Working with H.M. Bloom on the ARC management for her upcoming romantasy release, The Bound & The Broken, has been such a rewarding experience. The second book in her Tales of Asoria series releases November 15th, free with Kindle Unlimited, and it beautifully explores found family, personal growth, and the balance between light and darkness in a world of shifters, witches, and ancient gods.
Before we dive into our chat, here is a quick look at the book:
The Bound & The Broken
A story of found family, personal growth, and facing one’s demons set in a mirror world to our own with magic, Shifters, Witches, and old gods.
Melisande is gone and Emma’s chosen sister has fallen. Emma’s world could not be more complicated. Or could it? She still bears the bindings Melisande placed upon her Shifter abilities, and so far she and the Hutchinson Clan have exactly zero good options for their removal. They have two bad ones, though. When the council starts snooping around and gets a little heavy handed, Emma’s timeline gets a big push forward. Will a so-called goddess, that Emma neither knows nor recognizes, be able to lift the magic that subjugates her or will this intervention only complicate matters further? And then there is the problem of the portal. With no leads or even hope to open it, Emma’s promise to Dean is far from being fulfilled. What is Emma willing to risk to help her mate get the justice he craves?
Get your copy: Amazon
Start the series: Of Rebels & Magic
You describe yourself as a lifelong fantasy reader who recently stepped into the indie publishing world. Can you tell us what inspired you to finally take the leap from reader to author, and what that transition has been like for you?
I discovered the world of ARC reading in 2023, which brought me into paths with fellow indie author Kristen Coar. After ARC reading her first two books in her Alex Bain series, I began BETA reading for her. This led to some really insightful conversations about self-publishing and how accessible it was. I decided in early 2024 to begin my self-publishing journey, and Kristen has been an exceptional help and constant friend through the process.
The Bound & The Broken explores found family, power, sacrifice, and faith in one’s own strength. What inspired the heart of this story, and how did you shape Emma’s journey through loss, binding, and renewal?
I have always loved reading about strong female leads, but I wanted to show the process of becoming strong. Emma starts out weak, naive, and insecure in Of Rebels & Magic, and it was maddening to write her that way at first. But I wanted readers to see her growth, to earn that strength, compassion, and independence she carries in The Bound & The Broken.
The magic system in The Bound & The Broken feels ancient and layered, touching on witches, shifters, and old gods. How did you approach building this world, and were there any myths or real-world beliefs that influenced your lore?
Honestly, I have read so many fantasy and paranormal stories that the ideas just flowed. I did not do much mythological research, but I did focus on grounding the characters’ backgrounds in a way that felt real and aligned with human history to make it more believable.
Emma’s relationship with her mate is powerful yet complicated, full of devotion and sacrifice. How do you approach writing a fated mates romance that still feels fresh and emotionally real?
I love the fated mates trope but wanted it to feel earned. Instead of leaning on destiny, I wanted there to be deeper reasons behind their bond. Their connection is not purely romantic, and while parts of it are revealed in this book, more will come to light in book three.
Your series, Tales of Asoria, blends heartfelt character work with high fantasy stakes. What do you think sets your approach to romantasy apart from others in the genre?
For me, romance is a subplot, not the entire story. I wanted to write something where the romance enhances the plot rather than drives it. I love romance-forward books, but in Asoria, the emotional growth and broader stakes make the relationship that much more meaningful.
In your author bio, you mention being both a beta and ARC reader before you started publishing. How have those experiences shaped the way you now connect with readers and approach your own launches?
It has helped me understand what readers expect at different stages of publishing. Being part of that world opened my eyes to the amazing community that supports indie authors. I now use both paid and unpaid betas, and both are incredible gifts.
You have spoken about balancing writing with family life, raising two young daughters, caring for pets, and managing a household. How do you carve out creative space for yourself, and what keeps you grounded in the chaos?
Noise-cancelling headphones and a good bedtime routine. My daughters love seeing me write and sometimes even tell me to go “work on my laptop.” Most of my writing happens after they go to bed, but occasionally I will sneak in a few paragraphs during nap time. There is no set formula, just a lot of flexibility and grace.
Readers describe your stories as both hopeful and haunting, with characters who face deep emotional trials. How do you find the balance between light and darkness in your storytelling?
My faith is what anchors that balance. I believe that no matter how dark things get, light wins in the end. My characters reflect that truth. They go through real pain and hardship, but I want readers to walk away believing that healing and hope are possible.
The Bound & The Broken is book two in the Tales of Asoria series. Without spoilers, what can readers expect as the series continues to unfold?
Book three will take readers to an entirely new realm with new political stakes, long-held grudges, and truths waiting to be uncovered. The trials from book two were just the beginning. Loyalties and commitments will be tested like never before.
What has been the most rewarding part of connecting with your growing community of readers?
Hearing readers say they can see my growth as a writer. That is the best compliment I can receive. My goal is always to improve my craft so that every book is stronger than the last.
For aspiring indie fantasy and romance authors, what advice would you give about trusting the process, finding your audience, and maintaining creativity through the ups and downs of publishing?
Self-publishing is hard work. There is no guarantee of success, and your stories might not reach as many readers as you would like, but it is still worth doing. Do not do it for money or recognition. Do it because you love storytelling. Enjoy the process, keep learning, and stay connected to your “why.”
Finally, when you look ahead, what stories are calling to you next?
I just finished a romantasy standalone called Out of Dusk’s Shadow, releasing in February. It started as a break from the Asoria series and ended up inspiring even more ideas. I am also planning a dark fantasy and a cozy fantasy, but I hope to return to Asoria with book three in summer 2026.
The Bound & The Broken is available now on Amazon and free to read in Kindle Unlimited. If you love heartfelt fantasy romance with faith, resilience, and found family at its core, this is one you will want to move to the top of your TBR.
You can grab your copy of The Bound & The Broken on Amazon or add it to your Goodreads list. You can also connect with H.M. Bloom and follow her writing journey on Instagram or Threads.
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