Delilah Devlin's Blog

Hello, Delilah!  Thank you for inviting me here to discuss my latest short story.  My Beloved Witch is my retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma.

This short story, however, was not the one I set out to write.  When chatting with Plot Whisperer about writing a paranormal Jane Austen, she suggested a version of Pride and Prejudice featuring shapeshifting creatures and vampires.

I was like, uh…?

She started describing what she envisioned. She wrote. And wrote. And wrote.

I had to start working and yet she continued to write.

I said nothing, but let her go on as she immersed herself in the story.

I was in awe.  She remembered all the major plot points of P&P –— as well as many of the minor ones — and by the time she was finished, she had a hell of a story.

Quietly, I pointed out this was supposed to be a 15k SHORT STORY.

She sat back and thought.

I did something I’d done several other times when she’d truly been invested in a story.  I offered it to her.  To this point, her response had always been the same: Nope. I created this plot for you.  It’s not for me.

This time?

A very long silence.

Then she asked for twenty-four hours to make a decision and went to bed.

I waited impatiently because I knew — I KNEW — this would be such an amazing story.  But not a story I was meant to tell.

She came back a day later and said yes, she was going to keep the plot.

I was elated.

That was the easy part.  It took the better part of a year of me cajoling and encouraging and poking for her to get the story written.  Eventually, she found the courage to share with me.

OMG — it’s brilliant.

Now I have to figure out how to get her to publish.

But…that left me without a story.

She said, ‘Oh, Emma’s a lesbian witch.’

I was like…HUH?????

She elaborated — provided me a brilliant story that, again, hit most of the plot points for Emma.  Only instead of Mr. George Knightly, I had the super powerful witch, Maeve Knightly.  Who has been in love with Emma for a long time but has held her silence.

Now, in my very liberal version of Regency England, witches abound and being queer is normal and even celebrated.  So to say it’s loosely historical would be accurate.

I love the story.  I think Plot Whisperer whispered the perfect plot, and I was thrilled to be included in this new anthology.

And yes, there is, I believe, in another story, a vampire.  But he’s not gay.

One day, I will get Plot Whisperer to publish that book.

Anyway, that’s the tale about the story I wasn’t meant to tell.  Thank you for allowing me to visit, Delilah!

Contest: As a thank you to your readers, I would love to give away a copy of my sapphic novella, I See You.  Just let me know, is there a classic you would love to see take on a paranormal twist?  If you want, let me know which twist you would like.  Random will choose a winner. Good luck!

Sense, Sensibility, and Shifters
(A Paranormal Jane Austen Retellings Collection)

Jane Austen’s timeless love stories take on a supernatural twist in Sense, Sensibility and Shifters, a captivating anthology of paranormal romance.

Step into a world where Darcy’s pride hides a dark secret, and Elizabeth’s prejudice may cost her more than her heart. Each story in this anthology brings an iconic Austen romance to life in a thrilling new way.

From the mysterious moors of Northanger Abbey to the haunted halls of Pemberley, Sense & Sensibility and Shifters invites you to experience classic love stories with an otherworldly edge.

Perfect for readers who adore the elegance of Austen and the allure of the paranormal, this anthology will whisk you away to a world where love is ethereal, powerful, and worth every risk.

Authors:
L Mad Hildebrandt
Bianca White
Roslyn St. Clair
Ann C. Orlandi
Angela Kady
Gabbi Grey
AK Nevermore
Ariel Dawn

The anthology will only be available for a limited time.

Links:
Universal Link: https://books2read.com/tnrc2025sensesensibilityshifters
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Sense-Sensibility-Shifters-Paranormal-Retellings-ebook/dp/B0DK5DFH1B
Add it to Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220472194-sense-sensibility-and-shifters

My Beloved Witch by Gabbi Grey

Emma Woodhouse is the consummate matchmaker. No one in Highbury is as talented as she is in securing happiness by bringing couples together. Her latest task is to find a match for her new friend, Harriet Smith. If Emma isn’t careful, though, she might fall in love herself.

My Beloved Witch is 10k word loose retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma set approximately during the Regency period, but in a world where being queer is celebrated, and being a witch is no big deal…

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

The post Gabbi Grey: The Story I Wasn’t Meant to Write first appeared on Delilah Devlin.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have been included in several “team” series in my sister’s Brotherhood Protectors world. Each is pretty special. I had a blast sharing characters and trying to write a story that fit while still being unique. Tyson’s Mission is the last one I wrote. I got to enjoy “living” next to an archaeological site in the jungle for a few weeks while my characters tried to avoid drug-runners and kidnappers. The setting was extremely important, and I dug in (pardon the pun) to incorporate as many details as possible of what an actual dig site might be like while keeping the plot moving briskly! I hope you enjoy the “meet-cute” excerpt! Happy Tuesday!

Click on any of the covers below to read an excerpt and find links to the books!

Contest

Win your choice of one of my Brotherhood Protectors “team” 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?

Tyson’s Mission

Order Ebook: Kindle
Order Print:  Amazon

A former Navy SEAL is tapped to provide security for a team of archeologists working to uncover Mayan ruins deep in a Mexican jungle that a local drug cartel is targeting.

After surviving a catastrophic helicopter accident, former Navy SEAL Tyson Quigley is taking well to his new life with the Brotherhood Protectors in the Yellowstone, Montana, office. Life’s looking up. He’s working with old teammates and feeling stronger and more himself every day.

Then he gets a call from his university professor brother, who is worried about a colleague working on an archeological dig in southern Mexico. The team has had problems with thefts of equipment and supplies. Now, one of the dig team members has been kidnapped and held for ransom, but they quickly figure out the finger they were sent in the package demanding payment is from an already dead person. Now, they have no idea whether their team member is alive or dead and worry that the attacks on the site aren’t over. After a quick conference with his Brotherhood Protector teammates, Ty heads down to Mexico to pose as his brother’s friend’s boyfriend to provide her protection for the remainder of the dig.

Cara Woodward doesn’t need a babysitter. Sure, things have gotten scary since a team member was abducted, but she thinks having a bodyguard is overkill. Their sponsors are pulling the plug on the excavation due to the kidnapping, so they’re working furiously to close the site for the season. Tyson’s everywhere she is, and it’s getting on her nerves. His looming presence is distracting, to say the least. He’s too handsome, too intense.

As the dig team continues documenting their work before they pack up and leave, they suffer a series of attacks—this time, too close to Cara for Ty’s comfort. He’s locking her down, with no daylight between them for the duration.

Excerpt from Tyson’s Mission…

Cara Woodward swatted at a mosquito and made a “note to self” to break out the repellent. Yes, it was barely spring, but the humidity was high, and the temperatures were forecasted to reach the low 90s in the next few days. Just one of the many reasons the university liked to dig winter to spring rather than wait for the scorching hot summers when most students were free.

It was also nearing six PM, which meant Roy and the archeologists from the University of Mexico would be heading back to camp. She turned toward the camp’s mess tent to make sure Cookie had a warm dinner ready.

Cookie had been an unexpected blessing this dig season—a new hire who had blended well with the crew from day one. An attractive blonde with short, spiked hair, her brusque personality and ready smile had been a reassuring presence. There wasn’t anything she couldn’t tackle, and her cooking skills, easily adapting to local produce, had assured everyone stayed well-fed. The fact she was ex-Army like Cara had given them an instant connection.

Tonight, Cookie was dressed in a white tank that bared her rather muscular arms and frayed jeans shorts. She gave Cara a two-finger salute and a smile as she approached. “Dinner’s almost ready. Chicken and rice—and I made a homemade red pepper salsa for the guys since they’ve been complaining about the lack of heat.”

Cara sniffed. “It smells wonderful. How are we doing on supplies? We’ll be making a run into Cuidad de Ma’ax for supplies and fuel for the generators tomorrow.”

“I’ll make you a list—mostly produce since it doesn’t keep well. Since I’m feeding fewer people now, I’m flush with almost everything else. Do you have any news about when we’re going to pack it in?”

“I’m hoping Roy will be able to nail down a teardown date tonight.”

Cookie wrinkled her nose. “Good luck with that. He’s pretty pissed the university pulled the plug early. Nothing like a kidnapping to spoil the party.”

“I just hope Duncan’s okay.”

“And not really missing a finger,” Cookie said, her face screwing into a grimace.

They shared a glance. “It was a good thing you noticed the freezer burn on the thumb,” Cara said. “I couldn’t have said for sure whether it was from Duncan’s hand or not, even though the skin appeared darker.”

Cookie gave an exaggerated shiver. “I had a hard enough time looking at the mummy they pulled from the dig. Looking at something that wasn’t dried up like leather… It gave me the willies.”

“You got all the help you need?” Cara asked, looking beyond Cookie to the back of the tent where the sides were rolled up and the portable stoves were presently being manned by the local help Cara had hired.

“More than enough. If you need to let one or two go… I don’t need as many since we’re no longer doing food prep for a full team.”

Cara shook her head. “I promised the local mayor I’d hire them through the duration of the dig. I’ve already promised to extend payment by two weeks since we’re closing early for the season. I want to keep everyone happy with us for the next season when we descend again.”

“Just remember me next time you’re looking for a cook—it doesn’t matter where we go. I’ve rarely worked for a site manager as well-organized as you. It’s been a pleasure. I can concentrate on cooking the food rather than foraging for it.”

Cara gave Cookie a fist bump. “You’re top of my list. All that prior military experience working in a mess hall has really helped make this seamless after our last cook retired.”

“Just remember, I haven’t just worked in brick-and-mortar mess halls—I’ve got field experience, too—situations more challenging than this tent.”

“I haven’t forgotten—and you’ve proven very adaptable.”

In the distance, an engine sounded, but it was coming from the opposite direction from where the dig team would be coming.

“What now?” she muttered and headed toward the motor pool—which was no more than the flattest, unforested spot on the edge of the camp. They’d erected a makeshift fence around the motor pool with cleaned cans from the mess tent hanging from the wire to alert the camp to anyone looking to steal parts or an entire vehicle, which had happened the previous year.

A jeep pulled up to the gate, and the driver rapped the horn once.

The jeep’s poorly painted camo pattern meant their visitor was Gino Acevedo, the local man of all trades with whom Cara met when she needed manpower or materials.

Cookie kept pace with Cara as they moved toward the gate where the jeep stopped.

Gino stepped down with a huge grin on his face. “I have a surprise for you, Señora Woodward.”

The passenger side door that faced away slammed. A tall figure appeared and circled the front of the vehicle. It was a man—a rather tall, well-built man. As he neared, Cara’s breath caught. Lord have mercy, the man was handsome.

His mouth moved into a tight line before stretching into a half-smile as he drew closer. Then, before she had a chance to wonder why he was moving in so close, he reached out, gripped her shoulders, and kissed her.

The post Flashback: Tyson’s Mission (Contest — 2 winners!) first appeared on Delilah Devlin.

The days are getting shorter, and the air has a distinct bite to it. The trees are losing their leaves as the wind whistles through their branches. This is the time of year when the veil grows thinner, and creatures of the night, such as vampires, demons, werewolves, and ghosts, seem a little more real to us all.

I love writing about paranormal creatures. Anyone familiar with my books knows I love writing about werewolves. Elemental is the best way to describe them. They are powerful creatures, in tune with the earth. The idea of them makes us shiver in dread; at the same time, it makes us wish we could be closer to the wolf. The wolf calls to us on a primal level. We admire it even as we fear it.

But in my latest series, I veered away from werewolves and into the world of reapers, those who gather the souls of the dead and lead them to the afterlife. It doesn’t get more primal or powerful than that.

Being the sons of the Grim Reaper comes with expectations, and their father is not happy with how they’ve been conducting business. He’s given them each an ultimatum— learn to reap with compassion and do the job to his standards or face eternal exile. Stranded in the town of Redemption with limited powers, no money, and no way to communicate with the outside, they’ll all play the game, reap the soul, and return to their normal lives. It’s a straightforward plan—until they meet their assignments.

SAMAEL
Blackwell Brothers’ Redemption, Book 1

Love her. Protect her. Reap her soul.

Samael Blackwell is the son of Death—and he’s officially out of chances. After centuries of reaping souls with zero regard for the rules, his father sends him to the dead-end town of Redemption. With only a few hundred bucks and the clothes on his back, Sam has one last shot to prove he can do the job right: reap with compassion, or lose everything.

It should’ve been easy. Find the soul. Finish the job. Walk away.

Then he meets Adrianne Sharp.

She’s strong, guarded, and hiding from a past that refuses to stay buried. The connection between them is instant—and impossible. Because Adrianne isn’t just anyone. She’s his assignment.

And her soul’s on the clock.

To win back his old life, all Sam has to do is watch her die. But what if the cost of redemption…is her?

He was sent to end her story. But she just might rewrite his.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2SDQMVF/
Entangled Publishing: https://entangledpublishing.com/books/samael
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/samael-n-j-walters/1147212495
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/samael-13
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/samael/id6743937757

 

ALEXIARES, book 2 of the Blackwell Brothers’ Redemption series is now available for preorder.

 

 

About the Author

N.J. Walters is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, assassins, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.

Visit her at:
Website: http://www.njwalters.com
Blog: http://www.njwalters.blogspot.com
Newsletter Sign Up: http://eepurl.com/gdblg5
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/N.J.WaltersAuthor
Twitter: https://x.com/njwaltersauthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/NJWalters
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/njwalters
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/n-j-walters

The post N.J. Walters: The Veil is Thinner first appeared on Delilah Devlin.

Report Card

Last week…

I continued reading through my YES stack of stories for Burn: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology  entries to skinny it down!I continued to work on edits for one author.I had a couple of days this week where I didn’t do a thing. Not one productive thing. Between diarrhea and fatigue, I napped away two full days. It sucks that everything I do and take doesn’t leave me with the ability keep moving and working. Pity part over!

This next week…

(Repeating from last week) I’ll set up the online pre-order for Ignition .I’ll complete working on edits for one author and begin edits for another author.I’ll send out letters of acceptance/rejection for the authors who contributed to the Burn anthology.I’ll set up a private FB group for the  Burn  authors to communicate and get authors started on writing their loglines for their stories.I’ll continue to work on organizing & cleaning up my art room. (This is a forever project!)I’ll co-lead the art guild meeting on Thursday where we’ll paint Christmas tree ornaments.I’ll participate in my art guild’s sale next weekend, selling my paintings!Open Contests

Be sure to check out these posts and enter to win the prizes that are still up for grabs:

Memory Game: Favorite Fantasies (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!Joyce Palmer: Writing and Reading Series (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win TWO FREE books!Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Just a Lazy Saturday — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!Flashback: Little Green Dreams (Contest) — Win a FREE book!Clear My Bookshelf Giveaway! — Win a signed book!Gabbi Grey: When You Want to Speak Out (Contest) — Win 2 FREE books!Sliding Puzzle: Curious Events Day (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift book!TGIF! (Contest) — Win a hand-painted (by me!) bookmark!Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Picnicking Couple (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!The post Report Card & Open Contests first appeared on Delilah Devlin.

I headed to my favorite stock photo site and typed in “cartoon romance.” Toward the top was the image I chose for today’s puzzle. I’ll tell you what it’s all about—a couple lies on a blanket on the ground. No, there’s no food in the picture, but I saw a blanket on the ground and immediately thought “picnic!” So, maybe they already ate, got rid of their trash, and now they’re resting because they’re full.

But looking at that picture, I remember the last time I enjoyed a picnic was likely when I was stationed in Germany in my thirties. Why no picnics since? I live in the South. When it’s nice enough outside to consider a picnic, we’ve got a lot of pesky insects, including fire ants. So, picnicking now isn’t something I think of as relaxing and joyful. And at this age, getting down on the ground makes me dread getting up off the ground, if ya know what I mean. Not a pretty sight. Imagine rolling over so you can get on your hands and knees, looking like a turtle, then pushing to get to your knees, and then getting one foot under you, but still reaching out for someone’s steadying hand…

And now, I’m hearing Debbie Downer’s “wah-wah-wah” in my head. But those picnics when I was young… *sigh* There was nothing like a lazy day spent beside a river or a lake, lying on a blanket, preferably with a guitar close at hand… (I used to play). Anyway, those are the things that came to mind when I saw this picture.

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, solve the puzzle, then tell me what you think when you see this picture. Have fun!

The post Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Picnicking Couple (Contest) first appeared on Delilah Devlin.

Just another Friday. It’s going to be busy for the family though. The 16-year-old will be working the parking lot with her JROTC group during the Friday night football game. My dd and the 12-year-old will be watching the game. My SIL has bunny cages to clean after he gets off work. And I’ll probably be sitting in my lift chair, watching Asian reels because, by that time, I’ll be done with work for the day. I’m sure it will be something to do with a modern woman transmigrating into the body of some woman being treated badly by her family, where she will seek revenge against all of them and win the emperor’s heart by the end. *sigh* Or maybe I’ll find one where she transmigrates and everyone who hated her because they thought her sister was being bullied by her learns she’s the actual victim because, now, they can hear her inner thoughts. *So satisfying.*

For a chance to win a hand-painted (by me) bookmark, tell me what your night will look like!

The post TGIF! (Contest) first appeared on Delilah Devlin.

I’m back with another puzzle! It’s good for your brain. It’s fun. Yeah, sometimes, it’s frustrating, but if you have time to read this post, you’ve got time to play!

Today is Curious Events Day! It’s dedicated to conspiracy theories—think crop circles, UFOs, the Bermuda Triangle, etc. Weird stuff needs its own day, right?

For a chance to win an Amazon gift card, solve the puzzle then tell me if you have a favorite, weird conspiracy theory you wish was true!

The post Sliding Puzzle: Curious Events Day (Contest) first appeared on Delilah Devlin.

Hello, Delilah!  Thank you for inviting me here to speak about something close to my heart.

Sometimes the world isn’t such a great place. War, famine, natural disasters…it can all be overwhelming.

Sometimes, the desire to turn away is strong.

Sometimes, the need to preserve one’s sanity means not engaging.

And then, sometimes, the need to speak out overwhelms.

I often want to say something. The biggest impediment is my job. I have to be careful about what I say, who I speak out for, and what I do. Yes, I’d be putting my job on the line — and the financial dominoes would fall, and I’d be without a roof over my head with my two dogs. Moreover, my job is to help people. I have specialized skills.  There are people for whom help would be months or years in coming.

All really good reasons to keep my thoughts to myself.

That said, I do other things.

My news station showed misleading footage. I wrote to the ombudsperson to call them out.

I share stories with friends and family so they’re aware of what’s going on in the world.

Really, though, my activism is through my stories. Through my queer stories, I am showing resistance. Some people would want my stories banned.  Some people don’t believe queer people should exist — gay, trans, lesbian, bi — that none of us have the right to take up space.

Needless to say, I disagree with that completely.

So, I write queer romances. I write blogs. I write words over and over again.

My new book is even more of a resistance than usual.

How?

Well, social activism is the center of the story.

Yes, this is a rock’n’roll book. My third in the Road to Rocktoberfest series.

Malik, though, is not an average rock star. Or maybe he is — artists are some of the loudest protestors these days. They use their platforms to bring attention to issues.

Well, my rock star does that. He thinks bringing attention — through likes and clicks — is the best way to get his point across.

That brings him into conflict with the organizer, who is trying to bring the public’s attention to the causes of Indigenous rights where it intersects with environmentalism.  No small task these days when people’s attention is being drawn into a million different directions. Spencer believes in persuasion. Malik believes in blunt force.

And there I had my conflict.

Rock star versus lawyer.

A true “opposites attract” story.

I’ve leave it up to readers if I got the balance right. If I can persuade them to examine important issues while also putting the burgeoning relationship between Malik and Spencer front and center to the story.

I hope I did.

Okay!  Thank you, Delilah, for having me visit.

Contest

I would love to give away copies of my two previous Rocktoberfest books: Axe to Grind and Grindstone’s Edge.  Just leave a comment. D you appreciate a bit of activism in your stories or do you want pure escapism?  Let me know! Random will choose one commentor to win.  Good luck!

Voice to Raise 

Malik

Until I turned twenty-five, I took the safe route, the good boy route. Played with the orchestra, kept my head down, didn’t make waves. Now I can’t stay silent any longer. I walked away from my violin, relearned the guitar, and started a rock band. With Razor’s Edge, I can create the music I’ve always dreamed of, and we’re good enough to win an invite to Rocktoberfest. But I also love my band for helping me raise my voice to support social justice. Now I just need to convince Spencer I can chase musical success and still be deeply committed to making a difference.

Spencer

I’ve been fighting for justice practically from the cradle, and I believe organizers should welcome everyone who wants to be involved. That said, when an upstart rockstar looking for the limelight comes to join our fight, I’m skeptical. I want true believers, not people who are looking to leverage our cause into a viral hit. Malik might be gorgeous, and even a sweet guy under the tattoos and bad boy persona, but he’s chasing his dream of fame in Black Rock while I’m on the ground in Vancouver trying to make meaningful change. He doesn’t have room in his life to be serious about music, serious about justice, and serious about me.

Voice to Raise: Rocktoberfest 2025 is an opposites-attract, age-gap, interracial, hurt/comfort gay romance novel about the power of activism, making a commitment, and how chasing one dream can open your heart to another

The boys are back in the multi-author Road to Rocktoberfest 2025 series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but why not read them all and see if some of your past favorites poke their heads in. Err…voices. Hot rockstars, stolen kisses, drywall repairs and the men who drive them over the edge. What more could you ask for? Kick back, load up your e-readers and enjoy the men of Rocktoberfest!

Links:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F88KVZXP
Universal Book Link: https://books2read.com/VoicetoRaise
Add it to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/233955822-voice-to-raise

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

The post Gabbi Grey: When You Want to Speak Out (Contest) first appeared on Delilah Devlin.

As a way to solve my book-hoarding problem and make room on my bookshelves, I’m continuing my Clear My Bookshelf Giveaway! The last one I did was in May—way too long ago. I have a ton of my books, collected over my 20 years of publishing. Rather than consign them to the burn barrel I’m going to give some of them away. I’m happy to offer more opportunities for readers to win a signed copy of one of my books! My daughter is on board with making trips to the post office for me. She loves it when I volunteer her for stuff. [image error]

For a chance to win a randomly chosen by me (I might say, do you want a western, an erotic, contemporary, or a paranormal?) book, which I will of course sign and fill with a bookmark painted by me, tell me your favorite thing you like to cook! (I’m thinking about food because I’m hungry right now! )

The post Clear My Bookshelf Giveaway! first appeared on Delilah Devlin.

Sometimes, we authors take a detour from our usual fare. It’s a way to reconnect with our joy of writing. Little Green Dreams was one of those “detours” for me. However, it wasn’t a complete deviation from what I usually do. I love writing about quirky characters in small towns. This time, I wrote about people I know well—the folks in Central Arkansas, and a small town where my dad was raised.

In actual fact, this book was an homage to my dad. When the idea came to me for this book, many years before I wrote it, and before I became a published author, I talked to my dad about the mystery of the “Gurdon Light.” It’s kind of famous, actually. News organizations have covered it, and Unsolved Mysteries dedicated an episode to it as well. It’s a phenomenon many people have witnessed. And when my father agreed to take me for a long walk along the abandoned railroad tracks in Gurdon, Arkansas, where it occurs, I saw it for myself — a mysterious glowing light that seems to swing from side to side of the track. There’s a murder that occurred in the early 1900s of a railroad foreman, and the legend goes that he carries his railroad lantern along the tracks.

My father’s memories, and the help of a local university librarian who copied news articles from the trial of the man who murdered that foreman, were my starting point. I wrote the first three chapters, entered the story in some contests (and won a couple!), then I set it aside because I published and I had to write what would continue to sell.

This story was always in the back of my mind. Long after my father passed, I was ready to finish it. So, in 2023, I wrote and self-published the story. It’s not my usual thing, so it didn’t sell well, but I’m very proud of the story. Here’s what one reviewer had to say about it:

Strange lights hovering over railroad tracks, wonderfully crafted characters, a little humor, and southern charm highlight what is a perfectly paced, nicely written journey into the surreal and brings to mind a famous quote, “There are more things in Heaven and Earth…”

If you’ve never read it, I hope you’ll pick up a copy. It’s a ghost/alien/small-town/romantic comedy. Yeah, too many labels, I know. But it’s the book of my heart.

Little Green Dreams

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A tabloid reporter seeks the truth behind an alien abduction claim made by a woman whose husband disappeared, although the truth may destroy his chances to woo her beautiful daughter…

Sometimes, Joe Franchetti hates his job at the National Informer, especially when he’s assigned to cover stories involving aliens from another world. When he is sent to investigate the story of a woman in rural Arkansas who claims aliens abducted her husband, he vows to debunk her story, no matter how much the truth might hurt her attractive daughter.

Sandra Billingsley has a problem. Her stepfather is missing, and her mother is the prime suspect in his disappearance. In addition to protecting her eccentric mother from a possible murder investigation, now she must contend with a national tabloid reporter set on exposing her mother as a murderess or a madwoman.

While the investigation turns up more suspects and the local townspeople scheme to profit from the “alien invasion,” Joe and Sandra work together to unravel the mystery, knowing their attraction is doomed to end in pain when the truth is revealed.

Contest

Comment for a chance to win a download of any story in my backlist that you’d like to read.

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