I love writing novellas for The Wild Rose Press.  When the idea for the Passport to Pleasure series came up, I seized on the opportunity to write a story.  I set Valentino in Vancouver in my beloved Vancouver and also placed it in the world of the film industry, pulling in characters I’d created previously.  I wrote that gay romance under my penname Gabbi Grey.  Then, because I was so excited, I wrote another novella set in that world—You See Me. Only that was a lesbian romance for the Jelly Beans and Spring Things call – again, for The Wild Rose Press. (Coming out next month!)

I wasn’t finished, though.  I had so much fun with the Passport to Pleasure book, I needed to write another one.  Steamy story?  Lots of sex? Exotic location? Sign me up!  The parameters were: erotic story, American tourist, stamp in a passport.

Where to start?  I have a friend who lives in Argentina who spoke lovingly of her country, so I decided to ask her for advice.  She said she’d sit down for a chat about Argentinian culture and, more importantly, read my book for inaccuracies. Okay, so I had an American, an Argentinian, and…?  I realized I needed a Canadian.  I’d written a couple of books (for The Wild Rose Press’s Deerbourne Inn shared world series) with just Americans.  Well, my first book My Past, Your Future had a dead Civil War soldier as a ghost and a Scottish professor.  You get where I’m going—I had very little experience writing without Canadians in my stories.  This new book had to be under my penname Gabbi Black.  To that point, I’d only published a trilogy under that penname—set in Vancouver in the BDSM community.

My mind whirled. Why not make this a ménage story?  With an American, an Argentinian, and a Canadian?  More specifically, a Texan, a Vancouverite, and a hot person from Buenos Aires.

I rolled up my sleeves…and realized I didn’t know who was who.  Slowly, I began to work through the possibilities in my mind.  Eventually, in one of those BOOM moments I often have, I realized my three: Joaquin the Argentinian, MacKenzie the Texan, and Kimberly the BDSM Domme from British Columbia, Canada.  I wanted this to be a true MMF story—and pulled on my writing experience of gay stories to develop a strong triad with lots of hot sex.  I was also adamant there be three strong sides to the triangle. This relationship wouldn’t work without all three of them and all three have major roles to play.

I spent half an hour plotting the story (which went out the window by chapter two, big surprise), and I sat down to write my story.  Unlike my dark erotic BDSM romances, I wanted this one to have very little angst—I wanted this to be a tourist (or tourists) having a good time.  Throw in a whip, some bondage, lots of sex, and a virgin…and I had my story.  I wrote it in a week and a half, pushing through to get the words to craft a story I hoped readers would like. My Argentinian friend came up with the perfect title, and I submitted it to the publisher.

My editor loved it.  We made some minor changes, but the book got approved and then I had to wait for just the perfect moment to release it.  And that would be today!  I fell in love with the cover instantly because it so accurately portrays the relationship between the three main characters.

The question posed is—can three people from three different countries have a happy ending?  You’ll have to read the book, of course, but I think I ended things perfectly.  Obviously, I hope readers enjoy it.

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon Gift Card, let me know: have you ever ventured into the world of threesomes (or more)? MFM, MMF, MFF, FFF, MMM…the possibilities are endless. Is there one you think I should check out? And if you haven’t ventured there, what would entice you to try one…?  Drop a comment and a random commenter will win the gift certificate.

Thanks again, Delilah, for letting me talk to your fabulous readers!

Bonding in Buenos Aires

From a ménage of friends to forever lovers.

Argentinian Joaquin Perillo met MacKenzie and Kimberly at a cybersecurity conference two years ago. Another conference in Houston and video chats sealed his attraction for them both. Now they are visiting him in Buenos Aires, and he has so many plans for them—in and out of bed.

Canadian Kimberly is a security analyst by day and a Domme at Vancouver’s premier BDSM Club Kink at night. She can’t wait to see her men again so she can whip them into shape.

Texan MacKenzie is a computer geek who spends all his time with code. That is until he meets the beguiling Kimberly and the fun-loving Joaquin. Suddenly, he’s ready to break out of his self-imposed exile.

The triad have ten days to enjoy their ménage before they have to return to their prospective countries.  Because their relationship can’t cross borders or become permanent…right?

Links:
Universal link:  https://books2read.com/Buenos
Amazon US:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BS6VGGWX
Apple Books:  https://books.apple.com/book/bonding-in-buenos-aires/id6445422597
Barnes and Noble:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bonding-in-buenos-aires-gabbi-black/1142971839
KOBO:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/bonding-in-buenos-aires

Add it to GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122761745-bonding-in-buenos-aires

About the Author

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 contemporary small town romances as Gabbi Powell.

Personal links:
Website:   https://gabbiblack.com/
Newsletter sign-up:  https://sendfox.com/gabbi
Bookbub:  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/2763198834
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/authorgabbiblack/
Facebook (page): https://www.facebook.com/Author-Gabbi-Black-106666354460589/
Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.ca/authorgabbiblack/boards/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/GabbiAuthor

I’m spending the day at the Art Center, keeping the doors open so folks can come see our current exhibit. I’ll lug my laptop along and try to write. When I take breaks, I’ll paint something little. So, a heavenly day free of distractions! No, dogs barking to be fed or let out. No TV calling me to watch something intriguing. No conversations with my dd—oh no! How will I stand it? LOL

In the meantime, I’ve been collecting everyone’s emails and DMs with pictures of mugs. So much fun! I think I’ll post them all on Sunday. Y’all have a wonderful day!

Open Contests

1. Sunday Tarot (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win a FREE book!
2. Gabbi Powell: Another penname?!?!?! (Contest + FREE Read) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card! Get your FREE read!
3. Squishmallow Day Puzzle! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Some suggestions for Silver Soldiers…? (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
5. Saturday Puzzle-Contest & Open Contests! — Win an Amazon gift card!
6. Favorite Mug Contest — Win an Amazon gift card!
7. Oscars Hangover (Contest) — Win a FREE book!

UPDATE: The winner is…Kandi Candelas!
*~*~*

For the first time in a long time, I was very excited about watching the Oscars. It used to be a thing when my daughter was young. We’d plan finger foods and I’d let her stay up on a Sunday night while we watched awards show. In advance, we’d try to watch as many of the nominated movies as we could so we could feel invested in the awards.

That tradition fell away. Life happened, but also movies didn’t grab us the same way they used to. Something changed or maybe we just got older and the magic faded. Last night’s Oscars was something I was invested in because of one movie.

My family and I watched this together. When the credits rolled at the end, I turned around to my family excited as I hadn’t been in a long time and asked them what they thought. “Mom, it’s weird.” “Hot dog fingers?” “Good acting, but too many things going on.” Ever since that first experience, I’ve been the silent super-fan, stalking the awards shows (Golden Globes, SAG) because I knew this one was special. Hot dog fingers? Why not? Weird? Hell, yeah. A gazillion threads all stitched together to make a movie that reveals something new to me in every scene every time I watch it. I bought a DVD copy so I could rewatch it whenever I want. And you need a big screen to catch the details, the clues they laid about what was coming.

So, last night, I watched the red carpet with my dd, critiquing the dresses and drooling over the hotties (did you see Idris?!).  When the Oscars was set to come on, my cable went from ABC to something else. Nooooo! To watch it live, I would have to pay $69 for a month of the service. I retreated to Twitter and found one streaming link after another that showed me bits and minutes and I texted my dd throughout the night as my fave, EEAAO, racked up well-deserved praise and awards. By the time the night was over, it had won in every major category—Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Script, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Editing! I was so joyful. Not because I was right (which I was), but because I sooooo want more movies like this. Ones that make me think, that give me a visual orgasm, that have characters I can love, and a story that’s real and relatable while my fantasy-loving heart is taken on a wild ride.

This morning, I feel like I have a hangover. After last night’s high, and the time change, I am dragging butt. But I’m still excited and happy, and now I think I need to buy an EEAAO movie poster to tape to my door like I used to do.

So, my question to you today, for a chance to win a download of one of my books, is…

Is there a movie you’ve watched that got you that excited? Did you follow it and the cast, hoping everyone else jumped on the bandwagon to make it a success?

UPDATE: The winner is…Sharon Landry!
*~*~*

While I searched my two cup racks for THE cup to fill with coffee, I realized that maybe some of y’all have prized cup collections, too. Cups that means something to you for whatever reason. So, I thought I’d share mine and then ask you do to a little work to share yours—and then someone would win a prize…

Sound like fun?

I’m getting ahead of myself. First, I love this cup because one of the kids gave it to me at Christmas. She was so eager to see my face when I unwrapped it, so you know my eyes got wide and I gave a loud laugh. She really did nail it. Only, she said, it was funnier because there’s no silently correcting grammar for me. I tell them. It’s not “on accident,” it’s “by accident.” Or when they get a saying wrong: it’s not “nip it in the butt!” “It’s B-U-D!”

So, the cup is special because a kid gave it to me, and it’s personalized to represent our relationship. Loving but nagging.

Back to the challenge/contest!

1. I want you to find THE cup you own that means the most to you.
2. Take a picture and send it in an email to delilah@delilahdevlin.com or DM me on Facebook. Include a line about WHY the cup is special.
3. Then, in the comments below, tell me you sent it.

You’ll be entered to win a $5 Amazon gift card, and later this week, I’ll post photos of everyone’s favorite cup. 🙂

UPDATE: The winner is…Rita!
*~*~*

I know you have your calendars marked. But in case you needed a reminder, I have the puzzle for you! Solve it, then tell me whether the thing that happens tonight at midnight affects you for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card! Happy Saturday!

Open Contests

1. Story Cubes — Tell me a story (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Mermaid in Love — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Sunday Tarot (Contest) — Win a FREE book!
4. Gabbi Powell: Another penname?!?!?! (Contest + FREE Read) — Win an Amazon gift card! PLUS, pick up your FREE book!
5. Squishmallow Day Puzzle! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
6. Some suggestions for Silver Soldiers…? (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!

Looking back on your teen years isn’t always the most fun thing, but as a young adult author (who also has a tween series), I often find myself doing that. When I do events or book clubs, the readers always end up asking me about my own experiences back in those days, and sometimes I cringe thinking about those times. I actually have a chunk of time from early high school that I blocked out, but the later years and middle school years are still with me. Sometimes, life can feel like we never left high school or middle school as I still encounter mean girls and drama. But seeing as readers ask me for advice, I thought I’d share today a few things I wish I had known back then.

• In my books, one of the big themes is embracing what makes you unique or special. We often focus on trying to fit in, but I find life opens up when we embrace what makes us different. It took me years to realize that things that made me different were the things that made me a writer such as looking at the world in a different way and sitting back and observing others.
• Not all friendships are meant to last forever. No one likes hearing that or even thinking about it, but I think we often stay in friendships because of a shared history or because we’ve had a lot of time together. I still have friends from those years, but I’ve also had friendships that have run their course and that’s okay. People change—we’re supposed to—and what was once a close bond doesn’t always last. Values change, interests, and other things change and it’s okay. Don’t beat yourself up. Wish the other person well and root for them from afar.
• It’s okay if not everyone likes you. You’re not supposed to be for everyone. Even your favorite singer/writer/actress has haters. In fact, when you feel down, go read reviews of your favorite celebrity and you’ll see no one is universally loved. Just cherish the people who do get you.

Here’s an excerpt from my pop star romance Cecily Taylor Series:

“Must be nice to have a hot pop star text you. Do you think he will contact you again?” Lila asked.

If he doesn’t, then I’ll die and probably never leave my room again. “I hope he does. I’d be seriously bummed if I—” Get dumped, get blocked online, see he’s dating someone else. “—don’t hear from him again,” I said.

“Does anyone else know he was the reason Zach got so mad at you when he walked in on Andrew trying to kiss you at the video premiere?”

“No, Zach didn’t tell anyone. I feel like it’d be weird if I told people that’s what happened. Like they wouldn’t believe me and think I was making it up to get attention,” I said.

“Yeah, I already heard a few people saying stuff.”

My stomach dropped. “Like what?”

“Huh? Oh…nothing major.” She gripped the steering wheel. “It’s impossible to find a spot on the street on a weekend.” I pressed her again, and she shrugged. “There’s a couple comments on his social media pages.”

Pulling out my phone, I went to the video’s link online and the first comment that came up was:

NoOneAndrewFan: Why did they pick HER out of all the girls in the world?

CaliGirlTwo: They couldn’t find any better than that chick?

Holidate008: She’s like if the word “plain,” was a person.

 MusicIsLife: I think the point is that she’s not supposed to be hot, you guys Holidate008: I think she’s supposed to be the opposite of that other girl in the video.

CaliGirlTwo: Obviously Andrew has a jealous girlfriend and told him to find blah girls to be in his video.

SleepAllDayz: I bet Andrew’s managers don’t want his fans to be jealous of any of the girls they cast in his videos. Mission accomplished.

Meghynn: Seriously, I’ve seen cuter girls walking down my street and I live out in the sticks.

KellyKellz: I bet the other actress said they couldn’t cast another hot girl.

Meghynn: Andrew obviously didn’t do the casting for this one.

Holidateforever: Wow! Seems like no one has anything nice to say, all you guys want to do is trash people. if you don’t like what Andrew’s doing in his video… then bye!

TeenaRoger: Guys, Andrew would hate all these negative vibes! If you don’t have anything good to say about his work then don’t follow his page, don’t listen to his music, and DON’T bother commenting.

 Holidateforever: I think she’s pretty. Jealousy isn’t cute, you guys.

“Oh crap. I didn’t even think to look at the comments before now. I guess it was so surreal to think I was actually in a music video that it didn’t even occur to me to go on and see what people were saying,” I said as my face burned with embarrassment. “Has everyone at school seen these?”

“Don’t worry about it. People suck and if it makes you feel any better, a lot of people at school aren’t even talking about it because they don’t want you to get all stuck up,” she said.

That was supposed to make me feel better?

“I was barely in the video. Why is everyone attacking me for a five second spot?” I asked trying to keep myself from crying.

“It sucks. I wish Andrew was here and he could just wrap you in a blanket and make you a cup of tea,” Lila said.

I laughed despite the fact I was trying not to throw up on myself. “Yup, like the perfect boyfriend.”

Find my books here in Kindle Unlimited: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Krysten-Lindsay-Hager/author/B00L2JC9P2

About the Author

Krysten Lindsay Hager is a bestselling author of young adult, middle grade, and contemporary romance. Krysten writes because she loves bringing people swoony moments & hope-filled happily ever afters. Her books are known for making you laugh, cry, & swoon.

Along with relationships, her novels deal with self-doubt, finding where you belong, true friendship, & soulmates.

Website: https://www.krystenlindsay.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krystenlindsay/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/krystenlindsay/

UPDATE: The winner is…Beverly!
*~*~*

Silver Soldiers releases in May. I have the other authors’ short stories edited and ready to plunk into the book. Now, I have to write my own story, and I don’t want to think. Or maybe I need a nudge and a hint. That’s where you come in.

I need an idea for an older ex-military or retiring-soon military dude. The only idea I’ve struck upon is a guy who yearns to go fishing and thinks living on a houseboat is his ticket to paradise. But I’d love to hear your ideas before I go down that rabbit hole. Offer a suggestion no matter how wild or silly (he doesn’t have to be of this world or this century). If you give me an idea, even one I never use, you’re entered to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

Plus, have you ever read any of the Boys Behaving Badly Anthologies? You might want to check them out here:
Delilah’s Collections