• Character Quirks,  Gay or MM

    Read a Quirky Character Interview with Rory from Rory & Ink by Alexa Piper @ProwlingPiper #RLFblog #MMRomance

    Read a Quirky Character Interview with Rory from Rory & Ink by Alexa Piper @ProwlingPiper #RLFblog #MMRomanceIn Alexa Piper’s Rory & Ink, which concludes the story of Rory and his monster mate (for now), magical twink Rory finds that he must use the magic he never wanted in order to save the family he never dared hope he’d end up with. Through bravery, magic, and love, two worlds that used to be apart are knitted together, just like the fate of our characters.

    Alexa, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about Rory & Ink.

    Rory & Ink by Alexa Piper

    Genre MM post-apocalyptic monster romance
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R

    Rory has never been the kind of person who enjoys fights or violence, but when a member of his newfound family is kidnapped, he will not just stand by and do nothing. No, Rory will use his still new and not entirely welcome magic to help. And when that is done, Rory will once more put all his efforts into becoming a trophy mate to his handsome blue husband, and he will worship said husband from the tips of his horns to his paw feet.

    Inkiri has never been happier in his life. His human mate accepts him, and not just that, Rory loves him. And while Rory seemed afraid at first, he will stop at nothing to protect the people near and dear to him. All Inkiri can hope is that he will prove himself worthy for such an extraordinary mate.

    With his future life as trophy mate almost within reach, Rory might be forgetting something that he has to do, but that’s okay. There are people in his life now who will remind him of all the things that are important and of all the things that aren’t.

    Content warning: While this series is a comedy, this book alludes to physical and sexual abuse. It is not experienced on page, but it is a reality of a side character’s life.

    Interview with Rory

    Thank you for agreeing to interview with us! Our readers would like to get to know you a bit better, and perhaps read the book your author wrote about you.

    What bad habits do you struggle to overcome?

    Getting scared when I hear loud noises. That usually means there’s a monster out to get you, but I know that Ink is there to protect me now.

    What does a perfect world look like to you?

    I… This is difficult. On the one hand, of course I wish the Apocalypse had never happened. I wish that I’d never had a part in it, that everyone was still here. But on the other hand, I don’t think I’d ever have met Ink and my guys if it hadn’t happened.

    I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m not happy about the Apocalypse, but meeting Ink and my guys, Kinnek, Charles, and Donna, that changed me. They are my people, you know. They are home.

    What color looks best on you?

    Oh, I like navy a lot, but everyone else seems to think green and terracotta are my colors.

    What’s your favorite food?

    I can tell you which food I hate: massa buns! Vinne is pretty good too, they make a great snack. As far as Earth foods are concerned, I always liked fries, which I haven’t had in ages. The Apocalypse made me less picky though, and really whatever Nokim makes I’ll eat.

    What’s your favorite drink?

    Hmm, I don’t think I have one favorite drink, but I would go get a Starbucks with my friends sometimes, you know. I always liked a drip coffee with honey and almond or hemp milk, but more than that, it’s just the people. I really miss them, and I miss going somewhere and there being people around.

    Read a Quirky Character Interview with Rory from Rory & Ink by Alexa Piper @ProwlingPiper #RLFblog #MMRomance

    Is there a secret spot you like to retreat to? Where is it?

    Okay, this isn’t really a secret spot, but my buddy Vergis and I like hanging out on the roof sometimes. I wouldn’t say that Vergis is fun, not unless your sense of humor is very dark, but to be fair, what he says tends to be insightful. And direct. Vergis can be very direct.

    Who always makes you smile?

    Ink can usually do that, but I’m happy when I’m with everyone, when nothing happens, when the greatest problem we have is that we ran out of iced tea again. Days like that have me smiling from morning to evening.

    What’s the first thing you tend to notice about a person?

    These days, if their have horns and are bagu, in which case I’ll pay attention to whether they have anything that makes them look like Koa Esher about them. If they are humans I don’t know, I’d be careful as well.

    How do you wish others saw you?

    I used to wish I would be cast in a leading role, but looking back, I didn’t want to be an actor for the fame, just for the acting. Because what I really want is for people to look at me and just see me as Ink’s trophy mate. I don’t want them to think of me as some powerful mage or whatnot, and I’m always scared they’ll hate me for attracting trouble. I just want to be unimportant enough for people to politely acknowledge and then ignore me.

    Where to buy Rory & Ink

    Publisher https://www.changelingpress.com/rory-ink-monster-apocalypse-4-b-3455?genre_id=21
    Universal Buy Link https://books2read.com/u/mZEy7D
    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BPRGZK45
    Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rory-ink-alexa-piper/1142829192
    iBooks https://books.apple.com/us/book/id6445070555
    Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/rory-ink

    Alexa Piper Social Media

    Alexa Piper writes steamy romance that ranges from light to dark, from straight to queer. She’s also a coffee addict. Alexa loves writing stories that make her readers laugh and fall in love with the characters in them.
    Website https://alexapiper.com/
    Twitter https://twitter.com/ProwlingPiper
    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/255026848996374
    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/piperthewriter/
    TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@alexapiperwriter
    Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14017396.Alexa_Piper
    BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/alexa-piper
    Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Alexa-Piper/e/B010EFQIRY
    Get to know Alexa Piper better by signing up for an email newsletter https://alexapiper.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ff9c4810ddb3c68da564c6a92&id=3585441fba

  • Author Interviews,  Character Interviews,  RLF Gems

    Guest Authors on the Romance Lives Forever Book Blog #RLFblog #Books #Authors

    Find new authors on Romance Lives Forever #RLFblog #Books

    Whether it's reverse harem, sweet small town romance, vampires,  or anything in between, RLF has an author who writes it! This blog always offers great authors and great books.

    RLF shared 356 posts this year, taking time off for holidays.

    RLF Gems in 2022

    The bloggers listed here had the most views received this year.

    Alina K Field
    Alexa Piper
    Alice Renaud
    Vicki Batman
    Ana Morgan
    Reet Singh
    Dee S Knight
    Lucy Naylor Kubash
    Tena Stetler
    Lizanne Axtel

    Honorable Mention

    Vida Li Sik
    Kate Hill
    Adriana Kraft

    Chatting

    These authors / events brought the most comments in 2022. Congratulations on getting people talking!

    Pia Manning
    Jennifer Wilck
    C Becker
    MFRW Birthday Party

    Come Share Your Book!

    You can pick your own date, and the blog will send you a reminder.

    RLF Author Newsletter

    I'm on Romance Lives Forever #RLFblogI've created a monthly newsletter for authors on RLF, and subscribers will have access to special interviews and features.

    The first email has a tip sheet of organization ideas.

    Here's the link if you're interested. https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/d6p7k3

    Every author on RLF is special to me, and over the years, many have become friends. I read a lot of books too! In 2023, I hope to have all of you back to visit, and to invite a whole host of new friends to join us.

    Happy New Year! Here's to a wonderful year in 2023.

    ~ Kayelle Allen

  • Author Interviews,  Character Interviews,  RLF Gems

    What’s ahead on Romance Lives Forever in 2023? 29 interviews for new books and your backlist #RLFblog #Books #Authors

    What's ahead on Romance Lives Forever in 2023? 29 interviews for new books and your backlist #RLFblog #Books #AuthorsIn 2023 the Romance Lives Forever blog will offer 29 different interviews. Download one that fits you or your characters. Think of ways you can leverage your book and get more than one interview out of the story. For example, sign up for a Book Release one month, then the next, interview your character about What’s For Dinner, come back the following month with Stressing the Hero/ine, and send me a Cover Love to use for fill ins when an author can’t make it. You can schedule monthly, and don’t have to use new books. It’s perfectly fine to use your backlist.

    Here’s where to download the interviews. https://www.rlfblog.com/author-interviews/

    I’ve updated them. Be sure to download the newest versions rather than use old ones. If you’ve been on the blog before, the info I ask for will be a snap, because I’ll have your data on file.

    Social Media on RLFblog

    The blog uses the hashtag #RLFblog, and the hashtags most often associated with it are #Romance #RomanticSuspense #suspense #historical #contemporary #PNR #paranormalromance #paranormal and #SciFi. Readers here love those genres, but there are dozens more.

    Twitter generates about 85% of the traffic to the RLF website, mostly because it is fed from Triberr — which did a great job. Because of my followers, the tribemates I associate with and their followers, RLF has a reach of over three million. The program works because it brings new readers, and reminds current ones of new material. It provides an average of 45 – 50 mentions on Twitter every day, and since each post has the guest author’s Twitter handle in the title, that means the guest gets mentioned too. If you aren’t using Twitter, you’re not getting the full power of this blog’s reach. Please consider signing up, and while you’re there, I’d love it if you’d follow me. https://twitter.com/kayelleallen

    Take Advantage of our Reach

    Sign up for a book cover spot on the front page of RLF and take advantage of the traffic this blog generates. Did you know there are multiple authors who plan their appearances based on the dates of book releases? Why? Because RLFblog gets the word out about new books and helps authors get their name in front of readers.

    Sign Up for the RLF Newsletter

    I’ve created a monthly newsletter for authors on RLF, and subscribers will have access to special interviews and features. The first email has a tip sheet of organization ideas. Here’s the link if you’re interested. https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/d6p7k3

    Sign Up for a spot on the blog

    You can see all the signups available by visiting the signup page. The site will email you a confirmation, send a reminder, and even include links where you can download an interview for the site.

    Interviews

    RLF has over 20 different interviews you can download and fill out, or you can write an article. All the interviews have a space to feature your newsletter, and we use Yoast SEO to enable you to tell Google and other search engines how your want your post to be found. You’ll see the info near the top of each interview.

    Be A Keeper

    Please join me at Kayelle’s Keepers, a Facebook group for readers. I’m planning to host takeovers and I’d love to feature RLF authors as guests. Join the group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kayelleskeepers

    Thank you…

    The blog has grown and changed in response to your requests, and I hope you’ve found it helpful. If there is something you’d like me to add or change, please let me know. Thank you for your support. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you, and I hope to see you back soon.

    — Kayelle Allen

  • Character Insider,  Gay or MM,  Urban Fantasy

    Get the inside scoop on the dark hero from A Devilish Saturnalia by Alexa Piper @ProwlingPiper #RLFblog #MMRomance

    Lionel and his lover are spending Midwinter in Scotland, and what should be a few quiet days with their found family for the Devil and his necromancer turns into a wild goose chase (literally) and a murder mystery (not literally) in A Devilish Saturnalia, a fluffy novella set right after the events in The Devil’s Saturnalia.

    Alexa, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about A Devilish Saturnalia.

    A Devilish Saturnalia by Alexa Piper

    Get the inside scoop on the dark hero from A Devilish Saturnalia by Alexa Piper @ProwlingPiper #RLFblog #MMRomanceGenre MM urban fantasy romance
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R

    Lionel and Lucifer are spending the holidays in Scotland. They are set to enjoy a quiet Midwinter, and Lionel is looking forward to spending this time with his found family, although having a family is still new for him.

    Lucifer’s goals for this holiday season are simple: convince his necromancer to willingly stay in bed with Lucifer, but of course, that is just a fantasy. Lucifer knows it’s not what his necromancer needs, and the cruel side of love is that even the Devil has to put his lover first.

    Snowed in, will these two and those who love them find something to do to pass the longest night of the year? In this sweet and cozy read, you will find out.

    This books is not a standalone. The events in A Devilish Saturnalia take place right after The Devil’s Saturnalia.

    Warning: This m/m romance contains sexual content only suitable for mature audiences.

    Insider Information about Lucifer

    Welcome! We’d like to know more about you. Please add info you’re comfortable sharing.

    Nickname: The most handsome of them all, Best Boyfriend Ever, The Devil with the best hair.

    Age: Compared to Tiamat, I’m a spring chicken.

    Gender: I like all genders equally.

    Birthplace: Puny human minds do not understand the geography of the otherrealms.

    Profession: Necromancer Minder, Ph.D.

    Please provide a physical description of yourself.

    Sexy, but monogamous. And like we all know, monogamy makes you hotter, which explains why my boyfriend is so obsessed with me.

    What are your pronouns?

    I’ll take all of them, please, extra rainbow sprinkles.

    How well does your name fit your personality?

    You see, I’ve been going by Lucy ever since I first read the literary gem that is Dracula. Lucy Westenra was so far ahead of her time! She had the opportunity to embark upon a reverse harem journey never before seen in literature, but she gave it all up in order to maintain her beauty and discerning charm for all the rest of time, along with some badass butt-kicking abilities.

    I am the Devil. I have the best hair, and my magic is perfect. Before I fully bloomed–before I became monogamous, that is–I dabbled in pleasing multiple people at the same time. I certainly have the looks. You should see how my Nelly stares at me when I bring out my wings!

    Do you believe in love at first sight?

    Oh, no. That’s a silly notion. I mean, sure, it happened to me, but that was an exception. Most people have to buy their lover flowers and take them on dates to amausement parks and all of that, but Nelly and I never needed anything as base. We were made for one another.

    But no. Love at first sight is an illusion.

    Do you enjoy dressing up or prefer to dress casually?

    I enjoy dressing for the occasion. It doesn’t really matter what I wear or if I wear any clothes at all. I’ll always look good.

    If a place where you shop installed benches in various sections, where would you sit?

    I do not really do any shopping. I have Trony for that. But for the new year, I want to convince Nelly to come shopping with me. In that event, I want a bench right in front of the changing room for the anticipation. He’ll probably be too shy to come out when he’s trying on panties for me, but what is magic for if not to make a changing room curtain see-through?

    Mhh. They already do have benches inside the changing rooms, don’t they? I’ll probably move there after I watched my necromancer squirm for a little bit. To help him out of the panties.

    Favorites:
    Smell: Nelly
    Color: Golden
    Taste: Nelly
    Sound: Nelly makes this sound after he’s been tied up for a long while. It’s a bit hoarse, but also sweet. And then, once I allow him his release, he makes those soft little huffs–ah. No one but me will ever hear those sounds.
    Texture: If I tell you, you’ll have to censor it. Rhymes with Nelly’s sock.

    Can you:

    Swim? Of course I can swim. I can’t drown, so the skill is a bit superfluous, but it’s fun.

    Use chopsticks? Do you take me for a Philistine? Of course I know to use chopsticks.

    Roller skate? This sounds undignified, but I can probably make it look good.

    Ski? I can, but I prefer having champaign in the hot tub to going up and down some mountain.

    Fly a plane? That’s a waste of time. I have wings.

    Ride a horse? Yes. I’ve even read up on how to tame wild horses.

    What is your favorite book?

    Other than the obvious, there’s that one with the virgin who works in a diner. The virgin always takes the night shift, and then he meets this darkly handsome assassin who initiates the virgin into the art of carnal pleasure. That reminded me so much of my Nelly, who had only been deflowered in the most technical sense when I met him. Mhh. White lace means innocence, doesn’t it? I’m very much looking forward to taking him shopping.

    Who is the one person who can convince you to do something you know you shouldn’t?

    Convince me? If we are talking about convincing, Trony or the dragon mother. If this is about actually getting me to do things… that’s unfortunately Nelly. For instance, I know I shouldn’t let Marc Deacon breathe another breath, but here I am being a good Devil and not shoving Marc Deacon into a bottomless hole, because I am sure Nelly would ask me about it. Interrogate me, even. And I can only distract my necromancer so much when he gets into one of his stubborn moods, you know.

    Where to buy A Devilish Saturnalia

    Universal Buy Link https://books2read.com/ADevilishSaturnalia
    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BN4V3PZ2
    Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940165969867
    iBooks https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id6444665017
    Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=9780463121153
    Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1184296

    Alexa Piper Social Media

    Alexa Piper writes steamy romance that ranges from light to dark, from straight to queer. She’s also a coffee addict. Alexa loves writing stories that make her readers laugh and fall in love with the characters in them.
    Website https://alexapiper.com/
    Twitter https://twitter.com/ProwlingPiper
    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/255026848996374
    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/piperthewriter/
    TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@alexapiperwriter
    Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14017396.Alexa_Piper
    BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/alexa-piper
    Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Alexa-Piper/e/B010EFQIRY
    Get to know Alexa Piper better by signing up for an email newsletter https://alexapiper.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ff9c4810ddb3c68da564c6a92&id=3585441fba

     

  • Christmas or Holiday,  What's for Dinner

    What Rachel eats for dinner, from Waiting for a Miracle by Jennifer Wilck #RLFblog #ContemporaryRomance #Hanukkah #novella

    An invitation to her neighbor’s Hanukkah celebration turns into an unwanted blind date with her Kindergarten’s student’s dad in Jennifer Wilck’s Hanukkah novella, Waiting for a Miracle. Benjamin is gorgeous, but she’s set on being a foster mom, and doesn’t want anything to derail her plans. Can these two determined people trust in the miracle of Hanukkah to let love and light into their lives?

    Jennifer, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about your book.

    Waiting for a Miracle by Jennifer Wilck

    What Rachel eats for dinner, from Waiting for a Miracle by Jennifer Wilck #RLFblog #ContemporaryRomance #Hanukkah #novellaGenre: Contemporary romance

    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): PG

    Benjamin Cohen, widowed father of six-year-old Jessie, is doing his best to hold it together through order and routine. The last thing he needs is his matchmaker mother to set him up with her next door neighbor, no matter how attractive she is. Rachel Schaecter’s dream of becoming a foster mother is right within her grasp, until her meddlesome neighbor tries to set her up with her handsome son. What’s worse? He’s the father of her favorite kindergarten student! She can’t afford to let anything come between her and her dream, no matter how gorgeous he may be. Can these two determined people trust in the miracle of Hanukkah to let love and light into their lives?

    Let’s chat about what to eat

    As the character, please answer at least six questions. You may answer all, or come back for a second interview and answer more of them. Your choice.

    First, what is your name and how old are you?

    My name is Rachel Schaechter, and I’m twenty-eight.

    What is the time period in which you live?

    Current day New York City.

    What is your favorite meal?

    I’m not a picky eater, and I love latkes, which are fried potato pancakes we eat at Hanukkah. And we usually have brisket for dinner, so let’s say that’s my favorite meal—brisket with latkes at Hanukkah.

    Tell us about a meal or food that says “home” to you.

    Well, one the main reasons I love our Hanukkah meal is that my mom used to make it every year when I was growing up. It reminds me of the warm holiday times with family sitting around the table, with the glow from the menorahs in the window.

    When you find yourself with some type of unknown food on your plate, what do you do?

    I’ll try it, especially if there’s a sauce. And it also depends on whether or not I’m with other people or not. For example, when Ben and I went to the Bryant Park Winter Village, there were lots of different food vendors there, in addition to the shops. I would have liked to try something new, if Ben and I hadn’t had a disagreement forcing me to leave early.

    Do you keep snacks on hand, and if so, what are they?

    Chocolate is a must. I’m a Kindergarten teacher, and I need a pick-me-up during the day, so I keep a stash of chocolate snacks in my desk drawer.

    How much coffee or tea do you drink?

    Usually just a cup of coffee a day—although i’ll admit that sometimes the size varies.

    Who are your favorite people to share meals with?

    Honestly, Benjamin and his daughter, Jessie. When he’s not being bossy, he’s a wonderful man to be around. And his six-year-old daughter is my favorite student. She’s so adorable and smart.

    Tell us what your author eats or drinks while writing about you.

    Coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon, and water any other time.

    If your author has a pet, what does she feed the animal?

    Well, her dog is old and very finicky, so she’s been trying a lot of different food to try to get her interested. Currently, her dog likes turkey dog food and turkey bacon treats.

    Where to buy Waiting for a Miracle

    Publisher https://shop.aer.io/TheWildRosePress/p/Waiting_for_a_Miracle/9781509229574-11180
    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Miracle-Jennifer-Wilck-ebook/dp/B07ZMQ2BWZ
    Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/waiting-for-a-miracle-jennifer-wilck/1134117349?ean=2940161018385
    iBooks https://books.apple.com/us/book/waiting-for-a-miracle/id1484912207
    Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/waiting-for-a-miracle-5

    Jennifer Wilck Social Media

    Jennifer started telling herself stories as a little girl when she couldn’t fall asleep at night. Pretty soon, her head was filled with these stories and the characters that populated them. Even as an adult, she thinks about the characters and stories at night before she falls asleep or walking the dog. Eventually, she started writing them down. Her favorite stories to write are those with smart, sassy, independent heroines; handsome, strong and slightly vulnerable heroes; and her stories always end with happily ever after.

    In the real world, she’s the mother of two amazing daughters and wife of one of the smartest men she knows. She believes humor is the only way to get through the day and does not believe in sharing her chocolate.

    Jennifer Wilck is an award-winning contemporary romance author for readers who are passionate about love, laughter, and happily ever after. Known for writing both Jewish and non-Jewish romances, her books feature damaged heroes, sassy and independent heroines, witty banter and hot chemistry. Jennifer’s ability to transport the reader into the scene, create characters the reader will fall in love with, and evoke a roller coaster of emotions, will hook you from the first page. You can find her books at all major online retailers in a variety of formats.

    Website https://www.jenniferwilck.com
    Blog http://jenniferwilck.blogspot.com
    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/879114386079365
    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/authorjenniferwilck
    Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5032661.Jennifer_Wilck
    BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jennifer-wilck
    Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jennifer-Wilck/author/B005BT260M
    Get to know Jennifer Wilck better by signing up for an email newsletter https://www.jenniferwilck.com/contact.html#newsletter

  • Gay or MM,  Stressing the Hero

    Stressing Anthony from Anthony: Single Dads of Gaynor Beach by Gabbi Grey @gabbigrey #RLFblog #MMRomance

     

    What happens when a social worker delivers not one, but two bundles of joy to the unsuspecting sperm donor? Scott Wexler, discovering he has twin nine-month-old babies, needs all the help he can get.

    Anthony Rodrigues, Gaynor Beach’s social worker, can’t help but step in to assist in this heartwarming single dad gay romance.

    Let’s meet Anthony from Anthony, a gay romance, by Gabbi Grey. Welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here!

    Please tell us about your latest book.

    Anthony by Gabbi Grey

    Genre gay romance
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): steamy

    Anthony

    During my seven years as a social worker in Gaynor Beach, California, delivering orphaned twins to their unsuspecting father is the biggest challenge I’ve ever faced. These babies lost their mother and they need a loving parent, but is adorable Scott Wexler up to that challenge? Transferring custody is one thing—walking away is something entirely different, especially with the stress of Christmas bearing down on Scott too.

    Scott

    After escaping a miserable childhood, I’ve made a fresh start in California. I’m in charge at the Gaynor Beach Public Library, I love helping people, and I’m feeling like an actual functional human being. Then social worker Anthony Rodrigues shows up on my doorstep with twins I fathered through a sperm donation, and suddenly I’m responsible for two tiny lives. Accepting help from the gorgeous social worker is a no brainer—admitting I want him to stay is going to take a lot more courage.

    This 74k word gay romance is a slow burn, mid-angst, instalove with a geeky librarian, a by-the-book social worker, adorable twin-toddler terrors, and a beleaguered cat named Crumpy.

    Stressing Anthony

    Every hero has a story. He has a background, a history, and a past. This interview allows us to meet a hero and get to know him better, by focusing on how he handles being relaxed, as well as how he handles stress.

    Please tell me about your hero.

    Age: 30
    Gender: Male
    Birthplace: Napa Valley, CA
    Profession: Social Worker
    Ethnicity: Hispanic

    What does your hero look like?

    Anthony’s tall, dark and handsome. These days he’s sporting a beard in an attempt to look more mature. His hair’s a little long and he likes that. Especially when his partner tugs on it while they’re making love.

    Who is the significant other in his life?

    Scott Wexler – librarian in Gaynor Beach – and new single dad. Scott’s a ginger with stunning green eyes and a bit of a geeky side. He’s also a little kinky, much to Anthony’s surprise.

    The Hero’s Relaxed Side

    This hero is at a party. Considering his story, describe the party.

    Anthony’s very dedicated to his work – if he’s going to show up at a party, it’ll be for work – mostly to impress his boss.

    How does the hero feel about being this particular party, and what body language is he displaying that gives it away?

    He’s relaxed and vigilant at the same time. He wants to make a good impression on those around him – image is everything.

    Is he more likely to mingle or remain aloof?

    He’ll mingle with his co-workers and try to engage his boss in a conversation.

    f he drinks, what is his drink of choice at this party?

    He’ll have a beer, if alcohol is being served.

    How much drink is his usual?

    One beer is his absolute limit. He’s dealt with an addict in his past and he’ll never let himself lost control.

    The hero figures out where the hiding places are and then goes there. Is it to hide, to avoid someone, or to go drag a friend back to the party?

    He’ll likely need a break away from the stress of having to make a good impression. He puts up a good façade, but it’s a little tiring.

    Is he likely to latch onto a friend and stay with him/her and ignore others, or is he the friend that others latch onto?

    If he were at a party with some other gay men, he’d latch on to a friend and stay with them. He’s very loyal.

    If someone picked a fight at this party, how is the hero going to handle it?

    He’s the intervener – he’ll do everything in his power to stop the fight before it escalates. And if he has to pick sides, he’ll pick the weaker person. He always stands up for the little guy.

    Is the hero the one most likely to get tossed out of the party, or the one who does the tossing?

    He’d do the tossing – he has no patience for people who overindulge.

    Will he know when to leave, or stay late and make a nuisance of himself?

    He’ll know when to leave. Being around his co-workers might be awkward, but he can judge the perfect moment to make his exit.

    The Hero’s Stressed Out Side

    How does the hero handle it if the cops or some other authority figure pulls him aside when he was blameless in a situation?

    He’ll remain calm. He knows racial profiling is a thing, and he’ll be worried. But he’ll do everything he’s told and hope things are sorted out later. He’s innocent. He’ll hold tight to that.

    How does the hero react to hearing a scream?

    He runs toward those in needs – even if it comes at his peril.

    If he sees someone being assaulted, what is the FIRST thing that crosses his mind?

    How can I intervene? If there’s a weapon, he might stop to call the cops.

    If he sees someone being assaulted, what is the FIRST thing he does?

    Jumps in. He knows he’s mortal, but he’s not going to stand by and watch someone get hurt. He’ll put his own life on the line if it means he can save someone else.

    This hero attempts to rescue someone and realizes that he is in over his head. The odds are against him and there is no way out. He is going to get his butt handed to him. What does he do?

    Keeps going. He’s found himself in over his head a few times and has always come out on top, so he’ll stick firm to the belief he can do it again. Even if he goes down in defeat, he’ll be able to cling to the fact he tried.

    The hero runs into the one person from his past he wanted to avoid. He can’t get out of the situation and must interact in some way. What does he do?

    Funny, this exact thing happens to him. He doesn’t want the confrontation, but he also understands it has to happen. In the end, though, he protects those in his life who he loves the most.

    Someone younger than the hero is in charge of the situation, and they are handling it badly, perhaps bungling things. How does the hero deal with it?

    He’s faced this exact situation. He brings the twins to Scott – who’s a few years younger – and it’s soon clear that Scott’s not coping well. Anthony doesn’t hesitate – he steps in to offer a hand without being controlling. Oh, and he falls in love in the process.

    The hero is in physical pain but must bear up under it and keep going. What does he tell himself in order to get through the situation?

    You’ve borne unbearable emotional grief and anguish. You lost everyone who meant something to you. You can endure this physical pain because there’s something better on the other side.

    What mentor’s words come to mind in a bad situation?

    A high school guidance counsellor brought him back from the abyss and helped him get into college. You’re stronger than you think will always be his mantra.

    What lesson from his past gets him through a stressful situation?

    Tremendous personal losses have been his guiding principle – he ensures the helpless children in his community are cared for. The desire to keep doing that is enough to see him through even the darkest situations.

    What one thing would you like readers to know about your hero?

    He was a bit of a jerk in my book, Hugh, another book in the Single Dads of Gaynor Beach series. Yet even as I wrote him back then, I knew he had reasons for being the way he was and I also knew – without a shadow of a doubt – that I had to write his redemptive arc. I hope readers will feel I’ve done that.

    Thank you, Kayelle, for letting me share a glimpse into Anthony. I really appreciate you letting me visit.

    Where to buy Anthony

    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Anthony-Single-Dads-Gaynor-Beach-ebook/dp/B0BJQL39SZ
    Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/anthony-gabbi-grey/1142694635
    iBooks https://books.apple.com/ca/book/anthony/id6444502148
    Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/anthony-24
    Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1179503

    Gabbi Grey Social Media

    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.

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