Why did you choose to write in your genre?

I’ve always loved mysteries. I devoured Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys as a child. Then Victoria Holt and Daphne du Maurier as a pre-teen. Then my romance phase took over and I read quite a lot of bodice rippers as well as classic Jane Austin. So the mystery romance or romantic suspense sub-genres let me indulge in two of my favorite things at once: a twisty puzzle and a love story with emotional stakes. I love that I can keep readers turning pages for “just one more clue” while also making them root for characters to find love, even if they have to dodge bullets or untangle family secrets along the way.

What is the most important thing that people don’t know about your genre but that you would like for them to know?

It’s not just “mystery with kissing.” Romantic suspense demands the same tightly woven clues and red herrings as a classic whodunit, but it also has to deliver believable, emotionally satisfying relationships. If one side is weak, either the mystery or the romance, the whole thing falls flat.

What role does research play in your writing?

A big one. Whether it’s historical details about a stolen artifact, the mechanics of sailing a yacht, if a helicopter pilot could help copilot a transatlantic flight in a small plane, or the psychology of surviving a traumatic situation, research grounds the story in reality. I want to invest a certain amount of authenticity in a story.

Can you share a little bit about your latest book?

My debut novel, Lost Heart in King Manor, book one in the Mysteries of a Heart series was published in April, 2025. The book has received all 5-star reviews on Amazon. The story followsGabby Heart (45-years old) who leads a quiet life on Dost Island. When her mother suffers a health crisis and must recover at King Manor, Gabby confronts  buried family secrets and a mystery hidden within the walls of the manor. As a hurricane traps her inside with two very different men—one infuriating, one charming—Gabby must untangle lies, survive sabotage, and decide who she can truly trust.

My new novel, Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle, will be released on September 22, 2025. Gabby’s story continues when she and a friend travel to Scotland. Their visit to a remote castle turns into a nightmare of confinement, deception, and danger. At the same time, friends and family back on Dost Island deal with a series of kidnappings.

The third novel in the Mysteries of a Heart series, Broken Heart at Avalon Chateau (planned release for spring 2026) follows Gabby Heart and friends to a remote chateau in Canada. What’s supposed to be a respite turns into a trap as a snowstorm, sabotage, and old secrets close in. Meanwhile, back on Dost Island, a separate mystery involving a rare stamp collection unfolds. The two threads weave together with danger, humor, and romance.

Tell us more about your main character. What inspired you to develop this character?

Gabby is a 45-year-old artist and shop owner who’s been burned by love and loss but refuses to be defined by them. She’s smart, sarcastic, loyal, tenacious, and—sometimes—her own worst enemy. I wanted a strong heroine who felt real: someone who could save herself, but who still struggles with trust and vulnerability.

Who is your favorite character in your book and why?

Gabby, of course. But Jay Laird, Gabby’s maddeningly confident co-worker turned reluctant ally, but increasingly ardent suitor, is always lobbying for my affections. He’s charming, infuriating, and just enough of a mystery himself. Writing their banter is like playing a very high-stakes game of chess.

What is your next project?

Book 4, Open Heart at Crest Edge Estate, will take Gabby and friends/family to Tasmania to help solve a family mystery. There will be sun, secrets, and no shortage of danger—or banter.

Who is your least favorite character and why?

Lavanda. She’s beautiful, manipulative, and far too comfortable stirring up trouble, especially between Gabby and Rick. But she’s delicious to write.

Do you listen to or talk to your characters?

Oh yes. Sometimes they talk back, sometimes they ignore me entirely. The stubborn ones always get the best scenes. And they wake me up far too much in the middle of the night with plot ideas.

If your book was made into a movie, who would you cast?

Gabby – Julia Roberts (with a dash of Erin Brockovich grit).
Jay – A younger Clive Owen.
Rick – Jon Hamm.
Lola – Salma Hayek.
Abe – Cate Blanchett.

Want to learn more about Celest Fenton?

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