Brenda Jackson is a titan in the world of contemporary romance. Her prolific career is marked by groundbreaking achievements and a dedication to diversifying the African American romance genre. With over 100 novels to her name, Jackson has entertained millions as well as reshaped the landscape of romantic fiction.
Born in 1953 in Jacksonville, Florida, Brenda Jackson’s life reads like a romance novel itself. She married her high school sweetheart, Gerald, in 1972, shortly after graduation. This enduring love story would later inspire many of her fictional heroes. Jackson went on to earn a degree in business administration from Jacksonville University, balancing her studies with raising two sons, Gerald Jr. and Brandon.
From Reader to Writer
Jackson’s journey to becoming an author was sparked by frustration. An avid reader of romance novels, she found herself dissatisfied with the lack of ethnic and cultural diversity in the genre. Her husband, hearing her frequent complaints that she could write better stories, encouraged her to attend a romance writers’ conference. This pivotal moment set her on the path to becoming one of the most influential voices in multicultural romance.
Breaking Barriers
In 1995, Jackson published her debut novel, “Tonight and Forever,” introducing readers to the Madaris brothers and establishing her signature style of portraying strong, respectful African-American men. Her work quickly gained recognition for its polished writing and sexy spark, coupled with a deep commitment to representing diverse characters and experiences.
Jackson’s career is studded with historic firsts:
First African-American author to publish a novel for Silhouette Desire (2002)
First African-American romance author to make both the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists
First African-American author to publish 100 novels (2013)
Beyond Romance
While romance remains her primary focus, Jackson has expanded her repertoire to include mainstream women’s fiction. Her 2001 novel “A Family Reunion” marked this transition, showcasing her ability to tackle broader themes while maintaining her signature romantic elements.
In 2010, Jackson added “filmmaker” to her resume, adapting her novel “Truly Everlasting” into a movie produced by her son’s production company, Five Alive Films. This venture into film demonstrates her commitment to bringing diverse stories to multiple media platforms.
Writing Style and Themes
Jackson’s novels are characterized by their celebration of African-American culture, strong family ties, and passionate relationships. Her heroes, often inspired by her husband, are portrayed as confident, supportive, and deeply appreciative of women. This positive representation has been a cornerstone of her work, offering readers characters that reflect real-world diversity and strength.
Impact and Legacy
Brenda Jackson’s influence extends far beyond her impressive sales figures. She has opened doors for countless authors of color in the romance genre and has consistently advocated for greater diversity in publishing. Her Madaris Family series, Westmoreland series, and Forged of Steele series have become beloved staples in the romance community, with fans eagerly anticipating each new release.
Despite her tremendous success as an author, Jackson maintained a full-time career in insurance for many years, viewing writing as a passionate hobby. This dual career path speaks to her exceptional work ethic and dedication to her craft.
Continuing to Inspire
Today, Brenda Jackson continues to write, inspire, and break new ground. Her journey from a dissatisfied reader to a trailblazing author serves as an inspiration to aspiring writers everywhere. Through her novels, she continues to spread her belief that love is universal, transcending racial and cultural boundaries, and that everyone deserves to see themselves represented in the stories they read.
Brenda Jackson’s legacy is not just in the books she’s written, but in the doors she’s opened and the lives she’s touched through her powerful, diverse, and passionate storytelling.
Bachelors In Demand Books Order of Publication
Bachelor Untamed
(2009)
Bachelor Unleashed
(2010)
Bachelor Undone
(2011)
Bachelor Unclaimed
(2013)
Bachelor Unforgiving
(2016)
Bachelor Unbound
(2018)
Bennett Family Books In Order of Publication
A Family Reunion
(2001)
The Savvy Sistahs
(2003)
What a Woman Wants
(2007)
Her Little Black Book
(2008)
The Bennetts’ Wedding
(2020)
The Bennets’ Christmas
(2020)
Braddocks Secret Son Books In Order of Publication
Sex And The Single Braddock(By: Robyn Amos)
(2013)
Catalina Cove Books In Order of Publication
Love in Catalina Cove
(2018)
Forget Me Not
(2019)
Finding Home Again
(2019)
A Catalina Cove Christmas
(2019)
Follow Your Heart
(2021)
One Christmas Wish
(2021)
The House on Blueberry Lane
(2022)
Forged of Steele Books In Order of Publication
Solid Soul
(2006)
Night Heat
(2006)
Beyond Temptation
(2007)
Risky Pleasures
(2007)
Irresistible Forces
(2008)
Quade’s Babies
(2008)
Intimate Seduction
(2009)
Intima Seduccion
(2009)
Hidden Pleasures
(2010)
A Steele for Christmas
(2011)
Private Arrangements
(2012)
Possessed by Passion
(2016)
Guilty Pleasure
(2017)
Seduced by a Steele
(2020)
Claimed by a Steele
(2020)
Publication Order of The Grangers Books
A Brother’s Honor
(2013)
A Man’s Promise
(2014)
A Lover’s Vow
(2015)
Captivated by Love
(2016)
Publication Order of Jeffries Books
Tall, Dark… Westmoreland!
(2009)
Temperatures Rising
(2009)
Spontaneous
(2010)
Tis the Season…For Romance
(2011)
Madaris Family & Friends Books in Order of Publication
Tonight And Forever
(1995)
Whispered Promises
(1996)
Eternally Yours
(1997)
One Special Moment
(1998)
Fire and Desire
(1999)
Secret Love
(2000)
True Love
(2000)
Surrender
(2001)
The Midnight Hour
(2004)
Unfinished Business
(2005)
Slow Burn
(2007)
Forever Mine
(2008)
Taste of Passion
(2008)
Sensual Confessions
(2010)
Inseparable
(2011)
Courting Justice
(2012)
A Madaris Bride for Christmas
(2013)
Seduced by a Stranger
(2016)
Main Agenda
(2016)
A Very Merry Romance
(2017)
Best Laid Plans
(2018)
Whispered Promises & Sweet Stallion
(2018)
Men of Action Books in Order of Publication
Entangled Pursuits
(2020)
Desperate Measures
(2021)
Infinite Possibilities
(2022)
Perfect Books in Order of Publication
Perfect Timing
(2002)
Perfect Fit
(2003)
Perfect Moments
(2021)
Playas Books in Order of Publication
The Playa’s Handbook
(2004)
No More Playas
(2005)
What a Woman Wants
(2007)
At Long Last
(2018)
The Protectors Books in Order of Publication
Seized by Seduction
(2017)
Forged in Desire
(2017)
Locked in Temptation
(2017)
A Summer for Scandal Books in Order of Publication
Husband Material
(2020)
Texas Cattleman’s Club: Maverick County Millionaires Books in Order of Publication
Taming the Texas Tycoon(By: Katherine Garbera)
(2008)
One Night with the Wealthy Rancher
(2009)
Texan’s Wedding-Night Wager(By: Charlene Sands)
(2009)
The Oilman’s Baby Bargain(By: Michelle Celmer)
(2009)
The Maverick’s Virgin Mistress(By: Jennifer Lewis)
(2009)
Lone Star Seduction(By: Day Leclaire)
(2009)
The Three Mrs. Fosters Books in Order of Publication
Just Deserts
(2007)
Three Weddings and a Reunion Books in Order of Publication
Forbidden Temptation(By: Gwynne Forster)
(2007)
In Bed With Her Boss
(2007)
The Pastor’s Woman(By: Jacquelin Thomas)
(2007)
His Holiday Bride(By: Elaine Overton)
(2007)
Voluptuous Woman Books in Order of Publication
All He Desires
(2012)
The Westmorelands Books in Order of Publication
Delaney’s Desert Sheikh
(2002)
A Little Dare
(2003)
Thorn’s Challenge
(2003)
Stone Cold Surrender
(2004)
Riding The Storm
(2004)
Jared’s Counterfeit Fiancee
(2005)
The Chase Is On
(2005)
The Durango Affair
(2006)
Ian’s Ultimate Gamble
(2006)
Spencer’s Forbidden Passion
(2007)
Seduction, Westmoreland Style
(2007)
Taming Clint Westmoreland
(2007)
Cole’s Red-Hot Pursuit
(2008)
Westmoreland’s Way
(2009)
Tall, Dark… Westmoreland!
(2009)
Wrapped in Pleasure
(2009)
What a Westmoreland Wants
(2010)
Hot Westmoreland Nights
(2010)
A Wife for a Westmoreland
(2011)
The Proposal
(2011)
Tis the Season…For Romance
(2011)
Feeling the Heat
(2012)
Texas Wild
(2012)
One Winter’s Night
(2012)
Canyon
(2013)
Stern
(2013)
Zane
(2013)
The Real Thing
(2014)
The Secret Affair
(2014)
Breaking Bailey’s Rules / Reclaimed by the Rancher
(2015)
Bane
(2015)
Corey’s Mountain
(2016)
Ravished by Desire
(2020)
The Westmoreland Legacy: Outlaws Books in Order of Publication
The Wife He Needs
(2020)
The Marriage He Demands
(2021)
What He Wants for Christmas
(2021)
What Happens on Vacation…
(2022)
The Outlaw’s Claim
(2022)
Second Time’s the Charm
(2023)
The Westmoreland Legacy Books in Order of Publication
The Rancher Returns
(2016)
His Secret Son
(2017)
An Honorable Seduction
(2018)
His to Claim
(2019)
Duty or Desire
(2019)
Taming a Heartbreaker
(2024)
Standalone Novels in Order of Publication
Ties That Bind
(2002)
Scandal Between the Sheets
(2004)
Taking Care of Business
(2006)
Stranded with the Tempting Stranger
(2007)
Temptation
(2011)
A Silken Thread
(2011)
A Walk in the Park
(2013)
One More Night(With: Synithia Williams)
(2021)
Short Story Collections in Order of Publication
Some Like It Hot
(2006)
NASCAR Books in Order of Publication
A NASCAR Holiday(By: Roxanne St. Claire,Debra Webb,Kimberly Raye)
(2006)
Peak Performance(By: Helen Brenna)
(2007)
Almost Famous(By: Gina Wilkins)
(2007)
Season of Dreams(By: Gina Wilkins)
(2007)
Thunderstruck(By: Roxanne St. Claire)
(2007)
Danger Zone(By: Debra Webb)
(2007)
Speed Dating(By: Nancy Warren)
(2007)
Hearts Under Caution(By: Gina Wilkins)
(2007)
Full Throttle(By: Wendy Etherington)
(2007)
No Time to Lose(By: Carrie Weaver)
(2007)
Back on Track(By: Abby Gaines)
(2007)
Speed Bumps(By: Ken Casper)
(2007)
In High Gear(By: Gina Wilkins)
(2007)
Old Flame, New Sparks(By: Day Leclaire)
(2007)
Legends and Lies(By: Katherine Garbera)
(2007)
The Rookie(By: Jennifer LaBrecque)
(2007)
Hot Pursuit(By: Wendy Etherington)
(2007)
Overheated(By: Barbara Dunlop)
(2007)
A NASCAR Holiday 2(By: Gina Wilkins,Pamela Britton,Abby Gaines,Ken Casper)
(2007)
A Chance Worth Taking(By: Carrie Weaver)
(2007)
Turn Two(By: Nancy Warren)
(2007)
The Natural(By: Abby Gaines)
(2007)
Taking Control(By: Ken Casper)
(2007)
Risky Moves(By: Gina Wilkins)
(2007)
Hart’s Victory(By: Michele Dunaway)
(2007)
Miles Apart(By: Ken Casper)
(2007)
Forbidden Attraction(By: Marisa Carroll)
(2008)
Truth and Consequences(By: Bethany Campbell)
(2008)
Fully Engaged(By: Abby Gaines)
(2008)
Teaming Up(By: Abby Gaines)
(2008)
Hitting the Brakes(By: Ken Casper)
(2008)
Slingshot Moves(By: Anna Schmidt)
(2008)
Extreme Caution(By: Jean Brashear)
(2008)
Out of Line(By: Michele Dunaway)
(2008)
Tailspin(By: Michele Dunaway)
(2008)
A NASCAR Holiday 3(With: Jean Brashear,Wendy Etherington,Marisa Carroll,Liz Allison)
(2008)
Running on Empty(By: Ken Casper)
(2008)
Victory Lane(By: Marisa Carroll)
(2008)
Black Flag, White Lies(By: Jean Brashear)
(2009)
Banking On Hope(By: Maggie Price)
(2009)
Within Striking Distance(By: Ingrid Weaver)
(2009)
A Taste for Speed(By: Dorien Kelly)
(2009)
Over the Wall(By: Dorien Kelly)
(2009)
One Track Mind(By: Bethany Campbell)
(2009)
No Holds Barred(By: Marisa Carroll)
(2009)
Checkered Past(By: Abby Gaines)
(2009)
From the Outside(By: Helen Brenna)
(2009)
Scandals and Secrets(By: Ken Casper)
(2009)
Running Wide Open(By: Ken Casper)
(2009)
A Very NASCAR Holiday(By: Gina Wilkins,Debra Webb,Nancy Warren)
(2009)
Force Of Nature(By: Kristina Cook)
(2009)
Racing Hearts(By: Vicki Lewis Thompson,Nancy Warren,Dorien Kelly)
(2010)
Crossing the Line(By: Jean Brashear)
(2010)
Shades Of Love(By: Barbara Dunlop,Dorien Kelly)
(2010)
Raising The Stakes(By: Wendy Etherington)
(2010)
Into the Corner(By: Marisa Carroll)
(2010)
The Comeback(By: Abby Gaines)
(2010)
What He Didn’t Say(By: Maggie Price,Carol Stephenson)
(2010)
One in a Million(By: Marisa Carroll,Abby Gaines)
(2010)
This Time, Forever(By: Dorien Kelly,Pamela Britton)
(2010)
Right Before His Eyes(By: Jean Brashear,Wendy Etherington,Liz Allison)
(2010)
Publication Order of The Savoys Books
Tempting Fate
(2023)
The Perfect Seduction
(2023)
Texas Cattleman’s Club: The Secret Diary Books in Order of Publication
A Most Shocking Revelation(By: Kristi Gold)
(2005)
Black-Tie Seduction(By: Cindy Gerard)
(2005)
Less-Than-Innocent Invitation(By: Shirley Rogers)
(2005)
Strictly Confidential Attraction
(2005)
Round-the-Clock Temptation(By: Michelle Celmer)
(2005)
Highly Compromised Position(By: Sara Orwig)
(2005)
Braddocks: Secret Son Books in Order of Publication
Her Lover’s Legacy(By: Adrianne Byrd)
(2008)
Sex and the Single Braddock(By: Robyn Amos)
(2008)
Second Chance, Baby(By: A.C. Arthur)
(2008)
The Object of His Protection
(2008)
Love in the Limelight Books in Order of Publication
Star of His Heart
(2010)
Sing Your Pleasure(By: A.C. Arthur)
(2010)
Seduced on the Red Carpet(By: Ann Christopher)
(2010)
Lovers Premiere(By: Adrianne Byrd)
(2010)
Hopewell General Books in Order of Publication
with Ann Christopher, Jacquelin Thomas, Maureen Smith
