UPDATE: The winner is…Terra Oenning!
*~*~*
Hello, Delilah! Thank you for inviting me here today to discuss my new project. Well…projects? Could go either way. Another anthology! Another charity anthology! Another opportunity for me to stretch my writing muscles!
We’ll start with Tempest’s Teacup. I had a short story plotted — a good one — but I couldn’t get into it. It just wasn’t calling to me. As the time drew near for the stories to be submitted, I worried I’d let the organizers down. They’re lovely ladies who would understand (I was also under some serious pressure with a novel looming — when isn’t a novel looming, though?). Then I remembered a short story I’d written for you, Delilah. It hadn’t struck the right chord, but that was fine. Not everything does. I loved the story, however, and dug it out for a second look.
Never let it be said that anything I write goes to waste.
I liked the story. It had elements of instalove, but was too short — not just for the anthology, but for my liking. The story had been entirely from Mistress Tempest’s point of view, but I realized I needed Romeo’s as well. I tore the story apart, rewrote parts of it, put it back together, and, I believed, had a much stronger story. My editor, God bless her, raced through it in record time, and I got the short story submitted. A day or two late, if I recall. That didn’t make me happy — I really prefer to be on time or early — but I was confident I had a good story. And, of course, I tied it in with both my In Their Eyes BDSM world (Gabbi Black) and my Vancouver Film World (Gabbi Grey).
Except the anthology’s editor came back and said the ending wasn’t satisfying enough (I did what I felt was a solid HFN — Happy For Now). In my head, I knew Tempest and Romeo were a permanent couple. But I didn’t want to give too much away about their future as I plan — loosely plan — to include them in a future story. That meant not telling the readers everything. The editor disagreed and asked me to write an epilogue. I did, she was thrilled, and I plan to remove it when the rights revert.
I had my story.
Before that, though, I’d submitted my Gabbi Grey short story. Now, if Anything’s Pawsible didn’t have swearing and sex, I would call it a sweet romance. This is a very simple book based on my own experience. See, I have two rescue pooches whom I adore. They are beloved by quite a few of my generous and kind neighbors. Just like I know quite a few of their dogs, and I’m always liberal with my praise and affection.
One day, I recounted a story to some of my close friends. My shy girl, Ally, was slowly coming to trust a young man from down the hall. Usually he was walking his dog — chaos incarnate — and so getting quality time wasn’t possible. That day? He was alone and had all the time in the world for her. Slowly, he started with allowing her to sniff. She did, and then licked. She let him pet her gently on the head. Then she permitted scritches down her torso. By the end of the five minutes, she was leaning against him, absorbing the affection and attention. If she’d been a cat, she would’ve been purring.
Finnegan, my other rescue, seemed to sense this was a big moment and hung back, not being at all jealous or wanting the attention for himself.
This was truly a special moment, and I almost cried. Ally used to be far more outgoing, but the pandemic took her back to her early days when she didn’t have stability and a good home. I’ve worked nine years to earn and keep her trust. She doesn’t give it easily to strangers. Well, the young man isn’t a stranger anymore. Now when she sees him, she strains her leash to get to him. She demands many scritches. She adores him.
I told this story to a number of friends, including Plot Whisperer. She said, well, you have to write a story. A curmudgeonly older man who’s given up on love and just has his two rescue dogs. A younger man who loves the dogs instantly and quickly comes to love the older guy as well (not at all implying that I was the older single man jaded by love in this scenario). I’d tucked the idea away but when the instalove anthology came up, I seized the opportunity. I bought a second spot in the anthology so I could tell the story in its entirety. I created Byron and Carter — then Rosebud and Sheffield. I had my story. I love that story. I mean, I love all my stories, but that one is extra special.
So I had my two submissions to this charity anthology. I can’t wait to share the anthology with the world and raise money for a good cause as well.
That’s the tale! Thank you for allowing me to visit, Delilah! I’d love to give away a copy of one of my Gabbi Black BDSM books (there are several to choose from). Just comment and let me know — do you prefer spicy or sweet? Because I’d say my stories are polar opposites and I’m curious what you prefer. Random will choose one lucky commenter. Good luck!
Just Add Love
Dive into a world where love ignites in the blink of an eye with “Just Add Love,” a captivating collection of contemporary romance short stories. Each tale weaves the enchanting theme of instalove, exploring the magic that happens when two hearts collide unexpectedly.
From encounters in bustling city cafes to chance meetings at picturesque parks, these stories celebrate the exhilarating spark of immediate connection. Follow characters as they navigate their emotions, face their fears, and discover the transformative power of love at first sight.
Perfect for readers who believe in the beauty of spontaneous romance, “Just Add Love” invites you to experience heartwarming moments, laughter, and a few delightful surprises along the way.
All proceeds go to Breast Cancer Research.
Authors:
Michelle Moncrieff
Linda G. Hill
Danielle Sibarium
Sharon Michalove
Gabbi Grey
CM Peters
J.M. Adele
Juliet Martini
Harper Michaels
Angela Kady
Sharon Wray
Emma Lynn Everly
Jeanine Lauren
Charlotte O’Shay
Trinity Wood
Gabbi BlackThe anthology will only be available for a limited time.
Links:
Universal Link: https://books2read.com/tnrc25justaddlove
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Just-Add-Love-Instalove-Collection-ebook/dp/B0DJTZ566K
Add it to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220304754-just-add-love
Inside Just For Love: “Anything’s Pawsible” by Gabbi Grey
Carter
On my first day in my new condo, I meet a sweet older guy with two adorable dogs. It’s love at first sight on my side—and not just for the dogs. My shy neighbor has given up on finding a partner, so it’s up to me to convince him to give to give love a second chance. Over joyful walks, shared dinners, and little intimacies, he’s warming up. But can I get him to let go of the past and embrace a future with me?
Byron
My dogs adore the cute, younger guy who’s moved in next door. In fact, they can’t get enough of his affection. I’m immune to his charms, of course. I had my heart broken once. I can’t go through that again. Still, the more time we spend together, the more I think that if I ever were to change my mind, Carter would be the man I’d choose.
Anything’s Pawsible is a 15k instalove age-gap, opposites-attract, grumpy/sunshine gay interracial romance short story with a curmudgeon accountant, a Gen Z writer, and two of the cutest dogs ever.
Inside Just For Love: “Tempest’s Teacup” by Gabbi Black
Mistress Tempest
The challenge of breaking a disobedient bottom begging for correction at Club Kink has me intrigued. Romeo asserts he’s done something wrong and needs to be punished. That he needs to atone. As we move through our intense scene, I become more and more invested. But if I succeed in breaking him, our interaction may end our connection forever.
Romeo
My disrespectful and selfish behavior has landed me in a heap of trouble. I reach for a second chance in Vancouver after a co-star suggests I submit to a Domme at Club Kink to truly work through the regret threatening to destroy my life. Mistress Tempest offers me an opportunity at redemption. If I go all the way through with it, I might never see her again.
Tempest’s Teacup is an 10k erotic BDSM short story with a formidable Domme, a naïve submissive, and the ultimate redemptive scene.
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.
Even though Gabbi Black is a firm believer in happy endings, she makes her characters work for it in every romance she writes, no matter what the genre. From contemporary to BDSM, they are penned early in the morning in her home in beautiful British Columbia while her trusty ChinPoo dog keeps her company. She also writes gay romances as Gabbi Grey and small-town romances as Gabbi Powell.
