I had started reading romance novels during my college years, and they opened my eyes a little bit, but I would have never admitted to anyone that I was reading those books for fear of being labeled a slut. My shame ran deep. So when I started writing those books, there were several moments of panic. I didn't want anyone--especially my family--to know that I was writing steamy romance.

After writing my first book, I found there was a part of me that truly enjoyed writing those sexy scenes and they were actually much easier to write than I'd worked them up to be in my head. As I wrote book 2, I upped the sexy factor and I found myself having fun as I wrote those toe-curling orgasms.

That was empowering moment #1.

When Burning for More went out there into the world, I ping ponged between being ecstatic and being terrified. My husband encouraged me as did my fairy godmothers (aka my aunts who are practically my moms). They read my work and, again, I wasn't struck down on the spot. Win!

My very proud husband started shouting from the rooftops that I was an author. He even told his grandparents that I was writing romance (and I nearly killed him). I had an entire conversation about my work with his 93 year old grandfather, who is a retired Lt. General in the Air Force...talk about terrifying. To this day, he always asks me about them when I call him to say hi.

As if that wasn't terrifying enough, one of my fairy godmothers told my grandma--my catholic grandma--that I was writing. My grandma, who has always been my #1 fan in absolutely everything I've ever done, read my book.

[Insert me having a panic attack]

And she loved it.

That was empowering moment #2.

Then, total strangers read my book and no one called me a slut. In fact, their reviews told me that they enjoyed my steamy scenes. I actually started telling my friends that I published a romance novel, which they then read and loved. And I could still look them in the eyes afterwards!

That was empowering moment #3.

When I published Burning for This, I had to do a lot of deep breathing exercises to keep the panic at bay. That book is very steamy. Strangers read it. Family read it. Friends read it. I waited on the edge of my seat...

Another success. One reviewer labeled it "Third Degree Hot" and several reviewers mentioned Jesse and Lana's "off the charts chemistry."

Grandma read it. Grandma loved it. And I hadn't been struck down on the spot.

Empowering Moment #4.

Now, with several well-received published books under my belt, I am feeling a lot more confident in my role as Writer of Sexy/Swoony Stuff. I'm even starting to tell people about my books that I never in a million years would've imagined telling. Further, I can get on Facebook Live and read from my books and talk about those NSFW scenes without my heart threatening to abandon me.

Total win.

I never imagined that one of the results of me being a romance author would be me becoming a more empowered woman. And I've got to say, that might be my favorite result of all. My goal now is that when you read those scenes, they empower you a little bit, too.

I'm still a work in progress, but I can honestly say that the sexy/swoony scenes are now my favorite to write.



Unabashedly,

Kaye Kennedy