Interview with Thea Roman, Author of Billionaire’s Last Resort

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Billionaire’s Last Resort?

I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object. In Billionaire’s Last Resort, that’s exactly what happens when a fierce, independent woman, Ava Hart, fights tooth and nail to save her beloved, crumbling family hotel from a charming, ruthless billionaire developer, Luke Knightly. I wanted to explore what happens when two people from completely different worlds, who initially despise each other, are forced into a battle of wills… and perhaps something more.

The spark for this story definitely came from imagining the sheer audacity of a powerful man posing as a handyman to get a way inside someone’s property he wants to buy, and the explosive chemistry that would ignite when his deception is discovered!

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Billionaire’s Last Resort, what would they be?

This is a fun one!
• For Ava Hart: She’s definitely got the “Hold it All Together” by Sody running through her veins. She’s a “hustle queen” who’s determined to keep her grandmother’s legacy afloat, even if she’s “drowning in repairs, bills, and debt”. She’s strong, defiant, and won’t back down easily.

• For Luke Knightly: Oh, he’s got to have something like the song “Believer” by Imagine Dragons because of its themes of transforming pain into power, resilience, and an unwavering belief in one’s own capabilities, which resonate strongly with his character.

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

My favorite genre to read is absolutely romance! I’m a total sucker for a good love story, especially when there’s a lot of banter and undeniable chemistry. And yes, it’s also my favorite genre to write. There’s just something incredibly satisfying about crafting a journey where characters find their way to each other against the odds, especially when they start out as enemies, like Ava and Luke do!

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I can tell you that as an author, my TBR pile is always overflowing, and mostly with contemporary and historical romances! I’m always looking for stories with a strong “enemies-to-lovers”, or “forbidden love”, or “second chance”, or where a powerful, intriguing hero meets his match.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

It’s so hard to pick just one, but I have a special soft spot for the scene where Luke takes Ava to the exclusive restaurant, and she encounters escargot for the first time. Her pure disgust, his amusement, and then her ‘religious experience’ with the sauce – that whole interaction was just so much fun to write. And the playful banter, like when he teases her about “how you look when you come” after she enjoys the food? Gold! It really captured their dynamic of clashing worlds and undeniable chemistry.

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

Well, since I’m quirky most of the time, it’s hard to pinpoint. But I can assure you that writing stories like Billionaire’s Last Resort requires a lot of coffee and chocolate, and mocha coffee! And I will confess, I whistle while I work. OMG, that makes me sound like a Disney character!

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

Sure. And probably the one that is most important to me is, you have to work for what you want. Some of my characters actually share that, and other strong philosophies! Ava lives by “Not now, not ever” when it comes to selling her family’s legacy, and she’s all about “community” and “heart” over flash. Luke, on the other hand, operates with the firm belief that “I always win” and that “persistence pays off”. As for me, I guess I believe that even the most stubborn characters deserve a happy ending, and sometimes, the best way to get what you want is to just keep showing up, even if you’re met with a “f*** off”!

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

I’d love for readers to remember that even the most “ruthless” billionaire can have a surprising amount of charm and hidden depths, and that true strength isn’t just about winning, but about finding something-or – someone–worth fighting for in a different way. It’s a redemption story, and I hope readers see that even when you start from a place of conflict and deception, love can bloom in the most unexpected places, even a crumbling brownstone in Greenwich Village!

Thea Roman is the author of the new book Billionaire’s Last Resort

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