J. R. Carter

J.R. Carter grew up on a small farm in the Waitākere Ranges of New Zealand, surrounded by rugged landscapes and the kind of natural beauty that lends itself easily to imagination and adventure. He now lives on the unceded territories of the Kwantlen, Semiahmoo, Katzie, and Matsqui First Nations in the Pacific Northwest with his partner, son, and two scruffy dogs.

A lifelong enthusiast of history, J.R. has a particular fascination with the ancient and medieval worlds, from the cultures and conflicts that shaped them to the warriors, legends, and everyday people who inhabited them. This passion provides much of the inspiration behind his fantasy series, Tales of the Black Knight, where historical influences meet imaginative worlds, dangerous journeys, and larger-than-life adventures.

As both a reader and writer, J.R. is especially drawn to unconventional heroes: flawed, unlikely, and sometimes reluctant characters who find themselves facing challenges far greater than they ever expected. His stories embrace the grittier side of fantasy, complete with bloody battles, perilous encounters, and hard-fought victories, while never losing sight of the quieter moments that give those struggles meaning. Friendship, loyalty, humour, compassion, and unexpected moments of warmth are just as important to his storytelling as the clash of steel.

Through his writing, J.R. seeks to create immersive fantasy adventures that capture the excitement of history and legend while remaining grounded in characters readers can connect with and root for. Whether his heroes are charging into battle or finding a rare moment of peace amid the chaos, he believes the most memorable stories are those that leave room for both the brutal and the beautiful.