Heidi Stark

Hi there! I'm Heidi Stark, and I write dark romance that'll make your mama clutch her pearls. (Sorry, Mom.) You know those stories where the "bad guys" are actually the heroes? Yeah, that's my jam.

I grew up devouring every romance novel I could get my hands on, usually hiding them under my mattress because apparently fifteen was "too young" for steamy scenes. (Spoiler alert: it totally was, but try telling teenage me that.) By college, I was writing my own stories in between classes, usually featuring brooding anti-heroes who definitely wouldn't get invited to family dinner.

But here's the thing - I didn't start publishing right away. I spent ten years working as a marine biology researcher, which might explain why I'm slightly obsessed with setting stories on tropical islands. There's something deliciously dark about paradise gone wrong, don't you think? My time studying shark behavior probably influenced how I write my male leads too. Sorry not sorry.

When I finally took the plunge into publishing with "Sea of Sinners," I knew I wanted to write the kind of books that keep you up at night - not just because they're steamy (though they definitely are), but because you're genuinely worried about what's going to happen to these characters you've fallen in love with. The Brixton brothers from that series? They're the kind of men who'll burn the world down to protect what's theirs. Just don't expect them to be gentle about it.

My books tend to feature: - Morally grey (okay, sometimes straight-up dark) heroes - Heroines who give as good as they get - Tropical settings with sinister undertones - Psychological suspense that'll mess with your head - Steam levels that'll fog up your e-reader - Plot twists that'll make you throw your Kindle (please don't actually throw it)

"Beautiful Terror" and "Volcano of Pain" both explore themes of obsession and possession - what happens when protection becomes possession, when love becomes obsession? These aren't your typical beach reads, even though they're set in paradise. Think "Blue Lagoon" meets "Cape Fear" with a heavy dose of spice.

When I'm not writing, you'll find me diving (yes, with actual sharks - they're less dangerous than my heroes), drinking way too much coffee, and trying to convince my rescue pit bull that the mailman isn't actually a threat to our survival. I live on Florida's Gulf Coast with said pit bull and a very understanding husband who's learned not to worry when he sees my browser history. (It's research, honey, I swear!)

To my readers: thank you for trusting me with your dark side. I know these stories aren't for everyone - they're not supposed to be. They're for the readers who understand that the best love stories sometimes have teeth. The ones who know that redemption tastes sweetest when it's earned through fire.

Fair warning: my books come with trigger warnings for a reason. I don't shy away from the darkness, but I always promise two things: 1) There will be a happily ever after (even if we have to fight like hell to get there), and 2) The journey will be worth it.

If you're new to my work, start with "Sea of Sinners" - it's where I really found my voice as an author. Just remember: what happens on Brixton Island, stays on Brixton Island. (Unless it follows you home. Which it might.)

Want to connect? Find me on Instagram where I post way too many beach sunset photos and tease upcoming projects. I'm also active in my readers' Facebook group, "Stark's Sinners," where we discuss everything from book boyfriends to actual shark facts. Yes, I'm still a marine biology nerd at heart.

Currently working on my next series, which might involve pirates. Modern-day ones. With tattoos. And possibly a submarine. (Don't judge me - you know you're intrigued.)

Welcome to the dark side. We have coconuts. And chaos. Lots of chaos.