Author Interview: Rebecca Gallo on Relentless Pursuit

Q: Welcome, Rebecca! Can you tell us a little about your latest release, Relentless Pursuit?

It’s a workplace romance with plus-size representation. Elise is tired of mediocre dates, ready to give up altogether, and at the end of one particularly disastrous date, Elise’s boss Dominic shows up and offers to show her how a real man would treat her. 

Q: Elise Morgan faces challenges as a plus-size woman navigating love. What inspired her story?

I saw a TikTok video of a woman talking about a horrible date she had been on and started writing a scene based on her story, and when the story became more than just a scene, I decided to draw inspiration from my own disastrous dating history. Elise goes through and feels some of the exact same things I did before I met my husband. 

Q: Your book blends contemporary romance with real-life challenges. How do you balance humor, emotion, and romance in your storytelling?

I never want to get too carried away with any one particular element because then it doesn’t feel authentic. I also never want to bring one element, like humor, into a scene if it’s not right. There is a time and place for everything in a story. Every element is like a little puzzle piece and it’s fun to find out where each piece fits. 

Q: What’s your favorite relationship dynamic in the story, and why?

I love the sibling relationships - Dominic and his brother Cyrus, and Elise and her brother Clark. I think you learn a lot about a character from their siblings and from creating that relationship. Siblings know the main characters and can help lead them to tough decisions or important realizations or just provide levity. 

Q: Without spoilers, can you share a scene from Relentless Pursuit that made you laugh or tugged at your heartstrings?

There is a moment where Dominic insists Elise borrow his clothes (because hers were dirty from spicy hiking), and she tells him she’s not the kind of girl who can just borrow a man’s clothes and look cute. So, Dominic goes out and buys clothes for Elise in her size so she will be comfortable. I loved writing that part of the story. 

Q: If Relentless Pursuit were adapted into a movie, who would you dream-cast as Elise and Dominic? 

My dream cast would be Nicola Coughlan for Elise and maybe Henry Cavill or David Corenswet for Dominic 

Q: What do you hope readers take away from the story?

Not every plus-size story needs to be full of body positivity. I mean, is this story hot? Hell yes. I love that Dominic is obsessed with Elise; he is very positive about her body! But what I love even more is that Elise’s story as a plus size woman is authentic. I had an ARC reader tell me they couldn’t read Relentless Pursuit because it wasn’t about body positivity and that really messed with my head. I wondered if readers wouldn’t be interested in Elise’s story if she wasn’t all, “I love my curves!” Anyway… if you’re looking for plus-size rep in a romance book that feels authentic, then read Relentless Pursuit! 

Q: You also write cozy monster romance under Bea Gallo. How does your writing process differ between genres?

My process is pretty much the same, but I have more freedom to be silly when I’m writing cozy monster romances. I can make up things and not worry too much about whether or not I’m asking readers to suspend their belief too much. If they picked up my book about minotaurs, then they’re already doing that! 

Q: What inspires you to keep writing contemporary romance and exploring real-world themes?

I am romantic at heart. I want romance in everything! If romance isn’t the main genre, then I need a romantic subplot. So, I’m inspired to bring more romance to the world. I love so many different types of romance stories, and I want to write them all! 

Q: What’s next for you and your upcoming projects?

I’m writing a third minotaur book that I hope to release in the fall, and then I’m going to write a cute little mothman romance. After that, who knows! 

Q: Where can readers connect with you online?

 

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Fun & Unique Questions

Q: If Elise had a theme song, what would it be?

Fat Bottomed Girls by Queen or Ready for It by Taylor Swift 

Q: Which side character secretly deserves their own story? 

Eric Crane - he’s Dominic’s friend who basically owns a mountain hideaway that doubles as an exclusive sex club. I think he has an interesting backstory, but I don’t know if I’ll ever write that story. 

Q: If your characters could step into the real world for a day, what would they do first?

Elise would go to an antique story, the biggest one she could find. I think Dominic would try and convince Elise to hike the Appalachian Trail so they could do a lot of spicy hiking. 

Q: What trope or element did you have the most fun exploring in this book?

I had fun exploring primal kink. I’m not sure I wrote an accurate representation, but I think it’s something worth exploring further and leaning into more in future stories. 

Q: What’s the most emotional or surprising scene you wrote in Relentless Pursuit?

When Dominic and Elise go to Vegas (the first time). That’s all I say! 

 

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Rapid Fire Round

(Answer with the first thing that comes to mind!)

• Coffee or tea? I like my sugar with coffee and cream :)
  
  

• Early bird or night owl? Mid-morning magpie.
  
  

• Favorite writing snack? Nerds Gummy Clusters, cheese and crackers, Target’s Mexican street corn snack mix (Yes, I know we’re not supposed to shop there anymore so I haven’t had it in a while!)
  
  

• Rom-com or drama? I like ‘em both! If I’m being totally honest, I love a sweeping, swoony drama more than a rom-com.
  
  

• A book you could read over and over? Deep End by Ali Hazelwood or The All Souls Series by Deborah Harkness
  
  

• Music while writing: If I’m alone, not really. If my husband and son are home, then HELL YES I need music because both of my boys are talkers, and my husband is hard of hearing so he is a loud talker.
  
  

• Dream travel destination? Scotland
  
  

• One word to describe Relentless Pursuit? Sofuckinghotyoushouldjustreadit