TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
McKee is a native Texan who writes romantic suspense for the “marvelously matures.” She writes about issues relevant to the middle passage of life— and she has a ball doing it.
to think that I carried it with sincerity and aplomb.” She also served on several boards and commissions, including the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors. An avid reader all her life, McKee loves books, especially romance novels. But between school, work, and family, there was a time when she took leave from reading for pleasure. When she picked it up again at 45, she realized she was no longer interested in romance novels because the characters were the age of her children. This spurred her to write her own stories that would refuel her interest, and it turns out there was an entire audience who longed for stories that had characters they could identify with—as McKee calls them, the “marvelously mature.” This “marvelously mature” audience embraced her so fully that five of her novels were published, and one of them, The Price of Passion , was named a #1 Essence Magazine best-seller. “I think there were other readers like me, with a little roundness in places that used to be flat. They were yearning for stories about them, the conflicts in their lives, and in the end, a hero with a little gray at the temple.” Inspiration for these novels came from life—from her life and the lives of others. “Everyone has an interesting life,” she said, “with a measure of joy and sorrow.” In addition to her romance novels, McKee contributed to two Chicken Soup for the Soul books, both honoring women. She
explained, “ The Lady at the Bus Stop was a tribute to the women who went before me, who faced extreme obstacles, and who pressed me to move forward with grace and humility and build on the foundation they laid. Mama’s Hands was a tribute to mothers who gave up their dreams so that their daughters could achieve theirs.” While managing the responsibilities of family and a thriving law career, McKee kept the balance by “putting one foot in front of the other and doing the next thing that needed to be done.” She traveled extensively and loved it. She also enjoyed being in bookstores throughout the country among intelligent, accomplished reading women, and she never passed up an opportunity to speak at schools. Throughout her life, McKee has found fulfillment and joy in gardening, or as she says, “playing in the dirt.” “In the garden, I feel close to God. I can take one seed, add some blood, sweat, and tears, and reap a bountiful harvest to use and share. I believe that is what He wants us to do—especially the sweat and share parts.” Her pine trees may not have thrived, but her legacy—rooted in service, literature, and the communities she touched—grows tall and strong. Her advice to others about overcoming obstacles and pursuing their dreams would be, “Be persistent. Make them tell you no—until they tell you yes. Be brave, even when you don’t feel it. In the end, no matter what, unlike the lion to the wildebeest, they can’t eat you.”
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COMMUNITY & CULTURE
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