What is the title of your latest release?
I HOPE THIS EMAIL FINDS YOU IN HELL
What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
A down-on-her-luck receptionist’s life takes a hellish turn when she catches her hot boss performing an exorcism at the office and proceeds to join him on a road trip through hell to save their emotional support coworker, the world – and maybe fall in love.
How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
After I got the idea for the title, having the majority of the book take place in literal hell only felt right. Then it was just a matter of figuring out what hell looked like – kind of like a more corporatized, flipped version of our world. It was so fun filling it with all kinds of mischief and monsters (and, of course, the hot devil CEO).
Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?
Absolutely! Brie and I would binge so much reality TV together.
What are three words that describe your hero?
Trying her best
What’s something you learned while writing this book?
Honestly, how to write books for adults! This was the first adult novel I ever wrote, so it was a bit of a learning curve, especially when it comes to pacing and fleshing out the romance arc. I wanted to make sure I was writing a believable love story that would hopefully leave readers satisfied, despite all the chaos.
Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I might do light edits but usually I wait until I’m totally done. Most times, I’m just running up that deadline hill and not looking back.
What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Peanut butter M&Ms are the way to my heart.
Describe your writing space/office!
My aesthetic answer is the guest bedroom/office in my house with my laptop on a stand and my monitor, plus a candle lit for vibes and my book’s playlist on blast. A breeze comes through the open window and the bookshelves behind me are freshly dusted.
My real answer is hunched over my laptop on the couch like a gremlin.
Who is an author you admire?
Kate Golden! Her most recent releases, HALF CITY and CURSED CITY, walk that perfect line of action and romance with a badass female main character.
Is there a book that changed your life?
Holly Black’s Folk of the Air trilogy fundamentally changed my brain chemistry. They were the books that reminded me why I wanted to be an author and helped me push through the toughest rejections. They’re also the only books I’ve reread multiple times.
Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published). Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
I HOPE THIS EMAIL FINDS YOU IN HELL ended up going to auction, which was a wild experience. I remember feeling my stomach drop when my agent told me that Berkley was offering, and what they were offering. I actually felt really nervous initially because Berkley was a dream imprint of mine, and I knew they published rockstar authors, so I had a bit of imposter syndrome and was like “Am I cool enough to be here?” But then I was just so elated that I HOPE THIS EMAIL FINDS YOU IN HELL found such a wonderful home. I live in a tiny townhouse, and I did so much excited pacing that day, I think I walked something like 15,000 steps.
What’s your favorite genre to read?
I will forever love urban fantasy! But really anything with a great romance hooks me.
What’s your favorite movie?
Listen, the OG National Treasure movies have no business being as good as they are.
What is your favorite season?
SUMMER!!! I am a summer girl through and through. Which is funny because most of my books are spooky fall reads. Summerween, I guess?
How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
My birthday is in February and it’s always snowy, so I’m happy having a hibernation party with yummy food and family.
What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
I just finished UNFINISHED BUSINESS by Clare Osongco and loooooved it!
What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Italian! I grew up helping my Nani make chicken cutlets and sauce so it will always be a comfort cuisine to me. Also, carbonara pasta is my kryptonite.
What do you do when you have free time?
Free time? Never heard of her.
Okay for real – I love being outside and going on walks, and lately I’ve been really into baking! Especially sourdough bread and focaccia that I can share with my friends and family. Carb gifting is my love language.
What can readers expect from you next?
After I HOPE THIS EMAIL FINDS YOU IN HELL releases on September 1st, my next young adult thriller titled WORSE THAN THE OTHERS comes out February 9th! And after that, I may or may not have another hellish paranormal romance up my sleeve.
I HOPE THIS EMAIL FINDS YOU IN HELL by Mackenzie Reed
When staying late at the office leads to witnessing an exorcism, Brie Benson’s mundane life takes a hellish turn…literally.
After her parents’ death, twenty‑seven‑year‑old Brie has mastered the art of compartmentalization to survive her mind‑numbing routine as a receptionist at a life insurance company. But when she accidentally catches her hot, uptight boss, Luke, performing an exorcism on Debra from accounting, her carefully ordered world implodes.
Swearing Brie to secrecy, Luke reveals he’s from a line of demon hunters and that demonic activity is spiking. But when her emotional support coworker vanishes, Brie is determined to find her. With nothing left to lose, she convinces Luke to let her join his rescue mission.
The problem? Their destination is hell. And the entrance is in Times Square.
Now Brie and Luke must navigate a corporate underworld of monsters and bureaucratic nightmares while racing to save their colleague and repair a tearing veil between worlds. All before their growing feelings become irrelevant and hell claims them forever.
Paranormal Romance | Fantasy Romance [ Berkley, On Sale: September 1, 2026, Trade Paperback / e-Book / audiobook, ISBN: 9780593957097 / eISBN: 9780593957103 ]
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About Mackenzie Reed
MacKenzie Reed just loves to create characters, put them in sticky situations and watch the sparks fly. Writing has been a life-long dream for MacKenzie, and when she was in high school, she wrote a continuing story and her mother thought it was good. Looking at it now, MacKenzie laughs and says, “What was I thinking?”
She enjoys writing, taking care of her family, and chocolate. Strange list to be sure, but that’s the way it goes. Her first title was a short story called The Magic of Passion in Liquid Silver Books’ AFTERNOON DELIGHTS Anthology. Haunting Melody is her first novel.
She loves to hear from readers! Drop her an email.
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