Kenzie Cade's Blog, page 3

I Write

This is a new one because, well, it’s my first Flash Fiction Friday and it’s really… um… non-fiction. I decided to join Chuck Wendig’s prompts and expand my horizons on the writing front. Lo and behold, my first attempt is not really fiction, so I’m gonna try to make it flashy!

Once upon a time, there was a little girl (that’s me) in a great big world. Okay, so Arkansas’s not that big, but go ahead and work with me. The little girl made up stories, told tall tales, and sometimes got in trouble for it. And then she realized those stories were better when she could put them on paper.

You see, the stories and tall tales, they’ve always been there. Always in the back of my head. I’m a daydreamer and a dreamer of the future. I have—since I was that little girl—kept journals and notebooks. They’re everywhere and ninety-nine percent of what’s in them is not viable for human consumption. Meaning they’re garbage. But the thing is they’re mine and they’ve made me who I am.

I write because I breathe. It’s as easy as that. The words are there and if I don’t put them on paper, they will stew until I can’t sleep for thinking of them. And that’s not a pretty sight. I promise.

I write because I read. I’ve always considered myself a reader first, a traveler of worlds far and away, sweet and sassy, dark and delicious. I love words. I love losing myself in them. I love finding myself in them. I love the journey and the struggle. I love the happy endings and the not so much.

I write because I laugh, cry, scream, and whisper. I am an emotional being. Scripting scenes, chapters, books, and volumes is only another expression of those emotions—whether they be my own or those around me. I feel. I do. I am.

I write because I love. It’s true. Romance is my genre of choice. Boy meets boy. Boy falls in love with boy. Boy’s heart gets broken. Then boy fixes it. That’s it. That’s all. The end. Sort of. It’s the rise and fall, the push and pull. It’s the outside factors that blend into the middle of an unsuspecting relationship. It’s happiness and sadness. It’s everything about a romance that keeps me going back.

I write because I dream. Not that I dream my stories. I mean, how rare is that? I’ll let you in on a secret: it’s pretty rare. Although, more times that my sleep-deprived brain likes to admit, some of the best ideas come on that very verge of sleep and awareness, when my body is telling me to roll over and ignore the niggling. But I know from experience that if I ignore it, I’ll forget it. That’s why there is a stack of notebooks on my night stand.

I write because it’s hard work. Ha! I bet you weren’t expecting that one. But yeah. It’s not easy. I’ll be honest, I second guess the hell out of myself at all times. I study like I’m still in school. I read up like a fiend so when I write I might not sound like a tool. And still… well… sometimes…

I write because I like to research. *shakes fist* CURSE YOU RESEARCH! It’s the cry of my people. Except I (not so secretly) love it. It’s the beginning of those worlds that I love to lose (and find) myself in. How else would the facts be straight? And we all know. The. Facts. Must. Be. Straight.

I write because nothing is black and white. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been told to “Do this” and “Do that,” but truth be told, you live and you learn. What is right for me may not be right for you. Adverbs, dangly bits, male characters, female characters. The moral to this roundabout is be you and I’ll be me and we’ll still be happy.

I write because I hear voices. We all do. I’m pretty sure it’s the reason we write. And the reason we carry around pen and paper. Ideas come from everywhere. I people watch like nobody’s business. I write down overheard conversations (don’t judge me). I laugh when kids play musical chairs in a diner booth around their numb-to-it, chatting parents who simply move their plates so the kids will still eat when they end up in a different spot.

I write because I do. If I didn’t do it now, I’d do it later. It took me long enough to gain the courage to pen my first “The End” as it was. It’s not always easy. It’s not always difficult. Sometimes it’s in between. But… well… I do it.

I write because I love it. If I didn’t love it. I wouldn’t do it. The truth is I’m learning every day. And I’m failing every day. I have mentors and critique partners who are my lifeline. And even if I didn’t have them, I think I would still do it because my heart tells me to.

So yes. I write. I am a writer. I am a writer who loves to write and will continue to do so until I can’t any longer.

I write.

Prickly Business IS HERE!!!

You. GUYS! My first joint novel with Piper Vaughn (and my first novel length story) is finally available. I’m more nervous now but tremendously excited.

Here are the buy links:

Amazon    |     AllRomance ebooks     |     Dreamspinner Press

AND the Prickly Business tour begins today! We start our journey at my home away from home Joyfully Jay. Come and join us for fun and prizes!

Facebook Chat Tomorrow

Hey guys! Piper and I will be taking over Dreamspinner’s Facebook page tomorrow for a chat with you. There will be prizes, knotty talk, and a sneak peek or two into the world of the Portland Pack Chronicles. Come join us!

Trapped is live at M/M Goodreads

My addition to the M/M Good reads Don’t Read in the Closet event this year is up at on the group site. It’ll be available in all formats in a few days on the website, soon to come to Amazon.

If you’re a member of the group, you can find Trapped here.

Here is the prompt from the amazing Anna (I really should work on a blurb):

Dear Author,
“That’s me. The one in the hat. Why did I think this weekend away would be such a good idea? Ten of us, all sleeping in one cabin in the middle of winter, freezing our balls off. I must have been crazy, especially as I had to go and wake up [guy on bed] after he drank enough to sink a battleship last night. He was like a man possessed. And now I can’t stop staring at his mouth. What’s wrong with me? I’m not gay, he’s not gay. It’s fucking ridiculous. What am I gonna do?”

Almost anything goes with this prompt. But I would LOVE to see lots of smouldering tension and steamy ‘almost’ moments. Contemporary preferred, no shifters or supernatural please.

Sincerely,
Anna

And here is the lovely cover from the amazing J.K. Hogan.

Prickly Business Cover Reveal and Pre-order

You guys! My first novel is coming out in less than a month! I am beyond stoked. And with such an occasion comes the cover reveal. You may have seen it around one or thirty places. Piper and I are offering a giveaway: One copy of Prickly Business (paperback or ebook) and a $10 GC (winner’s choice). You can catch up with the tour here. You can also find the blitz stops in its entirety here. 

AND the pre-order links are up at Dreamspinner! So here is the link for the ebook. And here it is for the paperback.

And here is the cover by the amazing Reese Dante. I totally fangurled when when I found out Reese was doing the cover. Isn’t it beautiful?

Research and Chasing Rabbits

It’s strange to me how much can change in a year. I have been in love with this genre for years and years. My love of reading has only grown and evolved into this thing I call writing.

One of my favorite genres is paranormal, but when I began writing, I was crazy afraid of it. World building is scary. Magic and Shifting and the like are intimidating. And research is daunting. But the truth is I only needed someone to push me outside of my box to open my way of thinking. Since then, I’ve co-written two paranormal mystery books (complete with hedgehog and wolf shifters). I’ve begun planning an Urban Fantasy book with one of my all time (fangurl moment) favorite authors/friends. And I picked up a M/M Goodreads prompt which speaks to me in the language of sci-fi.

I was told a long time ago to write what you know. I’m not going to get into that philosophical rambling. My rule now is write what you research. All of those subgenres as well as anything contemporary demand research.

For my sci-fi book I’ve watched countless hours of Star Trek (the movie and television show), Japanimation, and The Tomorrow People (and I’m still disappointed that show is gone). I’ve read all different sorts of craft books on the subject and studied mythology as well as religion. For PB and PBN, I studied animal nature (which, btw, did you know wolves do not see monochromatic but are red-and-green color blind—thank you copyeditor), watched hours and hours of Bitten and Teen Wolf. Piper and I studied the heck out of our setting and the lives, habitat, and oddities of our animals. For the Urban Fantasy… well, you’re gonna have to wait and see.

My favorite research by far came today after a dancing scene came to my head. That’s right, boys and girls, Kenzie studied stripping. Not just any kind of stripping but the Magic Mike style (IRL, Hollywood Men *fans self*). And that leads me to this… the real reason I’m blogging today… Enjoy and until next time… The Try Guys…

Happy First Birthday Son of a Fish!

 

Today I celebrate my first anniversary as a published author. This year has been an adventure that’s for sure. When I began this journey, I can’t say I expected half of the love and excitement I’ve gotten. Casey and Sam were and still are a huge part of my heart. I go back to them every now and then to revisit their story.

I’ve been asked more than once if I plan on continuing their story. Maybe. I have a few ideas floating around in my head, but as they are, Sam and Casey are forever part of my life.

Thank you to all who have read and adored my boys as much as I have. And thank you Dreamspinner for believing in me from the beginning.

Reading, Writing, and Staying Afloat

The weather is crazy out here these days. Floods like I’ve not seen in years, though living near the Arkansas River, it’s not uncommon to see such things. But it does get a bit surreal. So while it rains and the kid laments her indoor hours, I have plenty of time to read and write–which is exactly what I am doing.

I’ve taken on another prompt from the M/M Goodreads group. You can read it here if you’re a member of the group. There will be spaceships, friends to lovers, and a little bit of jealousy. I’m excited about this one. I’ve never done sci-fi.

I’ve also working on my Christmas story. There will be elves and candy canes and wassail. That’s all I’m saying. 

While both of those stories are very much in the works, I have been unable to get another out of my head, so yesterday I began putting pen to paper for a new book. This one is about the new doctor in town and the MC Vice President he falls for. I’m kind of obsessed with MCs at the moment. I love bad boys… so much. So I hope to do these guys justice.

And last but certainly not least is the most excitement of my times. I’m working on a super secret project with one of my favorite authors and friend. She’s coming down for a visit next week so we can piece together some more details and brainstorm the story. I can hardly wait! (More to come on this subject later.)

So while I’ve been writing, I’ve also been reading. I think I mentioned my obsession with MC Romance. So here are some of my recent faves in that category (which are pretty much all m/f right now) and a few of my fave recent m/m reads.

 Reaper’s Property by Joanna Wylde—This story was my first foray into MC Romance and the beginning of a beautiful love affair for between me and many fictional boyfriends. The story revolves around sweet, innocent, slightly naïve Marie and Horse, a brother of the Reaper’s MC. Theirs is a story of intrigue, push and pull, and smexy, smexy danger. This book is the first of the Reaper’s MC series . the entire series is fantastic.

Unbeautifully by Madeline Sheehan—This is the second book in the Undeniable Series. It’s sexy and sweet and raw. What I like most about this series and this book in particular are the brokenness of the characters and the ability to heal and find love while living a life of lawlessness and unrepentant badassery.

 

Rough Justice by Sarah Castille—I’ve only finished this book and cannot wait for book two. What I love about this one is the lead female’s tendency to be strong and stubborn, how she separates herself from the old lady stereotype and cuts a path straight into an all boys’ club. Then, of course, I melt at the strong badass biker with a teddy bear center, who only wants his woman safe. I hope the next book is Dawn and Cade’s. Those two need some relief

On to my favorite recent M/M reads.

Sideline Submission by Kora Knight—This is the third short in Knight’s Upending Tad series story is all erotica and smexy, smexy times. It’s completely, hands down raw sexiness with a touch of story, but not much. This series follows straight Tad into a bet that changes his life. While the entire series is created to leave the reader breathless (and yes, I’ve read all five books), book three is my favorite. With this one there is still the GFY trope mixed in with plenty of voyeurism. Yummy.

Healing Hunter’s Heart by Charlie Cochet—One of the book loves of my life is my dear Charlie Cochet. She writes the stories of my heart, which means she writes fun, sweet, awesome stories. This is one such book. HHH is the second in the A Little Bite of Love series. The first, An Intrepid Trip to Love, is a free story—a prompt from the M/M Goodreads 2014 set. Hunter and Ari are perfect. Torn apart by greed and hate, they find out what really matters and who is true in their lives.

A Restored Man by Jaime Reese—This is the third book in The Men of Halfway House series, but can be read as a standalone. I read this story when it first came out and then last week I needed a story that was fun, sweet, and a little bit angsty so I turned to it again. Geez, I love this one. Perceived bad Boy, Cole, meets broken and not just a little bit damaged, Ty. Sparks fly from the get go and never fade in this one. I am dying for book four.

I’ve read a few more than I am head over heels in love with, but you’ll have to wait on those because they’re not quite out yet.

Up on the reading docket:

Quinn’s Hart by Cassandra Gold because I’ve been told I must read this now or else. Plus it’s taken me forever to finally read it.
Submerging Inferno by Brandon Witt because I cannot go without a lot of fantasy in my life.
Cronin’s Key by N.R. Walker because I can’t get enough of Walker—plus the second book just came out so I’m obviously behind.
Unexpected Alpha by Tielle St. Clare because I am in love with the cover.
Highland Heart by Stormy Glenn and Olivia Black because dragons and kilts. But mostly because of kilts.

April Showers

Okay… this is a good thing because I like the rain and trust me here in Arkansas, Mother Nature has kicked off April with a bang. Hopefully with more to come. So with the new month comes more great news!

Prickly Business has entered editing. Okay… it entered like two weeks ago, but I still get all rumbly over the fact. Luckily, I have a wonderful co-author to talk me through the process (and off the ledge). It’s the longest book either of us has written to date. All of the forms have been submitted and��out and now it’s a waiting game.

 

Here’s the unofficial blurb while you wait:

Some people might call Avery Babineaux a prick. He���s a hedgehog shifter from an old money��Louisiana family with a penchant for expensive shoes and a reputation for being a judgmental��snob. His attitude is why he and his fated mate are estranged. Not that Avery cares. He doesn���t��want to be mated to some blue-collar werewolf anyway. Or so he keeps telling himself.

No werewolf likes to be looked down upon, least of all Dylan Green. He doesn���t need a mate,��especially not some snotty hedgehog who sneers at his custom motorcycle shop and calls him a��grease monkey. But when Avery gets into trouble with a shady loan shark, Dylan can���t stand by��and let him be hurt���whether he wants the brat or not.

Yet once Dylan steps into Avery���s world, he realizes it won���t be so easy to walk back out.��There���s more to Avery than his prickly exterior, and that unexpected vulnerability calls to��Dylan���s protective instincts. Not to mention Avery���s habit of landing himself in hot water. The��sassy little hedgehog needs a keeper, and despite their horrible first impressions, Dylan starts to��believe he just might be the wolf for the job.

The boys are on their way, around July or August. That said, Prickly By Nature, the second book in the��Portland Pack Chronicles, is in the works. And this time we’re working with a little of my southern drawl. It’s fun. There’s nothing like working with a co-author. It’s pure motivation.

If that weren’t enough, the Goodreads M/M Romance group’s Don’t Read��in the Closet event this year, Love is an Open Road, is on. And I went out on a limb and grabbed a prompt.

There are two boys, a cabin in the mountains, and a lot of tension. Here’s the prompt:

Dear Author,

���That���s me. The one in the hat. Why did I think this weekend away would be such a good idea? Ten of us, all sleeping in one cabin in the middle of winter, freezing our balls off. I must have been crazy, especially as I had to go and wake up [guy on bed] after he drank enough to sink a battleship last night. He was like a man possessed. And now I can���t stop staring at his mouth. What���s wrong with me? I���m not gay, he���s not gay. It���s fucking ridiculous. What am I gonna do?���



Sincerely,

Anna

Honest… I’m working on it. :)

And my favorite part of this update: ��THE COVER!! With a new story, comes a new cover. So without further ado…

My dear friend, JK Hogan put this together for me and it couldn’t be more perfect. I love it so hard.

So now to finish Gavin and Drew’s story… and Dylan and Avery’s

 

Busy Bee

 

I’m the worst blogger in the history of blogging. I do know this. But here is a quickie update.

Prickly Business is finished and officially finished and off to our publisher. If you are not aware, PB is the hedgie/wolf shifter novel I coauthored with the incomparable Piper Vaughn. Can I just say how very awesome it was to write to Piper? She is amazing. A-maz-ing! I’m very excited about PB. Dylan and Avery stole my heart months ago. Now we are waiting so… to tie you over, here is the tentative unofficial blurb for the pride of my December and January:

Some people might call Avery Babineaux a prick. He���s a hedgehog shifter from an old money Louisiana family with a penchant for expensive shoes and a reputation for being a judgmental snob. His attitude is why he and his fated mate are estranged. Not that Avery cares. He doesn���t��want to be mated to some blue-collar werewolf anyway. Or so he keeps telling himself.

No werewolf likes to be looked down upon, least of all Dylan Green. He doesn���t need a mate, especially not some snotty hedgehog who sneers at his custom motorcycle shop and calls him a grease monkey. But when Avery gets into trouble with a shady loan shark, Dylan can���t stand by and let him be hurt���whether he wants the brat or not.

Yet once Dylan steps into Avery���s world, he realizes it won���t be so easy to walk back out. There���s more to Avery than his prickly exterior and that unexpected vulnerability calls to Dylan���s protective instincts. Not to mention Avery���s habit of landing himself in hot water. The sassy little hedgehog needs a keeper, and despite their horrible first impressions, Dylan starts to believe he just might be the wolf for the job.

En Pointe–a May/December romance is in the works. Ballet principal, Alessandro Bianchi has a one night thing with��Weston Pearce, an audiologist he meets at a club. A one night thing neither of them expect to see the other again. Until they do.
Next up. I am determined to finish Safe & Sound. *sigh* I know. It’s been a long journey of writes and rewrites. Plotting, plotting, and more plotting. So now I’m pretty sure I have it. Pretty sure. We’ll see. Hopefully.
And finally… PB 2. Yes, Avery and Dylan will have another story. That’s up next for me and Piper. The plotting and writing shall commence shortly. We’ll keep you updated. :)

So that’s the first quarter of my 2015. I have the beginnings of a couple of stories in the wings for the second quarter.