We chat with author Helen Scheuerer about Kiss of the Black Flame, which is the first book in a new romantasy trilogy about a gifted bookbinder and a cursed immortal general bound together by a dangerous magical bargain.
Hi, Helen! Welcome back! What have you been up to since we spoke last year for the release of Iron & Embers?
Thanks for having me again! I’ve been a busy bee! After Iron & Embers released in early 2025, the rest of the trilogy followed (Thorns & Fire in July and Silver & Smoke in December), it was an incredibly hectic and rewarding time. While those books were being released, I was slowly but surely working on something new in the background, and that project became Kiss of the Black Flame.
Your latest novel, Kiss of the Black Flame, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Gritty, steamy, romantic, nostalgic and adventurous.
What can readers expect?
Readers can expect a brand new world and cast of characters from me, completely unrelated to everything I’ve done before. It’s about a gifted mortal bookbinder who makes a deal with a cursed immortal general, and together they have to retrieve and restore a magical book. I had a lot of fun with the grumpy/sunshine dynamic between the romantic leads and a blast with the humor of the found family/ragtag crew!
Where did the inspiration for Kiss of the Black Flame come from?
It actually started as a fae fantasy romance Lord of the Rings retelling – which is very different to the final book that is now on shelves (there are no fae, nor a one ring). But that was the original kernel of the idea and things snowballed from there. The bookbinding element of the series was a big part of the inspiration for Saige’s character and home. I loved researching the craft and trying it myself!
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
The whole experience with Kiss of the Black Flame was so enjoyable! After writing in the same world for so long with the Legends and Ashes series, it was such a breath of fresh air to be able to start from scratch and build a new universe and cast.
Pretty much any scene in the bindery, the Awl & Cradle was fun to write because it has such a cosy, bookish atmosphere that’s basically my dream environment. Of course, the banter between Saige and Archer was an absolute joy to write as well.
Last year you had teased you were working on a secret romantasy project – was this Kiss of the Black Flame? If so, could you share some insight into the timeline for this novel, particularly since the whole Ashes of Thezmarr trilogy published last year!
Yes! That was indeed Kiss of the Black Flame! Essentially after I finished writing the original Legends of Thezmarr series, I had the choice of writing the spin-off (Ashes) or Kiss of the Black Flame. I felt that I wasn’t quite ready to write the latter yet and that I wanted to mull it over in the back of my mind for a bit longer. So while I was drafting and editing Ashes, I had a document where I’d drop all my ideas for KISS whether it was snippets of dialogue, setting ideas, or just a single line. Then when it came time to plan the new series, I had a goldmine of ideas to start me off.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
Every book has its own challenges and with Kiss of the Black Flame it was facing the reality that I was coming off the back of quite a popular series, so I felt pressure to make it just as well liked. The only thing that helped me overcome that was keeping my eyes on my own paper and keeping things to myself until I was ready to share more about it. I wrote it in a bit of a bubble and that helped immensely!
Could you give us a little teaser for the next installment?
Book 2 is about what happens when the person you thought you knew (including the one in the mirror) turns out to be a stranger. Alliances will be tested, old wounds will reopen, and not everyone who bleeds for the cause is on the side you think they are. Expect secrets with teeth, choices with no clean answer, and at least one moment where you’ll want to throw the book across the room, then immediately pick it back up 💔🔥
In summary: total emotional damage. Just kidding (sort of).
What’s next for you?
By the time I send this off to you wonderful people, I’ll be ready to start outlining the third and final book in The Bookbinder’s Bargain, which is a truly surreal thing to say considering Book 1 hasn’t been out all that long in the world.
I’m incredibly excited to hunker down and give this finale the attention it deserves and share the rest of Saige and Archer’s story with readers.
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up? Any you’ve read so far this year that you’ve enjoyed?
Oh my goodness, how much time do you have? For books I’m looking forward to, I’m desperate to carve out some time to read: Daggermouth, The Washwoman at the River’s End, and Defy the Dusk.
As for what I’ve enjoyed this year, because I’ve been writing so much romantasy by day, I’ve been devouring contemporaries by night. I have loved anything by Kennedy Ryan and Tia Williams, and I absolutely cackled all the way through A Girl Like You by Gemma Burgess.
