Hello Delilah!  Thank you for inviting me today to discuss the release of my new novel!  Sleigh Bells and Second Chances is a book close to my heart.  It’s the third big book in my Love in Mission City series.  The first two, Ginger Snapping All the Way and Stanley’s Christmas Redemption, were published in 2021 and 2022, respectively.  I’ve written a series of novellas and short stories in the interim (and book 2.5, The Beauty of the Beast).  I’ve been waiting for the right story to come along and knock me out of my complacency about the series (although I’ve published more than half a dozen full-length novels in other series in the interim—I’ve been busy!).

One night, as I was drifting off to sleep, I had an image of a man coming back from Ukraine.  He was Canadian.  Although he’d been fighting as a combatant, he wasn’t recognized by the Canadian government.  NATO has chosen to stay out of the war in Ukraine.  Instead, we’ve provided material support and troop training to Ukraine, but we haven’t stepped into the fray of the war caused by Russia’s illegal invasion into a sovereign nation.  No one wants World War Three.  On the other hand, many Canadians sit and watch the war and are horrified by what is happening to our close democracy-loving friends.  Canada has one of the largest ex-pat groups of Ukrainians in the world.  Growing up, my best friend came from a family of Ukrainian immigrants.  Most Canadians are empathetic.

Okay, so that’s the background.  Ryan went to fight in a war where he had no business being.  Plus, he’d been an overweight gamer who lived in his rich father’s basement. Aside from a degree in computer science weighted heavily in coding, he had no real-world experience.  Something about a democracy being invaded by another country hit him hard, though.  Knocked him right out of his complacency.  So, he went to Ukraine.

He fought hard for two years with cyber security work and, eventually, as a drone operator. He was wounded, lost a bunch of his friends, came back to Canada, and has been recovering ever since. I envisioned him at the therapy ranch I’ve created, which has featured prominently in many of my stories—including all three previous big books in this series.

I woke up in the morning with my wonky note in my Messenger feed with a friend.  Great!  Ryan was nearly fully formed. But…no clue who would be the man he’d fall in love with.

Enter Plot Whisperer.  We’d plotted a large number of short stories and novellas, and she was thrilled to be presented with the opportunity to work on a plot for a novel.  This time, I took the dogs for a walk and she…did her magic.  By the time my dogs were cared for and I was in my pajamas, she had a story for me.  And man, was it a good one.

Still, I sat on the story for a long time, working things out in my mind.  Writing other books. Popping out short stories for anthologies.  Then…I was ready.  I polished up a blurb, put the book up for pre-order, and then wrote a bunch of other stuff including an LGBTQ YA that I’ll be back in the New Year to share with you.  Eventually, I wrote Sleigh Bells.  Only I cut the timing super close.  My editor wasn’t thrilled with me, but she pulled a rabbit out of her hat.  My beta reader pushed hard.  My narrator waited patiently.  Now the book is published and the audio is on pre-order.  I’m hoping readers love ex-soldier Ryan and shy, stuttering handyman Simeon as much as I do.  This is my longest book at nearly 100k words.  It’s, I think, one of my most emotional books.  At times, proofing the audio, I might’ve teared up.  It’s a love story, though, so guaranteed happy ending.

Okay, so that’s my story with this book.  As a thank you for having read that narrative. I’d like to offer up a prize.  I’ll happily give, to one lucky commenter, a copy of all three of my books so far in the series (Ginger Snapping All the Way, Stanley’s Christmas Redemption, and The Beauty of the Beast).  Just let me know your favorite Christmas romance – be it book, movie, or television episode.  One winner will be chosen by random.  Good luck and thanks Delilah!

Sleigh Bells and Second Chances

Feeling worthy of love is sometimes the hardest battle.

Ryan
The moment I landed in that war zone, I knew I’d made a big mistake. I wasn’t a soldier, and my good intentions almost got me killed. Being wounded and shipped back home to Canada was both a blessing and a curse. I’m safe now, but I can’t stop thinking of the men I left behind. My therapist claims Healing Horses Ranch will help heal my wounds—physical and mental—but I’m not sure how much tranquility and wholesome fresh air I can take. But then I meet a beautiful, shy man who makes moving forward seem almost possible. Can I let go of the past and reach for a future with Simeon?

Simeon
I’ve made peace with being different from the folks around me. I love my home in Mission City, and if anyone needs something fixed, I’m the guy they call. When the owner of the therapy ranch hires me for a big project, I’m excited to get started. I always work alone, but one of the patients keeps hanging around, and I can’t bear to send him on his way. I can see how much he’s hurting. If helping me helps him, that’s a win for us both. As we share the work, something about that wounded man draws me deeper and deeper in. I’m no therapist, and I have my own issues, so am I a fool to be thinking about a future with a guy who’s likely to leave once he’s healed?

Note: Sleigh Bells and Second Chances is a slow-burn, age-gap, hurt/comfort, mid-angst, gay romance novel with a shy handyman, a reckless former gamer, a precocious borrowed kid, and a therapy dog named Tiffany.

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling author Gabbi Grey lives in beautiful British Columbia where her fur baby chin-poo keeps her safe from the nasty neighborhood squirrels. Working for the government by day, she spends her early mornings writing contemporary, gay, sweet, and dark erotic BDSM romances. While she firmly believes in happy endings, she also believes in making her characters suffer before finding their true love. She also writes m/f romances as Gabbi Black and Gabbi Powell.

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