Delilah Devlin's Blog, page 7
July 25, 2025
Anna Taylor Sweringen/Michal Scott: Jessie Redmon Fauset — Mother of the Harlem Renaissance (Contest)
Langston Hughes wrote this about Jesse Redmon Fauset in his memoir, The Big Sea, “Jessie Fauset at The Crisis, Charles Johnson at Opportunity, and Alain Locke in Washington were the three people who midwifed the so-called New Negro literature into being.”
As I learned more about Ms. Fauset for this blogpost, I believe mother is a more accurate title for Jesse since she was the first to publish the work of many Harlem Renaissance luminaries, including Hughes, and literally gave birth to their careers.
She was born Jessie Redmon Fauset on April 27, 1882, near Camden, New Jersey, the seventh child of Rev. Redmon and Mrs. Annie Fauset. She grew up in Philadelphia and graduated valedictorian from the Philadelphia High School for Girls. The school’s valedictorians traditionally received scholarships to Bryn Mawr, but Bryn Mawr president, M. Cary Thomas, raised money for Fauset to attend Cornell University instead.
In addition to her degree in classical languages from Cornell University in 1905, Fauset received a Master’s degree in French from the University of Pennsylvania (1919). She also spent summers studying at the Sorbonne in Paris.
Until 2004, she had been mistakenly cited as the first black woman accepted into the Phi Beta Kappa society. That honor belonged to Mary Annette Anderson, the subject of my June blog post.
Fauset became a teacher at M Street High School in Washington, D.C., which was renamed in 1916 to Dunbar High School in honor of poet Paul Laurence Dunbar. In 1912, she began contributing poetry, short stories, reviews, translations, and essays to the NAACP’s magazine, The Crisis.
In 1919, W.E.B. Du Bois offered her the position of literary editor, where she worked until 1926. She introduced new talents and especially championed the works of women like Zora Neale Hurston, Nella Larson, and Alice Dunbar-Nelson.
Fauset was also the editor and co-author of the African American children’s magazine The Brownies’ Book from 1920 to 1921 where “children of the sun” could learn to appreciate their heritage.
Disgusted by white authors’ stereotypical depictions of African American life, she published four novels that offered authentic portrayals of the black middle class’s experience: There Is Confusion (1924), Plum Bun (1928), The Chinaberry Tree (1931), and Comedy, American Style (1933).
Once she left The Crisis she taught in New York City public schools from 1926 until 1944. In 1929, she married businessman Herbert Harris and remained so until his death in 1958. She then returned to Philadelphia, where she died from heart disease on April 30, 1961.
A portrait of Jesse painted by Laura Wheeling Waring (subject of my May blog post) is on view at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C.
For a fascinating look at Redmon’s life and times in Harlem, read Victoria Christopher Murray’s historical novel Harlem Rhapsody.
I continue to stand in awe of women like Jessie Redmon Fauset. I hope one day to leave a legacy that inspires others the way her example inspires me.
Contest: For a chance at a $10 Amazon gift card, share your thoughts on Jesse and women like her in the comments.
“The Patience of Unanswered Prayer”by Michal Scott in Cowboys
Kidnapped and destined to be another victim of Reconstruction-era violence, a feisty shop owner is rescued by a trail boss whose dark secret might save them both.
Buylink: https://amzn.to/3zfDpo2
Excerpt:
So, this was how one got to heaven, in the arms of a beautiful black angel. Or was it Jesus himself? Eleanor had made a game of memorizing images of blackness from the Bible. A description from the Book of Revelation surged to the fore.
And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters…His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire.
This had to be heaven. Where else would she find a fine Black man with hair like wool – not white but black shot through with threads of gray and silver – with wonderfully hairy arms to be her cushion? She’d never experienced the ecstasy now ablaze between her thighs on earth.
This had to be heaven.
A different kind of fire burned along her shoulder. She hissed against the pain.
Pain in heaven? Perhaps the transition from the earthly to the heavenly came with pain at first. Like having a tooth pulled. Ache and pang overwhelmed until a peace settled.
Like the peace of surrendering to the patience of unanswered prayer.
The post Anna Taylor Sweringen/Michal Scott: Jessie Redmon Fauset — Mother of the Harlem Renaissance (Contest) first appeared on Delilah Devlin.
July 24, 2025
Health Update & a Trip News (Contest)
I’m a little muzzy-headed this morning. I woke at 1:30 AM and didn’t get back into bed until 5:30 and was up again at 7:00. I took a pain pill when I got up the first time, a nice hydro because I was generally achy, and my back in particular was making it hard to rest comfortably. It happens. I guess it could’ve happened without the Big C, too, but I like to blame the bitch anyway. 
So, I’m sitting at my desk, feeling woozy, weaving a little in my chair because the hydro lingers. Not a bad feeling. I’m just wondering if I’m going to regret trying to write this post while I’m high. So forgive any typos…or anything else I write. HaHa!
This past Monday, I had my every-three-weeks immunotherapy infusion. It happened to fall on the day I had to take my Lenvima targeted chemo pills, too. While I’ve been doing well with the every-other-day pills (a general lessening of the fatigue and diarrhea), having the Keytruda infusion and the Lenvima pills on the same day walloped me. The next few days, I had to stay very, very close to the bathroom. TMI—I know. I have never had problems with my bowels before all this started. I was disgustingly regular. These days, I have to think on the daily, do I need to take an Imodium pill, and if I head out anyplace, should I be wearing Depends? Gah.
Anyway, I met with my oncologist on Monday, and he said to keep to the every other day schedule until he has a chance to see my lab work. I’m fine with that. It’s…manageable, and needs to be next week because…
I’m taking a trip! I haven’t traveled other than trips to the big city for surgeries or appointments since I was diagnosed (with Stage IV endometrial cancer, if you weren’t aware) last year. I’m not going that far. Five of my family members, including me, are heading to North Arkansas to spend five days at my sister’s place (sis is author Elle James). It’s about a four and a half-hour drive—it will be an Imodium-proofed/Depends day while on the road for sure, for me). Again, TMI, I know, I know, but I promised you all I’d always be real.
My daughter has restaurants already picked out for us to try. We live in a restaurant desert—several Mexican restaurants, one Italian, assorted burger joints, a Cracker Barrel, and another that makes good catfish—but my sister’s city boasts a bunch of ethnic restaurants, so we’ll be trying out a Lebanese place, a Korean place, a retro pizza joint with free, vintage pinball machines (for my SIL, who suffers through our food choices) and the like. We’ll also be hitting the flea markets/antique shops, because that’s our jam. She’s planning on shopping sprees and restaurant meals for late morning through mid-afternoon because she knows my energy lags and wants me home so I can wander off to bed for afternoon naps if I need them.
I’m not going to feel guilty about how everyone’s schedule is going to revolve around me and my energy/health limitations. They can head off for an evening if they want. I just want a change of scenery and to visit with my sister, anyway. At this point, I can’t imagine going on a cruise or flying anywhere. The “logistics” would be mind-bobbling.
In the meantime, my pool is crystal clear and temperature perfect for morning and early evening swims. I try to get in twice a day. My sister has a pool, too, so I won’t be missing my exercise.
Well, sorry for the boring post, but this was what was on my mind. I’m really looking forward to the trip. It may not be to some far-flung destination, but it will make me feel like I’m back “out there.” And I love road trips with the family. My SIL isn’t an “enjoy the journey” kind of traveler, but my girls and I are. We’ll probably drive him nuts with our sing-alongs, and “Ooh! Check out that sign—should we stop to have a look around?” Journey, not destination!
For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, tell me whether you make the most of the journey or are single-minded about getting to your destination when you travel!
The post Health Update & a Trip News (Contest) first appeared on Delilah Devlin.July 23, 2025
Story Cubes — Tell Me a Story (Contest)
Let’s play!
I bought this little brainstorming tool years ago at a writers’ conference. “Story Cubes” is a brainstorming game. You roll the dice, and whatever pictures appear face-up are the ones you use to riff off a story.
You can try to include all the cubes in your “story” or choose a few. The story you tell doesn’t have to be long or even any good. They all count!
To make this fun, I’ll offer a prize—a $5 Amazon gift card—good for purchasing one or two stories…
Have fun with this! Don’t overthink! Here’s the roll…
July 22, 2025
Sliding Puzzle: A visit to the apothecary… (Contest)
It’s time for another puzzle! Something to flex that gray matter!
As an incentive to give the puzzle a try, for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, solve the puzzle, then tell me why someone might be visiting this apothecary! Have fun! ~DD
The post Sliding Puzzle: A visit to the apothecary… (Contest) first appeared on Delilah Devlin.July 21, 2025
Gabbi Grey: Rucking Yet Again?!?! (Contest)
Hello, Delilah! Thank you for welcoming me here to share my new release! Big Rucking Disaster is the eighth and final book in the Rucked by You series, and I’m hoping readers will love it! My first contribution to the series, Hot Rucking Canadian, was published seven weeks ago. For the past few weeks, I’ve sat back with nervousness and watched readers’ reactions to that book, as well as the advanced readers’ comments about this new book.
Writing rugby was out of my wheelhouse. In fact, in more than fifty published stories, I’ve only done one “sports” romance. I use the term sports loosely, as Ace’s Place (free in all retailers) has a couple of hockey scenes, but the bulk of the story is a one-night stand that becomes more.
Still, when a rugby series was proposed by the wonderful folks at The New Romance Café, I was all-in. I watched a series on Prime. I learned all that I could about the sport. I wrote the first story with incredible enthusiasm. As I waited for that book to be released, though, I realized I had another story in me. Hot Rucking Canadian is the story of Travis, a rebar worker who goes up office towers under construction for his job, and Isaiah, a rugby player. Great. Cute story about a one-night stand that becomes more (I’m sensing a theme here…).
As I was writing Travis and Isaiah’s story, I created Isaiah’s rugby team. From Roger, the blind side flanker and dad to 4 (soon to be 5) kids, to Jason, the scrum half who is about to get engaged. I also created Johnnie, the hooker and captain of the team. He was always trying to set Isaiah up, without understanding why it never worked (see previous book for that salacious detail). I wrote one throwaway line about Johnnie having gotten a woman pregnant and that he was ready to marry her. She lost the baby, and Johnnie claimed to be relieved when the engagement was broken.
Okay, simple little detail. Not much to see here. Moving on to Isaiah and Travis’s story.
Except I knew, in my heart, that Johnnie hadn’t been relieved — he’d been heartbroken. He wanted to be a dad more than anything. He might not have been desperately in love with his girlfriend, but he would’ve happily married her, and they could’ve made a life.
Still, I had another book to write, and I shelved that knowledge.
After Isaiah’s story was finished and waiting to be published, I kept coming back to Johnnie over and over. I had other books I was supposed to be writing, but he was an annoying bastard who insisted his story needed to be told. NOW!
Writers will likely know what I’m talking about. This has happened to me before and likely will again.
So I dropped everything and wrote Johnnie’s story. I shared his heartbreak and how he entered into a rebound relationship that was proving disastrous. How he meets Yardley and suddenly he’s intrigued by a man. That his bisexuality side comes to the fore. Now. He’s sort of in a relationship that’s crashing badly, so he’s not really available to start something new. I’ll leave it up to readers to say if I have the right balance, but I think I do.
The book reunites the entire Vancouver Orcas team with the members introduced in the first book as well as some new ones appearing on page for the first time. I also tied in my Rocktoberfest 2024 book, Grindstone’s Edge as one of the MCs from that book, Hugo, is good friends with Yardley. They teach at the same school and are both queer, so that slotted nicely. And of course I connected books — it’s what I do. Previous reading is in no way required, but Hugo and his love, rockstar Axel, had a special role to play in this new rugby book.
Okay, so I had another rugby novella. The nice folks at The New Romance Café let me add my book to the end of the series and Johnnie had his story. I’d say he and Yardley make a great couple. For now, my rugby writing days are behind me. That said, I have a great lesbian story lurking in the back of my mind, so if another season comes up, I’m all-in.
Thank you, Delilah, for hosting me today.
Contest: As a thanks, I would love to give away a copy of Hot Rucking Canadian to one lucky commentor. Just let me know – do you read sports romances? Is there a sport you’re tired of, one you’ll always grab, or one you’d love to read? Let me know! Random will pick a winner. Good luck!
Big Rucking Disaster
About the Author
Johnnie
I’m the hooker (no, not that kind) for the Vancouver Orcas rugby squad, and my teammates are like family. They’re nosy like family too, worrying about me, even though I pretend I’m doing fine. But off the pitch, I’m stuck in a bad relationship, struggling to get along with Carly. I hope that volunteering for a local high school might make me feel I’m doing some good in the world. And the kids are great, but it’s Coach Yardley Morrison who feels like someone who might change my life. One look into his dark-brown eyes, and suddenly I’m wondering if I can make different, better choices.
Yardley
I’m convinced Johnnie Leclerc will just swoop in, sign autographs, get the kids excited, and then abandon them. Like my bastard ex-husband. So I play it smart and keep my distance from the sexy, but straight—remember he’s straight, Yardley—rugby star. But as weeks go by, the more he keeps his promises to the kids, staying patient and kind with them, the more attractive I find him. I know better than to hit on a guy like that, of course. Except every now and then, our gazes meet, and I don’t think I’m imagining the heat I see.
Big Rucking Disaster is a 29k word opposites attract, age-gap, bi-awakening, interracial gay sports novella with a by-the-book coach and the hell-raising hooker who wants to change his ways.
Links:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Big-Rucking-Disaster-Rucked-You-ebook/dp/B0FB7FVF4J
Universal Book Link: https://books2read.com/RuckingDisaster
Add it to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/235371270-big-rucking-disaster
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
July 20, 2025
Report Card & Open Contests
Last week…
I continued working on edits for another author!At last, I was able to get back to swimming after getting the pool pump motor replaced and getting the green out of the pool again! I’m back to swimming at least once daily! And can I say there’s been more pep in my step since?I’m painting, though not daily! I have just ONE MORE painting to complete until I reach the end of #the100dayproject! Here’s one of last week’s accomplishments. It’s like…tiny—business card sized. It counts!
This next week…
I’ll complete edits of a manuscript for another author and begin work on another author’s story.I’ll be reading the Burn: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology entries!I have my immunotherapy infusion on Monday. I’ll meet with my doctor, and he’ll decide whether I’ll increase my Lenvima dosages. Gah.I’ll continue painting to complete #the100dayproject.I’ll swim every day the weather cooperates!Open Contests
Be sure to check out these posts and enter to win the prizes that are still up for grabs:
Let’s Celebrate World Kebab Day! — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!Saturday Puzzle-Contest: The Ideal Vacation — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!Gabbi Grey: When life gave me lemons… (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win a FREE book!Word Search: Favorite Ice Cream Flavors (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!What are your favorite romance tropes? (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!Gabbi Grey: Jane Austen as a Muse for Queer Romances (Contest) — Win two eBooks and an audio book!Saturday Puzzle-Contest: What are they doing? — Win an Amazon gift card!The post Report Card & Open Contests first appeared on Delilah Devlin.July 19, 2025
Saturday Puzzle-Contest: What are they doing?
It’s Saturday! You know what that means! It’s puzzle time!
So, for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, solve the puzzle, then tell me what these two people are doing! Have fun with it!
The post Saturday Puzzle-Contest: What are they doing? first appeared on Delilah Devlin.July 18, 2025
Genevive Chamblee: Symbolism in Literature
Back in my day—cos, yeah, I’m old as dirt now it seems—literature was a required course in high school. By literature, I mean the classics: To Kill a Mocking Bird, Of Mice and Men, The Old Man and the Sea, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, The Great Gatsby, The Crucible, The Scarlett Letter, Animal Farm, Where the Red Fern Grows, The Catcher in the Rye, The Canterbury Tales, The Iliad, The Odyssey, Beowulf, Lord of the Flies, Flowers in the Attic, Waiting for Godot, and anything by William Shakespear. My high school prided itself on using the Stanford University reading list as a guide for our literature classes. The teachers stressed that reading these books would help us become well-rounded and develop critical thinking. I’ll be honest. Back then, I didn’t know what that meant or where I would use any of this information; therefore, I took their word for it. But it was no hardship because I liked reading. I like literature, even the Old English that was like plodding through mud at times. I remember being one of the only students in my literature class to get the jokes of The Canterbury Tales without the teacher explaining them.
Later in life, when I became a parent, the belief that learning literature was beneficial stuck with me. Soon after learning to read—and even before if I’m honest, cos audiobooks are a thing—I began loading my child’s Kindle with the classics. When we went to the library—which was every two weeks, but sometimes weekly—I insisted that she get at least one classic. And our library was really excellent at having many of the classics (e.g., Where the Red Fern Grows, Moby Dick, and The Outsiders) in watered-down versions easily digestible for youths and younger children. I was proud of myself for being a responsible and studious parent. That is, until I bumped into the son of the daycare owner.
Things happen for a reason. Decent daycare was hard to find, and affordable daycare was nearly impossible. So, when a situation occurred, and I had to switch daycares, I was more than stressed. But as luck would have it, a new daycare was opening. In fact, my child was the first to enroll there. And it wasn’t any daycare. The owner had a vision to treat it like a school, but not like a preschool. In the summer, daycare was full-time, but during the fall, only after-school care was provided. Thus, all attendees were school age. Furthermore, the attendees were divided into three groups (by age), and every two weeks, there were themes. For example, two weeks would focus on the American Frontier. All field trips, books read, movies watched, and activities would be based on this theme. Each room of the daycare was designed like a specialized classroom. For example, one room was designated for science and one for math. In the math room, the kids might engage in activities to calculate the number of days it would take a family traveling in a prairie schooner to travel from Boston to Salt Lake City, or (after a panning for “gold” activity) how to weigh gold and calculate how much it was worth. The idea was to get the kids to learn without them knowing they were learning. I loved it, and so did my kiddo actually. However, there was one rule that made this information pertinent to this post.
The kids had an hour of downtime to do whatever they wanted during the schedule. Of course, handheld game systems (hello, Nintendo) were popular. Due to concerns that the video games might get lost, broken, traded, or stolen, they were prohibited. This meant the kids had to find other ways to entertain themselves during the downtime. I sent books. This is when the owner’s son, who was in college at the time, informed my child that reading the classics would not help her in school or make her smarter. He went on to say that reading them was a waste of time. Because of him, my child became disinterested in the classics. I was livid.
Now, do I have proof that what my teachers said to me all those years ago is true? Nope. At this point, did I even care if it was true? Not really. Did I double down and go full-barrel on this young buck, that he didn’t know what he was talking about? Absolutely!
So, what were my arguments for reading the classics?
Developing Critical Thinking: Classic literature often presents intricate characters, ethical conflicts, and multi-layered narratives. Exploring and analyzing these elements encourages readers to think more deeply and critically about human behavior, motives, and societal issues.Expanding and Building Vocabulary: Many classic stories use rich, precise language and varied sentence structures and diction. These elements can broaden one’s vocabulary, enhance reading comprehension, and improve writing skills.Emotional Intelligence and Empathy: By encountering a wide range of diverse characters from various cultures and historical periods, readers can develop empathy and a more nuanced understanding of the human experienceLessons in History: Classic literature frequently reflects the values, struggles, and worldviews of the time in which they were written. They may give readers a perspective and understanding of different historical periods and social contexts.It is my understanding that many current grammar and high school educational programs do not require or even teach literature as an elective, and I think that’s a real shame. It makes me wonder if something is lost in how modern readers read.
I look at the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. Now, I know for many people she’s very polarizing. However, no one can deny that she has sold a lot…and I do mean a lot…of books. She has a very dedicated fan base. Just one internet search proves this. But what I’d like to focus on is how many videos discuss the meaning in the smallest of details. Are all of them intentional? In my opinion, no. That doesn’t take away meaning from or lessen the stories, though. On the contrary, it shows that readers are looking for a deeper meaning.
But in today’s contemporary romances, are those symbols and small details appreciated? Or are they overlooked? Do readers take the time to read between the lines, or do they require everything to be blatantly explained? Is symbolism in writing even noticed, or does it require too much thinking? If published today, would books like Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? or A Raisin in the Sun be successful and appreciated?
So, why is symbolism in writing important?
Adds Depth and Layers of Meaning: Symbolism allows writers to convey complex ideas in subtle, nuanced ways. A single object or image can represent multiple themes, enriching the text beyond its surface meaning.Encourages Critical Thinking: Interpreting symbols requires readers to think analytically and read between the lines, fostering deeper engagement and interpretation skills.Connects Themes and Ideas: Symbols may serve as unifying threads throughout a story to help tie together characters, themes, and plot points in meaningful ways.Represents Universal and Timeless Concepts: Symbols often represent universally recognized ideas that are widely understood, making the story more meaningful and relatable across historical periods and diverse cultures.Encourages Personal Interpretation: Symbolism allows readers to bring their own experiences and perspectives to the text, leading to varied and personalized interpretations.Dang Good Storytelling: Symbols contribute to the overall mood of a story. For instance, a rising sun can symbolize hope, new beginnings, or enlightenment, or dark weather can symbolize doom or despair. These ideas can shape how the reader feels while reading. Additionally, instead of stating themes outright, authors use symbols to “show” meaning through images, actions, or settings. They can evoke emotions more powerfully than direct statements.That’s a wrap on today’s topic. Now, it’s your turn to sound off. What did you think? What is your take on the subject? Do you agree or disagree? Did you find this information helpful or informative? Did you learn anything new, or did it change your opinion? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section.
Demon Rodeo
If Brokeback Mountain, 8 Seconds, Poltergeist, and Supernatural had an orgy, Demon Rodeo would be the lovechild.
Demon Rodeo is available now on Amazon. For video book trailers, visit my TikTok page. The full blurb is on my Instagram and Amazon.
Demon Rodeo is the first book in the Chasing the Buckle series but can be read as a standalone. It’s a friends-to-lovers romance set in the rodeo world. These are not your typical cowboys. It’s a widely diverse cast of characters and a mashup of genres that aren’t always seen together. If you’re looking for a palate cleanser, this may be a book for you.
Order
⇨ Amazon: https://readerlinks.com/l/4174852
⇨ All Stores: https://books2read.com/u/bP8RG7
*Note: All of my books can be purchased from brick-and-mortar bookstores (e.g., Barnes & Noble, Book-A-Million, etc.) as well if requested at the checkout counter.)
Until next time, happy reading and much romance. Laissez le bon temps rouler.
If you’re not following my blog, Creole Bayou, what are you waiting for? There’s always room at the bayou.
NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click here and sign up today.
Want to chat about writing, mental health, Cajun cuisine, Creole culture, or just spill some tea? If yes, let’s get connected. Follow me on one of my social links. There’s plenty to choose from.
Facebook: Genevive ChambleeInstagram: genevivechambleeauthorTikTok: CreolegurlNolaBluesky: Genevive ChambleeThreads: Author Genevive ChambleeBookBub: Genevive ChambleeAmazon Authors: Genevive ChambleeGoodreads: Genevive ChambleeX (formerly Twitter): @dolynesaidsoLocker Room Love
Are you searching for a sexy book boyfriend? You’ve come to the right place.
Out of the Penalty Box (book #1) One minute in the box or a lifetime out.Defending the Net (book #2) Crossing the line could cost the game. Ice Gladiators (book #3) When the gloves come off, the games begin.Penalty Kill (book #4) Let the puckery begin. Future Goals (book #5) The future lies between a puck and a net.About the AuthorHi, I’m Genevive, and I am a contemporary sports romance author. My home is in South Louisiana. If you like snark and giggles with a touch of steamy Cajun and Creole on the side, I may have your poison in my stash of books. Drop by the bayou and have a look around. The pirogues are always waiting for new visitors.
The post Genevive Chamblee: Symbolism in Literature first appeared on Delilah Devlin.July 17, 2025
Gabbi Grey: Jane Austen as a Muse for Queer Romances (Contest)
Hello, Delilah! Thank you for inviting me here today to discuss my new short story in a great anthology!
This anthology is, obviously, about rakes. Moreover, it’s historical. The time period is much broader than the last two anthologies I’ve partaken in — those were Jane Austen-inspired and therefore narrowed to the Regency period. This time, we had free rein as long as the period was “historical.” (The top was WWII, although I don’t know if anyone went that recent…)
For me, I was drawn back to the Regency period. I’d written two Jane Austen-inspired short stories — An Uncommon Gentleman and A Sensible Gentleman. One was based on Austen’s novel Persuasion, and one was based on her book Sense and Sensibility. I had a blast writing those, stepping outside the mold to write queer stories with Black protagonists. For this third historical short story, I wanted to stick close to home literally. I situated the lead characters as being near the moors and a short distance from the couple in my first story. Again, I made it interracial, super steamy, and with a bit of angst.
Henry returns from Waterloo a wounded man. He left England with a reputation as a rake, and in a pique when Napoleon first appeared on the scene. Henry fought his way across Europe with distinction. In the meantime, most of his family has died and, as the spare, he’s left to run his vast estate.
A childhood friend, Percy, steps up to be his valet. There has always been a gap in their stations, but they soon rediscover their friendship, which quickly blossoms into something more. A Wounded Gentleman is a steamy interracial gay short story. It’s double the length of my previous two stories and, let me tell you, my historical beta reader had her work cut out for her to whip my story into shape. I swore, after this project, that I would never write another historical novel again! (Right up until I signed up for the next project — a novella).
I hadn’t planned for a trilogy, but when I signed up for the third historical, it only made sense — in my mind at least. My epilogue is lovely for those who are only reading this story, but a treat for those who’ve read all three. I had fun with this project and will endeavor to do something historical next year. (My readers are asking for it — and they want longer. My beta reader is happy, so off we go…)
That’s it, Delilah. That’s the story! Thanks for letting me visit today.
Contest: I would love to give away an e-book of my first two stories and an audiobook of A Sensible Gentleman. To win, just leave a comment. Do you read historicals? Is there a particular time period? Something you know you won’t touch? Let me know. Random will choose the winners. Good luck!
Romancing a Rake Romance Anthology
“A Wounded Gentleman” by Gabbi Grey
They’ve lived in the shadows of scandal, but love has a way of rewriting the past.
In this historical romance, experience the passion, heartbreak, and ultimate redemption of notorious rakes who dare to risk it all for the women who change their lives forever. From glittering ballrooms to moonlit gardens, each story is a tantalizing journey of love, second chances, and the power of forgiveness.
In the world of the Ton, reputations may be ruined, but these daring heroes prove that redemption—and true love—are never out of reach.
Perfect for fans of second chances and bad boys with hearts of gold, this anthology delivers swoon-worthy tales that will keep you reading long into the night.
Authors:
Kelsey Swanson
Freya Theadore
Mihwa Lee
Gabbi Grey
Kathleen Ryder
Ginny B. Moore
Melissa Kendall
Emma Brady
Alivia Fleur
Sharon Michalove
Carrie DiRisio
Heather Scarlett
Lisabel Chretien
Tasha Blythe
Alexa Santi
Steffy Smith
Eliana Piers
Kat Sterling
Sherri Lupton Hollister
Olivia Huxley
A.T. Abbott
Tanya Wilde
Giovanna Siniscalchi
Ramona Elmes
Christina Diane
**The anthology will only be available for a limited time.
Links:
Universal Link: https://books2read.com/tnrc2025romancingtherake
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Romancing-Rake-Historical-Romance-Collection-ebook/dp/B0DGFKRJ58
Add it to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/218652702-romancing-the-rake
from Romancing the Rake
Henry
I’ve returned home from the war in France one-armed and defeated. While I was fighting at Waterloo, my father, brother, and sister-in-law all died, leaving me alone to raise my baby niece. I’m a broken man, and this new battle feels impossible to win. Only the assistance of my valet Percy, who refuses to leave my employ, offers me any hope.
Percy
My feelings for Henry are even more intense now than when we kissed all those years ago. Since those carefree days, I’ve put aside my feelings for him, and I’m now acting as his missing right arm. I take care of his needs, and his niece’s, while suppressing my own. As our intimacy grows, I can’t help but wonder if he might return my affections after all. But our respective ranks and the dangers for men of our kind form an impenetrable wall between us.
A Wounded Gentleman is a 17k Regency gay romance short story set in Jane Austen’s Persuasion world about a valet in love with the lord who is seeking redemption after being a rake.
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
July 16, 2025
What are your favorite romance tropes? (Contest)
On days when I take my chemo pills, er, targeted therapy pills, I have to rest in the hours afterward. It just sucks the energy out of me. I have an alarm set for noon to take my pills, so I rush through the morning getting as much done as I can because I know my energy will be sapped in the afternoon. That’s when I get into my recliner and find a movie or a TV show and nap with the cats on my lap or, if I’ve paid for my once-a-month weekly subscription to a reels app, watch an Asian short film.
I’ve watched quite a few reels by now. The stories are very predictable and follow many of the same tropes, but I don’t mind. Some of the tropes are super silly, but then again, aren’t secret babies and amnesia in Western romances?
The transmigration trope is the most hilarious. Women who previously were meek or stupid are now replaced in their bodies with women who are highly educated doctors or engineers from the future. They know the past of the woman they’ve replaced and now can navigate the politics inside the emperor’s court masterfully. They thwart the evil concubines or empresses and win the good guy by the end. If they had an abusive husband, he really, really gets what’s coming to him.
The violence is astounding. Secondary characters drop by the dozen around our heroine, victims of stabbings and poisonings. Our intrepid heroine moves past having close friends and family and servants being murdered around her with barely an acknowledgement. They can be equally as ruthless, but still so endearingly innocent when they find the man who is willing to give up his own life for hers or move mountains to make her happy.
Buckets of fake blood are spit up at canings, moments of high stress (not sure why), and poisonings. Blood makes everything more serious.
I still snicker over the medical professionals taking pulses to determine what poisons were used to sicken a character or tell whether someone is pregnant. Prick a finger and drop the man’s blood into a bowl of water along with a drop of a secret baby’s blood, and you know instantly whether that child is his.
So far, my favorite tropes (common recurring themes) in these Asian reels are:
Transmigration of a modern woman into a dead woman’s body in a feudal empireA heroine defending herself from a concubine working with a cheating husband to murder our heroine so she can be the “wife”A sexy general who is cold and heartless but gradually melts like butter after he meets the woman fated for himA woman forced by a family who trades their daughter’s future for power (but who always get either murdered or cut out of her life after she rises to empress)A female general who is as ruthless and cunning as our hero who saves the empire and gets her manFor a chance to win a $5 Amazon Amazon gift card, tell me your favorite romance tropes. Some common ones in Western romances are: secret babies, enemies to lovers, fated mates, secretly rich, etc. Have fun with it!
The post What are your favorite romance tropes? (Contest) first appeared on Delilah Devlin.
