We chat with author Helen Scheuerer about Iron & Embers, which is the breathtaking first installment in the epic fantasy romance series, The Ashes of Thezmarr, filled with lush world-building, sizzling chemistry, and heart-pounding action.
Hi, Helen! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Absolutely! Hello, I’m Helen Scheuerer, the romantasy author of Iron & Embers, book one in the upcoming trilogy, The Ashes of Thezmarr. I’m originally from Australia but I’ve been living and writing in New Zealand full-time since 2018. I’m a voracious reader of all things romance, and love curling up with a good book and a glass of pinot noir. Where I live is the perfect setting for a fantasy author and I’m constantly drinking in the mountainous landscapes for inspiration.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I remember being about 7 years old when I wrote my first story. It was about a clown and a kitten who got bullied at the circus, complete with illustrations and all. I’ve been writing ever since.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Cicely Mary Barker’s Flower Fairies
- The one that made you want to become an author: Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: A Heart of Blood And Ashes by Milla Vane
Your latest novel, Iron & Embers, is out January 28th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Rageful, gritty, steamy, adventurous and magical.
What can readers expect?
Sizzling chemistry, a lush academy setting and heart-pounding action to name a few things!
Iron & Embers is the story of Wren, an alchemist-turned-assassin who is seeking vengeance for the death of her friends from a previous war. She’s full of feminine rage and ambition, and she takes those traits with her to the ancient alchemy academy of Drevenor, where she must conquer the Gauntlet, a gruelling series of deadly trials that could cost her sanity, or her life.
More is at play than sabotage from fellow competitors. Magic wielders are being targeted and Wren becomes tangled in a dangerous web of deception and bloodshed that puts the entire realm at risk.
But the biggest threat of all might come from the man assigned to protect her—Torj Elderbrock, the silver-haired war hero who has hated her since she assassinated his last charge.
Their shared history ignites a simmering tension that threatens to consume them both.
It’s perfect for readers who love enemies to lovers, found family, magic and forced proximity!
Where did the inspiration for Iron & Embers come from?
The inspiration actually came from my previous series, The Legends of Thezmarr, which follows Wren’s older sister, Thea. As I was writing the original series, Wren stood out to me as a character who had a much bigger role to play, and an epic story of her own. There were several moments between her and Torj throughout that series that made me want to explore their romance, and when I finished writing that series, it felt only natural to give them their time in the spotlight.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Writing the banter between Torj and Wren has always been a joy—they challenge and tease each other to no end, and it makes building up that tension between them all the more fun.
There’s also a side character, Kipp, who’s a bit of a trouble maker and is always trying to get people out to the tavern to cause mischief and mayhem… He brings some much-needed comic relief to what can sometimes be a dark story, so I have a lot of fun there as well.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
Absolutely. Iron & Embers was written during one of the most turbulent periods of my life and it was a real struggle to write in the way I’d written all my previous books. Usually I’m quite disciplined and focused, but at the time I really battled to get the words out, finding that my mind was pulled in too many other directions. Talking to my author friends definitely helped, who all encouraged me to be kind to myself, to be patient, that it was a season of life which would pass. It didn’t necessarily make things easier, but it helped to know I wasn’t alone in my struggles.
Can you give our readers a little teaser for book two?
That’s a very tricky question to answer without spoilers, but I will say that readers are in for a heart-pounding ride to the very end with this trilogy!
What’s next for you?
I’m working with Tor Bramble and Pan Macmillan Australia to bring books 2 and 3 out this year, so readers will be able to experience the whole Ashes of Thezmarr series in 2025. It’s incredibly exciting to think that by the end of the year, Torj and Wren’s story will be complete!
When I’m not caught up in all things publishing, I’ll be hunkering down in my writer’s cave to work on my next top secret romantasy project.
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up in 2025?
Great question! It’s actually been out for a while but I’ve had Heavenly Bodies by Imani Erriu on my bookshelf for the last few months and as soon as I’m done with my current deadline I’ll be diving into it!
