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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 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: 4.13 · 648 ratings · 69 reviews · 6 distinct works • Similar authors

	The Governor's Sons 4.07 avg rating — 234 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) 4.11 avg rating — 221 ratings — published 2012 — 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
	Revelation (Unchained, #3) 4.30 avg rating — 151 ratings — published 2014 — 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
	Masquerade (Unchained, #2) 4.09 avg rating — 22 ratings — published 2013	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 3.88 avg rating — 16 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 — 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

Transforming Rita

Back in the 1930's, a young actress named Rita Cansino, was having a hard time breaking away from small exotic roles, in part due to her name, and in part to the jet black hair of her Spanish ancestry.
As a starlet at Fox Studios, Rita Cansino married salesman and promoter Edward C. Judson. Judson knew potential when he saw it. Not only was Cansino beautiful, she was a dancer with a charismatic stage p... Read more of this blog post »

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Published on November 11, 2019 13:24

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Series by Maria McKenzie

Unchained (3 books)
by

Maria McKenzie (Goodreads Author)

4.18 avg rating — 394 ratings

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Maria’s Writing

Escape: Book One of the Unhained Trilogy (Romance)

1 chapters — updated May 13, 2015 06:35PM

Description: Daniel and Lori love each other, yet to live as one in 1856, they must escape from the unyielding society that imprisons them. Lori was born a slave in North Carolina, yet by chance was raised alongside Daniel in a wealthy abolitionist household. The sudden death of Daniel’s mother catapults Lori back into bondage. Relegated to chattel on a rice plantation, Lori lives in constant fear under the tormenting scrutiny of Daniel’s wretched Aunt Lucinda. After Daniel fails to convince his relatives to free Lori, he is compelled to devise a daring escape. Although a life threatening endeavor for both of them, Lori’s freedom is priceless to Daniel, and he’s willing to pay such a price for her love.

Maria is Currently Reading

Maria McKenzie is currently reading

Buried Evidence (Lily Forrester, #2)

by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg

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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 Transforming Rita Back in the 1930's, a young actress named Rita Cansino, was having a hard time breaking away from small exotic roles, in part due to her name, and... Read more of this blog post »
Nov 12, 2019 12:56AM · like
Maria McKenzie made a comment in the group THE Group for Authors! — Indie Book Award Contests topic " Has anyone else's indie book been "nominated" for the Top Shelf indie Book Award Contest? Sounds like a scam, but at first look raises hope. "
Mar 03, 2019 02:10PM
Maria McKenzie joined the group THE Group for Authors!
Mar 03, 2019 01:58PM · like
Maria McKenzie rated a book it was amazing The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson (Goodreads Author)	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
Feb 23, 2019 04:12PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson <iframe id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Maria McKenzie is now following Rob Bignell Author of Headin’ to the Cabin: Day Hiking Trails of Nort...
Oct 08, 2018 02:37AM · like
Maria McKenzie rated a book really liked it Caught by Harlan Coben (Goodreads Author)	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
Jul 23, 2018 02:58AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Caught by Harlan Coben. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Caught by Harlan Coben <iframe id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Maria McKenzie rated a book really liked it White Like Her: My Family's Story of Race and Racial Passing by Gail Lukasik (Goodreads Author)	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
Jul 23, 2018 02:57AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of White Like Her by Gail Lukasik. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — White Like Her by Gail Lukasik <iframe id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Maria McKenzie rated a book really liked it Union Atlantic by Adam Haslett (Goodreads Author)	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
Jun 13, 2018 03:12AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Union Atlantic by Adam Haslett. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Union Atlantic by Adam Haslett <iframe id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Maria McKenzie made a comment in the group Book Bloggers of Goodreads — My quest to review your book! topic " Thanks, Josh, you have a great day too! Looking forward the welcome e-mail:). "
Apr 22, 2018 02:05PM
Maria McKenzie wants to read The Underground River by Martha Conway (Goodreads Author)	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
Apr 16, 2018 09:57AM · 18 likes · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Underground River by Martha Conway. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Underground River by Martha Conway <iframe id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">

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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: Book One of The Unchained Trilogy

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“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

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