Sample Cover Art

The longer I stare at this one, the better I like it:) The first thing I said to myself when I saw it was, "She's not blond"...and "Wow! This is what one would expect on an erotic romance story!"



The first thing I said when I saw this one was "Awwwww....sweet! And she's blond! And I like his expression!" But..."They have their clothes on..."

So I posted them to FB and within an hour, I had several women friends drooling all over the 1st one. So I emailed my artist and said, "Let's go for it!"

What's your opinion? Does it matter that my heroine is blond, yet the cover model is dark blond/ brown hair with highlights?

Taking the Romance Out Of Sex or Words Which Makes You Cringe....

Warning: The following content may cause eyebrows to raise, heart palpitations, or fainting spells. On the other hand, if you're here, you're over the age of eighteen, so you've been warned:)

There are certain words and phrases I certainly don't associate with romance, yet when writing sex scenes, they invariably creep in to the vocabulary. Sometimes my male characters have potty mouths, and yes, sometimes the women will get carried away.

-'Box'. Last time I checked, it was not in the shape of a square.

-'Cunt'. This brings to mind Penthouse or Playboy prose. I dislike it intensely; however, I'll use it maybe once in a story, and only because I need another word.

-'Pussy'. Same reason as above.

-'Twat'. Who the hell thought this one up? See above.

-"Give it to me baby..." This implies rough sex; not love-play.

-"I can't wait to do you..." Does this guy think that's a turn on? Not me!

-"He slid into her dripping entrance..." or 'Her pussy wept with moisture..." I'd hate to fall asleep in his arms afterward; all that wetness? Euuuwww...who wants to immediately change the sheets? Who's even INCLINED to strip the bed when one is exhausted from their lover's antics?

-Am I the only one who thinks shower sex is impossible? I don't mean foreplay; I mean the actual ACT. I've put it into some of my scenes, but as one who hates cold surfaces, or water pouring into my face...forget it.

I realize the genre I write certain descriptions are used; however, I'm not about to write something I can't stand to read. I wrote the first four books in order to get my foot in the door, and now I'm there, I'm staying on the tame side. What I thought was 'burning sex scenes' four years ago has become 'spicy' or 'steamy'. And I'm happy with that.

The most romantic thing anyone ever said to me was the morning after: "I want to make love to you again." I melted. Instantly.

Hung Jury: Pros and Cons

I'll admit, I was slow to catch on to the 'e-book craze'. I found out they existed in either 2001 or 2, when I first saw the founder of Ellora's Cave on Montel Williams. I went to the site, signed up for my free newsletter, and perused the front page. Several thoughts went through my mind:

"Oh my god...these sound GREAT!"

"But wait....they're all about sex!"

"So what? You write bedroom scenes; just...not this explicit."

"See?"

"Kenzie...you're nearly forty years old, and blushing because there's a naked couple on the cover."

"Say I were to write a book like this: What will my family say? Or even my parents?"

"I repeat: You're old enough to quit blushing. You have two kids, for Christ's sake! Everyone KNOWS you've had sex!"

"That's not what I'm objecting to. Isn't this....porn?"

"Didn't your agent say you were writing erotic romance?"

"Well....yes. But still, I didn't use words like that excerpt had! That sort of language belongs in Playboy or Hustler."

"But you heard Jaid...her books are being snapped up by the thousands! Get over yourself and be a part of that market. Sex sells, woman!"

"But....how the hell do you MARKET an e-book?"

That one had me stumped. How did one go about marketing a virtual book? Could you download it to a CD and sell it? Get a laptop and hope people would fall in love with the premise and download it on the spot or remember twelve hours later and pull out your business card?

I liked having a book in my hand. I already spent enough time in front of the computer, reading my email and writing my own books. Would I be comfortable reading a book on the computer?

I settled on two books which sounded interesting, and got the consent of the SU to order them. I read them both eagerly, and was slightly disappointed they were so short. One left me hanging...until it bugged me so much I had to reread it. And discovered I'd read it wrong. I actually found myself reading that book four more times.

And then locked myself in the bedroom and tried to conquer my shyness over the use of certain anatomical slang terms. I wrote on and off for several days...then hit a wall. I still have it; I just haven't gotten around to typing it up yet. I think it's got the potential to be a pretty damn good story; my brain's just been busy with other projects. When the time is right, Brock and Tricia will clamor for their story to be finished.

But in the meantime, I was determined to get my 'other work' out there. My first two books actually arrived in print form first. And I timidly handed them out to people, convinced I was about to be raked over the coals for the language and the content. Surprise, surprise...people liked them!

And during the time the second one was being published, I discovered how one markets an e-book. Chat loops, blogging, social media. And yes, I could certainly show off my tasteful e-book covers and explain the CDs aren't audio. Sales have been good; especially since my e-books are considerably cheaper than the print ones!

So yes, this jury is unable to make a decision which is better. Although....if e-readers and books had been around while I was growing up, I'd have had one: I was the kid who packed an entire suitcase full of books for a two or three week vacation...and still ran out of reading material!

Various Scenarios With My Favorite Hero

Reprinted from 2008; these are a series of strange/weird/wacky dreams I had, back before I had many followers. Enjoy:)


I’m lying in bed, restless because you’ve been on my mind all day. I toss and I turn; Heart’s “Alone” is playing in my head, stuck on a loop that plays over and over.

I finally resign myself to the fact I’m not sleeping; I have an itch between my thighs and an aching in my lower body that refuses to go away. I’ve tried pressing my legs together and even putting a pillow between them, trying to relieve the pressure, but no luck. My body is crying out for one thing, and it is several miles away.

I get up; some inner force directs me to the computer. I check my email, and there is something from you! My heart leaps…is it good news? Bad news? With shaking fingers, I position the mouse over the address. And as it loads, I childishly shut my eyes, hardly daring to breathe…I send up a silent prayer for a positive message…I’ve had so many bad ones lately, I don’t know if I could take another. Especially not from you.

I crack my eyes open. Two words…Come over.

I breathe deeply and read it again. Come over.

My heart dances and flutters. He wants me! We’re on the same page! Oh god…it’s been hours since I’ve showered…and I need to brush my teeth! When did he send this? Oh lord…two minutes ago! Is he still on? Wait…there’s more to the message….

Email me back if you get this by X o’clock.

Yay! I eagerly type back, Give me ten minutes to leave…I’ll be there in forty. Is this okay? I hit Send and anxiously wait. I check a couple of sites, tabbing over so I’ll know the minute he writes back. A few minutes tick by, and there it is. I’ll be waiting.

I send up a silent Thank you to the god who wants us to be together and log off. Hurriedly, I brush my teeth, change my clothes, skipping the underwear as he prefers me to go commando, throw on some shoes, and briefly let my drowsy teenager know I’ll be back in an hour.

As I’m driving, the internal dialogue with my conscience begins.

What the hell are you doing?

I want to see him.

What self-respecting mother leaves her kids to go meet her man?

A mom with a healthy sex life. Shut up.

But this late at night? And why won’t he come to you?

Because there’s more privacy and less people at his.

You’re being a sex-starved hussy.

I don’t care.

Slut.

For him, yes. And only him. Now I said shut the fuck up.

Okay…it’s your life.

That’s right. This has always been my choice.

With my conscience settled down, I arrive. His lights are on. I get out of my car, my legs shaking, still at war with half my brain. Will he think less of me? Will this set the stage for future trysts?

The door opens and there you stand, your tall muscular body surrounded by light. You’ve had a haircut; your eyes are smiling; you still have that tiny patch of facial hair instead of the goatee I’ve come to like; your lips are open and inviting me to kiss them, but not yet.

Your arm reaches out to guide me inside, and once the pleasantries are exchanged and your arms encircle my body in a tight hug, our lips meet, our tongues entwine, and all my doubts and insecurities melt away. This is my man, my lover, my soul mate. Everything is right with the world when I’m in your arms.

Our clothes fall off; your hands are eagerly at my breasts, squeezing and caressing the nipples. Your mouth descends; I clasp your head as your tongue and teeth scrape over my taunt buds, drawing them painfully tighter.

I reach down and lightly grasp your engorged cock, feeling the warmth of you in my fingertips and hearing your intake of breath. After all these years, it still amazes me that I can still evoke this response from you, and that your massive length can fit inside me to the hilt!

I sink to my knees and carefully take you in my warm mouth. I feel your hands in my short, tousled hair as I lightly play with the head, swirling my tongue around and sucking lightly. I suck as much of your length down my throat, wishing I could take it deeper. I reach up to cup your balls and gently squeeze them. My ministrations are causing impatience; you tug me up to crush my body to yours again.

This time, there’s no gentleness. I’ve pleased you, and it shows. You lead me to a soft bed of blankets and lay me down. Your tongue invades my mouth, roughly giving me a taste of your desire. I answer with my own hunger and eagerly spread my legs, wrapping them around your hips and reaching down to assist, ripping open that packet you've handed me and rolling that damned latex over you. Your hips settle into the cradle of my thighs and we let out simultaneous sighs as your thick dick finds its way into my wet passage, and we feel a wondrous contentment. Why do we wait so fucking long to be together? Is it just the delicious self-denial? The knowledge of delayed gratification? Are we simply afraid it will go stale?

And then you start to move and the song in my head is suddenly replaced by Heart’s “Surrender to Me”, and I want nothing more than to keep you trapped deep within me, going slowly even though we’re both starved for this feeling. We kiss, we gasp, we moan with desire as your hard cock plunders my soft pussy, over and over. My arms hold you tight; your eyes burn dark with desire; you reach down and caress my clit, trying to bring me closer, but what you don’t know is I’m already there…I love having you inside me, and this roller coaster of sensations is the only one I’ll ride. I’m excited; I’m calm; I love watching you attain your ultimate pleasure and knowing I’ve made you happy.

And when I’ve achieved several, and you've emptied your essance into the protection of the condom, I want nothing more than to hold you close and cuddle as we recover. I want your arms around me, holding me close to your chest. I love hearing your heartbeat; I love the conversations which follow.

All too soon, it is time to reluctantly leave your warm arms and return to my cold bed. But I’ve got happy memories to sustain me until the next time you have time for me. I’m sensing a Heart theme here…as I’m driving away with your kiss still on my lips, I’m hearing “I Didn’t Want to Need You”

And when I’m safely back in my solitary bed, my brain brings up ‘Will You Be There in the Morning?” and long for the day when we could actually wake up in each others arms in the morning.

*******************


I let myself into the house. He is sitting on the floor, surrounded by boxes.

"We need to talk," he says, looking serious.

Uh-oh...I don't like the sound of this. "What's the problem?" I set my briefcase down by the front door and make my way over to him.

He stands, and we leave the crowded living room for the spacious master bedroom. I lay down on the bed and curl up on my side, watching him pace.

"I was there...today. In front of the stadium. I bought hot dogs for the kids and saw you."

Relief flows through me. He came to the signing after all! But..."Why didn't you come over to the table?"

"You had several people at your table, and you looked so beautiful, so animated, and it hit me...you're going to do well with this! And where does this leave me?" He sits on the edge of the bed, and I see the little boy who just wants to be loved and appreciated.

"I will never leave you," I whisper softly. "I love you."

He get up and spoons his body around mine. "Can we research some more?"

I feel his hands unbuttoning my shirt. "You've been reading Sommer's blog again..."

**********************************



I am in New York, on a 'field trip', of sorts, with the girls from One Tree Hill. Brooke was to meet with a fashion designer; Peyton was there for support, except she met a guy we were convinced was a mob figure.

The hotel we were staying at was the same one in which my character had a suite in which he lived.

We dodged the Joan Collins-type chaperone character and I discovered the suite. Nothing happened; we simply talked. But later, as the antics of Brooke and Peyton grew outrageous, I called on my friend for help. It was one of those frantic phone calls in which the only information revealed was 'Help! Peyton's being chased by this unsavory guy and Brooke can't find her...'

But in the end, the guy was miraculously apprehended; the girls were tearfully returned to the hotel; the chaperone and the rest of the crew blissfully ignorant of all actions.

And myself? I knocked on my friend's door and asked quietly, "How did you know?"

"Because I know you, and I've come to expect things like this."

I entered the room. His son is playing a video game, and there is a strange woman and young child sitting on the couch. I introduce myself and apologize for the interruption.

"But...you did it all with one phone call," I continue. "You never left; We never saw you. And yet you still managed to be the hero in the end." I'm thoroughly confused.

"Kenzie...I can't explain it. I've matured over the past several years, but you refuse to see it." He's getting slightly angry. "Now don't you have a plane to catch?"

"Actually, we're leaving in the morning." I shoot another inquisitive glance at the silent woman still in the room.

He shifts in his seat. "I think your friends would like to see you."

"Why?" I challenge him. Somehow, my shoes are off, and my cardigan sweater is unbuttoned. I don't remember doing anything to my clothes.

"Because I have plans tonight." He frowns and leans over to hand me my shoes and pull my sweater together, so my tank top is covered.

Suddenly, the woman pipes up, "That's okay; if your wife needs you..."

I shrug and give her a smile. He is not amused.

"She's not my wife," he snaps.

I fasten my sweater and pull on my heels. "That's right; just an Old and Dear Friend, right?" My sarcasm overflows as I feel my own anger rise. I get to my feet and head toward the door. "Enjoy your evening."

Suddenly, his hands are at my shoulders. "Awww, Kenz..."

(Note: What is it with these weird dreams? And I wake up just when things are getting interesting? What does it mean when you and your 'soul mate' argue in your subconscious?)

********************************



I'm with my favorite hero, and we are at a party/outing with friends/something like that. Things are going well; he's by my side and making me feel pretty darn special.

But there's another girl who is also being witty herself, and I can't help but feel slightly insecure; after all, I've been in this position before. I was confident of my hero's love and was therefore shattered when I realized the idiot had just dumped me for the other one.

I feel like I need to trust my sweetheart, but at the same time, I can't help wondering if in another week or so I'll find out they've been seeing each other behind my back? I try to stay calm and civil; after all, any show of jealousy will ultimately destroy our relationship, and give him ideas that may or may not be already crossing his mind?

And then the scene shifts...and we are alone, eating breakfast.

"I thought we'd just stay in today, Kenz, and laze around watching football and eating popcorn." He reaches for my hand and gives me that special smile.

My heart melts. I love lying in his arms, sharing a bowl of popcorn while we cheer on out teams!

Maybe I really do have nothing to worry about??

Fingers Crossed!

I sent off a submission to Secret Cravings yesterday, and have already had a confirmation e-mail, letting me know I should hear back in about a week:) Here's hoping they like it!

How Much Is Too Much?
A friend and I were discussing book releases yesterday, and how many releases per year are too many?

My goal at the moment is two per year. That gives me six months to promote each one, and it gives me 'breathing space'. I don't want to suddenly 'take the publishing world by storm' only to fizzle out and have my place taken by another go-getter.

No, I would rather build a solid group of readers who anxiously wait for my next release, knowing there will be one or two a year.

I do have friends who crank them out month after month, and I applaud their tenacity at keeping at it. I never want my writing to become a chore; I want it to be something I enjoy. I wonder at their promotions sometime. How effective is the promo when you're hurrying to meet deadlines; editing; AND suddenly yelling all over the internet, "OMG! I totally forgot my book came out today!"??

One author recently revealed she had four (4, and I'm NOT making this up!) releases on the same day. HUH??? Yes, with three different publishers. That just boggles the mind. Which book will she showcase? Will she take turns? What happens the rest of the year?

If I'm wrong about the effectiveness of the marketing, please let me know. Granted, I've been waiting for one book to be edited for over a year, and word of acceptance now for nine months. And with this new submission....If all four are released this year, I hope they are spaced far enough apart so I don't have someone bringing this post to my attention and calling me a hypocrite.

What's your take on this? And yes, if you're a part of what I call the 'Book-of-the-Month' Club, please enlighten me?

Will the Real Kenzie Michaels Please Stand Up?

(Applause)

Welcome to Tell The Truth! Please introduce yourselves.

Hi, my name is Kenzie Michaels

Hello, my name is Kenzie Michaels.

Hello to you both! Welcome!

KM1: Thank you. It’s nice to be here.

KM2: (nods politely)

Would you please describe yourself as a child?

KM1: I was outgoing; I constantly shouted ‘Look at me! See what I can do!”, and made friends very easily.

KM2: I was always reading; I had only one best friend, and was painfully shy.

How about the high school years?

KM2: I was still shy; however, my best friend was popular and I met a lot of friends through him. I was in band and worked in the school library.

KM1: I found myself in the uncomfortable position of having my best friends’ boyfriends wanting to date me. I refused the first one, dated the second, and quit helping my friend the third time. All I was trying to do was HELP her; not steal her boyfriends away!

KM2: I remember that; you only dated the second guy after you got her blessing, right?

KM1: Of course!

How about college?

KM1: Did I go to college?

KM2: I majored in Social Work and had dreams of saving abused kids. You were busy partying.

KM1: Oh, that’s right. I discovered the opposite sex was a lot of fun!

KM2: I dated also, but more seriously. I had four long-term relationships…

KM1: And a couple of duds…

KM2: Well, yes. But I ended up with some great research for my books!

KM1: You mean our books.

KM2: If you want to get technical about it….

Okay, okay. Let’s talk about your writing career. What’s your writing style?

KM1: I started writing three years ago, when these characters jumped into my head and wouldn’t leave. It was the funniest thing! One minute I’m driving down the street, and the next minute, there’s an ex-con inside my head, yelling at me to write his story! And a few months later, I remembered a gigantic crush I had on my son’s teacher, so I thought, ‘what if I had been divorced…’ And that moment at the stove when two characters were arguing over the fact she was in HIS kitchen,…that was bizarre! Not to mention the other plots which arrived while I was in the shower, sitting at McDonald’s, at my class reunion….

KM2: We get the picture. Your imagination went into overdrive. Me, I write more slowly. I worked on a book for five years before I decided on how to end it. My ideas come from observations I made while pursuing my degree. I decided there were stories which needed to be told, so others would recognize signs of danger ahead.

KM1: You wanted to be Judy Bloom or Lavyrle Spencer. I was corrupted by Anny Cook.

How do you promote your work?

KM1: I spend a great deal of time online. I chat, blog, and beg people to interview me.

KM2: I set up at craft shows, arrange book signings at stores, and I’m always willing to encourage other writers.

KM1: I did Blog Talk Radio once and embarrassed the producer when the excerpt I read on air had the word ‘pussy’ in it. And I’m not talking cat. My stuff is on the explicit, bedroom door-open-style.

KM2: I try to leave something to the imagination. My readers are, after all, could be as young as twelve.

KM1: Not mine. They’d better be at least 18, although my daughter read my first pubbed book and pronounced it ‘tame’. She claimed she’d read worse at school, and she was fourteen!

KM2, you said you were shy. Would you still call yourself that today?

KM2: Absolutely! Put me in a group setting by myself, where I don’t know anyone, and I’m terrified!

KM1: ROLFMAO! Okay, as your friend BC Brown put it, you suffer situational shyness. Ask anyone at your writer’s group: You talk more than anyone else!

KM2: (blushing) Well, okay. I guess I’ve come out of my shell a bit.

KM1: A bit? You do realize the only reason I can only blog once a week is because YOU steal all the blogging ideas.

KM2: Then how do you explain the past month?

KM1: No internet access. Plus the sub-zero temps made me want to seek a warmer climate. And you were too busy answering your email. I haven’t checked mine since last year!

KM2: True. You did participate in several chats, though.

So when is your next release?

KM1: Mine was last November, and I’m waiting for word on two more submissions. I think I’m giving up on one of them, and sending it somewhere else.

KM2: I’m also waiting for word of acceptance. I really hope I hear soon. A reader came in three months ago and asked if it was available yet.

Okay ladies. Time to identify. Will the real Kenzie Michaels please stand up?

KM1 stands.

(Applause)

And Number 2, would you please introduce yourself?

KM2: I’m actually Molly Daniels. But this was fun!

Talking To Myself

Welcome! Please introduce yourself and tell us about your latest release.

My name is Kenzie Michaels and I'm addicted to reading...wait, wrong introduction. This is where I'm supposed to say I'm addicted to writing or my computer, right?

My latest release is all about how the lives of four people can change over the course of six days. Is it Fate? Free Will? You decide:) Wild At Heart is available at www.xoxopublishing.com and on Kindle:)

Have you ever had an idea for a story which scared you after you began writing it?

Hell yes! I'm working on one right now, on and off, which is scarily mirroring a friend's life.

Have you incorporated actual events from your own life into your books?

Hee hee hee...wouldn't you like to know? Actually, I fictionalize Life a great deal. Such as the opening scene in Teacher's Pet. Ahhh, now there was a fantasy! Too bad I couldn't ACT on it!

How much research do you do? Do you research first and then write, or do you write first, then research as needed?

It depends. Sometimes I'll come up with a topic or situation and research first; other times I'll do it on an 'as needed' basis.

Is there any message you want readers to take from reading your work?

No; just fun and relaxation is all I'm happy with. Unless they decide to try out a bedroom scene or two....and let me know if it will or will not work, lol!

Are you a plotter or a pantser? And have you ever had a story take on a life of its own?

I'd have to say up to this point, I've been a pantser. I get an idea and start at the beginning and write til the end. And talk about stories taking on lives of their own....I had no idea Wild At Heart was going to spend half the book in Colorado! Or that a certain plot twist would occur in Teacher's Pet.

How long did it take for you to be published?

I'm embarrassed to reveal it took me only three months for All She Ever Wanted, and with only one rejection notice (see next question). Wild At Heart, however, took three years.

If you could go back and tell yourself anything when you first began your writing career, what would you say?

Per the previous question....READ THE SUBMISSION GUIDELINES! That's why ASEW was rejected the first time. I hadn't followed the rules. Otherwise, I'd maybe be part of the EC Family...

Laptop or pen and ink? What are your ‘must-haves’ when writing?

Either one. I wrote Teacher's Pet with both, when my kids needed the computer for homework. As for must-haves....Iced tea, cookies, or a sandwich for breaks.

Who are your favorite authors? Who would you say influenced you the most?

Check my blog roll for my fave e-authors. Amarinda Jones encouraged me to write something with more 'heat', and TP was the result. I've also been influenced by Danielle Steele in my POV issues. A habit I'm trying to break.

What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?

I don't think there's much they don't already know...I play the drums; I'm a good crisis counselor; I'm also a closet rock-n-roll chick; and my bff was the basketball star when we were in HS. I was a band geek who worked in the library. God only knows how or why we became friends!

For Fun:

What is your favorite love scene to write or read? (ie: First kiss, passion after a fight, reunion)

I'm a sucker for reunion scenes!

What is your favorite Valentine’s Day memory?

Hmmmm....it could be one of three. In the 4th grade, the boy I had a crush on gave me a beautiful homemade Valentine; when I was 20, I received my first ever red rose; and in 1988, I broke up with my boyfriend, but another friend took me out to dinner and presented me with a tiny stuffed bear who sat on the dash of my car for years. That friend later became my spouse.

Sweetest gift ever given to you?

Hahahaha,....'Co-Pilot', the bear:)

Thank you for being here today! Please tell us where we can find your books.

All She Ever Wanted is available at Freya's Bower and Kindle

Wild At Heart is available at XOXO Publishing and Kindle.

Teacher's Pet will also be released soon (I hope!) at Freya's Bower, as soon as edits are approved:)