With us today is Mrs. Kayelle Allen, well known Author of At the Mercy of Her Pleasure. We'll spend a few moments talking about her recent release and then move on to really get to know her. Thank you, Mrs. Allen…for being with us today.

It's my pleasure to be here. Thank you for inviting me.

Can you tell us something about At The Mercy of Her Pleasure?

At The Mercy of Her Pleasure is not a traditional romance. The heroine is a dynamic and strong woman who is an officer in the resistance. The hero is younger than she is and a virgin. NarrAy loves Senth's innocence and decides that she will be the woman who awakens his passion. The story is about how they work together to accomplish a mission and discover that sometimes, doing the right thing means sacrificing everything you hold dear.

What prompted you to write it?

I wrote the kind of story I looked for but couldn't find. A hero who didn't have to be in charge or fix all the problems and who trusted his woman to do the right thing. And I loved the idea of a hero who was inexperienced sexually and wanted to be taught how to give pleasure.

Do you have a favorite part in the book?

The scene in the starport when the bagbot goes amok. I laughed myself silly writing that part. It was such a good way to show how insane things happen to Senth beyond his control and how the disciplined NarrAy learns to cope with that.

Was there a particular scene that was difficult for you to write?

The first time I wrote a sex scene I shut and locked the door to my writing room so no one looked over my shoulder. I'm privileged to have author Barbara Karmazin as one of my critique buddies. She read over it and sent it back to me with the note, "more details please." I thought I would faint. More details? I thought I had too much, but I took a deep breath, went back and wrote more. Now I understand that it's the details and the emotions in the scene that make or break it. Sometimes the most difficult scenes to write have the most power.

Tell us something about you personally Mrs. Allen?

I'm a clutterer. In my immediate work area, I'm totally neat and everything is organized. I can find anything on my pc within seconds. But I'm a total messie when it comes to housework. One of my friends says that her housework gnomes ran off with her writing muses and live in a shed in the backyard. I think my gnomes left the country.

Where do you get the inspiration for your work?

I keep all sorts of notes and drawings. You never know when a good idea today may be the ticket for something tomorrow. Last year, I was looking through some notes that I'd written years ago, trying to find inspiration for a romance. One of those notes formed the opening scenes of Mercy, between the hero, Senth and his brother Khyff. The concept of a thief protecting his brother seemed like a good basis for conflict. Then I thought, what if he takes a job that will enable him to free his brother, but somehow ends up putting his brother's life in jeopardy? The rest snowballed into place.

Do you have a favorite Author?

Hands down, Heather Gladney, author of Teot's War and Blood Storm. After her, Robin Schone, who wrote Gabriel's Woman, and the Lover. I reread their work frequently. Both are masters in their particular field.

What prompted you to start writing?

A book by Anne Rice. I read her fabulous piece Cry to Heaven. It was my sister's copy and when I finished it, I told her I was going to buy my own because the music was so beautiful. She asked me, "You heard the music in a book?" And I really had. That's when I decided that I wanted to be able to create like that.

Do you have a defining moment in your career so far? Something that really brought it all home for you personally and you said, "Wow!!! I did it!!!"

When people started asking me for advice on how to be published. I looked around to make sure they were really talking to me.

What are you working on now?

The third book in the Tarthian Empire series, called Rock Me. It's in the planning and plotting stages. I'm also developing a few short stories into full-length books. I hope to get a contract on For Women Only, which is being considered right now.

I read in your bio that you're married to your own "Happily Ever After" Man as you put it. How did the two of you meet?

We were both in the Navy and were stationed in the same place. Our orientation was on the same day. Coincidence or destiny, but we were born only a few days apart and joined the Navy the same day too. He says he knew the moment he saw me that I was "the one." We met in July and were married in December the same year. A whirlwind courtship that definitely stuck. Do I believe in love at first sight? Oh yeah. I'm living proof that it exists.

Does he support your work?

My husband says, "we're a team, and if part of the team is winning, the whole team is winning." If I'm successful, so is he. He's behind me 100%, whatever it takes.

Does he enjoy it as much as we do?

Yes. Especially when I need to research a love scene. Then he's really a big fan!

Do you think your passion for writing inspired your son to become an artist for "Tour of the Tarthian Empire"?

I asked my son this to see what he'd say. Jamin's response was, "I've always been intrigued by your writing. When you asked if I wanted to illustrate it, I thought, 'Sure! I'm your biggest fan. I can do that.' Then I found out how much work it was gonna be.'" He laughed and said he's glad he did it. Jamin updates material for me all the time and created most of the buttons on the Imperinet page. He loves anime and would love to illustrate for other websites. His contact information is on my website.

Do you have anything specific you do to generate ideas?

I read, watch movies, go take part in chats and critique other writers' work. My crit group is like a family to me. You'd be amazed at the talent in this group. They always inspire me. And I have a close friend who lets me bounce ideas off her. She's my muse.

Do you have a favorite spot to write?

Fortunately, I have a room in my house where I can go and shut the door. Right where I'm sitting now. At lunch during the week, I go sit in the park in my car and make notes about what I'll write that night.

Do you do anything in particular to stay motivated when you're writing?

There is a difference between motivation and knowing where you're going. I plot beforehand and know where I'm headed, so that's not a problem for me. When I feel like quitting and not writing, I remind myself that this is my chosen career. I have a day job that I love, but writing is my life. I tell myself, "Do it anyway."

Is there any piece of advice you could offer to all those up and coming authors out there?

Don't read all the statistics that say you get rejected repeatedly and make no money. Who cares what the naysayers have to say anyway? You're not writing for them. You're writing for you and your dream. Go for it and don't look back.

Thank you again for your time Mrs. Allen’s. We look forward to great things from you in the future. You may visit Mrs. Allen’s work and her sons here: www.kayelleallen.com.

Interviewed by:
Mary