1--What is the title of your latest release?
A DEAL IN DARKNESS
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
L.O.R.D.S meets THE KINGDOM OF THE WICKED
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
I chose London as a setting because I’ve lived there, and I wanted to bring its gothic beauty and hidden darkness to life in a way that feels authentic. The city’s winding alleyways, historic architecture, and eerie, mist-filled nights create the perfect backdrop for a paranormal romance. There’s a natural undercurrent of mystery to London—it’s a place where the supernatural feels like it could be lurking just beneath the surface. As for Hell, I wanted a setting that contrasts yet complements London, a realm both terrifying and seductive, reflecting the characters’ struggles with power, temptation, and fate. The interplay between these two worlds heightens the tension and deepens the romance, making the setting an integral part of the story.
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Adriana? Absolutely. She’s kind, loyal, and full of light—someone who would make an incredible friend. She sees the good in people, even when they don’t see it in themselves, and I think that kind of warmth is rare.
Enzo? Not if I valued my life. He’s dangerous, morally black, and entirely without a soul. He doesn’t do kindness, and he certainly doesn’t do small talk. Unless you’re making a deal with him (which is never a good idea), he has no reason to entertain your existence. That said, if I could observe him from a safe distance—maybe behind some holy barriers—I’d definitely be intrigued.
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Adriana: Innocent, compassionate, resilient.
Enzo: Ruthless, enigmatic, sexy-as-hell.
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
I learned that writing a truly dark, morally black character like Enzo is both thrilling and challenging. It’s easy to give a villain a redemption arc, but keeping him unapologetically ruthless while still making his connection with Adriana compelling took a lot of balance. I also realized how much I love writing contrasts—light and dark, innocence and corruption, love and destruction. Exploring how those extremes collide, especially in a setting as rich as London and Hell, pushed me to deepen both the tension and the emotional stakes in ways I didn’t expect.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I tend to write fairly clean, so it’s rare for me to edit as I go along. That said, I’m a planster, so if something isn’t working out as I go along, I have to delete and rewrite, and as the plot develops, I’ll go back and add in foreshadowing or little details as I’m writing.
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Dark chocolate, preferably the kind that’s rich, slightly bitter, and melts slowly. Perfect for late-night writing sessions.
9--Describe your writing space/office!
My writing space is a mix of cozy and chaotic. I have a desk with stacks of notebooks, a constantly refilled cup of tea or coffee, and soft lighting to set the mood. There’s usually a candle burning and a playlist humming in the background. It’s a space where I can sink into the world I’m creating and forget everything else.
10--Who is an author you admire?
Ursula K. Le Guin. Her ability to blend philosophy, sociology, and deeply human storytelling is unmatched. She didn’t just tell stories; she reshaped how we think about power, identity, and the nature of truth.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
Several. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin challenged the way I think about identity and connection. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius is something I return to when I need perspective—his reflections on resilience and inner strength are timeless. The Secret History by Donna Tartt changed how I think about atmosphere and character-driven storytelling. And The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë was groundbreaking in its portrayal of women’s rights, independence, and the courage to walk away from what society deems acceptable, and it’s a novel that still feels radical today.
12--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.
Deciding to self-publish was both exhilarating and terrifying. I knew I wanted full creative control over the dark, twisted romances and morally complex characters, but that also meant taking on everything myself. The moment I committed to it, though, something clicked. It felt right. It wasn’t about waiting for permission; it was about bringing these stories to life on my own terms.
I don’t quite remember how I felt when City Owl Press picked up my four book romantasy myth retelling series. I came out the meeting in a bit of a daze and my bottom lip just started wobbling, and my daughter (who was staying up late to find out what happened) started jumping up and down all over the place.
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
Dark fantasy and paranormal romance
14--What’s your favorite movie?
I genuinely don’t know, but some that come to mind are LABYRINTH, THE PRINCESS BRIDE, THE SHAPE OF WATER and PAN’s LABYRINTH.
15--What is your favorite season?
Winter. I love the cold, and the quiet, and the way the world feels a little more magical under frost and snow. I love everything about it. It’s the perfect season for curling up with a book, writing late into the night, and embracing the darker, cozier side of things.
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
With my husband. A quiet, cozy day together, maybe a great meal, maybe a little adventure, doing something that feels special and ours.
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
The Great. It’s a darkly hilarious, sharp, and utterly addictive take on Catherine the Great. It’s irreverent, beautifully shot, and brilliantly written.
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
All of it. Food is an experience, and I love trying new things.
19--What do you do when you have free time?
Read, write, and wander. Whether it’s exploring a new place, getting lost in a book, or diving into a story I’m working on, I love anything that takes me somewhere else, even just for a little while.
20--What can readers expect from you next?
Readers can expect more dark, addictive stories full of morally complex characters, intense romance, and richly atmospheric worlds. I have two more dark paranormal romances coming out this year, each with its own blend of danger, passion, and the supernatural.
Beyond that, I’m thrilled to be publishing a four-book myth retelling fantasy romance series. The first book, Labyrinthine, a dark, romantic retelling of the Ariadne-Theseus-Minotaur myth, releases in May 2026. Each book in the series will reimagine a different Greek myth, weaving together love, fate, and mythological magic in ways both familiar and unexpected. If you love darker fantasy romance, fierce heroines, and deeply emotional storytelling, there’s a lot to look forward to!
Dark and Devilish #2
I’m damned by my own desires now I've made a deal with the devil
My first mistake was taking Enzo's deal. My second was believing I could escape. The devil doesn't go back on his bargains and this one has trapped me between pleasure and pain.
Enzo is mysterious, handsome, and depraved. He says he wants to turn me into his plaything. He claims he needs me. He acts like he craves me and now he has me in his grasp.
I can’t afford another mistake. I can’t fall for him, but the pleasure of sin is undeniable and some bargains can't be undone. Not when his hell is this tempting and its flames burn this hot.
_ _ _ _ _ _
This is a dark and spicy paranormal romance featuring an anti-hero, a strong heroine, and contains scenes and references of abuse/assault that some readers may find triggering, along with graphic sex scenes and violence. This is a dark book, suitable for 18+ readers only.
Romance Erotica Sensual | Fantasy [Author Self-Published, On Sale: March 3, 2025, e-Book , / eISBN: 9781917559027]
CJ Holmes writes paranormal and fantasy romances with sizzlingly hot heroes and strong, sassy women. Her first two series have reached the top ten category bestseller lists on Amazon and she has recently signed a four-book deal with City Owl Press. You can expect a strong dash of dry British humor, enough action and adventure to keep you turning the pages, and spice that might be too hot to read in public.
You’ll find CJ hanging out in one of her local cafes or walking somewhere in the UK countryside, invariably inappropriately dressed for the weather. If she isn’t there, she’ll be in a bookshop adding to her TBR list and book collection, and she considers herself fortunate that her husband is also an avid reader.
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