We chat with author Chandra Blumberg about Second Tide’s The Charm, which features a seafaring romance starring two marine biologists, a great platonic relationships, snappy dialogue, and a strong, STEM-inist heroine you can’t help but root for.
Hi Chandra! When did you start writing?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a writer. I used to spend a lot of time writing stories and composing poems as a kid. Becoming an author has been a lifelong goal, though it took years to discover my voice. Writing has always been a mix of personal expression and a way for me to connect with others. I realized that I love making readers laugh and feel uplifted, so humor is an important element in my books.
What does your writing routine look like?
Chaotic. I’m a huge fan of routine, but I also have four kids, which means no day is the same. To quickly get into the right mindset for a writing session, I use playlists and look over my notecards to remind myself of the scene goal and conflicts. My ideal time to write is in the morning, before all the demands of the day crowd out my creativity. I learned early on that writing every day is an unreachable goal for myself. Instead, I focus on progress, making space in my life for writing whenever and wherever possible.
How did you get into the romance genre?
I’ve always found myself drawn to the romantic subplot in films and stories, no matter the genre, and I’m the person who flips to the end of books to check whether they have a happy ending, with all the loose ends resolved. Once I discovered there was a genre with the intrinsic promise of happy-ever-after, I was hooked.
I dreamed of becoming a novelist and finished my first manuscript in college but let doubt get in the way of pursuing publication. It wasn’t until years later that I decided I’d much rather try and fail than regret not going after my dream. I wrote my second romance manuscript during the pandemic shutdown to get a reprieve from the uncertainty and prove to myself I could finish another book. I queried, signed with my agent, and that book became my debut novel.
When people think romance, they don’t usually think “sharks.” How did you decide that Hope and Adrian would be shark researchers? Did you do any of your own research for the book?
The idea of writing a romance novel about two marine biologists arose from my own fascination with sharks and years spent watching documentaries. Since both main characters in Second Tide’s the Charm are shark scientists—and I am not—this book involved intensive research. I delved into a variety of sources including scientific journals, textbooks, biographies, and blogs, and watched interviews and videos. I also got the chance to talk with a real-life shark scientist for help with background research.
Even though Second Tide’s the Charm is a fictional depiction of marine biology, I wanted to bring authenticity to the story world and help readers to connect with Hope and Adrian’s passion for their careers. I have such high respect for shark scientists leading the way in conservation and helping us coexist with an animal that plays a crucial role in our environment.
The book incorporates lots of great romance tropes (reunion romance, forced proximity, etc.). What is your favorite trope to write? What is your favorite trope to read?
This was my first time writing a reunion romance, and developing characters who had an emotional history together added complexity and depth to the story. Forced proximity is also a huge part of Second Tide’s the Charm because Hope and Adrian commit to spending an entire summer on a boat together doing shark research.
If I had to pick a favorite trope to write, forced proximity would probably top the list because there’s so much potential for conflict and heightened desire. I love putting two characters in situations where they have to spend a lot of time with someone they’d rather avoid, especially rivals, or in the case of this book, people who used to be in a relationship, and seeing what plays out.
Friends-to-lovers is another favorite trope of mine. Enemies-to-lovers gets a lot of well-deserved hype for its inherent tension, but I think the stakes in friends-to-lovers are underrated. If the friends take a plunge into a romantic relationship and things don’t end well, they risk losing someone very important in their life. With those stakes comes a deep well of emotion and tension.
What are you working on next?
I’m currently wrapping up a draft of a fun rom-com. I’m also working on the first book in a small-town romance series. The Orchard Harbor series is set in a Lake Michigan beach town and will feature swoony love stories and a charming cast of characters.
