long as each book builds on different stories though the original premise might be the same. I like the familial feeling whether it is a natural family or one fostered amongst heiresses, widows, governesses or the like. Ditto for gentlemen of a fencing club, or "four-in-hand" club or whatever. Keep them coming as long as they are still selling and can be stand-alones for those readers who can't read them from the first one. That can make it really difficult; I always like to read all the books in a series.