Hello all! Thank you for joining me on my little tour celebrating the release of Vixen’s Valor, the third book in the North Pole City Tales series. The series is named after the North Poles largest city. It’s also a Christmas themed city where all our Christmas elves hail from. Whenever the fellas are in town, whether walking into their favorite pub The White Hart, or waiting to catch a sleigh outside, I wanted to bring the reader into that magical world filled with the scents, sounds, and flavors of the holidays.
In North Pole City, the charming store fronts on Main Street are decorated with twinkling lights and sparkling tinsel, frosted ivy, garland, and wreaths. The cobbled streets are covered in white snow and in the distance the jingling bells of horses pulling sleighs can be heard. The scents of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla waft through the air.
Everything is holiday themed, from the drinks served at the White Hart: peppermint juleps and cocoa cocktails. They have hot cocoa for breakfastwith cinnamon toast. Their meals consist of what we normally deem tasty holiday treats like fudge and sugar cookies. I had to research all kinds of traditional tasty goodies. One of my personal favorite holiday/winter drinks is mint hot cocoa with tiny marshmallows or plenty of whip cream on top. Yum! Researching this series is so much fun. Of course it always leaves me craving something chocolaty.
Do you have a favorite holiday treat, drink, or indulgence?
Blurb: All is not sparkly snowflakes and sweet candy canes in North Pole City. Office workers Tim and Noel do nothing all day but antagonize each other—petty fighting that might be based on hatred… or a heated mutual attraction. It’s up to Jack Frost and his elf-friend Rudy to broach the hostilities and introduce some Christmas kisses, but is the Frost Prince up to the challenge of launching a new romance when someone’s trying to break his holiday spirit?
Review: Tim has had a bad day at work, his supervisor Noel is making his life hell and Tim is struggling to keep his elf cheer. Noel doesn’t understand why he is so hard on Tim, but when they both get caught in some trouble Jack Frost and Rain Dear Rudy steps in and Jack gives Noel advice, but will Noel and Tim be around long enough to enjoy it or will the Toy Soldiers and the Mouse Kings Hoodlum’s destroy what has just begun?
This is a very cute Christmas story with a touch of excitement in the way of danger and conspiracy. Tim doesn’t have a clue as to why Noel is so mean to him, all he knows is that they used to be friendly and then Noel turned mean. After another mean trick Tim is on his way home when he overhears something he shouldn’t and it leads to him and Noel being chased and threatened; now they have to help Jack Frost discover who is after him. Noel really hasn’t got a clue about why he is so mean to Tim but after a talk with Jack he begins to discover that he wants Tim to himself, but first they have to help Jack and Rudy to save themselves.
I thoroughly enjoyed this cute story, with Tim and Noel finally discovering what they feel for each other under the hostility. I loved the way that the North pole was set out with the different departments, but I also loved that Jack Frost and Rudy were shaking things up, but I loved Noel’s and Tim’s awkward relationship most of all. Noel turns into a mean schoolboy when Tim is around, always poking and prodding to get a reaction… the poor guy is broken and is jealous but finally opening up to Tim might just help mend him. These two characters are cute and loveable, although Noel is a bit of a grouch he does grow on you. Jack and Rudy’s part in this story was sweet and the ending for all of them was very happy.
I recommend this if you truly love Christmas capers, a nefarious plot, a true and abiding love, a newly found love, accepting each other and getting a very happy Christmas ending.
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (18th December 2013)
Heat Level: Low – Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: At the North Pole, no one is more powerful and feared than the Prince of Frost. As general of the toy soldier army, Jack Frost has been working extra hard to put away the villainous Mouse King once and for all. If that isn’t taxing enough, Jack has to deal with the scandal and gossip brought on by news of his relationship with Rudy Rein Dear, captain of the Rein Dear Squadron, which hit headlines last holiday season. Lucky for Jack, his reputation has managed to deter any foolish attempts to stir up trouble. At least until now.
When someone sabotages Rudy’s plane during a test run a few weeks before Christmas, Jack is determined to find the culprit by any means necessary. The closer he gets to finding answers, the more difficulty he has not falling back to his icy ways. Has the Mouse King stepped up his game in order to throw Jack off his, or is someone a little closer to home behind the attempt on Rudy’s life? Either way, Jack has every intention of delivering a Christmas they won’t soon forget, even if it means losing the newfound warmth in his heart.
Review:This story is part of a series and is best read in order. Jack and Rudy have faced scrutiny since their relationship was revealed, but Jack’s reputation stops others from causing them trouble. With Jack working extra hard to stop the Mouse King and his villainous plans and Rudy working on being the best Rein Dear pilot around their relationship is still going strong. But someone isn’t happy with Jack, and Rudy’s plane is sabotaged, with Rudy severally injured Jack goes on the hunt for the culprit but without Rudy to temper the ice Jack just might lose himself to the power of the ice. Can Rudy save Jack from himself or will Jack’s heart become encased in ice again?
Oh oh oh oh *squee* I was so happy when I began to read this book and saw that it was Jack and Rudy from Mending Noel, I couldn’t wait to find out how they were doing and what was happening in the North Pole and I was so pleased to see that although it was a year later we still discover that the chase for the Mouse King has only just ended. We join Jack and Rudy at the Silver Bells Christmas Ball and they are as in love as they have always been, but just a few short days later everything is crumbling around them and Jack is losing himself to the ice inside him.
Well if Mending Noel was a sweet, exciting story tinged with danger and conspiracy then this one is a sweet daring romance that is tinged with darkness and mystery. We follow along with this story with a confusing bewilderment, why would someone try to kill Rudy? Is it the Mouse King trying to get even with Jack? Or is someone finally acting on their jealousy of Jack and Rudy’s relationship? Or is it someone completely unexpected who has a grudge? Rudy and Jack might be madly in love but others are unhappy that they have rocked the status quo and that they have supported Noel and Tim in their relationship, so just who has the balls to launch a sneak attack on Jack and Rudy?
I loved this story and thought it was a very fitting one for Jack and Rudy, Jack is the most feared being in the North Pole and with good reason, we learn about his past and how Rudy slowly gained his love and how they will stand against anything thrown their way. But, as Jack seeks revenge for his poor injured love you see him start to revert to the icy being that laid waste to all around him during the Frost War, Rudy is the only one with a chance to keep him from losing himself but will he be able to melt the icy shell encasing his heart? It is something that Rudy isn’t sure of, but Kringle’s faith in him drives him to try.
I recommend this to those who love a Christmas mystery, saving the one you love from themselves, cute elves, a strong abiding love, great characters and a very happy Christmas ending.
Blurb: Gabe and Matteo have settled into the highs and lows of new fatherhood—exhaustion, dirty diapers, baby bottles and a whole lot of love. But as their first family Christmas looms on the horizon, Matteo is worried about how his partner is handling his new role as Papa Gabe.
There’s no doubt Gabe adores the twins, but his libido, his sense of proportion and perhaps his sanity seem to have disappeared under the strain. Matteo is determined to make their new family work, but it may take thinking outside the box to get back the calm, sensible Gabe he planned to share fatherhood and the rest of his life with.
Review: Oh dear me, what a story…I must confess that I did think when starting this book that I was in for a ride. Well, I was in for a ride alright, but not the expected one. I think I’m freaked out from the memories this book awakened and the frustration that had its hold on me for almost the entire read.
Gabe and Matty are new to the fatherhood lifestyle and of course like all parents, they try to find their path. While Matty seems to be dealing with it pretty good, Gabe has gone crazy with his OCD and shopping mania.
And oh my God, the flashbacks, the déjà vu, and the agony all that brought to me. Sweet Jesus, I thought I’d left all that behind.
As is normal when you have a new baby in the house, the nerves and your sanity takes a good hit, having twins just doubles all that. Eventually the pair goes from the happy place of having the babies to the accusations of you do too much and you don’t do nearly as much and pointing fingers and having fights to the point of breaking up.
What really got me the most during this read was their “talks” (not fights because they did not fight, they were having a discussion, right?) and how real they were. The fact that each of them only said their peace, intentionally blinding themselves to their own mistakes, and oh dear, the misunderstanding of each word was so real to me. I’m still cringing inside.
Anyway, of course the story ends well. The new daddies find their peace after an honest talk that to my eyes felt surreal because you do NOT overcome such emotions with a simple talk and a make-up sex. But even if I do acknowledge the well written part of their problems and agony over their new life, this story didn’t make much sense to me. The end was a bit… I don’t know what the point was and add that to the fact that emotionally and sexually I did not feel the pair’s chemistry at all. This story left me baffled. The only reason for the 2.5 stars I’m giving this story is the realistic portrayal of those oh-so-awful-days when hormones hit you and you barely can cope with the changes of your reality. Other than that, I really needed more and didn’t get it. For me, this story was far off the Christmas spirit with nothing to do with the Holidays at all.
Blurb: Is it just the holiday blues or is every mated couple having issues?
With the constant stress from the attacks the coven faces, all the changes over the past few years, and no mating being perfect… All the brothers need help to rediscover happiness with their mates. But who can help when it’s way past time for simple apologies?
Elena and Desmond are doing everything they can to help their sons and their mates. But there’s only so much a parent can do to help, and when Desmond lands himself in the doghouse he turns to his sons to help him. Maybe the best Christmas presents ever will help everyone realize that the love they feel is worth fighting for?
“Just because fate finds us our perfect match doesn’t mean it’s always easy and we don’t have to work at it. Anything worth having takes fighting for sometimes.” –Victor Marius
Note: This book is written in first-person point of view.
Review: As Christmas approaches the brothers are all feeling the strain of the constant demon attacks, many of them are finding it difficult to find a balance with their mates and it comes to a head as they prepare for Christmas. With advice from Desmond for the brothers and advice from Elena for the mates, can they all find common ground and make it a happy Christmas for all?
This is a great visit to the Marius’ and finding that not everyone is happy in the Marius household. All the mated brothers are going through turmoil with their mates. Remus is feeling neglected and ignored by Noah. Victor doesn’t realize that his actions are hurting his mate, Malachi. Damian feels like he should be doing more for Cyrus. Stefan feels as though Patrick is pushing him away and Micah feels that Riley puts everything and anyone before him and their daughter. And, then we have Gabriel who is struggling with his would be mate, Caven.
Well, its ups and downs as everyone tries to save their matings, with Desmond offering his boys advice to help them get their matings back on track. It isn’t easy for our favorite vampires and some things just miss their marks. There are tears and hurt feelings ahead as the mates do what they can to fix things, but sometimes breaking point is reached and outside help needed. Get ready for storming out, shouting and slamming doors. This is a good story of the pit falls of not communicating, of hiding feelings and trying too hard or too late. There’s angst, pleading, explanations and finally making up and really hot sex, and there’s also a surprise from Virgil.
I have to recommend this to those who like angsty situations, repairing relationships, reconnecting with your lover and re-finding happiness.
Blurb: DJ Delaney has two days off, a refrigerator full of food, and a tree with a thousand lights. What he doesn’t have is someone to share it with. Berg Pederson is out of the Army and out of the closet, and he’s traveled clear across the country to spend the holidays with a former lover—until the guy’s wife answers the door. Now he’s stranded on Christmas Eve with no idea what to do next.
Then DJ comes home and finds Berg outside his duplex, looking lost. One look into pale blue eyes, and DJ is curious enough to offer the guy a warm place to wait while he calls a cab, and then, on impulse, offers to make him dinner. Berg isn’t sure why the tall cop seems to be into him, but he’s not going to argue. After all, it’s Christmas Eve, and miracles do happen.
Review: Berg is fresh out of the army with one goal in mind… reuniting with his ex-lover Rob. But, he gets the surprise of his life when he finds there’s a wife. Now, he is stranded in a city he doesn’t know and no one he can turn to until a neighbor takes pity on him. DJ is alone for the holidays and he doesn’t even have work to turn to. When he gets home, after his shift, he finds Berg looking dejected and DJ guesses what’s happened and offers Berg a place to get dry and plan his next move. But neither man counted on attraction and maybe they will both get what they really want for Christmas.
This is a really hot short that has a great mix of strength and vulnerability. Both Berg and DJ are used to being, and expected to be, strong men, but deep down inside they both need something slightly different. Both men are also pretty pathetic in the relationship department, DJ always choosing the wrong men and Berg just having quick sex. Together they seem to be what the other needs and with a few miss-starts they seem to hit their stride.
Both characters are well written for a short story and you get a very good feel for both of them, and you can’t help feeling by the end of the book that their chance meeting was the best thing that happened to either of them. The sex between them is smoking hot, really smoking and the connection between them is good. The ending is more of a beginning for them and I would love to see more from these guys in the future.
So, I recommend this if you want a hot Christmas story that isn’t too sappy or too mundane, that shows vulnerability and strength and two men starting something special… this book is definitely going in my hot sex fix pile ;-).
Blurb: Ryan’s finally home after a long week of hiding in a hotel while his boyfriend’s parents visited. He isn’t happy that Jordan hasn’t told his parents he’s gay but believes Jordan when he promises to come out. When Jordan’s family ends up on their doorstep after a winter storm shuts down the airport, Jordan introduces Ryan as his roommate, leaving Ryan horrified and hurt. Jordan’s little sister notices and tells Ryan she’s going to ask Santa to make him happy… but does Ryan’s Christmas wish have any hope of coming true?
Review: Ryan is finally back home after a week of hiding out at a hotel. He has big plans to celebrate his return home to his boyfriend, but disaster strikes and Ryan gets more and more frustrated as one thing after another threatens to ruin his Christmas plans. Jordan puts Ryan in a position he hates when a snow storm strands Jordan’s parents… and Jordan has to make a decision if he wants to make Ryan’s Christmas wish come true.
Ooookkkaaayyy. Ryan, you have the patience of a saint. Jordan, you should be ashamed of yourself. This is one of those stories that you get pulled in both directions. On one hand you have Ryan, who loves his boyfriend so much that he moves out for a week, while Jordan moves in because Jordan isn’t out to his family and they are helping him move. But, you also have Jordan, who is terrified of how his family will react to him being gay, so he still hides it from them, even if it kills him to treat Ryan as just his roommate.
This was quite a funny story with Ryan’s comedy of errors as he tries valiantly to produce a romantic meal for his first night home so he can show Jordan how much he missed and loved him. There was always something funny to break the tension and to ease the way. Ryan is a saint to do everything he did for Jordan, especially as Jordan didn’t have the courtesy to even ask Ryan if his taking over and doing what he was doing was even okay. The only thing that redeemed Jordan to me was that he didn’t try to back down when confronted with the truth, because I really don’t think he ever would have come out on his own.
I have to recommend this if you love awkward coming out stories, cooking disasters, loving relationships and finally a very happy Christmas with a very bright future.
Blurb: Will Braden Porter give his lover Vince Gutierrez the gift of moving in together?
Braden Porter and Vince Gutierrez have been a couple for nearly a year. But because of Braden’s fear of being outed, their relationship has moved slowly. Too slowly for Vince. Braden knows that if he doesn’t take the next step and ask Vince to move in with him, he might lose Vince for good. A chance encounter during a towing job to Boston helps Braden make his decision, but will he dare to tell Vince his choice?
Review: Not much in the way of eroticism truly, but great little romance story about overcoming fears. A perfect little read. This is an example of a story that could most definitely be fleshed out into a story of overcoming adversity in a small town. Definitely something I would be interested in seeing happen. Wouldn’t have to be set during Christmas either.
Blurb: Having fallen on hard times, London-based wizard Evan keeps his charms shop open on Christmas Eve. When he finally gets home, he finds his neighbor, Kian, languishing with a wound that hasn’t healed properly. He takes Kian in and they share the Christmas roast from their neighbor, Mrs. Halfpenny—neither suspecting the magic in the marinade that will make their holiday especially merry.
Review: Evan has his own charm shop, because of poor trade he is staying in London and not returning to his family for Christmas and finds himself working on Christmas Eve. Finally getting home for the night he comes (trips up over) across his neighbor, Kian, injured in the hallway. Helping Kian takes a turn for the best when he shares his Christmas roast with Kian… as Mrs. Halfpenny added a little extra ingredient.
This is a very short story that has a lot of Christmas magic. Evan has always had an attraction to Kian, but because of Kian’s abrasive manner and standoffish attitude, Evan has avoided him as much as possible. Discovering Kian injured and unable to get to his own flat, Evan offers him help and with a little help from Mrs. Halfpenny’s cooking he discovers Kian isn’t as bad as he seems.
Evan and Kian lose their inhibitions after sampling Mrs. Halfpenny’s cooking. They both reveal more than they normally would have and they finally act on the attraction that they both feel. This is a cute story that is very hot and heavy in the later half. The first half gives us a build-up of both characters and we get a general idea about them. The passion that explodes between them is scorching hot and it is amazing that they had hidden it behind their outer shells. But, once the façade has been shattered, boy do they act the attraction between them.
I will recommend this to those who love charming magical stories, lowering inhibitions, explosive passion and a very happy magical Christmas.
Blurb: Folklore is filled with beautiful and magical things, wondrous beings friendly and altruistic. The Easter Bunny. The Tooth Fairy. And Santa Claus. But, unknown to most, they have evil counterparts, nightmarish creatures with sinister intentions.
Ten year old Mackenzie Graves had a terrifying encounter with one of those frightening beings on Christmas Eve. Years later he’s made a home with his boyfriend Dylan in a quiet neighborhood in Erie, Pennsylvania. He has special plans for the holiday — he’s going to propose to the love of his life. But the monster from his past has found him and this time has no intention of being denied its prey.
It’s Christmas Eve, Santa is on his way. But the dreadful demons that punish naughty little boys and girls are already sniffing around. Once Upon a Christmas Evil will give you the shivers!
Review:I have to say, while the story is very interesting, in order to really have done it justice it should have been longer. It needed fleshing out. There were three separate stories going on all at once, taking place in less than 100 pages. Then a quick and all too brief fourth story in the end. The story never fully satisfied any of the stories.
The concept was very intriguing and would have been a fantastic book if the author had taken time with each story and differentiated between each particular storyline. He started something then it petered out as he was just reaching a plateau and nothing happened. Made me think of a movie where things would come to a head, then nothing, over and over again and you would expect it to explode and all settle at the conclusion, but it did not.
The book claims “substantial sexually explicit scenes” but there is only one scene and there is absolutely nothing explicit about it. In fact, it is a voyeuristic episode from a third person, a child at that who is watching it happen. Then again in the end, the child has an item that allows him to help fulfill his own fantasies and all it does is creep a person out. I am just glad the author was smart enough to avoid actually creating a scene involving this child outside of him being a voyeur.
Too many other questions were posed and left unanswered. Heat and heart were very low. As for overall content, I have to say though, if I were giving it stars out of 5, I would give it a 3. Simply because the author was trying, that much is obvious. The story was very good, it just needed to be fleshed out and it would have been a real Christmas horror story worth reading again and again; especially if he had covered in more detail the reason for the story in the first place, the little monsters.
I will recommend this story simply because it does get your heart going in more than one spot. I would just recommend to the author to take this book and redo it, flesh it out, and republish. It has the true makings of a great horror story.
Blurb:Christmas is a time of hope and love, but with a guarded heart Ethan Reed refuses to let anyone get close. Until he meets Trevor Hayes…
Doctor Ethan Reed’s life revolves around the hospital and his patients. Nothing will deter his commitment to his job; not even his new fellow, Trevor Hayes. Ethan is instantly attracted to the handsome doctor and the desire he feels isn’t one-sided. Sparks fly, but a guarded Ethan shoves Trevor away, not realizing that what he really wants for Christmas is to be loved and regain the hope he’s lost. Can Trevor get through to him or will Ethan spend another Christmas alone?
Review: A very sweet Christmas story from Anna Lee that jumps right in the spirit of the Holidays.
Ethan is a very successful doctor, but after a very bad relationship at the beginning of his career he built a wall around his heart, only giving it all at his job. However when Trevor comes along, Ethan feels that wall threatened. In his fear, he pushes Trevor away. Being not only cold, but rude and hurting Trevor in the process. It’s only then, when his fellow gives up on him and completely avoids him, that Ethan realizes he’s having it bad for the charming doctor. In addition to feeling guilty for being a complete jerk, he understands that his life is lonely and if he keeps pushing people away, he’ll end up wasting his life. But, Trevor seems adamant to let him be, avoiding him at all costs. Now Christmas arrived and the only thing Ethan wishes for is another chance with Trevor, and since Santa can’t really help him, he has to win Trevor by himself.
As I said this is a sweet little story with dedicated doctors, amazing children not giving up even in the hospital and love waiting around the corner. I’d wish there was a bigger time-frame for the story, since all this happens very fast, but it didn’t threw me, I think it suited it a lot. Definitely worth a read.
Blurb: Love at first sight is a beautiful thing, but sometimes, true love waits a lifetime to shine…and then needs a little help from the Three Ghosts of Christmas.
As a young man, Ebenezer Scrooge felt the sharp pain of loss and resolved to protect his heart from all others, taking solace in his gold and silver. Years of discarding his own emotions, and those of anyone around him, has turned Scrooge cold.
When deceased lover and partner Jacob Marley pays miserly Scrooge a late night visit, pride and disbelief buoy Scrooge’s courage. As the fabled Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet-to-Come arrive to show Scrooge the error of his ways, they also give him brief glimpses of a love so strong it has stood the test of time.
In an inspiring tale of change, a deep-seated need flares to life, leaving Scrooge without a doubt that love and family are what really matter at Christmas.
Review:I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It is very difficult to pull off this style of writing in this day and age. With as many times as this story has been told and as many different way in which it has been told over the many years, this is refreshing. I was glad to see it go beyond the HEA you want in these types of stories and show more than just his change of heart, but the allowance of long overdue love from the past. Good job.
Blurb:Discovering his boyfriend’s affair with a co-worker wrecks Eli’s holiday plans. He thinks getting stuck in his getaway cabin has made things worse until he calls Mac’s Wood Delivery and hears the owner’s deep, sultry voice…
Discovering his boyfriend’s affair with a co-worker wrecks Eli’s holiday plans. With his parents on a cruise and his brother and sister out of town, he’s on his own. His mother insists he escape to her friend’s mountain cabin. Eli reluctantly agrees, but he takes off unprepared and ends up driving into the worst snowstorm the area has seen in years.
He survives the trip, but he’s stuck with no logs for the woodstove and little food. Fortunately, he gets the number for Mac’s Wood Delivery. Mac doesn’t mind riding to the rescue, and his deep, sultry voice has Eli eagerly anticipating the delivery. Is Mac the little bit of Christmas cheer Eli has been needing?
Review: Eli’s Christmas plans are thrown into chaos when he discovers his boyfriend has been cheating on him. While the rest of his family has plans, Eli’s mother insists that Eli escapes to her friend’s mountain cabin. Arriving at the cabin, Eli is unprepared and is saved by mountain man, Mac, who delivers the wood and food he so desperately needs. Now, Eli hopes that Mac can deliver some much-needed Christmas cheer.
This is a sweet story that starts with a bruised heart and ends with a heart full of hope. Eli isn’t exactly heartbroken when he discovers his boyfriend has cheated on him, but it is bruised. His mom encourages him to take a mountain break and time away just might be what he needs. Mac comes to Eli’s rescue when he discovers no wood or food in the cabin, and Eli beings to fantasize about the rugged mountain man. Both men act on their attraction, but will Eli be able to give up the city for the mountains?
This story is from Eli’s POV and he seems to be a very nice character who enjoys the simple things like quite nights. We don’t get to know Mac all that well, but from Eli’s eyes he seems like a sweet thoughtful man. Eli is instantly enthralled by Mac’s voice and the more he learns the more he likes. As I said, we don’t really know what goes on in Mac’s head and even by his actions we can’t quite tell if he really wants Eli…at first. But, by the time they have the romantic dance it is quite clear that he is sweet on Eli and even though it does happen fast when they get together it doesn’t seem fast and at first they both seem to hold back as though unsure of the others reaction.
I have to recommend this to those who love mountain men and city boys, hunky men coming to the rescue, new beginnings, hot sex and the start of a sweet relationship.
Blurb: Bianca worries that her daddy, Gavin, is lonely and decides he needs a boyfriend for Christmas. So she enlists her father’s best friend, the straight and unattached Curtis. Gavin has a Christmas wish, too, and Curtis setting him up on disastrous dates isn’t part of it! Meanwhile, Curtis finds life becoming complicated as he tries to please Bianca, make Gavin happy, and fend off his own unexpected mixed feelings. Will anyone’s wish come true?
Review: Although I usually appreciate this author’s excellent writing, in this holiday story the characters and their interactions didn’t really hit the spot.
Bianca only wants a boyfriend for her father Gavin for Christmas, and she has the perfect candidate in mind – Curtis, their close friend and neighbor. The only little issue about the wish is that Curtis is straight and despite Gavin’s obvious feelings, it’s not likely his orientation will change.
So while Curtis wants a family, Bianca is not giving up on a boyfriend for her father and enlists Curtis to help her, who ends up witnessing one disaster after another.
It was the denial that killed it for me, because it was rather forced and it made the conversations between the main characters somewhat strained. Usually I love kids in books, but Bianca was a bit strange and never seemed to act the appropriate age. Maybe it was just my impression, but I kept thinking she was a few years older and kept getting surprised each time it turned out she was not. I think I disliked the ending the most. Not the eventual ‘twist’ but rather the fast flip over from straight to enthusiastic accompanied by teeth rotting sweetness that just didn’t work for me.
This is a holiday story by a great author which will probably pass with most readers as cute. It does have its high points and I’m sure it will be a big hit with a lot of people but it just didn’t work out for me.
Heat Level: No sex, but there is the thought of erections and a press of a hand against an erection through jeans, but that is it. VERY LOW.
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts-liked it
Blurb: Six months after his wife leaves him, Bob Jansen finds himself spending the holidays with his parents in the town where he grew up. With him is his seven-year old daughter, Jenna, who sometimes seems to be handling her mother’s absence better than Bob is himself. But he’s worried that, in her letter to Santa, Jenna has asked the jolly old elf for something Bob knows he can’t pull off. He’s afraid she wants her mother back for the holiday.
While shopping for his daughter’s Christmas presents, Bob runs into Dave Knarr, an old friend. They used to be best buds in high school, before Julia, Bob’s soon-to-be ex-wife, came between them. The two men catch up over drinks, and before the evening ends, Dave makes his real feelings for Bob known.
If Bob is shocked to learn Dave has always been attracted to him, he’s more surprised by his own reaction. Even if he’s willing to take another shot at romance, what will his daughter think of his old friend?
Review:Good story. Could definitely have used some fleshing out. In fact, this book could actually be the start of a series leading away from the holiday’s as long as the story was longer and completely fleshed out. Things happened way too fast for real life, and it didn’t make sense, but hey, this is a Christmas miracle story, so I let it slide. Good job. Write a sequel, flesh it out, make it longer, let your hair done, and let your imagination run wild with this story.
Blurb:Canine shifter Matt can’t believe it when his feline boyfriend dumps him in front of his handsome neighbor Chase before Christmas. As the dust settles, he’s left wondering what kind of shifter the mysterious guy next door might be.
Canine shifter Matt can’t believe it when his feline boyfriend Jason dumps him in front of his handsome neighbor Chase before Christmas. As the dust settles, he faces Christmas alone for the first time in years. Fortunately, his sexy neighbor offers him company one night in the form of dinner and a chat. But does Chase want to offer him more than just a friendly shoulder to cry on? And what kind of shifter is Chase? Matt can’t work him out but he’s determined to get to the bottom of Chase’s secrets.
Review: Matt is shocked to come home early from work one day to find his boyfriend leaving him and is mortified that Jason does it in front of his hot next door neighbor, Chase. Even though Matt is still reeling from the break-up, he fantasizes about Chase and when Chase invites him to dinner, he wonders if there could be more to it than a friendly bite to eat.
This is a very cute shifter story that will warm your heart. Matt is a great character, who even while his boyfriend is leaving him is still so generous and kind. it made my lip quiver in sympathy as he put on a brave face. Chase is a solid presence who seems to tease Matt with his pure hotness and who is willing to wait for Matt to be ready for a new relationship. Both characters are really good together and the kisses are sweet, but passionate.
I would love to delve more into this shifter world where mates are chosen by the shifter and not fate and where there is no mate bond tying them together. where there are different shifters from dogs to horses to seals and bulls. The characters in this short story are well-developed and we see a brief shot of what they could be like together. I have to hope that there will be more from this couple in the future because they are just so cute together.
I will recommend this to those who love shifters, hot men, mending a bruised heart, being naked on the beach at night and the beginning of a sweet relationship.
Blurb: Christmas, and the man of his fantasies is back in Chris’s life.
It’s been far too long since Christian Matthews has seen Daniel Bailey. In fact the last time they met Chris was a senior in college and he was the TA tasked with helping Daniel who was a way too confident freshman.
Some years down the road, Chris is licking his wounds after being asked to leave the private school where he was teaching. He has no job, no money, and has to rely on his friend Amelia for the job and a room to live in. He needs a freaking Christmas miracle to make this Season anything other than a total loss.
Then Daniel comes back into his life and suddenly everything seems possible. Not only is Daniel still the man Christian wants more than anything, but this time Chris may well actually tell Daniel how he feels
Review: This was my first Christmas read of the season and it’s a good one! It’s a sweet holiday story with just a little angst. RJ, of course, gave us a HEA wrapped in this lovely cover to enjoy this holiday season.
Chris is a little lost. He’s quietly let go from his prestigious teaching position at a private school. The threat of a scandal scares Chris into running, but the only thing he did wrong was trust a lover who betrayed him and now he’s paying the price. Ashamed and scared of what his future holds he hides out at his best friend Ame’s coffee shop. She needs the help and he needs to decide what to do with his mess of a life. Chris seems to be at an all time low and what a time for the man he’s been holding a torch for since his senior year of college to walk back into his life.
Daniel is finally at a place in his life where he’s happy. He bucked his job at his father’s company and has a great partner in the NYPD, who has no problem with him being gay. Now, he needs to find Chris, the guy he’s wanted since freshman year, but knew he wasn’t a good enough man for at the time, Daniel is a little shocked to find him working behind a counter of a coffee shop, but he’s so happy to finally see him it doesn’t matter. The first meeting doesn’t go as well as he’d wanted, but he won’t give up. He can’t let go of his hope that he’ll finally get his chance with the one he let get away. Nobody has ever made him feel the way he did about Chris. His persistence pays off and the guys start seeing each other and lucky us that we get to read all about it.
This really was a sweet little read. The pace was nice. The guys didn’t fight their attraction, but took things slow at first, so it has a nice sexy build to their reunion. I guess if I had a complaint it was Chris’s lack of confidence at times. Although understandable considering his situation, but if a guy like Daniel keeps telling you how wonderful you are and it’s everything you’ve ever wanted to hear from him, don’t question it so much! Barely worth mentioning because this story left me smiling and happy with a little holiday cheer. New York Christmas is another great Christmas story from RJ Scott.