About the Book

Book: Cerulean Rose Author: Demi Griffin Genre: Romantasy/Fairy Tale Retelling Release Date: January 20, 2026

Hidden in a tiny cottage away from the ordinary existence of Cerulean’s citizens, Aural lived a simple life with her father in Sabean Woods. When he is struck by a serious illness, that ordinary life suddenly became extraordinary. In search of a physician, Aural breaks her promise never to leave the woods. When her path crosses with a Mystic, the manipulative Duchess, and the Prince of Cerulean, Aural realizes something beyond her simple quest to help her dying father has mapped out her journey. An ancient legend about a brotherly rivalry that resulted in tragedy stirs up the Fates guarding Cerulean. If the Cerulean Rose doesn’t bloom again, the kingdom is destined to perish. A wild path filled with romance, mystery, and intrigue shapes Aural’s heart in ways she could not have imagined as she gets sucked into the legend. Would it be enough to restore the foundation of true love that established the kingdom of Cerulean hundreds of years ago? Could a simple girl satisfy the Fates, capture a prince’s heart, overcome a king’s prejudice, and save Cerulean’s Rose?

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About the Author

Demi (also D.M. Griffin) Griffin is the author of several novels and has won multiple literary awards. Her novels in The Encounter Series won various Independent Author awards in the category of Religious Fiction. She writes Christian Fantasy, Biblical, and Historical Fiction. She currently resides in Northern California with her husband of over thirty years. She truly believes that a book that sits on a shelf unread is like a planted seed that never blossoms. Nothing delights her more than sharing a story.

More from D.M.

The inspiration behind The Fates Trilogy came after I spent a few years crafting an epic fantasy series called The Illumination Chronicles. I wanted to write something light-hearted and less involved. What began as a simple idea for a single story quickly escalated into a trilogy—all because of the final scene in the first book. Though it isn’t a cliffhanger, my author’s mind grabbed onto the possibilities, and the second book invaded my dreams at night. Then the third. The combination of romance and fantasy was too much fun to stop at writing one book. The royalty element is what I enjoy most about the stories in this series. Exploring the complicated relationships between fathers and sons, and the unspoken bond of brotherhood, added depth to the otherwise light-hearted stories. In this trilogy, the Christian influence is less pronounced than in my other novels, but the overarching themes of unity and sacrifice reach their peak in the final book. The characters in The Fates Trilogy struggle with issues that echo Christian values. Some of the issues include the sting of prejudice, the challenge of forgiveness, and the ache of feeling forsaken. Each book dives deeper into those ideas until they culminate in the epic climax in the last story. However, my main goal in the first book was to ensure that the narrative centered on the theme of love. Fairy tales swirled in my mind during my childhood, weaving vibrant worlds in my imagination. Cinderella was one of my favorite fairy tales, so it comes as no surprise that those vibes worked their way into this story. Yet, putting my own spin on it, I added depth, intrigue, and instead of glass slippers… a blue rose. While the vibes of that classic story have found their way into Cerulean Rose, it pulses with its own heartbeat. The faint imprint of a quest for true love feels familiar … but there is so… much…. more.

Interview with the Author

What helps you to write? Do you eat snacks, listen to music?

Inspiration often strikes while I’m walking around the lake near my home, listening to worship music, or when I am reading the Bible. I find that I can write best when I’m alone, with candles lit, jazz music playing, and sitting in my comfortable writing chair, allowing my imagination to take over. As I begin writing the first draft of my novel, creative ideas often emerge in the late hours of the night, when my mind starts to rest and I feel a connection with my characters. The only problem with that is the loss of sleep.

If you could travel back in time, what time period would you go to?

You might expect that if I could go back in time, I’d choose to visit the era when Jesus lived. In all honesty, I don’t believe I could bear the smell and uncleanliness of those periods, as I’m not fond of camping. The Civil War era has always captivated me since my childhood. I am fond of the concept of riding horses while dressed in large, voluminous gowns. My imagination probably makes it seem more romantic than it actually was. But the truth is, I believe I’m most at home in this era, with its abundance of great books. Should I be able to go back in time, I’d solely want to visit for a short time.

What is your favorite hymn and why?

“Come Thou Fount” is my favorite hymn because its words deeply resonate with me. Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love. Take my heart, Lord. Take and seal it. Seal it for thy courts above. This is my daily prayer. This is particularly important to me, since I am writing and wish to treat Scripture with reverence and holy intent.

What is one thing readers would be surprised to learn about you?

Readers might be shocked to discover I didn’t embrace Christianity until my thirties. It’s a fantastic story, though it’s too long to recount here. The most important aspect of that story is that when I was told I couldn’t have children, but then had three, I started to wonder if God was real. Years afterward, my son, whose birth was unexpected, read the Bible at age ten and then told me about it. I was stunned. God was not.

Share with me a few of your favorite things.

I love, among other things, taking long walks in autumn as leaves dance in the wind, drinking hot cocoa topped with whipped cream and cinnamon, enjoying the silent early mornings that spark my imagination, and getting lost in a captivating book.