Today we’re happy to present an interview we did with Kayelle Allen, author of the Antonello Brothers Sci-Fi Romance series, among a whole slew of other works! She writes Sci Fi with misbehaving robots, mythic heroes, role-playing immortal gamers, and warriors who purr. She is the author of multiple books, novellas, and short stories. She’s also a US Navy veteran and has been married so long she’s tenured. Let’s see what she’s been up to!
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
My first day of school. I figured out that writing symbols on the board meant you could form words and that meant I could talk to people without speaking to them. I was an introvert even at five, but I loved to tell stories. I used to write a note to my mother asking for permission for something. She might interrupt if I asked verbally or even misunderstand, so writing let me explain myself fully and be heard. People have always told me I had a way with words. I loved that. A writer was born when I was writing with a crayon, and that’s the truth.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
I’m a full time writer, retired from a 9-5. I’m in my office probably twelve hours a day doing something, even if it’s not always writing. I get up super early. I can’t help it. I wake up and I’m up. My husband sleeps later, so I have several hours a day when I’m on my own. I take advantage of that, and he supports my work. I have time to create. I’m making the most of it.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I get characters in a flash. Once I have the name, I have the person. They come like Juno from Zeus’s head: fully grown, all at once. I discover more as I write about them, but the backstory and sometimes even details hits me all at once.
What does your family think of your writing?
My kids tell their friends (I have 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren). But I think two of them are a bit bewildered by it all. The middle child and I have collaborated on books with art, and he’s a published author also. I have a niece who’s a professional as well. So a mixed bag at family get-togethers.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I get emails about all sorts of things. I’ve developed some great friendships with readers who contact me. I always answer emails personally and love hearing what they think. I have a few characters who are fan favorites. In fact, I developed the hashtag #PietasFans because so many loved Pietas.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
I always wanted to be a writer.
What is the first book that made you cry?
Click on image to Purchase!
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Many since then.
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
Readers want original work. Why would I write anything else?
What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
I’m a book blogger as well as an author, so I meet hundreds. I am also the founder of Marketing for Romance Writers which is an organization that helps authors promote together. I count myself lucky to have many close friends in the writing community. Their encouragement means the world.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Start a newsletter now. Get to know your readers. Don’t be so shy! No one will bite you.
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
Oh, wow — good question. I’m going to say “books” because there are so many. I would hate to say it was any one thing. I spend one day a week studying the craft of writing and my leisure reading sometimes includes the same thing.
What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?
Teot’s War by Heather Gladney. It’s out of print so good luck getting a copy. From page one to the end it is incredible, gifted writing.
What are you working on now?
I’m writing the sequel to Surrender Love. Forever Love continues the love story between the newly created immortal, Izzorah, and Luc, an ancient, powerful immortal. Izzorah cannot just join the cadre of the ancients — he must prove himself. Problem is, Izzorah doesn’t want to be part of the group, but if he isn’t, he’ll be cast out, away from the man he loves. Together, Luc and Izzorah must find a way to beat the king at his own game and gain their freedom.
Click on image to Purchase!
What do you have coming soon?
The Antonello Brothers Immortal series releases this year. Surrender Love on February 20th,
Oh, hey, that’s this week!
Yes, is it! I also have Ring of the Dragon (book 2) on April 16th, and Forever Love (book 3) is out May 13th. Inside Surrender Love there will be a bonus short story called Forbid My Heart. Readers who want to go deeper into the story will be able to sign up for my newsletter and get an exclusive copy.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Subscribers to my newsletter have a brand new adventure: the Citizen’s Journey. Once you go through all the steps of the journey (reading inside secrets and picking up freebies along the way), you can then take the Immortal Journey and be declared an official immortal. That gives you access to a different part of my website plus membership to an exclusive Facebook group. The immortal king himself interacts with readers there. Pietas has his own Facebook page, and readers get to ask him questions.
To sign up, visit my website and click on Free Starter Set in the menu. Readers choose between my romance titles and my strictly science fiction titles. If you join the romance side, you get everything.
Great! Where else can people find you?
Twitter http://twitter.com/kayelleallen Facebook http://facebook.com/kayelleallen.author Kayelle’s Keepers http://facebook.com/groups/KayellesKeepers Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kayelle-allen Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/710889.Kayelle_Allen Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Kayelle-Allen/e/B003ZRXVN8
Anything else today?
How about an excerpt from Surrender Love?
A little background first.
The youth took his hand and looked up at Luc. Gentle face, softer than most Kin, but that square jaw bespoke strength. His hand trembled and felt clammy, a sure sign of fear.
Luc wrapped it with both of his in a reassuring grip. “Welcome to Tarth. I hope…uh, you…” The oval, catlike pupils and emerald eyes pulled Luc down into their quiet depths. As if he stared into a deep and tranquil forest pool, the tension of the day faded. Mesmerized, Luc held Izzorah’s hand.
A peach-colored blush stole across the Kin’s cheeks and he lowered his gaze and withdrew his hand, breaking the spell.
“Uh…” Luc gave himself a mental shake. “Welcome to Tar– er, I said that.” He stammered like an adolescent meeting a crush. “I meant to For Women Only. No, to Lucsondis.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Forgive me. I’ve been all over this morning. So busy I forgot where I was.” What was wrong with him? It wasn’t as if he’d never seen a gorgeous Kin male before. “Have you spent much time on Tarth?”
Izzorah peeked up at him. A thick fringe of black velvet lashes framed those bewitching green eyes. “I live here when I’m not touring. In the Kelthian District, with my cousin.” Izzorah nodded toward his cousin. “His big brother.”
“Wonderful. It must be good to be near you.”
Izzorah blinked. “Sir?”
“Uh–” His thoughts tangled up under the impact of Izzorah’s gaze. “It must be nice to be your family. I mean — near your family.”
Izzorah broke into a full smile.
Luc was lost, content to stare and enjoy the Kin beauty’s charm. His appeal went far deeper than the surface. The peace in those green eyes offered rest. He smiled back, neither of them speaking.
His assistant’s voice yanked him back to the moment. She introduced the other band members. Gazing at the lead singer, a human, was pure enjoyment.
Izzorah’s effect lay on a far grander scale. He drew Luc with some intangible attraction he had no words to describe. The feeling he’d had upon waking that this would be a good day came back to him. Then, he hadn’t known why.
Surrender Love
An Immortal Alpha Male / Submissive Alien MM Science Fiction Romance Novel
With his heart freshly broken, does he dare to love again?
Luc is a 12,000-year-old immortal alpha male, and the most powerful man in an intergalactic empire of 22 planets. When his mortal lover walks away, the smart thing is to move on and forget, but how can he bear his loneliness, life after life?
When Izzorah landed on Tarth five years ago, he’d been nothing but a feline-humanoid alien from the backwoods of a distant world, but he made himself into a rock star. When Luc rescues Izzy from a terrible situation, the adorable Kin hero, who has an almost superpower ability to smell every subtle change of emotion, falls for the heartbroken leader.
This might be the soulmate Luc has hoped for. The one person to whom he can surrender his heart. But to bring his beloved closer means revealing every damning secret, every twisted truth, and every hidden lie.
Surrender Love is a heart-melting Sci-Fi Romance novel sure to induce an insatiable desire for sequels, which fortunately, are on their way.
Surrender Love sweetly addicts the senses. The book’s heroes generate plenty of steam, without explicit content.
Preorder Surrender Love https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08R46PZPZ
Read a sample. No need to sign up. Just click and download. https://storyoriginapp.com/directdownloads/96c08927-7520-42c2-ad2d-e8289e426d67
It’s been great – thank you so much for dropping in and spending time here!