Readers of author Rolonda Watts' award-winning debut novel, Destiny Lingers, have fallen for her main character's love interest, Chase McKenzie. Born to racist parents in a poor home plagued with domestic violence, Chase grew up determined to change his life, ultimately becoming a police officer. True to the history of Topsail Island, North Carolina, Chase and the book's main character, Destiny, were separated as children due to race and class. Despite their hardships and families' disapproval, they fight to be together and challenge views on interracial relationships. For Watts, it was important to tell this story and make the characters as relatable as possible, which has resonated with her readers.