Meet Lilly Grondin, Author of Bonded Hearts and Hidden Realms

Oct 19

This week, I’m chatting with indie romantic fantasy author Lilly Grondin about the Booktok Indie Author Awards finalist, Bonded Hearts and Hidden Realms.

Tell us about yourself

I debuted my first novel, Bonded Hearts and Hidden Realms, the first book in The Voltheria Trilogy, on March 1, 2026. I write romantasy filled with magic, destiny, forbidden bonds, love, and loyalty. Living in Connecticut with my husband of over 25 years, I’m a proud mother of three, mother-in-law to one amazing daughter-in-law, and grandma to two fur-babies. When I’m not writing, I enjoy reading, crocheting, sipping tea, and spending time with family. My writing journey began with a vivid dream that lingered in my mind for days. As I continued adding scenes, that dream grew into the world of Voltheria! After years of revisions, I realized the story was too big for one book, and a trilogy was born. The second book, Stolen Souls and Buried Truths, was released on August 5, 2026, with the third book planned for early 2027.

Tell us about your book. What is it about, and what makes it special?

At its heart, this is a love story between two best friends who grew up together and eventually realize that what they have is so much more than friendship. But it’s also about finding yourself, learning to believe in who you are, and discovering the kind of love that encourages you to become the person you’re meant to be.

What makes this story special to me is that, beneath all the magic, danger, secrets, and fated mates, it’s about two people figuring out who they are and who they want to be. Amara, especially, has a journey of self-discovery ahead of her, and I love that her story isn’t just about finding love, but learning to recognize her own strength and worth, too.

I also love the idea of choosing someone who stands beside you through the hard moments, believes in you when you struggle to believe in yourself, and supports you as you grow. Yes, there’s explosive magic and a love that fate seems to have already decided, but to me, the real magic is in the choices these characters make, the people they become, and the love they build along the way.

What first inspired you to write this story?

Honestly, this story started with a dream! I’ve always had really vivid dreams, and sometimes I’ll wake up and play around with them a little, adding details, dialogue, and scenes. Usually, I eventually get bored, and the dream fades away.

But during the pandemic, I had a dream that just wouldn’t leave me alone. It stuck with me, and no matter how much time passed, I kept coming back to it. Eventually, I decided to sit down and write it out, and one scene turned into another until I had one really long story!

I shared it with my niece, and she helped me edit it and shape it into what eventually became a trilogy. So, what started as a dream I couldn’t shake turned into a whole world of characters and stories that I’m so excited to share with others.

What kind of reader do you think would fall in love with this book?

I think readers who love a little bit of everything will fall in love with this story! If you love childhood friends-to-lovers, fated mates, slow-burn feelings, powerful magic, dangerous secrets, and characters who have to fight to discover who they really are, then this one is for you!

But I also think it’s for the reader who loves a strong heroine who doesn’t necessarily realize just how strong she is yet, and who enjoys watching a character grow into her power. Amara’s journey is about so much more than magic or falling in love; it’s about learning to believe in herself, finding her voice, and discovering what she’s truly capable of.

And, of course, if you love a romance with plenty of spice, high stakes, twists, and characters who will put you through ALL the emotions, you might want to give it a chance!

Ultimately, I hope readers walk away feeling like they’ve experienced more than just a fantasy romance. I want them to fall in love with the characters, feel their struggles, root for them, and maybe even see a little bit of themselves in them.

Which of your characters has put you through the most emotional turmoil as a writer?

Definitely Amara! She wants so badly to be this self-assured, confident woman, but at 25, life throws her a few curveballs and sets her back a little. She’s strong, powerful, and capable of so much more than she realizes, but she hasn’t quite figured that out about herself yet. (She will, I promise!)

Sometimes I just want to scream at her, “Girl, get it together! You are THAT woman!” But I think that’s what makes writing her so emotional for me. I know who she has the potential to be, and watching her struggle to see it in herself is both frustrating and rewarding. The funny thing is, I’m the one who wrote her this way, so I guess I only have myself to blame!

Which character most desperately needs a hug. And would they accept one?

Oh, Vesperis. She desperately needs a one, but good luck getting anywhere near her! She’s only introduced in Book 1, but her character really starts to unfold in Books 2 and 3, and there’s so much more to her than meets the eye.

Does she need a hug? Absolutely. Would she accept one? Not a chance. You’d probably get a shadow dagger thrown at you before you even opened your arms!

Honestly, I think she’d rather suffer in silence than let anyone see her vulnerable side. She has layers, and peeling them back is a journey all on its own. Maybe, just maybe, by the very end of Book 3, she might let someone get close enough to offer her a hug… but I’m not making any promises. And even then, I’d approach with caution. Those shadow daggers are no joke!

Which scene was your favourite to write, and which was the hardest?

Honestly, I think my favorite scene to write was also the hardest one to write. There’s a point where Amara is being tested for her powers, and they push her right to the absolute brink. Without giving too much away, it’s an intense, graphic, and deeply disturbing scene.

It was challenging to write because I really had to take Amara to a place where she was pushed beyond what she thought she could endure. But at the same time, I’m incredibly proud of how it turned out. It’s one of those scenes that stays with you, and I think it reveals so much about Amara, her strength, and just how much she has yet to discover about herself.

As a writer, those are the moments that are both emotionally exhausting and incredibly rewarding. You put your characters through the absolute worst, sometimes sit there wondering what is wrong with you for putting them through it, and then realize that the scene is exactly what the story needs. It was hard, but I wouldn’t change it.

If your main characters had theme songs, what would they be?

Dylan! The sexy guy-next-door type who is completely, hopelessly in love with Amara… I would choose “Adore You” by Harry Styles.

Dylan isn't just attracted to Amara…he sees her, loves her, believes in her, and stands beside her without trying to make her smaller so he can feel bigger. He’s all in when it comes to her!

Amara… I’d say “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus. Life has knocked her back, and she still has moments when she doubts herself, but she's learning that becoming who you're meant to be is a journey. It's less about the power she possesses and more about the strength she's discovering along the way.

What indie book have you loved recently and wish more people knew about?

Discover Bonded Hearts and Hidden Realms

Secrets shaped their beginning, but fate was never theirs to escape. Amara and Dylan have always shared secrets, but nothing could prepare them for the one waiting beyond their world.

When they’re thrust into Voltheria, a hidden realm full of powers, danger, and ancient secrets, they discover a bond that neither of them expected.

As the fragile boundary between Voltheria and the mortal world begins to crack, Amara and Dylan must decide who they are, what they stand for, and how far they’re willing to go for the love fate never gave them a choice in.

This steamy Romantasy debut delivers explosive magic, high-stakes secrets, and a sizzling fated mates romance that doesn't hold back!

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