UPDATE: The winner is…Julianna!
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Hello, Delilah! Thank you for inviting me here today to discuss my new short story in a great anthology!
I’m sure you’re wondering…Taylor Swift?
I’ll see if I can explain. About a year and a half ago, I signed up for this anthology. Well, this one and a bunch of others. I signed up for every one I could get my hands on.
Then Plot Whisperer and I sat down to figure out potential storylines for each anthology. This one was a bit perplexing. What circumstances might lead a couple of guys to only have one bed?
I came up with the idea of Taylor Swift coming to Vancouver and people having to bunk together.
Plot Whisperer vetoed that idea. Not because of TS…but just because it didn’t resonate with her.
We kept working at figuring a reason.
In the end, we settled on the tight housing market in Vancouver. Completely legitimate if you know this city.
Then we needed to sort through how Troy and Rocco knew each other, why Troy needed help, and why Rocco would offer it. Check, check, check.
From there, I just had to write my story.
Writing about Rocco’s decision to downsize from a large house made sense. He wanted to be closer to work (Vancouver traffic is hellacious).
Troy’s living near the poverty level because of a job that pays barely above minimum wage is definitely a thing.
Throw in a good friend, a wayward son, and I had a story.
But I didn’t get my Taylor Swift!
Ironically, she announced she was coming to Vancouver just a few months later, and she ended her tour here. So, yay Vancouver!
(I did consider having Troy hit by a car by someone heading to the concert but wouldn’t have fit – so I vetoed my own idea.)
Mentioning any person – living or dead – is always a risk. Especially speaking of them in a negative light. There are people who don’t like Ms. Swift and would take offense for me including her in my story – even if I was only mentioning her concert as being popular. (FYI – I tried to get tickets and couldn’t. Given the expense, that probably wasn’t a bad thing. See above for the cost of living in the Vancouver area.)
Thanks for letting me visit Delilah! And to talk a bit about the process of writing. I would love to give away a $5 Amazon Gift Card. Can you remember a time when you were reading a book and a reference to someone famous struck you? (Good or bad…) I had a reference in an upcoming story to someone I thought was a good actor and a decent guy. My proofreader said, you realize he’s a jerk, right? I googled and was horrified. And no, I hadn’t realized. I had to change a line in the story just a week out from publication. One of the reasons having a good team is so important. So let me know! Or is there a famous person whose name would turn you off from a book? Drop a comment! Random will pick a winner.
Bed, Two Hearts: An Only One Bed Romance Anthology
Sometimes love starts with a little forced proximity… and just one bed.
In One Bed, Two Hearts, discover a collection of contemporary romance where strangers, friends, and even enemies find themselves sharing a bed—and maybe, just maybe, sharing their hearts too. With sizzling chemistry, accidental sleepovers, and unexpected connections, each story brings you a delightful take on the beloved “only one bed” trope.
From cozy cabins to luxury hotels, these stories are filled with laughter, tender moments, and undeniable attraction that will leave you swooning for more.
Perfect for fans of forced proximity, slow-burn romance, and a dash of humor, One Bed, Two Hearts delivers love that blooms when people are closer than they ever expected.
Authors:
Jill Brashear
Deaia Sanders
Michelle Moncreiff
Linda G. Hill
Emma Lynn Everly
Chele MacCabe
Sharon Michalove
Skylar M. Cates
Gabbi Grey
Cara Dion
Freyja Frost
Angela Breen
J.M. Adele
Jewelz Baxter
Ebony Snow
Juliet Martini
Cynthia Terelst
Harper Michaels
Maida MalbyThe anthology will only be available for a limited time.
Links:
Universal Link: https://books2read.com/tnrc25onebedtwohearts
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/One-Bed-Two-Hearts-Collection-ebook/dp/B0DJRKFBDY
Add it to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220258911-one-bed-two-hearts
Inside One Bed, Two Hearts: Saving Troy by Gabbi Grey
Rocco
Being called to a hospital in the middle of the night is scary. When I discover my adult son’s best friend has been injured and has no one else around to help, I race to his side. Troy’s always been a nice kid, and now he needs a safe place to stay. My condo’s a tiny one-bedroom, but we’ll manage. Or so I tell myself.
Troy
Spending the Christmas season with the hottest man around—who also happens to be my best friend’s dad—is torture. Every night. Worse because his couch sucks and we end up sharing the bed. Platonically, of course. In theory. If Marco finds out I’m crushing on his dad, and it’s mutual, he’s going to kill me.
Saving Troy is a 15k one-bed, best-friend’s dad, instalove, gay romance short story.
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
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What an interesting question, Gabbi! I think in general I don’t expect authors to reference real-life people in their stories, I think in part because that really cements them into a specific place/time. I think that I have seen that sometimes in historical romance. For instance, Joanna Bourne’s series is set during the Napoleonic wars, and do mention Napoleon and troop movements, but also don’t say, depict interactions between her characters and Napoleon…
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I doubt that I would not read a book if it referenced a known person I would avoid in real life.
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I read a lot of historical romances that reference real people, and I often look them up on Wikipedia. More recently there have been books set in the early 20th century / WWII which have caused me to investigate people and events.
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can’t think of any
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I would still read a book if someone was mentioned I did not like. There are many I am not fond of but none come to mind right now.
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I can’t think of any. I usually end up looking up people and places when they’re mentioned in a book. It’s engaging for me.
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I have seen references to certain songs or movies and thoughts that I wouldn’t have included it in the story. I will admit to laughing so hard when a character said they love the Die Hard movie. Woman after my own heart!
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I don’t hate anyone enough not to read a book where they may be mentioned. I dislike people who have a closed mind whether they are pro or con to another person and refuse to see the otherside–especially family. I know in my books, I have referenced me and local sites where I live, but don’t think I mentioned anyone else.
I mentioned family. A lot of people here strongly dislike (or worse) a retired 49er quarterback because of his business practices. No one should have any concerns on how people live their lives. To me, his is still family!
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I’m a little late to post here but I can’t think of any famous name that would put me off from reading a book. BTW I got the anthology now I just have to make time to read it. 🥰
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I don’t think a mention of a disliked famous person would be enough to put me off of reading a book.. I guess unless loving that person is central to the character or theme. For instance, I don’t care for JellyRoll. If the main character was obsessed with him, I’d find it difficult to connect, and might end up putting down the book.
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I would still read the book. I cannot remember a specific book but do recall several that have mentioned Taylor Swift or Ed Sheeran.
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We took my daughter to see Taylor when she came to Little Rock. This was back in her hair banging days. My husband ended up going with us and he got an education real quick. I do Have a great respect for Taylor.
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Thanks so much to Gabbi for a fun post!
The winner is…Julianna!