L. M. Whiteley

Hey there! I'm L.M. Whiteley, and I write dark romance that'll make you question your moral compass (and probably your sanity). Fair warning: my stories aren't for the faint of heart. If you're looking for sweet, cookie-cutter romance, you might want to hit that back button now.

I grew up devouring Stephen King novels under my covers with a flashlight when I should've been sleeping—which probably explains a lot about where my writing style came from. My mom was constantly confiscating my horror books, convinced they'd give me nightmares. (Spoiler alert: they did, but I loved every second of it.)

After years of working in restaurant kitchens (yes, they're exactly as crazy as you've heard), I started writing the kind of stories that had been simmering in my head for years. Stories where romance meets thriller, where the line between hero and villain isn't just blurred—it's completely obliterated. My debut novel, "Eyes in the Shadows," came from those late nights wondering what would happen if a hitman's carefully planned job went sideways because of an unexpected witness. What if that witness turned out to be someone he couldn't bring himself to eliminate?

Here's the thing about my books: they're messy, complicated, and sometimes uncomfortable. My characters don't fit into neat little boxes. They're damaged, dangerous, and definitely not looking for redemption. Eleanor from "Eyes in the Shadows" wasn't supposed to be anyone special—just a hardworking chef trying to keep her head above water in a brutal industry. But life had other plans for her, and so did Marcus. (And no, I won't apologize for what happens in Chapter 13. You'll know it when you get there.)

When I'm not writing scenes that make my beta readers send me concerned text messages at 3 AM, I'm probably in my tiny home office in New Jersey, surrounded by empty coffee cups and Post-it notes covered in plot twists. My rescue cat, Poe (yes, named after THAT Poe), likes to "help" by walking across my keyboard at crucial moments. Sometimes his random key smashes actually improve the scene—don't tell him I said that.

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. My characters will frustrate you, shock you, and maybe even make you fall in love with them despite your better judgment. They live in that grey area between right and wrong, good and evil, love and obsession.

What can you expect from my books? - Morally ambiguous characters who definitely need therapy - Tension that'll have you holding your breath - Spice that'll make you fan yourself (and maybe check over your shoulder) - Plot twists that'll keep you up way past your bedtime - A guaranteed HEA (Happy Ever After)... eventually - Content warnings (because I care about your mental well-being)

I'm beyond grateful for every reader who takes a chance on my dark little corner of the romance world. Your messages, reviews, and theories about what's coming next keep me going through those tough writing days. (And yes, I see all those TikTok videos about Marcus—keep them coming!)

Currently, I'm working on my next standalone novel that'll push boundaries even further. If you thought "Eyes in the Shadows" was intense... well, just wait. I can't say much yet, but let's just say it involves a professional thief, a secret society, and a forbidden manuscript that should've stayed buried.

Want to keep up with all my twisted tales and get exclusive sneak peeks? You can find me on Instagram and TikTok @LMWhiteley, where I post writing updates, behind-the-scenes content, and probably too many pictures of Poe "helping" me write. I also have a newsletter where I share deleted scenes and character backstories that were too dark for the final cut.

Remember: life's too short for boring books. Let's explore the shadows together.

(P.S. My mom still hasn't read my books. She says she's "waiting for me to write something nice." Sorry, Mom—not happening anytime soon!)