Instagram Pinterest-p Goodreads-g

Frequently asked questions.

Welcome to the land of nosy questions and oversharing!

This is the part of the website where I spill secrets, drop random tidbits about my books (and myself), and answer the questions you might’ve been too polite to ask out loud. Curious how I balance writing epic space romance with wrangling my papillons and working hospital shifts? Wondering if I plot my books or just throw glitter and chaos into the void and hope for the best? You’re in the right place.

So grab a snack, snuggle something fluffy, and dive in!

Writing & author life

It all started with a sneaky read. I was in my early teens when I stumbled across one of my mom’s well-loved Nora Roberts paperbacks and “borrowed” it without asking (sorry, Mom). I’d been writing stories since the first grade—epic adventures, mysteries, even the occasional friendly ghost tale—but that book changed everything. One taste of that swoony, tension-filled journey to a happily ever after and I was hooked. Suddenly, my characters started falling in love, and I never looked back. Romance gave my stories a heartbeat. And as it turns out, I’ve been chasing that same delicious payoff ever since.

  • Somewhere gloriously in between! I’ve lived on both ends of the spectrum, so I’d say I’m a proud plantser these days. My first-ever published novel was written completely by the seat of my pants—no outline, no roadmap, just vibes and way too much caffeine. I’d won a writing contest, and one of the judges (who happened to be an editor for a male/male romance publisher) loved my work but needed something that better fit her catalog. So, I took the challenge and cranked out an entirely new novel in just over 30 days… and somehow, it got published with minimal developmental edits. Wild, right?

  • On the total opposite end of the chaos-to-control scale, we’ve got my Ashes of Aekos series. I’ve been worldbuilding this universe for over a decade, and let’s just say… spreadsheets, lore docs, and five fully outlined books (in addition to the one I’ve already completed) are all locked and loaded. So yeah, I’ve got a pantser heart with a plotter’s toolkit—and I’m not afraid to use either.
  • Write because you love it. Let it light you up. If it feels like a chore more often than not, it might be time to reevaluate your approach—or your genre. I’ve “finished” about twelve manuscripts I wouldn’t even let one of my dogs read (and those boys will eat anything). But I loved every step of the ride. And eventually, I found my stride.

  • Everyone’s path is different, so seriously—don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle. My first published book landed with a traditional publisher after one of the contest judges (shoutout to writing contests for being absolute goldmines!) reached out and asked me to write something that fit their catalog. I did. It sold. Then the publisher hit some turbulence, and we authors were given the choice: stick it out or take back our rights. I made the tough call to pull mine—and dove headfirst into self-publishing.

  • The rest of my books (under my pen name, Evie Drae) followed that indie route, and for that season of my life and the stories I wanted to tell, it was the perfect fit. Now, I’m venturing into new territory under my real name, and I couldn’t be more excited.

  • So take the leap. Try the thing. Finish the story—even if it’s messy. You’ll grow. You’ll find your voice. And maybe one day, you’ll look back on your own embarrassing, dusty drafts and smile, because they were the first stepping stones to something amazing.

About the Ashes of Aekos series

  • Believe it or not, Ashes of Aekos is the lovechild of a couple different story ideas I’ve been tinkering with for over a decade—and only one of them was even remotely sci-fi. At first, it started as a fantasy romance series about vampires. (Which, honestly, might not surprise you once you meet the Aekosi and get a taste of their blood lore.) Then came a totally separate concept: a futuristic dystopian society where a cruel, controlling government implants chips into civilians to suppress their free will. Sprinkle in a few more odd plot bunnies bouncing through my brain, and you wind up with Ashes of Aekos!

  • It took a lot of brainstorming, restructuring, and world-wrangling, but eventually, those seemingly unrelated ideas fused into one expansive galaxy-spanning universe filled with rebellion, bonding, and just the right amount of heat. (Or, so I’d like to believe!)

  • If there’s a lesson here, it’s this: don’t give up on the ideas that won’t leave you alone—even if they don’t quite work at first. Sometimes they just need time to simmer… or a completely unexpected partner to come along and help them shine. And don’t be afraid to let your world tell you where it wants to go. Some of my best worldbuilding has happened when I wrote myself into a corner and had to invent my way out.

Right now, Ashes of Aekos is planned as a six-book series, and yep—I already have them all mapped out and ready to roll. Titles and all. That said… the deeper I dive into this universe, the more obsessed I become. So don’t be surprised if that number mysteriously expands. The galaxy is vast, after all—and so are the stories waiting to be told.

Yes! Each book in the Ashes of Aekos series features a new romantic pairing, with fresh male and female leads stepping into the spotlight. That said, the core cast remains the same throughout the series—you’ll still see plenty of your favorites as the saga unfolds. A few new faces will join the journey to help certain characters find their happily ever afters, but by the end of book six, everyone you’ve grown to know (and hopefully love!) will get the ending they deserve.

Yes, the Ashes of Aekos series focuses exclusively on MF romances. That said, I’m a passionate advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and firmly believe queer love stories deserve just as much spotlight and celebration. For brand and genre consistency, this particular series sticks with MF pairings—but if MM romance is more your jam, I’ve got you covered! I write under the pen name Evie Drae, where you’ll find steamy, heartfelt queer romance—and trust me, there’s plenty more where that came from.

That’s a tricky one! The Ashes of Aekos universe definitely has dystopian elements—oppressive regimes, strict class hierarchies, and terrifying technology used to control the masses. But it’s also deeply romantic, character-driven, and packed with epic sci-fi adventure. So while it leans dystopian in tone, I’d say it’s more accurately described as a sci-fi romance set in a galaxy teetering on the edge of rebellion—where love might just be the spark that sets everything ablaze.

Reader & bookish fun

  • Give me a strong woman and a beautifully broken man, and I’m in.

  • There are so many stories out there where the heroine is all tragedy and trauma, waiting for a stoic, emotionally constipated alpha male to swoop in and fix her. And while I love a good emotional rollercoaster, I like to flip that script just a little. I want both characters to have depth, to carry scars that shape their growth, and to fight for their healing together. But if I have a sweet spot? It’s the emotionally guarded hero who learns that real strength means letting himself feel—especially in the arms of a woman who refuses to be anything but fierce, whole, and unwavering in her love.

  • Because let’s be honest… there’s something delicious about watching a hardened man fall apart in the presence of the one person strong enough to hold him together.

Honestly, I think both have their place and can be swoony as hell when done right—but if I had to choose, I’m a slow burn girl through and through. I want that tension dialed up to eleven. I want longing looks, aching hearts, missed chances, and emotional stakes that make every step toward love feel earned. The payoff hits so much harder when the journey’s full of struggle, growth, and all those delicious “they finally admit it” moments. Give me the slow burn angst any day—I’ll happily bask in the smolder.

Let’s just say… these books don’t close the bedroom door. Or the shower door. Or the beach cabana curtains.

I write high-heat romance with a capital H, but I’m not just here for the smut. For me, heat is about intimacy, emotion, connection, and character development. The spice in my stories deepens the romance, heightens the stakes, and gives the characters room to show their love with more than just words.

There’s tension. There’s heat. There’s toe-curling, soul-binding passion. So if you’re into emotionally charged, plot-driven romance where the physical connection matters and burns plenty hot… welcome to the party.

Just for fun

  • Ohhh boy, how much time do you have?

  • Yep, I’m a gamer girl through and through—and my gaming taste is all over the place. I’ve been an on-again, off-again Final Fantasy XIV player for over five years now (no judgment, please), and that game just keeps pulling me back in. The story, the community, the hours I’ll never get back? All worth it.

  • But when I’m not running dungeons or chasing MSQ glory, I’m a SIMS 4 fanatic. And when I say fanatic… I mean I own all $1300+ worth of DLC. So yeah. Gotta get that ROI somehow, right?

  • Lately, I’ve also been rotating through Civ 7, Baldur’s Gate 3, It Takes Two, Stardew Valley, Two Point Hospital, and Oxygen Not Included. And let me just say—romancing in Stardew Valley? Adorable. 10/10 would give Shane a bouquet again. (Don’t judge me. You know you’ve been there.)

  • So basically, if I’m not writing… I’m probably gaming. Or writing about characters who game. Full circle, baby.
  • Schitt’s Creek, hands down. I could watch that series a hundred times over and still laugh at every single “Ew, David.” It’s the perfect blend of quirky humor, lovable disaster characters, and heart-squishingly wholesome moments that sneak up and sucker punch your feelings. I mean, come on—David and Patrick? Iconic.

  • But if I’m in more of a swoony or spacey mood, I’ll throw on Bridgerton for the romance and drama, Grey’s Anatomy for the emotional rollercoaster (seriously, who gave that show the right?!), or The Orville for some delightfully nerdy, surprisingly deep, sci-fi fun.

  • Basically, I want to cry, laugh, and maybe fall a little in love—all from the comfort of my couch. Isn’t that the dream?
  • Oh, my boys. Where do I even begin?

  • Bacchus is thirteen going on three months. He’s the snuggliest little love bug you’ll ever meet—sweet as sugar and hopelessly devoted to his parents. He wants to be close at all times. But don’t let the baby face fool you—he’s got a hilariously impatient streak. Once you say the dreaded “W” word (walk, for those not owned by a dog), you better move fast. I’m talking lightning-fast harness, shoes, door—go. If not? He’ll let you know you’re slacking. Loudly.

  • Then there’s Otter. My spicy three-year-old chaos gremlin. I swear he’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in a four-pound floof suit. When he was a pup, we had to call in a trainer because the boy was grumpy. Wouldn’t even let us pet him without throwing shade—and teeth. But now? When he’s in sweet mode, he’s the biggest cuddle monster on the planet. In spicy mode, though… hoo boy. Let’s just say, when he’s sleepy? Everything comes with a side of sass and growls.

  • Otter’s also obsessed with playtime. And when he wants to play? Resistance is futile. He’ll climb on your chest, shove a toy in your face, and squeak it until you cave. Bacchus, meanwhile, never quite figured out how to play like a “normal” dog. He prefers to zoom in circles and play a dramatic game of solo keep-away while Otter demands tug-of-war and fetch.

  • They’re both total divas when it comes to naps—refusing to sleep unless they’re properly nestled on Squishmallows. If I want them to cuddle with me, I have to keep one on my lap at all times like a plush throne. And let’s not even talk about how obsessed they are with Blue Buffalo training bits. Those treats are currency in this household.

  • Basically, they run the show… and I’m just here to serve snacks and provide appropriate napping surfaces.
  • That’s a tough one—each world in the series has its own unique charm—but I think I’d have to go with Aekos.

  • Once the sacred home of the Aekosi people, it’s now a conquered and long-abandoned world, left in ruin after a brutal war that ended nearly 450 years ago. But even in its silence, Aekos still pulses with ancient beauty—bioluminescent forests that glow beneath twin moons, crystalline rivers that shimmer like liquid stardust, and towering citadel-cities grown into the cliffs and trees, woven seamlessly into the landscape.

  • No one goes there anymore. It’s too dangerous, too broken, too forgotten. Which means I haven’t had the chance to take my characters there… yet.

  • But let’s just say—I’m not done with Aekos. Not by a long shot.

Still got questions?

First of all—love that energy. Keep it. Second, I may or may not have an unhealthy love for getting reader messages, so don’t be shy. If your burning question didn’t get answered here, feel free to drop me a line via my Contact page or find me loitering on Bluesky in between writing sprints and coffee refills.

Now go forth, brave soul, and remember… if you stick around here, you can expect to run into characters with cosmic heat, pasts they can’t outrun, and love that rises from the ashes.

(You’ve officially been warned.)