Can you describe your new book, Secretly Yours?
TB: A laugh-out-loud grumpy sunshine romantic comedy between a strait-laced, schedule-oriented history professor and his hippie gardener who could care less about being on time. Hallie has been replaying her almost-kiss with Julian since high school. Now he's back in Napa to write a novel and she can't resist the chance to see him up close. But when their obvious differences make them outwardly incompatible, Hallie decides to write Julian some secret admirer letters to try and connect on a more personal level. Unfortunately, her actions sow the seeds of chaos and Julian soon finds himself stuck dreaming about what he believes are two different women.
What is your favorite thing about this new book?
TB: I think my favorite thing about this book is the fact that it balances laugh-out-loud humor and serious topics like anxiety and grief. I think we’re in a new era of romantic comedies where readers expect some depth, and I love that we can laugh in one scene and cry in another.
Why did you decide to write duologies instead of longer series?
TB: I think I’m always so excited about creating new worlds and casts of characters that I start to get itchy after two books in a series, and I want to go after something new.
What gave you the idea for this next duet?
TB: After the Bellinger Sisters series, I really started to explore the impact of setting on a romance novel. Previously, I was in a misty fishing town and this time, I wanted somewhere warm and golden and inviting. As soon as I started picturing sun drenched kissing scenes, I landed on Napa. Winemaking is such a longstanding practice and it made me want classic romance with a modern twist, so I crafted a fun storyline about secret admirer letters to go along with the eternal feeling of that region.
What are three lessons you hope readers will take away from Secretly Yours?
- Opposites can sometimes attract in the most beautiful ways.
- It’s ok to fail!
- When you have the chance to be honest about your feelings for someone, don’t let the moment pass!
Who do you think will particularly enjoy Secretly Yours?
TB: If you love the grumpy/sunshine trope, this one is for you. If you love a relatable, loveable heroine who you can picture as your best friend, this one if for you. And if you love men who are confused by the sensation of love invading their bodies, definitely pick up Secretly Yours, because Julian Vos does not know what hit him.
Tessa Bailey
Did you enjoy carrying out in-depth “research” into the winemaking (and tasting) process as background for the book?
TB: Yes, my main focus was on the tasting aspect of winemaking. However, I am originally a California girl and I’ve been to Napa, so I have a good sense of the history, the energy and the people. Documentaries about the art of making wine were also a huge help. It’s really a process that is still being perfected – there is no one, perfect way to make wine. I can confidently say that drinking it seems more fun.
Did you draw inspiration from people in your own life for the characters in Secretly Yours?
TB: It’s so funny—when I write a duet, I usually imbue a secondary character with some of my characteristics, so I can become something of a guide for the main character. But then the second book in the duet rolls around and suddenly I’m writing a romance for someone with startlingly familiar qualities. Because of that, the second book usually ends up being a tad more emotional than the first series book!
Is there a character in Secretly Yours that you identify most closely with?
TB: I can relate to our main character, Hallie, very easily. For one, she is very disorganized, and her life is always in a state of chaos, because she doesn’t want to sit down and make priorities. She’s avoiding it. She is at a stage of her life where she’s looking around and wondering if this is it. Does she belong in this town? Has she pursued the right profession? Where does she belong? The jumble saves her from having to answer those questions, so she remains in the cycle. Meanwhile, our hero schedules his showers and meals in a planner, so we have quite the opposites attract situation.
Why did you start writing fiction in the first place?
TB: I started writing fiction because I’m a dreamer that can’t pay attention and would rather craft stories in my head. I love mentally playing out scenarios between fictional characters, including scenery and dialogue. It became enough of an addiction that I started writing it down!
We love seeing your writing space on TikTok! Could you tell us a bit about your writing process?
TB: I was born with the soul of a pantser. I attempt to plot out my entire book every single time, but the characters tend to be running the show by chapter three. They always surprise me once I have them on the page and I must reevaluate their motivations. With that in mind, I create a loose outline and allow the story to flow organically, but I keep an eye on the main pillars of the plot and make sure I hit them to create the right pacing. I’m an early morning writer – I write every weekday from 5am-9am. Which usually means I’m falling asleep on the couch by 8pm.
What can we expect in Unfortunately Yours, coming out in Summer 2023?
TB: I don’t want to oversell, but . . . Unfortunately Yours has one of my favorite heroes of all time! You meet August Cates in Secretly Yours. He is a former SEAL turned vintner and he has a very interesting flirtation with our hero’s sister, Natalie. It’s an enemies-to-lovers, marriage of convenience book and it’s hot, delicious fun.
What are you reading and loving now?
TB: My most recent read was Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan and it was a mind-blowing triumph of a book. It’s a second-chance romance between a divorced couple. They have kids and a business together, so their lives are very intertwined. It’s sexy, while still tackling hard subjects, like grief and loss. I can’t recommend it enough.
Secretly Yours is available online and at your local Dymocks store.