Happy book birthday, Michael and Annie!
Pardon my happy dance on this, the release day of my twelfth romance book! I had soooo much fun writing my first billionaire romance and my oldest-yet couple. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of steam to warm your chilly nights–because why should younger lovers get all the seggsy fun?
To celebrate, here’s an interview with Annie Scott, heroine of BCC and owner of Auntie Annabelle’s Antiques Attic in Trappers Cove, Washington. But first:
His billions can’t buy what he craves most—her love.
Battling between his career and his conscience, tech investor Michael Garwood escapes the holiday madness and flees to Trappers Cove, the kitschy Washington State beach town he loved as a child. All he needs is an ocean view, a crackling hearth, and a little solitude to figure out his existential crisis. Is that too much to ask?
After too many painful snubs, Annie Scott loathes snooty rich people, not that she encounters many in her beachside antiques shop—until Michael walks through her door. When the gorgeous grump bares his human side, Annie decides that sharing small-town holiday fun is the perfect distraction from her lonely Christmas blues.
When Michael’s deluxe accommodations flood, Annie persuades him to rent a quirky clifftop castle and host a Christmas party for the whole damn town. Can a frustrated tycoon and a fiercely independent entrepreneur cross an ocean of differences to forge a love that lasts past the holidays?
Come to Trappers Cove for a holiday billionaire romance that’ll steam up your windows and warm your heart!
Get The Billionaire’s Christmas Castle from your fave bookseller!Meet Annie
BCC’s eponymous castle was inspired by a funky little castle/house in Ben Lomond, California, and another in Pacifica, California, near where I grew up. The billionaire was inspired by my own dislike for rich folks who are clueless/heedless about the realities of non-rich life. Yup, there’s lots of me in Annie, and vice versa.
Want to hear heroine Annie’s take on billionaire tech investor Michael Garwood?
Thanks for talking to us, Annie. Let’s start with where you’re from.
Trappers Cove, Washington, born and raised. How lucky am I, right? I got the best of both worlds: growing up in a close-knit small town, and enjoying all the beachy, touristy fun other kids only got to experience for a week or two in summer. Even now, quite a few years later, there are moments when I can’t believe I get to live in a cute little cottage, just a five-minute walk from the beach.
What did you think the first time you saw Michael Garwood?
Honestly, I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me. Michael came into my shop in search of a coat just as a former friend with benefits propositioned me in a very graphic way. It’s one of those moments you can laugh about later, but at the time, it was so awkward! Fortunately, Michael was facing away from me, but I heard him snicker.
What was your second thought?
When that wannabe Romeo left, Michael turned around, and—well, I pretty much forgot how to speak English. I mean, you’ve seen him, right? He’s gorgeous!
Was it love at first sight?
Not at all. He put his expensively-shod foot right into his mouth—said something snotty about my “secondhand shop,” and all those ugly memories came flooding back. I’ve had some nasty encounters with snooty rich people. I could give you dozens of examples, but I don’t want to bore you. When he mentioned he was from Bellevue, the town I fled after my fashion stylist business went down in flames, I put Michael firmly on the “Nope” list.
What do you like most about him?
Despite his bazillions in the bank, Michael truly cares about the people he works with and supports. I didn’t expect that. Confronting my own prejudice was not a pleasant process, but meeting Michael has helped me become more open-minded.
How would Michael describe you?
Stubborn, I suppose. Maybe even inflexible. But he adores me, and I’m ass-over-teakettle in love with him.
What is your biggest fear?
Being dismissed or overlooked.
Who is your favorite fictional character?
Probably Lizzie Bennet. When Mr. Darcy dared to look down his cultured, rich nose at her, she slammed him hard. Not that my Michael was ever a true snob. It took me a while to see that.
What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
When I was all tied up in knots over Michael, our local fortuneteller reminded me that you’ve got to take off your blinders and accept people as they are. She’s a wise one, our Zora.
Thanks, Annie! Best of luck to you and Michael!
Order Michael & Annie’s love storyP.S. Want to make me dance another happy dance? Please add The Billionaire’s Christmas Castle to your wishlist on Bookbub and/or mark it “Want to Read” on Goodreads Thanks a billion! (See what I did there?)
