C.D. Gorri Builds Immersive Paranormal Worlds That Celebrate Love, Magic, and Fierce Loyalty

PHOTO: Author C.D. Gorri, the creative force behind the beloved Grazi Kelly Universe and Macconwood Pack paranormal romance series.

Exploring The Magic Of Shifters, Found Family, And Fated Mates

C.D. Gorri shares her journey from indie beginnings to bestselling success, crafting steamy, heartfelt paranormal romance filled with magic, community, and unforgettable characters across her expansive fictional universe.

C.D. Gorri delivers exactly what romance readers crave: passion, magic, and unforgettable characters who love fiercely and fight harder. In this exclusive Mosaic Digest interview, we meet the creative force behind the Grazi Kelly Universe and Macconwood Pack series—two fan-favourite worlds where Shifters, witches, and fated mates collide in stories pulsing with action, heat, and heart.

With a sharp instinct for storytelling and an unwavering connection to her loyal readers, C.D. Gorri has built an immersive paranormal romance empire rooted in authenticity and emotion. Her latest release, Cowboy Dragon’s Rose, proves she’s far from done—offering second chances, slow-burning desire, and dragons as loyal as they are lethal. This interview is a celebration of her journey, her boundless imagination, and the magic she shares with the world—one book boyfriend at a time.

Gorri’s stories blend emotional depth, steamy romance, and rich supernatural lore into unforgettable reading experiences that resonate with devoted fans worldwide.

From your early beginnings in self-publishing to now having a loyal fan base and a robust catalogue of paranormal romance and urban fantasy titles, what has been the most transformative moment in your writing career so far?

Honestly, it’s hard to pinpoint just one moment because every step has felt like a small miracle, but if I had to choose the most transformative, it would be the first time a reader reached out to tell me my book helped them through a difficult time. That moment made everything real. Up until then, I was hustling—writing late at night, learning how to format, design, promote, but hearing from someone who connected deeply with my characters and found escape, comfort, or even strength in my words? That shifted everything.

It reminded me why I started writing in the first place: to tell stories that celebrate love, magic, and finding your people—even if they happen to be fanged, furry, or come with wings. That kind of reader connection is what gave me the confidence to keep going, build the Grazi Kelly Universe, and take risks with new genres, series and characters.

Every milestone since, hitting bestseller lists, launching audiobooks, seeing fan art, and meeting readers at signings, has grown from that root of connection. That’s the magic of this biz.

Your “Grazi Kelly Universe” and “Macconwood Pack” series have earned a passionate following. What inspired you to create such immersive paranormal worlds, and how do you keep the magic alive across multiple interconnected stories?

The inspiration for the Grazi Kelly Universe and the Macconwood Pack came from my love of mythology, folklore, and the “what ifs” of the world around us. I grew up devouring stories about shapeShifters, witches, demons, and fae, so creating a world where all of those beings not only exist but cross paths, fall in love, and fight for their place felt natural to me. I wanted to write stories where the fantastical felt just around the corner—where magic hides in plain sight, and destiny is often just one growly, fated mate away.

As for keeping the magic alive? It’s all about the characters. Each book introduces someone new with their own backstory, their own scars, their own shot at love. But they’re all part of something bigger. Family, pack, pride, or found community. I’m constantly inspired by the relationships between my characters and the evolving world they inhabit. I layer in new elements. Like supernatural politics, magical artifacts, or ancient curses without losing the heart of the story: love, loyalty, and belonging.

Plus, I take my readers with me. And their passion fuels mine. If they want more dragons, or demand to know when a side character is getting their HEA, I listen. That shared excitement is what keeps everything fresh and makes the universe feel truly alive.

Your recent releases continue to expand your Shifter world—can you share what excites you most about your newest book, and how it fits into the larger universe you’ve created?

What excites me most about my newest release, Cowboy Dragon’s Rose, is the emotional depth behind the action and steam. This book brings together two of my favorite themes, found family and second chances, while diving deeper into the Dragon Shifters of Dry Creek.

Zeke, our Dragon hero, is rough around the edges, fiercely loyal, and slowly unraveling as his Dragon’s Rose begins to fade. Watching him meet Casey, a strong human heroine with a medical background and a wounded heart of her own, was pure magic to write.

This story fits into the larger universe by showing another facet of Shifter life, at the Motley Crewd Ranch, where the rules are a little different, and the stakes are just as high. It builds on the foundation I’ve laid in my other series, with nods to familiar characters and crossovers that loyal readers will love, while still being completely accessible for newcomers.

Every time I write in this genre, I uncover new stories begging to be told. And Cowboy Dragon’s Rose is the perfect example of that. It’s steamy, heartfelt, a little wild, and full of danger, devotion, and destiny.

Balancing wolves, witches, and wizards sounds like a wild ride! How do you maintain character and plot consistency across your many series while keeping each one fresh and compelling?

It is a wild ride, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Balancing wolves, witches, wizards, and the occasional tentacled surprise means I’ve had to become part author, part universe wrangler. The key to keeping everything consistent is having a detailed series bible. I track timelines, character arcs, magical rules, and even which characters have scars, tattoos, or particular coffee preferences.

That foundation helps me maintain continuity, especially with crossover appearances and interconnected plot threads.

But keeping things fresh? That’s all about diving into the heart of each story. Every book focuses on a different couple, and each character brings something new to the table.

Mainly, a unique voice, a fresh challenge, or a secret that could shake up the world around them. I let their chemistry and personal stakes drive the plot, while sprinkling in humor, heat, and supernatural twists and a New Jersey vibe that readers might not get elsewhere.

You’ve contributed to numerous multi-author projects and anthologies. How has collaborating with other authors influenced your creative process or impacted your visibility in the indie publishing world?

Collaborating with other authors has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey as an indie author.  Writing is usually such a solitary process, but working on multi-author projects and anthologies has brought a sense of community, shared creativity, and honestly, fun, that’s hard to replicate.

Creatively, it’s pushed me to try new tropes, explore different character dynamics, and sometimes even play in worlds outside my usual comfort zone. That kind of challenge keeps my writing sharp and my imagination fueled. When you’re surrounded by passionate authors bringing their A-game, it inspires you to level up too.

From a visibility standpoint, anthologies and shared-world projects are fantastic for cross-promotion. I’ve had readers discover me because they picked up a book for another author and ended up diving into my universe next. It’s opened doors to new audiences and strengthened relationships with authors I admire and respect.

Indie publishing can feel overwhelming at times, but these collaborations remind me that we’re all in it together, cheering each other on, lifting each other up, and helping readers find their next book boyfriend (or two).

Looking back at your journey—from your first book launch to becoming a USA Today bestselling author—what advice would you give to aspiring writers looking to build a successful, independent writing career like yours?

Looking back, the biggest piece of advice I can give is this: write your heart out, stay consistent, and don’t wait for permission. I started with zero experience in publishing, just a deep love for stories and a burning desire to share mine. That passion is what carried me through the long nights, the steep learning curves, and the early days when it felt like I was shouting into the void.

It’s easy to judge when you’re on the outside looking in, but when you enter the world of indie writing you become part of a pretty amazing community and as long as you are willing to put in the work, there isn’t a thing you can’t do.