I like to write controversial books. Hot books. Futuristic romance books. Ok, if I haven’t lost your interest already, you’re probably my kind of reader.
In romance, if you want to write for a huge publisher, for the most part, we’re mostly taught to write politically correct heroines. (There are exceptions) That means publishers want to buy books that don’t offend readers. But in THE CHALLENGE, I created a heroine who was an expert in martial arts, a woman who could adapt to any situation. She knew how to be strong—even if that meant sometimes giving in to an alien who came from a different culture. He wasn’t an Earthman—why would he act like one?
And the sex—yes that was controversial too. This book was not for everyone. It deals with subjects that simply are not acceptable to modern-day women. But it was a blast to write. And it was fun watching two alpha characters, fight, learn from one another, and eventually fall in love. I had to wait ten years to sell the book, so while THE CHALLENGE was the first book I ever wrote, it was the twenty-third book I published.
And yeah, despite the ( I hate it/I love it) controversy, it appealed to enough readers that I got to write the 4-book Rystani Warrior Series.
In book 2, THE DARE, the heroine was a three-hundred year old computer who falls in love with a man and wants a body so she can have sex. But it was her humanity that shocked me. Learning to be human is a subject I’d never written about before. Because being human and allowing oneself to love and be loved means Dora had to be vulnerable—and that took guts!
In THE ULTIMATUM, my heroine comes from an alien world where the women must make love to stay alive—their biology requires it. And while my heroine scientist is searching for a cure to break this biological necessity, she’s kidnapped by a Rystani warrior who needs her expertise. Not exactly a conventional heroine here, either—but while the story takes them across the galaxy, it’s what happens inside their hearts that kept my interest while I was writing.
THE QUEST is one of my all-time favorite books. The hero has one of the most powerful minds in the galaxy, but he’s been hurt. Of course I had to match him with a very special woman. And while I don’t want to give away why she’s so special, she’s more than up for dealing with the hero.
The books don’t have to be read in order, and the first three books in the Rystani Warrior Series are now available in print and e-book formats. The last book is due out Aug. 15th. If you’d like to contact me or learn about more of my work, you can find me at www.susankearney.com.