G I V E A W A Y   E N D E D

Interview:

How does the dynamic of opposites-attract play out in the story, and what impact does it have on the characters’ development?

When I started writing Daring Destiny, I knew Brennan and Astrid’s relationship would hinge on that classic opposites-attract trope. It’s such a fun dynamic to explore, especially when the characters are so drastically different on the surface. Brennan is this brilliant, hyper-focused tech genius who thrives on structure and routine. He’s the guy who doesn’t just solve problems—he obsesses over them until he gets it right. Astrid, on the other hand, is this polished, charming powerhouse of a real estate agent who seems to float through life effortlessly. She’s always in control of how people see her, and she uses that control to navigate her world of high-end clients and social events.

What fascinated me about pairing them was figuring out how those differences could challenge and complement each other. Astrid’s warmth and adaptability push Brennan out of his rigid comfort zone, showing him there’s more to life than just work and order. And Brennan? He’s the first person to see Astrid for who she really is, beyond the perfect image she’s spent her life curating. She’s spent years hiding her vulnerabilities, but Brennan sees straight through her, and it absolutely terrifies her—in the best way.

What I loved most about writing their story was the realization that it’s not their differences that ultimately hold them together. Sure, the contrast creates sparks and tension, but it’s their shared values and vulnerabilities that really cement their bond. They’re both incredibly driven, resilient people, but deep down, they both crave the same thing: to be seen and loved for who they really are.

That’s what I think makes their love story so special. Brennan and Astrid don’t just balance each other out; they help each other grow. Brennan learns to embrace the messy, unpredictable parts of life, and Astrid realizes she doesn’t have to be perfect or please everyone to be worthy of love. Writing their journey reminded me that opposites might attract, but it’s the shared struggles and connections that make a relationship truly last.

How did the main character’s feelings for Astrid in high school influence his decision to work with Astrid Gustafsson now?

This question is such a fun one for me because Brennan’s feelings for Astrid in high school are such a big part of what makes their story special. When I started writing Daring Destiny, I knew their shared past would give their reunion extra depth and tension, but I didn’t want it to be something simple, like “he’s had a crush on her forever.” It’s more complicated than that, which makes it so much more fun to explore.

In high school, Brennan was that kid who noticed everything about Astrid. He knew her schedule, her favorite classes, even the exact moment she slipped out of her perfect “class president” persona to take the city bus back to her modest home. Astrid, to him, was this fascinating contradiction—polished, popular, seemingly perfect on the outside but quietly hustling behind the scenes. And while he never made a move back then (because, let’s face it, teenage Brennan was awkward and a bit too inside his own head), he saw her in a way no one else did.

Fast forward to now, and that history influences everything about his decision to work with her. For Brennan, reconnecting with Astrid isn’t just a professional opportunity; it’s a chance to revisit those old feelings and see if there’s something real there. He’s not the shy, unsure kid he used to be, but the vulnerability of those teenage emotions is still very much present. Brennan’s spent years building his company, crafting his life, but seeing Astrid again shakes up all of that. She’s a reminder of who he was before he got caught up in success and work—before his hyperfocus took over his life.

What’s ironic is that Brennan thinks he’s the one with something to prove. He doesn’t realize at first that Astrid is struggling with her own insecurities. She’s so used to being admired for her polish and charm that she doesn’t expect someone like Brennan to see beyond all of that. But the thing is, he always has.

For me, writing their dynamic was like watching two people unlock each other’s potential. Brennan’s feelings for Astrid in high school were the spark, but their shared growth—and how they see each other now—is what sets everything on fire.

In what ways has the main character’s passion for Astrid changed in the whole perspective on life?

This is such an important theme in Daring Destiny—how love, real love, can shift everything you thought you knew about yourself and your priorities. Brennan’s feelings for Astrid start as this quiet admiration in high school, but when they reconnect as adults, everything deepens and becomes more complicated. And that’s the beauty of their story.

Before Astrid comes back into Brennan’s life, his world is hyper-focused on work. Building Cognify AI was his life’s mission. He’s brilliant, ambitious, and fiercely driven, but all of that came at a cost. Brennan didn’t leave much room for anything else. Relationships? A real personal life? Forget it. He’d convinced himself he didn’t need those things, that the satisfaction of success was enough.

Astrid flips all of that upside down. From the moment they start working together, she challenges him—not just professionally, but personally. Brennan starts to see how narrow his focus has been, how much he’s missed out on by living in this bubble of his own creation. Astrid has this way of pulling him out of his own head. She makes him laugh, makes him feel human again.

What I love most about writing Brennan’s perspective is watching his priorities shift. His passion for Astrid isn’t just about their chemistry (though, trust me, it’s there, the romantic scenes are HOT!). It’s about how she inspires him to want more for himself, not just professionally, but emotionally. He starts to realize that success means nothing if he can’t share it with someone who gets him, who sees him for who he truly is, flaws and all.

By the end of their journey, Brennan’s perspective on life is completely different. He’s still ambitious—still Brennan—but his world is bigger now. He’s learned that balance matters, that making time for the people you love doesn’t detract from your success; it enhances it. Astrid becomes the person who keeps him grounded, who reminds him that life isn’t just about what you achieve, but who you share it with.

For me, writing their story was a reminder that love doesn’t just complement your life—it transforms it. Astrid teaches Brennan that there’s so much more to life than work, and in turn, he helps her see her own worth. It’s the kind of partnership that makes you believe in destiny.

How do you think the dynamics of both characters’ friendship change as they begin collaborating on their secret project?

This is one of my favorite aspects of Daring Destiny—how their friendship takes on new depth and complexity as they begin working together on Reuniverse. From the start, Brennan and Astrid are so different in how they approach life, but those differences become their biggest strength as collaborators.

When they first reconnect, there’s an ease to their friendship. They already share a history, but there’s also this underlying tension—old feelings on Brennan’s side and Astrid’s guardedness about letting anyone get too close. Working on Reuniverse forces them to break down some of those walls. They’re not just friends anymore; they’re business partners with a shared goal, which means they have to trust each other in a completely new way.

Brennan brings his genius for innovation to the table, and Astrid brings her eye for people, strategy, and making things shine. Where Brennan tends to hyper-focus, getting lost in the technical side of things, Astrid pulls him back to the bigger picture. On the flip side, Brennan encourages Astrid to take risks, to believe in her ideas, and to see herself as more than just the polished, put-together version she shows the world.

As they collaborate, their dynamic shifts from one of easy banter to something much deeper. They’re spending late nights brainstorming, troubleshooting, and sharing pieces of themselves they’ve kept hidden. For Brennan, this project is more than just an exciting idea—it’s a way to build something meaningful with Astrid, to prove to her (and himself) that he’s capable of balancing his personal and professional life.

For Astrid, Reuniverse becomes a way to let herself dream bigger. She’s so used to running the show on her own that sharing the load—and the spotlight—with Brennan feels like unfamiliar territory. But as their partnership deepens, she realizes how much they balance each other out, not just in work but in life.

By the time their project starts to take shape, so does their relationship. The trust and vulnerability required to work so closely together spill over into every aspect of their lives. Their collaboration turns into something more than either of them expected—a foundation not just for Reuniverse, but for the love story they’re building together.

Synopsis:

Daring Destiny is a sweltering saga of billionaire intrigue, opposites-attract, slow-burn, friends-to-lovers with an unexpected life-changing twist.

Before I founded my AI tech company, I spent my high school years silently pining over Astrid Gustafsson, the unattainable ice-blonde beauty. Fast forward a decade and I’m shocked when she asks to collaborate on a secret project. The opportunity is too enticing to pass up.

Our newfound friendship quickly ignites into a wildfire of desire, and my passion for Astrid intensifies, leaving me eager to risk everything for our future. The challenge is, relentless demands of my high-stakes empire threaten to smother the flames of our burgeoning romance.

When fate dramatically intervenes, will a life-changing twist dare us to embrace our destiny?

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Author Bio:

When she was only 15, Kaylene Winter wrote her first rocker romance novel starring a fictionalized version of herself, her friends and their gorgeous rocker boyfriends. After living her own rockstar life as a band manager, music promoter and mover and shaker in Seattle during the early 1990’s, Kaylene became a digital media legal strategist helping bring movies, television and music online. Throughout her busy career, Kaylene lost herself in romance novels across all genres inspiring her to realize her life-long dream to be a published author. She lives in Seattle with her amazing husband and dog. She loves to travel, throw lavish dinner parties and support charitable causes supporting arts and animals.

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