I love when characters visit my blog for a meet-and-greet. Today one of the heroes from Gabbi Gray’s new MM romance is here. Let’s get started…
Whats your name?
Jared Langford
What do you look like?
Medium height. Medium brown hair. Blue eyes. (Ive been told theyre my best feature.)
What time period does your story take place?
June in Vermont.
What is your occupation?
Are you any good at it? Do you like it? Im a desk clerk at the Deerbourne Inn in Willow Springs. Im not just good at my job, I love it. I get to meet people from all over the world who visit our sleepy town. Ive noticed a trend recently – many of them are falling in love with local townsfolk and choosing to stay in Willow Springs. A bit of a population boom.
What skill do you have that youre proud of? Why?
My hobby is photography. My photos have been featured in the newspaper and some lifestyle magazines in Vermont. My specialty is nature photography. Xander Fortier, though? His photographs of war zones are stunning. Hes even won a few awards. And hes staying here. At Deerbourne Inn. And Im trying to play it cool but it turns out hes gay like me and, phew, theres a bit of chemistry. But this is new to me and hes okay with taking it slow. Plus, its not like hes staying…
What was your dream growing up?
Did you achieve that dream? If so, in what ways was it not what you expected? If you never achieved the dream, why not? My childhood was rough – which most people dont know about me. We were secure financially, but some stuff happened that made me really sad. And my parents too. In my sophomore year, I began auditioning for musicals. I started in secondary roles, but by my senior year, I was the lead. I headed to New York City with the dream of being a Broadway star. Im now a desk clerk in Vermont, so you can see how that panned out. But dont feel sorry for me. I often play leads or secondary characters in the local regional theater company. I might, in fact, be playing a central character in the next show theyre putting on.
What is peoples first impression of you?
I have a reputation as being the most cheerful guy in all of Willow Springs. Well, okay, maybe not the cheeriest, but darn close. Im wholesome, happy, and everyone knows they can count on me. And they can, to be sure. But no one knows my secrets. My life hasnt been all sunshine and roses but I dont share that part of me. I mean, even my boss Nate doesnt know. I dont want to disillusion people, you know?. Then I meet Xander and suddenly I feel I found someone I can open up to. Share my burdens.
Why do you think your author chose to write about you?
Oh, thats an easy one. My author met me in the first Willow Springs book she wrote, My Past, Your Future. She was smitten with me. (And who wouldnt be?) She wanted me to have my own happy ending. She mightve had to fight for that, but shes a stubborn one and she got her way. She gave me Xander and the rest, as they say, is happily ever after. My own sweet gay romantic story.
If Only for Today Synopsis
Jared Langford is a happy man. The desk clerk at the Deerbourne Inn knows everyone in his cozy town in Vermont. He is accepted and loved by the community, but he’s missing someone special in his life.
Devastating news has brought journalist Xander Fortier to Willow Springs for some much-needed rest. He’s photographed every major conflict in the world for the last ten years, but being stateside has forced him to reassess the solitary life he’s been living.
Something in Xander’s gruff demeanor calls to Jared’s caring nature. Soon the men are spending time together, but Jared’s kisses might not be enough to keep Xander from leaving. Can the men find a happily ever after if they only have today?
Tagline:
He came looking for solitude. He might leave after finding love.
Exclusive Excerpt
“Finnigans is a block from here. Do you want to grab a drink?”
Beer sounded divine, but he was flagging. Hed spent the entire day hunched over the keyboard, and he was more tired than he ever remembered feeling. He hadnt felt this exhausted even after three days without sleep in Helmand Province. Of course hed been running on adrenaline that time. When he crashed, hed slept around the clock. Being safe had allowed him to sleep like the proverbial baby. “I appreciate the offer, but Im going to take a rain check. Im tired.”
“Of course, I understand.” Jared didnt meet Xanders gaze, instead continued walking toward the inn.
“Whats that tune?”
“Sorry?” Jared stopped walking and pivoted.
“That tune. What are you humming?”
Under the streetlamp, Jareds pinkening cheeks were clear. The young man blushed easily. Prettily. Endearingly.
“I, uh, well…” Jared gazed up at the streetlamp. “I was humming about dancing all night.”
Oh really. That was interesting. “Tell me more.”
“Well, I love Eliza Doolittle and I was thinking about, you know, the end of a nice evening.”
“Eliza…? Oh, right, George Bernard Shaw.”
“And Lerner and Loewe.”
“Ah yes, the musical.”
Jareds gaze sharpened. “You dont like musicals?”
“I do not not like musicals. I dont do musicals, if you know what I mean.”
“I do know what you mean.” The hurt was obvious. Jared tried to school his expression, but he was definitely frowning.
Damn. “You know a guy can be gay and not love Barbra Streisand, right?”
Those blue eyes flashed. “Of course I know that. Just because she starred in several of my favorite shows doesnt mean I expect everyone to like her. To like Broadway.”
Links:
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3fOsviy
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/31LG1LP
KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/if-only-for-today
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/if-only-for-today-gabbi-grey/1138919955
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/if-only-for-today/id1556170342
Publisher: https://www.thewildrosepress.com/book-post/if-only-for-today
Bio
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/
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
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorgabbigrey/
Facebook (page): https://www.facebook.com/AuthorGabbiGrey
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GabbiGrey
Best of luck with your book! Enjoyed meeting Jared.