Falling For the Mark
by Dominique Davis
Released: Apr 11, 2023
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Why this book and why now?
As a lover of the romance genre, I am thrilled with how much it has grown over the last few years. But I feel there is still a gap that needs to be filled with sapphic romances. We need more diversity not only in the characters’ identities but also in the stories that we tell. I want to see more sapphic romances with morally grey characters, who are flawed and complex, but still deserving of love and happiness. Around the same time I realized this, I watched an underrated film from 2001 called Heartbreakers starring Sigourney Weaver and Jennifer Love Hewitt who played a mother-daughter con artist duo. I loved watching these two female con artists and wanted to see more of them.
That’s when the idea for my book began to take shape – a sapphic romance with a morally grey protagonist, Maya, who is part of a con artist duo with her mother, Nicole. I wanted to explore the complexities of their relationship, what causes someone to choose that life for themselves, and of course, the romantic relationship between Maya and her love interest, Kennedy, who has her own flaws. It just felt like the perfect time to write this story because I think audiences are also looking for more stories where LGBTQIA+ characters aren’t perfect and are given the space to make mistakes
What is a significant way your book has changed since either the first draft or the way you thought it would turn out when you first had the inspiration?
Since the book follows two con artists, I was originally expecting the book to be really plot heavy. And it is, but it is also a character study for both of its leads. I think it strikes a good balance between the two and I think it’s better for it.
What TV show would your main character(s) most likely binge watch and why?
Maya would love Abbott Elementary. Despite being a con artist, she would much rather spend her free time watching something lighthearted and funny. She would love Abbott Elementary in particular because of how the show tackles the education system, the dynamic between the characters, and the sweet will-they-won’t-they relationship between Janine and Gregory.
As for Kennedy, she enjoys watching Succession. She is the daughter of a rich doctor who inherited millions from his parents after their passing. She grew up surrounded by privilege and power, and the show’s depiction of a wealthy family’s dysfunction and power struggles would be fascinating to her.
What’s your main character(s)’s favorite book and why?
Maya’s favorite book would be Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. It tells the story of deception, betrayal, and love set in Victorian England, which is right up Maya’s alley given her background as a con artist. Maya would also relate to the main character, Sue Trinder, who is a thief that is forced to navigate a world of privilege and power.
Kennedy’s favorite book would be The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. Kennedy is half Cuban on her mother’s side and grew up on literature that explored the experiences of Latina/Latinx people. She would appreciate the way the book explores themes of identity, community, and belonging, as well as the poetic language the book is written in.
What song does your character put on to start your book launch party?
Maya and Kennedy would choose This Love (Taylor’s Version) by Taylor Swift to start the book launch party. The song holds a special significance for them, as it perfectly captures the essence of their love story. The romantic lyrics, combined with Taylor’s mature vocals, would really speak to them and their bond. They would feel that the song is particularly fitting for the ending of their novel, as it reflects the place where they have arrived in their relationship. They would hope that the song would set the tone for the evening, reminding their guests of the power and beauty of love.
