Author Interviews

Interview with KC Kendricks on 17-March-2014

Author's Interview

Let's start with you telling us a little bit about yourself, KC.
First off, let me say thanks for allowing me to do this interview and for all the work that goes into Rainbow Book Reviews. You do a great job with it, and the support you give LGBTQ writers is invaluable to all of us.

I think my bio covers the important highlights of my world. I’ve lived my entire life in rural America and I hope I’m never forced to trade trees for concrete buildings. I love to visit places like New York City, but as much fun as the big city is, it’s not home.

I’ve been with the same person for twenty years and he’s my rock. He supports me in everything I do and keeps me grounded. I love dogs, cats and cars. I choose rock and roll before country, and wine before beer. 

The best place to learn more about me is at my blog, Between the Keys. I blog about my life and my books. It’s a bit of hodgepodge, but it’s all KC. http://kckendricks.blogspot.com

What would people be most surprised to learn about you?
I think people would be surprised to learn just how unremarkable my life is. A lot of us grew up in more literary times when writers were these mysterious characters possessing some sort of almost magical gift. That’s gone by the wayside with the Internet. Writers are like everyone else. We have day jobs and we have to juggle all the things in our lives to make time to write.

When did you start writing, is it something you've always been interested in, or did it develop later in life?
I’ve written for career newsletters and promotions since I joined the workforce back in the Dark Ages. Writing fiction developed out of two things - boredom and the need for a personal challenge. About eleven years ago, I wanted to see if I could string enough words together to write a novel. When it was finished people who knew about the project said I should get it published (as if all one needs to do is snap one’s fingers). To my amazement, it worked. So while I consider myself an accidental writer, I don’t plan to give it up any time soon.

Has it been everything you thought it would be or not?
I didn’t have any expectations in the beginning because I didn’t know a thing about the publishing industry. I’m sure I made every newbie mistake imaginable. As electronic publishing grew, so did I. Back in 2008, I decided to change my name, change to a genre I’m better suited for, and that’s when things really took off. The second time around has been far and away more fun.

I started writing in the days when an e-pubbed author had to defend every aspect of an ebook. People said we weren’t really writers and our books weren’t really books. I’m very honoured to be a part of this industry and to have contributed to it with my voice.

How did it feel when you realized that your very first book was going to be published?
I was shocked. Well and truly shocked - and a bit conflicted. I wasn’t sure I wanted to take the step, but when I told a few friends, they eased my fears and I went ahead with it.

What's your favorite part of writing a book?
My stories tend to be character-driven. I attribute that to my favorite part of the writing process being the development of the characters. I like to start off with a short bio for each character but I learn more about them as the story progresses. They can still surprise me at the end.

Do you get time to read for pleasure? If so, which books do you enjoy?
I make time to read. Reading opens doors to new worlds and ideas. I shudder to think how dull this world would be without books. And I read just about everything from science fiction to romance and everything blended in between, but I make sure I stay in tune with the current m/m market.

Are there any other genres you'd be interested in writing?
I started writing traditional romance and my alter ego still dabbles in it. As a writer, I want to stay in a position where I don’t lose the friendships I’ve made over the years.  But I’ve been a fan of m/m since 1975 when a friend loaned me his copy of The Front Runner. I didn’t want to give it back. Words of wisdom for writers state to write what you love to read. I’ll be writing m/m for the rest of my career.

Please tell us a little about your most recent release.
I have two releases that came out pretty close together - Kentucky 98 Proof and Station to Station.

Kentucky 98 Proof was a #1 Bestseller at Amber Allure and a certified bestseller at All Romance eBooks. I was proud of that story when I finished it and thrilled it’s been so successful. Kentucky 98 Proof brings two complete opposites together and it worked so well I’m not sure I should try it again because it might take away from this story.

Station to Station is the latest instalment of 'The Men of Marionville' series. Our heroes meet on a Mystery Train Dinner Adventure and hit it off, then hit a few bumps when the tracks go in an unexpected direction.

What can we look forward to in the future from you?
My next release is Bored, Stroked and Blueprinted. As the title suggests, our heroes meet in a garage. It’s got a bit of my own story in it. I had a 1969 Camaro many years ago that we restored. It released on 16 March 2014 at Amber Allure.

I’m also revisiting the Sundown shapeshifter series: The Back Stairs, Beneath Dark Stars and River Walk. River Walk was pretty series, so this next one will be more light-hearted. For followers of the series, there’s more to learn about the Chal shapeshifters. Sundown is still full of surprises.

After I play with the shapeshifter, it’ll be time to work on another adventure for Private Investigator Ian Coulter. This is in the 'Amethyst Cove' series (Double Deuce and Deuce of Diamonds). As much as I’d like to keep the word deuce in the title, I haven’t yet come up with something to pair it with. Maybe something will come to me as I work on the story.

Anything you want to say to your readers?
Thank you, thank you, thank you for being a reader, and for choosing KC Kendricks as one of the authors whose books you buy.



KC Kendricks's recent releases:
Kentucky 98 Proof
http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/Kentucky98Proof.html

Victor Carter knows his grandfather only from a handful of black and white photographs, so his surprise when the man’s will is read is genuine. What’s he going to do with seventy acres on the side of a Kentucky mountain? More importantly, how’s he going to survive living there for a year to satisfy the conditions of the will so he can sell the property? Even worse, it’s not like the hills of Kentucky are teeming with gay companionship.

Boone Mosely is Kentucky born and bred with a proud family heritage he can trace back to his home state’s founding. Following in his uncle’s footsteps, Boone’s in his second term as sheriff of Four Points. He takes the job seriously and doesn’t suffer fools - or crime - in his town.

When city slicker Victor Carter arrives on Shepherd Mountain, Boone knows he’s got a whole new brand of trouble to deal with. And this time, the badge isn’t going to help him at all.

Station to Station
http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/StationToStation.html

Scott Thomas welcomes the assignment when he’s is tagged to oversee the new commuter rail line from Easton to Marionville, a high profile project that demands expertise. His love of trains makes him a natural for the job. When a friend invites him on a Mystery Train Dinner Adventure, Scott’s onboard for an evening of fun. He gets more than he ever dreamed about when he meets his ideal tall, dark haired stranger on the train.

Dakota Reece views the new commuter rail as the opening he’s needed for him and his brother to build their own firm and future. Planning a start-up company while working on the commuter rail project is hard work and Dakota takes an evening off to relax on the Mystery Train. When the train stops to serve dinner, Dakota is boldly cruised by a fellow passenger. He has to get to know this smart, sexy man and asks Scott to join him for a drink.  

Scott and Dakota hit it off and a quiet cup of coffee leads to unexpected possibilities - and consequences. Their budding relationship could cause a multi-million dollar conflict of interest charge. When Dakota makes a sudden decision to advance his timeline, Scott will do whatever is necessary to keep them together, on track, and avoiding derailment.

The Back Stairs
http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/BackStairs.html

Fallon Roxbury has a nose for trouble, and the uncanny ability for landing in the middle of it the moment he finds it. While investigating the gruesome murder of a young male prostitute in the red-light district, Fallon gets a whiff of something very strange. Forensics has unidentified hairs. Very unidentified hairs, like nothing in any of the textbooks. Following a tip from a person of interest, Fallon meets Sundown, an apparent hustler who knows a lot more than he will admit.

Getting personally involved with Sundown breaks every rule in the police manual, and in Fallon’s own personal code. Sundown is like a drug, and Fallon can’t stop at just one hit. When Sundown is forced to reveal the truth, Fallon’s world is turned upside down, and he’s left with only two options: check himself in for psychiatric evaluation, or accept a new reality with a strange shift.

Shapeshifters, that is…



Excerpt from Kentucky 98 Proof:

Boone dropped the pickup in gear, gave the powerful four-wheel drive some gas, and swung the nose up the hill before allowing the truck to coast back onto the surface of the lane. He knew better than to try to back out the lane in the snow. “Can you feel your feet?”

“I’ve got a few pins and needles in my toes, but I’m fine. Honest. And thank you for coming to my rescue.”

“It’s my job.” Boone hoped Carter wasn’t about to get all sappy. He hated sap. It wasn’t manly. He stopped at the end of the lane, glanced at his passenger, and froze.

The blue lights of the dashboards danced in Vic’s glittering gaze as he studied him. That obvious speculation wouldn’t do. He’d prefer to battle his attraction to Vic without Vic correctly concluding he was gay. Getting involved with Carter was out of the question.

He was the sheriff here, with an image and a reputation to uphold. People in Four Points were in a lot of ways traditional - not intolerant, just old-fashioned. Boone wasn’t ready to come out even though he suspected his constituents wouldn’t bat too many eyes, but if he spent a year happily screwing this guy, people would notice.

His was a high-profile position. He respected the badge he wore and the people he served. It didn’t matter how attractive Victor Carter was or that his cock was so stiff it likely had zipper marks imbedded in it right now. He’d be damned if he’d throw away a dozen years of hard work just to get his dick sucked. Boone pressed his lips together then snapped at Vic.

“But it’s not my job to keep hauling your ass out of trouble every time I turn around. If you’re gonna be here a year, you’d better figure out a few things, and fast. And the first thing is, when I give you some advice, you need to fucking listen up.”

Vic stared at him for a few short heartbeats. “I’m sorry, Boone. You’re right.”

Boone glared at him. That was too easy. Carter was going to be in trouble every time he turned around. He checked to make sure the pickup was in four-high and third gear and drove forward into the swirling snow.

Give the man credit, Vic didn’t chatter at him while he drove through the squall. Visibility was low and he needed to concentrate. He knew the roads and where the intersections were and he still had difficulty seeing. Carter would have gotten himself well and truly lost driving around the mountain in this weather. Boone slowed as the lighted sign of the motor lodge glowed red in front of him.

“Which room are you in?”

“Last one on the end. Better for the dog.”

Huh. That made sense. Boone took his foot off the gas pedal and drifted into the parking space. Vic jumped out before he had the truck in park, slipped and landed flat on his ass.

The idiot.

Boone cut the engine and climbed out of the cab at a safer speed. With one gloved hand on the front end of the truck he walked around to the passenger side and found Vic leaning against the front tire. “You okay?”

“My pride is severely bruised.”

“I can just imagine.” Boone reached out to give Vic a hand up. As Vic got to his feet he brushed his jeans off.

“Thanks, Boone.”

“You said that. Get inside before your dog starts to bark and the manager yells at me.”

Vic’s gaze seemed focused on the motel office. “I got a coffee pot if you want to come in and warm up.”

Holy mother of … Wouldn’t that be the stupidest thing he’d done in years?

“Sure, Vic. I could do with a cup.”

Who the fuck said that?

Vic looked surprised and straightened. “Ranger needs to…”

Boone recovered a bit of his equilibrium. “I’ll take him around the side of the building. You get your ass inside. I want a good look at your head, and if I say we’re going to the clinic and wake up Doc Martin, you’re not going to argue with me.”

“Yes, sir. I hear you loud and clear.” Vic opened the side door of the pickup and Ranger leaped to the ground. As soon as his paws hit the pavement, he jumped and hit Vic square in the chest. Boone lunged to catch him before he fell again, but ended up in the snow with him. Could this man be more trouble?

“I’m sorry, Boone! Ranger! Leave off!”

“Sorry my ass, Carter. Sorry ain’t good enough for this little misadventure.”

* * *

 

Contact Details

Website http://www.kckendricks.com/
Blog http://kckendricks.blogspot.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/kckendricks
Facebook http://kckendricks.blogspot.co.uk/
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1989106.K_C_Kendricks