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?
Click here to get your copy!
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
- How do you select the names of your characters?
Fun fact: The names of my characters often come to me in the most unexpected ways. I always keep a running note on my phone to collect names. Sometimes I will see a street sign that sounds like a good character name. Other times, I meet someone with an interesting name. In one of my epic fantasy novels, my main villain was named after a cheese I inquired about at a church potluck. 🙂
- What was your hardest scene to write?
The hardest scene for me to write in Cerulean Rose was a scene that took place between Enris and his brother. Without giving any spoilers, I will say that for most of the novel, Enris is a side-character that leans toward good. In the final scene of the book, we see another side of him that sparks the impetus for the second novel in the series. And, while he is a hero, it was difficult to find that balance between his goodness and his uncharacteristic choice.
- What comes first, the plot or characters?
I think I am more character-driven than plot-driven when writing my novels. I prefer to become immersed in the emotional journey of a story, rather than focusing on the specific plot points. I want my characters to be three-dimensional and relatable in a way that makes the story transforming, not simply entertaining. Characters become like friends to me when I am writing (and sometimes after)—even keeping me awake at night when they seem extra chatty with really good dialogue. Who needs sleep? When they start talking, I have to write it down. I learned the hard way that I can’t remember when I wake up in the morning.
- Who is the author you most admire in your genre?
Since I write in multiple genres, I have a lot of favorite authors. Cerulean Rose is a loose fairy tale retelling, so I would have to give a shout-out to Karen Witemeyer. I absolutely loved her retellings and didn’t know it was a thing before I read her novels. In Biblical Fiction, I adore all of April Gardner’s books. In Historical Romance, I know I can’t go wrong with Gabrielle Meyer. And for fantasy, I like Carrie Cotten and Ashton Dorow.
- What do you like to do when you are not writing?
When I am not writing or reading—which is rare—I am typically taking a walk, doing research, or working at my local church. I take frequent trips across the country to visit my son and his family since he is in the Air Force, stationed very far away from me. I also like to draw, watch movies, and research interesting historical facts—dangerous habit because it often inspires another novel.
Blog Stops
Book Looks by Lisa, April 10
Simple Harvest Reads, April 11 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, April 11
Lily’s Corner, April 12
Artistic Nobody, April 13 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 14
Guild Master, April 15 (Author Interview)
The Lofty Pages, April 16
Fiction Book Lover, April 17 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, April 18
For the Love of Literature, April 19 (Author Interview)
Holly’s Book Corner, April 19
Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 20 (Author Interview)
Leslie’s Library Escape, April 21
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 22
Blossoms and Blessings, April 23 (Author Interview)
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Demi is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://gleam.io/s3FDM/cerulean-rose-celebration-tour-giveaway