An Interview With Amazon Best Selling Author Kenya Wright
This is based on an email interview I had with author Kenya Wright in May 2020
Erica: In Dirty Kisses there is a disclaimer or “shout out” to your friend Emily as the inspiration behind the book. Was that the sole inspiration for the story and did you intend for it to be a series?
Kenya Wright: At the time of Dirty Kisses, Emily was my Alpha Reader and editor. She was someone who had a first look at all my novels and did editing. Her birthday was coming up, and I wanted to do something special for her since she had been with me for a while. She asked me to write a Russian Mafia romance with an over-the-top hero. I definitely did not intend on doing a series, until the end of Dirty Kisses when I really wanted to keep following Kazimir and Emily. Now, I am working on book 6 and loving this couple.
Erica: What was your routine like while working on the Lion and the Mouse series(or Dirty Kisses in particular?)-Research, the hours, music, etc?
KW: I watched lots of Russian films and tv shows on Netflix. I also read up on New York and since my family is from there, I was able to visit an aunt and go to areas in Harlem that are in the novel.
Erica: While writing about Emily Chambers and Kazimir Solonik, did the minor characters emerge organically?
KW: The minor characters like Maxwell stole the show many times. Now fans would love for him to have his own novel. I do plan to do that toward the end of the series. I also want to write solo novels for King David too.
Erica: My fav character surprisingly is Maxwell. I don’t think I wanted to pay enough attention to him before, but since the crew went to Moscow I see even more how much he cares about Emily and he really is like the Black Mary Poppins! Do you have a favorite character or character in any of the Lion and the Mouse series? Why or why not?
KW: I would say that Kazimir is my favorite. Jean-Pierre is too, although he is more the villain at times for this particular series and the hero for his series the Butcher and Violinist. After that, I must give my love to Emily and even Kazimir’s cousin Misha.
Erica: I know as authors, the stories are definitely our babies and so even as a creator, is there any character you seriously dislike?
KW: Sadly, I dislike Kazimir’s sister Valentina. She annoys me from time to time. I’ve tried to fix how I look at her and am unable to do so. Sometimes a story needs an annoying person to shake things up.
Erica: I literally bought Rhapsody and Sonata recently and have not read Sonata yet, however I must ask, will there be more Butcher and Violinist series? Dirty Dancing/Dirty Desires with Misha and Ava was steaming hot! Will there be more of them as well?
KW: There will def be more Butcher and the Violinist series. I would like to write about his cousins. Many have requested that Jean-Pierre and Eden have another book as well. I’m seriously thinking about it.
Erica: I read your bio online and I think it is so important and cool that you are well traveled. How much is the Lion and Mouse series influenced by your travels? What is your inspiration for any book you write?
KW: I would say the Lion and Mouse locations are all my dream list places. I’ve actually put together a KW Russia Readers Trip for July 2022. I’m only looking for the number of people who would be interested at this time, since global travel is put on pause. So far, I have a massive interested list that includes authors.
Anyone who is interested, the sign up form is this link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfmHP0T91ZQbrlDsBwbKKKnlvTVFsl0F89Qz7GF0yXWAOBMdQ/viewform
Erica: You have an impressive resume: Navy, translating government documents into other languages, the various degrees. You caught the writing bug while attending law school; was creating stories spontaneous or something you’ve always wanted to do but filed it away for later?
KW: I always liked playing with words. In high school, I wanted to be a rapper. By college and the military, I thought I would be a poet. Then I started with short stories and decided that novel writing was the way to go. After my first book, Fire Baptized, I haven’t looked back. This is truly my passion.
Erica: The scenes between Emily and Kazimir are WHEW! SCORCHING! Even the scenes in the other books you write- I love it! Now, are those scenes commanded by the pen or did the characters take over?
KW: The characters definitely take over all the writing. I always start with an outline and barely ever follow it. Currently, I’m writing book 6 and Kazimir has killed an important character, throwing me off my outline. I’m not sure where I will go from there. However, he always messes up my planning.
Erica: This next question of course is based on a sensitive topic concerning black girls and black women. Your novel Missing Hearts just released and of course I bought it and cannot wait to read it…With social media amping up the hate videos towards black women and black people in general, it is so refreshing to retreat into books where we are leaders and considered beautiful and where justice prevails for us.
How important do you feel it is to represent black women often as beautiful, desirable and strong at the same time?
KW: I love that diversity is becoming something that is important to readers and the entertainment industry. Some people have emailed me and said that they don’t like that I’m always writing about white men. I feel it is the complete opposite. I’m always writing about black women and all the different men that love them. I’ve had heroes from Tokyo to Paris, Jamaica to Miami. For me the interracial romance genre is about the various groups of people that fall in love.
Erica: Here’s a random word: DIAMONDS — what comes to your mind immediately?
KW: Luxury! I don’t wear them, but my heroines love them. Personally, I’m a fan of heroes that have no budget whatsoever. They can buy whatever they want. They can hop in their planes and go anywhere. And most of all, they love to spoil the hell out of the women they love!
Erica: Thank you so very much for taking the time to answer these questions, Miss Kenya Wright. Your work is appreciated!
KW: Thank you so much!
Blessings to you and your family!
I hope you enjoyed this interview with Ms. Kenya Wright. She has a big heart and constantly shows love to other authors as well. Her fans adore her. Visit her at these places:
