Picture a Texas-born storyteller who weaves dragons, romance, and history into spellbinding tales—meet Shana Abé! A New York Times bestselling author, Abé has captivated readers with her lush, imaginative novels that blend fantasy, historical fiction, and heart-pounding romance. From shape-shifting drákon to Gilded Age heroines, her stories transport you to worlds where magic feels real and love conquers all.
With a knack for crafting unforgettable characters and vivid settings, Abé has earned accolades like the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. Ready to dive into her enchanting universe? Let’s explore the life, works, and legacy of this literary sorceress.
The Making of Shana Abé
Born in Texas, Shana Abé’s childhood was a whirlwind of adventure, from Colorado’s mountains to a stint in Mexico as an exchange student and modeling in Japan at seventeen. Writing was her constant companion—she penned what she calls 'The Silliest Romance Novel Ever' during modeling shoots. A love for romance novels fueled her creativity, and after earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in drama from the University of Southern California, she dove into writing full-time. Her early works, including a contemporary romance that placed third in a contest, showed promise, but it was historical romance that truly sparked her career.
Shana Abé’s Unforgettable Stories
Abé’s novels are a delicious blend of fantasy, romance, and history, marked by lyrical prose and strong, complex heroines. Her Drákon Series, starting with The Smoke Thief (2005), introduces a secretive clan of shape-shifters who transform into dragons and smoke. Readers adore its mix of paranormal intrigue and steamy romance, set against lush historical backdrops. The series’ fifth book, The Time Weaver (2010), explores time-traveling drákon, showcasing Abé’s ability to push boundaries.
The Sweetest Dark Series, a young adult trilogy beginning with The Sweetest Dark (2013), blends gothic mystery and magic. Set in a 1915 boarding school, it follows Lora Jones, a girl with hidden powers, and is loosely tied to the Drákon world. Abé’s historical fiction shines in The Second Mrs. Astor (2021), a poignant tale of Madeleine Force and John Jacob Astor’s love story aboard the Titanic, praised for its rich detail. An American Beauty (2023) brings Arabella Huntington’s Gilded Age rise to life, cementing Abé’s knack for reimagining real women’s stories.
Her writing style—evocative, romantic, and slightly whimsical—creates worlds where chivalrous knights meet gritty realities. Abé’s medieval and Gilded Age settings pulse with dichotomy, balancing grandeur with raw emotion, making every page a sensory delight.
Why Shana Abé Matters
Shana Abé’s impact lies in her ability to bridge genres, blending romance, fantasy, and history into stories that resonate across audiences. Her strong female leads, like Arabella and Madeleine, inspire readers to embrace resilience and ambition. By reimagining historical figures through a romantic lens, she breathes new life into the past, earning praise from authors like Fiona Davis for her 'exquisite storytelling.' Her Drákon series has carved a niche in paranormal romance, influencing the genre’s blend of myth and sensuality.
Abé’s journey from a young writer to a bestselling author encourages aspiring novelists to find their unique voice. Her love for animal rescue and storytelling shines through, making her a beloved figure in the literary world.
- Born: Texas, USA
- Key Works: The Smoke Thief, The Second Mrs. Astor, An American Beauty
- Awards: Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, multiple Reviewers’ Choice Awards
- Fun Fact: She once saw a ghost in a Los Angeles museum!
Snag The Smoke Thief or The Second Mrs. Astor and dive into Shana Abé’s magical blend of romance and history!