We chat with author Shirlene Obuobi about Die For Me, which is a stay-up-all-night, smart, spicy romance following a doctor who finds herself falling for an alluring, much-younger man with a deadly secret
Hi, Shirlene! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hello! My name is Shirlene Obuobi, Dr. Obuobi if you’re nasty. I am a general cardiologist, cartoonist and author of three novels, most recently DIE FOR ME. I’m also a cat mom!
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I’ve been obsessed with reading and writing since I was a child; I honestly don’t have memory of a time when I wasn’t consuming and telling stories. My earliest “book” was a picture book I drew when I was 6! For my 10th birthday, I actually requested a book signing rather than a party; instead of buying me presents, guests bought my book. All of my personal statements for applications to various stages of my medical training have discussed my desire to integrate story telling into my practice.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Bud, not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis. I wore out that book out to its bones.
- The one that made you want to become an author: Heaven by Angela Johnson. Also Which Witch by Eva Ibbotson!
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Octavia Butler’s Xenogenesis trilogy, NK Jemisin’s Inheritance Trilogy, Toni Morrison’s Sula, and Kennedy Ryan’s Kingmaker
Your latest novel, Die for Me, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Feminist, genre-bending, horror /paranormal romance
What can readers expect?
I actually think they should come in with as few expectations as possible, but what they should expect is a slow, simmering burn, a hypnotic atmosphere, an underlying feeling of unease, sizzling tension, and a layered message that, if I accomplished what I hoped to, sits with them for days after they reach the end.
Where did the inspiration for Die for Me come from?
Oh boy! So, when I first started writing Die for Me, I was in the midst of medical training. I trained at the same institution for all ten years of my training, and so I got to see multiple affairs and dalliances between typically male proceduralists/ surgeons and younger members of interdisciplinary teams play out. I was judgmental, and when I get judgmental I get curious. I started asking myself questions about power dynamics in relationships! I was also in breaking out of an abusive marriage myself, and exploring the psychology behind gaslighting and trauma bonds simultaneously through my own reading about abuse and translating it into a fictional realm was really fascinating.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I love all of my characters so much! I say that I’m a romance writer who believes in decentering romance, and so putting together Sean’s relationships with Winona and Sophie were so special to me. But I really loved exploring Julian’s family.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
I have strategies now for overcoming writer’s block, so really this time most of my challenges were related to time. I have transitioned to part time now, but as I was writing Die for Me, I was also working full time as a general cardiologist…you know, the sort of job that is male dominated because it consumes so much of your life that you generally need a stay-at-home partner to manage the ‘living’ part. I also was studying for my cardiology boards exam, which are a two day grueling exam that’s offered once a year and certifies you for a decade (see: a big deal.) This book was initially slated to be released in the fall, and so I was editing on a much tighter schedule. My brain hurts just thinking about it. I had to make and execute decisions and fast.
What’s next for you?
I really love writing genre bending, speculative-adjacent books that center love! Would love to stay in the paranormal romance genre!
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up? Any you’ve read so far this year that you’ve enjoyed?
I have a TBR a mile long right now! I’m looking forward to Tayari Jone’s Kin, Christina Lauren’s The Romance Revival, Lauren Ho’s Two Lives with You, Nikki Payne’s The Pro and the Con (I was OBSESSED with her most recent release, The Princess and the PI. I know this is a nonfiction, but Dr. Kemi Doll’s A Terrible Strength is so incredible as well and a must read.
