Blurb: Winter was Gabriel Wells’ favorite time of year. Having been born in Colorado, snow was in his veins. When his life turned upside down and he ended up in Florida for the winter, Gabriel didn’t handle it well. Who was he kidding? He fucked up royally.
Timmy Shaw had always believed people deserved a second chance to make a first impression. As an occupational therapist, he didn’t always meet people when they were at their best. But after a month, he was sure Gabriel had to have ice in his veins considering how he treated others, especially the man’s own mother.
What neither man realized? There’s a thin line between love and hate. Any other time, they may not have had a chance, but it’s Christmas and miracles are happening everywhere. It may take some work, but if they can find common ground, they may have a chance at happily ever after with the help of a special Christmas List.
Review: Gabriel is stuck in Florida caring for his mother after she has a stroke. He’s not happy and it shows. His mom’s physical therapist helps Dottie to try to be independent again and takes Gabriel to task for the things he says about his mother.
Things change when Timothy’s mom suggests that Gabriel is scared of losing his mother and acting out so they devise a plan to get him to relax by coming up with things to do that are similar to what he did in Colorado.
I loved this story so much. As someone who had something similar to a stroke years ago I could relate to what Dottie was going through. Gabriel for his part began to realize the way he treated his mother and Timothy. The things they did together were funny and sweet and with time Gabriel changed for the better.
Blurb: It’s Christmas and time for those who celebrate to spend hours finding the perfect gifts for those they love. Which also means long lines, angry and rude shoppers who are willing to fight so they can buy their own gifts at fifty percent off, and dealing with overworked and irritated store employees who are out of patience and good cheer. Right?
Except this year, Patrick and Cabot have discovered that the best gift of all doesn’t require any shopping, lines, or rude people. Just the willingness to open one’s heart. For they are not only giving the greatest gift of all, they’re receiving it, too. A family.
Join them on this journey as they discover what the true meaning of giving is. It will take believing in the magic of Christmas, but in return they just might receive the most amazing Christmas Gift ever – a happily ever after. .
Review: A sweet story about two men, Patrick and Cabot, who find each other are exactly what the other needs. Patrick is looking to adopt the two children, Maya and Liam, he is taking care of. Cabot is looking for someone to love.
The family find joy in everything they do together and it shows. I loved how in tune Cabot was to the kids and Patrick. Patrick for his part was adorable when flustered.
Blurb: Do you believe in the magic of Christmas? Tim Richards didn’t, so why had he thought he could make a Christmas wish and have it come true?
Much to his surprise, he met the man of his dreams when Nick Snow walked into his world and turned it upside down. The life he had always hated was becoming something from a dream and more than anything he could have ever possibly imagined. For Tim, to believe childhood fantasies could come true, was impossible.
Nick Snow tended to only think about work. That was, until he met Tim. He’d never imagined anyone would ever come between him and his career. Now he knew that there was so much more to life than a job.
Can Nick show Tim that Christmas Magic is real?
Warning: This book contains frivolity, laughter, and a lot of sex. Nothing is off the table when these two figure out if their reality is nothing more than fantasy, or if their fantasies can become reality, with faith in a little Christmas Magic..
Review: Tim’s life consists of working several jobs to make ends meet. He wishes for something better in his life but thinks it won’t happen. When he meets Nick his life takes a turn he never dreamed would be possible.
Nick is sweet and attentive as he learns about Tim’s life or lack there of. He has all the confidence that Tim will succeed when he gets a new job at a toy store. Along with that Nick dazzles him with things Tim never experienced as a child.
I loved everything about this story. It was heart warming to see so much happiness brought Tim’s way after all he had endured. Fantastic read.
Blurb: At a very early age, Ben learned that, in life, there was no such thing as something to believe in. What was the point? Each time he did, someone would come along and prove to him how wrong he was. The fact that his sister died by a drunk driver, who’d walked away without a scratch, and forcing Tobias to move to Texas — one of the most homophobic states in the country — to take care of his now motherless nieces, drove home just how cruel life could be. How was he supposed to help two of the sweetest kids he’d ever known deal with the hell their life would be without the one person they’d depended on, when he was fairly certain, his moving to Texas would only show them how horrible people could be to one another?
Darius had seen things that would make most people cringe in revulsion and dread. His parents had traveled, with Darius in tow, all around the world to help those in need. So tragedy wasn’t something new to him. As terrible as some of it had been, Darius had also seen the kindness and sacrifice people made to help others. He was a true believer in the goodness of humanity.
Determined to help Ben discover that though he may have had hit a few bumps in the road growing up, he’d also met people who had been there for him, helping him when they didn’t have to get involved. For life might not always be perfect and at times even cruel, but it was also wonderful and kind if one knew where to look.
Ben had to admit that Darius was causing him to look at the world differently. That there might be a chance he’d been only looking for the negative. But, for him, there was one more test that the world would have to pass for him to truly change and it would take a Christmas Miracle to do it.
Review: A heartwarming story that will make you sad, happy and laugh. Ben gets called home to take care of his nieces after his sisters death. While at the funeral he meets the minister Darius when he comes to his rescue after Ben’s mother starts up with him.
I did not like Ben’s prejudice, homophobic mother. She really got on my nerves. Thankfully Darius was always there to help.
I loved the life changing aspects of the book and how each character dealt with certain situations.
Great read.
Title: Christmas Magic
Series: Believe 02
Author: Shea Balik
Genre: Contemporary, Holidays
Length: Novel (192pgs)
Publisher: Shea Balik (December 14, 2018)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts
Blurb: Do you believe in the magic of Christmas? Tim Richards didn’t, so why had he thought he could make a Christmas wish and have it come true?
Much to his surprise, he met the man of his dreams when Nick Snow walked into his world and turned it upside down. The life he had always hated was becoming something from a dream and more than anything he could have ever possibly imagined. For Tim, to believe childhood fantasies could come true, was impossible.
Nick Snow tended to only think about work. That was, until he met Tim. He’d never imagined anyone would ever come between him and his career. Now he knew that there was so much more to life than a job.
Can Nick show Tim that Christmas Magic is real?
Warning: This book contains frivolity, laughter, and a lot of sex. Nothing is off the table when these two figure out if their reality is nothing more than fantasy, or if their fantasies can become reality, with faith in a little Christmas Magic..
Review: Tim’s life consists of working several jobs to make ends meet. He wishes for something better in his life but thinks it won’t happen. When he meets Nick his life takes a turn he never dreamed would be possible.
Nick is sweet and attentive as he learns about Tim’s life or lack there of. He has all the confidence that Tim will succeed when he gets a new job at a toy store. Along with that Nick dazzles him with things Tim never experienced as a child.
I loved everything about this story. It was heart warming to see so much happiness brought Tim’s way after all he had endured. Fantastic read.
Title: Christmas Gift
Series: Believe 03
Author: Shea Balik
Genre: Holiday, Contemporary
Length: Novella (150pgs)
Publisher: Shea Balik (December 15, 2019)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts
Blurb: It’s Christmas and time for those who celebrate to spend hours finding the perfect gifts for those they love. Which also means long lines, angry and rude shoppers who are willing to fight so they can buy their own gifts at fifty percent off, and dealing with overworked and irritated store employees who are out of patience and good cheer. Right?
Except this year, Patrick and Cabot have discovered that the best gift of all doesn’t require any shopping, lines, or rude people. Just the willingness to open one’s heart. For they are not only giving the greatest gift of all, they’re receiving it, too. A family.
Join them on this journey as they discover what the true meaning of giving is. It will take believing in the magic of Christmas, but in return they just might receive the most amazing Christmas Gift ever – a happily ever after. .
Review: A sweet story about two men, Patrick and Cabot, who find each other are exactly what the other needs. Patrick is looking to adopt the two children, Maya and Liam, he is taking care of. Cabot is looking for someone to love.
The family find joy in everything they do together and it shows. I loved how in tune Cabot was to the kids and Patrick. Patrick for his part was adorable when flustered.
Fantastic read.
Title: Christmas List
Series: Believe 04
Author: Shea Balik
Genre: Holiday, Contemporary
Length: Novella (144pgs)
Publisher: Shea Balik (December 18, 2020)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts
Blurb: Winter was Gabriel Wells’ favorite time of year. Having been born in Colorado, snow was in his veins. When his life turned upside down and he ended up in Florida for the winter, Gabriel didn’t handle it well. Who was he kidding? He fucked up royally.
Timmy Shaw had always believed people deserved a second chance to make a first impression. As an occupational therapist, he didn’t always meet people when they were at their best. But after a month, he was sure Gabriel had to have ice in his veins considering how he treated others, especially the man’s own mother.
What neither man realized? There’s a thin line between love and hate. Any other time, they may not have had a chance, but it’s Christmas and miracles are happening everywhere. It may take some work, but if they can find common ground, they may have a chance at happily ever after with the help of a special Christmas List.
Review: Gabriel is stuck in Florida caring for his mother after she has a stroke. He’s not happy and it shows. His mom’s physical therapist helps Dottie to try to be independent again and takes Gabriel to task for the things he says about his mother.
Things change when Timothy’s mom suggests that Gabriel is scared of losing his mother and acting out so they devise a plan to get him to relax by coming up with things to do that are similar to what he did in Colorado.
I loved this story so much. As someone who had something similar to a stroke years ago I could relate to what Dottie was going through. Gabriel for his part began to realize the way he treated his mother and Timothy. The things they did together were funny and sweet and with time Gabriel changed for the better.
Title: Christmas List
Title: Christmas Miracle