Enjoy a behind the scenes look at the inspirations and influences for Enticing Entanglement.
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How did you come up with the idea for Enticing Entanglement?
I knew I wanted the FMC of this story to be a luxury hotel reviewer so that she could also make a reappearance in my upcoming series, It Happened at The Hideaway. So I had the first main character figured out, but I still needed a love interest.
Much like Monica, I’m outside of the U.S. with no VPN so all I’ve got is Netflix. When I’m working, I like to have the t.v. on in the background, and it tends to be cooking or baking competition shows (my favorites are featured further down).
One day, I stumbled upon School of Chocolate and unwillingly became invested as I always do. Amaury Guichon has good energy and you can’t tell me I just imagined the flirty chemistry between him and contestant, Tyricia. 
And thus, Philippe Deslauriers was born. The rest is history.
Main Character Profiles
Monica Michelle Ryan
Physical Inspiration: Lex Scott Davis
Age: 33
Sun Sign: Taurus
Likes: travel, desserts, baking shows, writing, coffee
Bio: Introverted Monica reviews luxury hotels and resorts all over the world for Preeminent Travel, an award-winning luxury travel agency that designs bespoke experiences for celebrities, Fortune 500 CEOs, and the wealthiest of the wealthy. She isn’t impressed by celebrity…but will fawn over her favorite pastry chefs thanks to her not-so-secret baking show obsession. She’s a true Taurus (dedicated, hardworking, stubborn), proudly proclaims herself a coffee snob, and wants to write a novel one day.
Philippe Marcel Deslauriers
Physical Inspiration: Jacey Elthalion
Age: 36
Sun Sign: Libra
Likes: women, working with his hands, traveling, skateboarding (?!)
Bio: Philippe is a celebrity pastry chef and chocolatier who found viral fame by jokingly posting shirtless videos of himself working with chocolate. Since becoming famous, he’s dated more than his share of women actresses and models, and has a reputation for being a playboy…big Manic Pixie Dream Boy energy. He’s one of the judges for Sugar Showdown, and his star is continuing to rise.
For more character pictures, ‘fit inspo, snaps of Amaury and his chocolate creations, and info about ceremonial cacao, check out my story Pinterest board.
Hot Chef Inspiration
Where do I even begin? With the exception of Amaury, I didn’t find out about these men until well after the story was drafted and uploaded to Amazon, but I would be REMISS not bring them to your attention. Warning: Donut Daddy’s IG is about to hijack your day. 💦
🍫 Amaury Guichon
We already know I’ve got a crush on this guy—it’s that sparkling personality, man. Check out this interview.
🍩 The Donut Daddy
Sweet Baby Jesus. Who knew cooking could be so obscene? I’m just going to leave his IG here (CLICK ON A VIDEO, ANY VIDEO) and share this article from Forbes all about his thirst trap digital marketing.
*Honorable mention goes to The Naked Chef, Franco Noriega.
My 3 Favorite Baking Shows
1. School of Chocolate
What’s cool about this series is no one gets eliminated—there are individual, partner, and team challenges. Low performers sit out of challenges, and the “student” with the highest marks wins the competition.
2. Crime Scene Kitchen
No, it’s not on Netflix, but I adore this show and made everyone in my circle watch it. It’s part mystery, part baking competition, and lots of laughs. I might have to get a VPN just to watch Season 2.
3. Bake Squad
Do all chocolatiers and pastry chefs have great personalities, cause jeez! I love how imaginative the Bake Squad is in response to the creative briefs, and sometimes I want to lick my TV screen because their desserts look so amazing.
*Honorable mention goes to Is It Cake?
Ceremonial Cacao
Ceremonial cacao plays an important role in Monica and Philippe’s story, and it’s played an important role in my own. Since moving to Mexico, I’ve participated in three cacao ceremonies, and each time I’ve had epiphanies and emotional breakthroughs—not to mention a “happy hangover” and “fuck you attitude” the next day.
I can personally attest to cacao’s heart-opening and relaxation abilities and invite you to learn more about ceremonial cacao. Here’s a good starting point.
More Hawaiian Romance Fun
Too Hot To Handle Series
Enticing Entanglement is part of Romance Bunnies’ Too Hot to Handle series set in the adults-only Pāʻina Exclusive Resort on Hawaii’s Pāʻina Island. Grab a cocktail and lose yourself in 9 steamy, sexy novellas!
50 First Dates
One of my favorite movies. Ever. Drew Barrymore’s character, Lucy, has amnesia and loses her memory every night when falls asleep. As a result, Adam Sandler’s character, Henry, resolves to make her fall in love with him each day.
PS – The soundtrack is killer.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
An Enemies-to-Lovers romance where the MCs have to pretend they’re married to each other to enjoy a honeymoon in Hawaiian after an awful case of food poisoning takes down the rest of the wedding party?
Shut up and take my money.
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