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Maria McKenzie

Goodreads Author

Born

in Cincinnati, The United States

Website

http://www.mariamckenziewrites.com

Twitter

maria_mckenzie

Genre

Historical Fiction, Romance, Suspense

Member Since

March 2010

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomuser_mariamckenzie

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I was a librarian for several years, and librarian, of course, equals book lover! I enjoy curling up with a good book when not writing, or daydreaming about a new novel to write. I'm a sucker for a good love story, and live on a steady reading diet of romantic suspense, thrillers, historical fiction and non-fiction, and biographies.

I've always been a daydreamer, but didn't enjoy reading until I discovered Nancy Drew at age 10. As for writing, I never thought I'd actually pen a novel. I'm not a talker, so how could I ever fill up a book? As a quiet person, I internalize a lot. And later in life I discovered that internalizing can create some wonderful stories!

Being in an interracial marriage (I'm black and my husband's white), I enjoy explo I was a librarian for several years, and librarian, of course, equals book lover! I enjoy curling up with a good book when not writing, or daydreaming about a new novel to write. I'm a sucker for a good love story, and live on a steady reading diet of romantic suspense, thrillers, historical fiction and non-fiction, and biographies.

I've always been a daydreamer, but didn't enjoy reading until I discovered Nancy Drew at age 10. As for writing, I never thought I'd actually pen a novel. I'm not a talker, so how could I ever fill up a book? As a quiet person, I internalize a lot. And later in life I discovered that internalizing can create some wonderful stories!

Being in an interracial marriage (I'm black and my husband's white), I enjoy exploring the topic of interracial/multicultural romance in our nation's past and writing tales of forbidden love.

Mixed race romance from decades gone by is emotionally explosive, providing heart-wrenching conflict, as well as incredible pain. Those elements combined create amazing stories. Love transcends all boundaries. If two hearts are meant to be together, they'll find a way, regardless of circumstance.

I graduated from Wittenberg University with a degree in English, then received a master's in Library Science from Atlanta University. While working as a librarian in North Carolina, I met my husband. Our marriage inspired my novel Unchained. One day I thought how sad it would have been if we'd fallen in love 150 years earlier and couldn't have married (as mentioned earlier, he's white, I'm black). I kept thinking "what if, what if," and eventually Unchained came into being, but I turned it into a trilogy because the story kept going on and on!

Essie Mae Washington Williams's memoir Dear Senator provided the idea for The Governor's Sons. Ms. Williams is the African American love child of South Carolina Senator Strom Thurmond. After reading her story, I wondered what would have happened if a southern governor fathered a son by a black woman, and that son grew up to become a civil rights leader.

I live in Cincinnati with my husband and our two sons. I'm a foodie, love old movies, history, museums and antiquing. I'm also into fitness and enjoy running. During my morning runs I can come up with some great story ideas, if I'm not listening to a book! Book junkie that I am, audio books are an addiction!

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Combine Editions
Maria McKenzie’s books

Average rating: 4.16 · 884 ratings · 94 reviews · 7 distinct works • Similar authors

	The Governor's Sons 4.06 avg rating — 254 ratings — published 2011 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Escape (Unchained, #1) 4.12 avg rating — 249 ratings — published 2012 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Revelation (Unchained, #3) 4.35 avg rating — 179 ratings — published 2014 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Masquerade (Unchained #2) 4.22 avg rating — 175 ratings — published 2013 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Deseré: A Love Story of the American South 3.94 avg rating — 17 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	From Cad to Cadaver: A Black Ops Detective Agency Mystery (Volume 1) 3.50 avg rating — 6 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	One Family Now 3.25 avg rating — 4 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Maria McKenzie's Blog

Heidi: A Big Football Blunder

ESPN Featured an article on the NFL's Ten Biggest Mistakes. I am by no means a football fan, but since my hometown team the Bengals are going like gangbusters, I'm a little more interested than usual.

When I was a kid, however, I had no interest at all. As a matter of fact, I probably watched the movie Heidi that's discussed in the following article. I also had the Heidi doll that waved when y

Series by Maria McKenzie

Unchained (3 books)
by

Maria McKenzie (Goodreads Author)

4.22 avg rating — 603 ratings

Maria is Currently Reading

Maria McKenzie is currently reading

Buried Evidence (Lily Forrester, #2)

by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Aug 16, 2012 05:10PM

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The Help

by Kathryn Stockett (Goodreads Author)

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Jan 13, 2012 08:45AM

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Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life

by Anne Lamott (Goodreads Author)

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Mar 02, 2011 05:29PM

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Maria McKenzie wrote a new blog post Heidi: A Big Football Blunder ESPN Featured an article on the NFL's Ten Biggest Mistakes. I am by no means a football fan, but since my hometown team the Bengals are going like ga Read more of this blog post »
Jan 24, 2023 12:52AM · like

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Quotes by Maria McKenzie (?)

“A plantation, Daniel imagined, was like a fetid French whore. Pleasing to the eye, but hiding the stench of disease beneath fine silk skirts.”
― Maria McKenzie, Escape

1 likes

“When she’d first arrived, Kitty heard an older nurse grumble that she was sick of seeing so many unmarried girls do all their thinking between their legs.”
― Maria McKenzie, The Governor's Sons

1 likes

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
Jess Michaels 201...: Chart Your 2015 Progress	1057	233	Jan 01, 2016 11:53AM
Nothing But Readi...: Circus & Carnival	180	746	Apr 16, 2022 08:20AM

Maria’s Quotes

“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain!”
― Dolly Parton

tags: inspirational

600 likes

“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.”
― Beverly Sills

tags: dedication, determination, hard-work

571 likes

“The First wealth is health.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

tags: health

109 likes

“What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure.”
― Samuel Johnson, Johnsonian Miscellanies - Vol II

tags: effort, perseverance

249 likes

“Talent is only a starting point.”
― Irving Berlin

tags: practice

12 likes

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Book Bloggers of Goodreads — 2945 members — last activity Jan 24, 2023 07:41PM
This is a group for the book bloggers of Goodreads and authors seeking reviews. Book bloggers: post events, reviews, giveaways, ask questions, share l ...more

Fans of Interracial Romance — 2978 members — last activity Jan 21, 2023 02:24PM
In this group, we believe that love transcends bounds of race and ethnicity. Love is about the heart and soul, not the color of someone's skin. This g ...more

How to Promote YOUR book on Amazon — 8256 members — last activity 7 hours, 11 min ago
Are YOU an author? If so I am sure you are aware of how hard it can be to market your book successfully. There is so much you can do on Amazon.com to ...more

Goodreads Authors/Readers — 46268 members — last activity 1 hour, 6 min ago
This group is dedicated to connecting readers with Goodreads authors. It is divided by genres, and includes folders for writing resources, book websit ...more

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Welcome to Blogger Lift, the largest community of Bloggers on Goodreads. Want a little lift for your blog? You have come to the right place. Meet Blo ...more

THE Group for Authors! — 12261 members — last activity Jan 21, 2023 08:00AM
This is a group for authors to discuss their craft, as well as publishing and book marketing.

Making Connections — 13788 members — last activity 10 hours, 11 min ago
Read, Review, and Make ConnectionsA This is a place for Authors, Bloggers, Publishers, Reviewers, Book Tours, Giveaways, and Interviews to make connec ...more

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Join the Bargain Basement club for Freebies, bargains, reviews, and giveaways.

Virtual Writers — 2308 members — last activity Jan 22, 2023 08:40AM
Helping readers and writers connect. Virtual Writers is a popular online writers’ community committed to showcasing established and emerging writers ...more

Self Promo for Bloggers & Authors — 561 members — last activity Dec 06, 2022 06:42AM
For Bloggers, this is a group for self promotion of your blog, giveaways, and challenges. For Authors, this will be a great place to find people to re ...more

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Maria McKenzie’s Followers (79)

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Maria McKenzie

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594 posts
Maria McKenzie's Blog

Heidi: A Big Football Blunder

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Heidi: A Big Football Blunder

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Maria McKenzie’s Followers (79)

Maria McKenzie

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