A Kiss of Hammer and Flame: Interview with Amy de la Force

There's never enough romantasy books, in our opinion, so let us tell you about a new one! A Kiss of Hammer and Flame is Amy de la Force's newly published debut filled with magic and romance. Read our interview with Amy to learn more not only about the book, but also about Amy and her swords-fighting and kung-fu skills!

---

Thank you for joining us, Amy! Could you start by introducing yourself?

Hiya! I’m Amy de la Force, a bi speculative fiction writer and the debut author of romantasy A Kiss of Hammer and Flame, published by Canelo (DK, Penguin Random House). I’m an Aussie expat living in London with my family.

We would love to know more about A Kiss of Hammer and Flame and what inspired you to write it!

I’ve been reading fantasy, paranormal romance and horror since I was a teenager, so spec fic has always been my jam – and AKOHAF is a love letter to those sub-genres. I had the idea for the book when studying creative writing at university (circa 2008?), which started with a concept: a dark lost city surrounded by three kingdoms warring to control its ultimate weapon. I’d always loved mythic fantasy that involved ‘the quest’, I was watching a lot of anime (I’m looking at you, Hellsing), and I wanted to write something that platformed goth awesomeness!

What drew you to romantasy, and what do you love most about writing (or reading) stories in this genre?

I have loved fantasy ever since I laid eyes on Xena’s ay-ay-ay-y, sword-fighting badassery when I was younger, but I was also enamoured with the relationships in paranormal romance; I will forever be crushed that we never got the 10th book in L.J. Smith’s Night World series, because it was so, SOOO good! So I think, for me, the blend of fantasy and romance that is romantasy was a natural evolution. The angst, the yearning – it’s everything I love about YA, and it’s just as great in adult fiction. Obviously, there’s also the escapism component and reading about characters worth swooning over when reality chronically fails to deliver (anyone else obsessed with #DatingThreads?).

Do you have any favourite romance tropes as a reader, and do any make an appearance in your book?

I’m a sucker for shadow daddies (have you met my MMC Hael?), though I can appreciate the popularity of a solid enemies to lovers arc. I’m also partial to fated mates, as you'll see, and a juicy love triangle haha! Hilariously, I also just learned about the one horse trope, which now explains why some readers are shipping my FMC Cahra and another character that I had never even clocked…

Can you tell us a little bit about your characters? Which, if any, do you identify with most and why?

Probably Cahra and her anxiety and mental health portrayal; that learned vigilance from never feeling safe, secure. It’s exhausting and it doesn't really go away. But she's also a fighter and makes sacrifices, even when the odds are stacked against her, and I'm proud of her grit when it comes to doing the right thing. That's in no way easy.

And which characters do you hope your readers will connect with the most and why?

As the FMC, Cahra is the obvious pick, though I also really like Wyldaern. Her character archetype is one that doesn’t come naturally for me, so it’s interesting to pull her threads and see what comes loose that I can explore for her development in Book 2. I also have my fave side characters, like Luminaux's queer army general Sylvie, who is an absolute joy to write!

How did you go about building the magical system in A Kiss of Hammer and Flame? What was the initial seed that grew and branched out into the world readers can now dive into?

Because there was a prophecy, I needed oracles. I’m pagan, so my seers have visions and use materials for divination like herbs, crystals and tools e.g. water scrying bowls. For the weapon, revered as born of darkness, it was about interrogating what cultural beliefs and events would make sense for a realm that covets dark magic. I respect hard magic systems but can't write them to save my life, so mine is softer, which helps me not feel boxed into doing things a particular way, letting me problem-solve creatively.

Have you come across any challenges while writing or publishing this book? How have you overcome them?

Second book syndrome is real! I was lucky, because I already had a draft of Book 2 when the series sold, but the internal pressure to deliver the same quality with a less developed manuscript is hard. I'm learning a lot about letting go of perfectionism this year.

Aside from anxiety, I also have sensory issues, so focusing / finding my flow after a break can be difficult. I need high levels of concentration without interruption to get writing done, which is rarely a thing when you have a young child! So most of my work happens during school hours and on weekends when I'm on deadline.

This book is your debut. Was there anything that surprised you during the publishing process?

After I got the offer from my publisher, I did a lot of research into what to expect as a debut, so I went in with some knowledge. What I was most surprised about was probably how much the debut experience differs from author to author – even authors at the same imprint. I'm lucky as my experience has been really positive, but I've heard from authors who lost agents, or their editors changed jobs, or there were marketing or sales complications... If I had to give any advice, I'd say it's a rollercoaster and learning to focus on what you can control and accept what you can't is a rite of passage.

What’s something that inspires you on a day to day basis? And where do you go when you need to be pulled out from a writing slump?

My other 2025 debuts! In writing courses, I’d always been the lone fantasy writer, and I kind of just learned to take that on the chin. Now, I’m on Discord’s 2025 Debut group with an entire cohort of not just 125+ SFF authors, but also romantasy authors! We share knowledge and advice and it’s such a supportive community. The only downside is my escalating TBR, and all the cash I want to (/ did) splash on fellow debuts haha.

Writing slumps tend to happen when deep down, I feel like I don't know what I'm doing with a scene / chapter. So I take a break, I get outside – I often try to write there, as a change of scenery tends to kickstart new trains of thought – I dig deeper into my scene or chapter plan and bullet point things out more concretely. And if I feel really stuck, I start Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way for the millionth time. I freaking love that book for creative ruts.

You know the arts of sword-fighting and even studied Shaolin kung fu! Please, tell us all about that. Does it make it easier to write fight scenes? And be honest, how badass does it make you feel?

Xena was my idol, so that explains the sword-fighting and kung fu! But I was acting out my fight scenes before I ever did martial arts, so I could get a clue about what was realistic. I trained in Shaolin for five years and adored it; the main reason I stopped was I had a baby and time went out the window. I'd love to go back some day. And it does make writing combat scenes easier – Shaolin has cool combos like simultaneous block-punches, which you don't see so much in film choreography as they're making each move visually count. Yet strategically, that economy of motion is clever, and I believe looks just as cool!

And yes, it does make me feel just a little bit badass… XD

We’d love a hint about what readers can expect from you next! What are you currently working on?

I’m currently editing the sequel to A Kiss of Hammer and Flame, which will be Book 2 of the Fated For Hael series. After that, I’ll be drafting and editing Book 3.

I've also had a queer historical fiction in the works for a few years that my agent is dying to get out on sub (to be honest, so am I), with the boldest, most brilliant Italian FMC who I can't WAIT to return to writing, as she's amazing fun! So Isabella's always in the back of my mind.

Our podcast focuses on media we’re currently loving. Are there any books, shows, movies, or games you’re enjoying at the moment? Any recommendations for our audience? Bonus points if it includes sapphics!

I'm currently reading an ARC of Maria Z. Medina's Mistress of Bones, which is fantastic! In terms of sapphics, I'm really excited for The Elysium Heist by Y.M. Resnik, which is a debut sapphic casino heist in space (!!!) and comes out on 31 July 2025. For more sapphic debuts, check out Resnik's roundup post on Instagram!

---

About the Author

Amy de la Force is the author of romantasy A Kiss of Hammer and Flame, Book 1 of the Fated For Hael series from Canelo (DK, Penguin Random House). Amy is an ex-Apple creative and shortlistee of the prestigious Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize, and loves reading, art, nature and anything whimsigoth. She also used to train in kung fu and medieval sword fighting. Connect with Amy on Instagram, Bluesky or TikTok at @amydelaforce.