Greetings from happy Abbotsford, British Columbia!

I have news news news!

I'll start with an opportunity for you and then move on to the personal stuff (remember I hinted about Ancestry bringing me a gift? Check out below!)

Okay, so this is the tougher part because I'm going to share something with you. I'm a cable news consumer. In high quantities. Which means, despite being Canadian, that I know way more about American politics than one sane woman should. But, as a Canadian, much of our world is impacted by our neighbors to the south. I also watch the Canadian news broadcast every night - trying to stay up with world events.

Why am I telling you all this? Because I followed the news and didn't believe the war in Ukraine would actually happen. When those first bombs fell, my heart broke. And as each horrific act has been revealed, that pain has only increased. I wanted to do something, but as a person in a far off land, I didn't feel there was much I could do. Several other groups of authors put together anthologies, and when I found the chance, I signed up immediately. (In fact, I was so excited that I signed up to write a story under each of my pen names.)

I'd love for you to purchase the anthology. 100% of the proceeds go to United Help Ukraine. The bonus? 45 stories across a broad swath of romance subgenres including at least 3 m/m romances (a new Gabbi Grey and a Kaje Harper are just two of them.) My story is The Lightkeeper's Love Affair. I stayed close to my west coast roots with this story and I promise the characters will show back up in my Mission City romance books (including my May release, but I'll save those details for another missive). And just to do another plug - my BDSM-light m/f romance titled Toronto Tryst is also included, from my pen name Gabbi Black.

Here are the details:

Amazon

Universal Book Link

Moving on to the personal news I promised. I was adopted - a long time ago. Although I was raised by two great parents, I did always wonder where I came from. In 2001 I met my biological mother, her husband, her three children, and her parents (my grandparents). The meeting was lovely, and I treasure the time we spent together. That being said, I wanted to know more. My mother gave me my biological father's name and said after my birth that he'd headed back to New Zealand. So I spent twenty years googling a very common name and New Zealand. I never got very far, and worried he might pass before I found him - if I ever did.

Then in December, I got a notice from Ancestry DNA. A woman was trying to contact me. She said we were sisters and she gave my father's name. Well, DNA is pretty solid, but I knew when she said his name. All the pieces fell into place. As it turned out, my father settled in British Columbia and had three children (I was born and adopted in Ontario). My adopted father came west to BC in the late 1980s and settled not far from my biological father. So all the time I was looking in New Zealand, my family was around the corner. Quite literally - that sister and I lived a few blocks apart when I stayed in North Vancouver over the summer. So, yeah, small world.

Now, I'm a deliberative and sensitive person, so it took a while for all this to sink in. Yesterday I finally met my dad and my two sisters.

I'll leave it to you to determine if you see any family resemblance. My sisters Sara (right) and Rachel (left) are amazing women and, of course, Miss Ally had to be in the center of the picture. And Rachel's dog Lou had to be there as well, although she's more tongue than shepherd in the photo.

Do you have a story you want to share? I'd love to hear if you or a family member or a friend is adopted. I am well-aware that not all reunion stories are as joyous as mine. Bonds were solidified yesterday, and I plan to see more of my family in the months to come.

One final piece of news! (Back to business.) I've signed up to join a multi-author shared world series called the Single Dads of Gaynor Beach. I'm thrilled to be working with such a talented pool of writers. My book is in edits right now and is coming out in July. You don't have to wait, though, because the first book is already out. I read it and fell in love with Jake and Micah. I hope you love it as well.

Snag your copy of Jake through Amazon or other retailers.

Amazon

Until later...

Take Care. Stay Safe. Stay Sane.

Love, Gabbi

(and don't forget to snag your copy of the anthology - available for a limited time)

Anthology