ASHLEY. BRESEE

Hey there! I'm Ashley Bresee, and I write dark fantasy romance that probably shouldn't be read in the dead of night... but that's exactly when you'll want to devour it. (Trust me, I've gotten plenty of 3 AM messages from readers who couldn't put The Mercy of Dawn down. I consider those badges of honor.)

Writing has been my escape since I was that weird kid in the back of class scribbling stories about monsters instead of paying attention to algebra. Turns out, those monsters were just waiting for their moment to become love interests. Who knew? I certainly didn't expect to end up writing about murderous fae princes who make questionable life choices, but here we are, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I grew up on a steady diet of folklore, true crime podcasts, and romance novels hidden under my mattress. Eventually, those influences crashed together in my brain and created something... different. My stories live in that shadowy space where beauty meets brutality, where monsters wear pretty masks, and where love blooms in the most unlikely (and sometimes bloodiest) places.

The Mercy of Dawn is my debut novel, but don't let that fool you – I've been crafting this world in my head for years. It's the first in what I'm calling The Nightfall Chronicles, and yes, there's plenty more darkness to come. (My Google search history is probably concerning to someone somewhere, but it's all for research, I swear!)

What can you expect from my books? Murder mysteries that'll keep you guessing, fae politics that'll make your head spin, and romance that burns slow but hot. I don't write simple heroes or clear-cut villains. My characters live in the grey areas, making terrible decisions for sometimes-noble reasons, and falling in love despite their best intentions. There's always a happy ending... eventually. But I'm going to make you work for it.

When I'm not writing, I'm probably wandering through old cemeteries for "inspiration" (aka spooking myself), collecting weird antiques that my partner politely tolerates, or baking unnecessarily complicated desserts while listening to true crime podcasts. I live in the Pacific Northwest with said patient partner, two judgmental cats, and an ever-growing collection of books that's threatening to take over our house.

I believe the best stories are the ones that make you feel something – even if that something is the urge to throw your e-reader across the room. (Please don't actually throw it, though. I promise it'll all make sense in the end.) My characters might make you angry, make you cry, or make you want to reach through the pages and shake them... but they'll never bore you.

Fair warning: I don't write light and fluffy romance. My books deal with dark themes, morally grey characters, and situations that might make some readers uncomfortable. There will be blood. There will be betrayal. There will be moments where you question everything you thought you knew. But there will also be hope, redemption, and love strong enough to overcome the darkness. (Plus some steamy scenes that'll make you fan yourself – I mean, what's the point of a dangerous fae prince if he can't make your heart race?)

I love connecting with readers, so you can find me on Instagram and TikTok probably posting too many aesthetic photos of books and coffee, or rambling about folklore and true crime. My newsletter subscribers get exclusive sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes content, and first dibs on new releases. (They also get to hear about all the times my cats have walked across my keyboard and accidentally "contributed" to the manuscript.)

If you're looking for a safe, predictable romance, my books probably aren't for you. But if you want to get lost in a dark and dangerous world where love and death dance together, where monsters wear beautiful masks, and where happy endings are earned through blood and tears... well, pull up a chair. We're going to have fun together.

And remember – the things that go bump in the night aren't always the ones you need to fear. Sometimes they're the ones you end up falling in love with.