Welcome back, Gabbi Black! This author also writes gay romance under the pen name Gabbi Grey. Here’s my review of her charming romance novella Catch a Tiger by the Tail: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/1545514552 . Today, she’s here to introduce a steamier tale: Amber Eyes.

School principal Gage Clayton is still grieving the death of his wife and submissive, yet he can’t ignore his Dominant needs. As he enters Club Kink, he’s inexplicably drawn to a newly released sub with an intriguing proposition and the most captivating amber eyes. But she has disturbing baggage and her expectations prove quite a challenge, one that would necessitate a commitment he’s not ready for.

Rielle Reid needs a Dom while she waits for her former Master to return. When she invites a handsome stranger to her home dungeon for a night of play, she’s surprised at his gentle dominance—and her response to it. But in the light of day, his demand for equal footing confounds her. After living four years as a twenty-four/seven slave, she has no concept of how to be anything other than property.

Gage must find a way to master Rielle to free them both from the shackles of the past.

Excerpt:

He stood in the middle of the living room, listening to the sounds of her cleaning up after their dinner. Time to get out and walk away. Pack his bag and leave. She was perfectly capable of self-destructive behavior without him sticking around for the show.

But she was also the woman who had almost come apart in his arms. The woman who had never experienced an orgasm. The woman who kept an old teddy bear on a tiny white bed.

Slowly, with each heartbeat, each breath, he fought that initial urge. He wasn’t in too deep yet—he could still extricate himself if things didn’t work out. For the first time in a long time, he’d spent an entire day without thinking about Cara. He had something to look forward to other than an empty house and a microwaved meal.

“Gage?”

He pivoted to face her, compelled by her soft pleading voice.

Wrong.

He was in way too deep. Because the idea of walking out the door tightened the band around his chest, robbing him of breath. “Yes, Rielle.”

“What happens now?”

She read his silence as him having doubts—and she hadn’t been mistaken. He took a deep breath. “Black room or the white room?”

Relief flooded her features, and she launched herself at him, barely giving him a chance to catch her. “The black room, please. Please, Gage, I need it. I need you.”

Her words could be interpreted in several ways, but he chose the simplest. She needed him at this moment as much as he needed her. Tomorrow was another day.

Get your copy here:

Amazon US:  https://amzn.to/3jf4oJd

Barnes and Noble:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/amber-eyes-gabbi-black/1137343876

Even though Gabbi Black is a firm believer in happy endings, she makes her characters work for it in every romance she writes, no matter what the genre.  From contemporary to BDSM, they are penned late at night in her home on a beautiful British Columbia mountain surrounded by magnificent trees and every conceivable woodland creature—including bears.  She also writes gay romances as Gabbi Grey.

A few questions for the author:

1. Tell us about your inspiration for this story.

For this book, I had an image of a woman at the balcony of a BDSM club.  That was it.  I started to ask questions – why was she there?  Why was she lonely?  Who would tempt her from her self-isolation?  What kind of hero did she need?  I started writing and within three months I had a total of three books in the series topping out at almost a quarter of a million words.

2. What do you love about the genre you write in?

I love writing BDSM books because of the mystery of the genre.  I started writing the books before I visited the local scene. Now that I’m involved in BDSM, I believe my writing has become more authentic.

3. Do you write in other genres? 

I write in several genres.  Under the pen name Gabbi Black I write BDSM dark erotic books.  As Gabbi Grey I write gay romances, and as Gabbi Powell I write contemporary m/f romances that are mid-heat and mid-angst.  All very different types of books.

4. What does your writing space look like?

Pre-COVID I haunted my local Starbucks.  My dog, Ally, is a certified therapy dog and fortunately she’s allowed in the store.  We would sit in the corner and I would write for hours on end.  Other customers would come and say ‘hi’ to her and those would be my breaks.  The pandemic has hit me hard because my bubble is tiny.  At least we’re able to go into the store now so Ally gets to say ‘hi’ to all her friends.  I have discovered if I hunker down and focus, I can write at home just as well.  My most recent project was written in my bedroom.  Everyone has had to adapt and this now works for me.  That being said, I look forward to the day I can got back to hang out in the store. 

5. Any advice for aspiring writers? 

Perseverance.  I wrote ‘the end’ on my first book in 2012, and it’s taken eight years to get published.  I spent that time taking classes, attending conferences, and doing everything I could to become a better writer.  I wrote Amber Eyes in 2014 and had several rejections before my editor at The Wild Rose Press read it.  She saw my vision and helped me edit the book into something I can be proud of.  Hang in there and keep working at it.

6. Which authors have inspired you?

I remember clearly reading my first BDSM book – Molly’s Lips by Annabel Joseph.  I was enthralled because I never knew there were people like me out there.  I felt like I’d come home.  In turn, I devoured every one of Annabel’s books and then had the pleasure of meeting her in person.  This book is dedicated to her.

Just a quick thanks to Sadira for hosting me.  I know BDSM might be a new genre for some readers, but I hope they’ll give it a chance.

Visit Gabbi Black on all the socials!

Website:   http://gabbiblack.com/

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

Facebook (page): https://www.facebook.com/Author-Gabbi-Black-106666354460589/

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.ca/authorgabbiblack/boards/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/GabbiAuthor

Bookbub:  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/2763198834