Hi! My name is LB Gregg and I write m/m romantic comedies. Thanks for stopping by on the How I Met Your Father blog tour. I’m thrilled to be part of the Home for the Holidays collection and want to encourage you to purchase my book—as Riptide will donate 20% of the proceeds of the sale of this book, and the collection, to the Ali Forney Center in New York. The centers mission “is to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning (LGBTQ) youth from the harm of homelessness, and to support them in becoming safe and independent as they move from adolescence to adulthood.”
A quick Q&A with LB Gregg:
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Connecticut, and consider myself a New Englander. I love clam chowder (the Rhode Island kind with the clear broth) and clam fritters and a good Yankee pot roast and Sam Adams. I love autumn and small towns and the New England Patriots.
What’s your favorite place to visit?
The British Virgin Islands. The snorkeling is wonderful, the rum is plentiful, and the scenery is beautiful. My husband and I spent our honeymoon there almost 25 years ago and have been back over and over again to sail and to reconnect with each other and to bleach our bones in the sun. Each trip is better than the last.
What do you love about being an author?
The people I’ve met—editors, writers, fans, bloggers, publishers, actors, artists—it’s wonderful to have the opportunity to meet a new world full of interesting people. It’s been such a blessing.
What do you hate about being an author?
The sedentary life style.
What inspires you?
Family. Community. New England. Travel. Wine. Books. Magazines. Popular culture. My dog. Yoga. And an assortment of playlists from musicians and bands from Dubstep to Folk— Simple Gifts was inspired by the Counting Crows song Colorblind.
Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?
Totally from my imagination.
What was the most surprising thing you learned about yourself while writing How I Met Your Father?
How much of my time on Nevis translated into a short story. The flora and fauna, the visitors as well as the locals, the bars, the Christmas carols, the mast lights on the boats, and the double rainbow that appears over the Narrows between Nevis and St. Kitts—those details come from my experience. This novella is very special to me because we were fortunate enough to spend our holiday on the island last year.
Favorite Song: Today? Pride by Manchester Orchestra or Grace Kelly, by Mika
Favorite Movie: Silver Linings Playbook
Favorite TV Show: Breaking Bad/Modern Family
Leather or Latex? Leather
Naughty or Nice? Nice
How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?
I was in Southern California visiting friends. A group of us went to Victoria Gardens to the PF Chang’s where I stuffed myself on lettuce wraps and gossip and heard the most outrageous story about a tiny fairy princess making love to a full grown man and his, uhm, rather large manhood (thank you Holly, from Book Binge).
After lunch, there was a book swap in the parking lot. I’d never experienced an outing with fellow readers before—just a bunch of fun, local women who loved romance novels and blogging and would get together to eat and chat about books. Blogging introduced me to a community of other romance readers. It was incredibly special to spend the afternoon my first book was published with those women.
Do you have any special writing rituals?
Coffee and my cat-eye rhinestone glasses. In the winter, I add a cashmere sweater and sweat socks.
What’s next for LB Gregg?
Simple Gifts audio and, if I meet my deadline, the next Men of Smithfield: Sam and Aaron, coming next spring from Carina!
Under the influence of one too many lattes, LB Gregg writes m/m contemporary romantic comedies for a variety of publishers including Riptide, Carina Press, Samhain and Musa. For information about LB’s books, visit her on the web at lbgregg.com or say hello to her on Facebook.
Blurb:
The man of your dreams could be sitting right next to you.
Former boy band member Justin Hayes isn’t looking for a man. He just wants a quiet, scandal-free Christmas at home in Chicago, out of the public eye. But his best friend and bandmate is subjecting everyone to his destination wedding, and Justin can’t dodge the “best man” bullet. All he has to do is get to the island on time, survive the reunion, and get Chuck to the altar with as little drama as possible. What could possibly go wrong?
Jack Basinger’s own plans for a quiet Christmas have been dashed by the summons to his daughter’s hasty wedding with a man Jack has hardly met. On the bumpy flight to the island, he finds himself comforting a nervous — and extremely attractive — young man. One hasty sexual encounter in an airport bathroom later, they both feel much better. No one ever has to know, after all.
Now Justin and Jack must find a way to explore their attraction, despite the distractions of disapproving family members, unexpected announcements, an impromptu concert, and an island paradise that proves there’s no place like home.
Giveaway: Enter your details in the Rafflecopter below and leave a blog post comment to gain entry into the “Home for the Holidays” giveaway! This week of the tour closes at midnight, EST on 11/23/13. One grand prize winner will be contacted at the end of the tour on December 15th. Contest is valid worldwide.
Never had a holiday vacation unless you count not having to go to school when I was a kid
That's a holiday vacation right there! Those were the best when we were kids.
Honestly, if I had to pick between going away or staying in my house for the holidays, I'd pick staying at home every single time.
Thanks for stopping by Dana!
That's called a staycation and I think I've perfected them. 🙂 I've been to a few book conferences in the past few years but other than my honeymoon 20 years ago we haven't gone anywhere BIG. Wow, that's so sad, lol, I really need to remedy that.
Thanks for stopping by the blog for your blog tour, LB. You know I love ya, honey. Great book, great post. 🙂
I haven't gone on holiday vacations either. I prefer to stay home and celebrate with all my family.
You are on my very short list of 'auto buy / must read' authors. Fun, light, a big angsty, romantical (LOL), sweet, mad-capish… your books are everything a boy or girl wants to read.
Tracy-It's always an honor to be included on your blog. I <3 U. And, as you see, I've added a bit about the So. Cal bloggers in the interview. I need to come back to LA!
elaing8~ It definitely is easier to stay home! We're home this year and I'm going to sleep until noon. I swear. 🙂
stevetlenoard–
**blush** Thanks, doll. I'll keep writing if you promise to keep reading. <3
Keycon on the Victoria Day weekend in the 80s.
One of my favorite holiday vacations is when I travel to visit relatives and loved ones. Thank you for the fun blog tour!
Loved the interview, thanks for sharing!
Phoenix Emrys–I had to look that up! LOL. Sci-fi in the 80's sounds like a very good time.
awindandbooks~Thanks for popping by. This is my very first 'blog tour' and you all made it successful!
L
Emily~Thanks so much. After the week, I think people may know more about me than they ever thought possible. =)