When I write a story, the first kiss between my hero and heroine is even more important than the love scenes, because that first kiss is their initial intimate connection. I love writing steamy kissing scenes. The stories I write are character-driven versus plot driven so I feel that know my hero and heroine personally. And since I truly believe in the theory that no two kisses are the same, I apply that premise whenever I write a kissing scene. The first kiss has to fit the characters that I am writing about, as well as the situation I’ve placed them in. And I based it on a number of things and surprisingly, not on the list is how long they have known each other.

I determine the magnitude of the kiss by 1) the sexual chemistry between the two individuals 2) their attitudes toward each other at the time the kiss takes place (friends or enemies) 3) their location at the time the first kiss take place (public or private 4) length of time in the story have they waited for that kiss to take place (the drum roll effect).

In my very first book, Tonight and Forever, this was Justin and Lorren’s first kiss. … A groan rumbled in Justin’s throat as he closed his mouth over hers. He made sure his kiss was gentle, yet seductive. Her taste was sweet, hot, sensuous. He hungered for her and relentlessly explored her mouth, demanding a response and enticing her tongue to mate with his…

In my November Silhouette Desire, Westmoreland’s Way, Dillon and Pam’s first kiss was… He took another step toward her and heard himself groan low in his throat at the same moment he reached out and pulled her into his arms. And with a hunger that he felt all the way to his toes, he lowered his mouth as she parted her lips. The connection was explosive, and sensations rocked through him as his mouth greedily took hers, desire flooding him for all corners and settling in his body part right below the belt…

During the celebration of my 50th book, I did a survey with my readers on my kissing scenes. I wanted them to rate the top 5 and this is the result:

1. Delaney’s Desert Sheikh

2. Fire and Desire

3. Thorns Challenge

4. Surrender (Christy and Alex’s kiss)

5. Truly Everlasting (Trask and Felicia’s kiss)

On a personal note, I received my first kiss at fourteen and my guy was sixteen. Not a lot of experience on either of our parts. I smile whenever I think of that first kiss because the same guy is still delivering them to me after 42 years (5 years of courtship and 37 years of marriage), and I have no complaints. Just like just like the finest wine, they just keep getting better with time.

What do you remember about your first kiss?

When you’re reading a book, are there any specific points you look for in a first kiss?

Who do you think should initiate the first kiss? Male or female?

Answer the questions above and be entered to win an autographed book from Brenda Jackson!

About the author

Brenda Jackson was born in Jacksonville, Florida. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Jacksonville University and worked in management for State Farm Insurance where she recently retired after thirty-seven years. She married her high school sweetheart, Gerald, thirty-seven years ago and they have two sons, Gerald Jr. and Brandon, ages thirty-two and twenty-nine, respectively.

Her professional writing career began in 1995 with the release of her first book, Tonight and Forever. Since then she has written over 70 titles, which includes a made-for-television movie by BET. She has received numerous national and literary awards and has made many trail-blazing accomplishments, which includes being the first African-American author to make the New York Times Bestseller’s List and the USA Today’s Bestseller’s List in the romance genre.

Inspired by her love of romance and dedication to her numerous readers, Brenda formed her own publishing company, the Madaris Publishing Company. Her readers determine what hero and heroine introduced as secondary characters in her various books that they want Brenda to pen stories about. She is proud of her national book club – the Brenda Jackson Book Club – that has a membership of over 1,800 readers.

Brenda also joins her readers every two years for a Madaris/Westmoreland family reunion cruise to various destinations.

A listing of her books can be found on her website – www.brendajackson.net.

Visit Brenda online

www.brendajackson.net

http://www.myspace.com/authorbrendajackson

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=520166584

About the books – click covers to purchase

One mind-blowing kiss. That was all Ellie Weston shared with her neighbor and crush one summer, before he angrily discovered she’d approached him on a dare. Ten years later, Ellie is back at her great-aunt’s lake house, and so is Uriel Lassiter still wildly sexy, single and happy to stay that way. When Ellie finds her great-aunt’s never-completed romance novel, she decides to finish the manuscript but first she needs some real-life inspiration: a sultry summer fling.

Uriel hasn’t forgotten Ellie, and their sizzling chemistry is starting to make him reconsider his tried-and-true bachelor status. But when the truth about her motive emerges, can Ellie convince him that make-believe has turned into sweet reality?

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Mr. November: Dillon Westmoreland, real-estate tycoon

Objective: Pamela Novak, business owner

Strategic Plan: Seduce and rescue

There was a secret to Dillon Westmoreland’s heritage—and Pamela Novak had the key. Though the raven-haired beauty was ensnared by her shifty fiancé, Dillon—eldest of the Denver Westmoreland clan—couldn’t resist a mind-blowing night in her arms. And after that incredible passion… Well, once a Westmoreland claimed the woman he wanted, he wouldn’t let anything tear them apart!

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*This book can only be purchased from Brenda’s Online Store at www.brendajackson.net

Tis The Season…for Romance contains 4 romantic stories to get you into the holiday spirit by sharing plenty of love, passion and promise .

READY FOR LOVE

Barbara Andrews is trying to get her life back together after her divorce while planning her daughter’s wedding. Even with everything she has on her plate she hasn’t been able to forget the man who had entered her life at a very difficult time and had shown her kindness. And when Detective Rick Blair asks her out, she is not sure if she’s ready to put the past behind her and move on, although she can’t deny the attraction between them. Rick intends to prove that she is definitely a woman who is ready for love.

Barbara was first introduced in HER LITTLE BLACK BOOK

THE SECOND TIME AROUND

Peggy Morrison has finally gotten her life together and is happily involved with a man who knows how to treat her like the desired and passionate woman that she is. And when Willie Baker asks her to accompany him to Paris, she has to decide just how far their relationship has come and even importantly, how far she wants it to go. Willie is determined to be the one to teach Peggy a thing or two about love the second time around.

Peggy was first introduced in HER LITTLE BLACK BOOK

CONQUERING HIS HEART

Cathy Bristol has been in love with her boss for what seems like forever, and decides it’s time to take matters into her own hands. She gets the chance to do so on a business trip they take together. While Orin Jeffries focuses on business, Cathy focuses on trying to show Orin that she’s the woman for him and is determined to make the emotionally scarred divorced Orin see her for the woman that she is. A woman intent on conquering his heart.

Cathy was first introduced in TALL, DARK…WESTMORELAND

COREY’S MOUNTAIN

(A Westmoreland Novella)

When Corey Westmoreland runs into the one woman he let get away over thirty years ago, he is determined to keep Abby Winters within his reach. Even if it means taking her up to his mountain. And once he realizes their attraction is still explosive after all this time, he is determined to convince her that it’s not too late for them and that their past and present have now collided for a reason. It was always meant for Corey’s Mountain to be their home.

Abby was first introduced in STONE, COLD SURRENDER