Monday, February 16, 2009

The best note from a reader, and a few lesser reviews

February 16, 2009
**updated 6/26/17, 4/3/21**

I've gotten several reviews lately, ones I'll share in a moment, but by far the best review came in the form of a reader from Montreal, Canada, who has already finished her copy of A Taste of Victory. I asked her if I could share her comments and she graciously said, 'yes'. **A Taste of Victory is no longer available.**


I wanted to say that I finished your book. It was so nice to see all three stories together. I'd already read one, but it was nice to get acquainted with Micah and Jonas, and then Levi and Stacy. That Levi, what a firecracker LOL! I enjoyed your book tremendously. The sex is hot, yes, but the stories are interesting and filled with such hope. After reading these, you get a sense that anything is possible. Thank you so much!

Praise from a reader is what matters most. Thank you, Roxanne.

For some other reviews:

Shining Victory
I was a little surprised Romance Junkies reviewed one of my stories. I hope it's a good trend. They're a wee bit PG13 on their list, and considering Shining Victory is a love story about two men.... you get the picture.

Passion's Victory
"The compassion and care just flows from the pages. I really enjoyed Passion's Victory, it touched my emotions on so many levels." - Ley, reviewer, Joyfully Reviewed

Passion's Victory was a Romance Studio 2008 CAPA nominee, and while it didn't get the nod, it shows the strength of the story, and I was very pleased with the honor.

Surrendered Victory
"Surrendered Victory is a great story and a terrific beginning to what could be a very loving relationship." Ley, reviewer, Joyfully Reviewed

Well, Ley, could be a sequel coming for Dalton and Reed some day.

_*_*_*_*_*_*_

 KC Kendricks

My home on the web- Between the Keys: 
Visit my bookshelf at: 

Social media links:
Life through the eyes of my black Lab, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce: deucesday.blogspot.com
My country life at Holly Tree Manor: hollytreemanor.blogspot.com
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Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Pajama Dreams

Promos.
Excerpts.
Blogs.
Twitter.
MySpace.
2000K words a day.
Edits.
Covers.
Websites.
Publisher groups.
Proofreading.
Reviews.
Conventions.
Advertisements.
Author Pages.
Schedule C.
Crit Partners.
Newsletters.
Book Trailers.

 I used to think writing would be an easy job, one I could do in my pajamas. Do I still think that? Heck no. Writing is tough.

 Do I still want to work in my pajamas, full time?
Absolutely. Writing is the best job in the world.

 So what's my point this cold, damp night? I have no point. What I have is another completed edit. Give Me One Night is through the first round edits and moving on to the galley stage. AND .... drum roll...... I finished the manuscript for the pax/theme in June.

 AND NOT ONLY THAT!!! I banged out the first two chapters on a new story.

 So yes, I'm having a bit of a moment tonight, and I'm enjoying it. But it better be over by tomorrow night because I have another 2000 words to write then.

KC Kendricks
My home on the web- Between the Keys: http://kckendricks.blogspot.com
twitter.com/kckendricks
facebook.com/kckendricks
pinterest.com/kckendricks/boards
instagram.com/kc_kendricks
My country life at Holly Tree Manor

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Sunday, January 11, 2009

Embracing the New Year with more stories to tell

January 11, 2009

**6/4/2016 - this blog contains updated information**
**3/31/21 - this blog contains updated information**

 The New Year is off to a great start! The holidays were lovely, and this year, I didn't lose writing momentum. I hope that loss of momentum will now be the Ghost of Christmas Past for me.

My husband was a pain in the ass on New Year's Eve, but he did take me to a very nice restaurant, and then to a dance at one of the clubs we frequent. After all these years I know he'll be a lot more fun when it warms up. It's hard to be happy when you're shivering.

2008 was a great year for me. As I wrote them, I had no idea my stories would be so well received. I just knew I wanted to get the stories down, and make them real. Writing is addictive. So here's where I am, going into 2009, and it's a great place to be. I should be so lucky as to repeat the successes of the year past.

The recap - a step back in time, from future, to present, to past.

Contracted a new story, Give Me One Night, with Amber Allure, and got the fab cover today. Check it out at https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/p/give-me-one-night-by-kc-kendricks.html. I asked for a disco ball or a Jag, and got the disco ball. It's cool, baby. I like it.

Signed up to do a story for a PAX/Theme weekend in June. The story is a rich man/poor man theme, and I'm 20k into it since December 28th. It's flowing into the keyboard.

A Taste of Victory went on sale. A Taste of Victory is all three Victory stories in one great paperback. Yep, I ordered a few copies for friends as late Christmas presents.

Shining Victory ended the year as the #6 overall best seller for the 4th Qtr. at Amber Allure! I'm ecstatic! 

Passion's Victory is a 2008 CAPA Nominee at The Romance Studio.

Surrendered Victory launched the whole thing as a 2008 Amber Heat Wave Winner, and the #4 overall bestseller for the 2nd Qtr. at Amber Allure.

That's a heck of start.




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Saturday, December 27, 2008

In the running for a 2008 CAPA

December 27, 2008
**updated 6/26/17, 4/3/21**

Some things sort of sneak up on a person, like getting a 5-Heart review for Passion's Victory at The Romance Studio. It was rewarding to get that review back in September, but at the time, I didn't connect the dots.

By virtue of that 5-Heart review, Passion's Victory is in the running for a 2008 CAPA in the erotic contemporary romance category.

Woohoo, baby! Very cool!

 _*_*_*_*_*_*_

 KC Kendricks

My home on the web- Between the Keys: 
Visit my bookshelf at: 

Social media links:
Life through the eyes of my black Lab, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce: deucesday.blogspot.com
My country life at Holly Tree Manor: hollytreemanor.blogspot.com

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Saturday, December 13, 2008

Shining Victory gets two great reviews

December 13, 2008
**links updated 4/10/21**
Shining Victory has gotten two great reviews, so far. A 4.5/5 star review from Jesse Wave, and a 4 Star (that equals 'great' on their scale) from Rainbow Reviews. My thanks to the reviewers for all their kinds words about Shining Victory.


Matthew at Rainbow Reviews said, "Shining Victory by KC Kendricks is terrific, very romantic, passionate, and sexy."


Jesse Wave said a lot - all good, so go read the review :) One thing said did say really meant a lot: "I love this writer in the way her stories end and she doesn't insult the reader's intelligence." 

 Wow. That's the best thing anyone has ever said about me in a review, to date.

Coming soon! A Taste of Victory. All three Victory stories in one paperback. I don't have a release date yet, but it will be soon :) (This paperback is no longer available.)

So that's my news of the week as I get ready to head out to one of the many Christmas gathering I go to every year.

If I don't make it back before - have a wonderful holiday season!

_*_*_*_*_*_*_

SHINING VICTORY
Available at:


Universal link to other booksellers: https://books2read.com/u/49xz1M



 _*_*_*_*_*_*_

 KC Kendricks

My home on the web- Between the Keys: 
Visit my bookshelf at: 

Social media links:
Life through the eyes of my black Lab, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce: deucesday.blogspot.com
My country life at Holly Tree Manor: hollytreemanor.blogspot.com

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Friday, December 5, 2008

Amber Allure/Amber Heat November Top Ten Lists

December 5, 2008
**links updated 4/10/21**
The Top Ten list for November 2008 is out, and I'm very pleased to see Shining Victory ranked at number SEVEN!!! That's just for three days in November!!!! Yes, I'm practicing cartwheels. I don't care if it's undignified.
Thanks to everyone who purchased (or will purchase) any or all of the Victory series. It's very rewarding to have these stories so well received. - KC
AMBER ALLURE
1. Beautiful Disaster - J. M. Snyder (Gay / Contemporary)
2. Interlude - Vivien Dean (Gay / Contemporary)
3. Pulling Away - Shawn Lane (Gay / Contemporary)
4. Calendar Boys-November: Over Here - Jamie Craig (Gay / Werewolf)
5. Hot Male - Adrianna Dane (Gay / Futuristic)
6. The Gallery On Main Street - Christiane France (Gay / Contemporary)
7. Shining Victory - KC Kendricks (Gay / Contemporary)
8. VGL Male Seeks Same - Rick R. Reed (Gay / Contemporary)
9. Portrait Of A Kiss - T. D. McKinney & Terry Wylis (Gay / Paranormal / Ghosts)
10. Elected - Pepper Espinoza (Gay / Contemporary)

SHINING VICTORY
Available at:


Universal link to other booksellers: https://books2read.com/u/49xz1M



 _*_*_*_*_*_*_

 KC Kendricks

My home on the web- Between the Keys: 
Visit my bookshelf at: 

Social media links:
Life through the eyes of my black Lab, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce: deucesday.blogspot.com
My country life at Holly Tree Manor: hollytreemanor.blogspot.com

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Friday, November 28, 2008

Shining Victory is now available

November 28, 2008
**updated 6/26/17 and 4/10/21**


 m/m contemporary

Stacy James survived a life-shattering accusation to become a successful businessman with a lot to offer a partner. He's finally put his ghosts to rest, and is ready for someone in his life if the right person comes along.

Young and wild, ace mechanic Levi Wright builds engines made for speed. When Levi's volatile temper lands him nose-to-nose with trouble, Stacy ignores his own rules and steps in to save Levi from making a big mistake. But Stacy can't ignore Levi's smoldering sexuality as the younger man then pursues him.
And Levi has made it clear he's out to get his man.


EXCERPT
…He stood still, motionless, as the light from the window formed a sunburst around him. His blue eyes searched my face with silent questions, ones I knew, although I was unsure about the answers. My lips tingled with the memory of his kiss. I reached out and gave his shoulder a light squeeze. The corner of his sensuous mouth twitched into a quirky, lopsided smile.

Low and husky, his voice made me shiver with longing. “You think I bite, Stacy James?”

I trailed my hand down his arm and grasped his wrist, pulling him a step closer. “What if I do, puppy? You don’t know a thing about me.”

The smile on his face widened. His gaze never left mine. “Sure I do. You’re the hottest old man who ever threw a punch to save my ass.”

I reached out with my other hand and tucked my fingers beneath his belt to yank him against me. Heat rolled off him in tiny waves, but the skin on his arm prickled with gooseflesh as I ran my fingertips across it.

“Call me old again, and I’ll show you what old can do.”

Levi licked his lips, taunting me. “So show me…old man.”

I pulled his lips to mine until they almost touched. “You’re too eager,” I whispered.

His hand cupped my aching balls as his thumb ran across my bulging zipper.

“Eager? Me? You’ve got some nerve calling me eager.”

Quick as lightning, his hand snaked down the front of my jeans…

_*_*_

 Shining Victory is available at:

iTunes/Apple     Amazon     Barnes and Noble     KOBO

 KC Kendricks

My home on the web- Between the Keys: 
Visit my bookshelf at: 

Social media links:
Life through the eyes of my black Lab, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce: deucesday.blogspot.com
My country life at Holly Tree Manor: hollytreemanor.blogspot.com
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Thursday, November 6, 2008

What's new in KC's world? Updates, galore!

November 9, 2008
**page updated 4/3/21**

 Suddenly, I seem to have a lot of updates. Oh, they didn't all happen at once, but I've been so immersed in the day job, and writing a story, I wasn't paying proper attention. Now it's time to lift my head, blink at the bright lights, and take in the new scenery around me.

 First up! Shining Victory, the third and final story in the Victory series, will be released later this month. Originally, it had been slated for the sixteenth, but the publisher needed to juggle, so Shining Victory took the hit. These things happen in publishing, and if you're an aspiring writer, all you can do is grin and bear it. And if you have a great publisher like Trace, you can threaten him with wet noodles.

 Now.... drum roll, please.... All three Victory stories are going to be combined into one great paperback edition! I'm thrilled! That's the 2008 Amber Heat Wave Winner, Surrendered Victory, Passion's Victory, and Shining Victory, all in one paperback - A TASTE OF VICTORY. Yea!!! That should be available sometime in December if all goes well. **6/26/17 update - A Taste of Victory is no longer available.**

 And if that's not enough, I signed up for my first Amber PAX, coming in 2009. The theme is rich man, poor man, and as soon as I saw it, I had an idea.

 Surrendered Victory and Passion's Victory are now available at online booksellers. I missed that move completely until this past weekend. If you've not opened an account at ARE, you should, and here's why. Let me just step out of the way, first, so no one knocks me down. Okay.... ARE has free reads. And by some rather well-known names, too.

 If you need the links to my books at ARE, please visit my website and click on the ARE banners. Now, you know I have to do something to get you to visit my website! (All Romance eBooks closed.)

 Finally, when you get the December 2008 edition of Romantic Times Book Reviews, make sure you check out pages 110-111 for the Amber Heat/Amber Allure ad. Yes, Surrendered Victory is there, page 110, down in the corner under your left thumb.

That's my updates for now. Just remember to visit my bookshelf at https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/p/the-bookshelf-of-kc-kendricks-and-rayne.html

Oh, yeah - one more new thing. I joined Twitter. You know, blogging for those with ADD, or ADHD, or CRAFT, or whatever those letters are. www.twitter.com/kckendricks. I'm still figuring it out, but feel free to go do whatever it is you do at Twitter. I'll catch up, sooner or later.

 I'll be blogging at the Amber Quill blog on Friday, November 14th, so stop by.

 Don't forget to click over to Saturday Evening Romance and bookmark it. Saturday Evening Romance is a blog where you'll find excerpts from a wide range of stories and genres, writers and publishers.

 Catch you next time around.

 _*_*_*_*_*_*_

 KC Kendricks

My home on the web- Between the Keys: 
Visit my bookshelf at: 

Social media links:
Life through the eyes of my black Lab, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce: deucesday.blogspot.com
My country life at Holly Tree Manor: hollytreemanor.blogspot.com



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Sunday, October 26, 2008

Rare Moments

October 26, 2008
**updated 4/10/21**

I've been a bit remiss in my blogging this month. The only excuse I have is I've been writing and enjoying the autumn weather. I also have a new wall unit in the living room. It's amazing how one new piece of furniture can inspire domicile-wide changes to accent pieces, valances, scatter rugs. Yes, amazing and expensive, and totally worth the boost in the home's energy.

 All the energy spills over into the writing. The 'new story' is well underway as Shining Victory is in the editing process. My editor was easier on me this time, but that's because I've learned a lot about what she flags. Every editor is different so it takes a few books to write to their 'style' as well as your own. And you thought we just typed what we wanted. I wish.

 The new story has, I hope, a different flow. Whereas 'romance' has a basic formula (she wants, but can't have, because, until), this story is more along the lines of he wants, he gets, he loses, then he regains. Okay, so maybe that's not so different, after all.

 It's all about the basic struggle to find that special person, fall in love, and make it work.

 It's all about those rare moments when two people can walk into a furniture store and totally agree about spending eleven hundred bucks just to have something to sit a television on.


 ** Update - Shining Victory is now available. More info can be found at https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/p/shining-victory-by-kc-kendricks.html


 THE PROMO STUFF

 If you're a writer, check out the opportunity to post excerpts at my open promo blog, Saturday Evening Romance. Guidelines are at the blogsite. If you're a reader, check out the excerpts from a wide variety of writers.

SHINING VICTORY
Available at:


Universal link to other booksellers: https://books2read.com/u/49xz1M



 _*_*_*_*_*_*_

 KC Kendricks

My home on the web- Between the Keys: 
Visit my bookshelf at: 

Social media links:
Life through the eyes of my black Lab, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce: deucesday.blogspot.com
My country life at Holly Tree Manor: hollytreemanor.blogspot.com


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Thursday, October 2, 2008

September Top Tens

Congratulations are in order! Here's the top ten list from Amber Allure and Amber Heat for September 2008.

 No, KC Kendricks didn't make it because Shining Victory was released too late in the month, but I was there in June with Surrendered Victory, and August with Passion's Victory (and I think July, too, with SV, but the mind gets foggy some days).

 AMBER ALLURE
1. Precious Ache - Amanda Young (Gay / Contemporary)
2. Calendar Boys-September: A Simple Truth - Jamie Craig (Gay / Contemporary)
3. Stealing West - Jamie Craig (Gay / Historical / Old West)
4. Wanted - J. M. Snyder (Gay / Historical / Old West)
5. Eight Seconds - Barrie Abalard (Gay / Western)
6. Cave Creek Cowboy Total Top - Brit Blaise (Gay / Western)
7. Spirit Sanctuary - Gabrina Garza (Gay / Western)
8. Peanut Butter Kisses - Pepper Espinoza (Gay / Contemporary)
9. A Renaissance In Blood - Jamie Craig (Gay / Vampire / BDSM)
10. Addicted - Cassie Stevens (Gay / Contemporary / BDSM)

 Congratulations to all!

 _*_*_*_*_*_*_

 KC Kendricks

My home on the web- Between the Keys: 
Visit my bookshelf at: 

Social media links:
Life through the eyes of my black Lab, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce: deucesday.blogspot.com
My country life at Holly Tree Manor: hollytreemanor.blogspot.com

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Saturday, September 27, 2008

Shining Victory by KC Kendricks

September 27, 2008
**updated 6/26/17**


This has been quite the year! The last installment of the victory series, Shining Victory, is contracted with a November release date. November! That's just around the corner.

Here's a bit about Shining Victory.

Stacy James survived a life-shattering accusation to become a successful businessman with a lot to offer a partner. At forty, he’s finally put his ghosts to rest, and is ready for someone in his life, if the right person comes along.

Young and wild, ace mechanic Levi Wright builds engines made for speed. When Levi’s volatile temper lands him nose-to-nose with trouble, Stacy ignores his own rules and steps in to save Levi from making a big mistake. But Stacy can’t ignore Levi’s smoldering sexuality as the younger man then pursues him.

And Levi has made it clear – he’s out to get his man.

_*_*_

This was such an easy story to write. I hope you like it. (Certainly easier than posting this blog and having it look right, which it still doesn't.)

I also have a new venture, something I hope will catch on. So many people have been kind since I became published, I wanted to give back a bit. To that end, I opened Saturday Evening Romance at http://saturdayeveningromance.blogspot.com/ for readers to discover new-to-them writers, and to give writers a place to promote their stories regardless of their publisher.

Happy autumn, everyone!

*_*_*_*_*_*_

 KC Kendricks

My home on the web- Between the Keys: 
Visit my bookshelf at: 

Social media links:
Life through the eyes of my black Lab, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce: deucesday.blogspot.com
My country life at Holly Tree Manor: hollytreemanor.blogspot.com


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Wednesday, September 17, 2008

The Buzz on Passion's Victory

September 17, 2009

Good things seem to come in fits and spurts, have you ever noticed? This week, Passion's Victory has gotten two new reviews.

 From Rainbow Reviews: "Passion's Victory is a story with heat and heart."

 I don't know about other writers and how they react to things like that, but that got me right in the heart. What a wow! thing for someone to say about one of my stories. Excuse me if I sniffle, but as I said in an earlier post, I just can't pretend I'm not thrilled over reviews like that.

 From Literary Nymphs: "Passion's Victory is a touching, thoughtful and realistic love story of two men meeting at very different stages in their lives. KC Kendricks has again created two terrific and very likable characters in Micah and Jonas."

 That's like... a double wow!

 Thanks to Nikki and Woodland Nymph for the reviews. I'm so glad both of you enjoyed Passion's Victory.



_*_*_*_*_*_*_

 KC Kendricks

My home on the web- Between the Keys: 
Visit my bookshelf at: 

Social media links:
Life through the eyes of my black Lab, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce: deucesday.blogspot.com
My country life at Holly Tree Manor: hollytreemanor.blogspot.com


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Saturday, August 30, 2008

Fallen Angel Reviews gives Passion's Victory 4 Angels

August 30, 2008

"Who doesn't love a good office romance story? Passion's Victory...well worth the read." - April, Reviewer, Fallen Angel Reviews

 Getting a review is like fishing. You never know what you'll catch. I've been lucky so far, and have had nice things said about my stories. I hope that trend continues.

Please visit my website for more about Passion's Victory.



_*_*_*_*_*_*_

 KC Kendricks

My home on the web- Between the Keys: 
Visit my bookshelf at: 

Social media links:
Life through the eyes of my black Lab, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce: deucesday.blogspot.com
My country life at Holly Tree Manor: hollytreemanor.blogspot.com


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Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Passion's Victory garners 4.5 stars from Jesse Wave


August 26, 2008
**Updated 6/26/17**

 It's not often I have the chance to actually chat with a reviewer, but yesterday I had the opportunity to trade emails with Jesse Wave. It came about due to a problem with blogger. Jesse reviewed Passion's Victory, and no matter how hard I tried, the page wouldn't open for me. Being the impatient sort, I emailed. In short order, the problem was resolved and I was able to read the review for Passion's Victory. 

 I have to say, it's very rewarding to know a reviewer has actually read a story, and not written a review based on the website blurb and excerpt. And when you know they've read it, and they give it 4 1/2 out of 5 stars, it's great.

See, I just can't pretend it's not thrilling to get a good review. I can't play it all laid-back and cool. Don't know how. If I thought I could still pull off doing a cartwheel without breaking my neck, I'd be doing them!


_*_*_*_*_*_*_

 KC Kendricks

My home on the web- Between the Keys: 
Visit my bookshelf at: 

Social media links:
Life through the eyes of my black Lab, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce: deucesday.blogspot.com
My country life at Holly Tree Manor: hollytreemanor.blogspot.com


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Saturday, August 16, 2008

Passion's Victory is now available

August 16, 2008
**Updated 6/26/17. 4/3/21**

 When passion is the prize, it’s time to change the rules….


Passion's Victory is now available!

About Passion's Victory:

Micah Souther is young, talented, and gay. As the junior owner of the family business, he knows better than to look for love “on the clock.”

Jonas Chadwick is the new guy at the firm. Older, wiser, and a survivor of the school of hard knocks, he’s not in the market for an office romance, even if he knows for certain his young boss is gay.

One kiss is all it takes to send Micah and Jonas on a collision course, and when bodies collide, the friction gets hot...


***

Writing is a strange profession. Like a lover, it teases, pleases, and fulfills. And like a lover, it is sometimes full of surprises. Passion's Victory gifted me with a wonderful surprise. Micah and Jonas refused to stay with the original plot, and their story became better because of it. I hope you'll enjoy Passion's Victory. 


_*_*_*_*_*_*_

 KC Kendricks

My home on the web- Between the Keys: 
Visit my bookshelf at: 

Social media links:
Life through the eyes of my black Lab, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce: deucesday.blogspot.com
My country life at Holly Tree Manor: hollytreemanor.blogspot.com

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