Welcome to a new series where I’m featuring paranormal romance books in anticipation of my own paranormal romance release Paramour! Today’s feature is on S.P. Woods, author of Ares-Valentine Academy, a new adult PR released January 14, 2025. Ares-Valentine Academy is dark academia novel set in a magical university. It’s filled with student x professor rejected fated-mates angst, forced proximity, and a revenge plot.
I had the chance to chat with S.P. Woods about what draws them to paranormal romance and what inspired Ares-Valentine Academy.
What inspired you to write paranormal romance, and what draws you to this genre specifically?
I’ve always liked escaping into new and different worlds since I was a child. Now, I’m thrilled I get to create these worlds.
If you could spend a day with any of your paranormal characters, who would you choose and why?
Caleb – He’s the type to call you out and [he’s] quietly observant. He’d be the person to know all the secret fun things going on.
How do you balance world-building and romantic tension to keep readers engaged?
The world building gets weaved into what the character is experiencing by learning it through their eyes with what they feel is important. I love increasing romantic tension with near-touches, things left unspoken, learning emotional stakes for the characters, and uncovering those with how they conflict with the characters’ desires.
What paranormal romance trope can you never resist, either reading or writing?
Forbidden love and any kind of mate bond.
Tell us about a scene in your book that readers particularly love or provide an excerpt you’d like to share.
Some of my readers have pointed out a part where a character gets jealous and his self restraint snaps, causing him to go against his own lines that he had drawn.
What’s one paranormal power or creature you haven’t written about yet but would love to explore?
I think something with demons or fallen angels would be fun.
If your paranormal romance couple had to face off against Edward and Bella from Twilight in a Hunger Games-style competition, which couple would win and why?
Edward and Bella are going down! These characters have a storm of hidden power and constantly simmering rage ready to let go.
Real Reader Response:
“There’s Nick. Shadow daddy supreme. His intense, brooding energy paired with the forbidden pull between him and Harper was perfection. The tension between them was deliciously addictive, and every scene they shared had me on edge in the best way.” -Memorylynn
Excerpt:
Mr. Ares spoke to the class, “Today you’re going to continue to practice closing off your mind. Remember, early practice will solidify your control. You’ll practice while multitasking and taking notes of chapters eight to ten.”
The unkempt look of his hair, slightly wet at the ends like he didn’t focus on drying it before class, and the way his shirt was a little too snug while he focused on creating his notes had me chewing on the end of my pen. Whatever happened this weekend left my brain completely frazzled, making it so hard to focus.
When did he get so hot? No, he was definitely always hot. I had been so focused on him as my professor, not really looking past that before. Maybe Caleb was right, and I was another student at the academy with a crush. Was he always so built, in like a secretly strong sort of way? Would he feel as firm as he looked?
It looked like his whole body suddenly tensed as he faced the board.
He does have a really nice ass.
A loud clatter suddenly rang from the room as he accidentally knocked something to the floor. I shifted up, staring like the rest of the class. He fumbled, nearly walking into his chair before pushing it into his desk.
“Eyes on your papers,” he snarled.
A nice ass really didn’t make up for his poor attitude.
He cleared his throat. His eyes narrowed on me for a fraction of a second. I refrained from rolling my eyes and brought my attention back to my paper, practicing bringing my walls up.
How can you find the author?
Click the links above for S.P. Woods’s instagram, tiktok, or website!