Julia Sykes

Hi there! I'm Julia Sykes, and I write dark romance that'll have you questioning your own moral compass (while desperately turning pages to see what happens next). Fair warning: my stories aren't for the faint of heart.

I never expected to end up writing steamy, psychological romance novels. Back in my previous life, I was actually working on my PhD in British literature, diving deep into Victorian novels and their hidden layers of meaning. But somewhere between analyzing all those repressed desires in classic literature and grading endless student papers, my mind started wandering to much darker places...

You know how they say "write what you know"? Well, I decided to write what I wanted to read instead. Books where the line between captivity and protection gets dangerously blurry. Where powerful, morally gray men become obsessed with claiming the objects of their desire. Where Stockholm syndrome might just lead to a happily ever after (don't judge me – we're all a little twisted here!).

My academic background definitely sneaks into my writing, though not in the boring way you might expect. I love playing with psychological tension and power dynamics. There's something deliciously complex about exploring how attraction can develop in the most forbidden circumstances. And yes, I probably do worry my therapist sometimes with the stuff that comes out of my imagination!

If you've read "Compulsion," you know exactly what I mean. That coffee shop scene? The one where my obsessed hero first "accidentally" touches the heroine? I may or may not have written that after one too many late-night lattes and a slight caffeine-induced paranoia about the mysterious guy who always seemed to be at my local café. (For legal reasons, that's a joke. Mostly.)

My latest book "Redemption" pushes even further into the darkness, exploring what happens when trust is shattered and love becomes a prison. It's intense, it's emotional, and it definitely isn't your typical romance. But that's kind of my thing – taking readers to uncomfortable places and somehow making them fall in love along the way.

When I'm not writing scenes that would make my former Victorian literature professors clutch their pearls, I'm probably cuddling with my rescue cats (yes, plural – I'm that kind of author), drinking way too much coffee, or obsessing over true crime documentaries for "research purposes." My husband has learned to stop asking questions when he sees my browser history.

To my readers: thank you for being just as wonderfully twisted as I am. Your messages about staying up all night to finish my books, even though you have work in the morning, make my day. And those long discussions about whether my heroes are actually villains? Keep them coming! I love how passionate this community is.

Fair warning if you're new to my work: expect dubious consent, psychological manipulation, and heroes who definitely belong in therapy rather than relationships. But I promise to always deliver intense emotional connections, sizzling chemistry, and endings that make the dark journey worth it. (Plus plenty of spice. Because what's the point of corrupting characters if we can't have some fun along the way?)

I believe the best dark romance makes us confront our own shadows while wrapped in the safety of fiction. It's like emotional bungee jumping – terrifying but thrilling, and you know you're ultimately secure. That's what I aim for in every book I write.

So if you're ready to explore the darker side of desire with me, grab your favorite comfort beverage (you'll need it), find a cozy reading spot, and dive in. Just remember: what happens in fiction stays in fiction... usually.

Want to connect? Find me on social media where I regularly overshare about my writing process, post cat pictures, and occasionally ask for help naming new villains. I mean heroes. (Who am I kidding? They're definitely villains.)

Happy reading, dark hearts! 🖤

P.S. If my mom is reading this – I'm sorry. But also, I warned you not to read my books!