Delilah Devlin's Blog, page 4

Report Card & Open Contests

Report Card

Last week…

I continued reading through my YES stack of stories for Burn: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology  entries to skinny it down!I continued to work on edits for one author.I had a couple of days this week where I didn’t do a thing. Not one productive thing. Between diarrhea and fatigue, I napped away two full days. It sucks that everything I do and take doesn’t leave me with the ability keep moving and working. Pity part over!

This next week…

(Repeating from last week) I’ll set up the online pre-order for Ignition .I’ll complete working on edits for one author and begin edits for another author.I’ll send out letters of acceptance/rejection for the authors who contributed to the Burn anthology.I’ll set up a private FB group for the  Burn  authors to communicate and get authors started on writing their loglines for their stories.I’ll continue to work on organizing & cleaning up my art room. (This is a forever project!)I’ll co-lead the art guild meeting on Thursday where we’ll paint Christmas tree ornaments.I’ll participate in my art guild’s sale next weekend, selling my paintings!Open Contests

Be sure to check out these posts and enter to win the prizes that are still up for grabs:

Memory Game: Favorite Fantasies (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!Joyce Palmer: Writing and Reading Series (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win TWO FREE books!Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Just a Lazy Saturday — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!Flashback: Little Green Dreams (Contest) — Win a FREE book!Clear My Bookshelf Giveaway! — Win a signed book!Gabbi Grey: When You Want to Speak Out (Contest) — Win 2 FREE books!Sliding Puzzle: Curious Events Day (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift book!TGIF! (Contest) — Win a hand-painted (by me!) bookmark!Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Picnicking Couple (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!The post Report Card & Open Contests first appeared on Delilah Devlin.

Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Picnicking Couple (Contest)

I headed to my favorite stock photo site and typed in “cartoon romance.” Toward the top was the image I chose for today’s puzzle. I’ll tell you what it’s all about—a couple lies on a blanket on the ground. No, there’s no food in the picture, but I saw a blanket on the ground and immediately thought “picnic!” So, maybe they already ate, got rid of their trash, and now they’re resting because they’re full.

But looking at that picture, I remember the last time I enjoyed a picnic was likely when I was stationed in Germany in my thirties. Why no picnics since? I live in the South. When it’s nice enough outside to consider a picnic, we’ve got a lot of pesky insects, including fire ants. So, picnicking now isn’t something I think of as relaxing and joyful. And at this age, getting down on the ground makes me dread getting up off the ground, if ya know what I mean. Not a pretty sight. Imagine rolling over so you can get on your hands and knees, looking like a turtle, then pushing to get to your knees, and then getting one foot under you, but still reaching out for someone’s steadying hand…

And now, I’m hearing Debbie Downer’s “wah-wah-wah” in my head. But those picnics when I was young… *sigh* There was nothing like a lazy day spent beside a river or a lake, lying on a blanket, preferably with a guitar close at hand… (I used to play). Anyway, those are the things that came to mind when I saw this picture.

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, solve the puzzle, then tell me what you think when you see this picture. Have fun!

The post Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Picnicking Couple (Contest) first appeared on Delilah Devlin.

TGIF! (Contest)

Just another Friday. It’s going to be busy for the family though. The 16-year-old will be working the parking lot with her JROTC group during the Friday night football game. My dd and the 12-year-old will be watching the game. My SIL has bunny cages to clean after he gets off work. And I’ll probably be sitting in my lift chair, watching Asian reels because, by that time, I’ll be done with work for the day. I’m sure it will be something to do with a modern woman transmigrating into the body of some woman being treated badly by her family, where she will seek revenge against all of them and win the emperor’s heart by the end. *sigh* Or maybe I’ll find one where she transmigrates and everyone who hated her because they thought her sister was being bullied by her learns she’s the actual victim because, now, they can hear her inner thoughts. *So satisfying.*

For a chance to win a hand-painted (by me) bookmark, tell me what your night will look like!

The post TGIF! (Contest) first appeared on Delilah Devlin.

Sliding Puzzle: Curious Events Day (Contest)

I’m back with another puzzle! It’s good for your brain. It’s fun. Yeah, sometimes, it’s frustrating, but if you have time to read this post, you’ve got time to play!

Today is Curious Events Day! It’s dedicated to conspiracy theories—think crop circles, UFOs, the Bermuda Triangle, etc. Weird stuff needs its own day, right?

For a chance to win an Amazon gift card, solve the puzzle then tell me if you have a favorite, weird conspiracy theory you wish was true!

The post Sliding Puzzle: Curious Events Day (Contest) first appeared on Delilah Devlin.

Gabbi Grey: When You Want to Speak Out (Contest)

Hello, Delilah!  Thank you for inviting me here to speak about something close to my heart.

Sometimes the world isn’t such a great place. War, famine, natural disasters…it can all be overwhelming.

Sometimes, the desire to turn away is strong.

Sometimes, the need to preserve one’s sanity means not engaging.

And then, sometimes, the need to speak out overwhelms.

I often want to say something. The biggest impediment is my job. I have to be careful about what I say, who I speak out for, and what I do. Yes, I’d be putting my job on the line — and the financial dominoes would fall, and I’d be without a roof over my head with my two dogs. Moreover, my job is to help people. I have specialized skills.  There are people for whom help would be months or years in coming.

All really good reasons to keep my thoughts to myself.

That said, I do other things.

My news station showed misleading footage. I wrote to the ombudsperson to call them out.

I share stories with friends and family so they’re aware of what’s going on in the world.

Really, though, my activism is through my stories. Through my queer stories, I am showing resistance. Some people would want my stories banned.  Some people don’t believe queer people should exist — gay, trans, lesbian, bi — that none of us have the right to take up space.

Needless to say, I disagree with that completely.

So, I write queer romances. I write blogs. I write words over and over again.

My new book is even more of a resistance than usual.

How?

Well, social activism is the center of the story.

Yes, this is a rock’n’roll book. My third in the Road to Rocktoberfest series.

Malik, though, is not an average rock star. Or maybe he is — artists are some of the loudest protestors these days. They use their platforms to bring attention to issues.

Well, my rock star does that. He thinks bringing attention — through likes and clicks — is the best way to get his point across.

That brings him into conflict with the organizer, who is trying to bring the public’s attention to the causes of Indigenous rights where it intersects with environmentalism.  No small task these days when people’s attention is being drawn into a million different directions. Spencer believes in persuasion. Malik believes in blunt force.

And there I had my conflict.

Rock star versus lawyer.

A true “opposites attract” story.

I’ve leave it up to readers if I got the balance right. If I can persuade them to examine important issues while also putting the burgeoning relationship between Malik and Spencer front and center to the story.

I hope I did.

Okay!  Thank you, Delilah, for having me visit.

Contest

I would love to give away copies of my two previous Rocktoberfest books: Axe to Grind and Grindstone’s Edge.  Just leave a comment. D you appreciate a bit of activism in your stories or do you want pure escapism?  Let me know! Random will choose one commentor to win.  Good luck!

Voice to Raise 

Malik

Until I turned twenty-five, I took the safe route, the good boy route. Played with the orchestra, kept my head down, didn’t make waves. Now I can’t stay silent any longer. I walked away from my violin, relearned the guitar, and started a rock band. With Razor’s Edge, I can create the music I’ve always dreamed of, and we’re good enough to win an invite to Rocktoberfest. But I also love my band for helping me raise my voice to support social justice. Now I just need to convince Spencer I can chase musical success and still be deeply committed to making a difference.

Spencer

I’ve been fighting for justice practically from the cradle, and I believe organizers should welcome everyone who wants to be involved. That said, when an upstart rockstar looking for the limelight comes to join our fight, I’m skeptical. I want true believers, not people who are looking to leverage our cause into a viral hit. Malik might be gorgeous, and even a sweet guy under the tattoos and bad boy persona, but he’s chasing his dream of fame in Black Rock while I’m on the ground in Vancouver trying to make meaningful change. He doesn’t have room in his life to be serious about music, serious about justice, and serious about me.

Voice to Raise: Rocktoberfest 2025 is an opposites-attract, age-gap, interracial, hurt/comfort gay romance novel about the power of activism, making a commitment, and how chasing one dream can open your heart to another

The boys are back in the multi-author Road to Rocktoberfest 2025 series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but why not read them all and see if some of your past favorites poke their heads in. Err…voices. Hot rockstars, stolen kisses, drywall repairs and the men who drive them over the edge. What more could you ask for? Kick back, load up your e-readers and enjoy the men of Rocktoberfest!

Links:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F88KVZXP
Universal Book Link: https://books2read.com/VoicetoRaise
Add it to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/233955822-voice-to-raise

About Gabbi Grey

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

The post Gabbi Grey: When You Want to Speak Out (Contest) first appeared on Delilah Devlin.

Clear My Bookshelf Giveaway!

As a way to solve my book-hoarding problem and make room on my bookshelves, I’m continuing my Clear My Bookshelf Giveaway! The last one I did was in May—way too long ago. I have a ton of my books, collected over my 20 years of publishing. Rather than consign them to the burn barrel I’m going to give some of them away. I’m happy to offer more opportunities for readers to win a signed copy of one of my books! My daughter is on board with making trips to the post office for me. She loves it when I volunteer her for stuff. [image error]

For a chance to win a randomly chosen by me (I might say, do you want a western, an erotic, contemporary, or a paranormal?) book, which I will of course sign and fill with a bookmark painted by me, tell me your favorite thing you like to cook! (I’m thinking about food because I’m hungry right now! )

The post Clear My Bookshelf Giveaway! first appeared on Delilah Devlin.

Flashback: Little Green Dreams (Contest)

Sometimes, we authors take a detour from our usual fare. It’s a way to reconnect with our joy of writing. Little Green Dreams was one of those “detours” for me. However, it wasn’t a complete deviation from what I usually do. I love writing about quirky characters in small towns. This time, I wrote about people I know well—the folks in Central Arkansas, and a small town where my dad was raised.

In actual fact, this book was an homage to my dad. When the idea came to me for this book, many years before I wrote it, and before I became a published author, I talked to my dad about the mystery of the “Gurdon Light.” It’s kind of famous, actually. News organizations have covered it, and Unsolved Mysteries dedicated an episode to it as well. It’s a phenomenon many people have witnessed. And when my father agreed to take me for a long walk along the abandoned railroad tracks in Gurdon, Arkansas, where it occurs, I saw it for myself — a mysterious glowing light that seems to swing from side to side of the track. There’s a murder that occurred in the early 1900s of a railroad foreman, and the legend goes that he carries his railroad lantern along the tracks.

My father’s memories, and the help of a local university librarian who copied news articles from the trial of the man who murdered that foreman, were my starting point. I wrote the first three chapters, entered the story in some contests (and won a couple!), then I set it aside because I published and I had to write what would continue to sell.

This story was always in the back of my mind. Long after my father passed, I was ready to finish it. So, in 2023, I wrote and self-published the story. It’s not my usual thing, so it didn’t sell well, but I’m very proud of the story. Here’s what one reviewer had to say about it:

Strange lights hovering over railroad tracks, wonderfully crafted characters, a little humor, and southern charm highlight what is a perfectly paced, nicely written journey into the surreal and brings to mind a famous quote, “There are more things in Heaven and Earth…”

If you’ve never read it, I hope you’ll pick up a copy. It’s a ghost/alien/small-town/romantic comedy. Yeah, too many labels, I know. But it’s the book of my heart.

Little Green Dreams

Order Ebook: Kindle | Nook | Kobo | Apple Books | Google Play | Smashwords

Order Print:  Amazon

A tabloid reporter seeks the truth behind an alien abduction claim made by a woman whose husband disappeared, although the truth may destroy his chances to woo her beautiful daughter…

Sometimes, Joe Franchetti hates his job at the National Informer, especially when he’s assigned to cover stories involving aliens from another world. When he is sent to investigate the story of a woman in rural Arkansas who claims aliens abducted her husband, he vows to debunk her story, no matter how much the truth might hurt her attractive daughter.

Sandra Billingsley has a problem. Her stepfather is missing, and her mother is the prime suspect in his disappearance. In addition to protecting her eccentric mother from a possible murder investigation, now she must contend with a national tabloid reporter set on exposing her mother as a murderess or a madwoman.

While the investigation turns up more suspects and the local townspeople scheme to profit from the “alien invasion,” Joe and Sandra work together to unravel the mystery, knowing their attraction is doomed to end in pain when the truth is revealed.

Contest

Comment for a chance to win a download of any story in my backlist that you’d like to read.

The post Flashback: Little Green Dreams (Contest) first appeared on Delilah Devlin.

Report Card & Open Contests

Report Card

Last week…

I had a date with my doctor to review my stats. After confirming that it appears my cancer is resurging (remember, just a month ago, my PET Scan looked great, so we’re ahead of it!), he put me on an everyday dosage of Lenvima and ordered a CT scan before my next appointment. Oh joy.I finished reading entries for the Burn: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology !

This next week…

I’ll set up the online pre-order for  Ignition . I’ll work on the final two chapters of this book. This is the month I’ll finally get it done!I’ll continue working on edits for one author, hopefully finishing on Saturday and begin another author’s edits mid-week. I’ll be a Busy Bee.I’ll continue reading through my YES stack of stories for Burn: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology entries to skinny it down! I’ll make my decisions and then send out acceptances/rejections.I’ll set up a private FB group for the  Burn  authors to communicate and get authors started on writing their loglines for their stories.I’ll continue to work on organizing & cleaning up my art room. (This is a forever project!)Open Contests

Be sure to check out these posts and enter to win the prizes that are still up for grabs:

Anna Taylor Sweringen/Michal Scott: Lucy Craft Laney – History That Cannot Be Erased (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Lovely Bruschetta — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!September into October & a Health Update (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!Gabbi Black: Finding the Right Reader (Contest) — Win a FREE book!Memory Game: Favorite Fantasies (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!Joyce Palmer: Writing and Reading Series (Contest) — Win TWO FREE books!Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Just a Lazy Saturday — Win an Amazon gift card!The post Report Card & Open Contests first appeared on Delilah Devlin.

Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Just a Lazy Saturday

I titled this blog “Just a Lazy Saturday,” knowing my Saturday is going to be anything but lazy. I won’t be a ball of fire, but I will be editing, resting, editing, resting, then reviewing and skinnying more of the Burn anthology YES pile until it’s time to go to sleep. Sounds boring, right? Well, I’m just happy to be here and still able to do my job. So, I sit happily, posting this blog before I open my To-Do list and get started! Happy Saturday! And enjoy the puzzle!

For a chance to win an Amazon gift card, solve the puzzle and then tell me what this couple is going to do this lazy Saturday. Now, get your minds out of the gutters! Have fun with this. Silly is acceptable.

The post Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Just a Lazy Saturday first appeared on Delilah Devlin.

Joyce Palmer: Writing and Reading Series (Contest)

Thank you, Delilah, for inviting me to post on your blog. I appreciate your never-ending support of authors. May the seeds you’ve sown in us continue to reap a harvest of dreams beyond your greatest imagination.

The topic I’ve chosen to post about today involves the recent trend toward series romances. Since the beginning of my writing journey many years ago, with lots of starts and stops through the valley of life’s reality, I’ve written several standalone stories. Having created a fictional town that I called Edison Bay—inspired by the place I have lived my entire life—I set many stories in that location. But I didn’t connect the characters except for a brief mention here and there.

With almost every title, someone asked for the supporting characters to get their own story. I didn’t pick up on it then, but I realize now my readers were calling for a series.

Personally, I love reading romance series. It allows us readers to get to know the people, fall in love with them, and follow their lives as their connections are further established. I find myself thinking about the characters as if they’re real people. I know many of you do, too. It’s kind of comical.

If you’re like me, you enjoy series that include a great number of stories, and sometimes there are so many that it’s difficult to keep up—especially if you read them out of order. Don’t you just love the ones where the author provides a family tree at the beginning? Some even offer a download list to help the reader keep track. I’ve started keeping a notepad listing of favored authors’ series stories, marking them off as I read each one. Of course, if you use Amazon or Goodreads, or maybe there are other programs, the record is available. Who knew reading could be so much work, right?

Sometimes, we come across a brand-new series and enjoy reading them as the stories get released. Guess that’s why they started the practice of Pre-order. Just the knowledge that another one is coming keeps the interest flowing. It’s as if the emotional low when you’ve finished reading a heartwarming tale and realize the people will forever be merely a memory blossoms into excited anticipation when there’s another story featuring the characters you’ve grown to love. Except when you reach the end of the series. Kind of like binging on a television series and the letdown when it’s over, canceled, or someone dies, and the saga must end.

Sad, but now the memories are greater, filled with more stories, more details, and more of those characters we love. Sometimes, they inspire fresh stories and a new series; the creative prospects are endless.

At the beginning of 2024, I dusted off my writing hat and went to work after taking a few years off. To keep up with the trend, I ventured into writing my first series of three stories. With the memory of the pressure of deadlines, my plan was to write all three stories before submitting to a publisher. This worked out well because it allowed me to make changes within any of the three stories for enhancement and consistency. Also, I had the time to proofread many times for inconsistencies.

As you can see, writing a series can be rewarding, especially if you can hold off getting it published until you’ve completed the set. There are also challenges. Not the least is making every one of your characters have their own unique personalities, with likes and dislikes, talents, and flaws consistent throughout every story, and their own speech patterns. Does the hero call the heroine baby? Or sweetheart? Or something completely unique? Is the heroine a bath or shower person? Does she wear bikini panties or G-strings? Does he wear boxers or briefs?

Many times, I cried. Wondering what have I done? Am I crazy? The answer is YES! The challenge is fun!

Now that I’ve successfully completed my first series, and the stories are being published by Evernight Publishing, I’m working on a new series. This time, I’m not asking myself if I’m crazy. I know I am, as I’ve decided this one needs to be six stories. It’s exciting. I want to talk about it here, but it’s not the time yet.

Most likely with this series, which I’ve entitled Taylor Made for Love, I won’t be able to hold off until completion of the entire series. I have a publisher, and it’s important to keep myself relevant, which will require the writing of more books. It’s a challenge, but fulfilling. If you’re interested in learning a bit about my new project, you can check out my current work in progress page on my website: www.joycepalmer.com.

Maybe Delilah will invite me back to discuss something related to those stories when the time comes. Until then, please check out my current series entitled Seduced by Mr. Right.

LOVING AMANDA, Book 1, is a friends-to-lovers, age-gap contemporary erotic romance featuring Amanda Reynolds, who has always had a thing for older men. Her best friend’s father, Detective Daniel Garrison, a widower and seventeen years her senior, sets her body on fire, and her heart into overdrive. Released August 1, 2025.

CAPTIVATING BARBARA, Book 2, is an enemies-to-lovers, contemporary erotic romance featuring Barbara Ryan, a woman of unwavering independence who longs for a soulmate to fulfill her dream of a traditional family. The last man she expected it to be was Detective Adam Sinclair, the commanding, overbearing detective who keeps meddling in her life, stirring her body and emotions in unexpected ways. Released today, October 3, 2025!

EMBRACING NICKI, Book 3, is a neighbors-to-lovers, contemporary erotic romance, featuring Nicki Hamilton, an amazing friend with male trust issues. If she is to gain her dream of true love, like her friends, she will need to step out of her comfort zone and take a chance on her hunky next-door neighbor, former pro footballer and current assistant state attorney, Trent Brannigan. Not yet released!

Each story is a true sequel, starting where the previous one leaves off. If you’re inclined to purchase and read, I appreciate you very much. I hope you find my stories as enjoyable to read as I enjoyed writing them. And I hope my characters live in your memory longer than in a passing moment because you find them irresistible.

I’d love to hear what you think about romance series. Do you like your stories to continue with supporting characters? Or, because of our fast-paced lives these days, do you prefer a quick read and then move on to the next with no connection between them?

Comment for a chance to win a Kindle copy of Seduced by Mr. Right, LOVING AMANDA, Book 1 and CAPTIVATING BARBARA, Book 2.

Seduced by Mr. Right (2 book series) Kindle Edition

The post Joyce Palmer: Writing and Reading Series (Contest) first appeared on Delilah Devlin.