About

I get asked about my name a lot. It’s not something exotic, though. “Kaje” is pronounced just like “cage” – it’s an old nickname, and my pronouns are she/her/hers.

I was born in Montreal but have lived for 30 years in Minnesota, where the two seasons are Snow-removal and Road-repair, where the mosquito is the state bird, and where winter can be breathtakingly beautiful. Minnesota’s a kind, quiet (if sometimes chilly) place and it’s home.

I’ve been writing far longer than I care to admit (*whispers – forty years*), mostly for my own entertainment, usually M/M romance (with added mystery, fantasy, historical, SciFi…) I also have a few Young Adult stories (some released under the pen name Kira Harp.)

My husband finally convinced me that after all the years of writing for fun, I really should submit something, somewhere. My first professionally published book, Life Lessons, came out in May 2011. I have a weakness for closeted cops with honest hearts, and teachers who speak their minds, and I had fun writing four novels and three freebie short stories in that series. I was delighted and encouraged by the reception Mac and Tony received.

I now have a good-sized backlist in ebooks and print, both free and professionally published. A complete list with links can be found on my website “Books” page here- https://kajeharper.wordpress.com/books/.

You can find me and the book reviews I write, mainly of M/M genre books, on my author page on Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4769304.Kaje_Harper- I hang out on Goodreads a lot because I also moderate the Goodreads YA LGBT Books group. I also post free short YA stories on that group, more than 80 of them so far.

You can also find me on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/KajeHarper
or email me : kajeharper ~at~ yahoo ~dot~ com

You can also join me for flash fiction, previews, book reviews, chat, and more on my Facebook Group: Kaje’s Conversation Corner – https://www.facebook.com/groups/208207893795147/

85 thoughts on “About”

    • Sorry, at the moment I don’t have anything specific for notifications. I do usually blog about upcoming releases and then announce when a book comes out, and you could subscribe to the blog, I suppose, to see those announcements. I’m so glad you are interested. The next two releases will be my short story “Full Circle” (see today’s blog) and then the werewolf book “Unacceptable Risk” probably in October.

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      • Any update on the release date for the “Unacceptable Risk” sequel? I looked at MLR but there’s no indication there of a release being imminent.

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  1. It should be really soon. I’d hoped for this Friday Feb 24 but that’s not going to happen. The book is in formatting, which is the last stage before it releases, but MLR has been getting bigger (which is good) and as a result, things are going through slower 🙁 – I’m still hoping for sometime in the next two weeks, and I will definitely post as soon as I have a date.

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  2. Hi! I have no idea where to type this but I can’t wait another minute. So on my baby laptop while at work I have to say how happy I am to have stumbled onto your books. I got The Rebuilding Year for my kindle just the other day and simply could not put it down. I fell in love with the characters and I look forward to reading ALL of your other books.
    I’ll keep this short but you have to know how frustrated I have been trying to find a book about two men who are otherwise straight – who just fall for each other. I nearly exploded when I found this book. It was exactly what I wanted. Thank you so much for writing!

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  3. I just started reading one of your books, Lies and Consequence…ahhh I am totally hooked!! I have never read this genre before and I am glad this was my reaction to this as my first experience!! My summer will be spent reading your works. I guess this more of a Kudo’s than a question. 🙂

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    • I’m really delighted to have introduced you to the genre. That’s about the nicest compliment there is. There are so many wonderful books to be read in the m/m romance field, including a lot of very good free material.

      I have another long freebie coming out within the next few weeks although it will first be available to members of the Goodreads M/M Romance group. I do hope to make it generally available soon after that. That group has 570 books listed on their free reading shelf, and over 5000 books total so if you want more material or reviews or variation you might consider checking it out. I have the link in my What’s Coming Next post from April 27th. Either way, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed my book.

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  4. Hi, just wanted to let you know I have just read In Deep Water and I think it’s the best thing you’ve written. I cried when Trip and Daniel got married. It was a fantastic 5* read. (not saying your other works aren’t as good, they are brilliant but reading about them has made my year) its not often you get to read about people having more than a few years together and to watch them get married, yes, I was there ;-), was just wonderful. Thank you, thank you thank you and please continue writing.
    Tish

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    • I’m so glad you liked it; it was intense but fun to write, and the response has been wonderful. It will be a hard story to follow up on in some ways – I got pretty deep into the writing of this one and it’s hard to change pace – but don’t worry, I don’t think I can stop 😉 So hopefully there will be other stories that you’ll like yet to come.

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    • When I wrote The Rebuilding Year, I intended it to be a stand-alone. I’ve been delighted (and a little surprised) by how many people want to know what happens next for this little family. So a sequel is now on my “maybe” list, but not planned at the moment. I really appreciate your interest though – there’s probably no better compliment than “more, please.”

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        • I would love to do that – right now I can’t afford it until I know that the first book is going to make back at least part of what it cost. Audio is great and I love what Gomez Pugh did with it, but it costs quite a bit to make. So I hope that book 1 sells and then I can get Gomez to do book 2 as well. And maybe even the 2.5 novella that’s coming out on Sunday too. 🙂

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  5. I have to say i loved The Rebuilding Year it started me off on reading your books and i hope it goes from a maybe list to a to write list please pretty please.

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  6. I just read the stories involving Mac and and Tony. I LOVED THEM. These characters are great. I am hooked. I can relate to the books being I live in the Twin Cities and being an officer. I hope there will be more books involving these two…making them a series!!!

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    • I’m glad to hear you enjoyed them, especially from a fellow Minnesotan. So far there are three novels and three short stories about Tony and Mac, and there will be at least one more novel coming out.

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      • I did enjoy the book every much. The character were sweet and personal. Truly a great read. 🙂
        The book felt like it finished with a number of loose ends; w/ the readers (at least this reader) thinking that there could be a great sequel in the future. The step-father, Brandon, seems to have a temper w/ a possible hint of verbal abuse paired w/ his ego; does he use his law degree to go after John and Ryan? Both John and Ryan were attractive to woman; could there be a menage with a woman in the future? Which specialty is Ryan going into in regards to being a doctor? Is John going to get a back bone when it comes to his ex-wife and stop pay such a ridiculous amount of child support, or is Brandon using that child support for his own purposes?
        🙂 As you probably see, I would definitely be buying the next paperback installment.

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      • You have a good imagination, and yes, there are plenty of loose threads for a sequel. I’m actually thinking it might be one of my projects for later this year…

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  7. Hi, just finished “Sole Support” and really enjoyed it. I believe the sign of a good author is one who creates characters so real you think to yourself “I would like to meet these people.”
    At times I wanted to smack Kellan upside the head, you made him very believable. Mike was a real sweetheart. I will definitely be reading more of your books. Thanks, KIM

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    • I’m really pleased that Mike and Kellen felt authentic to you. That’s one of my goals with my writing – to create real people you care about. I hope you enjoy the others. I have a variety of free novels and stories out as well as the professional books. Thanks for coming by to say hello.

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  8. Hi. I just recently discovered your books. I don’t even remember how. But I wanted to leave you a note to say I loved the Mac and Tony books and The Rebuilding Year and I’m looking forward to discovering the rest of your catalog and your future works. Absolutely wonderful and enjoyable reads. I wish i were a book critic so i could express myself properly, but since I’m not i’ll just say that i love your books. Unfortunately in the m/m genre, or maybe any genre, there are too many bad authors and for me as a reader it’s just a pain wading through all that and wasting time. when i finally happen upon a good book it makes all the work finding my way to it worth it. So I just wanted to say thank you and I’ll be working my way through your books in the next several months and enjoying myself.

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    • Thanks for coming by to say hi and I appreciate the kind words. The fourth Mac and Tony book should be out later this year. I hope you’re finding other good authors too. I have a list of favorites who rarely let me down, and I use reviews on Goodreads as a guide to my reading, because there are way too many good books out there and I also hate wasting time on ones I don’t like. Let me know if you want any suggestions of books or authors, or if you’re on Goodreads, you can check my “Favorites” list for the M/M books on there. http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/5309738-kaje-harper?shelf=favorites You won’t like them all, but at least you’ll know they have good, competent writing.

      I hope you enjoy my other stories too, as you come to them. There are some free stories among them that aren’t on Amazon so you can look at my “Books” page if you want the complete list. Thanks again for dropping by 🙂 .

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      • Oh yes, I would love recommendations! I’ve already discovered Josh Lanyon, Rhys Ford, and Nicole Kimberling. I also like Jordan Hawk and Jordan Castillo Price. Now that I’m listing them I guess there quite a few great authors. I’ll check out your list as well. Thank you.

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      • All of those are great. I also like Amy Lane (Try Clear Water as a middle-of-her-range introduction), Kate Sherwood, Marie Sexton, James Buchanan, Harper Fox, Heidi Cullinan, Tere Michaels, Josephine Myles, KD Sarge, Tamara Allen, ZA Maxfield, Sarah Black, JL Merrow, Ginn Hale, Jane Davitt, Aleks Voinov, Chris Owen… So much good reading out there. (Be aware that some books by some of these authors are BDSM so check reviews if that’s not to your taste.) Happy reading!

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  9. I was reading Anna’s comments and your follow up. I’m always looking for good authors and will be checking out the ones listed I haven’t read yet. Here are a couple more m/m authors that I really enjoy, Cameron Dane, Lynn Lorenz and Katrina Strauss. Hope that helps as I too do not enjoy buying a book that I cant finish reading or finish but picked apart the entire time I was reading because the errors or plot were so bad.

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  10. I finished reading your 2 series and really enjoyed them both, Please tell me you aren’t done with them yet. I gotta know if Mac gets better and if he reconnects with his sister. There’s just something special about a series with recurring characters, You really feel that you get to know them. Your series is right up there with my favorites. I like you twist on shifter fantasy and hope to see where you are taking this serires. In Unexpected Demands you used the Metallica song “Nothing Else Matters” which is a beautiful song. Was wondering if you have heard of the Finish Group Apocalyptica? They do a cover of “Nothing Else Matters” that you wont believe until you hear it, It is incredible. You can pull it up on YouTube and see the official video or a live version. If you do, I would love to know what you think of them. They do an entire CD of Metallica songs along with other CDs that include songs with guest performers like Brent Smith of Shinedown, Books and Music, cant get enough of either.

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    • There will definitely be more to come for both series. Learning Curve, the fourth Life Lessons book, should come out in the next few months. I’m currently writing the third Hidden Wolves book, and the fourth one is done in first draft.

      Thanks for the Apocalyptica mention – very nice indeed (although I admit to a fondness for the lyrics in the original too.)

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  11. I have the first three Life Lessons books in paperback. Will the new one, Learning Curve, be release in a paperback format anytime soon?

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  12. hello! you are a great writer 🙂 I hope to read more of your work. I do have a question though: how many books will you write of the series life lessons? Will there be more after the fourth book or is this a wrap up?:)

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    • Thanks 🙂 This fourth book, Learning Curve, is intended to be the last book, at least for a while. I just can’t see dragging Tony into another mystery anytime soon, and they are in a good place with life and family. Maybe down the road there will be some short fiction. And eventually those kids will be teenagers, to Mac’s dismay. But for now, this is the conclusion of the novels.

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  13. Just finished “Into Deep Waters” and thoroughly enjoyed it. A lot of reasons to pause and think as you read this book. I am so glad that it ended before the death of either person. I was all prepared for a very sad ending only to be elated that it didn’t happen. This is the second book of Ms Harper’s that I’ve read and really enjoyed both of them.

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  14. Just saw that there is a sequel to “The Rebuilding Year” coming in 2014!!! Thank you, 🙂 ! Can’t wait to read it. MN winters are long and cold; a new book to curl up with would be perfect. Thank you.

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  15. Hey
    I just wantend to say that I think you are a great writer. I cried reading Into Deep Waters! The story was really touching and easy to read (English isn’t my first language, or second but I do try to read a lot of English books) . I will definitely read al your others story’s!

    A fan from Belgium

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  16. Hi!
    I recently came across your wonderful ‘Nor Iron Bars a Cage’, and immediately looked for more of your work. To my sorrow, since I live in Switzerland, I can’t seem to buy the two ‘hidden wolves’ novels – but recently a friend sent me electronic copies, since she had them both. I feel awful that at this point, you haven’t gotten the royalties for them, though… Do you know of some publisher making them available over here? If not, can I buy them directly from you? I really appreciate the effort that goes into writing, especially as well as you do!
    Lela

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  17. I was wondering if I could purchase a signed book from you. My best friend and I read your books. We love your Mac & Tony series. Id like to get him a signed book for his birthday. We are looking forward to checking out your other books. Thank You!

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  18. Hi, I just wanted to let you know that I love your books. There is quite a lot of mm romance out there, where I have the feeling, that neither the author nor the editor put a lot of thought behind it. So I always love to read one of your books. I can only imagine how much hard work, dedication and commitment it takes for you to write – and not just write a book, but write a good book. I’m looking forward to any story you will write in the near future, but especially the third installment of the hidden wolf series. Verena

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    • I appreciate hearing that. Writing is a joy but yes, also a lot of time and intensity, so I’m really pleased when readers enjoy the stories. I just got the acceptance for the third wolves book from my MLR editor – I’ll post here when I have a cover or a release date 🙂

      Don’t forget the free short stories – especially “Unwanted Appeal 2.5” which comes after “Unexpected Demands” and extends that romance a little bit. Aaron and Zach will appear, although not star, in book 3 as well.

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    • I had a plot problem with Rebuilding Year 2, and set it aside for a bit, but I figured it out, and I’m back to writing. No release date though. Samhain tends to run at least six months out from submission though, and I haven’t submitted it yet. Sorry – hopefully other books will entertain you till then.

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  19. I have just recently stumbled upon your books and this genre. Your books are light years ahead of some of the books I’ve read. You have a great story and plot with magnetic characters. An added bonus is being a Wisconsin/Minnesota girl already. Life Lessons and Hidden Wolves are some of my all time favorite books! I am actually bummed because I am just starting the last wolf book and I don’t know what to read next since I already devoured all your series books. Great job!!!!!

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    • Thanks 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoy my guys.

      If you’re new to M/M, there are a host of wonderful stories out there. Authors you might sample to see if they hit your sweet spot include KJ Charles, Harper Fox, Amy Lane (of course), Tamara Allen (fade-to-black historicals with lovely guys), Sarah Black, Lyn Gala (some BDSM), Heidi Cullinan, Eli Easton (light and sweet), Kate Sherwood, Aleksandr Voinov, Jordan Castillo Price, and so many more. If you are on the Goodreads book site, check out my “Favorites” book shelf. And thanks for stopping by here – I appreciate the kind words.

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      • Thank you for the recommendations! I will definitely look at those authors and your recs page for my next book. I am hooked on m/m books! Tony/Mac completely stole my heart, and I have a huge soft spot for Simon/Paul and Aaron/Zach. I don’t even want to start the third book just to draw it out a little more, but alas I can’t wait! Thank you again!

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  20. Hi,
    I love your Life Lessons series and I was wondering if there is any chance that these will be released as audiobooks. This is my latest obsession and I now spend my longer trips in the car listening to stories. I would love to include your stories if at all possible.
    Thanks
    Sharon
    Australia

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    • Hi Sharon, thanks for asking.

      I don’t have any audio book releases right now, but it’s an area I hope to explore. I am planning to release “Into Deep Waters” in audio this year. For Life Lessons, the audio rights are currently owned by the publisher, MLR Press. MLR has discussed audio releases, but so far has not done so for any of their titles. If you have an interest, you might encourage them to look into it, (and if you have preferred narrators, tell them so also, since the success of an audio book depends heavily on the narrator.) This appears to be an increasing area of reader interest, I’m hopeful that the project will eventually happen.

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      • Thanks. I’ll email MLR to see what they think. I agree about the importance of the narrator and will have to seriously think about it.

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        • Hi again Kaje,
          I emailed MLR and this is the reply that I received signed by Laura:

          “Titles are with a voice actor but audio takes time to produce. We are
          waiting to hear when the actor has completed a title.”

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        • Well that’s fascinating… I had only heard it as a vague possibility. It sounds like they have some narrator lined up… I’ll have to look into it. Thanks for letting me know.

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  21. Hi Kaje!
    I just have to say that I looove your “Rebuilding Year” series. That series is one of my comfort reads so I re-read them quite often.
    I was wonder if you’ve thought about writing another book? I love John and Ryan and would love an update.
    Thanks for all your wonderful books.

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    • Hi Kryssa, thanks for stopping by and the kind words. I have thought about maybe doing a novella for John and Ryan (and family) set when gay marriage finally became legal in Wisconsin (which would put Torey at about 15…). Right now, I’m going to have to re-issue the books, with the publisher closing down, but if I take the chance to edit, it may be a good opportunity to get back into those guys’ heads. I’m also thinking about audio for the first book. So a solid… maybe.

      I’m so glad you enjoy spending time with John and Ryan.

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  22. Just finished ‘The Rebuilding Year’ audible book & ebook combo.
    I loved it! I’m also excited to hear about book 2.5 novella being released on 10-15-17.
    Do you have any idea if/when ‘The Rebuilding Year’- Book 2 (sequel) will be published on audible?
    Book one has received great reviews and I see lots of “can’t wait for audiobook #2 to be released”
    Thank you!
    Sarah
    P.s – I do own all of your audible books. I’d love to see many more in that format! 😉

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    • I’m so glad you enjoyed the books on audio – I love what Gomez Pugh did with The Rebuilding Year. I really want to do book 2 as well, and maybe the novella, but it costs about $3500 up front to release a novel with an top notch narrator like Gomez – until I see if it will sell well enough to pay back at least most of that, I can’t afford to do book 2 yet. Fingers crossed though – people have been leaving great reviews so I’m hopeful it will do well.

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      • Any update on a future audio book for The Rebuilding Year Book 2? I really loved Gomez’s narration as well! 5 star review 🙂

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        • I hope to commission it this year. Last year was really tight financially, but the first book has made back about 2/3 of what I spent on it, so that’s promising. Gomez is in demand, but I hope to get it and the novella done.

          I appreciate the reminder that there are people interested in having it <3

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  23. Hi

    I have a question regarding your book I believe I should not post in public. Could you please send me an email so I can ask away?

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    • I just posted book 5 as coming on Goodreads – “Beset by Demons” – Necromancer book 5 now has a release date of February 22, 2022. And I’ve started writing book 6. I’m guessing there will be 7, but as a total pantser, I never know. (After all when I started book 1, I thought it was going to be a one-off flash fiction, but it kept growing.)

      I’m so glad you enjoy them enough to stop by and ask. 🙂

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