Meet AC
A.C. Arthur has worked as a paralegal in every field of law since high school, but her first love is and will always be writing romance. Today, she’s the author behind the most anticipated new romantasy series of 2026: Heart of Ruin, the first book in her Blackmore Academy series.
She’s won awards for her acclaimed Donovans and Shadow Shifters contemporary and paranormal romance series, respectively. Under her pen name, Lacey Baker, she created the quaint small towns of Sweetland and Crescent Island and wrote the novelization for the Original Hallmark Channel Movies, A Gingerbread Romance and Christmas In Evergreen: Bells Are Ringing.
A.C. is also the founder of One Love Reunion, a literary event to bring readers and authors together in celebration of diverse stories. After 12 years and successful partnerships with Harlequin Romance, Tantor Audio and more, One Love Reunion heads to Baltimore in 2028.
With over 90 titles published, A.C.’s still determined to bring a new edge to romance. She returns to the supernatural and fantastical in fall 2026 with Heart of Ruin, the first book in her new Blackmore Academy series. The story of an HBCU professor hiding her legacy as the last banshee, Heart of Ruin is the most anticipated romantasy of 2026 perfect for fans of dark academia, Southern gothic atmosphere, forbidden magick and slow-burn romantasy.
If you’ve been waiting for a Black romantasy that pairs a campus full of secrets with an epic love story, this is the place to start. Romantasy readers who crave dark academia with a supernatural edge will find plenty to devour in her Blackmore Academy debut.
Enter the most anticipated new romantasy series of 2026… Welcome to Blackmore Aacademy.
A.C. Arthur was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland where she currently lives with her husband, three children, and a blessedly active imagination.
Are you new to AC?
Are you new to her work and wondering where to start? Or maybe you’ve read her before but want a specific genre for your next read? AC has some great suggestions for you!