Every book starts with a spark, but the inspiration for my upcoming romance, The Naughty Ex, came from a rather unexpected place: a historical novel set in early 20th-century Washington and Los Angeles.
While reading Gore Vidal’s Hollywood, I came across a historical figure who completely stole every scene she appeared in: silent film legend Mabel Normand.
Who Was Mabel Normand?
If you aren’t familiar with early cinematic history, Mabel Normand was an absolute force of nature. In the 1910s and 1920s, she was one of silent film’s greatest pioneers—an actress, director, writer, and producer who helped build the foundations of slapstick screen comedy.
She starred alongside Charlie Chaplin and Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle at Keystone Studios, had her own production studio named after her, and was credited with throwing the very first filmed pie in the face. Beyond her comedy, she was famous for her vibrant, wildly energetic, and inherently chaotic personality.
Naturally, after reading about her, I was fascinated. I kept asking myself: How can I take that infectious, high-octane Hollywood energy and channel it into a contemporary romance?
Enter Gregory Normand
That was the lightbulb moment. What if I created a character who inherited all of Mabel’s wild theatrical energy—her descendant, modern-day film producer Gregory Normand?
Now, to be clear: Gregory spared himself the notorious real-life tragedies of early Hollywood (no mysterious deaths or early 1920s vice scandals follow him around). But when it comes to raw, unfiltered, dramatic spectacle? Gregory is 100% Mabel’s heir.
In The Naughty Ex, Gregory is madly, hopelessly in love with his ex, Blaine.
There’s just one tiny problem: Gregory is virtually incapable of sitting down like a reasonable adult and stating his feelings out loud.
Where a normal person might send a text saying, “I miss you, can we talk?” Gregory instead orchestrates elaborate, over-the-top, cinematic productions designed to draw Blaine back into his orbit. Every attempt at reconciliation turns into a sprawling masterpiece of utter chaos—because why have a simple heart-to-heart when you can stage a dramatic spectacle instead?
Ready for the Chaos?
Watching Gregory maneuver, scheme, and grandstand his way back into Blaine’s life was some of the most fun I’ve ever had writing a character. Beneath all the grand gestures and Hollywood flair, The Naughty Ex is ultimately a story about two people learning how to truly communicate—even if one of them has to be dragged kicking and screaming away from the director’s chair to do it.
The Naughty Ex is available for preorder now! Lock in your copy today so it lands on your e-reader the second it goes live. It’s available at all major online bookstores for the low preorder price of 3.99. On release day, October 15, 2026 the price goes up to 4.99. Click here to reserve your copy today from your favorite online retailer!
