✨ Interview ✨
How would you describe your writing style/genre?
My genre is Contemporary LGBTQ+ Romance. I don’t say M/M because my books aren’t limited to cis male characters. I have non-binary characters, I have gender-fluid characters, and I’m sure I’ll be writing many more characters within the LGBTQ umbrella that are not cis-male.
I write first-person dual POV, and I’d say my style is casual without being too informal. I want the reader to know and love the characters as much as I do, to understand them, but I don’t like to go overboard with internal monologue. I love reading books like that, but it’s just not how I hear my characters.
Have you ever taken a trip to research a story? Tell me about it.
Absolutely! My current series, Love in the Pacific Northwest, is set in… The Pacific Northwest! Specifically Seattle. I wanted somewhere with a reputation for being accepting of the LGBTQ+ community but also a place that wasn’t a bustling city like L.A., Chicago, or New York. Seattle fit the bill, and it had the added bonus of being where one of my two best friends lives. So, ROAD TRIP! Well, really, airplane trip, but you get the idea. I flew out after publishing Save Me and stayed for a few days. We drove all around the different neighborhoods, and took ferry rides. I’m actually planning another trip out this July and we’re going to visit some of the locations I’ve written about in Free Me, and some places my friend is writing about in her books.
I’m also planning a trip to visit yet another friend who lives in Portland. That will probably happen next year, because that’s where my yet-to-be-named next series takes place. I’m keeping that Pacific Northwest theme going!
Do you reward yourself for writing, or punish yourself for failing to do so? How?
I’m not a fan of punishment as a motivation. I’m definitely a fan of positive reinforcement and rewards as motivation. So, yes, I reward myself for writing. Specifically, for completing books. Each of my covers in my current series has people with tattoos. My reward is to get one of those tattoos myself. My entire left arm is devoted to my Love in the Pacific Northwest series, plus my publishing company’s logo. The right arm is reserved for my next series, and I’ll just keep going until I’m done writing, or I run out of parts to tattoo.
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?
Yes, I read all of them. If a reader has taken the time to leave me a written review, not just a rating, then I figure I should take the time to read what they’ve said. I sometimes respond, too! Just like anybody, I love the good reviews. One good review can absolutely make my day. Good reviews are motivating. They make me want to keep writing and publishing. It lets me know I’ve touched people.
With the bad reviews it’s a bit different. If the review is constructively pointing out what the reader didn’t like, or what they would have preferred I listen and if I agree, I try not to do it again. Has this happened? Yes. Absolutely. Reader reviews have influenced plot choices, but not because I’m trying to cater to any specific reader or group. It’s because I was thinking those same things might be an issue, and someone else felt that too. They basically reinforced what I was seeing as a plot weakness, too. If it’s just bashing and unhelpful then I don’t pay attention to it for long. Does it hurt my feelings? Absolutely. I’m just as human as the next person, and I want people to like what I write. So if that didn’t happen, I’m upset. Am I upset for long? No. Especially if there isn’t any takeaway to be gained from the bad review.
Tell us more about your forthcoming release? What’s this book about? What inspired you to write it?
Free Me is the story of Stef Evans, an out and proud genderqueer physiotherapist and meditation coach, and Blake McCarthy, a workaholic book publisher. It’s a low-angst, opposites attract, worlds collide, LGBTQ romance about a genderfluid cutie, a slightly older hottie, and a hookup gone right. It contains no cheating, and a guaranteed HEA.
It’s book four in my Love in the Pacific Northwest series. All of my books can be read as standalones, but most of the characters make appearances in other books. So we’ve met Stef before in their brother Jules’ book, and in their friend Quinn’s book. But in the time between books three and four they learned they were genderfluid.
I would like to take credit for making Stef genderfluid, but they told me that in the first chapter of writing the book. They were very insistent, so what could I do? But I love it, because having representation matters. I’m non-binary and it’s nice to put some of that representation in my books. Especially with what’s going on in the world right now with people’s civil rights.
Where can readers find out more about you and your work?
I’m on FB, Discord, TikTok, Instagram, BookBub and Goodreads. All of those links can be found on my Langtry: https://linktr.ee/beck_grey
Check out my website if you’d like sneak peeks of upcoming releases and lots of other stuff! https://www.beckgrey.com/
My Newsletter signup: https://www.subscribepage.com/beckgrey
Series: Love in the Pacific Northwest (Book 4)
Release Date: Monday, May 1 2023
Publishing Company: Pine & Moon LLC
Cover Artist: Beck Grey
Primary Plot Arc: Romance
Pairings: Stef Evans and Blake McCarthy no other pairings
Genres: Romance
Length: Novel / 75,000 Words / 245 Pages
LGBTQ+ Identities: Gender-fluid, gay, trans
Keywords/Categories: Contemporary, LGBTQ+ Romance, queer romance, gay, trans, transgender, gender-fluid, new release, announcement, giveaway
Tropes: low-angst, opposites attract, worlds collide
Book Blurb
A gender-fluid cutie, a workaholic hottie, and a hookup gone right.
Blake
No romantic relationship could ever compete with my dream job. Sure, it gets lonely, but that’s what occasional hookups are for. Work-life balance? Who cares? I certainly don’t. Until chest pains bring me to my knees and land me in the emergency room.
It’s a wake-up call I can’t afford to ignore.
When my well-meaning family encourages me to make some major life changes, like hiring a meditation and physiotherapist, whatever that is, I’m worried enough to agree.
Imagine my surprise when my practitioner turns out to be the hookup I haven’t been able to forget.
Stef
What’s a fabulously vivacious gender-fluid beauty to do when stress is high and Prince Charmings aren’t lined up at their door? Head to the club to recharge my sparkle on the dance floor. I have no intention of hooking up with anyone. Hookups are not my thing.
Usually.
Then I see the slightly older hottie in the Tom Ford suit, and all my self-restraint goes up in a blast of glitter.
When it turns out he’s my new meditation client and my friend’s older brother, I’m sure the universe is messing with me.
Because mixing business with pleasure is a huge no-no.
So why does my heart keep shouting yes?
Free Me is a low-angst, opposites attract, worlds collide, contemporary LGBTQ romance about a hookup gone right. It contains no cheating, and a guaranteed HEA.
Warnings: Transphobia by a member of the LGBTQ community on a member of the community
Series Blurb
Turns out, perfection isn’t a prerequisite for happiness.
Whether it’s risking your heart on a hookup, falling for your brother’s best friend, taking that second chance when it arrives, or pursuing a relationship that doesn’t look like everyone else’s — life is complex, but love doesn’t have to be.
Snarky, sweet and spicy, Love in the Pacific Northwest is a first person POV, low-medium angst, open door, contemporary LGBTQ romance series of interconnected standalones. No cheating and a guaranteed HEA every time!
Excerpt
“Put on a suit and come down. This is my big plan for the day.” He gestures to the pool area and waves his book.
I lean my elbows on the railing and grin down at him. “If you’re trying to seduce me, it’s working.”
“Excellent. Step one in my evil plan is complete. Now come down here. I missed you.”
“Be down in a sec!” I hurry inside, strip out of my work clothes, then lather myself in the sunscreen that smells like coconut. Blake loves the scent, and I love how he nuzzles my neck when I use it. I pull on my tiniest black and white print swim briefs, grab a beach towel from the closet and the food bags from the kitchen counter, and hurry down to the game room and out to the patio. “Should we eat at the table or on the loungers like heathens?”
Blake glances up from his book and his eyes lock on my tiny swimsuit. I do a slow spin, giving him a good view of my ass. “Like?”
He pulls his sunglasses to the end of his nose and peers over them. “That’s new.” His voice is thick with lust. Oh, yeah. Mission accomplished.
“It is! And it’s so adorable!”
Blake licks his lips. “And so tiny.”
“I had a feeling you might like it.” I skip past him to the table and deposit the bags.
Blake practically growls and grabs my hips the moment I put the bags down. “Come here.”
I laugh as he manhandles me, hauling me close and inhaling my skin. He drags his nose across my abdomen and my cock stirs, eager to join in the fun, but my stomach growls with hunger. “Mmm. I’m fully on board with whatever you’re planning here, Darling, but we should eat before the food gets cold.”
Blake bites my hip. “We can heat it up.”
My laugh quickly turns to a gasp as his tongue teases above the edge of my suit. It’s all I can do not to press his head a few inches lower. “Blake, Darling, I have souvlaki and Greek salad.”
He hums and sits back, waggling his eyebrows at me. “You know I love Greek.”
I snort at his double entendre. “As do I, my darling. So let’s eat.” I wink at him. “Then we can eat.”
His chuckle warms every part of me. He pushes to his feet with a sigh. “If we must, we must.”
“We must.” I press up on my tiptoes and pucker up.
He obliges me, but turns my expected quick press of lips into a lingering kiss that curls my toes and has me second-guessing my stance on eating first. As I’m about to give in, he lets me go and pats my backside. “C’mon. Let’s feed you so we can move on to other enjoyable things.”
🛒 Purchase Links
In Kindle Unlimited!
Giveaway
Beck is giving away a
$20 Amazon gift card with this tour!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
About the Author
Beck is a non-binary writer of sweet, sexy, LGBTQ happily ever afters. Why? Because everyone deserves all the happy! They live in the Northeastern United States with their two adorable dogs.
Weekdays are spent working their day job, but nights and weekends are devoted to writing stories involving hot characters, favorite tropes, and happy endings. Any additional time includes reading, laughing with friends, drinking red wine, and playing D&D. If there’s cake involved at any point it’s a win!
Author Links
