Snapshots

by L.B. Gregg

The second book in Riptide’s Bluewater Bay is my very own contribution—There’s Something About Ari.  The only novella in the collection, mine is a friends to lovers story about forgiveness and second chances. Hi. I’m L.B. Gregg and I’m happy to be here.

Some months ago, my editor emailed to ask if I’d like to contribute a story to a new multi-author project. The series would revolve around the community of Bluewater Bay, a former washed-up logging community on the Olympic Peninsula, and the vibrant new werewolf-themed detective drama being filmed there. Each book would be a stand alone novel featuring Bluewater Bay townies or folks involved in the Wolf’s Landing empire. I could develop my own characters to add to the town, or pull from the BWB universe bible. The door was wide open, the stage was set, as long as the book was contemporary, at least a little sexy, and I turned it in on time.

Honestly? I balked. I couldn’t imagine myself writing about werewolves or TV stars. What the hell did I know about the Pacific Northwest other than Starbucks, pine trees, Pearl Jam, and Portlandia?  Plus—did you see that line up of contributing authors? L.A. Witt, Z.A. Maxfield, Aleksandr Voinov, Heidi Belleau, Rachel Haimowitz, Anne Tenino, Amy Lane, SE Jakes, and G.B. Gordon. How did L.B. Gregg fit into that crowd?

I felt dowdy. Like Plain Jane surrounded by a glamorous assembly of writing superstars.

Actually, I felt a lot like Buck. So I said yes. The hook for me? Perspective. That feeling of ‘otherness’ became my starting place. I would write a story for this fictional town using my own distinct viewpoint, and created my own little corner of Bluewater Bay— Fifth Street.

The great thing about working with all these terrific authors is that we offer a kaleidoscope view of Bluewater Bay. Guided by our editor, we’ve cultivate the initial vision of BWB creators, LA Witt and Alexsandr Voinov, into tiny, vibrant snapshots of life and love in Bluewater Bay.

About There’s Something About Ari

Buck Ellis’s future seems pretty damn bright. With a full college scholarship in hand, he’s going to ditch Bluewater Bay and pave the way for his kid brother Charlie to do the same. The only fly in Buck’s ointment is his ten-year addiction to his best friend since second grade, his true love, and his Achilles heel: Ari Valentine, Mr. Least Likely to Succeed.

But then Buck’s mother dies, changing everything, and five years later, his future is still on hold. It’s a struggle to keep food on the table, a roof over their heads, and Charlie on the straight and narrow. Buck can’t afford any temptation, especially in the form of the newly returned, super hot, super confident, super successful television star Ari Valentine.

ADHD poster-child Ari Valentine left for Hollywood and lost everything, including his bad reputation. Then the breakthrough role of his skyrocketing career lands him back in Bluewater Bay, to the stunned disbelief of, well, everyone. But there’s only one person Ari longs to impress—the only person who ever really mattered to him, the person he left behind: Buck Ellis.

Available at: Riptide Publishing

About L.B. Gregg

When not working from her home in the rolling hills of Northwestern Connecticut, author L.B. Gregg can be spotted in coffee shops from Berlin to Singapore to Panama–sipping lattes and writing sweet, hot, often funny, stories about men who love men. Check out more about LB at her Website, Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter or email her at lbgregg@lbgregg.com.

Every comment on this blog tour enters you in a drawing for a $10 Riptide Publishing store credit. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on November 16th, and winners will be announced on November 17th.  Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries.

Don’t forget to check out Nikyta’s review of There’s Something About Ari to see what she thought of it!

Good luck!