UPDATE: Debby is the winner!
*~*~*

Hello, Delilah!  Thank you for inviting me here today to share my good news! Well, news. As your readers know, I write a lot of books.

A lot.

Which means writing an insane number of words.

Nuts.

In 2014, I wrote a million words. In 2015, I found an editor and worked with her to edit those words, so my word count decreased. In 2019, it started to creep back up. Come 2020, and the pandemic, and I was in my sweet spot. Last year? 832k words.

So, a crap-ton of words.

My first short story was published in 2016. My second short story was published in 2019 with The Wild Rose Press. My first toe dips into the world of traditional publishing.  2020 was my breakout year in terms of getting out there — I had two novellas under one pen name and a novel under another. Plus, a short story in a charity anthology.  For me, this was HUGE.  I was so freaking happy. My dreams were coming true.

Reality hit pretty soon that publishing a novella with a small press, although very gratifying, wasn’t going to help me break even with all the things I was discovering writers needed (website, newsletter mail service, marketing just to name a few).  I kept at it, though.  I wrote another novella and a novel for them.  Then I wrote a novel that I wanted to keep for myself.  That book, Ginger Snapping All the Way is still my best seller.

Yet I continue to work with The Wild Rose Press because they gave me a start.  My Past, Your Future was my debut novella.  February 2020.  I was watching cable news and seeing worrying things across the globe.  Little did I know what was coming.  Or that the next few years would be all virtual releases.  I attended my first signing in summer 2024.  By then, I had a table full of books I’d published during the pandemic.  COVID was good to me in that I discovered things I didn’t know about myself. Like that, I could, in fact, write at home (I always believed I had to be at a café or restaurant).  That I could self-publish (I always believed I needed a publisher).  That I could find some success writing in a subgenre I never anticipated (those million words in 2014 were not gay romances).

And now I’m celebrating 5 years in the publishing business.

What does that look like for me? Across my three pennames? 24 novels, 19 novellas, 35 short stories, and 23 audiobooks published as of this month. Plus, tons more to come.

Yeah. That.

So, I’m here to wave and say, “Yeah, I did that.”

Quickly — I was offered the opportunity to write a story to enter a promo where I could collect emails to send interested people my newsletters.  I’d never done that, but I sat down and wrote a 32k story.  If Catch a Tiger by the Tail is the HEA for Peter and Thomas, then Solstice Surprise is what happens after the happily after ever. I love the novella and have given away thousands of copies for free. I’m offering you a link to that story and encourage you to grab it.

Thank you, Delilah, for hosting me and letting me raise a glass of bubbly (although I don’t drink – does sparkling apple cider count?).  Here’s to five more years of insane writing and publishing schedules as I share my stories with everyone.  I would love to hear your readers comments.  Drop a note in the chat — how often do you want to see your favorite writer drop a book? What’s too much? What’s not enough and you lose interest?  I’d love your perspective.  As a thank you, one winner — chosen by random — will win a copy of my novella Catch a Tiger by the Tail. Good luck!

Catch a Tiger by the Tail

Thomas Walsh knows the number one rule in the film industry. Don’t get involved with the talent. But resisting the urge to take the big screen to the bedroom can be hell when the lead actor on the set looks good enough to eat…one slow lick at a time.

Peter Erickson’s latest role as a gay man hits a little too close to home. He’s still in the closet and secretly grieving the death of his lover. Then an enchanting production assistant catches his eye, and he’s surprised by the instant attraction that stirs more than his wounded soul.

When the two men are caught on camera in a very intimate pose, both Thomas and Peter are afraid they’ve caught a tiger by the tail.

Links:
Amazon US:  https://www.amazon.com/Catch-Tiger-Tail-One-Scoop-ebook/dp/B088QS34BX
Universal Book Link:  https://books2read.com/u/m0vKLJ
KOBO:  https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/catch-a-tiger-by-the-tail-6
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/catch-a-tiger-by-the-tail-gabbi-grey/1137046121
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/catch-a-tiger-by-the-tail/id1517323369
Publisher: https://www.thewildrosepress.com/books/catch-a-tiger-by-the-tail
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Gabbi_Grey_Catch_a_Tiger_by_the_Tail?id=0NDpDwAAQBAJ&gl=US
Add it to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54021421-catch-a-tiger-by-the-tail

Solstice Surprise (Free book!)

A blizzard, an urgent plea, a desperate journey, and the most important moment of their lives. Action movie star Peter Erickson is spending the Christmas holidays ensconced with his in-laws and his new husband. In the wilds of Northern British Columbia, they are as far away from the bustle of the city as they can get. Thomas Walsh and his famous husband are deeply in love. Although he prefers the intimacy of their city house, he’s come home to face the reason he left ten years ago, and to finally tell his parents the truth. A desperate phone call has the couple scrambling. Will they get back to Vancouver in the middle of a snowstorm in time for their solstice surprise?

Links:
Amazon US:  https://www.amazon.com/Solstice-Surprise-Gabbi-Grey-ebook/dp/B092RPV9GL
Universal Book Link:  https://books2read.com/u/baZBzq
KOBO:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/solstice-surprise-1
Apple Books:  https://books.apple.com/us/book/solstice-surprise/id1563607945
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/solstice-surprise-gabbi-grey/1139304336
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1295009
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Gabbi_Grey_Solstice_Surprise?id=qh1gEQAAQBAJ&gl=US
Add it to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57765791-solstice-surprise

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.

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

UPDATE: The winner is…Pansy Petal!
*~*~*

Hello, Delilah!  Thank you for inviting me here to share my new release!

As you know, I love doing charity anthologies — specifically writing short stories or novellas to be included.  At last count, I’ve done at least twelve in the last five years.  I’m a decent writer, and I can craft a good short story.  There are great causes out there that deserve more attention.  If I can put these two thoughts together, then why wouldn’t I write something to help?

A couple of months ago, something happened that really upset me. I’m not going to go into politics, but I will say the Oval Office visit of President Zelenskyy distressed me.  Soon after, an author posted on Facebook that we should do another Ukraine charity anthology.  I’d done one back at the beginning of the war — I submitted two stories (one a Gabbi Black m/f BDSM and one a Gabbi Grey m/m). I did my best to promote the anthology — it sold decently, and we raised money for people halfway around the world.  Three years later, those people still need help.

Great!

I hunkered down and, in a weekend, wrote a novella I was proud of.  My editor pushed hard, and we submitted the story within a very tight timeline.  Heck, I even asked a friend to join me, which she did.

Then we waited.

And waited.

As the theoretical release day approached, we started to ask gentle questions.

In short, the organizer pulled the plug.

So eight of us had stories, and no anthology.  I knew I didn’t have the capacity to take over the project.  So I had my story.

I did what I do best — I made lemonade out of lemons.

Specifically, I’ve created a boxset.

Over a year ago, I wrote a short story titled Jeopardy that appeared in an anthology raising money for Breast Cancer Research. Last year, I wrote a novella titled The Boyfriend Assignment for an anthology raising money for trans rights.  The novella for this year is titled The Secret Boyfriend and it connects with the previous two stories.  I always planned, at some point, to join the three together.

I figured, why not now?  And why not donate the royalties to a Ukraine charity?  So I am.  It’s complicated, so bear with me.  Love in Mission City: The Boyfriend Gamble will release on Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited on May 22, 2025.  Royalties earned from the first month will be donated.  After 90 days, I’m taking the boxset wide.  Wide sales for the first month will also be donated.  Hopefully, that balances out readers who only have Kindle Unlimited with readers who want to purchase their books from other retailers.

The final step was to choose a charity.  I’m Canadian, so I’ve chosen Canada-Ukraine Foundation: Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.  https://www.cufoundation.ca/our-projects/

I’ve never done anything like this before on my own.  Usually, I let someone else figure out the logistics. I write the story, I promote the anthology, I cheer when we raise money.  This time, it’s on me.

I wrote this story for Ukraine.  It’s set in my Love in Mission City world and is about a dentist and a groundskeeper.  As far away from war and deprivation as one can get.  The story is meant to make people smile.  It’s a story about found family.  About making the best of a lousy situation.  About being open to meeting your soulmate on the badminton court.

Taken together, there are almost 60,000 words in the boxset.  As I said, one of the stories has never been published. I’m hoping readers will come along on this journey and, obviously, I’m hoping they pick up the boxset in the first month.  I want to raise as much as I can.

Thank you for letting me visit today to discuss my wonky journey to publishing my new boxset.  As a thank you, I would love to give away a copy of my two other boxsets —Love in Mission City:The Boyfriends Duet and Love in Mission City: The Shorts.  In order to win, just leave a comment. What might induce you to pick up an anthology? New voices? Good cause? So many words…?  Let me know! Random will pick the winner. Good luck!

Love in Mission City: The Boyfriend Gamble

Love in Mission City: The Boyfriend Gamble
includes two novellas and a short story

Mission City is tucked in the charming Cedar Valley in southwestern British Columbia. If you love heartwarming, contemporary small-town gay romances, then come home to Mission City and fall in love with the men who live there. Romance shows up in the unlikeliest places. And trouble has a way of finding them…

Jeopardy

For ten long years, Tanner’s been crushing on his best friend Nita’s older brother, Kade, while Kade’s been cheerfully oblivious. Then one night, while celebrating Canada Day, Kade suddenly realizes Tanner grew up to be hot and appealing, and in that moment of connection, everything changes.

Jeopardy is a gay, best friend’s brother romance 7k short story with an interfering best friend, a bossy sister, and the possibility of love becoming realized. This short story previously appeared in Breaking the BFF Pact.

The Boyfriend Arrangement

Felix has expected to marry Josette since they were toddlers, playing together under their mothers’ matchmaking eyes. Now he’s bought a home, plans to renovate it, and then he’ll propose. But having Josette’s brother, Jacob, around, working on the remodeling, is eye-opening for them both. As he and Jacob grow closer, Felix realizes he has some big decisions to make about who he is, and what he really wants.

The Boyfriend Arrangement is a best friend’s brother gay romance 25k novella with a shy elementary school teacher, a brawny contractor, and a wrong dream turned right. The novella first appeared in Love is All, Volume 7.

The Secret Boyfriend

For Jasper, the best part of moving to Mission City has been meeting Cameron, his badminton partner. In fact, he’s crushing on the handsome and friendly dentist pretty hard. Cameron thought he was straight, but spending time with Jasper brings out feelings he never expected. Maybe he’s bi. For sure, he likes being around Jasper. But with Christmas and family plans coming up fast, is this really the time to step out of his comfort zone?

The Secret Boyfriend is a bi-awakening, age-gap, opposites attract, gay romance 25k novella with an uptight dentist who’s never let loose, a mischievous younger gardener who knows what he wants, and the night that shatters their expectations.

**All royalties from the first month of release will be donated Canada-Ukraine Foundation: Humanitarian Appeal.**

Links:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F6VPXG43
Universal Book Link:  https://books2read.com/BoyfriendGamble
Add it to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/232357997-love-in-mission-city

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.

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

I’m getting back into the writing/publishing groove. It’s been a while, I know. Ignition, the last of the Delta Heat stories, is in the near future (I’m shooting for release in late June!). Then I’ll be working on the next We are Dead Horse stories, Built Like Mack. I’m hoping I can have it ready for late July, but it might be August. It just depends on…well, how I feel, how the story comes together, and how long it takes for me to reawaken my muse. 🙂

In the meantime, I’ve published a compilation of some of my sexier short stories in Ultra Strokes, Vol. 2. For the short term, it’s FREE in Kindle Unlimited. So, if you’re wanting a copy, do it now! Ultra Strokes, Vol. 1, is also in KU, for now, if you haven’t read that anthology yet. Links for both are below. In August, both will go wide to all the usual publishers. Even at $4.99, that’s a nearly $7 savings, if you were to purchase all individually. Both volumes will be available in print in June!

So, if you were looking for something sexy to read, something with a variety of genres, this should do the trick! Happy reading! Wish me luck as I get back on the writing merry-go-round!

Ultra Strokes, Vol. 2

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Delilah Devlin, comes another sinfully hot collection for your reading pleasure…

From the author… This compilation includes twelve stories in a variety of settings and genres. Something for all tastes—so long as you like your romance sexy. Most are contemporary stories, but there are historical, paranormal, and a for-grown-ups-only fairy tale included in the mix. The collection is intended for bedtime reading. Read the stories while you’re alone or with your partner. Read them to your partner. I hope you enjoy the stories as much as I enjoyed writing them.

This compilation includes:
The Bounty
Runaway Bride
Invite Me In
Drive Me Crazy
In the Wild
How to Train Your Skaldmaer
Hunk of Burning Love
Ripples
Dreaming By the Sea
Quincy Down Under
One Track Cowboy
The Obedient Wife

Get your copy!
FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Ultra Strokes, Vol. 1

Get your copy here!
Also, FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

As Joan Rivers was famous for asking, “Can we talk?”

I’m going to bet that if you’re reading this, you enjoy reading romance novels. If you’re like me, you’re a book fanatic. Not only do I love writing, but I’m an avid reader. And I’m not picky about the media—paperback, hardback, eBook, audio, hieroglyphics. Shucks, I don’t care. I’ll read it any way it’s given to me. Just slide a manuscript in front of my greedy little eyes.

I’m not picky about genre, either, although horror, typically, isn’t my thing. I’m down to try just about anything at least once. (I have to put out there just about because as sure as I say anything, I’m going to get tossed something I don’t know exists and is a hard no.) Mostly, I’m in the romance aisle—or somewhere close to it. I only have one request: that it be good.

What makes for a good romance novel? The answer is obvious: fantastic writing and excellent storytelling. Duh! But what goes into these things? I think (and feel free to disagree) that the most important thing is creating dynamic characters. They don’t have to be over-the-top, but they should be… relatable. That’s the word that is frequently quoted to authors. Make your character relatable. But is that really what authors want to do to connect with readers? Or is a more accurate word believable?

Let’s think about this. The definition of relatable is possible to like, understand, or have sympathy for due to having similarities to oneself or one’s own experiences. I don’t know about anyone else, but the majority of the books I’ve read, I haven’t been anywhere close to being similar to the main character…at least, I hope I’m not. I mean, when I’m reading about stalkers, mercenaries, royalty, billionaires, and such, I couldn’t even begin to imagine I would have anything in common with them other than maybe bacon, because who doesn’t love bacon? But I’m willing to bet there’s a vegan in the bunch.

Even if it’s argued that it’s “emotional” traits that readers are connecting to, I’m still going to pass on that being an acceptable answer. Recently, I read a book that the main character was so obnoxious that any emotions he had were buried. Yet, the author had so beautifully developed his arrogance into humor that when he got what he deserved I was rooting for him to be shown mercy. By definition, this character should have been classified as an antihero. He was fun to read about. Was I rooting for him to get away with his crimes? Yes. Would I be a fan of someone who engaged in those same acts or lesser in real life? Absolutely not. Enjoying and relating are two different things.

That brings me back to believability. Can a reader believe a character like this exist? In the Harry Potter series, it is claimed that Dolores Umbridge is the most detested character by readers although Tom Riddle a.k.a., Lord Voldemort, is the main villain. The argument is that everyone knows someone like Dolores, but that Voldemort’s evil is so over-the-top deranged that he’s not relatable to most. But we all know there are plenty of people in this world who are so power-hungry that they will do anything and everything to get what they want. They have no empathy or compassion for others. Prisons are filled with people like this. However, the Lord Voldemort character works because he’s believable.

Jane Austen characters are said to have been popular when first written because she wrote characters that were accurate portrayal her current society. The argument contents that she continues to be popular because modern society can still relate to the emotions of her characters. Well, maybe. I’m not going to argue with experts who have far more experience, education, and pedigrees than myself. But I’m going to toss out there that a lot more people don’t relate to those characters than ones that do. And the reason I say this is because Cliff Notes. Yes, Cliff Notes. Cliff Notes aren’t just the summaries for people to get the gist of something they aren’t interested in reading for themselves. It provides a breakdown an explanation scene by scene. Why? Because some readers have no clue of what’s being splayed before them.

When I first read Pride & Prejudice, I had no idea that Mr. Darcy slighted Elizabeth because he was shy. I just saw him as a pompous butthead—probably the same way Elizabeth did. I also didn’t relate to Elizabeth. If she was as “slighted” as she was said to have been, she would have made more of an effort to not engage with him. Besides, all of those relationships had a tone of insta love for me. I didn’t care that Charles Bingley took one look at Jane and instantly fell for her or that after one night of dancing they were practically mentally engaged. I’ve never seen insta love in real life. Is it possible? Anything’s possible, so, yeah. I was there for it in the story because of the dynamic storytelling. I believed these characters could exist in my world.

Last year, I read a book that had rave reviews. When I finished, I sat stunned for about thirty minutes wondering what was wrong with me. Why couldn’t I see what everyone else had seen? Why wasn’t I beaming about this book? After much thought, I realized it was because the author hadn’t sold me on the story. I didn’t believe the characters to be authentic. I didn’t believe the setting. I didn’t believe the setups were natural. How could one character know that the other character would find a random clue at a specific time and figure out what it meant—a clue that anyone could have stumbled upon and moved?

**SPOILER ALERT** In the movie the Shawshank Redemption, Andy tells Red about a tree in a field in Zihuatanejo that he and his wife had a picnic under. Andy was in jail for 19 years, and this picnic had occurred many years prior to his incarceration. So, when Andy tells Red to find that tree if he ever gets out, how does Andy know that tree is still standing? It could have been struck by lightening or bulldozed to make way for a high-rise. Landscapes change all the time. Chances are that tree isn’t there anymore, or at the very least, the layout no longer looks the same as Andy remembers from more than twenty years ago. But do movie watchers balk when Red finds it? Nope. Why? Because the audience is invested by that point. The storytelling has won over.

So, now, let’s go back to the start. What makes a good romance novel? It’s two (or more if it’s polygamous) people who have a believable connection and a vibrant love story. Readers may have nothing in common with the characters or their situations but are able to believe they could happen and exist. Now, I know this is an unpopular opinion, so let me know what you think in the comments. Is it relatability or believability?

And that’s all I got for today. Now, it’s your turn to sound off. Let me know your thoughts below in the comment section. Your feedback allows me to know the content that you want to read. And if you like this post, consider clicking the like button and sharing.

Demon Rodeo

If Brokeback Mountain, 8 Seconds, Poltergeist, and Supernatural had an orgy, Demon Rodeo would be the lovechild.

Demon Rodeo is available now on Amazon. For video book trailers, visit my TikTok page. The full blurb is on my Instagram and Amazon.

Demon Rodeo is the first book in the Chasing the Buckle series but can be read as a standalone. It’s a friends-to-lovers romance set in the rodeo world. These are not your typical cowboys. It’s a widely diverse cast of characters and a mashup of genres that aren’t always seen together. If you’re looking for a palate cleanser, this may be a book for you.

Order
⇨ Amazon: https://readerlinks.com/l/4174852
⇨ All Stores: https://books2read.com/u/bP8RG7

*Note: All of my books can be purchased from brick-and-mortar bookstores (e.g., Barnes & Noble, Book-A-Million, etc.) as well if requested at the checkout counter.)

Until next time, happy reading and much romance. Laissez le bon temps rouler.

If you’re not following my blog, Creole Bayou, what are you waiting for? There’s always room at the bayou.

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LOCKER ROOM LOVE

Locker Room Love Series

Are you searching for a sexy book boyfriend? You’ve come to the right place.

• Out of the Penalty Box (book #1) One minute in the box or a lifetime out.
• Defending the Net (book #2) Crossing the line could cost the game.
• Ice Gladiators (book #3) When the gloves come off, the games begin.
• Penalty Kill (book #4) Let the pucker begin.
• Future Goals (book #5) The future lies between a puck and a net.

About the Author

Hi, I’m Genevive, and I am a contemporary sports romance author. My home is in South Louisiana. If you like snark and giggles with a touch of steamy Cajun and Creole on the side, I may have your poison in my stash of books. Drop by the bayou and have a look around. The pirogues are always waiting for new visitors.

Hello, Delilah! Thank you for inviting me here to talk about something on my mind.

I am Canadian.

Now, many of my readers might’ve figured this out — the majority of my books (under all three pen names) are set in Canada. Specifically, British Columbia. I split the books between Vancouver and the made-up Mission City in Cedar Valley. Small town Canadiana.

Lately, you might have heard rumors coming out of the White House that Canada should become the 51st state.  I’m not going to step into American politics.

But I say: ELBOWS UP

It’s a hockey thing — keep your elbows up.

I’ll be honest – I don’t know much about hockey.

GASP!

Truthfully, I love figure skating.  To me, that’s what skates are for. I don’t know how to be on the ice without toe picks.

But that’s beside the point.  Yes, there are a few Canadians who want to join the US (a very, very, very few).  They want to give up universal healthcare, paid maternity leave, and all those other programs.

I scratch my head.

I love being Canadian — always have and always will.

I love my neighbors to the south. Some of my very best friends are American. I invite them up here regularly — I hope they’ll take me up on that offer.

When I’m trying to peg down what makes my books Canadian, I think it’s some of the stuff we see everywhere — friendly neighbors, people knowing our name, folks helping out.  Whether I was living in big Vancouver or on the outskirts in smaller towns, I’ve always felt a spirit.  A communal sense of good. A belief we can do better.

Canada has banded together like never before — unified as a country that we want to stay a sovereign country. That we’re not for sale.

In that vein, I’ve joined a promotion!  120 Canadian romances — all 99 cents this weekend only!

I have books from each of my pennames: Love in Mission City: The Shorts (m/m Gabbi Grey), The Making of Marnie Jones (m/f small-town contemporary, Gabbi Powell), Backing Down (m/m/f BDSM, Gabbi Black).  I’ve made them 99 cents everywhere I can for the weekend.

Head on over to the website and I hope you find a book that piques your curiosity.  We Canadians are actually a fun bunch.

www.allisontemple.com/we-love-canada

Love in Mission City: The Shorts Synopsis

Love in Mission City: The Shorts Box Set includes one novella and four short stories

Mission City is tucked in the charming Cedar Valley in southwestern British Columbia. If you love heartwarming, contemporary small-town gay romances, then come home to Mission City and fall in love with the men who live there. Romance blossoms in the unlikeliest places. And trouble has a way of finding them…

Page Against the Machine

Dickens has run his family bookstore for years in the quiet ambiance suitable for literary endeavors. When Spike opens a motorcycle repair shop next door, tempers flare and sparks fly. Will they be able to resolve their differences or are they just too stubborn for compromise?

This is a 25k sizzling gay romance novella with a true instalove, enemies to lovers, opposites attract story with a cuddly cat named Aristotle.

The Lightkeeper’s Love Affair

Ben’s graduation celebration is disrupted by a winter storm. He and his beagle, Buddy, have the only room left in the hotel. When lightkeeper Isaac needs a bed, though, Ben’s happy to share. Platonically, of course. Except something about Isaac makes Ben want more.

This is a 10k lighthearted gay romance with forced proximity, a loner, a future school-teacher, and Buddy, the adorable beagle.

Not in it for the Money

August’s beloved sister has passed suddenly and the man finds himself in need of comfort. Turning to his employee feels all kinds of wrong, but Julian’s arms feel too damned right to resist. Come morning, though, they have to look reality in the face. Is there a chance they find a forever love out of the tragedy?

This is a 5k scorching gay romance story about a boss, his employee, and the inheritance of a lifetime.

Marcus’s Cadence

Cadence is trying to sell the home that had been his refuge during his tumultuous teen years. When his teenage crush, Marcus, shows up as a potential buyer, sparks fly. Is there just a real estate deal to be done or could his feelings be requited?

This is a 7k second-chance gay romance instalove short story with a very happy ending and a malti-poo named Kiki.

Ace’s Place

After a fall from grace, Derek has moved to a small town for a fresh start. Harold, the local golden boy made good, catches Derek’s attention. But secrets and omissions cloud what could be the beginning of something special. Can they take a chance on being vulnerable enough to fall in love?

This is a 13k steamy gay romance about second-chances, hockey, and an adorable but nosy Bouvier.

Please note – all five stories have been previously published

Links:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Mission-City-Gabbi-Grey-ebook/dp/B0CTDBY23N
Universal Book Link: https://books2read.com/TheShorts
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/love-in-mission-city-the-shorts/id6478398708
KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-in-mission-city-the-shorts
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-in-mission-city-gabbi-grey/1144948368
Promo Link: www.allisontemple.com/we-love-canada

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.

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

UPDATE: The winners are…Karen LeBeau and Elaine Swinney!
*~*~*

Before there were bounty hunters, there were SEALs. And I loved writing my Uncharted SEALs series. All those rugged, alpha heroes and strong heroines. Humor. Action. Spicy sex. All the ingredients that make stories fun for me to write, and hopefully, fun for you to read.

With Uncharted SEALs, I experimented a bit. For the first time, I did sequels with the same characters—for the simple reason I couldn’t say goodbye to them. I wanted to see inside their Happy-Ever-Afters. Through Her Eyes and Between a SEAL and a Hard Place share the same main characters, as do Dream of Me and Heart of a SEAL.

Big Sky SEAL gave birth to my Montana Bounty Hunters, introducing Jamie and Reaper, who, as a result of their work in Big Sky, earned their own satellite office of MBH. A fun theme I used in two of the stories was a cruise ship. Both Before We Kiss and Hard SEAL to Love are set on the same ship and have the same supporting characters. Plus, Hard SEAL to Love features a disabled female vet!

This time, I’d like you to read the very fun introduction of Big Sky SEAL.

Enjoy!

   

   

   

Click on the covers to learn more!

Contest

Win your choice of one of my Uncharted SEALs stories! There will be 2 winners! All you have to do to enter is answer me this…

Do you still like alpha hero stories, featuring ex-military men? What’s one you’ve read recently you really enjoyed?

Big Sky SEAL

Romance sparks between a bounty hunter and a SEAL on the hunt for an escaped terrorist…

A former military police dog handler, Jamie Burke, along with her former bomb dog Tessa, are still trying to adjust to civilian life. With a jaded, testy personality, Jamie has few friends. Now, a bounty hunter, she’s tasked to help federal and local law enforcement search for an escaped terrorist in the Crazy Mountains of Montana.

Former SEAL, Sky Reynolds can’t believe Jamie Burke is part of the task force. The last time he saw her was in Afghanistan. Back then, he thought he’d never stand a chance with the pretty, ballsy blonde, sure she had someone waiting for her back home. But here she is, still single, still prickly as hell. Assigned to stick close to her and her dog Tessa during the hunt, he’ll use the situation to get close. This time, he’s not letting her slip away.

When Jamie’s captured by the terrorist, it’s up to Sky, his fellow SEALs, and her motley crew of bounty hunters to save her…

Excerpt from Big Sky SEAL…

According to the satellite image, Mosby’s cousin’s crude hunting shack stood in an isolated clearing deep in a woodsy area at the foothills of the Salish Mountains. Jamie Burke and her partner for this takedown, Reaper Stenberg, parked their SUV a quarter mile down the gravel road leading to the Montana cabin.

Lock and load time. Jamie drew deep slow breaths to slow her heart, while getting her head “in the zone”. They were going after a badass. A mistake could turn deadly.

Reaper opened the back hatch of the SUV and reached into their bag of weapons and gear.

First, they donned Kevlar jackets. Jamie clipped her badge onto her web belt and slid her Glock into the holster strapped to her leg. Then Reaper held out a shotgun with an orange stock.

She glared. “Seriously? You expect me to take down Mosby with a bean bag round?”

“I don’t expect you to take down a damn thing, other than notes.” He smirked. “I’ll handle Mosby. If he gets past me, you nail him in the gut with this.” His glacier-blue eyes narrowed. “Your Glock is your last resort. You’ll be coming through the back of the cabin. Think I’d trust you with real bullets when I’ll be in the line of fire?”

“I’m a better shot than you,” she muttered, thinking of her last weapons qualification test and the ten tightly grouped shots in the circle around the heart on her target.

“On the range. This is the real world, sweet cheeks.”

She crimped her mouth and loaded a bean bag round into the chamber of her weapon, then stuffed two more shells into the pockets of her jeans. The rounds, intended to disable rather than kill, were filled with fabric “pillows” containing birdshot. Although his caution made sense, she couldn’t let him know she was relieved to carry non-lethal rounds—she’d seen enough death and never wanted to kill again. The fact he didn’t trust her aim—or, perhaps, her nerves—rankled. Still, they’d be inside close quarters, and the “non-lethal” round was far more dangerous than when used, as recommended, to hit targets twenty to sixty feet away.

Didn’t matter to Reaper that she was ex-military and knew her way around firearms. Since being discharged, she’d caught a desk at Montana Bounty Hunters, learning the ropes of the paperwork end of the job, and training with the agency’s owner, “Fetch” Winter, until he’d felt comfortable letting her ride shotgun with his most experienced hunter.

From the moment Fetch told Reaper she was his responsibility, he’d been on her ass. No doubt Reaper hoped she’d quit inside a week, but she was entering her second week and rather enjoying the fact her stubborn acceptance of his constant snarky disses annoyed the crap out of him. She’d weathered similar, un-PC comments during her time in the military. They rolled off her back like rain off a duck’s ass.

Lastly, he handed her an earpiece and inserted his own. “Testing,” he whispered. When she took her time responding, he raised an eyebrow. “You got it turned on?”

She raised her hand and shot him the bird. “I heard you loud and clear.”

He hefted a battering ram with one huge hand and rested it on his shoulder then passed over a lock pick kit. “Don’t keep me waiting. As soon as you’re in place, I’ll knock down the door.”

“Shouldn’t we make sure he’s inside first?”

He scowled. “Think I’m a rookie, rookie? Peek in a window on your way. And don’t get your head shot off.”

“Geez, I’d almost think you cared,” she said, giving him a sly grin and a wink.

His expression remained stony.

The time was mid-afternoon, still plenty of light, but she knew he was too impatient to get this catch-and-release finished. They’d already logged ten days on the road, interviewing Mosby’s high school buddies, family members, and former cellmates. A girlfriend who was pissed Mosby was willing to let her car be taken, part of the collateral of his bail bond, mentioned the hunting cabin. After a quick trip to a local Bureau of Land Management office that morning, they had what they hoped was their first break in this case.

They jogged down the quarter mile track to the edge of the clearing. She stayed close to his heels while his long blond ponytail flapped down his back. Not for the first time, she noted his broad shoulders and powerful build. If only he wasn’t such a dick to work with… When they halted, she noted the rusty white pickup parked next to the porch. Someone was home.

Reaper gave her a curt nod then broke left following the tree line, while she kept to the brush to the right, until she was midway down the long side of the shotgun shack. With her heart rate kicking higher, she edged carefully toward a window and shot upward to glance inside.

A man sat in the shadows of a living room in a ratty easy chair, watching TV.

She edged upward again, quickly studied his profile, then crouched to pull the bench warrant from her back pocket to check out their target’s picture. Same bald head and heavy brows, same black tribal tattoo climbing up his shoulder from under his grubby white wife beater to wrap around his neck. “It’s him,” she whispered. “In the living room. Front door’s ten feet from his chair.”

“Is he armed?”

“Didn’t see a weapon. I’m heading to the back door.” She kept close to the side of the house, came around the back, and then halted when she noted the modified back door. “Big damn dog door,” she whispered. “I didn’t see a dog.”

“Good. Door saves us both some time. Get your ass inside, Burke.”

Jamie knelt, lifted the rubber flap, and peeked inside. Still no dog in sight. Tightening her mouth, she pushed her weapon through first, angled her hips, and crawled into the opening, her hands sliding on greasy tile. “I’m inside,” she whispered as she lay sprawled on a floor that smelled like onions and beer. Did the guy use the floor to fry his hamburgers?

“On three,” came Reaper’s raspy whisper. “One…two…three…”

As she shoved to her feet, she heard a distant crash as the wooden front door splintered, and then the clatter of nails on linoleum from a room just beyond the kitchen. She rushed through the doorway into a bedroom just as a short, very muscular brindle pit bull jumped onto the mattress, heading in the most direct path toward her. She darted into a bathroom, climbed onto the toilet seat, then the small counter. When the dog stood on his hind legs, snapping at her boots, she leapt toward the doorway and slammed the door closed, trapping him inside.

The dog thudded heavily against the wood and then barked like a hellhound.

The sound of furniture thudding came from the next room. Something glass hit the floor and shattered. Muffled grunts and curses sounded.

“Bastard, stay down!” Reaper shouted.

Speeding toward the living room, Jamie halted when she saw Daniel Mosby with Reaper hanging on their target’s back, his arm around his neck in a chokehold.

The two large men hit one side of the doorframe then the other. Mosby’s face was red, his teeth bared. Three inches taller and burlier than Reaper, Mosby kept moving.

Pulse racing, she backed up toward the kitchen doorway.

“Shoot him, Burke!” Reaper growled. “Shoot the fucker!”

Sucking in a breath, she raised her shotgun, aimed for Mosby’s large belly, and pulled the trigger.

Mosby grunted, his black eyes widened, and he screamed, despite the arm cinching his thick neck. And despite the direct hit, he kept coming.

She backed up into the kitchen, sure Mosby would drop any second, but he lunged toward a wall, slamming Reaper against it. Reaper’s hold loosened.

Mosby shook him off and aimed an elbow behind him, catching Reaper in the chin as he went down. Mosby’s dark gaze locked with hers, and he rushed forward.

With no time to load another round in the shotgun, she considered her Glock, but that was her last resort.

Brains over brawn—a cliché that had served her well in tighter situations. The bastard was big and lumbered toward her like a bear. Likely his size intimidated most men, but she wasn’t a man. And she wasn’t scared. Although she was good at pretending fear. She widened her eyes and sank into a crouch, raising a hand as though to cover her head.

Behind Mosby, Reaper groaned. “Goddammit, Burke. Use your fucking weapon!”

But she had a better idea. Killing was easy. And Mosby had sworn he’d never be caught, never spend another day in prison. She wanted the sorry asshole to spend years thinking about the fact he’d been bested by a woman.

As he rushed her, she kept her feet flat on the greasy floor and ducked to the side. Just as he came within reach, she swept out a foot and tripped him. On his way toward the dirty tile, she spun and clocked him in the back of the head with the butt of her shotgun.

He hit the floor hard, arms sprawled from his sides, and didn’t move.

Before he could stir again, she stuck a knee in his lower back, pulled back one meaty arm, and latched a cuff around his thick wrist, then repeated the action with the other. When he was secured, she shot to her feet and stood over him, at last withdrawing her Glock from its holster to point toward his ass in case he roused. She shot a quick glance over her shoulder at Reaper. “You through napping?”

“Bitch,” he wheezed from the floor.

“He wasn’t armed. What’s your excuse?”

Reaper sat and leaned against the kitchen wall, working his jaw side to side. He winced. “I was just softening him up for you, babe. Nice takedown, by the way.”

And then he smiled—a real smile, not his usual one-sided smirk. She grinned, relieved that at last he saw her worth. “I’m still too scrawny to get his ass to our vehicle. You rested?”

He chuckled and pushed upward, not hiding a groan as he straightened. “Wait until I tell Fetch. He said you were a firecracker, and that I shouldn’t count you out in a fight.”

UPDATE: The winner is…Cindy!
*~*~*

Hello, Delilah! Thank you for welcoming me here to share my new release!

So if 2024 was the year of saying hell, yes!, 2025 is turning out to be the year of hell, yes! (and I might also need to have my head examined…)

I’ll explain. I have so many projects in various stages that it’s brutal to keep track. My trusty spreadsheet does, thank God. Okay, so how’d I wind up writing Unlocked and Unlost? Well, I participate in a special promo every month. The creators of the promo (with prizes) gave us a theme per month: age-gap, sports, small-town, friends-to-lovers, fated mates, etc.

Great!

Except I didn’t have a friends-to-lovers book or a fated mates story. Did that stop me from signing up? Of course not! I just figured I’d write books I’d already committed to with these plot lines. Not really different than signing up for themed anthologies – and we all know how many of those I’ve done. Now, a friend who knows about such things said fated mates had to be shifters. I was like… OH. CRAP.

Never fear! I found a wolf shifter cover and asked Plot Whisperer for help! She wrote this extensive and really amazing plot. And I went…oh, wow. It’s awesome. But it didn’t speak to me. I wasn’t compelled. But I can write just about anything, so I figured I had my assignment.

One day, she and I were chatting, and she said how she’s read that raccoons could pick locks. She said I should write a raccoon shifter locksmith.

I said sure, and could he get together with a squirrel shifter, and could we set the story in my owl shifter universe?

She said, I don’t see why not.

An hour later, we had the plot for my novella.

Yes, that simple. We had a grumpy/sunshine, age-gap, opposites-attract, racoon/squirrel shifter gay romcom romance. Because…why not?

I wrote the story for another project, but that didn’t pan out, and I’d bought the most amazing cover and I figured…why not publish it? My editor loved it and said she’d never quite read something like it before. That’s the general consensus of early reviews – never seen this done in this way. Now, some adore the book and some find it irritating. I’m not supposed to read my reviews – but sometimes I can’t help myself.

Okay, so that’s the story! I have my fated mates. I also have probably the funniest story I’ve ever written. Something well beyond the angst I used to be known for. I don’t know how all my readers will react, but I do try to keep them on their toes.

Anyway, thank you for letting me visit today and share my news! I would love to give a prize to a commenter! Do you believe in fated mates? Have you read a shifter story? I’ll admit I’d read a few and dragons are my favorite, but my squirrel is pretty darn cute. Leave a comment and you might win a $5 Amazon Gift card. Random will pick the winner. Good luck!

Unlocked and Unlost

Kingston

I love being a locksmith. I help people fix their lives when things go awry. A badly sprained ankle has me laid up, but I dislike being idle, so a friend suggests I hire an assistant. Little do I know how truly chaotic my life is about to become. Although he’s cute, it never occurs to me just how important he might become in my life.

Ethan

I’ve held a series of jobs since graduating from business college, but none has captured my attention. Assisting a grouchy locksmith proves to be one of the more interesting challenges. When I discover something truly astounding about him, my entire world view changes.

Unlocked and Unlost is an opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine, age gap, paranormal shifter gay romance with a stodgy racoon shifter and the glorious squirrel shifter fated mate he didn’t see coming.

Links:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Unlocked-Unlost-Gabbi-Grey-ebook/dp/B0F2GNDJ99
Add it to GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/230582161-unlocked-and-unlost
Universal Book Link: https://books2read.com/UnlockedUnlost

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.

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