PHOTO: Charmyra E. Fleming, author and entrepreneur, shares her passion for storytelling, creativity, and legacy from behind the pages of her award-winning romance series.
Award-Winning Author Weaves Music, Culture, And Emotion Into Romance
Charmyra E. Fleming shares the heart behind her Purple Charm Series, discussing cultural identity, musical influence, and her mission to inspire through deeply personal, empowering love stories.
Charmyra E. Fleming writes with an unmistakable heart—one that pulses with purpose, reverence, and an abiding belief in the transformative power of love. Her stories are more than romantic journeys; they are tributes to legacy, music, cultural heritage, and the everyday strength found in vulnerability. With each new title, Fleming deepens her connection to readers by inviting them not only into the intimate lives of her characters but also into the values that shape their world.
Her award-winning Love Dazzles in Sapphire reflects a profound homage to enduring love, a narrative inspired by her own family’s rich history of commitment. Across her Purple Charm Series, Fleming threads the influence of icons like Prince with a fearless exploration of contemporary relationships, giving her work a dynamic balance of nostalgia and modernity. Whether capturing the complexity of rekindled passion or the defiant glow of self-worth, her prose always radiates sincerity.
Fleming’s creativity flourishes beyond the page, infusing her motivational blog, podcast, and visual artistry with the same emotional intelligence that defines her fiction. Through The Violet Rose, Three’s a Charm, and Perfect Chemistry, she not only tells stories, she builds a universe where music, legacy, and cultural identity uplift every word.
In every respect, Charmyra E. Fleming is a storyteller of impact—one whose words remind us that love, in all its forms, is both a sanctuary and a spark.
In Love Dazzles in Sapphire, the fourth and award winning installment, you explore enduring romance over time—what inspired the multigenerational love themes in this story?
This story was inspired by my parents love story. Also, I have always wanted to write a romantic story about a couple over the course of time. At the time I was writing the story my parents were about to celebrate 43 years of marriage, and my late paternal and maternal grandparents were also married for a lengthy period of time. I have always had strong role models of what a loving relationship looks like over time. So, when I thought about MJ and Sapphire’s relationship, I wanted them to loosely embody my parents, to honour them and the sanctity of their matrimony.
Perfect Chemistry, the third novella, delves into emotional intensity—how did you balance character growth with the “blazing fire” of romance?
Great question! When we “meet” Zora in this story, she is at a crossroads in her relationship with Stokely. I thought about the many complexities of a relationship between two people, and some of the internal and external forces that Zora needed to overcome to find love. These challenges are relatable. The “blazing fire” of romance is something that I know will always prevail. Character growth is where the reader gets a message, learns a lesson, sees themselves, and connects with the story. I was able to balance the two by giving them equal attention and using character growth as the road that leads to romance.
Your series is a homage to purple charm and music—how did your love for Prince influence The Violet Rose, the opening novella?
Prince is my favourite musician, singer, songwriter, composer, of all time, and my love for him was a huge influence on this story! Each book has something in them that relates to him. For instance, Jamison “Nate” Starks was based on his alias “Jamie Starr” and a line at the end of the song, ‘Sign O’ the Times.’ He says, “let’s fall in love, get married, have a baby; We’ll call him Nate, if it’s a boy.” The Violet Rose was written from my heart and my love letter to him.
Three’s a Charm introduces modern relationship complexities—how did you weave contemporary issues into the romance without losing the ’heat’?
My books reflect real relationship issues and situations. I wanted the readers to immediately feel connected to Monica’s struggles in her marriage, as well as the moment when she became fed up. I also wanted the complexities of the relationships in this story to challenge how people think about relationships. Are you rooting for Monica or do you understand them? These are the types of questions that I wanted the readers to grapple with. It’s so easy to judge someone else when we are not in their shoes, and that’s why I want the readers to imagine themselves in Monica’s shoes. The characters change by the end of the story, but so does the reader. I always try to use realistic situations that readers can relate to and connect with but also maintain a level of sensuality and sexiness. That’s what makes an insatiable story that readers love!
Across The Purple Charm Series, you progress from salute to music through to legacy love—how has your writing voice evolved across the four novellas?
I have learned that it is important to grow as a writer in my craft and elevate each story. I am constantly in pursuit of refining my writer’s voice. With each story it gets stronger, more distinctive because I am walking and writing in my purpose. These stories inspire love and romance, also include historical references, and build legacy. The characters illuminate the legacies of real individuals who lived and through my stories I carry the torch of their legacies. My books are deeper than just love stories, if you “read between the lines” they are also filled with breadcrumbs of history.
As an award winning African American romance author, how does your cultural identity shape the settings and characters in your Purple Charm universe?
My cultural identity plays a significant role in shaping the settings and characters in my Purple Charm universe. It is my responsibility to create a world that is complex, dramatic, but also is a positive reflection of my community. These stories are meant to inspire readers to believe in themselves and in the power of love!
You’re also a motivational blogger, podcaster, and make up artist—how have these creative roles informed the themes or characterization in your books?
These roles are extensions of my creativity. Being able to use these skills helps me to stay fresh as a writer. I think the one theme that these roles help to inspire or inform in my books is, the importance of creativity and the power of connecting with your individual passion and purpose in life.
What practical advice would you offer aspiring authors hoping to write heartfelt, culturally rich romance series like yours?
Always remain grounded in who you are and maintain your authenticity. Do not be afraid to allow yourself to be vulnerable with writing your characters because it will come across the pages. Readers can tell when you are honest in your writing. Find a way to make that connection. Good luck with your journey writing!
