Hello Delilah!  Thank you for hosting me again.  I’ve come today to share my love of audiobooks.

First my story.  I started listening to audiobooks around 2008. I had some CDs about Buddhism.  Then I moved to philosophy.  Then I discovered Diana Gabaldon.  That’s right – my audio journey into fiction really started with Outlander.  For the first few minutes, I wasn’t convinced.  I never really enjoyed first person (oh, the irony).  I wasn’t enjoying the content…but I held on.  And…MAGIC.  I was transported to 1740s Scotland just before the Jacobite rising.  I was like…I know nothing about anything, but wow, is this ever amazing.

I cobbled together the rest of the series available to that point on CD and listened avidly.

Then I found out I could buy audiobooks on iTunes.  Then I discovered Audible.  Then I discovered my library’s audiobook collection.

My world has never been the same.  I listen to audiobooks all the time.  ALL THE TIME.  Walking the dogs, doing chores, driving in the car, taking public transit… So much listening that I joined a blog and a review service so I could get free audios.  I’ve spent thousands of dollars and have more audiobooks than I’ll probably ever listen to.

Okay, so I’m an audiophile.  An audio addict.  A true fan.

When I started publishing, I really wanted to put my books on audio.  A naïve little me had NO IDEA what was involved.  I joined Facebook groups of my favorite narrators.  One day, Michael Ferraiuolo was doing a fireside chat, and in the chat, I asked him if he could do a Scottish accent.  He gave me a few lines in Scottish.  He didn’t realize that was his audition.  I hired him to narrate my first novella My Past, Your Future with a history professor from Scotland and a dead Civil War soldier ghost set in Vermont.

He was amazing.  So, I had him do another story of mine.

I then approached Michael Dean about narrating a couple of novellas set in Canada for me.  He agreed and I got those two completed.

Now, I worked massive hours of overtime to pay for those projects.

I was hooked.  I have worked a ton more overtime.  I have snapped up the money from sales of previously released books.  I might’ve even used a credit card or two.  All to put out 18 audiobooks.  I will tell you that, for me, earning out has been tough (making back what you spent).  I have a good job that enables me to make the audios.  Eventually, I’ll make back that money and pour it into more productions.  I have one book by the brilliant Robert Hatchett (Grant’s Gambit).

The rest of my audios are split between Michael Dean and Michael Ferraiuolo.  I call them my Michaels.  I have been blessed to work with two amazing narrators.  Every performance is amazing, but I will say that Love Furever narrated by Michael Ferraiuolo and Sleigh Bells and Second Chances narrated by Michael Dean are two of my favorites.

Especially Sleigh Bells.  One of my main characters stutters.  Michael Dean and I went back and forth about the best way to portray that.  In the end, I think we settled on something that works so well.  Reviewers and fans are loving the audio.

So that’s my journey – from fan to author to publisher of my audiobooks.  I am in love with the entire process and have more planned for the new year!

As a thank you for having me, I’d like to give away an audiobook to a commenter.  I have Audible US and UK codes for several of my new releases.  If you don’t listen to audiobooks, I can swap out a book from my backlist from any of my three pennames.  To win, just leave a comment.  Do you listen to audiobooks?  How do you choose which one to try?  And remember, all my older stories are available to libraries, so please consider asking your librarian to include them in their shelves.  Comment away!  A winner will be chosen by Random.  Good luck.

Love Furever

Colin

Being rejected by family hurt like hell, but I kept my head high, left my toxic relatives behind, and moved across the country to Gaynor Beach, CA. Luckily, I have great furry company. My French bulldog puppy, Widget, was dumped on me for not meeting my parents’ ridiculously high standards either, so we’re comforting each other. With a nice rental house and a new job, Widget and I were ready for a fresh start—until I got a devastating diagnosis. I can’t take care of Widget properly while trying to save my own life, and I expect a long, hard road. I’ll have to break both our hearts and put her up for adoption, for her sake. Right?

James

I’ve wanted a pet forever, but my family circumstances didn’t allow it. Now I’m away from my masses of relatives and on my own, and I’m ready to take on a furry companion. My friend, a guy who never says no to an animal in need, introduces me to Colin and his beautiful puppy Widget. I’m horrified Colin feels he needs to give her up just because he’s sick, but I’m happy to take Widget as a temporary foster. I’m also happy to offer support to the new guy in town who is so very alone during a time of crisis. Helping someone in need comes naturally to me. But what if that temporary help turns into me wanting a forever relationship?

This is a gay romance slow-burn novel about new beginnings, found family, unconditional love, and a puppy named Widget. This middle-angst story has a guaranteed happily ever after.
Links:
Audible US: https://www.audible.com/pd/Love-Furever-Audiobook/B0DNGCLLR2
Audible UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B0DNGD7CHC
Amazon US:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C3RLR7RW

Sleigh Bells and Second Chances

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?

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.

Links:
Audible US: https://www.audible.com/pd/Sleigh-Bells-and-Second-Chances-Audiobook/B0DJH8SSLH
Audible UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Sleigh-Bells-and-Second-Chances-Audiobook/B0DJH88PNP

About Gabbi Grey

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.

Personal links:
Website: https://gabbigrey.com/
Newsletter sign-up:  https://sendfox.com/gabbigrey
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorgabbigrey/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/gabbi-grey
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15456297.Gabbi_Grey
Amazon Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/Gabbi-Grey/e/B07SJVFX1M
Audible Profile:  https://www.audible.com/author/Gabbi-Grey/B07SJVFX1M
Facebook (page): https://www.facebook.com/AuthorGabbiGrey
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GabbiGrey
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/gabbigreyauthor/
Facebook (personal): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009821772591