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 bring heat, heart, and tissues —Vanessa Rose! If you love contemporary rockstar romance with a touch of trauma, you’re in for a treat.

Vanessa Rose is known for creating relatable characters finding love through trauma and tragedy. Her latest release, Into the Inferno, is a soul-gripping, rockstar romance that will heat your blood and leave you in your feelings for days.

In this spotlight, Vanessa shares that she has been writing since the eighth grade and publishing for thirteen years, but this past year she has felt an explosion of inspiration from the muse, which has led her to write with unparalleled speed and passion. Into the Inferno is the third book in the Metal Embers series, building on a world that was originally meant to be a standalone. 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 Vanessa Rose! 💖

Let’s talk writing process and craft.

What drew you to writing romance in particular?

I have always loved romance. I had a lot of trouble reading when I was younger, but romance was always something I could stay engaged with. 

What’s your typical writing routine like—do you write with emotion or outline first?

My characters have very loud voices. This year has been wild because I write A LOT. I work a day job, would get off work and write for another 6-8 hours after work. While I do have a basic plan because I talk it out before I get started, I really let the characters tell their stories.

How do you keep romantic tension fresh and engaging across different stories?

My stories are filled with deep emotional damage. These elements help build a close connection in the characters. Each character’s story is different, which means they approach romance differently.

What part of writing romance do you enjoy most—the meet-cute, the conflict, or the happily ever after?

I love that moment when they realize they are in love.

How do you handle writer’s block, especially during emotional or steamy scenes?

The only time I have writer’s block is if I am going through something personally that is emotional or stressful. When my head can’t focus, I read, sing, or drive.

Let’s switch it up and talk books and themes.

Can you tell us about your latest romance (other genre) and what inspired the story?

I am currently in the middle of writing a massive rock star romance series. Into the Inferno is the third book in the series and follows Lacey Sharp, frontwoman of the band Into the Inferno. The start of her career is met with some severe challenges. Her wild life and adventurous nature gets her into trouble, and when she gets to her first tour, she just isn’t feeling like herself. Because of this, she finds herself making friends with her sound engineer and D&D gamer to avoid parties. His calm soothes the storm in her, and they become close as they venture into unfamiliar territory together.

How did you develop the chemistry between your main characters?

My characters have loud voices, and because of this, they tend to develop very organically. I find their chemistry and relationship grows as the story builds.

Are your characters based on real people, or entirely fictional?

While a lot of the characters in Metal Embers are lightly inspired by real people, Lacey and Bryant of Into the Inferno are purely fictional. 

What romance tropes do you love to write—and which ones do you avoid?

I don’t focus on tropes. I let the tropes form as I write the story. For me, I’m about building a story and world people can sink into. Tropes just happen. 

Was there a particular scene or emotional arc that was difficult (or fun!) to write?

Because I don’t want to give away too much, I will go with fun. There is a scene which is the first time Lacey plays D&D with the group. She gets so hyper and into it, at one point jumping up and screaming “Taste the Rainbow, bitches!” since they are using Skittles as their character tokens and she was killing monsters. It made me giggle. 

Let’s switch to publishing and career.

How has your writing evolved since your first book?

I have been doing this for so long that the change is night and day. I feel like I am able to better capture emotion and build a more relatable feeling. I also find that I have less issues with gaps and holes. This is also due to the fact I have good people working with me. 

What was your journey to publication like?

I had a friend that was publishing little anthologies, and they asked me to include one. From there I realized this was something I could do. Slowly, I learned how to do more and more, and now I feel like I have a good system. 

What advice would you give to aspiring authors? Write every day. Don’t focus on cleaning up your draft and just write. If you write every day and work on getting that draft out, you are more likely to finish. You can always go back and clean it up. Also, get beta readers and an editor. It is so difficult to recover when you put out a poor quality book. It is worth it to put your money into an editor over anything else. 

How do you deal with criticism or negative reviews? They will always sting. These stories are like our children, but I try to keep in mind that not all stories are meant for all people. Just because one person didn’t like it, doesn’t discount all the people who loved it!

I’d love to talk about personal insight.

Which books or authors have influenced you the most?

Oh wow… that is always such a difficult question. I read so much. I would say that Sherrilyn Kenyon, Kylie Scott, and Laurell K. Hamilton are up there on the list.

What do you like to read in your free time?

Depends on my mood. I read so many different things. Paranormal romance, urban fantasy, dark romance, mafia, rom com… you name it… I will say, I very seldom read outside of romance, but it does happen on occasion. When I feel the need, I also will get into a non fiction book like a self help book or nutrition book. 

What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?

I don’t know… maybe that I have a metal plate in my arm. That one is fun. I am also a singer, though I haven’t done it outside of my car and karaoke night in a very long time. I miss it.

Do you have any quirky writing habits or rituals? I treat it like a job. I sit down with my drinks (no snacks, they are distracting), put on my headphones with some sexy metal men screaming at me, and I type for at least 6 hours almost every day. 

How do you balance writing with other aspects of your life?

What is this balance you speak of? I’m constantly being told that I work too much and too hard, but writing is healing for me. If I don’t write, I actually feel like my brain is screaming at me. However, when my family wants to do something, I take the time to hang out with them. 

Before we switch to a character interview, let’s look forward.

What are you working on next?

I just finished writing the last book in the Metal Embers series. I have a few shorter stories to round it out, but the main books are done. Over the next two years, I will be editing and publishing them. I will also start working on two sister series and some other projects I have set aside while Metal Embers consumed my brain. 

Do you have a dream project you hope to write someday?

Every project I work on is a dream. 

How do you see the publishing industry changing in the next few years?

It’s hard to say. It changes so much every day. There are things going on now that are nothing like what it was when I started. The best thing for me to do is to keep going with the flow while staying true to myself. 

Are there any genres you’d like to explore that you haven’t yet?

I don’t think so. I enjoy what I do. I feel that between my two pen names, I have a lot of versatility. 

What do you hope your legacy as a writer will be?

I hope that people are always able to read my stories and have them linger long after the last sentence. 

This was fun. I’m so glad we got to chat. I’m excited about the next guest you brought. I’m going to jump right into the interview. Let’s start with the basics.

What’s your full name, and do you like it?

Lacey Grace Reading Sharp

Where are you from, and where do you live now?

I was born in Alabama, but moved to LA when I was five after my grandmother died. We moved in with her boyfriend. It was interesting, but certainly changed the path of my life.

How old are you (or how old do you feel)?

I am twenty!

How would you describe yourself in three words?

Wild, adventurous, avid candy enthusiast.

What’s your current relationship status?

Single (for now 😉 )

Let’s jump to your personal backstory.

What’s your earliest memory?

I feel like I have ghost-like memories of playing piano with my grandmother.

What’s the biggest event that shaped who you are?

Moving to LA to live with Abel Sharp. Having him in my life is what allowed me to focus on music. He gave me the start to my career most only dream of.

Do you have any regrets?

Don’t we all? I just try not to let my mistakes get to me. Instead, I use them to write kick-ass music.

What do you want more than anything right now?

To make it! I don’t even want it just for me. The boys in my band have worked so hard, and they deserve to have this.

What’s standing in your way?

I feel like I have let them down. My big mouth got me into trouble, and now, I’m not the woman I was when we started this journey together.

Let’s move to family and relationships.

Who are you closest to?

My grandfather, Abel Sharp

Do you have any siblings? What’s your relationship like?

Nope, only child, though my Aunt Briar is more like a sister to me than anything.

Who do you trust the most?

My Aunt Briar. I can tell her anything and she will keep it to herself.  After that, my guitarist Josh. We have always been able to be that for each other.

Have you ever been in love?

I don’t have time for love. Boys are for fun…

What does “home” mean to you?

Music. I’m home when I’m performing. 

Now, I have personality and quirk-type questions.

What’s something you’re really good at?

Performing, singing and playing music. 

What’s a weakness you try to hide?

Patience. I run into things headfirst without thinking.

How do you react under pressure?

I’m good with pressure. Always have been. I just go for it, because what is there to lose?

Are you more of a leader or a follower?

I’m very much a leader. I get it from my grandfather.

What’s one thing people often misunderstand about you?

They think because I’m wild that I’m careless. That is not true. I care passionately about the important things in my life. 

Morning person or night owl?

Nights. I mean, I’m usually on stage until late and it takes time to come down from the high of the crowd. 

Coffee, tea, or something stronger?

Coffee or soda

Favorite way to spend a day off?

I like to explore whatever city I am in, or getting wrapped up with a sexy man. Both are fun options.

Do you have any habits, tics, or superstitions?

I always wear the ring my grandfather gave my grandmother. When she died, she left it to me and said it would give me strength. I take that to heart. 

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Fried rice and CANDY!!!!

Let’s move into conflict and change.

What’s the hardest decision you’ve had to make?

If we should still go on tour after my … incident. 

How have you changed since the beginning of your story?

I think I’m starting to realize that I don’t have to be wild and reckless for people to take notice. Sometimes, I need a calming presence so I can really appreciate the world. 

What’s one thing you’ve learned about yourself?

That I will always survive. 

Who has challenged you the most?

Josh, my guitarist. He doesn’t know it, but his talent has forced me to up my game. 

What scares you?

Letting everyone down. We all worked too hard

Now, I have some “just for fun” questions.

If your life were a movie, who would play you?

Oh I have no idea… I don’t watch enough movies to know. 

What’s your go-to karaoke song?

Innocence by Halestorm

What’s something people would never guess about you?

That I’m from Alabama. Most people completely forget that deep down, I am a southern girl (Okay, not really, but my mom is!)

If you could trade lives with another character in your book for a day, who would it be?

I don’t think I would trade with anyone… I would say Abel, but damn his heart is too broken.

What’s your personal motto?

Not fully personal, because it is what my grandfather has always told me. It is more a family motto. Stay away from the poison. 

That was fun! Before we close, let’s get to Vanessa’s bio and contact information.

VANESSA ROSE’S BIO

Vanessa Rose is a Contemporary Romance/ Romantic Tragedy author currently residing in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She can often be found at a coffee shop working on her books and refers to these trips to town as “Going to the Office”. She credits her friends and family with inspiring her and being a sounding board as she plots out her next book. To read her Paranormal Romance works, look for her under the pen name Cherron Riser.

 

 

 

Interested in joining Vanessa’s Street Team?

I hope you loved getting to know Vanessa Rose and meeting her character, Lacey Sharp, from Into the Inferno. If you haven’t added her books to your TBR yet, now’s the time—trust me, you won’t want to miss them. 💖

You can connect with Vanessa Rose here:

📱 Socials: https://linktr.ee/author.vanessa.rose

🛒 Grab her books: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H3JHY6NH

Thank you for joining me in spotlighting a fellow author who’s giving us all the feels. Stay tuned for more author features, book talks, and behind-the-scenes romance goodness.

Until next time—keep reading, keep swooning! 💖