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Gabbi Grey: Stanley’s Christmas Redemption (Contest)
Thursday, May 5th, 2022

UPDATE: The winner is…Jennifer Beyer!
*~*~*

Hello Delilah!

Thank you so much for hosting me today.  I’m so excited to share the news of my new release.

Stanley’s Christmas Redemption has been quite a journey for me.  Last year, I joined a charity anthology.  I had mere days to write a novella, and mere hours to plan it out.  I dove into a world I’ve created and tried to find a character whose story I could tell.  My lumberjack-ginger-Scrooge-hero in Ginger Snapping All the Way had a jerk of an ex-boyfriend who left him while he was in the hospital dealing with a devastating injury.  My mind whirled.  What if that ass of an ex had a story?  What if he had what he thought was a good reason for leaving?  What would he have to do to redeem himself in the eyes of his former friends and, more importantly, in the eyes of his ex-boyfriend?

From that seed of an idea came a novella.  But readers wanted more.  They felt the length didn’t do the story justice.  They wanted more of Stanley. (By the way, always be careful of the name you choose for throwaway characters—I don’t know if I would’ve chosen Stanley if I’d know the man was going to get his own book—that being said, the name has grown on me.)  As I sat down to tell Stanley’s story, more came to me.  My sweet spot for writing novels in 72k to 85k words.  Stanley topped out at 85k, yet I don’t feel any of it was padding.  I needed that space to tell the story of a selfish man, a caring counselor, and an orphan boy desperately in need of a loving home.  Yes, the book is a love story—the happily ever after was guaranteed.  The real question was—could Stanley be redeemed?  I invite readers to check out the book and see for themselves.

In honor of my visit today, I would love to give out a $5 GC to one of your devoted followers. 

Tell me, as a reader, do you believe a villain in one book can be a hero/heroine in the next? Can you think of another story where that’s happened?  If that question doesn’t tickle your fancy, how about audiobooks?  Do you listen to them? Is there one that stands out in your mind as one you would recommend to other listeners?

Again, thank you for hosting me, Delilah.  I always love visiting you and sharing news with your followers.

Stanley’s Christmas Redemption

Stanley

I have life figured out—a good job, a nice car, and an ex-boyfriend whose heart I broke. But then my half-brother dies unexpectedly, and I go back to our hometown to settle his affairs. A quick trip before Christmas. Instead, I get the shock of my life. Do I face this new challenge or do what I’ve always done—run? Or will I stay and get to know the most amazing man I’ve ever met and take on a responsibility I’ve never dreamed of facing? This will be a holiday season like no other.

Justin

I’m a therapist who helps people deal with grief. My life is fulfilling. So what if I’ve been single for years? I have the kids I counsel and co-workers I adore. Maybe I’m tired of going home to an empty house and not looking forward to another Christmas alone. But I’m not going to be taken in by some slick city guy who can’t wait to leave town. I’m not going to upend my life just because I’ve met the man of my dreams. Right?

This is an 85k opposites-attract instalove mid-angst gay romance novel.  Previously published in the charity anthology Secret Santa: A Romance Collection, the story has quadrupled in size with more love, laughs, and a touch of Christmas magic.

Buy links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZD95NH7
Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Stanleys-Christmas-Redemption-Audiobook/B09ZBM2GJ8

About the Author

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.

Personal links:
Website: https://gabbigrey.com/
Newsletter sign-up:  https://sendfox.com/gabbigrey
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
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorgabbigrey/
Facebook (page): https://www.facebook.com/AuthorGabbiGrey
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GabbiGrey
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/gabbigreyauthor/
Facebook (personal): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009821772591

14 comments to “Gabbi Grey: Stanley’s Christmas Redemption (Contest)”

  1. Beverly
    Comment
    1
    · May 5th, 2022 at 7:11 am · Link

    I believe it’s possible for a villain in one story to have life turn around and become the hero/heroine in another story. Sometimes, it’s only a change in their life or an event which brings about the change, which can be explained in their story. I’m not an audiobook person. I just really enjoy just sitting, relaxing, holding a book (or my kindle) and reading.



  2. Anna Taylor Sweringen
    Comment
    2
    · May 5th, 2022 at 10:52 am · Link

    Hi Gabbi, I remember reading a book by Lisa Kleypas where that was the case. The heroine goes to the villain of the previous book and asks him to enter into a marriage of convenience with her.



  3. Colleen C.
    Comment
    3
    · May 5th, 2022 at 12:40 pm · Link

    I have seen a villain become the hero in another book… just can not recall the name of it… audiobooks, not my thing.



  4. ButtonsMom2003
    Comment
    4
    · May 5th, 2022 at 4:08 pm · Link

    I actually love it when a not-so-nice character in one book finds redemption in another one. It’s not always possible of course because some bad guys really are beyond redemption, but other times it makes for a great story.

    I also love audiobooks and have been fortunate to listen to quite a few of yours for review on Xtreme Delusions blog. I’ve signed up with Gay Book Promotions for the tour of Stanley’s Christmas Redemption and I’m looking forward to listening to it.



  5. Mary Preston
    Comment
    5
    · May 5th, 2022 at 4:29 pm · Link

    For a villain to become a hero it would very much depend upon why they are classified as a villain in the first place. Some things can be overcome, others not so much.



  6. Diane Sallans
    Comment
    6
    · May 5th, 2022 at 6:05 pm · Link

    it depends on what the ‘villain’ did, and why they did it. As long as what they did isn’t horrible, they can be shown in a more favorable light and get their own HEA.



  7. Jennifer Beyer
    Comment
    7
    · May 5th, 2022 at 8:26 pm · Link

    I have read some good redemption stories where the “villain” becomes the hero. I can’t think of any examples right now but it can be really nice to see someone get a good redemption.



  8. Gabbi Grey
    Comment
    8
    · May 5th, 2022 at 9:16 pm · Link

    Thank you for hosting me! Love, Gabbi



  9. bn100
    Comment
    9
    · May 5th, 2022 at 9:29 pm · Link

    yes, can’t think of any



  10. Debra Guyette
    Comment
    10
    · May 6th, 2022 at 4:46 am · Link

    It is possible to change and become a hero. I love audio books. The Harry Potter series is very welldone



  11. Laurel Greer
    Comment
    11
    · May 6th, 2022 at 11:11 am · Link

    I agree with Anna further up the comment thread – Lisa Kleypas’ redemption of St. Vincent made fo a fantastic character arc. Love that story.



  12. Stacey Howland
    Comment
    12
    · May 6th, 2022 at 12:10 pm · Link

    I actually LOVE it when the villain from one story gets redeemed in another. The more HEAs the better!



  13. Eloreen Moon
    Comment
    13
    · May 6th, 2022 at 2:20 pm · Link

    Indeed, I believe a villian can be a hero later. Just read Bellamy by Jaclyn Osborn where that was depicted in the series Sons of the Fallen.

    As for audiobooks, I do enjoy them just don’t have time to listen since I listen when driving. My favorite audiobook(s) are Jordan L. Hawk Spectr series books, all of them. 🙂



  14. Delilah
    Comment
    14
    · May 15th, 2022 at 9:06 am · Link

    Many thanks to Gabbi Grey for being a great guest!

    The winner of the GC is…Jennifer Beyer!



Comments are closed.