Some character quirks are purely fictional, others are inspired by real life.
Every book I write hides a few Easter eggs—tiny nods to real life. While my characters are purely fictional, at times a few of their quirks are inspired from people in my life.
Such as my late husband’s legendary devotion to coasters.
My fictional hero, Gabe, isn’t my husband. But the crusade for coasters? That was all my beloved.
Meet the Fictional Coaster Man.
Gabe has a thing about coasters. Not just a casual preference—but a full-blown, crusade-worthy obsession.
When Ryan blissfully oblivious, as heroines often are, dares to set down a cup without one? Cue the dramatic sigh, Gabe’s heroic slide of a coaster into place, and that exasperated-yet-charming look that says, “Honestly, how do you even function?”
This isn’t just a quirky detail for a character arc. It’s a love letter to my late husband.
The OG Coaster Man
My beloved was the original Coaster Man. He didn’t merely believe in coasters—he campaigned for them.
He moved with superhero urgency when wood was unprotected against sweaty glasses and he never let a cup rest unguarded.
My dear friend and writing partner, Alexandra Isobel, dubbed him Coaster Man, my husband embraced the title like a badge of honour. It was absurd. It was endearing. It was so him.
One evening at a dinner party we were hosting, I watched my husband slide a coaster under my friend’s wine glass mid-story.
When I gave him the look, he said, “I’m on the job.”
We all got a good laugh out of it, along with some witty commentary.
To him, those ceramic circles and squares weren’t just about preventing rings, they were a way of caring for the home we’d built, the space where family gathered, the place he wanted to keep beautiful for all of us.
So when you read the following scene (excerpt below) know this—that coaster crusade is my husband’s humour and love immortalized in this book.
And if it makes you laugh? Perfect. Because if there’s one thing my Coaster Man would want, it’s for the world to appreciate the small, silly ways we take care of each other.
(And to remember to use a coaster.)
Tea secured—table’s safe. Coaster Man would approve.
DECOY IN STILETTOS
Excerpt
A cup. A coaster. And a hint of chemistry.
Here’s sneak a peek at Gabe and Ryan in action.
After finishing with her website, Ryan put her laptop away, poured herself a mug of coffee and joined him in the living room, settling into the round, tanned barrel chair.
Gabe was focused on the hockey game and hadn’t looked her way since she sat.
She watched him closely, noticing his guarded shoulders and the way he kept clicking the remote, switching from one game to the next.
She leaned over to place the coffee mug on the edge of the coffee table, when he slid a wooden coaster toward her faster than she could blink.
“Seriously?” she said. “Do you carry those around in your pockets?”
“You were one second away from committing a crime against furniture.”
She wanted to ask how the hell he even knew since he hadn’t looked at her once but decided against it.
Tucking her legs under her, she cradled the mug. The ceramic warmed away the chill from his side, giving her something to focus on besides the wall Gabe had bricked between them.
“Are there coasters in every room?”
He nodded. “Some people have smoke detectors. I have heat-ring detectors.”
“You’re intense.”
“You’re a spiller.”
Ryan raised an eyebrow. “You’re going to die on this hill, huh?”
“Die? No,” he said, keeping his gaze on the TV. “I prefer living with no surface damage.”
“You did not just romanticize a coaster?”
He looked at her, the corner of his mouth twitching. “Some people believe in soulmates. I believe in polyurethane backed cork.”
She let out a quiet chuckle. He was so serious, and completely ridiculous, but damn it was adorable. Best of all, the wall he’d built between them lost a few bricks.
Excerpt: Copyright Selena Robin
Now available for pre-ordering.
Special Introductory Price
A romantic suspense with a twist of humour, emotionally sharp romantic mystery about second chances, unexpected love, and a woman who refuses to be a pawn in a deadly game—even when the odds are stacked against her.
Pre-order now at a special introductory price.
Don’t miss out. This offer is only available for a limited time.
Pre-order Decoy in Stilettos here:
Advanced Readers Reviews:
Frenemies 
Motorcycle Club
Quick-witted banter
Sassy sexy heroine with a crazy family
“When I say Decoy in Stilettos has it all, it truly does. Ryan and Gabe make you laugh and make you crazy and you fall in love right along side them. I loved their story from cover to cover. So grab yourself a Smurf (you’ll find out more about that too!) and curl up for a great romance.”
—Jennifer Evangliste, Beta Reader
“You can never go wrong with a Selena Robins novel. Selena’s ability to write extremely well-drawn characters with generously sprinkled excellent dialogue makes her work stand head and shoulders above the rest. I loved this story.”
— Award Winning Author & Screenplay Writer Denise A. Agnew
“Superior, clever entertainment from one of my favourite authors, the talented Selena Robins, that includes sassy humour with steamy undertones.”
—Susan Ricci, USA Today Best Selling Author
“Ryan made me laugh, and Gabe made me sigh. Their banter is lively, and the mystery is sharp. You’re hooked from page one and keep turning pages until the end. I’m jealous of those who are reading this for the first time.”
— Alexandra Isobel
“I love it! I really enjoy cop/feisty woman combos, and Gabe, Ryan, and Ryan’s boisterous family are awesome. I didn’t want it to end. Great romantic suspense.”
–— Pat Egan Fordyce, Book Reviewer
Selena Robins, Author 
Leave a reply to Gayle Pugiese Cancel reply