Unspoken [Mass Market Paperback]

"Nobody could have had a better childhood," Jackson remarks, her twinkling eyes and got- away-with-something grin giving her a youthful appearance that defies the fact she is in her mid- forties and the mother of two college-age sons. "My childhood was enchanted. We were a small, tightly knit family. My mom and dad were and still are my greatest supporters." Why then does Jackson write lousy dads and conniving relatives into the plots of books that regularly earn berths on such national bestseller lists as USA Today's and Waldenbooks'? "I think the most intense angst people can experience is what can develop among family members, because our emotions run so deep there," Jackson replied. "Deep down, we care about these people, but being related doesn't mean we think alike or want the same things. I also think manipulative people are fascinating. Characters like that help me keep the readers' interest. I love it when readers write me to complain that they didn't get any sleep the night before because they had to finish my book." For her ability to write such reader-pleasing page turners, Jackson is sought after by publishers, currently writing for three. In style and career path, she has been compared to author Sandra Brown. Like the mega-New York Times bestselling author, Jackson built her reading audience in the romance genre. Like Brown, she went on to write bigger books splashed across a broad literary canvass that appeal to men as well as to women. As in Brown's newer novels, a romantic relationship is at the core of Jackson's stories, but there's a lot more going on, even in her shorter genre romance novels. In both authors' books, the reader encounters bold, strong heroines who inspire them to take charge of their own lives. The characters' gutsy nature brings to mind the indefatigable Jackson herself.

Jackson studied English literature at Oregon State University for two years before she married. In 1981, when her younger son was a year old, she began writing novels. But she decided she needed a steady income and, drawing on her experience in the banking field, applied for and landed a $9/hour bank job. "Before I could begin work, the woman who would have been my supervisor was arrested for embezzling, and that was the end of my job." Jackson recalls. "I wasn't too disappointed, because about then I sold my first book, A TWIST OF FATE, and my author career took off. In one of life's little ironies, though, the plot of that first book revolved around a woman suspected of bank embezzling." Since that first sale, Jackson has written enough novels to fill a bookcase. Drawing on her small-town upbringing, she writes contemporary novels that are more often than not set in rural areas, like her hometown in Oregon. Texas is the setting for UNSPOKEN, her November 1999 novel for Zebra Books. UNSPOKEN is the climax of Zebra's four-month Lisa Jackson promotion of four re-releases and one original title. Jackson also writes medieval romances set in 11th and 12th century Wales, such as DARK EMERALD (Topaz Books, March 1999). "The main thrust of my writing career is the contemporary novels, but I enjoy doing these period pieces," said Jackson, who earlier wrote as Susan Lynn Crose. "Women were so trod upon in medieval days. By nature of women's lot in life then, I can generate sympathy for the medieval heroines. They're underdogs from the get go! Tell me what woman doesn't root for the underdog!" To promote her five fall 1999 Zebra titles, the gregarious author will tour Washington, Oregon, California, Texas, Illinois, Oklahoma and several other states. Recently divorced, Jackson is being booked to speak for singles' clubs, with her tongue-in-cheek insights into dating, including "Lisa Jackson's Dating Tips for the New Millennium: Hero or Zero?"

Jackson's 1999 publishing schedule is impressive. In addition to the five Zebra titles, a Lisa Jackson medieval, a category romance and a selection in a Christmas anthology will be published. When not writing, Jackson enjoys spectator sports, reading, watching "The X-Files" and socializing now that she's a single mom. Her favorite authors include Pat Conroy, Nelson DeMille, Stephen King, Patricia Cornwell, Dick Francis and other authors who also write compelling page turners.