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There’s a wealth of inspiration behind Daring Destiny that makes it close to my heart. In my “real” life outside of writing, I work with tech start-ups, which gave me plenty of material to incorporate into Brennan’s world. Entrepreneurs are fascinating—they’re intense, hyper-focused, and driven, often to the point of obsession. While writing Brennan, I drew on my experiences with a few neurodivergent founders I’ve worked alongside.
To ensure Brennan’s character was portrayed authentically and sensitively, I collaborated with a sensitivity reader. His neurodivergence isn’t a defining flaw but rather an integral part of who he is. One of the story’s key arcs is his journey to trust Astrid enough to share that part of himself and realize that love doesn’t mean perfection; it means acceptance.
Astrid, on the other hand, presents a dazzling exterior. She seems to glide through life effortlessly as a successful real estate agent working with high-net-worth clients. But everyone has their struggles, and Astrid’s come from within her family. She’s like a fish out of water, always striving to adapt and keep everyone happy—a role that’s exhausting and often unfulfilling.
What’s beautiful about Brennan and Astrid’s relationship is how they see and accept each other for who they truly are. Brennan recognizes Astrid’s depth, vulnerability, and strength beyond her polished façade. Astrid provides Brennan with a space where he can trust, grow, and simply be.
I’ll admit, Astrid’s emotional arc hits close to home for me. When I met my husband, it was the first time I felt completely seen and accepted for who I was. That kind of connection is rare, and it inspired much of Astrid and Brennan’s love story.
At its core, Daring Destiny is a celebration of seeing past the surface, embracing flaws, and finding someone who makes you better—because love isn’t about perfection; it’s about connection.
Half hour later, I get home to my townhouse—my parents built a compound years ago and gifted me and each of my brothers our own homes-- pull out my phone and scroll through the messages from Astrid I’ve been ignoring. God, I feel guilty about, essentially, ghosting her.
I’ve got to get better.
Little does she know, I wireframed our idea the day after we met but it’s been pushed to the side as CognifyAI dominates every waking hour.
Or am I making excuses?
Fuck.
I’m trying not to hyper-focus on her but the truth is, I think Astrid might be someone I could care about. It’s hard for me to tell, with so little experience, but I think this situation is very different. What started out as a strange reconnection could be, at least, a friendship. One I didn’t expect.
The truth is, I like her.
I looked forward to getting together after our lunch. Then I got nervous. Aside from an apologetic text a few months ago, I haven’t made any effort.
Let’s be honest, it’s not because she’s done anything wrong. I’m fucking terrified of rejection. Petrified of misconstruing Astrid’s kindness as meaning something else.
It’s happened to me so many times.
“Brennan, you’re so awesome but…”
“Brennan, you’re so intense…”
“I’m so sorry, Brennan. I don’t think of you in a romantic way…”
I can’t hear those words from her. I can’t.
It’d be torture to be around her and, once again, pine like a loser when she friend-zones me. Or, worse, face the humiliation of her recoiling with horror if I had the guts to make a move.
Overthink much?
Have you met me?
On the other hand, she deserves basic courtesy. It’s fucking embarrassing she’s resorted to messaging me through my famous brother. Who the fuck do I think I am? I told her I’d help her with this project, and I’m a man of my word.
Before I can second-guess myself, I send her a text.
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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“My mistakes nearly cost me everything, including my life.”
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Sounds like a book I will enjoy reading.
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