Bertrice: I write historical romance. I have always written it. There was no "genre" per se when I began. I am one of the original Avon Ladies, i.e. the authors back in the late 1970s and early 1980s first discovered by then executive editor at Avon Books, Nancy Coffey. These authors included Kathleen Woodiwiss, Rosemary Rogers, Laurie McBain, Joyce Verette, Patricia Gallegher, Shirlee Busbee, Johanna Lindsey, Jude Devereaux, and yours truly. I think you could say that Ms.Coffey (who is an agent today) was really the Fairy Godmother of Romance, because all of publishing except Nancy believed our success was a brief aberation. Thirty years later they sing a different tune. I wanted to write historicals like my favorite authors - Anya Seaton, Jan Westcott, and Sergeanne Golon. These women weren't marketed when they wrote as "romance", but rather as historical authors.

Linda: You were writing "Erotic Romance" before it was labeled as such. Did YOU think of it that way, and how in the world did you have the courage to do so at that time, and how were you inspired to write such fiction?

Bertrice: I never thought of it as erotic. But I am probably one of several authors in this genre writing today who fully understands that this is a business. BIG BUSINESS. Sex sells. People are sexual creatures. I never thought of it as daring. The storylines just went that way, and I followed. It was unintentional, I assure you. I write for my readers, and since they liked sexier novels, I wrote them.

Linda: Do you think there is a difference between the way you write erotic romance and the way it is written by newer authors to the genre? Do you think your style has changed at all since you began writing?

Bertrice: That�s actually two questions, Linda. In answer to part one, I don't read in this genre any more. Like any sensible author, I don't want to unintentionally absorb something, and then think I thought it all up myself. I haven't read romance in years except to give an occasional quote for an editor I like. And, of course, I do read my friend, Barbara Bretton, who writes contemporaries. I really don't know what has changed. Color me clueless. Sometimes it's embarrassing at my local RWA chapter when they talk about this book, and that, and I haven't the faintest idea what they are talking about.

Now to the second part of your question - yes, it isn't my style that has changed, but editors today claim to want smaller manuscripts so I write what I call "dialogue" historicals, removing most of the exotic and the color of former works. The readers, however, disagree. They love the bigger, more detailed books. While I write my tales for them, I also have to write for my editors in order to stay in business, and that means shorter. If the readers would organize and campaign for the bigger books again, they might get them. Or not. *G*

Linda: You are a well received and very well respected, but I think, a very controversial author in this genre. Opinions are VERY strong both ways. One criticism has been the issue of multiple partners by both the hero and heroine because of circumstances in the story. How do you "defend" that approach in your love stories, or DO YOU???? What DO you have to say to your critics when faced with this question?

Bertrice: I don't. I'm writing about the past. Not the present. Contemporary manners and mores don't apply. I've been around long enough for people to know what I write.

Linda: Have you ever done a Family Tree for the O�Malleys? I�d love to see this great family all listed in one nice reference.

Bertrice: There is a small tree in the earlier books, but as I prepare to begin writing Book VI in the Skye's Legacy series, it is 128 years since Skye's birth. She had six living children who all had children, who all had children, etc. You get the picture. If I were of a mind to work it all out, and I am not, it would take a year to set it up. Readers will notice that I've followed her granddaughter Jasmine's family into the Legacy series. I realize how dear this family is to my devoted readers, but it's all gotten too damned big. Anyone attempting to do a family genealogy will understand that.

Linda: You have a long-term marriage. Can you give us some "pointers"? And do you think being a "sensuous woman" plays a large role in the kind of success you�ve had in your relationship?

Bertrice: The only advice I would give women regarding a long-term marriage is to choose carefully. No man is perfect. What you sees is going to be what you gets. You cannot change a man any more than a man could change you. So don't be in a rush. Use your head as well as your hormones. Good sex is wonderful, but a long lasting marriage takes a helluva lot more than just that. Choose wisely, and then go with it. There will be difficulties. There always are. You will work them out together. You will be strong where your mate is weak, and vice-versa, and you won't feel angry or guilty about that. You're a team, after all. You will not be secretive except in that rare instance where to blurt out something would do irreparable damage to a wonderful relationship. Some things are best left unsaid. It isn't lying. It's diplomatic. Everyone has a secret, and unless it entails the police showing up at the door one day, silence is golden. Trust me, girls, I know. I'll be married 39 years this year. My parents were married for 62 before my mom died, and my in-laws for 60 before death separated them. A mate who drinks to excess, does drugs, is consistently unfaithful, gambles away the family assets, or is violent, should be jettisoned as quickly as possible. No woman, or man, should have to put up with that kind of behavior from someone who says they love you. I'm afraid I'm a bit hard in this matter, but it is difficult to make big changes in bad habits. As for sensuousness, to be sensuous is to create an illusion. It's fun, but frankly an abiding love, a faithful and loyal mate, is really what you want and should get in the long run. Which doesn't mean to say I'm against black lace teddies, Godiva chocolates, and good champagne. And this answer has been a novel in itself.

Linda: Brag Time!! Tell us, if you would like to, about your family.

Bertrice: I am fortunate in my family. My husband is known far and wide as "Poor George," which he thinks is very funny. We have a son, Tom, who is a morning show radio jock, a wonderful daughter-in-law, and two terrific grandchildren. We live in the country. My father, who is going to be 91 this year, lives with us. We have three cats - Pookie, Honeybun, and Finnegan - and Nicky the cockatiel is still whistling the New York Mets charge call at age 14. We are together, and can't complain.

Linda: How have your family felt about the genre you write in, and the "spice" that is such a large element of your work?

Bertrice: George has always said that if the husband of a historical romance author starts to feel blue in comparison with her heroes, he should just go out and buy himself something nice like a Ferrari. I think Tom was probably a bit embarrassed growing up with a mom who wrote "those kinds of books" - that is until he discovered as a teen that it gave him leverage with girls to have me for a mother. *G*

Linda: What is your "Grand Passion" - what makes Bertrice Small�s heart sing?

Bertrice: What makes me happy? Time alone, and I really mean that. My life is full, and I am grateful for all the many blessings I seem to have, but there are times when all I want is to be alone, with no one - editors, family, pets, etc. - making demands. A grilled cheese sandwich and a Dr.Pepper couldn't hurt, either. And a bag of chocolate truffles.

Linda: "The Cover Controversy" - For MANY years your books have featured some of the most beautiful and sensuous "clinch" covers. How do you feel about those types of covers now - and then?

Bertrice: Actually, very few of my covers have been clinch covers with one exception, THE SPITFIRE. And in that one I requested that the artist cover the bare thigh with the girl's skirt, and it was done. Elaine Duillo has been my cover artist since 1986, and A LOVE FOR ALL TIME (Book III in The O'Malley Saga). Elaine reads the manuscript, and then she and I talk. For years we kept our friendship a secret from the publishers who don't like authors interfering. Elaine's covers are true to the story and the characters, and are very romantic, which I prefer to blatant covers which scream in very vulgar tones, SEXSEXSEX! In the era of the "naked" cover, we did do one book with a lot of skin - TO LOVE AGAIN - which has just been re-released, but only with the lovers on the cover. All the marvelous elements of design and setting were removed in the mass market. That's one reason I adore Elaine's paintings. Her design work is incredible. Look at one of the earlier wrap-around covers, and you'll see what I mean. However, for years I have wanted to have covers with only a woman on them. After all, I write for women, about women, and having some swooning half-naked girl on my covers in the grip of a half-naked guy with better hair, and muscles between his ears, doesn't make it with me. Check out my latest book and cover. JUST BEYOND TOMORROW has only the heroine on the cover, and while we went a bit over the top with her hair, :<), boy are you going to remember that cover! I have never been a big fan of clinch covers.

Linda: You DO wear lacy, black underclothes and garter belts, right? (PLEEEEZE say it�s so!!!)

Bertrice: Nope. I wear jeans, or sweats, with plain jockey briefs beneath. Sorry.

Ketchup
July 2004

Judy: It has been more than two years since you gave us your original interview! Since then, you've written novellas for some anthologies - "Ecstasy" in the CAPTIVATED anthology, "Mastering Lady Lucinda" in FASCINATED, "The Awakening" in DELIGHTED, and then "Zuleika and the Barbarian" in I LOVE ROGUES.



Was this a real change for you, to write a short story? How did you happen to do these? Did you enjoy the experience, and can we look for more?

Bertrice: The anthologies came about because Thea Devine and I convinced Kensington that there was a market for erotic novellas, and that has certainly proven true. I did my four for Kensington, but as I no longer publish with them, it's unlikely I'll do any more. But I never say never. I very much enjoy doing these novellas. They are easy to write, take very little time, and I'm paid a fair amount for the work. I was concerned at first that I couldn't do something "short", but I found by keeping the story simple, and the characters few, that I could. I just kept thinking how the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen did a whole story in just a few pages.

Judy: JUST BEYOND TOMORROW had just been released when we published the original interview. In addition to the novellas, can you catch us up on what you've been up to writing-wise since then?

Bertrice: Following JUST BEYOND TOMORROW came the final book in the Skye's Legacy Series, VIXENS.

I also have a new series with New American Library, The Friarsgate Inheritance Series, that has two books out now, with the third being released this October. They are, in to-be-read order: ROSAMUND, UNTIL YOU, and PHILIPPA (October 2004).



I also published my last book with Kensington this February past, THE DRAGON LORD'S DAUGHTERS.



Next year I'll continue writing for NAL, and I'll have my first HQN book for the new Harlequin single title imprint.

Judy: In your original interview, you mentioned that you were beginning to have to "shorten" your novels - and that you do it by leaving out lots of the background "color" of your stories. Several other authors have complained recently that they, too, have had to cut their manuscripts. Is this still a problem that you face? Do you have any idea why the editors/publishers force authors to do this? (Hopefully it's not that they have so little respect for the romance reader that they believe that we can't/won't stick with the longer story and enjoy it!) Is there any way that readers can influence editors/publishers to change this policy?

Bertrice: It's only a problem because I like to paint a large word picture for my readers. But for the publishers it's an economic thing. It costs more to publish these days. Only about half of all fiction published now breaks even or makes a profit. Publishing is a business. However, I do believe in the power of the pen (or the pc). Writing brief but concise letters to editors about this problem may help. If publishers think there is money to be made, they are more reasonable.

Judy: In sort of the same vein, several authors have also said recently that they can't get their historical romances published - that editors/publishers are looking for contemporary and paranormal stories. Are you well enough established in the romance genre as a historical writer, or have you also experienced this problem? If so, how are you dealing with it?

Bertrice: No, I've never had a problem as a historical writer, but this is undoubtedly because I'm so well established and have been in the business for so long. And I make money for my publishers writing historicals. I'm fortunate to have been in print since 1978. In fact my first two novels, THE KADIN and LOVE WILD AND FAIR, originally published in February 1978 and December 1978, were picked up by Rhapsody and Doubleday Book Clubs this year, and published in hardcover this past May!

Again, I think it's an economic difficulty. Unless a book knocks an editor off her feet, she isn't going to be apt to buy it. It doesn't matter if it's historical or contemporary. And it's hardest for new authors, or authors who have not had that "break-out book" yet. No one wants to take a chance. Everyone wants a sure thing. And that, of course, is a great deterrent to creativity.

Judy: Some of your books are being reissued. Do you find that you gain new fans when this happens? What kind of responses to your books do you get from your readers (both new and "old")?

Bertrice: Yes, re-issuing does bring me new readers which is lovely since I will have by October thirty-five titles in print. I'm delighted to say my readers have always been happy with my work, and they seem to continue to be happy with me. No author can ask for more than that.

Judy: Your new book, PRIVATE PLEASURES, is due out this month and I understand that it's a contemporary! How did you happen to write a contemporary, and what can you tell us about the book?

Bertrice: I don't have a voice for the contemporary world, but several years ago I read of a multi-billionaire who was divorcing a long time wife to remarry. He offered her a settlement, but she wanted half of everything, including his pension, because she said she was responsible in part for his success, having been his wife when he started, his backup all those years, his hostess, the mother of his kids, etc. And she won her case. Then I read how most women being divorced after many years end up in poverty. That got my creative juices bubbling, and PRIVATE PLEASURES was born. It's a story of erotic revenge, the choices we make, the price we pay. It's about a wife about to be dumped for a trophy wife. The problem is, not only does her husband want to start fresh, he wants to destroy what he's had in the process. Our heroine, however, dutiful and sweet up to that defining moment, fights back. You don't ever want to threaten a woman with two kids and a house she loves. But, of course, you should always be careful for what you wish because you just might get it. And then discover it wasn't quite what you thought. And evil must always be balanced off by good or the universe might go tilt. Hope that's enough of a teaser.

Judy: What should we watch for in the future?

Bertrice: In future? Well, in October PHILIPPA, Book Three in The Friarsgate Inheritance Series. LARA, my first HQN in 2005 - no date yet. And THE LAST HEIRESS, Book Four in The Friarsgate Inheritance Series in October 2005.

Thank you, Bertrice, for catching us up to date! And for those RBLs who aren't familiar with some of your other series, or who might be confused about the order of some of your books - and for those RBLs who especially love to read erotic romances, here are some of Bertrice's other books that I strongly recommend:

The Skye O'Malley Series
(Prequels to the Skye's Legacy Series)






Erotic Historical Romances




Enjoy!

~Judy~


Bertrice's Web Site



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