S: Good morning, Kayelle. I'm so glad you were able to join me in The Loft.
Tell me more about the genres you write.
K: I write sci-fi, romance, and combinations of the two. I also have fantasy/sci-fi, and I've just begun plotting a paranormal sci-fi--psychic abilities and dragons, anyone? I have more than one series that is not romance-based, but many that are full-fledged romance. I've always loved sci-fi, even as a kid, and remember watching the original Star Trek when it was first released. My girlfriend and I watched it together over the phone. A watch party before there were such things. We didn't even have color TV at the time. Hard to imagine, isn't it? When my friend and I heard Spock was supposed to be green, we looked at each other with a "he what?!" expression. Back then, girls weren't supposed to like sci-fi. This girl has loved it since she could hold a book and read.
S: I was fascinated with anything dealing with outer space as a kid, but I had to share the TV with four siblings. That meant I had to watch shows like "Star Trek" in rotation.
If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose to write books?
K: Absolutely. I honestly think if I couldn't write, I'd wither away. Writing is my life. I can't not write, double negative intended.
S: How do you get in the mood for writing?
K: I don't have to be in a mood to write, but it is nice to be. I have a designated writing space with everything set up for me to just jump in and get going. I get coffee and my refillable bottle of water, and I'm good to go. I'm in front of my PC, ready to go, every morning. It's not work. It's one of my favorite things to do.
S: You are so disciplined. I get my writing done, but I am easily distracted. Which means I am sometimes writing into the night.
Have you ever shelved or thrown out a manuscript?
K: Thrown out as in destroyed? No. There are gems even among the dregs. I save them and back them up on an external drive. Besides, some of these make great bonuses for readers as "deleted scenes." On Ream, where I can interact directly with my readers, I intend to use some of these as stories never written that will be available nowhere else.
S: What a great idea!
What's the best advice you have ever been given?
K: Work harder for yourself than you ever did for a boss. Being my own boss is greater than I ever hoped it would be. I am indie-published, and wouldn't have it any other way.
S: What inspired "A Divided Heart?"
K: It's the third in a series with characters in the Thieves' Guild, and Brinn, one of the heroes, is a major character in "A Stolen Heart," book 1. I always wanted to give Brinn his own happy ever after, and in "A Divided Heart," I was able to do that.
S: That must be so satisfying.
Is there anything special you would like people to know about "A Divided Heart?"
K: This story is closer to PG-13 than R, so if you like a little steam, but don't want intense heat, this series is for you. The books also come with an illustrated behind-the-scenes book. The link for that is at the end of the story. Readers who want to delve into my ever-expanding empire and pick up a copy of the "Thieves' Guild Handbook" can join me on Ream. As a get-acquainted special, the Risen tier is only $10 per month, and it offers full access to all my books, plus early access to new books as I write them, regular insights, character interviews, maps, layouts, and more. Once there are 50 Risen members, I'll close the tier, and the same access will only be available on a higher, more expensive level. I'd love for you to take part, and look forward to talking about the characters and stories with you, or answering questions.
Here's the blurb for "A Divided Heart":
The Thieves' Guild Academy teaches three things. Honor above profit. Skill above chance. Family above all. So when the Academy decides to turn away an alien child who's too unruly to train, Professor Brinn Halin intercedes. Despite the warnings of his handsome ex, the Headmaster, Brinn fosters the precocious four-year-old girl.
Academy Headmaster Kam Zavala oversees a school full of trainee thieves and hackers, and he's used to their tricks. This latest student, a headstrong but brilliant little girl, has gone beyond a simple hack. Her work threatens to implode the ancient Academy itself. As a disaster of epic proportions unfurls, Kam must take action.
But when the child's breach uncovers a deeper, more insidious hack, the two master thieves must work together. Is there truly honor among thieves? These two have a second chance to prove it, save the child, the Academy, and restore their newfound love. The question is, will they trust their well-honed instincts, or follow their long-divided hearts...
S: This tale sounds fascinating! Where can reader's buy your book?
K: The Universal Buy Link is https://books2read.com/tga-divided-heart. The book can also be purchased direct from author at https://kayelleallen.com/buy-direct/buy-tga/.
S: Kayelle, thanks for stopping by. If you'd like to learn more about Kayelle and her books, please visit--
This was such a fun interview, and right in time to mention my new Ream account. I'm really excited about doing this. Thank you for letting me come over and share.
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