about the author
I was born in Romania, the homeland of Vlad III of Wallachia, where history is woven into everyday life and the past is never far from the present. Long before I became a novelist, I was captivated by the stories of the people behind the legends—rulers, queens, warriors, and visionaries whose lives shaped history and inspired myths that have endured for centuries.
My love of history began in childhood. Summers spent with my grandparents in rural Romania immersed me in traditions that had changed little over generations. I learned to ride horses, work the land, care for animals, and wander forests where history felt alive. Those experiences gave me a lasting appreciation for the past and continue to inspire the atmosphere and authenticity of my novels.
Today, I write historical fantasy grounded in meticulous research, exploring the fascinating place where documented history, enduring folklore, and timeless legend meet.
My journey
My fascination with Vlad the Impaler began so early that I cannot remember a time when I didn’t know his story. Growing up in Romania, he was never simply a historical figure but part of the country’s identity—a ruler whose life had become inseparable from centuries of legend.
At the same time, another historical figure captured my imagination: Anne Boleyn. From childhood, I was fascinated by the Tudor court, its ambition, political intrigue, remarkable personalities, and the events that changed the course of English history. That early fascination grew into a lifelong passion for Tudor England and the extraordinary people who shaped one of history’s most compelling eras.
Although I have spent much of my life in the United Kingdom, those two worlds—Romania and Tudor England—have remained at the heart of my interests. Research soon became more than a hobby. Medieval chronicles, historical records, archaeology, and contemporary accounts became the foundation of my work, allowing every story to begin with documented history before imagination explores the possibilities beyond it.
WHERE HISTORY MEETS LEGEND
History records the past. Legends preserve the mysteries that history cannot always explain.
Growing up in Romania, I was surrounded not only by history but by centuries-old folklore, myths, and superstitions that remain deeply rooted in the country’s culture. Stories of restless spirits, ancient curses, enchanted forests, and the unseen world have been passed down through generations, becoming part of Romania’s cultural identity. They are not simply tales from the past—they are traditions that continue to shape the way history is remembered and retold.
My novels are built upon real people, real places, and documented historical events, but they also embrace the enduring legends that have survived alongside them. Rather than rewriting history, I enjoy asking a different question:
What if some of history’s greatest legends contained a grain of truth?
The Related to Dracula series brings together the two historical worlds that have fascinated me since childhood—medieval Wallachia and Tudor England. By imagining that Vlad III, the historical ruler whose life inspired the Dracula legend, truly became the immortal vampire, the series blends meticulous historical research with Romanian folklore and Gothic legend to create historical fantasy rooted in authentic history.
My goal is not to replace history with fantasy, but to create stories where historical fact and enduring legend exist side by side, allowing readers to wonder whether the impossible might just have been possible.
For me, the most compelling stories are not those that ignore history, but those that respect it so completely that the legend feels as though it could have existed alongside it.
explore my work
Whether through novels, historical research, documentaries, or articles, my goal has always been the same: to bring history to life by exploring the people, places, and legends that continue to shape our understanding of the past.
Every project begins with careful research and a simple question:
What if the legends were closer to the truth than we ever imagined?
If you enjoy richly researched historical fantasy, compelling historical figures, and the timeless legends that continue to fascinate us centuries later, I invite you to explore my books and discover the stories behind the myths.
