Life & Work with Kris Renee of Medina

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kris Renee.

Hi Kris, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Nearly ten years ago, I started a family blog to record my children’s antics, preserve special memories, and share the crafts and activities we were creating together at home. It was intended to be an online scrapbook—an electronic memory board. I never intended for my posts to be shared on public platforms or for others to read my stories. Imagine my surprise when that’s exactly what happened! After a few months of writing, a handful of my posts had gone viral and were shared on major websites such as Scary Mommy, Today Show Parents, and Today Show. This led to local news stations reaching out and requesting me to be a guest on their morning shows to share some of my “Mom Tips and Tricks.” Before I knew it, I was a contracted personality on local television, a repeat guest on a popular morning radio show, a regular on The Kelly Clarkson Show, and I was taping two shows through Armstrong Cable Network (Craft Table and Market Table). The opportunities I had been provided during this time were incredible! But, by far, my biggest break was my first book, Crafty Family Ideas: Projects to Make, Things to Bake & Lots of Homemade-ish Fun.

Traditionally published and written to completion in under six months, the book was a project of mine. This book was a sign that my time on television had run its course, and I was now ready to commit myself to doing something I had always loved writing. Within a few short months, I had walked away from the stress of television and began a love affair with writing kissing books (a genre I’ve been reading for nearly three decades). Taking pen to paper and creating a story that is uniquely yours is more than just an accomplishment. It’s a point of pride and self-fulfillment. The feeling I get when a dear reader finishes one of my romance novels and takes the time to reach out and share with me how they fell in love with my characters is one that I could never fully portray with simple words. It is undeniably magic.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story. Has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Heck no, it hasn’t been a smooth road! I have never been one to shy away from a challenge or be discouraged by a failure; I have had my share of defeats. Sure, I may require a solemn reprieve in the corner to lick my proverbial wounds, but rest assured, I will eventually get back up and try again. I always do! Being on television and radio means you are handed an array of overstatements daily. Whether it be how much someone doesn’t like my hair color or texture, how much they can’t stand my voice, or how quickly they change the channel when they see my “annoying face,” I have been faced with a menagerie of unwanted, unique, as well as not-so-original put-downs and digs. Being on television and radio is certainly not for the faint of heart! But those experiences led me to develop a thick skin and a handy brush-it-off attitude (which have been tremendously helpful in less-than-stellar book reviews!)

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to be more familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
As a writer of happily-ever-after love stories, I’m fully aware of how saturated the genre can feel to a reader looking to try something new. In real life, I’m a sarcastically playful person, and I add a bit of that mischievous wit to my main characters, especially the male characters. For reasons unknown to me, I write a damn good mail point-of-view. And I enjoy doing it, to boot! My books are typically written in series but can be read as stand-alone, meaning you don’t have to read them in any particular order to understand the story in your hands thoroughly. Readers appreciate the absence of the ever-dreaded cliffhanger and enjoy the minimal commitment of reading a book simply because it sounds like something you’d want – even if it is book 3 of a series. My latest book, LumberSnack Jack, is a funny, small-town romance and a You Choose Romance. That means you can choose the spicy adventures the couple partake in – allowing multiple storylines and bedroom shenanigan destinations to unfold!

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My community has always been a champion of mine! From supporting my shows to keeping my current projects in the know in the local paper, my little town and the wonderful people in it have been my biggest cheerleaders! My first romance (romance and fantasy) novel (The False Villain) was written and self-published on a minimal budget. Needing the manuscript to be edited but needing more funds to hire a professional line editor, I contacted my neighbors to find a network of readers willing to read my story and provide feedback and editing suggestions. The response was astounding, and although unorthodox, my idea of community editing proved fruitful for my Indie book debut!

Pricing:

• Butch – $14.99
• Wren – $14.99
• The False Villain – $14.99
• Dark Succession – $14.99
• LumberSnack Jack – $14.99

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.krisrenee.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krisreneeauthor
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/krisreneeauthor
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@krisreneeauthor