A Vow Cold and Kindled
by Moira Darling
Released: Dec 01, 2025
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Why this book and why now?
A Vow Cold and Kindled came from my unending desire to explore softness in sharp places. Princess Ilyra is not the kind of heroine who commands a room. She’s quiet, curious, and prefers books to people. In contrast, Ser Virelle is ancient, dangerous, and utterly undone by her. I wanted to write about a love that startles even the one offering it. The timing felt right, especially given the season, to lean further into wintery romance, traditional vampire lore, and a bite of holiday magic.
Is there anything you wish readers knew before diving into this book?
Yes, just a small heads-up that the vampire in this story is a little different from the ones in my previous books. In the Her Fangs in My Heart universe, most of my vampires (like Aria and Marienne) are “born” vampires who aren’t vulnerable to sunlight and retain a more human nature. But Ser Virelle is not like them. She was turned centuries ago, shaped by rituals and blood. She is bound to the night, and is therefore older, darker, and far more monstrous. And now, through a sacred pact, she’s also bound to Princess Ilyra.
What’s one fun fact about your book that most people wouldn’t know?
One fun fact readers might not know is that the structure of A Vow Cold and Kindled was inspired by the 12 Days of Yule, an old winter festival rooted in pre-Christian traditions. Some of the days (or rather nights) in the book loosely mirror themes from the historical celebrations. While I took plenty of creative liberties (as one does when writing about fantasy pacts and vampire soulmates), I loved weaving that seasonal mythology into the story.
Which character was the most fun to write, and which was the hardest?
Ilyra’s father, the King, was easily the most fun to write. I loved writing a royal father figure who was indulgent, cheerful, and truly adored his daughters, especially in a world where kings are so often portrayed as cold or calculating.
The hardest character to write was probably Virelle. She’s ancient, restrained, and deeply shaped by a long, brutal life in the shadows. Balancing out her internal conflict was a challenge, but also very rewarding.
Did any of your characters surprise you by developing in unexpected ways?
The King was not only my favorite side character, but also my most surprising! He surprised me by leaning into this warm, boisterous energy (almost like the Sultan from Aladdin) and once that clicked, I ran with it.
If your book had a scent, what would it smell like?
It would smell like wood smoke curling from stone chimneys, mulled wine warming in a cauldron, and a faint trace of candlewax. The scent would be reminiscent of quiet forests and gothic castles.
If your book had a signature dessert, what would it be?
My book’s dessert would be something celebratory and shared during the twelve nights of Yule. Perhaps, spiced honey cakes soaked in wine. They would be served warm by a hearth with a silver knife.
Do you outline your books in detail, or do you prefer to discover the story as you write?
I do outline. Having a roadmap helps me stay focused, but I always end up discovering a lot as I write. The emotional beats and character dynamics often deepen as I go, and sometimes the story surprises me in the best way.
Do you have any writing rituals or habits?
I always put on the same Spotify fantasy instrumental playlist. It’s like a switch that tells my brain, “we’re writing now.” It’s a little silly how effective it is, but it works every time.
