Dana Delamar

Hey there! I'm Dana Delamar, and I write dark, gritty mafia romance that'll keep you up way past your bedtime. (My characters aren't exactly the type who believe in curfews anyway.)

I never expected to end up writing about dangerous men and the women who bring them to their knees, but looking back, maybe I should have seen it coming. Growing up, I was that kid who always had her nose buried in a book, usually something wildly inappropriate for my age. While other girls were reading Sweet Valley High, I was sneaking my mom's romantic suspense novels and devouring anything with a dangerous edge.

My journey into writing started the way many authors' do – with a story I couldn't get out of my head. I'd been working in corporate communications (yeah, about as far from the mafia as you can get), when these characters started talking to me. Loudly. At really inconvenient times. Like during important meetings. Try explaining to your boss that you're distracted because a fictional Italian crime boss won't shut up about his revenge plans!

That persistent voice became "Revenge," the first book in my Blood and Honor series. It's a story about vengeance, redemption, and the kind of love that burns everything in its path. When it became a double finalist in the 2013 Booksellers' Best Awards (for both Romantic Suspense and Best First Book), I knew I'd found my calling. Though I'll admit, sometimes I wonder what my sweet grandmother would think about her granddaughter writing steamy scenes involving mafia dons. (Sorry, Nonna!)

My books aren't your typical romance novels. I write about the dark side of love, where the heroes aren't always heroic and the lines between right and wrong get real blurry, real fast. If you're looking for a sweet, clean romance where everyone plays by the rules... well, you might want to look elsewhere. My characters tend to make their own rules. Usually while breaking several laws.

"Redemption," the third book in the Blood and Honor series, holds a special place in my heart. When it became a finalist in the 2014 Maggie Awards for Excellence, I may have celebrated with a glass (okay, bottle) of Italian wine. The feedback from readers has been incredible – though I do occasionally get messages asking if I have actual mob connections. (For legal reasons, I'll have to plead the Fifth on that one. 😉)

Here's what you can expect from my books: complex characters who aren't easily categorized as good or bad, steamy scenes that'll fog up your e-reader, and plots that twist and turn like the streets of old Palermo. I do extensive research into Italian culture, crime families, and the intricacies of the underworld. (My browser history would probably get me put on several watch lists if anyone checked.)

When I'm not writing about dangerous men and the women who tame them, I'm probably binge-watching The Sopranos for the millionth time, planning my next research trip to Italy (purely for authenticity purposes, of course), or trying to perfect my homemade marinara sauce. My cat, Capone (yes, really), supervises all writing sessions from his perch on my desk.

To my readers: thank you for joining me in this world of dangerous romance and complex morality. Your messages, reviews, and support mean everything to me. Every time you tell me you stayed up all night reading, or that you couldn't put the book down, or that you're mad at me for making you fall in love with a character you should probably hate – those moments make all the late nights and endless revision rounds worth it.

Fair warning: once you step into the world of Blood and Honor, there's no going back. These stories will pull you in and won't let go until the last page. But don't worry – in my world, even the darkest souls can find love. They just might have to break a few laws (and hearts) along the way.

Ready to take a walk on the dangerous side? Grab a copy of "Revenge" and see where it takes you. Just don't blame me if you find yourself rooting for the bad guys. (They can be pretty persuasive when they want to be.)