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K. R. S. McEntire is from the generation that dashed through platform 9 ¾, fell in love with vegetarian vampires and motorcycle-riding werewolves, and took down a corrupt government during the Hunger Games. Her sorting hat placed her in Gryffinpuff (she's convinced it's a thing).

McEntire remembers how magical it felt to follow wardrobes into unimaginable worlds, and she hopes to bring that same joy to the next generation. Her earliest introduction to swords, dragons, and mythical kingdoms was playing RPG games alongside her father, and she's glad that writing allows her to build her own epic worlds.

She runs the Facebook page Diverse Books With Magic, where she promotes diversity in speculative fiction. McEntire lives in Indianapolis with her husband and her two sons, Justus and Kaden

That Girl Who Ran Off and Kissed a Vampire by K. R. S. McEntire

Eighteen-year-old Raven has always had a plan: college, a stable job, and marriage to her high school sweetheart—all within the safe boundaries of her comfort zone. As a neurodivergent girl adopted into a family of high achievers, she understands the importance of stability. But when a single disastrous day leaves her without a job, her best friend, or her boyfriend, Raven's carefully planned future unravels.

Desperate for a fresh start, Raven takes a leap of faith in the form of a mysterious job offer that lands her in a magical realm where humans coexist with fae, dragons, vampires, and other fantastical creatures. Her unlikely guide is Hunter, a snarky and secretive vampire who insists her bloodline holds the key to breaking an ancient curse. Reluctantly, Raven agrees to help, embarking on a quest filled with impromptu hip-hip concerts in medieval taverns, sassy talking unicorns, and growing feelings for Hunter. But as sparks fly, so do her suspicions about his true intentions.

To save a kingdom—and herself—Raven must uncover the secrets of her heritage and decide if she's willing to risk everything for a magical world and a love that feels too impossible to be real.

CURATOR'S NOTE

What happens when your carefully planned life crumbles and a magical door to a new world opens instead? This YA portal fantasy whisks readers on a rom-com–flavored adventure full of D&D-style quests, sassy unicorns, and even hip-hop concerts in a medieval tavern. With a charming vampire love interest and a heroine who dares to dream again, this story will leave you laughing, swooning, and cheering by the final page. – K.R.S. McEntire

 

REVIEWS

  • "What got me most about this book though, was how seen I felt. The chaos of Raven's brain felt so familiar and then the line "Some people's brains just thought too much or felt too much or hurt too much..." and I cried thinking how much that resonated with me. "

    – Amazon Review

  • "I've read other books my McEntire and so knew I was in for a treat with this one. I always love their rich worlds, with a hint of more beneath the surface. I adored Raven, and loved how the story drew me in and made me sit up and want to finish it all in one sitting."

    – Amazon Review

  • "I cannot believe how much what fit into less than 300 pages; the character growth subtle but beautiful world building, the relationship building, the story arc, the inclusivity and representation of so many different groups, the examination of prejudice and so much more."

    – Amazon Review
 

BOOK PREVIEW

Excerpt

All those '90s teen movies that my mom adored, full of dreamy romances and ride-or-die friendships, were absolute frauds. In my four years of high school, there were no choreographed dances, no life-changing detention experiences, and no romantic confessions in the rain. The only magical thing about high school was that it was finally over. Yet as I stood behind the stage in my cap and gown, shifting from foot to foot and observing my peers, I couldn't shake the feeling that some type of magic had put the other girls in my class under a spell.

They huddled together, whispering among themselves in hushed, reverent tones about a guy spotted in the building, each calling dibs on whose life he'd ruin with a summer romance. Apparently, this guy was fine, fine. He'd easily be the star of a '90s teen rom-com.

They didn't bother speaking to me. That was nothing new. Still, their wide-eyed fascination sent a prickle of unease down my spine. Before I could question it further, our assistant principal rushed over in towering heels. She flailed for balance, straightening herself after an unsteady halt, and forced a strained smile.

"Deep breaths, everyone!" she said, brushing long, brown hair behind her ears to reveal a face glistening with a fine layer of perspiration. She waved us into formation. "Line up! Line up! No stampedes, please. Act like you learned something about decorum while you were here. This isn't a race. Heads up. Shoulders back. Smile!"

I found my place in line and shuffled forward, my curly purple fro waging a rebellion against my graduation cap. With a quick tug, I yanked the cap back into place as we moved toward the stage, finally taking my seat with a sigh of relief. I tried to find my parents in the crowd, scanning the auditorium packed with metal chairs lined up in neat but slightly uneven rows. The moment my eyes landed on the man in the front row, a shiver shot through me. He had to be the one the other girls had been whispering about.

The man in the front row of my graduation ceremony was looking at me with a glint in his eyes that was equal parts confidence and mischief. He sat dead center in the dimly lit auditorium, perched on the edge of his seat like he might leap onto the stage.

Though his curly black hair fell across his forehead, nearly obscuring his reddish-brown eyes, I could still feel the intensity of his gaze. I squirmed and looked away, focusing on my principal's words as she spoke about sunshine and rainbows, perseverance and bright futures, and blah, blah, blah. But when I snuck a glance back at the strange man, he was smiling at me.