About Kat McNulty:
Q: Can you tell us a little about your latest book, Darkest Before Dawn?

Absolutely.
Darkest Before Dawn is a modern-day paranormal romance set in New York City, where a
young woman named Kari is thrust into a hidden war between gods and monsters. She’s
being hunted by Eris’s vampires, and the only thing standing between her and death is
Xander — a deadly, gorgeous Slayer sworn to Astraea, the goddess of justice. What
starts as protection quickly becomes something intense, dangerous, and deeply
emotional as Kari discovers powers within herself she never knew existed.

Q: How did you come up with the story for Darkest Before Dawn?

 It honestly started out as what was going to be shifter story. I wrote the first paragraph back in 2007 and added a page or two in 2009. It sat that way till 2013 when I decided to finally make more of it.
By that point my love of vampires and Greek Gods had fully taken over (we can thank
Buffy and Bram Stoker for this) and I wanted a Vampire\Slayer love story for adults where
the vampires were the bad guys and sunlight didn’t make them sparkle. (Sorry Twilight)
So I leaned full tilt into a darker side of paranormal romance.

Q: Kari and Xander have a complex dynamic. How did you develop their chemistry?

Their chemistry comes from contrast. Kari is compassionate, stubborn, and stronger than she
believes. Xander is a weapon — trained, disciplined, emotionally closed off — until she
forces him to feel again. Every scene between them is about that push-and-pull: desire
vs. duty, vulnerability vs. power. I let them challenge each other, frustrate each other,
and ultimately change each other. That’s where the spark lives.

Q: The story involves a hidden war between gods and monsters. What inspired you to
explore this paranormal world?

I’ve always loved the idea that the world we know sits on top of something much bigger, darker, and more ancient. Mixing modern settings with mythological forces lets me explore power, justice, and destiny in ways that feel both
grounded and epic.

Q: How do you balance the romantic tension with the action and paranormal elements?

For me, the romance and the action are inseparable—they feed off each other. Every
fight, every close call, every supernatural threat intensifies the connection between Kari
and Xander. Their emotional stakes make the battles feel more dangerous, and the
danger makes their moments together more electric. I think of it like fire and flint—sparks
fly when the tension hits just right, keeping readers on edge and invested in both the
fight and the love story.

Q: Without giving too much away, what’s your favorite scene or moment in the book?

There’s a moment where Kari finally stops running from who she is and steps fully into
her power — and Xander sees her not as someone he needs to protect but as someone
who stands beside him. It’s emotional, it’s fiery (quite literally), and it changes everything
between them.

Q: Did you face any challenges while writing Darkest Before Dawn?

 Oh, absolutely. I faced a lot of challenges. I spent hours deep-diving into research on the Greek gods and building on that mythology to make it feel fresh and believable. And then there were the
action scenes—sometimes I literally had to get up and physically act them out just to
make sure the movements and the flow felt real on the page. And of course, imposter
syndrome tried to tag along for the whole ride. But every challenge ended up making the
book stronger, and honestly, it made me stronger as a writer too.

Q: Are there any themes in the book that are especially important to you?

 Found strength is a huge one. Kari starts off believing she’s just another face in a sea of faces, ordinary,
powerless even, and discovers she’s capable of so much more. Another theme is justice
vs. chaos. What it means to stand for something, even when you’re terrified or it could
cost you everything.

Q: How do you approach world-building for your paranormal romance novels?

I usually start with an anchor point (a major event in history or mythology) and then spin the story
outward from there. For example, Ring of Fire was inspired by the bombing of Hiroshima,
and that event became the emotional and historical backbone for the story. Once I have
that anchor, I layer in the paranormal elements, the romance, and the characters’
journeys, so everything feels grounded, yet expansive and alive.

Q: Can readers expect sequels or spin-offs in this universe?

Yes! The sequel to Darkest Before Dawn, Ring Of Fire, is already out. It picks up right where DBD left off. I am currently working on book three Dawn Of Revolution for the series and have a total of
five planned out. I have also considered spin offs, but haven’t settled on anything yet.

Q: What do you hope readers take away from Darkest Before Dawn?

 I hope readers walk away knowing they matter. There is nobody on this planet who isn’t important. Kari’s journey is all about discovering her own worth and strength, even when the world feels
like it’s crashing down around her. If someone reads this book and feels seen, or realizes
they have more power inside them than they thought—they’ve already found the heart of
the story.

Q: Were any characters or plot points inspired by real-life experiences or people?

Yes. Kari is very much inspired by me. Not in a “self-insert” way, but in the sense that her
emotional landscape comes from my own experiences. Her stubbornness, her
compassion, her fear of not being enough, and her eventual realization that she’s
stronger than she ever believed — those all come from pieces of my life. Writing her was
cathartic. She’s the version of me who learned to stand her ground in a world trying to
break her.

Q: If you could step into the world of your book for a day, what would you do first?

 I would spend the night watching the city the way they do: from rooftops, on patrol, seeing
the hidden supernatural world come to life. Preferably without getting mauled by
anything though.

Fun & Personal Questions
Q: Coffee, tea, or something else while writing?

 Coffee usually… unless it’s a late night writing session. Then it’s whiskey or rum.

Q: Do you have a favorite writing snack or ritual?

 Chocolate—or anything sugary is my ultimate writing fuel. As for rituals, I always make a playlist to match the mood of the scene I’m working on. Sometimes I even slip into full band‑nerd mode, dancing or conducting along with the music while I write. It’s messy, ridiculous, and somehow
perfect for getting into the story.

Q: How do you spend a typical day off?

 A perfect day off for me is simple: comfy clothes, good coffee, and a cozy spot hanging out with my daughters or fiancé. We’ll usually play games, watch something together, or weather permitting go on walks with our dogs. If I’m really treating myself, I’m either thrifting, diving into a bookstore, or sinking into an anime or audiobook while playing Stardew Valley. On the rare occasion my body isn’t
fighting me I will spin my lightsabers.

Q: What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long writing session?

 Playing a video game or impromptu dance session

Rapid-Fire Questions
Q: Early bird or night owl? Night Owl
Q: Favorite paranormal creature to write about? Vampires
Q: Favorite romance trope? Enemies to lovers
Q: Cats, dogs, or other pets? Cats and dogs
Q: Mountains or beach? Both.
Q: Writing playlist or silence? Writing playlist
Q: Last book you couldn’t put down? Dungeon Crawler Carl series
Q: Guilty pleasure? Spicy romance tropes. All of them. If there’s forced proximity,
morally gray men, enemies to lovers or “there’s only one bed,” I’m absolutely feral.
Also… late‑night snacks I swore I wouldn’t eat. And rewatching the same comfort shows
instead of starting the new ones in my queue.
Q: One word that describes your writing style: Pantser.
Q: Favorite social media platform to connect with readers? TikTok

Q: Favorite scene to write in Darkest Before Dawn?

I call it Kari’s “phoenix scene”. It’s the moment where she truly rises into her power, and everything changes for her—and for Xander. Writing it was electric; the emotions, the stakes, the intensity. It all came together in a way that made me tear up and cheer for her.

Q: Something readers might not know about you:

I have Hashimoto’s (auto-immune hypothyroidism). I’m a huge Star Wars fan and what people like to call a “weeb.” I love cosplay (I even have a separate TikTok for it), and I spin lightsabers for fun.

Q: Any advice for aspiring paranormal romance authors?

 Get out there and write. Your story deserves to be told. Don’t let anyone ever tell you otherwise. You are your worst critic, don’t let you hold yourself back. Also, understand that your book will not be
everyone's cup of tea, but it will definitely be someone’s shot of whiskey.