Interview with Laurelin Paige, Author of Brutal Billionaire

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

Brutal Billionaire is a bit of a flip on Indecent Proposal, a movie that has always intrigued me, but that wasn’t the initial inspiration. Originally, I was watching the show The Great on Hulu, which is a comedic take on Peter the Great, and Peter, since he’s the tzar and can do whatever he wants, sleeps with his best friend’s wife whenever he wants to. I found that situation intriguing and that led to writing a book about a man who basically gives his wife to another man for their financial/career gain.

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

I don’t have specific songs for the main characters, but a couple of songs that I think really fit the book are Illicit Affairs and High Infidelity, both by Taylor Swift.

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

I really only write romance, but I have a wide taste in reading. I like literary fiction and women’s fiction as well as nonfiction and thrillers and even young adult and middle grade books as well as some fantasy.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Oh my goodness, so many! I’m currently reading EL James The Mister, and want to read Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin after that, followed by A Touch of Jen by Beth Morgan. And then I hope to read something by Elsie Silver. I’ve downloaded a couple of her books.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I really like writing the heavy banter scenes. I can’t identify a particular one as a favorite, but every time I was able to let Brystin give Holt sass (which was often) and then have Holt come back without batting an eye was fun.

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

I like to pull a Tarot card to focus on before I start writing, just to get my thoughts zoned in. Then I’ll rub a crystal or stone, whatever has the kind of mojo I need for the day. That’s pretty much my routine to get into writing.

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

If you are humble, neither praise nor criticism will touch you because you know who you are. Mother Theresa said it, and I may have mixed it up a bit, but that’s the gist. It helps me remember that bad reviews don’t have to get to me and neither does too much praise. I know my talents and my limitations and other people’s ideas about what they are don’t need to matter.

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

Well, Brutal Billionaire is an escapism romance with toxic relationships and a red flag hero, so I guess the thing I want readers to remember is that these qualities are titillating in fiction but are a disaster in real life. But romance readers already know the difference between fiction and fantasy so that doesn’t actually need to be said.

Laurelin Paige is the author of the new book Brutal Billionaire

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