This is Ink & Intrigue—the blog where romance ignites, secrets simmer, and every love story hides a twist. I’m your blog host, Sheila Kell, romance author and lover of plot twists, slow burns, and morally questionable book boyfriends.
Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to an author whose stories touch on hard issues, but find a way for everyone to belong—Summer N. Dawn! If you love dark romance with spice ranging from mild to hot, you’re in for a treat.
Summer N. Dawn is known for writing about strong women finding love and finding their true strength. Her book, releasing today, Shredding Ash, is the story of Shannon’s abusive past coming back to reign her life, but no one expected the fire of her new husband to consume her.
In this spotlight, Summer N. Dawn shares a little bit about finding her strength since she has been looked down on most of her life, and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at Shedding Ash.
Whether you write love stories, devour them, or dream of doing both—you’re in the right place. Let’s get into it and give a warm welcome to Summer N. Dawn! 💖
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Let’s get right into it, shall we?
What drew you to writing romance in particular?
The fact that in my real life, I often don’t fit in because of my disability, so I wanted to create stories where everyone could find love.
Can you tell us about your latest romance and what inspired the story?
Shedding Ash was inspired by seeing someone close to me lose herself because of a relationship, but I also got to see how she rose from the ashes.
How has your writing evolved since your first book?
The amount of detail I put into each story has evolved, and my cover design has improved greatly!
What was your journey to publication like?
I am what most people call a baby author. I just started my publishing journey in 2024 I currently have 5 books out with another one coming out this month. It’s been a fast but fun journey!
What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
That I have cerebral palsy, and even though I am a high-functioning person, people still judge me just by how I walk.
How do you balance writing with other aspects of your life?
Writing is my hobby. I still have a full-time job and am a mom and wife. Needless to say, there is no balance, only chaos.
What are you working on next?
I’m currently having a new story in the works, it is going to jump years into the future and follow some of my younger characters on their journey to self-discovery and love.
Are there any genres you’d like to explore that you haven’t yet?
I might want to try writing regular romance instead of dark romance.
What do you hope your legacy as a writer will be?
That dark love and real-life love aren’t the same, but there can be happiness in both.
This was a great interview. I thank you for your time today, Summer. Here’s more on Shedding Ash and Summer N. Dawn.
Can Shannon truly escape the shadows of her tumultuous past, or will it envelop her once more in its devastating flames? Fleeing the suffocating grip of her abusive marriage, she arrives at Kastaways, hoping to find solace and a fresh start. As she navigates this new chapter of her life, will she find unexpected love with the charming yet introverted IT guy who offers her a haven? Or will the haunting remnants of her former life threaten to drag her back into despair?
In this fragile new world, will her protective partner, a steadfast and nurturing figure, be able to shield her—his beautiful Rose—from the lurking dangers of her history? Or will the challenges they face together cause their blossoming love to wither away under pressure? Shannon searches for a brighter future amidst the ashes of her past. But will the flames engulf or will ashes reign?
Summer N Dawn is a small-town author who is living her dream. Loves to spread the love. Who loves to write romance and bring joy to anyone who will listen. A small author with big dreams who doesn’t let her Cerebral Palsy stop her from following her dreams!
I hope you loved getting to know Summer N. Dawn and hearing about their journey, their inspirations, and their latest swoon-worthy release, Shedding Ash. If you haven’t added this to your TBR yet, now’s the time—trust me, you won’t want to miss it. 💖
You can connect with Summer N. Dawn here:
📚 Website: https://www.summerndawnllc.com/
📱 Socials: https://linktr.ee/summerndawn
🛒 Grab their books: https://a.co/d/2jBZGdC
Thank you for joining me in spotlighting a fellow romance lover who’s giving us all the feels. Stay tuned for more author features, book talk, and behind-the-scenes romance goodness.
Until next time—keep reading, keep swooning! ✨📚