Welcome, Gabbi Grey

 

Why m/m romance?

 

I didn’t start out writing gay romances.  My first novel (or attempt at a novel) was in my senior year of university.  I planned to write a book of literary short stories, but my professor insisted we tackle a novella or novel-length process.  I was a little miffed, but decided it couldn’t possibly be that difficult.  I tackled the project with vigor, planning to write the great Canadian novel.

What came out?  A romance.  I’d only just discovered Harlequin romances the year before and had zero understanding of the genre, but I had a knack for it.  My story was going to have a happy ending.  I completed my six chapters, got an ‘A’, and graduated with honors.

That book?  Not finished.  Not by a long shot.  I wrote all summer, and had a good thing going until I started grad school. Between my course work and assistant stage managing several projects, writing fell by the wayside.  That story has never left me.  The file type doesn’t exist anymore so I can’t retrieve what I wrote, but I have every intention of finishing the book.  Maggie and Josh deserve a happy ending.

For the next twenty years I dabbled.  I started a story here, wrote a scene there…just kept going.  In 2012 I finally knuckled down and finished my first book.  That lit a fire under me.

Knowing my book wasn’t good enough for publication, I sought out a freelance editor who has since become a good friend.  She suggested I expand my reading to include a couple of authors of gay romances.  I’d read a few for free on my e-reader, but I was moving into audiobooks, so I tried a few of her suggestions.

I was hooked.

Eventually I became a reviewer for a blog so I could get free audios in exchange for honest reviews.  A way to safely feed my addiction.

I had submitted a short story to The Wild Rose Press and they published it.  By joining the garden, I heard about the Deerbourne Inn project.  I hemmed and debated and plotted for almost ten months before I finally put forth a proposal. They accepted within twenty-four hours, and told me to go write the book.  I did.  My Past, Your Future is about a dead black Civil War solider and a history professor from Scotland.  Want to know how that works?  Both the book and audio are available.

While writing the book, I encountered Jared – the desk clerk at Deerbourne Inn.  He’s been in almost all the other books and I knew he deserved a happy ending.  With hubris, I knew I was the one who needed to do it.  Now, proposing to write a story involving such a beloved character required more finessing than my first story.  Fortunately, my editor believed in the story and she helped me navigate the process.  In short order, If Only for Today was completed.

This story is a bit different than my other romances (gay and otherwise).  This is a ‘sweet’ book.  No sex.  I dug deep into the emotional wounds and readers have expressed how much they enjoyed the subtle angst in the book.  There’s a happy ending, of course.  I’m hoping fans of the genre will appreciate the story and I’m hoping those who’ve never tried a gay romance will dabble their toe into this amazing subgenre.

Thank you, Jennifer, for hosting me and letting me ramble.

Blurb:

Jared Langford is a happy man. The desk clerk at the Deerbourne Inn knows everyone in his cozy town in Vermont. He is accepted and loved by the community, but he's missing someone special in his life.

Devastating news has brought journalist Xander Fortier to Willow Springs for some much-needed rest. He's photographed every major conflict in the world for the last ten years, but being stateside has forced him to reassess the solitary life he's been living.

Something in Xander's gruff demeanor calls to Jared's caring nature. Soon the men are spending time together, but Jared's kisses might not be enough to keep Xander from leaving. Can the men find a happily ever after if they only have today?

Excerpt:

A soft knock brought Xander from his brooding. He rose and answered the door, belatedly realizing he should’ve put on a shirt. Oh well, at least he was wearing shorts. Usually he slept nude.

Jared was taller than he remembered, even though he barely reached Xander’s shoulders. His light-brown hair was close-cropped, and his blue eyes were wide. And they were staring. At Xander’s bare chest.

Is he…?

Nah.

But maybe.

“Like what you see?”

His tongue darted out before a light blush settled high on Jared’s cheeks. Oh yeah, he’d been checking Xander out.

“Well, uh…” Jared held a bundle against his chest like a shield.

When he finally looked up to meet Xander’s gaze, the actual reason he was staring hit Xander square in the throat. “It’s no big deal.” Gruffer than he intended, but he didn’t want sympathy. Never that.

Jared nodded. “I would say it looks painful, but if you say it’s no big deal, I accept that. It is, after all, none of my business.” He indicated the room. “May I come in?”

Xander stood aside and let the young man in. And exactly how old was the guy? Older than a kid, but doubtful he’d seen thirty.

Scooting inside, Jared dropped his bundle on the bed. “I’ve brought a blanket that you can put under the sheet but over the mattress. That might soften things up a bit.” He put the blanket aside and indicated a pillow. “We keep a couple of very hard pillows in stock, but we don’t pull them out unless requested. It’s not much softer than a rock, but I suspect that won’t bother you.”

“What?”

His eyes widened. “Sorry, nothing.”

Buy Links:

Amazon US:  https://amzn.to/3fOsviy

Amazon CA:  https://amzn.to/31LG1LP

KOBO:  https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/if-only-for-today

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/if-only-for-today-gabbi-grey/1138919955

iBooks:  https://books.apple.com/us/book/if-only-for-today/id1556170342

Google Play:  https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Gabbi_Grey_If_Only_for_Today?id=hEonEAAAQBAJ

Publisher:  https://www.thewildrosepress.com/book-post/if-only-for-today

Add it to Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57730616-if-only-for-today

Amazon US:  https://www.amazon.com/If-Only-Today-Deerbourne-Inn-ebook/dp/B08XTNZ2K5

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/If-Only-Today-Deerbourne-Inn-ebook/dp/B08XTNZ2K5

Bio:

Gabbi 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.

Website: https://gabbigrey.com/

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorgabbigrey/

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