Contempory Romance Author
It’s time to meet author, Brooke Gillespie-Trout and find out about her writing journey and her book Executive Decisions
Helen: Welcome, Brooke. It’s wonderful to have you on my blog. Congratulations on releasing your book Executive Decisions on May 12th. Tell is about your new release.
Brooke: My upcoming release, Executive Decisions, is a contemporary romance that officially kicks off The Hanson Legacy series on May 12th. While it explores the high-stakes world of a powerful billionaire family, the heart of the story actually began with my own real-life job hunt saga. One year, I went on 14 different interviews and began blogging about the process as I went. In one post, I wrote about the realization that I wasn’t just the one being scrutinized. I was interviewing them just as much as they were interviewing me. When that exact line was quoted back to me by a recruiter in my very next interview, the spark for Lauren’s journey was born. In the book, Lauren navigates that same professional fire, but the stakes get much higher when personal attraction enters the boardroom. It’s a story about legacy, professional power plays, and the life-changing executive decisions we make when our hearts and our careers finally collide.
Helen: That is great point about job interviews. It goes both ways. So make sure you interview your prospective employer as well! What were your thoughts behind you cover?
Brooke: I wanted the cover of Executive Decisions to visually represent the collision of two very different worlds. The top half of the cover is a nod to my protagonist, Lauren, and where her journey begins. She’s a blogger who spends her days working out of a local café, so the laptop and the coffee cup represent her world… her independence, her hustle, and the life she’s built for herself. It’s grounded and relatable, and the tagline ‘Love wasn’t in the job description’ hints at the unexpected shift her life is about to take. The bottom half features the glowing Denver skyline, specifically representing the high-end Cherry Creek area where the story is set. This symbolizes the Legacy side of the book… the sprawling, billionaire world of Drew Hanson. I chose this split design to show the contrast between Lauren’s cozy, everyday reality and the glittering, high-stakes atmosphere of the Hanson family. The sweeping script of the title bridges these two worlds, showing that while their backgrounds are worlds apart, their hearts are finding a common ground.
Helen: I love learning about the ideas behind the covers. The split images are so effective. How did you come up with the title?
Brooke: To be honest, I rarely have a title ready when I first start a book. I usually dive into the outlining process and let the characters tell me who they are first. The title for this one actually came to me while I was out taking a walk with my daughter. We were deep in conversation about the plot and the dynamics between Lauren and Drew, and out of nowhere, Executive Decisions just clicked.
That’s usually how it happens for me, the right title tends to find me when I’m away from my desk. For this story, the title felt perfect because it carries a double meaning. On the surface, it reflects the corporate world of the Hanson family and the professional choices Lauren has to make during her interviews. But on a deeper level, it’s about those pivotal, life-altering decisions we make for ourselves… the ones where we stop following a script and start deciding what kind of legacy we want to leave behind in our personal lives.
Helen: I end up dithering over titles. I brainstorm up a few ideas and then can’t decide between them. My newsletter subscribers have been very helpful choosing titles. Why did you choose to write this particular book?
Brooke: I always say that I don’t really ‘think up’ ideas, they find me. I wrote Executive Decisions because it was the one story that started playing like a movie in my head and wouldn’t stop!
It began as a small spark from my own life. Memories of a year where I went on fourteen interviews and blogged about the experience, but then my imagination took over. I started watching Lauren’s journey unfold.
When a story starts to marinate like that, I just have to follow it to see where it goes. I wrote it because I wanted to capture that specific cinematic energy and the mix of a grounded, relatable hustle with the fascinating world of a billionaire family. Once the movie in my head reached the final scene, I knew I had to get it down on paper.
Helen: Yes, I can sympathise. At some point you have to get it out of your head and on paper. When did you first realise you had a passion for writing?
Brooke: My passion for storytelling actually started on the stage. I began acting in community theater at age ten, which eventually led to years of work in local commercials and indie films. One of the most eye-opening moments for me was filming a national commercial for Chevy; seeing the jump from low-budget local sets to a massive, high-budget production gave me a deep appreciation for the machinery of a story.
Whenever I was acting, I found myself getting caught up in the dialogue. I’d start rewriting it in my head, daydreaming about the characters’ lives before the script started and after it ended. I actually attempted my first novel when I was 23, but life kept me busy for a while! I continued to play with stories over the years until everything finally clicked, and I published my first full novel at the age of 42. I think those decades of inhabiting different characters as an actress are exactly what allow me to watch my books like a movie before I write them.
Helen: That’s so great that acting led you naturally into storytelling. Was there anyone who first inspired you to write?
Brooke: My writing journey has been shaped by three icons who each brought something essential to my craft: Nora Roberts, LaVyrle Spencer, and Jackie Collins.
Nora Roberts taught me the power of world-building and dedication, while LaVyrle Spencer showed me the importance of deep, emotional vulnerability. She made me believe the heart of a story is the character’s internal evolution. And then there is Jackie Collins, who brought that unapologetic, high-stakes glamour and pace that keeps you turning pages.
In fact, my Heart & Soul series really showcases that Jackie Collins influence. It’s edgier, a bit bolder, and whenever I sit down to write those characters, my ‘inner Jackie’ absolutely comes out. Between the emotional depth of LaVyrle Spencer, the world-building of Nora Roberts, and the daring edge of Jackie Collins, I like to think my books are a unique blend of all three: grounded heart, high-stakes drama, and a whole lot of fire.
Helen: Who is your protagonist and why did you write her/him?
Brooke: My protagonist is Lauren Lane, a sharp-witted blogger and career-driven woman who isn’t afraid to ask for what she wants. I wrote her because I wanted a character who mirrored the modern, messy reality of the job hunt, and someone who is authentic, relatable, and determined to hold her own.
Helen: If your Main Character could answer, why would they say we should read your book?Â
Brooke: If you asked Lauren, she’d probably tell you: ‘Read it because you deserve to see what happens when someone decides they’re done being interviewed and starts taking control of their own life.’ She’s the voice for anyone who’s ever sat in a corporate office and thought, ‘There has to be more to the story than this.’
Helen: I think Lauren has the right idea. Executive Decisions is a contemporary romance, is that the genre you write in?
Brooke: I write contemporary romance because I’m drawn to stories where characters grow, overcome obstacles, and ultimately find that connection that makes everything else fall into place. Having spent years as an actress, I’ve always been fascinated by human dynamics, and for me, there is no better space than romance to explore the what ifs of life… like how professional ambition and personal heartstrings collide.
Helen: What is the best thing that has happened to you since you began writing?
Brooke: The best thing, without a doubt, has been the internal shift I experienced once I finally finished my first book at 42. It felt like I unlocked a door that had been waiting for me for decades. Before that, I think I was waiting for inspiration to strike, but once I proved to myself that I could sit down and execute a full story, my creativity didn’t just wake up, it started to overflow.
It’s been an incredible relief, too. Now, whenever I find myself starting to worry about where the next story will come from, I don’t panic anymore. I’ve learned to trust the process. Inspiration has this funny way of showing up right when I need it most, whether it’s during a walk with my daughter or a quiet moment in my day.
Helen: I started writing even later than you. I am what you call a late bloomer, but once I started writing, I couldn’t stop. I can’t imagine ever stopping. I love creating new characters and new worlds. I know this is a tough question, but who is your favourite character from your book?
Brooke: It’s honestly like choosing a favorite child, it feels impossible! I have a soft spot for at least one character in every book I’ve written. But if I have to pick one from Executive Decisions, it has to be my protagonist, Lauren Lane.
I love her spirit. She’s incredibly smart and has that grit that comes from real-world experience, but my favorite thing about her is how she handles herself when she’s pushed into a corner. She has this sharp, sassy wit that comes out the moment she feels threatened or challenged. I genuinely admire her strength, and writing her dialogue was some of the most fun I’ve had in a long time. She’s the kind of woman who refuses to be anything less than herself, no matter who is sitting across the desk from her.
Helen: Moving on to your writing process. Do you listen to music when you write?
Brooke: That’s a hard no from me! I find music to be a major distraction. Honestly, the movie playing in my head is loud enough on its own. I have enough voices to manage without adding a soundtrack to the mix! When I’m deep into a scene, the dialogue and the emotions between my characters are constantly running, and I need total quiet to hear them clearly. For me, the silence is where the story happens.
Helen: Have you ever suffered from writer’s block? If so, how do you overcome the fear and the little doubting voice in your head to keep writing?
Brooke: I think every writer deals with two things: actual writer’s block and the occasional lack of motivation. When I’m really struggling, I don’t try to force it. Instead, I set a timer for 15 minutes and I write with my eyes closed.
By removing the visual of the screen, I’m not distracted by the words already on the page or the temptation to backspace and edit. It allows me to truly see the movie playing in my head and get the story out unfiltered. Because I’m a fast typist… hitting over 75 words per minute… I can get a surprising amount of story down in those 15 minutes. Of course, this method does lead to some pretty amusing typos that I have to clean up later, but 99% of the time, that quick burst of blind writing is exactly what I need to push through the block and find my momentum again.
Helen: You are so lucky that you can touch type. I wouldn’t understand a word I typed, if I closed my eyes! What is the most useful piece of writing advice you’ve received, and by whom?
Brooke: I’m a big believer in the power of quotes to keep me focused, especially when the creative process gets a little overwhelming. There are three that I live by, and they’ve truly shaped how I approach my desk every day.
The first is, ‘Comparison is the thief of joy.’ It’s so easy to look at other authors’ timelines or success stories and lose sight of your own path. Remembering that my journey is mine alone keeps me present and grateful.
The second, ‘You can edit a bad page, but you can’t edit a blank one,’ is my ultimate cure for writer’s block. It gives me the freedom to be imperfect. It reminds me that the goal of a first draft isn’t to be brilliant; it’s just to exist so that I have something to work with.
And finally, ‘Trust the process.’ This one is my North Star. Writing isn’t linear. Some days the movie in my head is playing in high definition, and other days it’s static. They aren’t just quotes to me; they’re the tools that keep me writing.
Helen: That is some great advice. When you have time to read, do you have a favourite book?
Brooke: My favorite book of all time is Twice Loved by LaVyrle Spencer. I first picked it up when I was 15, and I’ve re-read it at least a dozen times since then. What’s so fascinating about reading it over the years is how my perspective shifts. The more I grow and experience life, the more I understand the characters’ choices and the nuance in how they handle their situation.
It’s actually quite funny because a love triangle is usually my least favorite trope, but LaVyrle Spencer handles Twice Loved with such incredible depth and heart that it somehow became my favorite book. It taught me that it’s not just the trope that matters, it’s how you write the characters caught inside it. It’s a masterclass in emotional storytelling, and it’s a book I’ll keep coming back to for the rest of my life.
Helen: We’ve nearly reached the end of the interview. Thank you so much for sharing your journey. Is there any advice you’d give new writers?
Brooke: My biggest piece of advice is simple but hard to do: Write for yourself. When you start worrying about whether a certain type of reader will like your story, you lose your voice. I love the phrase, ‘Dance like no one is watching,’ but for writers, I prefer to say, ‘Write like no one is reading.’ If you try to censor yourself while you’re creating, you’re never going to get to the truth of the story. Pour your heart out onto the page first. Be messy, be vulnerable, and be honest. You can always edit, revise, or refine those words later, but you can’t fix what isn’t there. When you stop writing to please an audience and start writing to satisfy your own curiosity, that’s when your unique voice finally comes through.
Helen: More great advice. Thank you so much for joining me today. It’s been great chatting with you and learning about your book. Good luck with your launch. Is there anything else you’d like to add to close us out?
Brooke: You know, looking back, the most unexpected part of this journey has been realizing that everything I’ve done… the acting, the commercials, the 14-interview year, and even the daily walks with my daughter… was just research for the books I’m writing now. I used to think my path was a bit winding, but it’s all fed into the stories. Whether I’m watching a scene play out in my head or just trying to navigate the messy, wonderful chaos of daily life, I’ve learned to trust that no experience is ever wasted. If you’re a reader or an aspiring writer, just keep living your life, keep your eyes open, and don’t worry if your path doesn’t look like everyone else’s. The story is in the living
About the Author – Brooke Gillespie-Trout
Brooke Gillespie-Trout is a contemporary romance author known for weaving together the drama of the stage with the irresistible pull of a “bad boy” charm. Drawing on her extensive background in theater and a life lived across the United States, Brooke crafts high-stakes adventures and deeply emotional love stories that keep readers turning pages.
With a dozen titles published, including the Heart & Soul series, the Portland, Maine trilogy, and the fan-favorite The Art of Zen, Brooke has established herself as a versatile voice in modern romance. Her stories are celebrated for their relatable characters, dramatic flair, and unforgettable “happily ever afters.”
Now residing in the Las Vegas area, Brooke continues to explore new adventures in print. Her latest work, Executive Decisions, marks the beginning of the Hanson Legacy series, a high-octane dive into billionaire romance and family secrets.
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If you enjoy epic fantasy then check out my award winning Sentinal series, which is now complete. If you like fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love my SoulMist series, start with SoulBreather. Prefer Dystopian Science Fantasy? Then try Harmony. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.
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