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 28^th! 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!

Will you be picking up Iron & Embers? Have you read it already? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Helen Scheuerer, Author of ‘Iron & Embers’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover some of our picks and let us know if you’ll be picking any of them up!

Breath of the Dragon by Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee

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A young warrior dreams of proving his worth in the elite Guardian Tournament, fighting not only for himself but the fate of everything he loves.

I Think They Love You by Julian Winters

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With his funny, big-hearted adult rom com debut, bestselling, award-winning YA author Julian Winters shows sometimes fake dating your ex can turn into a second chance.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

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A group of young women in a home for unwed mothers in 1970s Florida who find a book to witchcraft—a guide which may just be the key to regaining their power or the source of their worst nightmares.

Iron & Embers by Helen Scheuerer

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Iron & Embers is the breathtaking first installment in the epic fantasy romance series, The Ashes of Thezmarr. With its lush world-building, sizzling chemistry, and heart-pounding action it’s perfect for fans of Fourth Wing, From Blood & Ash, and The Bridge Kingdom.

The Rival by Emma Lord

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Rivals-to-lovers gets an academic send-up in this charming and irresistible romantic comedy from Emma Lord, New York Times bestselling author of Tweet Cute and Begin Again.

A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson

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In an alternate London in 1923, one girl accidentally breaks the tenuous truce between dragons and humans in this sweeping debut and epic retelling of Bletchley Park steeped in language, class, and forbidden romance. Perfect for teen fans of Fourth Wing and Babel.

Zoe Brennan, First Crush by Laura Piper Lee

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A struggling vineyard owner gets a second taste of her first crush in this romantic comedy that sparkles with humor and heat.

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

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A twisty domestic thriller about an author who travels to a remote Scottish island to write his next book…only to run into a woman who looks exactly like his missing wife.

Liar’s Kingdom by Christine Calella

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An Into the Woods-inspired fairy tale retelling where Cinderella never went to the ball and must lie to get her prince.

The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan

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The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo meets First Lie Wins in this electric, voice-driven debut novel about an elusive bestselling author who decides to finally confess her true identity after years of hiding from her past.

Lightfall by Ed Crocker

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A novel of vampires, werewolves and sorcerers, Lightfall is the stunning debut epic fantasy by Ed Crocker, for fans of Jay Kristoff’s Empire of the Vampire and Richard Swan’s The Justice of Kings.

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

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Get ready to fly or die in the breathtaking follow-up to Fourth Wing and Iron Flame from #1 New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Yarros.

Tell Me What You Did by Carter Wilson

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From the USA Today bestselling author of The Dead Girl in 2A and The New Neighbor comes a chilling new thriller that forces the question: are murderers always the bad guys?

Unromance by Erin Connor

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A recently dumped TV heartthrob enlists a jaded romance novelist to ruin romance for him—one rom-com trope at a time—so he never gets swept off his feet again . . .

The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis

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From New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis, an utterly addictive new novel that will transport you from New York City’s most glamorous party to the labyrinth streets of Cairo and back.

Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan

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A young ruler must forge a delicate alliance with the untrustworthy yet magnetic God of War to protect her kingdom in this stunning romantic fantasy filled with dangerous secrets, forbidden magic, and passion, from Sue Lynn Tan, bestselling author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess.

What January releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post January 2025 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.