K.L. Hernandez on Magic City Amores and Positive Latine Representation
Keeping the author interviews rolling on BookishEnds. This week I got the honor of talking to K.L. Hernandez, one of my past clients, about her Magic City Amores series, mafia romance, and writing in multiple subgenres. Keep scrolling to read the full interview.
What inspired you to write the Magic City Amores series?
It started as an actual dream where the two MCs longed for each other, but one couldn’t be with the other. I couldn’t place my finger on the ‘why’ so I started playing with the idea. I had a few chapters, and even a title—the manuscript was originally called Difficult to Bear based on the obstacles these characters were supposed to face—but it wasn’t working out. Since this project wasn’t a priority, I let it sit. . .until I found myself in my mafia romance era. I fell in love with the genre fast, but I noticed there wasn’t much positive Latinx representation and diversity in the cities they were set in. Yes, NYC and Chicago are huge hotspots for mafia activity, but did no one learn about the Cocaine Cowboys in Miami? I did since I was born and raised in the 305, so I decided to mesh these two worlds. Latines can have the sexiness and danger and simultaneously have the passion and success that a lot of mafia romances in the market don’t offer them.
What’s one thing you discovered while writing the Magic City Amores series?
How vastly different dialects are across the Latine Spanish language! While I knew at a surface level, I didn’t understand how deep it went and learning about this has been so amazing.
Did you go into writing Impure Intentions with the knowledge it was going to be part of a series?
Yes. It started off as just three books. By the end of the first book, it got promoted to a six-book series. Will there be more? Most likely. My brain loves springing up more love stories so do be warned—especially as a spin-off is planned for the future.
What was the process of writing Pretty Promises like? Did it differ from how you wrote your previous books?
While Impure Intentions and Pretty Promises had themes of the MCs sharing a past with each other, Impure had a little more leeway since the MCs past didn’t make their present, and therefore, weren’t too dependent on it. On the other hand, the past from Pretty is what led these two MCs into the present. As a second chance romance, Pretty Promises relied on these moments. That’s why I weaved flashbacks into the story; they were a direct reflection of how these characters can use their past to either remain stagnant, or grow and create a new present.
Spanish plays an integral role in the Magic City Amores series. Why was it important for you to include the language without translation?
Because that’s how I grew up. I’m privileged to have been born and raised in Miami, a city rich with Latine culture, so I wanted to keep it integral to that. Miami is one of a kind. The first language spoken is Spanish—English comes second. And at times, translations aren’t offered. This is a key representation we don’t see often, so I want to keep true to it.
What do you want readers to take away from the Magic City Amores series?
Latines are more diverse and nuanced than people think. We’re not a “one size fits all” and I hope readers get to understand this throughout the series.
What kind of research did you have to do for the Magic City Amores series? Were there any books, articles, or other media that inspired you?
Truthfully, all the telenovelas I grew up watching with my grandma like La Fea Más Bella and Cuidado con el ángel, and a smidge of Miami Vice and GTA.
You’ve also written paranormal romance. How did you approach worldbuilding in the Guardian series?
With the Guardian series, there’s a more scientific approach to worldbuilding as the vampires and lycans are inspired by my journey with leukemia. While my time during treatment didn’t make me an expert, I learned a thing or two about the blood and our bodies. And one day, when I was getting a blood transfusion after intense chemotherapy, I thought about how vampires drank blood, how they might have similar experiences to me if they were out and about in the world rather than hidden in the shadows, and it just all. . .clicked.
Did you always envision yourself writing in multiple subgenres?
Yes. While my focus was always romance, there were a few projects that leaned more fantasy with a romance subplot. Each year, new ideas have sprung up across different subgenres. I hope to return to all of them in the future since the variety in genres fuel my creativity and urge me to keep going.
Do you tend to come up with titles before or after you’ve written the book?
I always have a title before I start the story, and 90% of the time, they stay the same. However, in that 10%, the titles change after the book has been written.
Out of all of your books, which was the easiest to write and which was the hardest?
They’ve all been hard in their own ways, but in the best way possible. As a writer, I’m always growing, which means my stories grow, too. Each book brings a new challenge that makes me face obstacles that make the writer in me flourish.
Which of your characters has been your favorite to write?
My first baby—Katerina Eli, the FMC in Guardian. She’s what gave me strength during the lonely nights at the hospital when my body was riddled with chemo and I can’t thank her enough.
Do you have any books in the works or upcoming that you can tell us about?
I’m so excited to share a new series—that was not planned at all—in the shared world of the Ficha Mundial Universe, made up of all Latinx authors writing Latinx stories inspired by our evolving and rich culture. Shooting for Las Estrellas, a sapphic Reggaetonera and DJ/Producer romance, is the third book in the universe, and the first book in my Pasión y Amor series. I’ve been sharing tidbits here and there of SFLE, but an official announcement is coming soon!
I also have the third book in my Magic City Amores series, Faint Flaws, a sapphic mafia romance, in the works.
Impure Intentions Description
A New Year’s resolution. An impulsive decision. A reconnection that could crumble his empire and jeopardize her life.
El Año Nuevo signifies the start of a new chapter and the chance to reset.
For Vivian Calderón, it means a drunk declaration of her lifelong goal: getting into Mount Group, the largest construction company across South Florida and Latin America. After she’s granted the chance to move to Miami, the Magic City, she’s one step closer to achieving her dream. The catch? She must room with a stranger from her past. But she’ll do anything to accomplish her goal, even if it means living in a forgotten hometown with a roommate made of secrets.
For Matéo Montenegro, it means a bold decision. He lives a controlled life dedicated to his job. As Mount Group’s President, he has little time for anything else— especially not love. But when his childhood friend returns thirteen years after an accident that led to her sudden disappearance, no isn’t an option. Keeping his distance, however, is. It should be easy when a new challenge emerges to prove himself to the Board of Directors. Right?
Wrong.
Their reconnection will open unfinished business from the past, intensify risky desires in the present, and expose the familial ties that could cost them their future.
