Jennifer Vido: What inspired your new release, BLUE BLOOD MEETS BLUE COLLAR?
Cynthia St. Aubin: When writing Bad Boy with Benefits, the third book in the Kane Heirs series, I quickly realized that Law Renaud’s older brother Remy had his own story to tell. I found myself really curious about what kind of heroine could stand up to the sarcastic, sometimes surly single dad with a chip on his shoulder and a distillery to run. I loved the idea of pitting Remy against Cosima Lowell, a smart-mouthed Los Angeles-based reality TV producer with a New England pedigree and a secret agenda. Basically, Blue Blood Meets Blue Collar was a shamelessly perfect opportunity to combine several of my great loves: whisky, docudramas, and second chance romances.
Jen: How did Cosima Lowell and Remy Renaud meet?
Cynthia: I thought long and hard about what circumstances would have landed these two characters from such different backgrounds in the same place at the same time. At a smoky little biker bar outside of Memphis, their shared love of motorcycles and mischief sets them on a fast ride to a one-night stand that winds up having consequences that stretch into the decade that passes before they find each other again.
Jen: What brings these two back together?
Cynthia: Strange luck and an odd twist of fate brings Remy back onto Cosima’s radar when he’s no longer a biker and she’s traded in her miniskirts and leather boots for designer suits. On the hunt for the next big binge-worthy hit, TV producer Cosima happens across an article about the Renaud brothers’ distillery and inspiration strikes. A reality TV show chronicling the sons of an infamous moonshiner, Bad Boys of Booze will be Cosima’s golden ticket to the career of her dreams. Or so she thinks until a meeting with Remy Renaud at her Los Angeles office reveals that he has no memory of Cosima, or the wild night they spent together. Despite this unexpected wrinkle in her plan, their powerful attraction is quickly rekindled, placing Cosima and Remy in the center of a blaze that could quickly incinerate both their carefully laid plans.
Jen: Who is your favorite character in this story, and why?
Cynthia: Oooh, that’s a toughie. I absolutely loved writing Cosima, but there was something about brooding Remy and his hard scrabble upbringing that really grabbed me by the heartstrings and wouldn’t let go. I’m sure it has nothing to do with Emily, his adorably bossy, ridiculously precocious eight-year-old daughter, who may or may not reflect my deep devotion to unicorns and all things sparkly. The process of writing their relationship not only let me delve into some exploration of generational trauma, but also provided the opportunity to leverage my personal experience of how a loving, patient partner can be the catalyst to a deep and lasting healing journey.
Jen: What’s your current work in progress?
Cynthia: My current work in progress is Brewbies, book two in the Townsend Harbor series, which I’m writing with my best friend and emotional support human, Kerrigan Byrne. Writing RomComs was a bit of a shift for both of us, but it’s been so much fun to play in a coastal small town chock full of colorful characters who find their HEAs.
Jen: What’s the best way for readers to stay connected with you?
Cynthia: I try to hang out on most the social medias these days, and you can find me as Cynthia St. Aubin on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok (where I hobble my Elder Millennial way through attempting to make engaging content but mostly end up posting pictures of my cats). There’s also my website, and the handy-dandy sign-up e-form for my newsletter, where I try to keep everyone updated on any contests, upcoming releases, or general cheese-related goings on.
Jen: What’s on your TBR stack for spring and summer?
Cynthia: Great question! At this point, my TBR pile is more like a TBR mountain, but some of the highlights from my favorite genres are I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai (thriller), The Human Origins of Beatrice Palmer and Other Essential Ghosts by Saraya Palmer (women’s fiction), and Sorry, Bro by Taleen Voksuni (romance). There are so many more that I’m not-so-patiently waiting to devour once I’ve danced past my upcoming deadlines!
Jen: Thanks for stopping by to chat about Blue Blood Meets Blue Collar—best of luck with your sexy new release.
Cynthia: It’s been my absolute pleasure! Thank you so much for having me, and I’m sending everyone gentle hugs and a plate of mental nachos with extra cheese (for purely medicinal purposes).
The Renaud Brothers #1
He doesn’t remember their one night of passion…and she can’t forget it. Will their secrets bring them together or send them crashing? Only from Cynthia St. Aubin!
The night he can’t remember
Is one she’ll never forget…
Distillery co-owner Remy Renaud’s rags-to-riches story could launch blue-blooded TV producer Cosima Lowell’s career…even if the former biker has no memory of the night they spent together. When their combustible chemistry lands them back in bed, Cosima knows she’s playing with fire. But Remy’s hiding something—a shocking betrayal that could bring down the Renaud brothers. Will their secrets shatter their second chance to ride into the sunset together?
From Harlequin Desire: Passionate and provocative stories featuring rich, powerful heroes and scandalous family sagas.
Romance Contemporary [Harlequin Desire, On Sale: April 25, 2023, Mass Market Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781335581846 / ]
Cynthia St. Aubin wrote her first play at age eight and made her brothers perform it for the admission price of gum wrappers. A steal, considering she provided the wrappers in advance. Though her early work debuted to mixed reviews, she never quite gave up on the writing thing, even while earning a mostly useless master's degree in art history and taking her turn as a cube monkey in the corporate warren.
Because the voices in her head kept talking to her, and they discourage drinking at work, she started writing instead. When she's not standing in front of the fridge eating cheese, she's hard at work figuring out which mythological, art historical, or paranormal friends to play with next. She lives in Colorado with the love of her life and three surly cats.
Jennifer Vido writes sweet romances set in the Lowcountry filled with southern charm and hospitality. In between chapters, she interviews authors for her bi-weekly Jen’s Jewels column on FreshFiction.com. Most mornings, she teaches an arthritis-friendly water exercise class for seniors before heading to the office to serve as the executive director of a legal non-profit. A New Jersey native, she currently lives in Maryland with her husband and two rescue dogs and is the proud parent of two sons who miss her home-cooked meals. To learn more, please visit her website.
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