ASHLEI. MORELLI

Hey there, dark romance lovers! I'm Ashlei Morelli, and I write the kind of steamy, twisted stories that probably shouldn't turn you on... but absolutely will. (Don't worry, we're all a little broken here.)

Let me tell you, my journey into writing romance wasn't exactly conventional. I spent years bartending – yep, just like Rose from "Darkened Forbidden Obsessions" – listening to everyone's secrets and stories while mixing their drinks. There's something about being behind that bar that makes people spill their darkest desires. And trust me, I was taking mental notes the whole time.

I've always been fascinated by the thin line between obsession and love, between right and wrong. Maybe it comes from spending too many nights watching the dance between predator and prey play out across a dimly lit bar. Or maybe I'm just wired differently. (My therapist would probably have thoughts about that, but we'll keep those between us.)

When I started writing "Darkened Forbidden Obsessions," I knew I wanted to create something that would make readers question their own moral compass. You know those moments when you're rooting for someone you absolutely shouldn't? That's my sweet spot. I love crafting characters who are unapologetically dark but somehow still manage to steal your heart – and possibly your sanity.

My writing style? Think midnight confessions meets psychological thriller meets "oh god, I shouldn't be this turned on right now." I don't do simple happily-ever-afters. My characters have to earn their happiness through fire, and sometimes they get burned along the way. The path to love in my books is paved with questionable choices and deliciously dark desires.

For those who've already met Rose and Xade in "Darkened Forbidden Obsessions," you know exactly what I mean. That masked stranger scenario? Totally inspired by a real encounter I witnessed at the bar. (Though I may have taken some creative liberties with what happened next... okay, a lot of liberties.)

When I'm not writing steamy scenes that would make my mother disown me (hi Mom, if you're reading this – please don't), I'm probably creating playlists that match the darkness of my characters' souls or hanging out with my rescue cat, Villain. Yes, that's really his name, and yes, he lives up to it.

To my readers: I promise to never water down the darkness. My books aren't for everyone, and I'm perfectly okay with that. If you're looking for sweet, wholesome romance, you might want to look elsewhere. But if you crave stories that explore the shadowy corners of desire, where consent is sexy but obsession is sexier? Pull up a chair at my bar.

What can you expect from my books? Raw emotion. Complex characters who blur the lines between good and evil. Steam that'll fog up your kindle. And endings that might not be traditionally "happy" but are always satisfying in their own twisted way.

I'm currently working on my next novel (fueled by way too much coffee and my playlist of dark indie songs), and let's just say it makes "Darkened Forbidden Obsessions" look like a bedtime story. Fair warning: it involves a possessive antihero who makes Xade look like a choir boy.

To everyone who's taken a chance on my debut novel – thank you. Your messages about staying up until 3 AM to finish the book (even though you had work the next day) make all those late-night writing sessions worth it. And to those who are just discovering my work: welcome to the dark side. We have cookies... and questionable morals.

Want to connect? Find me on Instagram where I post writing updates, behind-the-scenes peeks at my chaotic creative process, and pictures of Villain being... well, villainous. I also have a newsletter where I share exclusive content and maybe a few secrets I probably shouldn't tell. (But we're all friends here, right?)

Remember: life's too short for vanilla romance. Let's get dark together.

XOXO, Ashlei