The popular fantasy romance series The Kindred's Curse Saga established a prominent footprint in contemporary romantasy through its blend of high-stakes realm building, enemies-to-lovers dynamics, and intense romantic angst. Written by American author Penn Cole, the saga earned bestseller status on both the New York Times and USA Today lists and gained a dedicated international audience.
Career & Background
Born and raised in Texas, Cole began writing stories in her childhood, filling notebooks with imaginative fantasy settings and romantic plots. She pursued her interest in narrative creation in college, earning an undergraduate degree in Creative Writing. Before fulfilling her dream of becoming a published fiction author, she worked professionally as an attorney and small business owner.
Cole currently lives in France with her husband while maintaining an active career as a fantasy novelist. She manages a hybrid publishing structure for her works, releasing e-books independently while partnering with traditional publishers such as Atria Books/Simon & Schuster in the United States and Headline Books in the United Kingdom for print editions. Audio versions of her books are published by Podium Entertainment. Cole is also a participant in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and advocates for supporting new, female, and BIPOC/LGBTQ+ authors.
Writing Style & Themes
Cole's fiction focuses on epic fantasy worldbuilding, character-driven emotional stakes, and popular romance tropes such as enemies-to-lovers relationships. Her narratives rely on complex magic systems, political intrigue, and dramatic plot twists that encourage reader theory-building. Cole frequently interacts with her readership to discuss story details, plot clues, and character arcs as her fictional universe unfolds.
Major Works
- Spark of the Everflame — The debut novel in The Kindred's Curse Saga, launching an epic fantasy romance narrative built around enemies-to-lovers tension and mortal danger.
- Glow of the Everflame — The second installment in Cole's fantasy romance series, continuing the personal and political conflicts introduced in the opening book.
- Heat of the Everflame — The third entry in The Kindred's Curse Saga, furthering the overarching storyline and expanding the magical lore of the series.
- Burn of the Everflame — A continuation of the multi-volume fantasy romance saga following the journey and trials of its central characters.
