#CharacterInterview – “Amber Eyes” by Gabbi Black

The hero from Gabbi Black’s new book is chatting with me about his life and his proclivities. I’ll keep the questions PG since I’m in no mood for a spanking.

What’s your name?

Gage Clayton

Love the name Gage. What do you look like?

I have gray eyes and black hair. There might be some silver threads on my temples, but I look pretty good for a guy who is forty-three.

Hmm. I like a little silver at the temples. Um, okay… What time period does your story take place?

Autumn in Vancouver, Canada

I’ve never been to Canada. Maybe someday. What skill do you have that you’re proud of? Why?

I am good with conflict mediation. As a high school principal, it is often up to me to deal with recalcitrant students, uptight parents, and frustrated teachers. I listen to all sides, and do my best to reach a solution where everyone is happy. Of course if no one is happy then I’ve probably done a good job as well.

Haha! What did you think the first time you saw Rielle?

That she was as lonely as I was.

What’s the most terrible thing that ever happened to you?

My wife died two years ago from a brain aneurysm. I am still grieving losing her. We never had children so basically, I’m alone.

Oh, I’m so sorry. That’s terrible. Hopefully Rielle is bringing light back into you life. Do you see morality as black-and-white, or with shades of gray?

In my work as a high school principal, the world is very black and white. There are rules and I have to enforce them. Have I looked the other way a time or two? Rarely. I do my best to help students, but it’s always within the realm of the law. Now my personal life is different. In Canada, it is illegal to hit someone. Pretty straightforward law. But my proclivities make me a Dominant. I have women asking me to hurt them. Whether with a paddle, a flogger, a whip, or my bare hand, they ask for it. So, yes, there are definitely shades of gray.

Ooh, I promised myself no naughty questions, so I’ll keep my word. I’m sure, as a Dom, you’ll appreciate that. Why do you think your author chose to write about you?

She belongs to the BDSM community in Vancouver. She’s met people like me. People like my love interest, Rielle. She wants an accurate portrayal of the lifestyle.

That’s so cool! Thank you for chatting with me today, Gage. I mean, Sir.

Amber Eyes Synopsis

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.

Tagline:

She needs a firm hand.

He needs a challenge.

Excerpt

“Gage?” Her voice was quiet but questioning.

He pushed himself from the bed and padded to the bathroom.

She held up his phone. “It was ringing when I came in, but stopped.”

As he scrolled quickly, a cold dread enveloped him. A missed call from Jenna Lee at four a.m. on a Sunday could only portend bad news. Probably a break-in at the school, although in that case she’d probably have waited until daybreak.

“I’ll check my messages.”

“Of course.” Rielle was quick to assure, to offer unspoken support. “I’m going to have a quick shower.”

He heard her, but his mind whirled. Listening to Jenna’s message didn’t help as she implored him to call, stating it was an emergency.

Emergency.

His gut clenched. He and Jenna had lingo, an understanding. This word was to be used in the direst of circumstances. His unsteady hands hit the button.

It was answered on the first ring.

“Gage, thank God. You need to come down to the Mission City Detachment right away.”

“What’s going on, Jenna?”

“They won’t tell me, but Katie Rhodes has been arrested.”

He swallowed down a wave of panic. He barely knew Katie, as she was in the ninth grade, but an image of the diminutive girl with long dark brown hair and brown eyes flashed in his mind. Unremarkable except for her small stature. He doubted she topped five feet.

“Did they say why she was arrested?”

Buy Links

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3jf4oJd
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2CasIeT
Banes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/amber-eyes-gabbi-black/1137343876
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Gabbi_Black_Amber_Eyes?id=g-33DwAAQBAJ
KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/amber-eyes-11
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/amber-eyes/id1526064524?
Publisher: https://www.thewildrosepress.com/books/amber-eyes

Add it to GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54920296-amber-eyes

Bio

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.