Top 5 Questions Readers Ask Me About Writing Dark Romance (Answered!)
Discover why I write dark romance, what Noor City is, and what to expect from the Noor City Syndicate series in this Q&A with author Ellen Bellmare.
One of my favorite things about writing under the Ellen Bellmare pen name is connecting with readers who love romance that’s just a little dangerous. I get a lot of questions about why I write dark romance, what Noor City really is, and what readers can expect from the Noor City Syndicate series. So today, I thought I’d answer the most common ones in one place.
Why do you write dark romance?
Because love feels sharper at the edge of danger. In real life, we crave safety. In fiction, we crave risk—obsession, betrayal, vulnerability, passion that tests boundaries. Writing dark romance gives me a way to explore those themes with intensity and meaning.
That said, my books lean toward what I call soft dark romance. Yes, there are obsessive heroes, luxe settings, whispered threats, and cliffhangers—but my stories aren’t at the most extreme end of the dark spectrum. I want my readers to feel thrilled and breathless, but never unsafe in my hands.
What is Noor City?
Noor City is the heart of my stories. It’s a glittering metropolis where loyalty is fragile, power is currency, and every vow comes at a cost. Think glass towers, blood-stained contracts, and passion that could burn down an empire.
In many ways, Noor City is a character of its own: beautiful, dangerous, and always watching.
What can readers expect from your books?
If you pick up one of my stories, here’s what you’ll find:
- A binge-worthy pace (novellas you can devour in a night or a weekend)
- Arranged marriages, enemies-to-lovers chemistry, and knife-edge banter
- Morally grey heroes who protect fiercely (and obsessively)
- Luxe, dangerous settings with a cinematic vibe
- Heat, cliffhangers, and emotional intensity
Who are your books for?
For readers who love dark romance but also crave meaning. If you’ve enjoyed authors like Rina Kent, Sophie Lark, or Cora Reilly—but want something you can finish fast, with high tension and luxe settings—you’ll feel right at home in Noor City.
What’s next?
The Noor City Syndicate series is just beginning. Each installment builds on the last—more danger, more obsession, more passion. My goal is simple: to keep you hooked, breathless, and desperate for the next chapter.
💌 Your turn: Have a question I didn’t answer here? Leave a comment or send me a message—I’d love to add it to the next round!
