Today we are so lucky to have with us Sabrina Jeffries, regency romance author extraordinaire. Sabrina has published over 20 regency novels and continues creating wondering series full of scandal and mystery and amazing love stories.
The 5th book in The Hellions of Halstead Hall Series – A Lady Never Surrenders – releases on January 24th .
Sabrina, welcome to The Book Pushers!
Sabrian: Thanks for having me!
The Book Pushers: What can you tell us about A Lady Never Surrenders, and what can readers expect from Celia and Jackson?
Sabrina: The story is about Celia trying to gain a good offer of marriage so that her grandmother will see that she’s capable of securing a proposal and will rescind the ultimatum that all the siblings must marry if they’re to gain their inheritance. If Celia’s plan doesn’t work, at least she’ll get a potential husband out of the deal. So she hires Bow Street Runner Jackson Pinter to check out her suitors. He doesn’t like any of them and is determined to keep Celia safe from them, especially since he wants her for himself! The ongoing mystery of the series is also resolved, and the reader will find out what really happened to the Sharpes’ parents.
Celia and Jackson have this burning attraction that they’ve both been sublimating, so when it finally erupts, they’re pretty hot together, I think!
The Book Pushers: Out of your Hellions, which character gave you the most difficulty trying to keep them straight on paper?
Sabrina: Jarret from A Hellion in Her Bed. I just wasn’t sure who he was, and it took me a long time to figure it out. Once I “got” him, though, he practically wrote his own book.
The Book Pushers: Now that the Hellions series has come to an end are you sad to leave these characters, or are you more excited to jump into a new project/series?
Sabrina: I’m always sad to leave characters I love, but I’m also always excited about a new project. Both of those feelings coexist for me at the end of a series.
The Book Pushers: Looking at your backlist, you seem to favor series. What is it about having those interconnections that sparks your creativity?
Sabrina: I like returning to the same world time and again. And I like feeling that there’s a larger construct than the romance—a larger purpose, if you will. That’s what I can gain from doing a series—a bigger canvas.
The Book Pushers: Which favourite book of yours would you pick to recommend for a new reader?
Sabrina: Hmm, that’s a hard choice. If it’s someone new to romance, I’d suggest Never Seduce a Scoundrel, since it has a lot of other stuff in it (adventure, mystery, secrets). If it’s a romance reader who’s new to my books, I’d probably suggest The Truth about Lord Stoneville, so they could start my latest series at the beginning.
The Book Pushers: Would you consider writing about heroines and heroes that are not part of higher society?
Sabrina: Well, since Jackson isn’t part of high society (he’s a Bow Street Runner), I guess you could say I already have. 🙂 I’ve also written about a man of affairs who’s a former smuggler and who is now in trade (Danny Brennan in A Notorious Love) and an American marine (Lucas in Never Seduce a Scoundrel). I like to mix it up.
The Book Pushers: You’ve had such a fantastic career writing in the regency genre. Have you ever considered, or would like to try your hands at another genre?
Sabrina: When I wrote under the name Deborah Nicholas, I did three books that were contemporary paranormal romantic suspense. I wouldn’t mind trying that again, but the genre has changed SO much since the 90’s (when I was writing those books) that I don’t know if I could do it successfully. I’ve also considered time travel and a bigger thriller-type series, but I’m just not “hooked” by any idea yet, so I guess I’ll keep writing historicals until other inspiration strikes.
The Book Pushers: Can you tell us what you have planned for any future projects?
Sabrina: My next book is a Christmas hardcover (‘Twas the Night After Christmas, on sale October 30, 2012) with Pierce Waverly as the hero (he appears in the last two Hellions books). It’s something of a stand-alone, but it will introduce the main character for my new series, which begins next year. Since that’s still in the formative stages, I’m not ready to talk about it yet, but I’m very excited about it. The first book of THAT series will probably have the Duke of Lyons as a hero.
The Book Pushers: Which hero or heroine of yours, or other fictional character, would you love to have drinks with?
Sabrina: Probably Gavin Byrne, from One Night with a Prince. He’s seen so much of society from the inside, I’d like to pick his brain! Plus, he’s sexy. 🙂
The Book Pushers: What is the most romantic book, show or movie that you love? And why?
Sabrina: There are so many, but right now I’m in love with North and South (the mini-series of the Elizabeth Gaskell novel, not the Civil War mini-series). Richard Armitage is the hottest hero ever, and the romance is so wonderful. I also adore Castle and Bones. How could you not love those two couples together? They’re so sweet.
Thanks so much Sabrina for being here today!! Sabrina has also graciously offered to giveaway one of the first four books in the Hellions of Halstead Hall Series to one lucky winner. This giveaway is open to US and Canada residents and will end on January 27th. Good Luck!
Great interview. can’t wait for Celia’s book. The new series sounds great!
Great interview! Sabrina is a fantastic author of historical romance! I haven’t had a chance to read this series yet but, it is definitely on my tbr list.
Wonderful interview! I’ve enjoyed Sabrina’s books in the past and this sounds like a great series!
I love Sabrina’s books!
Eagerly waiting for the release of Celia’s book and to finally know what happened to their parents….I just love Sabrina’s books.
I’ve never read anything by Ms. Jeffries before, but the positive reviews and synopsis I’ve seen for Celia and Jackson’s story have motivated me to start the series- am picking up the first two books from the library this afternoon!
Great interview Sabrina and MinnChica! The Hellions series is my first introduction to romance novels and I’m a little sad to see them go. I can’t wait to read Ceila’s book!!!
Wow! Sabrina, thanks for all the news. I was introduced to you during the Hellions chronicles. I absolutely loved the concept of a Grandmother holding her heirs hostage. Each book is a joy. I can’t wait for the Twas the Christmas Night After Christmas. IMO, series novels are the best books to read. I love revisiting people introduced in previous stories. I’m buying A Lady Never Surrenders right now!
I love Sabrina. I have not read this series. But I do have some of it in my tbr stash. Been a fan for a long time.
I’m so glad y’all enjoy the books! And thank you, Bookpushers, for reviewing the book and so graciously interviewing me.
The Hellion series has intrigued me EVEN MORE than the School for Heiresses did. Love the threads of each of the siblings, Hetty, the larger cast of characters, and the mystery of the tragic deaths of their parents will flow through all five books. Sabrina is a wonderful story weaver!
@Julie Smetzer: PLEASE add the word ‘how’ after LOVE in the second sentance. THANK YOU!!!!
Sounds like a great read! I enjoy your interview.
I love Sabrina Jeffries and her books. I can’t wait to see what she writes next. 🙂 I really want to see north and south. I haven’t seen it yet.
I love Sabrina Jeffries’s books 🙂 I rarely read any kind of historical type of romance but Sabrina is one of the few that I’ll actually pick up 😀
I can’t wait to read Celia’s story. This has been a great series. Love Sabrina’s books!
I loved your School For Heiresses series.
I didn’t know you’d written about a US Marine. I will have to search that one out!
Thanks for the introductio to this blog site too!
Love this series and Sabrina’s other series too!
Cannot wait for Ceilia’s book. Have really enjoyed this series!
Sabrina, so love your books. Always look forward to your new series. And would definitely agree with your suggestions of where to start, with Never Seduce A Scoundrel. Enjoyed getting to know you a bit better. Thanks.
thanks for the chance to win! and the book covers are awesome… gorgeous gowns..
I haven’t read any of these books, but will put them on my TBR list. Sounds great!
@Loz: Loz, I hope you enjoy them!
Janice, I love that–“a grandmother holding her heirs hostage.” I never thought of it like that, but that’s exactly what she’s doing. Hetty has been such fun to write.
Lisa, always glad to see longtime fans!
Julie, thanks! And thanks for all your kind words through the years. You always know how to pick me up!
Ninoska, since you like historicals, you’ll love it. He is SUCH a great hero!
J3nny, I get that a lot–I wonder how my historicals are different? But I’m glad you like them!
LaurieG, he’s the hero of the first of the Heiress series.
Sue, glad you came by
Alaina, I was really pleased with Celia’s cover in particular. They outdid themselves on this one!
Thanks for the giveaway. I would love to read your books. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
Enter me please!! I love Sabrina’s books.
I have enjoyed every book in the series so far! I can’t wait to read the next one, and am eagerly awaiting Celia’s story! And whatever comes after!
Thanks for a fantastic interview and giveaway! I’m unhappy to say that I’ve never had a chance to read Ms. Jeffries and I would love the chance!
Happy Friday!
I absolutely LOVE Sabrina’s books and can’t wait to read this one!!! What an awesome interview! This is the first interview I’ve ever read with her and I really enjoyed learning more about her! Thanks for that and for the amazing giveaway as well 😀
No need to enter me for the giveaway. I already have the first 4 books of the Hellions series 🙂 Unless of course it is autographed, then I would love it! I have loved every book I have read by Sabrina and can’t wait to read Celia’s story!
I enjoyed the interview and I’m looking forward to reading this latest in the Hellions of Halstead Hall series, A Lady Never Surrenders.
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
I enjoyed reading the interview and am looking forward to reading this book as well as your future books.
Yay! Jackson Pinter gets a HEA!
Great interview. I have read your books before and really enjoyed them
Robin
roibnky42(at)yhaoo(dot)com
Thanks for the chance to win.
Congrats Sabrina on publishing over 20 novels! That’s quite an accomplishment:) Thanks for the great giveaway! I’ve heard so many great things about your work yet sadly haven’t read any myself.
yadkny@hotmail.com
The first book I read by Sabrina was A Dangerous Love and not only fell in love with Griffith and Rosalind but with how Sabrina weaves her storyline to draw the reader into the story.
With each new book she releases I’m amazed at how she can bring the characters to life and make the reader feel like they are attending the same ball, whether as a debutante or servant, and she has a way of drawing you into the story in a way that you feel that you have know the characters personally.
Even though I’ve loved all of her series I must admit that Sabrina has hit a new high with her The Hellions of Halstead Hall Series and I can’t wait to read A Lady Never Surrenders!
The Hellions series is getting better and better as each book is being released. I didn’t get into them until late last year. I’m looking forward to the next book.
Totally agree with everyone about this being a great interview. Jeffries is one of my favorite autobuy authors!
Sounds great!! I love all of your books!!
I’ve read Never Seduce a Scoundrel and really enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to your other books =)
Hello Sabrina! I love to read series for the same reasons you listed. I like to see glimpses of characters from previous books. It is so satisfying to see how their lives evolved after their HEA.
Please enter my name for the chance to win one of the first four in the series. Thanks for hosting.
i have never had a chance to read this series before but i am really looking forward to getting into them. Great interview !
Wonderful interview! I love this series and I am looking forward to the release of “A Lady Never Surrenders.”
I haven’t read any of these books yet but will be looking for them now.
Great interview. Love the cover to A Lady Never Surrenders. Thank you for the awesome giveaway.
Thanks for the giveaway, I always love to discover new authors. 😉
It looks like an exciting story!
Love the cover! It sounds great