No human being has the right to own another. Slavery, past or present, is an abomination—and if my stories can shine a light on the brave souls who stood against it, then every page is worth it.
– Dan E. Hendrickson
From the wild plains of Wyoming to the soulful sanctuaries of ministry and the disciplined world of martial arts, Dan E. Hendrickson has lived a life full of chapters—and now he writes them. In a riveting interview, Dan sat down with host Stacey Chillemi to discuss the creative spark behind his action-packed historical fiction series Brandy, Dame of the Caribbean. Centered around a fierce, red-haired, green-eyed heroine with Shaolin training and a passion for justice, the Brandy series is more than just thrilling pirate adventures—it’s a celebration of powerful women, martial discipline, and unsung heroes of history.
Brandy, Dame of the Caribbean is the long-awaited sequel to Brandy: Ballad of a Pirate Princess, inspired by Dan’s daughters and steeped in the forgotten history of Caribbean abolitionists. With cinematic martial arts sequences, emotional depth, and a message rooted in faith and freedom, the book delivers high-stakes storytelling with a conscience. Dan opens up about his past, his passion for fighting human trafficking, and how his creative legacy is shaped by the remarkable women in his life.
Thank you so much for joining us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your backstory?
Absolutely. I’ve had a life filled with different seasons. I began as a journalist, driven by a passion for storytelling and digging into real human experiences. Later, I transitioned into pastoral work, where I got a deeper look into the emotional and spiritual side of people’s lives. I was counseling, guiding, and supporting others through everything from grief to celebration. Eventually, that road led me to fiction writing—where I could take everything I’ve learned and witnessed and channel it into characters, action, and themes that resonate on a deeper level. Writing gives me a way to entertain and educate while also weaving in messages that really matter.
You’ve created a powerful female lead in Brandy. Where did the inspiration for her character come from?
Brandy was born from real-life inspiration—my daughters. One moment in particular shaped her intensity. My daughter Donna was around five or six years old and saw a huge husky-malamute harassing some baby bunnies. Before I could even react, she ran right up to that dog, stared it down, and told it to back off. This wasn’t just a kid being bold—it was something fierce and commanding in her presence. That dog, easily five times her size, whimpered and backed off. That moment never left me. I thought, “What kind of soul must someone have to evoke that kind of reaction?” So I gave Brandy that same soul-piercing stare and courage. It’s one of her signature traits in the book—this ability to stop even the fiercest men in their tracks.
Did any other women in your life help shape Brandy’s character?
Absolutely. My daughter-in-law Maria is a brilliant and fierce woman in her own right. She’s a NICU nurse, a writer, and just an all-around powerhouse. The kind of woman who brings light into a room but also has steel in her backbone. And of course, my wife—she’s the one who keeps me grounded and has supported me through all my creative turns. Being surrounded by strong, intelligent, compassionate women made it very natural for me to create a character like Brandy. She’s a blend of all their strengths—tenacity, wisdom, and heart.
The martial arts element in the series is so unique. Why include that?
Martial arts have always fascinated me, and I’ve had some experience with them. They’re not just about physical fighting—they’re about mental discipline, control, and self-awareness. In Brandy’s world, she has this intense temper, and that’s both her strength and her Achilles heel. Her mentor, Master Zheng Yang, uses martial arts as a vehicle to teach her how to harness and channel that fire. It’s symbolic too—about controlling your inner storm while facing real threats. And honestly, it makes for some pretty amazing fight scenes.
Brandy eventually uses a battle fan instead of a sword in a major fight scene. What’s the meaning behind that?
That battle fan is more than just a weapon—it’s a lesson in restraint. Throughout her training, Zheng Yang used it to help Brandy find calm and precision. It’s elegant, disciplined, and symbolic of her journey to control her emotions. In her final battle, instead of relying on raw power or even the legendary master swords, she chooses the fan. It shows she’s come full circle—not just powerful, but wise. And yes, those fans are real martial arts tools—metal-spined with razor-sharp tips. They’re underestimated, just like Brandy often is. Until she strikes.
Who is the Jaded Empress and what role does she play in the series?
She’s one of the most formidable characters I’ve written. The Jaded Empress is the niece of Zheng Yang, Brandy’s mentor. She nearly completed the sacred Shaolin trials—eight out of twelve—but grew impatient for power. Instead of waiting, she drugged her uncle, stole the master swords, and defected to train with ninjas in Japan. She’s a cautionary tale about what happens when talent isn’t balanced by humility. Her confrontation with Brandy is the ultimate clash of philosophies—discipline versus recklessness, control versus chaos. It’s an intense, emotional duel where the stakes are personal and symbolic.
Brandy’s world is set in the Caribbean. What drew you to that setting?
I grew up in the ‘60s and ‘70s, and my imagination was lit up by the pirate stories and seafaring adventures I saw in movies and books. Treasure Island, Captain Blood, the Horatio Hornblower series—those tales stuck with me. But I wanted to do more than recreate those adventures. I started researching the real history of the Caribbean and stumbled upon a part of history that stunned me—the abolitionist efforts happening there even before the U.S. Civil War. That history is rarely discussed in American schools, but it was powerful. I wanted to blend that sense of daring adventure with historical truth, and the Caribbean was the perfect place to do it.
Can you tell us more about the abolitionist movement you uncovered in your research?
One of the most eye-opening things I discovered was the book From Columbus to Castro, which documented the deep and complex history of the Caribbean. I learned that many British sailors, especially after King William’s reign, actively participated in rescuing runaway slaves and bringing them to freedom in Caribbean settlements called Maroons. These were real communities—safe havens where freed slaves could build new lives. The British Empire had already abolished slavery in 1831, and these sailors became part of a southern version of the Underground Railroad. It’s an extraordinary part of history that deserves much more recognition.
What are Maroons, and how do they feature in Brandy’s world?
Maroons were essentially liberated communities in the Caribbean—safe havens created by escaped slaves, often integrated with the island’s indigenous cultures. These places are rich in cultural identity and resilience. In Brandy, Dame of the Caribbean, they represent hope, sanctuary, and the idea that freedom isn’t just a dream—it’s a fight, and it’s a possibility. Brandy’s interactions with these communities further ground her mission and show her commitment to justice beyond her personal vendettas.
Would you say your series has a tone similar to Pirates of the Caribbean?
Not really. While Pirates of the Caribbean is fun and whimsical, it glosses over the darker truths about pirates. In reality, most pirates were slavers, cutthroats, and criminals. My series doesn’t romanticize that world. Brandy was raised by two infamous pirates, yes, but she outgrows that life. She’s not a swashbuckler for the thrill of it—she’s a warrior with a purpose. My tone leans more toward grounded historical fiction with martial arts and epic storytelling layered in.
Can you walk us through one of Brandy’s signature fight scenes?
There’s a powerful sequence where Brandy leads a rescue mission to save a group of escaped slave children who were kidnapped and about to be sold back. She confronts a guard who raises a rifle at her, but she deflects it with a precise move, hits him in the throat, and lands a spinning crescent kick that knocks him out cold. Then she uses a custom wrist slingshot—something I imagined based on those old wrist rockets kids used to play with. She hits another captor in the head with a metal ball, saving a girl from assault. It’s fast, efficient, and emotionally driven. Every move she makes is informed by her training—and her fury at injustice.
Is Brandy the strongest sword fighter in the series?
Yes—by design. She’s trained relentlessly. But that also means she rarely finds anyone who can truly challenge her. That’s why I created the Jaded Empress. A fight is only as good as its opponent, and their final battle is a masterclass in technique, grit, and emotional tension. It’s not just about who’s stronger—it’s about who has evolved more. And Brandy’s decision to put down the sword and fight with the fan? That’s the most powerful moment of all.
You’re working on a sequel. What’s next in Brandy’s universe?
The next story follows Brandy and John’s son. He runs away during the U.S. Civil War and joins the Navy to fight for the freedom of enslaved people. He endures a terrible experience that leaves lasting scars, but he goes on to become a prominent railroad man helping expand into Wyoming and Montana. There’s a love story too—he falls for the granddaughter of Chief Pretty Eagle, a historical Crow leader. It’s about legacy, healing, and passing down the torch.
Your stories go beyond fiction. Would you say they serve a larger purpose?
Absolutely. These books are my way of raising awareness about slavery—past and present. While Brandy’s story is set in the 1800s, the themes are still relevant. Human trafficking still exists. I’ve written about it directly in The Living Legend, which deals with modern-day slavery from Africa to Asia. Today we call it human trafficking, but it’s really just slavery rebranded. My goal is to open eyes and encourage action. No one should ever be owned, bought, or sold.
Why is this cause so important to you personally?
Because I believe in human dignity. As a pastor and a father, I’ve seen too much pain and injustice to ignore it. When I think about children being exploited, or women being trafficked—it breaks something in me. But instead of staying broken, I want to use my voice. Fiction is my tool. If I can move a reader’s heart, maybe they’ll speak up, donate, volunteer—whatever their way of fighting looks like.
What do you hope readers walk away with after reading your books?
I hope they feel something. I hope they’re entertained, yes—but more importantly, I want them to feel empowered, educated, and moved. Whether it’s about history they never knew, the strength of a female warrior, or the reality of modern slavery—I want it to stick with them. I want them to realize that courage takes many forms, and that freedom is worth fighting for, in any era.
Are there any authors or genres that influenced your writing style?
Definitely. I grew up on adventure fiction—C.S. Forester, Rafael Sabatini, Robert Louis Stevenson. They had a way of blending action with moral struggle, which I always admired. But I also love authors who infuse purpose and soul into their work. That’s what I try to do—mix thrilling storytelling with real emotional and ethical depth.
What’s your writing process like?
I usually start with character—who they are, what drives them. Then I sketch out the arcs, both plot and emotional. Research plays a big role, especially with historical context. And when it comes to action scenes, I choreograph them like dance—every strike, every move has intention. I want the reader to see it like a movie in their head.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
You can find all my books by searching my name on Amazon, or you can visit my Website. I’m also distributed through IngramSpark, so my books are available across platforms like Barnes & Noble and other major retailers.
Thank you so much for this thoughtful and inspiring conversation.
Thank you, Stacey. It was a real pleasure speaking with you—and I appreciate the opportunity to share my story and my mission.
