My first exposure to Gracie McKeever's writing came by way of an excerpt from Terms of Surrender she'd posted at LoveRomances Cafe. Even within a short 200 word excerpt, the sheer quality of her writing shone through. Terms of Surrender, Book 2 in the Matchmaker series, went on to become an EcataRomance Reviewer's Choice winner for 2006, and introduced me to the wonderful world of Gracie McKeever.
The author of fifteen novels and novellas for Siren Publishing as well as numerous titles for Awe-Struck, Gracie has received numerous awards, recommended reads, and glowing review after glowing review for her incredible love scenes and complex, captivating characters. I am delighted to have Gracie joining me as our featured author this month!
Visit the Free Stuff page for interviews with Angela Knight ~ Joey Hill ~ Kate Douglas and more!
Sierra Dafoe: Gracie, first, I'm thrilled to see you'll have a third book in the Zara's Bois series, Bouncer's Folly, coming out on May 5th! The reincarnation theme in the Zara's Bois stories is fascinating--what prompted you to explore reincarnation through a romance series?
Gracie McKeever: I'm thrilled that Zara's Bois is being so well received, Sierra and as excited as you about the upcoming release of Bouncer’s Folly! This kind of excitement never gets old .
Reincarnation is one of the paranormal themes (next to telepathy and clairvoyance) that is near and dear to my heart and something I've always been curious about and interested in. Actually, my first published book, New Life Incognita, was a paranormal romance that deals with reincarnation, among other issues (i.e., sex switch and interracial romance). I think my fascination with reincarnation is that it is the ultimate do-over, a chance for us to make things right and get redemption (another of my favorite themes) that we were unable to achieve in our (previous) lives. This and I like the idea that there is more to our existence than just our lives here as we know them.
Sierra: Did you know when starting the first Matchmaker book, Beneath the Surface, and Zack and the Dark Shaft which began the Zara's Bois trilogy, that these were going to be a series?
Gracie: I went into writing Beneath the Surface and Zack and the Dark Shaft thinking they would be single titles, so no I didn't know that they would be series when I started. Before that point, I had never written a series though the idea of doing at least one had always appealed to me. By the time Beneath the Surface was accepted by Siren, I was stalled in the middle of (what I thought was just) the sequel in Terms of Surrender. The more I delved into the five Vega siblings' lives, the more I fell in love with the characters and the more potential I saw to tell each of their stories. In the third book, Manifest Destiny, I even expanded the series to encompass one of my other single title books—Spells Cast in Shadows. The heroine in Manifest Destiny visits the ranch where the hero, Jason lives and works. Jason was a secondary character and the unrequited love of the heroine, Montana Freeborn, in Spells Cast in Shadows. I liked the twist that had the stories and characters crossing over and coming together (kind of like a special, two-hour episode of CSI or L&O ).
With the success of my adult fairy tale, Nine Inches of Snow and the Ebony Princess, Siren suggested that I might try writing another adult fairy tale, but with the twist being m/m. I went into Zack and the Dark Shaft (a take on Jack and the Beanstalk), again with the intent that it would be a single title. The publisher loved the story and threw out the suggestion that I could do an m/m series (either tied to Zack and the Dark Shaft or not. As you can see, I chose the former). I went back to my notes to see where I could expand the story, threw some ideas around and the story and characters evolved until I came up with the redemption/matchmaking theme centered around a gay night club (Zara's, where all the main characters either work or patronize), and the entities (the reincarnated/ghost, Zara and her angels) charged with matching up the h/h of each story.
Sierra: Most of your books have been either paranormal or urban fantasy romance. What attracts you to those sub-genres specifically? And what authors do you feel have had the most impact on your own writing?
Gracie: What attracts me to the paranormal is that it stretches the question "what if?" to the farthest reaches of a writer's imagination. For urban fantasy it's the same thing, but especially the necessary world-building that attracts me the most. For both paranormal and urban fantasy I just enjoy exploring issues that are out of the realm of ordinary human experience (i.e., telepathy, reincarnation, shapeshifting), though my characters, in the end, are very human and universal and still have to deal with the same issues as "normal" people (i.e., love and romance, death and grief, guilt and healing).
As for authors who have had the most impact on my writing, there are several, but in particular I'd have to mention Tina Wainscott (whose paranormal romance On The Way to Heaven inspired New Life Incognita) and Octavia E. Butler (everything she's written, but specifically her Patternist series and Lilith's Brood (formerly the Xenogenesis trilogy). Though each book in and of itself is succinct, the world-building and characterizations of these two series are incredibly evocative and comprehensive. I love the way Butler brings her characters to life and handles broader social issues through her characters' personal issues and I strive for that same sort of balance in my writing.
Sierra: Are there any genres you feel drawn to that you haven't tried yet?
Gracie: Though I touch on vampirism through the succubus heroines in my Sisters of Emsharra urban fantasy series, I haven't written what I would call a true vampire story and I'm definitely drawn to the genre. Also, of late I've become something of a yaoi fan (love those manlove stories ) and could see myself trying my hand at one of these stories in the future. Finally, and this is more a sub-genre, I'm dying to do a menage story. I've got the makings of what I'd hoped would be one in my fifth The Matchmaker book--Taming Donna--but the characters and story haven't gelled for me yet, which has me wondering if a menage story is mine to write or am I forcing menage on into a story and onto characters not cut out for it. I will continue to enjoy reading romances that feature menage relationships regardless, and the same way I enjoy reading vampire romances.
Sierra: What's the one accomplishment in your career as a writer so far that you're proudest of?
Gracie: Wow, there are a few. Finishing and having my first book published is a definite highlight. But I would say the accomplishment I'm proudest of (and most surprised by) is my Terms of Surrender book. I always felt it was a good story with great characters, but had no idea that it would be as well-received by the reading public—fans and non-fans of bdsm alike—as it has been. Knowing that I got the situations and characters "right" is very satisfying.
Sierra: Tell us a little about your process as a writer, how a story develops for you. Where do you find your inspiration? At what point in the process does a book really start to 'zing' for you? What do you do when the first draft is finally done and off to your editor/agent -- any celebration rituals?
Gracie: I find my inspiration in life, other authors' work that I admire, movies, television, the news—just about anywhere and everywhere! Sometimes just a name will inspire a story. I love collecting interesting-sounding names and figuring out what sort of character would have them and what sort of story s/he will star in. Each story develops differently. A character, situation or quote may spark a premise. Once I have a premise that I'm comfortable with, I usually go to work on interviewing my characters and outlining their backgrounds. Sometimes a book zings for me right from the start and/or with the premise (Beneath the Surface was like this. I felt and knew the characters before I began outlining and completed the first draft—from premise to the end—in two months. Sometimes a book doesn't zing for me until the characters are off and running with a life all their own and acting in ways I never outlined or foresaw. This usually happens mid-book and is when I know the characters and the story are "alive" and really viable. I don't really have any celebration rituals (no cigar and glass of wine like Paul in Misery ). Maybe I sit back with a sigh of relief that another book is finished and have a panic attack at the idea of not being able to start or finish another one (now that's a real horror story!)
Sierra: What about when you're writing? Are there any 'must-haves'? Music, no music, a favorite beverage? How do you bribe the muse?
Gracie: When I'm in a zone (and the muse is being cooperative) it doesn't matter whether there's music playing or not. Sometimes I might forget to eat (which is saying something, since I love food, especially junk food). I don't smoke. I'm not a coffee drinker (though I love the smell of coffee brewing) and I don't keep soda in the fridge (though I like it, especially when I'm at the movies. Have to have something to wash down all that buttery popcorn. Hey, I said I was a junk food junky ). I do enjoy having music playing in the background, especially R&B or jazz when I’m writing a love scene; it helps set the mood.
Sierra: And what do you do for fun and relaxation, when you get the chance?
Gracie: When I get the chance, I love to read, of course. I love to watch television (I have several guilty pleasures), go to the movies (I'm pretty much an addict), spending time with my family, playing sports (I love handball and bowling), and just being a regular couch potato.
Sierra: Finally, can you tell us a bit about what happens in the upcoming Zara's Bois book, Bouncer's Folly? I have to ask about the title--I love it! What prompted it?
Gracie: One of the heroes, Ramsey Logan, appeared briefly and had a couple of interactions with one of the heroes in Ingenue's Choice, the second story in the series. In Bouncer's Folly, Ramsey's the head of security at Zara's and gets his chance at romance when he resuscitates wild child, club boi (Trevor Carmichael) after he OD's in one of the club's bathrooms. What Ramsey doesn't know is that Trevor isn't Trevor anymore but former spoiled rich party girl Zara Benjamin who's been sent back to earth on a mission of redemption. The budding romance between Trevor and Ramsey is further complicated by an unknown assailant and Dominant-gone-wrong who's bent on having and killing Trevor. I played around with a couple of titles before finally settling on Bouncer's Folly which turned out to be a simple play on words and the characters as are most of my titles. Ramsey, of course, is the Bouncer in question and his Folly is Zara/Trevor, someone he feels is totally out of control and so inappropriate as to be madness for him to take on as a lover despite his intense attraction. Folly, however, just sounded much better than madness or insanity or any other like terms I could come up with to encompass Ramsey's emotional dilemma .
Sierra: Gracie, thanks so much for joining us! Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
He reached between her legs and gently opened her folds with his thumbs, bent his head to lick her wanting clit, slowly sucked and nibbled the engorged flesh to vibrant life. The flesh bloomed like a berry on the vine, ready to burst in his mouth.
She moaned, arching her hips to bring his mouth closer, and when he plunged his tongue inside her, deeply, hungrily, she screamed, struggling against her shackles.
She needed to touch him, hold him!
Slany bucked her hips to meet his thrusts, mindless of whether she was hurting him, would bruise or smother him.
He caught her hips and held her in place against the firm mattress as he worked in earnest, lapping at her as if she were his first and last meal.
Her uterus contracted and expanded, heat flaring in her center, rising up and through her body, simultaneously bathing her limbs and nerves in cold heat, every sensation intensified by her restraints, by his masculinity and superior strength.
She felt perspiration beading her forehead and upper lip, climax overtaking her like a masked bank robber, sudden and violent, body spasming inside and out.
Slany opened her eyes several seconds after her body finally stilled and watched Nick sitting beside her, gaze drifting over her body with stimulating intent as he caressed her with one hand from head to foot.
She licked her lips, tongue sluggish like her eyes she could barely keep open, like her body paradoxically heavy with satisfaction and need. "Please, I want to see you."
"You want to see me, what?"
"Master." It shocked her that the word left her mouth so effortlessly, almost automatic, as if she had been saying it, addressing him thus, for years.
Nick silently reached for the buttons of his designer shirt, slowly unbuttoning each one before drawing his arms out of the sleeves.
Slany squirmed on the bed, his movements taunting her with the view of his well-muscled torso, abdomen hard and sectioned like a swimmer's, and almost as smooth but for a small sprinkling of dark hair between his pectorals, light trail arrowing down beneath the waistband of his slacks. The sight made her more anxious to feel him, made her want to follow that trail of hair with her tongue.
God this was so unfair! She'd never felt so helpless, so needy and vulnerable before, and she wasn't sure how much she liked it.
Her fingers automatically flexed with the need to run up and down his body, feel his velvety skin and hard muscles beneath her palms. Slany watched him stand, slowly unzip his slacks and drop them to the floor. She was finally gifted with a banquet of long, lean legs, his calves and thighs athletic, tightly corded like a runner's, but not overly bulky like a weight lifter's.
She had a brief second to glimpse his round, masculine ass covered in a pair of navy boxer briefs and swallowed hard at the idea of cupping each firm cheek in her hands.
Nick stepped out of his pants, leisurely strutted back to the bed. His movements were unruffled and nonchalant, as if he were unaware of her focus or didn't care about it one way or the other.
He sat beside her, gaze heated and attention rapt as he ran the back of a hand down one arm, from shoulder to wrist.
It killed her to just lie there unmoving, unable to reciprocate and only watch him. Her legs itched to wrap around his waist, eager to feel him between her thighs as he rode her hard.
She peeked at his lap, where the cotton material of his boxer briefs hugged his hard penis, barely able to contain his large size.
"I can tell you're not used to this, not being in control."
She licked her lips, vagina wet and weeping with wanting him.
No, she wasn't used to it, but she could get used to it very quickly.
"Every muscle is tight. Relax, Slany. I'm only going to make you feel good. Nothing you have to brace yourself for, no reason to be tense."
The hell there wasn't. There was every reason to feel tight and tense and on edge. She was at a disadvantage. She was at his mercy. "I want to see you," she whispered.
He spread his arms. "This isn't enough?"
"To tease me, maybe."
"Tease and please and torment." He leaned in to suckle her throat, making her shiver beneath him as he dragged his mouth along the column of her neck up to her chin. He licked the cleft in the middle, taking his time moving up to her lips. He nibbled the bottom one before lazily dipping his tongue into her mouth, reacquainting himself with her taste, as if he hadn't just taken the most intimate sample of all with his previous kiss below.
Slany writhed beneath him, turned on by her piquant taste on his mouth. She held in a moan, didn't want to lose control too early, didn't want to lose it at all in front of this man who prided himself in keeping control. But she knew control was no longer hers, something she could not claim in Nick's presence.
"Now, Slany," he murmured against her ear, "tell me how you want me to fuck you. Slow and easy," he said, running a palm up her leg, tickling the edges of her vagina with his fingers, light butterfly caresses setting fire to her clit and labia, "or hard and rough?"
She didn't care. Any way he wanted, she would take it. Take him, his cock. She would take him beneath her, on top of her, inside her--oh, God.
She swallowed, gasping for breath, unable to form the words, unable to form a comprehensive thought as she stared into his honey eyes.
She'd waited most of her life for this moment, this man, and couldn't find a more intelligent way to express it than shamelessly bucking her hips at thin air, out of her mind with desperate need and want. Hunger. No man had ever done this to her before, ever made her feel so wild and wanton and reckless, so strong at the height of her subjection.
"Let go, baby, just let go." He circled the shell of her left ear with his tongue before plunging it in, simultaneously stroking her sides with both hands before moving to her breasts, where he slowly rotated her nipples with his thumbs.
Slany bit her bottom lip, vibrating beneath him as she closed her eyes tight.
Nick lowered his head to her breasts, the nipples already puckered and hard from his previous manipulations, standing at attention now, begging for more, begging for his mouth, his tongue, his teeth.
He straddled her, then suddenly sat back on his haunches to stare down at her.
Slany's eyes flew open, and she looked at him taking her in, like a diner at a mouth-watering buffet. All-you-can-eat, and from the looks of it, Nick intended not to leave a crumb.
"Take me, Nick. Please..."
"Are you sure?"
She frowned, stared at him. "Of course I am."
"Any way I please?"
She pitched her hips up, and her pubic bone collided with his balls. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she thought she should think twice before answering him, but no longer cared about appearances and boundaries and roles, despite the tiny warning bells going off at the mysterious tone of his voice. She just wanted him inside her, whatever terms. "Yes. Any way you please. Just take me now...please..."
