Cozy fantasy meets Victorian romance, sprinkled with ghosts who just won't mind their own business. That's what you get when you dive into Belinda Kroll's delightful world of whimsical hauntings, sassy heroines, and sweetly devoted heroes.
I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Belinda to chat about her series, the magic of cozy fantasy, her journey as both an author and illustrator, and - of course - the ghosts who keep meddling in her characters' love lives.
So grab a cup of tea, a warm blanket, and maybe a slice of cake, because this is the ultimate cozy author chat you didn't know you needed.
Watch the full interview here ->
Meet Belinda Kroll: The Queen of Cozy Hauntings
"Victorian women who can speak to ghosts and wish they couldn't, and the sweet men who love them." That's how Belinda describes her books.
Each book in the series follows a different couple, and you guessed it - some sort of annoying opinionated ghost is always the catalyst for their romances. Think of it like your over bearing, matchmaking family member, except, you know... dead.
But Belinda isn't just writing these beautifully atmospheric stories - she's illustrating them, too! And let me tell you, I wish i had that kind of talent, because I'm over here commissioning artwork while she's out there bringing her own characters to life on the page.
There's a lot of imposter syndrome. I see other artists and think, 'Wow, they're so much better', but at the same time, it's so rewarding to imagine my characters exactly the way I see them in my head.
I told her straight up - that's what makes her books so special. The authenticity, the personal touch, the way her art and writing weave together into something uniquely hers. Meanwhile, if I tried to illustrate my own books, I'd be handing out stick figure sketches, so... we all have our strengths.
What Exactly Is a Cozy Fantasy?
You might have noticed that the term cozy fantasy has been popping up a lot lately. And guess what? It's new. Like, only since 2020 new.
Travis Baldree, who wrote Legends & Lattes, was the one who really brought the phrase into the spotlight.
Before that, Belinda wasn't quite sure what to call her books - whimsical gothic? Lighthearted Victorian paranormal? But once cozy fantasy became a thing, she and many other authors realized they'd been writing it all along.
So, What Defines Cozy Fantasy?
Here's the vibe:
It's comforting. Picture yourself snuggled under a blanket, sipping tea, nibbling on cake - that's the mood of these books.
It's low stakes. Yes, there's conflict, but it's not the world is ending and we're all doomed. It's more personal challenges, emotional growth, and just a sprinkle of supernatural mischief.
And in Belinda's case? It's all that plus Victorian romance, snappy dialogue, and ghosts who just can't leave well enough alone.
The Magic of Ghosts, Love, and Hallmark Tropes
If you love classic romance tropes, Belinda's books deliver - with a ghostly twist. There's the opinionated ghost dad who just has to play matchmaker, the grumpy heroine clashing with a sunshine hero, and even a love triangle... with a ghost.
In Haunting Miss Trentwood, the heroine's dad is a ghost who refuses to rest until his daughter finds love. Meanwhile, A Spirited Engagement takes things up a notch. The hero thinks he's in a second-chance romance, the heroine is convinced it's enemies-to-lovers, and the ghost bride? Oh, she's certain she and the hero are together forever. It's class romance, but hilarious.
Writing & Illustration: A Perfect Pair
I had to ask: does Belinda see her stories in pictures first or in words? Turns out, it's changing.
When I wrote A Spirited Engagement, I could see it like a moving playing in my head. And now, I'm finding myself thinking, How do I write this scene so I can illustrate it later?
That's next-level writer-artist brain fusion right there.
Speaking of illustration, she's been using Kickstarter to fund her gorgeous, illustrated hardcover editions - a process that, while exciting, comes with a learning curve.
I ran my first Kickstarter as a test to see if readers would take a risk on an illustrated edition. Turns out, they loved it, and now it's a core part of how I release my books.
I feel this so deeply. I'm right there in the trenches, figuring out my own Kickstarter, making sure I don't lose money, and trying to decide on all the little details. And let me tell you - it's a LOT.
Looking Ahead: What's Next for Belinda Kroll?
Belinda's got big plans for 2025, and honestly? I'm inspired.
📌Finishing Book Three in the Hesitant Medium series
📌Prepping for Book Four (because her brain won't let her focus on just one project - relatable)
📌Shifting to a Kickstarter-first publishing model
📌Growing her Shopify store, where readers can buy directly from her
I love having creative control. I can design stickers, shirts, whatever I want, and my readers know their money is going straight to me instead of a big company.
That's the kind of indie author power move I respect.
Final Thoughts: What Does She Want Readers to Take Away?
When I asked her what she hopes readers feel when they finish one of her books, her answer was simple but powerful.
I want them to be smiling. I want them to feel hopeful.
Because at the end of the day, that's what cozy fantasy is all about.
Want More Belinda Kroll?
You can find her at https://worderella.com/ and trust me, if you love cozy fantasy, Victorian romance, and ghosts with opinions, you need to check out her books.
Thanks for hanging out, and as always - happy hunting.