Blurb: Jamie’s car breaks down in the middle of nowhere in a snowstorm. The only hope there is for Jamie and his baby daughter, Grace, is to follow a light leading them to a cabin half hidden in the forest. What they find is a grumpy author in isolation and very little in the way of help.
Lucas never asked for company, particularly a hot guy and his tiny, demanding, daughter. Their arrival brings chaos and destroys his peace and he has no idea what to do. But when lust turns to more he fights the need to kiss his guest.
Because Jamie will be leaving soon, so Lucas doesn’t have to worry he’ll lose his heart. Right?
Review: Lucas is one hell of a mystery and horror author, but his communication skills suck. He wants total isolation to write and has a sweet cabin I would love to have. His isolation is disturbed by a sexy man and his daughter. Jamie pretty much puts his car in the ditch, in the middle of nowhere and heads for the light he sees. His daughter is a cutie pie but the man who answers leaves him with questions.
It is a very cute little Christmas story, but I would have dumped Lucas on his head. It had quite a bit in it and that was surprising, since it was such a short story. Fun little read for warming your heart on a cold winter’s day.
I enjoyed reading it, but can’t really see myself doing it more than once though. It was cute but didn’t call to me like it should have.
Blurb: Dave Cunningham hates the rampant consumerism that’s come to dominate his family’s Hanukkah celebrations. But a chance to bring a bit of a holiday happiness to his long-time crush, Amit Cohen, helps put him in a more festive mood.
In the quest to craft the perfect gift, Dave tries to urge a few personal details out of stoic Amit. Unintentionally, he learns the Cohen family’s secret: Amit is a golem. But Amit has a problem that runs deeper than his magical origin, and a Hanukkah miracle might be the only thing that will keep the budding flame between him and Dave from going out.
Review: Dave pretty much hates the way Hanukkah has gone. He does not care for the gift giving that they do, a hand made gift is preferred. So he is kind of down around the holidays. He does like talking to Amit though. Although Amit doesn’t really talk back to him. That is until tonight. Amit has a secret, his whole family does, Amit is a golem.
I hate to admit that I have no clue what a golem is. I know he is made from clay and with magic is alive, but other than that not a clue. I can’t say I liked this book, other than the characters themselves. It just came off bizarre to me. Other than that it is a really cute little story.
Blurb: With only a few days to go until Christmas, Michael Cross has to admit there is something amiss about his latest employee, Jack Whelan. Quiet, jumpy, thin… he never seems to eat. He is also incredibly gorgeous with dark spiky hair that Michael aches to touch. But as his boss, Jack is off limits. And when it comes to relationships, he…well, he sucks.
Jack Whelan is at the end of his tether. He’s living rough in the middle of winter, and paying off a massive debt, so getting a job with MC Securities is a lifeline. His new boss is also the hottest guy ever. Geeky, broody, and scarily clever.
When Michael stumbles upon the reality of Jack’s life, he offers to help. But as Michael’s feelings deepen, and Jack’s terrible past catches up with him, Michael has to decide between believing in the awful truth that is staring him in the face, or trusting Jack.
Review: Jack and Michael were a great couple but I honestly felt a bit disappointed in this story. There were too many unanswered questions for me to truly love it. I liked that these two men helped each other in their times of need but the overall delivery just did not do justice for the story.
Everything felt a bit rushed and unexplained especially given the suspense of the story and Jack’s past. I would have liked better explanations as to what happened to Jack when he disappeared as that bugged me at the end of the story with it unresolved.
Hi guys! We have Clare London popping in today with her new release The Accidental Baker, we have a brilliant giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
The Accidental Baker
by
Clare London
Donnie Watson’s baking disasters are legendary, but this Easter, his mismatched chocolate eggs bring accidental but astonishing results to four downhearted gay men. The chocolate sweets spill onto the pavement of a small parade of local shops—and go on a matchmaking tour like no other! From a bankrupt and betrayed baker, to a homeless but hopeful man, to a conceited bar owner in need of a reality check, and finally to the hapless but caring Donnie himself.
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (18th November 2016)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: 💖💖💖 3 Hearts
Reviewer: Prime
Blurb: Bobby McGrath’s Christmas trip to the beautiful Italian island of Capri to meet his eccentric extended family offers stunning views – none more stunning than his third cousin, Paolo Mascobello, a real stocking stuffer. As the two young men embark on a relationship, Bobby, a driven law student, learns to relax and bask under the Italian moon, and Paolo realizes there’s more to life than a frolic on the beach. For the two to find everlasting amore, Paulo must overcome his fear of commitment and learn to follow his dreams, and Bobby must get his wish for happily ever after.
Review: A Home for the Holidays is a short story by Joe Cosentino. While I love Joel Leslie and despite what I think of the book itself, I can’t really fault his narration. Meanwhile, Joe Cosentino is a new author for me. The audio is under two hours, so if you got a commute and want a story that you don’t really need to pay attention, this will probably work for you. For me, I started thinking about it too much and got annoyed. It wouldn’t have been so bad if I hadn’t started thinking too hard on the story.
The story is about Bobby McGrath, who is sent over to Italy for his Christmas present to spend the holidays with his mother’s Italian family. That’s where he meets his third cousin and immediately falls into lust. Paolo Mascobello, the hot Italian third cousin, shows interest but he is purposely holding himself back (but not because they are related). Paolo lives with the expectations of his well-off family and so his dreams are stifled until Bobby convinces him that perhaps it’s okay to dream.
I think some people would be bothered by the whole third cousin thing, but since the guys never met before this holiday, it doesn’t bother me so much. For me I was mostly put off by the bad Italian stereotypes, being that I got my crazy Italian family on my mother’s side I found some of it cringeworthy. The only other thing that annoyed me was how much Paolo brooded without communicating – it got on my nerves. However, one thing that the story has going for it is that the story is fast paced and I liked how Bobby carried himself and developed through the story. Being so short there isn’t a lot of room to move, so I think all good stuff was given to Bobby and that made him a sweet and relatable character.
Blurb: Firefighter Jason “Jase” Weller and EMT Scott Bronson are living the perfect life. They work together in jobs they love, they live together, and in their downtime, they still can’t get enough of each other. It’s been six amazing years. Then on Christmas Eve, Jase’s former lover Elsa shows up with a six-year-old girl in tow. The strung-out junkie claims Kerry is Jase’s daughter and it’s his turn to care for her, and then she walks out.
Shocked at both the fact that Elsa is now a junkie and that he has a daughter he never knew about, Jase nonetheless steps up to the plate as her father and Scott offers his full support. Having an instant family comes with plenty of challenges, and the two men work to deal with sweeping changes in their lives and to make things right for Kerry.
It’s not going to be easy, and their new circumstances test them and their relationship like noth-ing ever has. They’ll need all the love they have for each other–and the love they discover for their daughter–to keep from breaking apart.
Review: Add Love and Mix is a totally charming book by Sean Michael, an author that I feel I am only starting to appreciated within the past year. Michael seems to have a knack with creating relatable characters that are both ordinary (thus making them relatable) and yet extraordinary (which makes the story interesting). What I love most about this book is that this isn’t so much a romance of relationship that is starting, it’s the story of a well-established couple who go through an extremely turbulent time which changes their family.
The narration of this book was done by Steve Balderson, who is a totally new narrator for me. Overall, his voice lent great depth to an already awesome book. His voice suited both emergency service worker MCs. I’ll definitely look forward to more books narrated by Balderson because this was simply a fantastic narration.
The story itself about firefighter Jase Weller and EMT Scott Bronson. The two have been together for six years and they see each other at home and work. They never had a reason not be scheduled on the same roster rotation at the fire station they work out of and they have been living a blissful life. All that changes close to Christmas when Jase, who is bisexual, has an unexpected visit from his ex, Elsa, who had been seeing before he got together with Scott. A lot has changed with Elsa and the main part is that Elsa turns up with a little girl, saying that she is Jase’s and that she doesn’t want the kid anymore.
It is a totally heart-breaking scene, especially after hearing of the palpable love between Scott and Jase. This is going to rock their world and their family. But kind and caring Scott immediately makes a rapport with little Kerry. But there is a ways to go before their happily ever after. Both men have to deal with this massive change to their family. Jase must understand what it is to become a father and to begin getting Kerry settled. Of course, Scott is right there next to Jase, supporting Jase and taking on as much responsibility for their daughter as the little girl deals with feelings of being rejected from her junkie mother. Add on to this Scott’s own baggage of knowing what he wants to do – he feels for Kerry because he was adopted by his parents – but the stress can get to even the most sainted of men.
This is the out of the ordinary story of two ordinary men bringing their family together and I loved it. Totally sweet and worth the read!
Series: Dreamspun Desires 72 / Beyond the Boardroom 01
Author: Angela McAllister
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (222 pages)
ISBN: 978-1-64405-120-7
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (18 Dec 2018)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts
Reviewer: Prime
Blurb: Anything but business as usual.
Billionaire CEO Nic Price lives for his job. With sales down and grumbling from the board of directors—including Nic’s permanently dissatisfied father—the last thing Nic needs is distraction from the new manny, whose freewheeling approach to childcare is outlandish… and who makes Nic feel things he’s never allowed himself to feel.
Ex-teacher Sasha Lindsey is all about fun—that’s the reason people love him, so he has to be. After a bad break-up leaves him jobless and homeless, the live-in manny job with Mr. Price seems like a windfall. But his chemistry with Nic is off the charts, and he can’t afford another workplace romance disaster.
Can Nic leave his dominance in the bedroom and open his heart to the best thing that’s ever happened to him? Or will Sasha’s leap of faith backfire and ruin his chances at the family happily ever after he’s always dreamed of?
Review: The CEO’s Christmas Manny is Dreamspun Desires book by Angela McAllister. While the author is unknown to me, I love to devour many Dreamspun Desires books and wonderful (both sweet and sexy) romances that the various authors write. Add into the mix that I love a good Christmas romance and a good romance with hot boss and his manny, I was ready to pick this book up with not much thought at all.
Nic Price is the stereotypical CEO/billionaire in so many romance novels. He is a ruthless business man and is great at his job, that’s why he’s a billionaire. However, he has to cope with the stress of the board of his family company, including his father who is never satisfied with anything that Nic does, despite increasing the company profit’s over the last few years. On top of that he also the guardian of his orphaned niece and nephew. Since he’s had them for a few years and has been so distracted by business he has now lost his connection with but doesn’t take the time to care that this has happened because ultimately this all loops around to the fact that his father is forever down his throat and issuing threats about the family company (yes, another stereotype but totally works). The kids have gone through another nanny and so another is hired.
This is where we meet young, idealistic and enthusiastic teacher, Sasha Lindsey (and of course everyone expects him to be a female). Sasha lost his job as a casual teacher at a school in favour of someone who is tenured. This was orchestrated by his ex, which also means that Sasha has also lost a lot of money he had put into their shared rental as well as his home. So the job as a live in manny is a godsend, especially at Christmastime. If I’m going to continue with iconic movie comparisons, Sasha is like Mr Keating in The Dead Poet’s Society. He wants to engage his students, not just tell them what they need to know, he wants them to enjoy learning and to have fun.
Nic finds it hard to open his heart to the kids and to Sasha, especially now that he has been threatened with losing his position if he can’t increase profits further. But Sasha is sweetness and happiness and love which Nic has never known from his family and eventually, despite a bit of drama, these guys are inevitable.
I really loved this book. It fulfilled every soppy romantic fantasy I have, despite being a tad too predictable and the story kind of reminding me of The Sound of Music (not a bad thing really). The chemistry between Nic and Sasha is off the charts and it was easy to relate to both of them, even if Nic was a grouch that needed Sasha’s love to heal is heart and show him how to really live life and to be happy. I noticed that this is part of a series and I would really love to read more from both this series (Beyond the Boardroom) and the author in the future.
Blurb: For the first time ever, Shane is not looking forward to the annual Boxing Day barbecue at Matty’s house. He recently divorced, none of his friends know what to say to him now, and Shane is tired of the pity and awkwardness. Things take a turn, however, when he meets Matty’s English cousin. Neil is struggling with the Australian heat, having left the UK after a bad breakup. When Shane suggests the two of them head to a secluded beach to cool off, the growing intimacy between them might make both reassess their current situation.
Review:Shane is going to a friends barbecue and doesn’t really want to go. His life has gone up in flames or so he thinks. Just wait till he gets his eyes on Neil.
The story just gives you a small taste. I am surprised at just how much story can be put into a book so short. However it doesn’t really give you a great time. It just doesn’t seem to stick with me.
It is a cute story with what one truly wants in the end. I just felt like there could have been more. I will also say the title didn’t really make me want to read the story in the first place.
Blurb: The festival of Tulsi Vivah ushers in the Hindu wedding season and tears away the love of Kristopher’s life. Three years of passion and tenderness are reduced to a shameful skeleton in the closet as Arjuna submits to the marriage his parents have arranged for him. His family has never even heard Kristopher’s name.
The festival, a ritualistic wedding between the holy basil plant, Tulsi, and her eternal lover, Vishnu, is as much of a play-act as Arjuna’s upcoming nuptials, but he believes the wedding will honor his parents and please Vishnu. So why is his Tulsi plant—whose leaves heal and bless the devout, who is Vishnu’s representative on earth—dying? Arjuna tends to her with all the care of a concerned parent, but it might take more than his devotion to save her. She might need Kris, with his clever green-fingers—and maybe a revived Tulsi can heal two hearts.
Review:Arjuna is so deep in the closet I am not sure he will ever get out. He is in love with Kris but to please his mother he plans to marry a woman. Kris agrees but his heart truly isn’t in it.
This story felt so stiff and formal that didn’t do the story much good. I felt bored and didn’t want to finish it, which made the fact that it was a short story a plus. I could not connect with the characters in the story. I figured it might just be the culture in this story which I didn’t understand much of. The whole story just felt off to me.
I am afraid that this story just didn’t do anything for me.
Blurb: No peacocks were harmed in the making of this story.
Rafa’s nautical skills are less than stellar. He’d rather be a full-time artist, but he has a duty to the family business and a fear of standing up to his father and brother.
Carpenter Lucas is determined to rebuild his business after a lover’s betrayal nearly destroyed it. But he runs into a snag when he misses the last boat to the job site.
Rafa offers to take him, but Rafa isn’t much of a sailor.
When they end up on the wrong island, fears for survival gradually give way to an appreciation of the beauty around them—and each other. Rafa insists a holiday miracle will save them, and he teases Lucas for being a Scrooge.
In the end, Rafa’s miracle might come from the last place he expects: inside himself.
Review: On a boat headed towards love. Rafa decides to give Lucas a ride to an island for work but they end up on an island that has many drawbacks but might just lead them to the life they truly needed.
This is a cute little story that really should have been longer. Here is a young man that is a true artist working for a father that is pretty much an ass. There were some parts to the story that felt off and made it feel like the author tried to throw in so much information that it felt blown. Other than that it was a pretty good story and the peacock added color to it.
It was well written but to make it absolute fun, it needs to be longer in length. I enjoyed the story and look forward to seeing what other stories this author has going on.
Blurb: Nor O’Brien spends his days in sunny Key West caring for and rehabilitating sea turtles. He doesn’t need anything else in life, expect maybe a significant other to cuddle with after a long day. But recent heartbreak has left Nor salty, and he’s not in the mood for anything, Christmas included.
Then Eugene Montgomery walks into Turtle R&R, claiming to have found a clutch of eggs in distress. Nor is smitten with the tourist at first sight, and at the suggestion of his screwball colleagues, indulges in some no-strings-attached fun. Nor and Eugene are quick to get along, happily enjoy each other’s company, and take in the island’s unique holiday pleasures together.
But Nor would never leave his turtles, not for any man. So when his rebound fling turns into strong romantic feelings for Eugene, it’ll take a Christmas miracle to keep the two together forever in Key West.
Review:Nor relationship has broken up and lets face it, he is a bit of a grump. That is until he meets Eugene. When Eugene comes into the rescue to report some turtle eggs, lets just say Nor is all on it. Not the only thing he will be all on.
It is cute, sweet and just plain fun to read. The characters were quirky and quite interesting. I enjoyed reading it and look forward to reading more from this author. The story was a bit too short for me though and I hope it turns into a full size novel.
Blurb: Rival archaeologists Will and Jude slept together a year ago, on the night of the Summer Solstice at a dig in Stonehenge. But they were both wearing masks, so Jude has no idea it was Will he slept with, and Will’s been harboring a powerful, one-sided crush ever since.
Now they’re in Egypt, competing to find the lost tomb of Queen Nefertiti. Jude falls through a crack in the cave floor, and when Will reluctantly climbs down to help him, they find themselves in Nefertiti’s tomb, surrounded by archaeological treasures—where they must spend Christmas stranded by a sandstorm.
Will a few sultry hours stripped almost bare from the heat and sharing a bottle of whiskey sort out who should get credit for the discovery—and the real reason for the tension between them?
Review:Jude and Will had a great night together but they didn’t know that it was with each other. They are not exactly enemies but they are not friends either. They were searching for the same thing, but one small accident leads them to something they realize they should have been searching for, each other.
I was amazed that I had not read this author before but this was one fantastic read, for such a short story. I can’t say that I truly liked it but it was still pretty good. I liked the guys attitudes and lets face it, who wants a romance with not a bit of trouble. Feisty is one word for it.
Blurb: The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and no one knows it better than the men in EM Lynley’s Delectable Series.
In Brand New Flavor, Artisan ice cream maker Jay Brown and food critic Cameron Clay have one delicious encounter that could lead to much more, if they can find each other again. Simon Ford resents the easy life of those like Austin Kelvin, owner of Kelvin Cellars in Napa Valley, in An Intoxicating Crush. But Austin’s business is going under, and when Simon’s true reasons for being at the winery come to light, Simon will have to risk everything to prove his sincerity.
When Alex Bancroft’s bakery burns down a week before Christmas and he’s pulled from the flames by Kevin Flint in Gingerbread Palace, the gingerbread house he donates to charity seems like it’s not going to happen, until Fire Station 7 comes to the rescue yet again. But can Kevin come out of the closet long enough to see what he might be missing?
In Spaghetti Western, professional chef Riley Emerson’s dreams are in tatters when he takes a job at the Rocking Z guest ranch. Colby Zane is ecstatic when the new cook turns out to be his hot one-night stand, but financial problems at the ranch may drive them apart. In 12 Courses, chef Thom Kennedy has finally regained his confidence after the theft of his recipes when ex-boyfriend Blake Warner shows up at his restaurant several days in a row. But can he trust Blake again when he seems to know more that he’s saying about the theft?
Jay has had a hard time trusting others after a disaster of a relationship. It wasn’t even the relationship itself that cause the problems, but the damn man stole his recipes. He created the most erotic ice cream ever. The taste was just that good. So when a man wanted to taste his ice cream, lets say things heated up. But trouble always gets in the way, when Cameron’s ex tried to mess with Jay’s head.
The ice cream that was mentioned in this story, made me want to go out and get some. Jay definitely has self esteem issues and I wasn’t to sure about him. He is a sweetie and cute as can be. Cameron is a little better then him, but he comes off as a bit of a player at first. I don’t like cheating or close to it, and this one pushed it. However the story is cute and I did enjoy it quite a bit. Now normally I would have given it a harder rating but I truly had fun reading it.
The characters are charming and for such a short story it gives you a good taste. I do wish it had been a bit longer, but it is perfect to heat your day.
Intoxicating Crush 💖💖💖💖 4 Hearts
Austin loves owning and running the winery. His father had given it to him and his brother, but it was Austin that truly loved it. However he is a bit stubborn when he is in need of help, he won’t tell anyone about it. When Simon came to the to taste the blends, Austin was a bit tongue tied. Things were going good, then Austin’s world just drops out. Simon is in big trouble now.
I am not much of a wine or beer person so some of the story went over my head, but the guys were a different subject. They were definitely tasty and damn sexy. This story was a cute addition to my library and I was glad that I had taken the time to read it. It is an even paced story that didn’t really draw it out, which was nice.
I really like the characters but I think Austin would win out here. Simon seemed a bit to weak in my eyes when it came to his boss and what he truly wanted. Other than that I did have fun reading this book and can’t wait to start in on the next one.
Gingerbread Palace 💖💖💖💖 4 Hearts
Every year Alex and his screw always makes nice size gingerbread houses and men to sell. The money they raise goes to a charity for foster kids and to place them in the best homes. He had not been so luck and he over came all that had happened to him, but he wanted to give other children a chance at having a better life. When a fire looked to stop them from doing it, the firehouse stepped in to help. To bad the one fire fighter he had the hots for, acted like a homophobic asshat. However not everything is as it seems.
Lets just say Kevin is an asshat and I didn’t really care for him. Even getting to know him there was just not really a chance to like him till the very end. I loved Alex and understod where he had been standing at. I enjoyed reading the story and the charcters were quite a hit with me.
This is a sweet story with a bit of heartache added in. The guys were sexy and always did love a man in uniform. I enjoyed this book quite a bit.
Spaghetti Western 💖💖💖💖 3.5 Hearts
Riley has done something that many would wish they did, he followed his dreams. He became a professional chef and is one hell of a cook. He can make food that is orgasmic to say the least. When he heads to Colorado to be with his boyfriend, he hadn’t expected that boyfriend in bed with another. Now he not only had to mend a broken heart but find a new job. Searching around ends him up at a ranch that catered to guest. He had not expected the one man he had slept with after what had happned to be one of the owners of that ranch. Things are looking good, until a potential investor wants more from Colby.
This story gave me mixed feelings. I actually thought about giving it a lower rating because of the near screwup with the Colby and that investor. However thanks to intervention it turned out pretty good. I just don’t condone what was going to happen and felt that it would have caused big trouble between our sexy characters, but was glad the author took it in another direction. However it did make the story drop for me in the end.
I hate to admit that this story was really good but I have certain pet peeves and this one was knocking on the door for me. It could have gone either way for me and I didn’t much care for it. I liked Riley quite a bit and in the end Colby went down the drain. So this particular story just about made me want to say no to the rest of the book.
12 Courses 💖💖💖💖 3.5 Hearts
Thom was an inspiring chef till someone stole his ideas, and he was the one blamed for it. Now a few years have past and the one man he had loved back then shows up. Blake had taken off when all of the damage had been done to Thom, but it wasn’t what Thom took it for.
This one was a bit dry to me. Betrayal and anger given to one for something that had been an accident, even though the end was horrible. Now starting over and Thom was terrified by the results. They both come off a bit weak to me and the connection that should be there wasn’t. The story just
They don’t truly have trust and trust is definitely needed in a relationship, but then again with a small story I can see how it was worked. It is a cute story and the characters were enjoyable but they were missing something big to me.
Overall
I liked the recipes that were in the stories but it made them drag out and that wasn’t good for me. The story did make me hungry though. I liked most of the characters but there was so much drama that wasn’t needed to keep my attention. I had a few likes and dislikes, but overall each story was pretty unique and fresh for me. I liked the guys and their happy endings. I enjoyed reading it and would recommend it.
Title: Sometimes The Best Presents Can’t Be Wrapped
Author: B.G. Thomas
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Length: Novella (131 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (25th December 2017)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts
Blurb: Ned Balding used to be a decent man—until the stress of seemingly countless responsibilities changes him, and he becomes cold and driven—the kind of man who considers firing an employee days before Christmas. The kind of man who kicks a dog…. But Ned’s transgressions haven’t gone unseen. A Salvation Army Santa witnesses his misdeeds and decides Ned needs to be taught a lesson.
When Ned wakes up the next morning, he’s stunned to discover he’s been transformed into a dog.
In the past year, Jake Carrara has lost his mother, a lover… even his dog. His boss came close to firing him just before the holidays. He isn’t sure he’s ready for another pet when he’s asked to foster a dog, but Jake’s good heart won’t let him refuse. Little does he know, this isn’t just any dog.
Through a twist of fate, two people with little reason to be friends might teach each other to rediscover the good—and the love—in life.
Review: Sometimes the Best Presents Can’t Be Wrapped is a quirky holiday romance tale that is very much in the realm of urban fantasy by BG Thomas. I haven’t read too much of BG Thomas, but I have their books in the past to be quite hit and miss, in terms of me being able to get into the story and connecting to the characters. Needless to say, I was a little concerned but it was the blurb that won me over.
Essentially, this novella is a story that has echoes of the Dickens story of Ebenezer Scrooge. However, when you read the story, instead of thinking of the traditional story by Dickens himself, I was able to relate it more to the modern retelling a la the movie Scrooged. You know the one, that’s the movie with Bill Murray. Which then led me to decide that this is more of a mix of the two Bill Murray movies Scrooged and Groundhog Day. And now I think of it the whole transformation of horrid character to teach him a lesson is very Beauty and Beast too. There you go, numerous pop culture references, make of them what you will.
I amazed and blown away by how much I loved this story.
Ned Balding is the Scrooge-type character of the story. He used to be a good man who a lot of people loved, including his employees. But years of stress and shouldering too many burdens (which he really should have shared in the first place), has made him into a bitter man. In fact, he almost fires his employee Jake Carrara for having flimsy reasons for taking time off. (I think that some of this might be an American thing so I found the treatment by Ned quite illegal, seriously he’d be open for a court case in Australia. But then again I have the luxury sick leave, roster days off and 20 days recreational leave a year, so I feel that some of this is kind of lost on me, yet it does a fantastic job into making Ned an ogre).
To put it nicely, Ned is such a Grumpy Gus he angers the wrong spirit or entity (in the guise of a Salvation Army Santa) that he is turned into a dog to teach him a lesson of love and compassion.
Jake on the other hand is a sweetie. He has a heart of gold and will help anyone, human or animal, with his limited resources. He’s recently lost his beloved dog and when he receives a phone call of a dog in desperate need of a foster home (lest the poor animal be put down) he reluctantly answers the call. In fact, the dog seems like it understands every word he says. Jake bears his soul to the creature, who is actually Ned and Ned’s path to love and redemption begins. Ned learns of Jake’s feelings towards him through Jake’s chatter, which isn’t all flattering but there is a chance for a lot more.
This is a really sweet romance. Mind you for most of the book Ned is a dog, we get to really take time getting to Jake and Ned, although it’s questionable how much they know each other. Despite their limited time together as humans the guys have a fabulous connection. Overall, this was fun and enjoyable. If you like any of the literary or movie references I’ve already mentioned, love dogs and love a good dose of the holiday spirit then I think you’d love to read this book.
Publisher: Mischief Corner Books (8th December 2018)
Heat Level: Nil
Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖 4 Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Javier Fernandez is a climate scientist living in a research station near the South Pole. Since his husband was killed in a car crash, he’s preferred to be alone, and is less than thrilled to have a junior scientist thrust upon him by his rich patron.
Col Steele is a trans man fleeing a bad break-up. He is ready for the next step in his career, and eager to spend Christmas anywhere but at home.
When a crack in the ice separates the two men from safety, they are forced to come to terms with their own losses and each other.
Review: Slow Thaw is not the book for you if you’re looking for instant passion and sex; it’s a story for those who love an interesting storyline mixed with two men facing an intense situation and discovering their feelings for each other.
Col Steele is excited by the opportunity to work with Javier Fernandez, spending the next six months on the Ross Ice Shelf at Bettencourt Station is a dream come true. It also comes at a time when he really wants to get away from spending Christmas alone. But Javier is gruff and abrupt, and Col has no intention of letting the man walk all over him.
Javier has buried himself away at Bettencourt Station for the last two/three years (depending on which sentence you read); the loss of his husband still haunts him and working constantly is a relief. Dealing with research scientists is his burden to bare and with a new one coming in he’s dreading the man’s behaviour/attitude. But he gets a surprise when Col proves to be helpful and useful, but memories haunt him as Col reminds him of his husband.
This is a really great story that while set around Christmas time isn’t a Christmas story, it’s a story about finding love in terrible circumstances, and of a reminder of what we humans are doing to this world.
The descriptions of the setting is astounding, you can easily picture the ice shelf, of a terrible crack racing towards you as the ice shelf breaks apart, the stunning view of something that has been around for hundreds of thousands of years as it succumbs to human idiocy. It really is breath-taking how J. Scott Coatsworth can transport you into his settings with just a few well-placed words.
The story is set over a short period of time so it’s the beginning of a relationship between Col and Javier, there’s no meeting of the eyes across the ice and falling into each other’s arms, no it’s a small bud of attraction that could become so much more.
I will admit that I would love to see this story developed and expanded on, it would be amazing to read about Col and Javier and the difficulties they’d face as they help to save the ice shelfs.
I recommend this to those who love stories that have challenges for our MC’s, who adore stories where love is a future promise, who love well written storylines and the barest glimpse of happiness for two men who have had difficult experiences.
Blurb: Andrew Barker is ready for the holidays. His perpetually bright and cheery personality feel right at home for Christmas. He has time off from work and a husband who’s waiting for him at home, what else would he need?
Well, he had no idea he would be needing to sign divorce papers – let’s start there.
Declan Rose-Covington, part of a luxury hotel dynasty, is coming into Stonewall Investigations because he needs help with a family issue. With his mom’s huge holiday retreat around the corner, he’s hoping to solve it before Santa comes to town. The last thing he’s expecting is to enter the detective agency and fall for the strikingly handsome man sitting behind the front desk.
Of course, life has ways of delivering well-wrapped surprises.
When Declan and Andrew meet they both feel an instant connection. Soon, the connection grows powerful enough to push Declan toward a crazy proposition: invite Andrew to the family retreat as a fake boyfriend. Andrew would get a nice week-long vacation out of it and Declan would avoid the judgemental jabs from all the spoused-up family members.
The potential for disaster was there, but there was also a chance to truly make this the most wonderful time of the year. And that was something neither of them wanted to miss out on.
Review: Andrew loved the holidays, Christmas was his favorite of them all. He went all out at home and at work. That is until he found out that his husband had someone else dancing on his pole. So a divorce we will go but when a sexy man looking to hire one of the detectives gives him the eye, well maybe Christmas wasn’t lost.
Declan knew someone was stealing from his mother. He was pretty sure it was his step-father, but he isn’t for sure. So it Christmas time and he was do at the home for the holidays. Lets just say he wasn’t looking forward to it. The one and only without someone else might just be a bit painful. So he asks Andrew, who I might add he has the hots for, to pretend to be his boyfriend. Well lets just see how long it last, the pretend part.
Many twists and turns to go in this amazing book. Now normally I would suggest reading these stories in order but this one can actually be read alone. For a Christmas story you have action, some very hot smooches, excitement and the hope of new love just waiting for you to read. I only found one issue with the story, but it is probably just me. I loved the characters quite a bit and lets just say Declan’s mom and grandmother are a hoot. They are what I would love to have for a family.
I wished this author put these books out faster because they are a blast to read. I get a kick out of the whole series. I absolutely loved reading it and can’t wait to read it again. I can guarantee that it will be read many times over.
Blurb:Sometimes the best Christmas gift is knowing what you really want.
Rusty Baker is a rich, entitled, oblivious jock, and he might have stayed that way if he hadn’t become friends with out-and-proud Oliver Campbell from the wrong side of the tracks. When Oliver kisses him goodbye before Rusty leaves for college, Rusty is forced to rethink everything he knows about himself.
But nothing can help Rusty survive a semester at Stanford, and he returns home for Thanksgiving break clinging to the one thing he knows to be true: Oliver is the best thing that’s ever happened to him.
Rusty’s parents disagree, and Rusty finds himself homeless for the holidays. But with Oliver’s love and the help of Oliver’s amazing family, Rusty realizes that failing college doesn’t mean he can’t pass real life with flying rainbow colors.
Review: Rusty has always gotten everything he wanted without even really trying, he might be expected to follow in his father’s footsteps but he fully admits to being the stereotypical dumb jock. When he meets Oliver his views begin to change, he wants more than to go into his father’s business, he want to do something that makes him happy. Oliver is out and proud, he’s from the wrong side of the tracks and his best friend puts himself down. Kissing Rusty is one of the best things he has ever done and being there for Rusty as he struggles through his first semester at Berkeley keeps him hoping that Rusty will wake up to his true feelings. Rusty heads home for the holidays knowing just what he wants but his parents have very different ideas, when he finds himself tossed out on the street it’s Oliver and his family who help him back on his feet, but can Rusty accept the love that Oliver offers or will his stubborn pride keep them apart?
This is an incredibly wonderful story where a young man finds himself and sets out to live his life in happiness and accepting that family is more than who you are born to. Rusty is a character who is easy to fall in love with, he has no illusions about himself and knows his limits, although he is very hard on himself and self-disparaging. Oliver is a lovely young man who guides Rusty as much as he can to recognize his feelings and to also buff up Rusty’s confidence. They make a perfect couple who have the usual teenage problems involving pride and confidence, but their support of each other is heart-warming.
We follow these two young men as they make friends and develop a friendship that can and does stand against pressure. Rusty is oblivious to many things around him but finds that he has much more going for him in a world he makes for himself, rather than the world his parents want for him. His relationship with Oliver is the cornerstone for all that he wants to build and we see his heartache as he strives to be something he isn’t, we see Oliver and his family pulling around Rusty as his own parents turn their back on him and we see Rusty blossoming into a man to be proud of. Rusty and Oliver’s relationship is an incredible one, they have their ups and downs but it is all based in love and when they are together, it makes you smile.
I adored this story. I couldn’t put it down. I wanted to know what would happen to these two young men as they faced life with love from one side but disapproval from the other side. The story is from Rusty’s point of view but you get to know Oliver perfectly through Rusty’s eyes and Rusty is an honest character, there’s no false pretense in him so what you see is what you get.
The story is written perfectly, the characters come to life and it is a storyline that happens all too often in real life. You get behind these two young men cheering for them as they build their lives, you feel their heartache, pain and disappointment, their confusion and hurt, their love and happiness and their dreams of the future.
I recommend this to those who love young adults starting their lives, fantastic characters, wonderful family, new blossoming love and an incredible ending.
Blurb: After the hard winter of 1888 ended Alby Boyle’s work as a Nebraska ranch hand, he returned to New York City in search of his long-lost family. His mother and brothers are nowhere to be found, however, and after Alby’s years of absence, Five Corners no longer feels like home. His prospects seem as dim as the nighttime alleys.
When Alby pauses to admire an angel ornament in a department store window’s Christmas display, he meets Xeno Varnham-Summerfield. Wealthy, handsome, and enthusiastic, Xeno brings Alby some temporary cheer. But for Alby to achieve his dreams of love and a real home, well, that may take a bit of holiday magic.
Review: Alby returns to New York City after a freezing hard winter finished the Nebraskan ranch he worked at, he’s decided to try and track down the family he hasn’t seen since he was thirteen but the building they used to live in is long gone.
When Alby pauses to admire a Christmas Angel in a department stores window he meets Xeno who offers advice, and when Alby keeps bumping into the man outside the department store Xeno makes his interest clear.
This is a wonderful little story that transports you to the streets of New York City in 1888, the setting is brilliantly described and you can immerse yourself in what life was like back then.
Alby is a wonderful character who is comfortable in himself and his skills, he might just be a ranch hand but he still manages to find a job working with horses with the help of Mr. Caruthers the manager of the YMCA. But it doesn’t stop him from being drawn to the department store and Xeno.
Alby is the focus of this story and we learn about his life from childhood to adulthood, you find out some interesting little tidbits about America in 1888, we root for Alby as he tries to find his family and hope that his families fortunes had turned and they were all okay.
While we find out a bit about Xeno it’s in short bursts and while he might come across as a bit forward (hell you don’t just flirt and compliment a guy in 1888), we don’t actually get what he was thinking or what signs he’d seen that would indicate that Alby might be amenable, he comes across as a man who knows what he wants and will aim to get it.
Other than not getting Xeno’s side of the tale I enjoyed this story and admired both men, their relationship is sweet and Xeno’s father very accepting for that time. That they could build a life together and have acceptance from those closest to them was just wonderful and leaves you with warm fuzzy feelings.
I recommend this to those who love historical romances, who adore characters who are interesting and sweet, and who adore happy endings.
Blurb: August 1939. Roger Miller and Jack O’Brien have been close since childhood. By the time they realize there’s more between them than friendship, Jack is leaving their sleepy Iowa town for college. But they console themselves knowing he’ll be home for Christmas. Right?
It is Christmas before they see each other again, but that Christmas comes six years and a world war later. Aged, beaten, and shaken by combat, they’re not the boys they were back then, but their feelings for each other are stronger than ever.
Neither know the words to say everything they’ve carried since that peacetime summer kiss, though. Even as they stand in the same room, there’s a thousand miles between them.
But maybe that’s some distance the little angel in Roger’s rucksack can cross.
Review: Two best friends who just seem to be in tune with each other, leave to join the war. They go in different directions only to find each other down the road once more. A kiss at a pond keeps them remembering each other then things do change. Now many years afterwards they find each other one last time. They are still so much in tune with each other but love shows the way, well with the help of an angel. Roger and Jack are definitely a team that are meant to be together, but in a time where it was dangerous and deadly.
I will be honest that I had not checked this book out until now. I am not a fan of historical’s in any way, so when I read the blurb right before starting to read it, I had a feeling that it was not going to go so well. I do not like the past and for two men it would have been dangerous to be gay. However it was a well written story and with the author being who it is, I knew it would be. It actually kept my attention a little better than most books that are in the past. I really liked the guys and liked the fact that they did not pretend to be anything different then who they were. They never came out but they didn’t marry some female to hide behind. So that was a good sign. Now it catch my attention when I started reading as well which gave me a sense of the fact that this was going to be a good story.
I didn’t care for the parents and could have done with out them. However the story was pretty well developed with beautiful characters. I did like it but it won’t be one of those that will be read more than the first time. I am just afraid that this book just wasn’t my kind of story and didn’t really give me that oh my god spark.
Blurb: When Jules Evergreen lands in trouble at the North Pole and gets shipped off to Snow Hope Island for ninety days, he never expects to take up the cause of the forgotten toys waiting for new homes. Falling for his new boss is not on the agenda either, but his heart has other ideas.
Felix Winterson has grown up on Snow Hope Island and now runs the place. He isn’t thrilled when party boy Jules arrives, and Felix tries hard to ignore the man’s charms. He has other problems, anyway. For years he’s tried to get Santa to look at the growing inventory of damaged toys in the warehouse, to no avail.
When Jules comes up with a plan to save the toys, the men find themselves working closely together. As Christmas Eve looms, there’s a lot at stake. Can they save Snow Hope, convince Santa to rescue the toys, and fall in love all at the same time?
Review: I was pleasantly surprised by Operation Toy Rescue it turned out to be a delightful story with a well-balanced love story mixed with a brilliant storyline.
Jules has been exiled from the North Pole to Snow Hope Island for ninety days for his naughty behaviour. After a short time at Snow Hope he begins to get ideas for saving the misfit toys that are banished there, his passion for his new job leads him to a close working relationship with Felix.
Felix loves Snow Hope Island it’s all he’s ever known but he feels sad at all the toys who will never have a child to love them, when Jules challenges him to consider fixing the toys and finding homes for them it gives him hope. Working closely with Jules has him admiring him and it’s not long before he’s hoping for more.
This is a lovey story that warms your heart as Jules and Felix fall in love while rescuing the fate of damaged toys. It’s a gentle love story that has a touch of tension in it, not only is it a race to prepare the toys for Christmas but a figure from Jules past surprises them both.
I thoroughly enjoyed this entertaining story and think it’s a perfect Christmas story. It’s sweet, cute and while there are not huge amounts of passion there are still some sexy times that are just perfect for the relationship and a story of this length.
I recommend this to those who adore cute Christmas stories, for characters discovering love, a brilliant storyline and a very happy ending for all.
Title: Christmas Wishes *Free*
Title: Delectable Series
Title: Sometimes The Best Presents Can’t Be Wrapped
Title: Slow Thaw
Title: Deck The Halls
Title: Christmas Kitsch
Title: Summerfield’s Angel
Title: Christmas Homecoming
Title: Operation Toy Rescue