Chloe Horne Interview Published on: 07, Sep 2026

Whether we knew it or not, the classics - Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, Rebecca - are all romance novels. The fact that we might have discovered them in school, the theater, or as movies on TV doesn't change that. Romance novels, at their core, are simply good stories. If they aren't, they aren't read. Or finished. Or remembered.

In my heart, I truly believe we are all looking for the same thing - someone to see us, love us, be with us in the good, the bad, and the what just happened? We are drawn to each other by such a powerful mix of opposition and concordance - what do we have in common? What is so different?

I also believe that most men come with a true heart. How it has been hurt or damaged is what their wound is. Seeking healing is what we all do, and love is a magnificent healer of pain.

That is also true in many ways for women. And how we are seen, given recognition, and acceptance, also is how we heal.

My hope is that together we lift one another. It's never exactly perfect, but even imperfect can be pretty fabulous.

I sit down and think about them. Who they are. Where are they coming from? How did they end up in this situation? We all have found ourselves in crazy situations. How can I make it feel real, not contrived or thrown together? And for my gentlemen, because, yes, they are all gentlemen to me, what are the forces that have placed them in this position? How are they more than just one-dimensional characters?

Whether you are size 2 or a size 20, I know few women comfortable or happy with their physicality. Weight just seems to be where the focus is too often. And real women have real curves and real looks and real stuff going on. They are smart, often overlooked, and sadly, still not always first in consideration on many topics, offers, or jobs. I hope to honor the smart women out there, daily doing their best, bringing real answers, looking at real stuff. Bills. Ex's. Career questions. Who is this guy and why is he with me? (Because maybe we should be looking at it as this guy has no idea how lucky he is to be with me!) Women, at our best, when we are supporting one another and encouraging one another to go forth, empower each other to greatness. And we are there to soften the blows when it goes off. But we are one another's best resources and cheerleaders.

Well, I am not sure I would want the Prince Charming of the fairytales we grew up on. I think of my gentlemen as smart. And that intelligence allows them to recognize it in others. I think of them as trying. Trying to be good. Trying to be responsible. Trying to be more than just a guy who made a bunch of money. I think of them as flawed, like all of us are in some way, but willing to try and overcome that. I think of them as open and willing to accept, enjoy, and respect a woman. They are going to make huge mistakes. Both of them will. But finding their way back to one another is where their growth, answers, and possibilities start.

Sometimes I may not. Sometimes they might be a pain. But it is their discovery that even if it was well-intentioned, it was totally wrong; they can start to discover a new perspective or approach. It is their journey, and sometimes they annoy me as they get from wooden to well-intentioned to the better version of themselves. But their journey alongside this woman, who has completely rattled their world, can be so fun and fulfilling.

I actually think of romance as much more than escapism. It can be a better use of time than a repeat movie. It allows your mind and imagination to create the characters - your movie that plays while you read. It can remind you that we are all in this together, and sometimes a really good distraction can lift your spirits or remove you from the stuff of life that is hard. It can inspire you to find your spine or speak up or take a risk - not a huge one, but baby steps that help you grow. And if seeing strong, smart, trusting, trying, capable women encourages us to all be that, life is good indeed.

My greatest hope with every book is that when the story ends, you are a little sad to say goodbye.

Oh! Yes. In the most unexpected ways and places. The Billionaire's Final Goal happened at a park in the middle of soccer season. A giant kaleidoscope of parents, children, friends, family, and lots of energetic young girls in a million directions. Los Angeles was about to host the World Cup. To the rest of the world football players are stars. For the longest time, that was not the case in the United States. Sitting on the sidelines, the entire story downloaded from the heavens above.

The Billionaire's Taxed Heart was more about what happens when a woman chooses to take a chance with a charming gentleman. Gives into the amazing attraction and chemistry. Owns her choice, expecting nothing. And then gets the surprise of a lifetime. The reason instalust works is we all know a couple that might be shy about explaining they were the one-night stand that is now 25 years strong...

That is sort of like asking a mother their favorite child. Or their discipline problem! I agonize over the emotional tension feeling real, not contrived. When I hear from a reader that they were moved or they believed the character, I am so grateful. One reader said it 'had all the feels.' I loved that. The dialogue can be so much fun! I loved having Margot and Everett's fight. Who would have guessed? And with my happily ever afters, I am always looking for something that will be unique but true to each of my lovers. There are a lot of HEA's to be found.

My guess is that is every author's question. I hope to think about what would feel interesting. Then build on it. I have lots of great ideas that ultimately might not sustain themselves. They are a good start, but then don't develop. Generate enough believability, as it were, or become so convoluted I feel they shift from a romance story to an ongoing soap opera. Romance stories have an ending with a hope of how did the future unfold. Soap operas are an ongoing delve into the lives of characters you are constantly seeing. I guess one is a houseguest and the other is your neighbor. Both are great, but your visits with each are different.

I seek the depths of the emotion. I feel that is the truth of any great love, of any story. The risk of the vulnerability with reality that it could all disappear. On both sides. I feel that at any point in any of our relationships, it is the emotional connection that provides the greater or greatest fulfillment. I have read authors whose bedroom gymnastics have made my pelvic floor ache in sympathy and camaraderie for their heroines. For each of us, I feel it reminds us of moments with loved ones, or moments we hope to have once we find our loved ones. A big O is lovely, but a big 'Oh! Having you in my arms' also is pretty nice. I see intimacy as more multidimensional than the act alone. I have fellow authors I discuss things with, and I refer to my intimate scenes as ladylike. I'm ok with that. I have read a lot of authors, enjoyed them all, and am very glad there are so many options out there.

Again. Who is your favorite child? Xander (The Billionaire's Mistaken Vow) and Lucas (The Billionaire's Wedding Planner) both had an amused approach to their perfect lives that got upended by the right woman. Jacob (The Billionaire's Cupcake) was a good man always trying to do the right thing, which we all know doesn't always work out. Samuel (The Billionaire's Taxed Heart) was, surprisingly to me, the most vulnerable. Everett (The Billionaire's Play Thing) had the greatest growth and return to life. And Nate (The Billionaire's Final Goal) reminded me of so many men who are dealing with it all, looking great on the outside, but inside... Which leads to Zach's midlife crisis...

Oh! If you can't laugh with or at yourself, what is the point? I hope all my people - because they are people to me - have a sense of humor. Dry. Wry. Bold. Bawdy. We seem to forget that humor or laughter also gives another level of rich emotional depth.

Do it. Try it. Every time you write, you are learning. Be kind to yourself. I am always hoping I am improving. Be proud of what you are doing. You are sharing stories, providing entertainment, giving life to dreams.

Even if you are only writing to or for yourself, give yourself that gift. You might find out you are surprising yourself.

I wish I could remember how I found you; I'm only glad I did. You offer a community. You offer lovely surprises with your fabulous tools - The Magic Tool, Seasonal Mockup, Image and Quote editors, the Review GIF maker... well, the point is this - There are a lot of surprises on the site.

The Cover Contest is fun. Fun to see other authors' choices. Fun to see what the reception is for yours. Obviously, we all want to win, but there is a lovely degree of honor to have been included.