Unstoppable, Unapologetic, Unforgettable.
Some writers tell stories, but R.C. Luna conjures them. With a voice as bold as the worlds she builds, Luna crafts tales where passion ignites power, and fate is as unrelenting as the magic that binds us. Her stories pulse with the rhythm of ancient myths and modern mysticism, pulling readers into realms where the supernatural is as seductive as it is dangerous.
Rooted in a rich cultural tapestry and shaped by a life of exploration, Luna’s storytelling is anything but ordinary. She doesn’t just write about magic - she wields it, blending folklore, history, and the eternal struggle between light and darkness into narratives that captivate and consume. Her work isn’t for the faint of heart, it’s for those who crave adventure, who believe in destiny, and who know that sometimes, love is the most powerful force of all.
In this exclusive feature, we dive into the mind of R.C. Luna - her inspirations, her creative process, and the alchemy behind her unforgettable stories.
Congratulations! You are making waves in the paranormal romance world. Can you introduce yourself to our readers and share a bit about your journey?
Hi! My name is R.C. Luna, and I am a Puerto Rican author of edgy Latin fantasy and romance books. My five-book series, Warrior Shifter, is out now. It follows a Puerto Rican FMC who slays vampires and rises to the throne. The story is rich in diversity, Latin culture, and mythology inspired by South America.
I've always been a writer and storyteller in some form, starting with poetry when I was a little girl. We left Puerto Rico when I was four and moved to the Bahamas, Florida, Mexico, back to Florida, and then Colombia. All that travel shaped me, exposing me to different ways of thinking, cultures, geographies, and foods. I saw the world as diverse, accepting, and inclusive, finding beauty in every culture rather than feeling separate from them.
After high school, I joined the U.S. Air Force as a photographer and photojournalist. I left after four years of active duty and transitioned into senior-level positions in marketing, advertising, and PR—always storytelling, but always for someone else.
After having three kids, I did a lot of self-work to become a better parent because, honestly, I was a hot mess. That journey led me to earn a life coaching certification, which helped me connect with the dreams and desires of my true self. Through that process, I realized I had already achieved my dream of having a beautiful family, so why not chase my dream of writing? I told myself it was possible, and I made it happen.
As an author of Puerto Rican heritage, how does your cultural background influence your stories, world-building, or the characters you create?
During my life coaching certification, I struggled to write from an emotional place. My past writing had always been structured—scripted, corporate, and confined by guidelines. I didn’t know how to speak from the heart. But once I tapped into my emotions, it opened a portal. I started journaling and writing freely, and soon, the emotions I put on the page began transforming into magical powers in my imagination.
At the same time, I was devouring fantasy books, but I rarely saw myself in the characters. Sure, I could get swept away in the story if it was well-written, but I felt a void—an absence of Latin American representation. Even when I sought out books by Latin authors, they weren’t prominent in the paranormal space, or they would code-switch to fit existing genre expectations rather than fully embracing Latin culture.
That realization fueled my vision: I wanted to bring something unique to storytelling by weaving in Latin American and Puerto Rican mythology in a way that felt authentic and powerful to me.
The Warrior Shifter series introduces a fascinating world of vampires, shifters, and fae. What was your process for crafting such a dynamic and magical universe?
It all started with a recurring dream I had during COVID. In the dream, I was in Puerto Rico, at my uncle’s house, and I would transform into a jaguar. It happened so often that I started researching the significance of jaguars in Puerto Rican culture. That’s when I discovered something interesting—Puerto Rico has never had native jaguars, yet remains of jaguars have been found in Taino caves. Even more intriguing, some animal sculptures by the Taino in Puerto Rico closely resemble those of a jaguar found in South American caves, which are tied to Mesoamerican mythology.
Digging deeper into the mythology, I learned about the nagual, a jaguar shapeshifter born under a specific zodiac alignment. They could travel between the spirit world and the human world to protect shamans. That mythology captivated me, and I knew I had found my protagonist’s identity. I built her shifting abilities around the nagual and blended that concept into my book’s magic system. Her longing for Puerto Rico is reflected in her journey, much like how Bad Bunny’s album resonated with me—proof that I wasn’t the only one haunted by dreams of my island.
Writing can be an all-consuming process, but every author has their ways of unwinding. When you're not crafting magical worlds and steamy romances, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Reading is number one. I love all kinds of books. I also love working out—it helps me relieve stress. So does dancing and enjoying Mofongo whenever I can. I really enjoy long walks outdoors, kayaking and soaking in the beauty of nature. My family and I are huge Disney fans, so we go to the parks as often as we can.
What’s a fun fact about you that your readers might not know?
Most of my readers don’t know I was in the U.S. military. I don’t talk about it much because it was a long time ago, but it had a huge impact on me. In fact, the main character in Warrior Shifter joins the military as well, so there’s a military-academia twist in the series inspired by that experience.
What are you currently reading?
Since I’m writing a new series, I avoid reading fantasy books to keep my magic system original. But my last favorite read was Quicksilver by Callie Hart. I highly recommend it! I also love contemporary romance and recently read work by Pepper Winters. Both authors are master storytellers.
What’s next for you? Any exciting projects or upcoming books that you can tease for our readers?
Yes! I have a lot of projects in the works. Right now, I’m translating the Warrior Shifter series into Spanish, aiming for a June completion, with a planned launch in Puerto Rico by July. I’m also writing the Zodiac Codex, which will dive into the series’ mythology, pronunciation guides for the creatures and magic spells, and a deeper exploration of the magic system.
In addition, I’m finishing an anti-bullying children’s book series called “The Secret Plan” with a co-author under the pen name Rossana Corniel. And I’m working on a brand-new epic romantasy based on Spanish, Latin American, and Indigenous mythology. I hope to reveal the title and cover by next month!
Where can fans find you for more information and to follow your work?
I’d love for fans to join my newsletter at www.rcluna.com. That’s the best way to get the latest updates. They can also follow me on:
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Website: www.rcluna.com
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TikTok: @author_rcluna
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Facebook: @authorrcluna
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Instagram: @author_rcluna
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Goodreads: R.C. Luna
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BookBub: R.C. Luna
