The Nerd Daily had the chance to catch up with Tessa Bailey, who is (re)taking the romance world by storm with every new release, including the upcoming smart and sexy golf romance Fangirl Down. We got to ask Tessa about her favourite sports (romances), fan dedication and so much more!
Hi Tessa, welcome back! How are you and how has the start of the new year been treating you?
I’m fabulous and thrilled to be here, thank you! Right now, mainly, I’m cold. All the time.
Lightning round 2024 edition: Tell us one resolution you made, one thing you cannot wait for this year and one invention you’d think humans would have come up with by now.
I resolved to meditate three times a week. I can’t wait for margaritas in the sunshine this summer. And I think it should take less than thirty seconds to make toast, so I propose a hypersonic toaster.
What can readers expect from Fangirl Down?
They should expect to laugh and finish the book shocked to find they now think golf is sexy, which will lead to a totally new lifestyle and philosophy. They should also expect to be fulfilled by some serious character growth and they’ll also be hot and bothered, too. Of course.
The romance genre has seen a lot of different sports but golf has been one of the rarer ones to get the romance treatment. What drew you to this sport? Are you a fan?
I am a recent golf fan. Like a lot of people, I used to think it was really boring, but I didn’t realize how much psychology goes into every movement and how easily that golfing mind can be disrupted. I love a frustrated man and there are A LOT of frustrated professional golfers. It’s sort of their default mode. I was also drawn to the sport because of the romances that take place off the course—there’s some good tea behind the scenes in golf!
And of course I have to ask: What or who are you a die-hard fan of and would never let a pesky thing (for example like a guy tearing up your fan poster) stop you from loving it?
The New York Islanders!
Josephine is feisty, fierce and fabulous and also lives with diabetes. You talk about this in the author’s note but would you mind telling our readers why this representation was so important to you?
My daughter is a Type 1 diabetic, so diabetes is part of our daily life, but it’s a condition that takes a long time to understand—even if I’ll never fully understand what she goes through—and I only feel educated enough now, after six years, to write about it with confidence. It’s such a complicated thing and she never gets a break. Living with diabetes has a profound impact on Josephine and her mindset and it made her a really rich and rewarding character to write.
You managed to create the perfectly flawed love interest in Wells. I absolutely adored the “touch her and you die” trope vibes he delivered. Speaking of tropes, is there any you haven’t tried yet but would love to put your spin on in the future?
I’ve always wondered how I would make the amnesia trope palatable. I’m sure there are authors who have interpreted it to great success, but I feel like I would really need to play with/mold it to get invested in the storyline.
Now, I adored the chemistry between Wells and Josephine so I have to know: Do you have a favorite scene featuring them and their undeniable connection?
The scene where Wells is getting frustrated on the golf course and wants to give up, so Josephine storms off and gets run over by a golf cart. I don’t want to give away the ending of that scene, but it’s my hands down favorite. It’s the turning point in his career and it builds trust between them.
Next up in the series is The Au-Pair Affair! Readers already get a glimpse of the protagonists in Fangirl Down but can you tell us a bit about what’s in store?
Sure! It’s definitely a slow burn with a big payoff. Burgess is a big grump and he’s missing a connection with his daughter. When Tallulah moves in, she teaches him how to communicate and be present, thus making their home warmer and more harmonious. But under the surface, Tallulah and Burgess are both lusting for each other and trying not to break down and give in, though, he’s ready for the relationship long before she is! It’s sexy and hilarious.
