Keira Deshade

Hi there! *waves awkwardly while trying to look mysterious and failing* I'm Keira Deshade, and I write steamy dark romance that probably shouldn't turn you on... but definitely will.

Let's get the obvious out of the way - yes, Deshade is a pen name. No, I won't tell you my real one. (Though my husband thinks it's hilarious that I picked something that sounds like a Bond villain.) The mysterious author thing fits though, since I spend my days dreaming up dangerous men who definitely belong on FBI watchlists.

I never actually planned to write romance. I was that weird kid in the back of English class writing horror stories that made my teachers concerned. But somewhere between my obsession with true crime podcasts and binge-reading everything from Anne Rice to mafia romance, I realized that the scariest monsters are the ones you can't help falling in love with.

My debut novel "Finding Aphrodite" introduces readers to my particular brand of "Oh god, I shouldn't be into this but I AM." Think billionaire mafia boss meets Greek mythology, with enough heat to melt your Kindle and enough darkness to make you sleep with the lights on. (Yes, that was absolutely a hint about what's coming in the series!)

I write the kind of books that come with more trigger warnings than a haunted house, and I make no apologies for it. My characters are complex, morally gray, and sometimes straight-up villainous. The heroes (if you can call them that) are possessive, dangerous men who've never heard of personal boundaries. The heroines? They give as good as they get. There's steam, there's violence, there's forbidden romance, and there's definitely no guarantee of a traditional happily ever after.

When I'm not corrupting readers with my dark fantasies, I'm probably cuddling my rescue pit bull (who's actually a total softie), binging true crime documentaries (much to my husband's concern), or adding to my collection of crystals and tarot cards (yes, I'm THAT kind of witch). I live in the Pacific Northwest where the perpetual rain and moody forests fuel my dark imagination perfectly.

Fair warning: my books aren't for everyone. If you're looking for sweet, clean romance with perfectly behaved heroes, you're in the wrong place. But if you like your romance with a side of danger, your steam with a dash of darkness, and your happy endings earned through blood and tears? Welcome to the dark side. We have cookies. (They might be poisoned, but they're worth it.)

I'm building a dark little community of readers who, like me, prefer their romance with sharp edges. You can find me on Instagram posting aesthetic boards of dangerous men and deadly women, or in my Facebook reader group "Deshade's Den of Debauchery" where we discuss everything from book recommendations to which fictional villains we'd risk it all for.

My writing philosophy? Push boundaries. Break rules. Make readers squirm... then make them thank you for it. Every book I write is a journey into the shadows, exploring those dangerous desires we're not supposed to talk about. But here's the thing - sometimes the most beautiful stories bloom in the dark.

What can you expect from my books? Intense, emotional rollercoasters with spice levels that'll make you fan yourself. Complex characters who blur the lines between good and evil. Plots that'll keep you guessing. And always, ALWAYS, chemistry that'll set your pages on fire. (Metaphorically. Please don't actually set your books on fire.)

The "Finding Aphrodite" series is just the beginning. I've got so many deliciously dark stories waiting to be told, each one darker and steamier than the last. So if you're ready to walk on the wild side with me, grab your favorite wine, get comfortable, and prepare to be scandalized in the best possible way.

Welcome to my world of dangerous men, forbidden desire, and romance that bites back. I promise you're in for one hell of a ride.

XOXO, Keira

(P.S. - Yes, my mom knows what I write. No, we don't talk about it at family dinners.)