Mental Illness is a massive problem in the United States and throughout the world. However, it is a topic that has been stigmatized and left out of romance novels in the past. With the shift in American culture that has pushed for a destigmatization of mental illness, we have started to see more heroes and heroines in our romance novels struggling with some form of mental illness. The Ruthless Underworld is a universe that encompasses 6 interconnected series with a collection of heroes and heroines who struggle with trauma and various forms of mental illnesses. What encouraged this writing duo to create stories which portray so many types of mental illnesses? Why was it important to address the possibility of abuse inside mental institutions as well as rehabilitation centers? Was there always a plan to create so many books and so many spin-off series? Here, one half of the duo that is KL Savage answers some questions about portraying mental illness in the Ruthless Underworld books. Come join us as we dive into the dark world of The Ruthless Underworld.
