How did I become a romance author? I read romance novels until my mind bled love stories. I started reading them in middle school thanks to my mom’s romance addiction (which is still alive and well). My habit died off after college due to more pressing worries like providing food and shelter for myself. Then jobs and marriage and kids happened. One day I picked up a romance book and could not put it down. I devoured books one after another, forgetting author names and book titles, just plowing through one HEA after another. And the magic moment happened. One weekend I could not read another story because an original story was percolating in my mind. I couldn’t focus on simple things like washing dishes or holding a conversation. I had to stop everything and write. No, I haven’t published that story, but that was the day that got this party started.
Why interracial romance? I grew up in a mixed family, spending part of my childhood on military bases surrounded by other mixed families. I was lucky to escape much of the hate because I look like a plain old light skinned black girl. Other family members and friends were not so lucky. I’ve always been inspired by the strength of long lasting interracial relationships; watching mixed couples make it work has taught me two things. The constant attacks from negative opinions of strangers or friends or family can only do two things to relationships – make them stronger or break them down. As if falling in love with someone new wasn’t complicated enough. If you throw in some unsolicited hate, you’ll find out what you’re really made of.
What’s up with all the ménage and BDSM? Well, that’s because you write what you read! It’s fun for me to pile on the obstacles and watch my characters work their way out of it. And it’s even more fun to watch unconventional, contemporary characters fall in love. If anyone has read another story about a black, wannabe adult film star falling in love with not one, not two, but three white guys, please share that title with me. I love the unexpected (Hello, Kenya Wright, talking to you!).
Kelana Hyde 