An Author’s Guide to Writing Spice, Vulnerability and a Different Side of Billionaire Romance

Snapshot by Kay Cove

Contemporary romance doesn’t have to be about only sassy heroines, witty banter and happily-ever-afters. Ask author Kay Cove and she’ll tell you about the power of vulnerability.

“I don’t think impenetrable masks are the way to heal and find the best versions of ourselves,” says the author of the “Lessons in Love” series including Camera Shy and more recently Snapshot. “I hope my stories will inspire people to ask the tough questions about leading lives that coax out the very best versions of themselves. And while that picture probably looks very different for all of us, I think the journey to self-love and contentment is definitely universal.”

In Snapshot, Cove gives readers a compelling plot that interweaves love interests with corporate intrigue. She talks about her work and her book in this recent BookTrib interview.

Q: How and why did you become a contemporary romance author passionate about crafting stories with sassy heroines, dirty talking MMCs, witty banter and situations that force flawed characters to grow?

A: My journey was purely accidental. During my corporate career, I found myself looking for an escape from my day-to-day stress. I was flipping through shows and movies, and browsing some books, but couldn’t find what I was looking for. So … I wrote it. Mostly, for me. But one book in and I was hooked on the high of creating characters and telling a story.

Writing became my way to process life through challenging situations. My characters will always struggle, stumble and pick themselves up before their happily-ever-afters because my stories take my readers on my personal growth journey in an abstract way. And as for the spice … well, that’s just entertainment, LOL.

Q: The premise of a marriage of convenience leading to personal growth and romance is a classic, but in your new book Snapshot your twist with a billion-dollar cruise corporation adds intrigue. What inspired you to blend corporate drama with this type of romantic plot?

A: I spent a lot of time in corporate environments, and I wanted to convey a different side of billionaire romance. It’s not necessarily all glitz and glamor. There’s stress … a lot of it, and lots of pressure. I wanted to show the stakes when thousands of livelihoods are dependent on Dex’s decisions and also explore the nuances of a corporation that has such a monumental economic impact. I wanted to play around with the idea of wealth as more of a prison/burden versus a privilege. I think that’s why Dex and Lennox understand each other. They both see money as unstable but love as their security.

Q: The chemistry between Lennox and Dex shifts from friendship to something more. What was the most challenging part about portraying this transition?

A: Ah, friends to lovers. It’s my favorite trope to write, but I think it can be one of the most hit-or-miss tropes for readers. The most difficult part for me was to stay authentic to the characters’ journey. Dex and Lennox already established an attraction, a deep trust and a vulnerability with each other that happened off page, so to speak. I knew once they admitted their feelings, it’d be so secure and finite. To keep the story moving, I had to develop a plot line that was more complex than friends finally admitting their feelings. I had to test their loyalty even when everything fell apart. I think that’s when friends to lovers really shines.

Q: How do you balance the intensity of the romantic and sexual elements with the corporate and personal struggles both characters face?

A: I think intimacy became a safe space for Lennox and Dex, actually. It felt so natural to write because, while they are polar opposites, sex was a playing field they had in common. Where they might’ve felt insecure or unsure in their professional lives, their sexual chemistry was something they could trust and find comfort in. A lot of the story is “work hard” and “play hard” energy. I think some of the spiciest moments in the book are usually after Dex has had a particular trying work situation. Lennox is in a way both his inspiration and his relief.

Q: How does Lennox’s role as a female CEO tie into the broader themes of empowerment and self-worth in the story?

A: I love this topic. I think female leaders can be tough as nails, or soft-spoken. Women have the capability to be whatever kind of leaders they deem fit. But what I will say is that I feel the mere term “female CEO” adds a layer of scrutiny. I really can’t remember the last time I heard a man referred to as a “male CEO.” I think there’s increased pressure for women in leadership to do a superb job because they are representing such an important theme. I wanted to show Lennox (and Dottie’s) maturity into leadership. It’s okay to make mistakes and learn tough lessons. Qualifications aren’t everything; I think they need the right kind of heart.

Q: Given that Snapshot is part of a series (following the very successful Camera Shy) but can be read as a standalone, how do you create continuity for returning readers while making it accessible to newcomers?

A: The continuity of this series is really just different lenses to show overcoming self-doubt. In Camera Shy, Avery’s insecurities were tied into her body image issues and sexual confidence. In Snapshot, Lennox’s insecurities are centered around her career prospects and financial instability. Both of these women go through difficult situations to face their fears and redefine their opinions of themselves. That’s the key. People will never stop talking and judging, but it’s all about how you see yourself. It’s how you define your own happiness. Avery didn’t change her body, and Lennox didn’t magically become a corporate guru. They learned to lean into their strengths despite their inhibitions. Those are the “lessons in love” I wanted to share.

Q: What books would someone currently find on your own nightstand?

A: Any and everything by Brené Brown. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. Becca Syme is my new obsession. I should probably read more fiction. I have Elsie Silver, Lucy Score, Becka Mack and a bunch of other industry trailblazers that inspire me on my TBR. I want to invent more time so I can read, but I’m a mom of two neurodiverse little boys, a business owner, military spouse and full-time author. My time is so limited, and by the end of the day, I want to soothe myself with stories of shared struggles. Brené speaks about getting into the arena, and not defining yourself by the opinions of others, and it just lulls me into peaceful, hopeful, sweet dreams.