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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: 4.15 · 848 ratings · 89 reviews · 6 distinct works • Similar authors

	The Governor's Sons 4.07 avg rating — 245 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 — 242 ratings — published 2012 — 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
	Revelation (Unchained, #3) 4.33 avg rating — 170 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) 4.20 avg rating — 166 ratings — published 2013 — 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
	Deseré: A Love Story of the American South really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 18 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) 3.71 avg rating — 7 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

Warrior Writing: Strategic Change

"Act like a man of thought. Think like a man of action." Thomas Mann

Several years ago, I attended New York Times bestselling author Bob Mayer's "Warrior Writing" workshop and it left quite an impression.

I learned several valuable lessons, but the most important one for me focused on change.

What holds you back? YOU! And you can change you. According to Bob, if you aren't where you want to be, y Read more of this blog post »

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Published on September 13, 2021 12:29

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Series by Maria McKenzie

Unchained (3 books)
by

Maria McKenzie (Goodreads Author)

4.20 avg rating — 578 ratings

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 Warrior Writing: Strategic Change "Act like a man of thought. Think like a man of action." Thomas MannSeveral years ago, I attended New York Times bestselling author Bob Mayer's "Warr Read more of this blog post »
Sep 14, 2021 01:04AM · like
Maria McKenzie rated a book it was amazing Enemies in Love: A German POW, a Black Nurse, and an Unlikely Romance by Alexis Clark	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
Dec 21, 2020 02:47PM · 1 like · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Enemies in Love by Alexis Clark. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Enemies in Love by Alexis Clark <iframe id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Maria McKenzie rated a book really liked it Three Sisters, Three Queens (The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels, #8) by Philippa Gregory (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 09, 2020 11:16AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Three Sisters, Three Queens by Philippa Gregory. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Three Sisters, Three Queens by Philippa Gregory <iframe id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Maria McKenzie wants to read Enemies in Love: A German POW, a Black Nurse, and an Unlikely Romance by Alexis Clark	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 09, 2020 11:16AM · 4 likes · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Enemies in Love by Alexis Clark. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Enemies in Love by Alexis Clark <iframe id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Maria McKenzie has read Three Sisters, Three Queens (The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels, #8) by Philippa Gregory (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 09, 2020 11:16AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Three Sisters, Three Queens by Philippa Gregory. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Three Sisters, Three Queens by Philippa Gregory <iframe id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Maria McKenzie rated a book really liked it The Last Tudor (The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels, #14) by Philippa Gregory (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 09, 2020 11:15AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Last Tudor by Philippa Gregory. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Last Tudor by Philippa Gregory <iframe id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Maria McKenzie wants to read The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett (Goodreads Author) Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee in Best Historical Fiction	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 01, 2020 11:46AM · 2 likes · like
Maria McKenzie rated a book really liked it The Racketeer by John Grisham (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
May 09, 2020 12:06PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Racketeer by John Grisham. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Racketeer by John Grisham <iframe id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Maria McKenzie rated a book liked it The Reckoning by John Grisham (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
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Maria McKenzie is now following John Grisham Author of A Time to Kill (Jake Brigance, #1)
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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

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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

1 likes

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