Following The Good Woman, The Good Daughter is about another Brennan sister – Kit whom I remember in the first novel as the sister who broke up with her long time boyfriend. Kit is a loving person who gives everything she’s got and does not leave anything to herself. She takes care of her sick mother, is the go to sister, she is a catholic school teacher who tries to help a troubled student, she follows all the rules and then Kit meets Jude. As always, I devoured this book so quickly because of how the story transcended, I wanted to see what was to become of the story. The Good Daughter has heart, it talks about life choices, it’s about the perspective of a single woman’s life in her 40′s and how love finds her. Like all of Jane’s readers, I too look forward to the next book about another Brennan sister in September.
Jane has a gift of creating characters that seem so real those who get close to your heart as if they were apart of you, most of the time, I even come to the realization that the lead character has a lot of traits that I can identify with and that is why I love Jane’s novels.
Jane is kind enough to talk about the Brennans, her next novel and other fun stuff. Yay!
Also, Jane is giving away books in a goodie bag and a $15 Starbucks gift card! Double Yay!
Who is your favorite Brennan sister and can you please share why?
I don’t have a favorite. I like each of them for different reasons and its been really fun spending time in their world. At some point I’ll probably write a 4th Brennan sister book because both Brianna and Cass, their sister-in-law, are talking to me, wanting their stories told.
Which character among the Brennan novels can you relate with the most?
I’m probably a combination of Meg and Kit, but I can relate to all the characters. They become very real to me and each one is distinct and even when I’m not writing, I hear their voices, and thoughts, and so its easy to slip into their skin and write from their point of view.
The Brennan family are close, they stick up to one another and provide support to each other and in addition they are very catholic. Was there an inspiration behind the creation of the Brennan family, if so, please share.
I come from a big family that is very strong, as well as opinionated, and I love writing about strong characters, but I’m not Catholic. However, I have lots of friends who are, and I’ve taught in the Catholic school system so it was a joy to write about faith and family and a faith-based community.
The Brennan ‘family’ came to me through the parents rather than the sisters, with Tom and Marilyn Brennan stepping forward first, and then the sisters and brother emerging next. I never really know where actual characters come from but once they’re born in my imagination, that’s who they are. I don’t even up tweaking them a lot. They come into my mind as whole, real people, and its up to me then to tell their stories to the best of my ability.
What is next after the Brennan trilogy?
I’m starting a new series set in Montana. Some of the books will be classic romance, and others will be women’s fiction. I’m really excited about them, and the first novella will be out in early October, and the novel, Away in Montana, will be released just before the holidays.
Jane, you have been travelling a lot, can you name 5 items that are constantly in your bag (that you always bring with you)?
Kindle + 2 paperback novels (won’t travel with less than 2 paperbacks)
Laptop computer
Travel bag of coffee, tea, sweeteners, iced tea packets, and vitamins
Notebooks for brainstorming, outlining, writing
Advil
If there was someone not familiar with your novels, what would be the first book you would suggest her to read?
Probably depends on her age, and what’s happening in her life, but it’d either be Flirting with Forty or The Good Woman.
Aside from writing, what are your other hobbies?
Gardening, interior design, travel, reading, hanging out in bookstores and collecting old/antique/first edition books for my collection.
What is a book that you wished you wrote?
The Thornbirds. I loved it. And anything by Jane Austen.
If there was one author (past or present) that you could work with, who would that be and what would the theme of your story be?
I have amazing writer friends, and we brainstorm together and they’ll often be my first readers, but I don’t think I could actually co-write with any of them. I love my writer friends, and I’m a fan of many writers, but when it comes to creating, and getting the words out, I don’t play well with others. Writing for me is very personal, and private. Once I’m done shaping a story, I’m comfortable handing it over to the public, but while the story is being written, I just want to be left alone.
