Interview with Anita Shaw, Author of Trapped with the Billionaire Grump

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Trapped with the Billionaire Grump?

I wanted to explore the psychological scars of the loyal best friend who witnessed romantic trauma up close. The story became a psychological duel between a man who believes love is a cage and a self-made woman terrified of being disposable.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Trapped with the Billionaire Grump, what would they be?

Chloe: “Confident” by Demi Lovato – it’s her unapologetic, take-no-prisoners professional armor.
Logan: “I’m Not the Only One” by Sam Smith – it captures his deep-seated, vicarious fear of love ending in betrayal.
Their Duet: “Work Song” by Hozier – a raw, moody anthem about a love that feels like both a fever and a sanctuary.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

My heart belongs to contemporary romance, both as a reader and a writer. I’m endlessly fascinated by the intricate dance of modern relationships. I love stories that ground epic emotions in the realities of career struggles, complex family dynamics, and personal healing. While I write romance, I’m also drawn to reading thrillers and psychological suspense on the side. I find that the pacing and tension in suspense novels are incredible tools for sharpening my skills in crafting the emotional rollercoasters and unexpected plot twists in my romances.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

It’s a dangerously tall pile! At the top are Funny Story by Emily Henry, because her banter is a masterclass, and The Women by Kristin Hannah, for a dose of powerful historical emotion. I’ve also got The Graham Effect by Elle Kennedy queued up—I’m a sucker for a good sports romance.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The paint fight in the nursery was the moment all their strategic armor dissolved into pure, joyful chaos, and they finally found their version of home.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

My writing process is fueled by two non-negotiable things: an oversized mug of brutally strong black coffee and a meticulously curated playlist for every book. For Trapped with the Billionaire Grump, the playlist was full of moody, cinematic tracks that felt like a tense negotiation, interspersed with high-energy pop to capture Chloe’s fire. Also, my cat, a regal fluffball named General Patton, believes he is my primary editor and must sit directly on the keyboard for “quality control” at least once an hour.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

“The cage wasn’t love. The cage was fear.” It’s a line Logan says late in the book, and it became my North Star while writing. So many of us build walls to protect ourselves from what we want most, mistaking our own fear for an external prison. True freedom is having the courage to face that fear.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

That vulnerability is not a liability; it is the bravest form of strength. The most powerful partnerships aren’t built on perfection, but on the choice to show up for each other’s beautiful, chaotic messes.

Annette Lynch is the author of the new book Trapped with the Billionaire Grump

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