February Interview with Katherine D. Jones

GB: Welcome, Katherine! I'm so glad that you were able to spare a moment to visit my blog and do an interview. I know that you are really busy with work, writing, being a wife and mom. So, let's start with that. How do you manage it all? How do you juggle a busy life with your writing and publishing?

KDJ: For the most part, I just let things fall through the cracks and then go crazy! LOL. Actually, my new position allows me much more freedom. I was working as an investigator for child abuse and neglect, but it was overwhelming, so I only lasted nine months. Now, I'm home by 5:30 and I find that I'm able to be the wife, mother, and writer that I need to be. I write every night and when things are slow at work, I'll write or read during lunch. It's a schedule that works well for me.

GB: You have written for several publishers, with books published by Arabesque, Dafina and now Parker Publishing, LLC. What has your road to becoming a published author been like? Tell us a little bit about your journey.

KDJ: I started with a two book contract with BET Books, which was smooth, but then, just when I thought I'd made it, my road took a decidedly crooked turn. My third book was rejected by BET, but thankfully after a few revisions, I was able to sell to Dafina. I love working with Kensington and will have two more releases coming out next year with them. Now, the Parker Publishing contract was just pure luck! My name was recommended by one of my good writer friends, Angie Daniels, and after a wonderful conversation with the acquisitions editor, Angelique, I signed with them.

GB: You have really made a name for yourself in the area of romantic suspense. Your Special Corruption Unit series and your other works to date all share that unique and thrilling blend of romance, suspense and mystery. Have you always been interested in writing these kinds of stories? Is this something we can expect more of in the future?

KDJ: Aw shucks, thank you.
I didn't start to read romance until 1997. My first romance was "Through the Storm" by Beverly Jenkins. The first Arabesque book I read was a Robyn Amos book…"Private Lies." After reading them, I was hooked. Prior to that I'd only read mystery, espionage, or thriller books. It was what my parents read and the only books in the house. To this day, my favorite authors are Robert Ludlum, John Grisham, Tom Clancy, and Sidney Sheldon. My next Kensington release, "Make Me Do For Love" will continue to combine romantic and suspenseful elements.

GB: I love that title! "Make Me Do For Love" it brings all kinds of images to mind...
But, back to the Special Corruption Unit... what was your inspiration for these novels? I have to say, as someone who occasionally watches shows like "CSI," "Law and Order" and "Criminal Minds," I can see the automatic appeal of these kinds of novels. They blend life's drama and relationships with the excitement of whodunit and catching the bad guy. Is that what you were aiming for with the Special Corruption Unit?

KDJ: Yes, I wanted to do something a little different with my books. I love to write romance, but I need to have a little twist in what I read. I love male authors such as Ludlum, Grisham, and Clancy because they just give it to you straight--no chaser. That appeals to me, but I want women to enjoy the stories as well, so I soften the edges a little bit.

GB: Can you tell us a little something about each book in the series and how they connect? Also, I know you've said that "Deep Down" was the last book in the series, but… is it really? Can we expect more from the Special Corruption Unit in the future?

KDJ: Book one is "Love Worth Fighting For," which is about Tangie Taylor and SCU agent, Eric Duvernay. Their story has the back drop of the Chilean Cartel, from which Tangie has to be rescued. In this story the agents involved in the case must find out who is killing members of a basketball team from Chile. The killings come to a head with the death of a Virginia born player, Bubba Fraser. Soon the FBI learns that Kevin is targeted and he is placed in protective custody…too late. He and Tangie are kidnapped and the SCU must launch a rescue. Tangie has been through the loss of her relationship and has trust issues that prevent her from fully giving her heart to Eric. The scenes after the rescue show her that they have a love that is worth fighting for…and they do.

The rescue at the end of the book involves agent Maria Thomas. Book two is the story of Maria and Kevin. Kevin becomes Alex Milbon in his new life as a club owner in Memphis, TN. The unit decides to use him once they realize that Kevin/Alex unwittingly comes in contact with her during her undercover operation with the Russian mafia.

Book three involves the couple who serve as Maria's back up, Rod and Helene. They have their own story in "Undercover Lover," which was released in December 2005. The story is set in San Antonio and involves Internet fraud, hacking and home invasions.


The final story in the series involves senior agents Beatrice McCoy and Michael Spates. Their story is "Deep Down" and it involves the Jamaican mafia system or posses as they are called. The story takes place in West Virginia…with a couple of my favorite places and things highlighted such as The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, WV. I had the occasion to spend time there when I was a teen and loved it! I enjoyed being to talk about it in the book.

"Make Me Do For Love" takes place in North Carolina in the 1960's but that's all I'll say about it now. Stay tuned!

GB: I feel so honored to be a part of an anthology that features novellas by yourself and Beverly Jenkins. You have certainly made a name for yourself in the area of romantic suspense and Beverly's contemporary novels are showing that she can bring the mystery, drama and action to the present day as well. So tell us a little something about your novella in Cuffed by Candlelight: An Erotic Romance Anthology, "Gunn and Roses." I read it and it is full of suspense and HEAT. Great job!

KDJ: It was more than a treat to do the anthology with Beverly and you. It was a great learning experience one which greatly enhanced my writing…Deatri is a wonderful editor. She put up with a lot from me, and I'm sooo glad she did.
I'm really looking forward to writing more emotional characters…but with heat and action.
And thanks for the compliment! It was a lot of fun to write Stephanie Gunn's story. I enjoyed the heat between Stephanie and Bryant--and hopefully readers will too.

GB: Deatri was my editor for "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" and "Cuffed by Candlelight." She rocks!
So, speaking of heat, a little birdie told me to expect a little more heat from you in future releases. How have you found writing the spicier novels? The covers look hot and I can't wait to read them. But tell us a little more about these H-O-T new novels.


KDJ: I'm very excited…hee hee, no pun intended, to be writing novels with a little more steam for Parker Publishing. My goal for my future books is to kick it up a notch with action, romance and steam. Readers will have to let me know if I accomplish the goal. The first novel is "Cuffed by Candlelight," which is a February release. My next novel is "Dangerous Dilemmas" which will be released in March. I have two more scheduled for 2008 release, but I'll save that information for later. Readers, you'll just have to keep watching my website for more information: Katherine's Website

GB: Did you always know you wanted to be a romance writer? Did you read a lot of romance before you decided to become a published author?

KDJ: I never dreamed of being a writer. I thought I would work for the government…make a career out of that and become a mother. I never imagined the exciting turn my life would take back in January 2003. That call from Chandra Taylor has forever changed my outlook, my relationships, and apparently, my employment destiny. (Smile)

GB: Who are some of your favorite writers? And, what are you reading right now?

KDJ: I always try to read books in the genre that I am writing. Some of my favorites in the romance world are Beverly Jenkins, Rochelle Alers, Maureen Smith, Angie Daniels, Shelia Goss, Karen White-Owens, Nathasha Brooks Harris, Mary Balogh and of course, you!
I finished "If Only You Knew" and "Heated" by Niobia Bryant last month. This month, is Parker Publishing month and I'm reading "A Delight Before Christmas," "Divine Destiny," "Taming the Wolf," and "Beauty and the Beast."

GB: Awwww... Girl, now you're making me blush! Stop that! That's my job. LOL. Anyway... Do you have any words of wisdom to share with aspiring writers?

KDJ: Yes, just continue to write! Too often new writers will start a project, but not have enough self confidence to finish. You'll never succeed if you don't have a completed book--so finish and submit!

GB: How can readers get in touch with you?

KDJ: My email address is writeme@katherinedjones.com and my website is Katherine's Website

GB: Thanks so much for sparing the time for an interview!