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A Tiger by the Tail
May 10, 2007

As I walked to the Press Room on day one of the RT Convention, a woman with blunt cut black hair and Chinese style clothing bounced up to me.  "Are you Barbara?  I think I'm your 1:00."  She was Jade Lee (Cornered Tigress), author and screenwriter.  Her energy was contagious and soon I caught the buzz.  Our 1/2 hour interview extended to an hour and we would probably have talked longer if someone else hadn't been waiting.

Jade is the daughter of a Shanghai mother and American father from Indiana.  Her fascinating family history includes a royal grandmother who had her feet bound in the old Chinese tradition.  This was a hinderance during the war when her sons had to carry her to safety during the fighting.

White Tigress was the first in her sensual Tigress series that takes place in pre-revolutionary China and features Tantrics, the use of sex to raise the spirit to join with the one. 

BV:  When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

JL:  When I read a book and thought, "I can do better than this."

BV:  You've also done screenwriting in addition to novels.  Which do you prefer?

JL:  I really like doing both.  They are totally different genres.

BV:  Your books are really hot.  Does your husband ever read them?

JL:  Yes, he does, but he skips the sex part.  What can I say, he’s a real introvert!   (smiles)

BV:  Is Jade Lee your real name?

JL:  I didn't use my real name because I thought the kind of books I write would embarrass my mom.  It turns out that she is my biggest supporter.  She refers all my books to her friends and I think she would be thrilled if I had used my real name.

BV:  Well, some authors are using "writing as" on their covers.

JL:  That's a thought.

BV:  What are your future plans?

JL:  I’m trying new things next year.  I have an Extreme Blaze coming out in Jan titled The Tao of Sex.  Hoaky, I know, but it’s fun too!  Then a dragon fantasy romance titled Dragonborn coming out in March.  That’s way different from my Tantric historicals.  And then a new historical series set in the regency starting in September. 

BV:  Any final thoughts?

JL:  My dad, who's a scientist, always said, "If it makes you happy, go for it."  That's my mantra.

Bottom line:  Tantrics is my new word of the day.

                          

Posted by Barbara Vey on May 10, 2007 | Comments (5)