Indie Author Spotlight: Samantha Hartwood
Illusions, Slow-Burn Tension, and a Deadly School of Magic to Get Lost In
Samantha Hartwood is stepping onto the romantasy scene with a debut that blends illusion magic, morally grey characters, and slow-burn tension inside a brutal magical school. With Masquerade of Mirrors, she introduces readers to a world built on deception, unstable power, and a romance shaped by secrets.
As an indie author launching her first novel, Hartwood brings both creative ambition and careful structure to her storytelling. Her background in STEM meets her lifelong love of fantasy and romance, resulting in a magic system that feels intentional and character dynamics that drive the stakes forward.
I’m currently in the middle of reading Masquerade of Mirrors, and it has opened strong. The atmosphere is immersive, the illusion magic is already proving layered, and the central dynamic hints at the kind of slow-burn payoff romantasy readers appreciate. Stay tuned to Mom Needs a Chapter for a detailed review.
The novel was just released today and promises secrets, shifting alliances, and a love story built on unstable ground.
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Meet Samantha Hartwood
Samantha Hartwood has been drawn to stories for as long as she can remember. Long before publication became a goal, she filled notebooks with imagined worlds and complex characters. Although she pursued a STEM degree, storytelling remained a constant thread. Eventually, she chose to follow that creative pull, building a writing life fueled by discipline, curiosity, and a steady stream of peppermint tea.
A Lifelong Storyteller
Even as a child, Hartwood gravitated toward inventing worlds rather than journaling about everyday life. She referred to her childhood notebooks as “writing books,” an early sign that fictional storytelling was always the priority.
The turning point came one summer when she committed to finishing a novel, regardless of the outcome. Without an outline or detailed plan, she drafted Masquerade of Mirrors in a local coffee shop over the course of a few months. The goal was simple, to complete a manuscript.
That first draft, while imperfect, became a crucial learning experience. It gave her permission to write freely and refine later. Since then, Hartwood has evolved into a meticulous plotter who values intricate structure and carefully woven narrative threads. Today, she takes particular satisfaction in ensuring that every storyline connects by the final pages.
Why romance and fantasy?
Hartwood’s love of romance is foundational to her work. She gravitates toward stories where emotional stakes are heightened by magical systems and dangerous settings.
In her writing, magic is never decorative, it directly influences the romantic arc. Power structures, illusion, and control shape the dynamics between characters, creating tension that builds slowly but deliberately. Readers can expect inventive magic systems, morally complex characters, and romance that remains central to the story.
About the Book: Masquerade of Mirrors
Masquerade of Mirrors is a dark academia fantasy romance set within a brutal magical institution known as the Halls of Glass. The novel launches the Halls of Glass world and functions as a standalone entry point for readers.
The premise is compelling: the only thing more dangerous than falling for a lie is falling for the liar.
Official blurb:
Don’t look at the desert. Don’t think about the desert. Never step onto the sand. Taera has followed these rules her entire life—until he arrives.
Impossibly gorgeous, with a face masked in magic, Nikolai kidnaps Taera and drags her deep into the dunes. He says she’s powerful and needs to be trained…if she ever wants to see her family again.
Thrust into a deadly school of illusions and lies, Taera can’t trust anyone. Especially not her breathtaking, ruthless captor. Top student and notorious liar, his secrets run deeper than the sand. He’s her worst nightmare—and everything she craves.
The cutthroat Halls of Glass have a mind of their own. Trapped within their looping corridors, Taera is surrounded by hostile students and forced to rely on Nikolai.
Taera knows she shouldn’t fall for his illusions. But magic requires a partnership, and he’s the only mage who can handle her wild, untamed power.
And the only way he’ll help her is if she pretends to be his.
Masquerade of Mirrors is a fast-paced, slow-burn fantasy romance. Taera and Nikolai’s story is for readers who love crackling chemistry, daring escape plans, and as many lies as truths. This book is highly addictive and contains adult content.
The spice level rests at approximately two to three chili peppers. The romance simmers for much of the novel before transitioning to open-door intimacy, with an additional steamy bonus epilogue available to newsletter subscribers. Count me in!
Behind the Scenes of Her Process
Although Hartwood once drafted an entire novel without an outline, she now identifies firmly as a plotter. She enjoys mapping intricate storylines and watching individual threads converge.
Her ideal writing space remains a coffee shop rather than a late-night desk session. She prioritizes sleep and sustainability in her creative routine.
When motivation wanes, she returns to a piece of advice that continues to guide her: Motivation does not lead to hard work. Hard work leads to motivation. The philosophy reflects the discipline behind her growing audience.
Fun Facts
Hartwood is particularly fascinated by schools of magic and morally complicated characters. In Masquerade of Mirrors, she explored illusion magic and the psychological toll it might take on someone whose identity is built on deception.
For any aspiring indie authors, Hartwood praises Indie Authors Ascending (IAA) as being an invaluable resource during her writing and publishing process.
Where to Find Samantha
Masquerade of Mirrors is now available on Amazon in paperback and e-book formats, as well as on Kindle Unlimited.
Readers can connect with Samantha Hartwood through her website at samanthahartwood.com, where they can join her mailing list and follow updates on future projects. She is also active on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok under the handle @samanthahartwoodauthor.
Hartwood emphasizes the importance of reader support in the indie publishing world.
For those who enjoy slow-burn tension, dangerous magical schools, and romances steeped in secrets and deception, she is an author worth watching.
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