The Nerd Daily recently had the chance to catch up with Tessa Bailey, bestselling author of swoony, hilarious and heartwarming rom-coms such as Fix Her Up, It Happened One Summer and My Killer Vacation. We got to ask Tessa all about her new release Wreck the Halls, her rom-com staples and so much more!
Hi, Tessa! Thank you so much for joining us again! It’s only been four months since we last spoke, but it seems like you’ve been busy! What have you been up to?
Writing, as always! It’s a compulsion. I always want to be lost in a story.
Lightning round: Tell us one holiday tradition you love, one you would gladly get rid of and one festive song that will always get you in the mood to celebrate!
I would like to get rid cooking when all I want to do is snuggle up and look at my Christmas tree. I would like food to magically appear, fully cooked on my table and everyone to still compliment me about it. A song that always makes me feel nostalgic and gets me in a festive mood is The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) by Nat King Cole.
Now, tell us about Wreck the Halls! What can readers expect?
Readers can expect fun, a little holiday magic and a lot of steam. We have our hero and heroine, Beat and Melody. Their mothers fronted the biggest rock band of the nineties, but had a terrible break up. Beat and Mel have just been offered a million dollars each to reunite them on Christmas Eve. They fall hard and fast while embarking on this adventure together.
What are your top “ingredients” for a perfect holiday rom-com?
I think there does need to be a touch of magic, something that requires us to suspend our disbelief. It’s the time of year where we want to believe in miracles and romance is the perfect place to explore that.
The chemistry between Beat and Melody is so intense, you can really feel their attraction to each other jump off the pages! Without spoiling too much, did you have a favorite scene between the two of them while writing?
Every scene with them was such a rush, honestly. They had BIG FEELINGS and I could feel how badly they needed one another, how connected they were by the past. If I had to pick one scene, though, it would be when they sing together at Trina’s hippie commune. Mel conquers her fears in that moment, Beat is in awe of her and they sort of solidify their importance to each other.
Speaking of favorite scenes, the interactions between Beat and Melody’s mothers are sure to be fan favorites! Do you ever think of where characters end up once you’ve written their story and if so, would there be a real reunion of Steel Birds in the future for Octavia and Trina?
Yes. I definitely think Trina and Octavia rekindled their friendship for good at the close of Wreck the Halls. I think they missed each other and won’t let stubbornness get in the way of them performing together down the road. And I’d attend the hell out of that concert.
Wreck the Halls also has a fantastic cast of secondary characters and I just have to know: Can we expect to see more of a certain producer and cameraman in the future?
Truthfully, Joseph and Danielle were supposed to get their own book, but the storyline of Beat and Melody felt like such a standalone that I had to pull back on the idea. They weren’t willing to share the page with anyone else!
If Wreck the Halls were adapted to become a movie, which three songs would have to be on the soundtrack?
Three songs that I listened to on repeat while writing this book were:
- The Night We Met by Lord Huron
- Addictions by Lucy Dacus
- Mother Mother by Tracy Bonham
With Wreck the Halls releasing soon, what’s next for you? Are you already working on another project?
I’ve written two books since this one, yes! I have a sports series kicking off in February, starting with Fangirl Down. A grumpy professional golfer and the sunshine caddy who won’t quit on him. I am going to make golf sexy. Watch.
Last but not least, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
I’m currently reading A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams and everyone should get this preordered as soon as possible. It’s another classic from this mega talented author.
Is it possible that Beat and Melody have the same father?