Picture a Kentucky-born storyteller who trades stock market charts by day for vampire-filled adventures by night—meet Jocelynn Drake! This New York Times bestselling author has been weaving urban fantasy and romantic suspense tales since her 2008 debut, captivating readers with her thrilling Dark Days series and beyond. With a knack for crafting vivid worlds where vampires, magic, and romance collide, Jocelynn has carved a unique space in the literary landscape.
From her Cincinnati roots to her current home near the Rockies, Jocelynn’s life is as dynamic as her stories. Her love for Bruce Wayne, fast cars, and a good book fuels her creativity, making her a beloved voice for fans of action-packed, emotionally rich narratives.
The Making of Jocelynn Drake
Born and raised in the Cincinnati, Ohio region, Jocelynn Drake grew up as the eldest of three, with a passion for storytelling sparked at age 12 when she rewrote Robin Hood to include strong female characters. This early drive to create led her to a degree in literature and journalism at Northern Kentucky University. By day, she thrived as a financial analyst, writing about the stock market, but her nights were reserved for crafting dark, fantastical worlds. Her persistence paid off when, after years of refining her manuscripts and facing rejections, she landed an agent and broke into traditional publishing with her debut novel, Nightwalker.
Jocelynn Drake’s Unforgettable Stories
Jocelynn’s Dark Days series, starting with Nightwalker (2008), introduced readers to Mira, a fiery vampire enforcer, and Danaus, a vampire hunter, whose uneasy alliance battles the malevolent naturi. Spanning six novels and two novellas, the series blends gritty urban fantasy with political intrigue and subtle romance, earning praise from authors like Kim Harrison for its action and compelling characters. Her Asylum Tales series, beginning with Angel’s Ink (2012), dives into a magical tattoo parlor, showcasing her versatility with a lighter, yet still thrilling tone.
Beyond urban fantasy, Jocelynn excels in gay romance and romantic suspense, co-authoring series like Unbreakable Bonds with Rinda Elliott, which features badass alpha males in high-stakes adventures. Her Godstone Saga, a fantasy epic, explores magic and hidden romance, while her collaborative Scales ’N’ Spells series with AJ Sherwood brings dragons to life. Jocelynn’s style is marked by vivid world-building, complex characters, and a balance of action and emotional depth, making her stories resonate across genres.
Why Jocelynn Drake Matters
Jocelynn Drake’s impact lies in her ability to craft immersive, inclusive stories that appeal to diverse readers. Her strong, unapologetic heroines like Mira challenge urban fantasy norms, while her gay romance series expand representation in the genre. With 148 books and over 333,000 Goodreads ratings, her work has built a loyal fanbase, inspiring aspiring authors to prioritize storytelling over doubt. Her collaborations with authors like Rinda Elliott and AJ Sherwood highlight her versatility, cementing her as a dynamic force in speculative fiction.
- Born: 1977, Cincinnati, Ohio region
- Key Works: Dark Days series, Asylum Tales, Unbreakable Bonds, Godstone Saga
- Genres: Urban fantasy, gay romance, romantic suspense, fantasy
- Fun Fact: Loves Bruce Wayne, Ezio Auditore, and fast cars
About Jocelynn Drake
Ready to dive into a world of vampires, magic, and heart-pounding romance? Grab Nightwalker or Angel’s Ink and let Jocelynn Drake’s thrilling tales sweep you away!