Title: The Magic of Christmas Series: N/A Author: Pelaam Genre: Fantasy/Holiday Length: Novella (55 pages) Publisher: MLR Press (December 6th, 2014) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts Blurb: On a friends’ getaway in a winter wonderland, Jared and Casey discover real Christmas magic.
Jared joins his four best friends on an early Christmas holiday in a beautiful winter wonderland. He’s been in love with the talented and extroverted Casey for years, but lacked the courage to say anything.
Casey loves Jared, but despite his gregarious exterior, inside lurks someone shy and insecure and so he’s never spoken up.
Both men are about to experience real Christmas magic.
Review: I have to say I was pleasantly surprised reading this wonderful book. Stunning details of the landscape, the other world, and all the creatures, elves, and reindeer shifters. Great battle scenes and a daring rescue made for an incredible read.
I loved that Jack and Nic were a couple and that with their help they Rescued Jared so that Casey could finally tell him how he feels.
I highly recommend this beautifully worded book.
Absolutely fantastic read.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com*
Title: A Laughing Owl Series: Astrogator, # 3 Author: A.C. Ellas Genre: Fantasy/ Holiday Length: Novella (54 pages) Publisher: Extasy Books (December 15th, 2014) Heat Level: Explicit Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts Blurb: The colonists all report seeing the same thing—Santa Claus.
With their maiden voyage behind them, the crew of the Laughing Owl is sent on a mission to ferry scientists to an odd planet where, according to reports, Santa Claus has been sighted, flying high in a sleigh pulled by reindeer. Nobody’s sure what Santa’s up to—he hasn’t delivered a single present.
Captain Nick Steele agrees with the scientists who propose that Santa is a mass hallucination and probably the result of some unknown compound in the water, air, or food. But Astrogator Cai isn’t so sure, because if Santa is a hallucination, everyone on the planet is having the same hallucination, identical to the smallest detail.
As Christmas approaches, will the crew of the Laughing Owl solve the mystery of the hallucinogenic Santa or will the man prove to be real by delivering presents in the dead of night?
Review: Interesting yet strange story. As Cai tries to determine if everyone seeing Santa is real or not. Along with the sexy captain and the crew, it is a race to determine what is going on.
Hot sex between Cai and Nick add spice to this mystery.
Good read.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com*
Title: A Nip of Good Cheer Series: A Loving Nip, # 1 Author: Charlie Richards Genre: Paranormal/Holiday Length: Novella (124 pages) Publisher: Extasy Books (December 15th, 2014) Heat Level: Explicit Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts Blurb: Just a little Love Bite: When you ignore your senses, you can miss out on something pretty important.
Daystrum Striplan, second in command of the Esson vampire coven, knows he’s been distracted the past month or two. He just can’t figure out what tugs at his mind…or rather…whom. Every night Daystrum’s dreams are plagued by a slender male figure with striking blue eyes. When he wakes, his fangs ache with the need to sink them into the man’s column of tanned flesh and taste his blood.
Unfortunately, Daystrum can’t remember where or when—hell, even if—he’s met the man in his dreams. Then, the evening of the coven Christmas party, Daystrum scents the object of his obsession, Korbin Harris. He’s not the only one who notices the human, though. Jaymes, the master of a visiting coven also expresses his interest, and that vampire doesn’t have to beg forgiveness for forgetting their first meeting…a meeting that Korbin remembers.
Can Daystrum earn the forgiveness and affection of his wayward beloved?
Review: Korbin is a smart, intelligent young man in college who volunteers as a big brother to 17-year-old Paul. As he and his friends attend a Christmas party at Adalric’s house, he comes face to face with the vampire, Daystrum, who he can’t get out of his head since he met him. Once Daystrum realizes Korbin is his beloved and that he didn’t recognize him when they first met, he sets out to claim the sexy human before someone else does.
I loved how festive the party was and how in the middle of it Korbin dropped everything to go to help Paul with Daystrum’s aide. I couldn’t believe the accusation that Paul was accused of. But was glad everyone came to support and help him in his time of need.
Fantastic story with a lot of drama and some hot sex between Daystrum and Korbin. I can’t wait to read the next story. Highly recommended.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com*
Title: The Working Elf Blues Author: Piper Vaughn Genre: Paranormal/Holiday Length: Novella (53 pages) Publisher: Less Than Three Press (December 17th 2014) Heat Level: Mild Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Blurb: Garnet Evergreen has never heard of an elf abandoning the North Pole for a human, but he yearns to be the first. Ever since he saw Wes, the boy with sorrowful eyes, Garnet felt an undeniable kinship. Over the years, he’s watched that boy grow into a man, and now he’s determined to give Wes a Christmas he’ll never forget. If only Garnet had thought to test his father’s sleigh before leaving…
Orphaned as a child, Wes spends every Christmas alone at his cabin. When he’s woken by a suspicious boom and finds a wrecked sleigh and an unconscious elf, he doesn’t know how to react. Wes isn’t fanciful. He doesn’t give much credence to the stories about Santa Claus and flying reindeer. But a part of him wants desperately to believe when Garnet promises forever, even if life has taught him that no one ever stays…
Review: Garnet has been watching over Wes since he was just a little boy, and he snuck onto his dad’s sleigh one Christmas Eve, only to find a lonely and afraid kid who had lost his parents. He stayed by Wes’s bedside that night and watched him sleep, and he’s watched over him from afar since that night. Now Garnet finds himself in love with the man who Wes has become, but will Wes feel the same way?
Wes has distant memories of the family he lost, and of the boy turned young man with the red hair that has been in his peripheral vision a time or two. He’s rudely awoke by a loud bang one night to find a crashed sleigh and an injured man with red hair and pointy ears. What the heck?! When Garnet wakes up in Wes’s bed, he is honest with him about everything. Who he is, how he’s watched over him for a lifetime and most important, how he feels about Wes.
Garnet has a choice to make though. Will he chose his family, his life as an elf? Or will the possibility of a life with Wes be strong enough to convince this elf to spend just one lifetime as a human who is loved?
Vaughn has delivered a sugary sweet, romantic little Christmas treat with this one. A short story that is busting at the seams with content. You really get a thorough look into the lives of both Garnet and Wes, the loss of Wes’s family and how it affected him, Garnet watching him over the years and how their feelings for each other grow into more very quickly. There is no full on sex in this story, but the heavy-duty make out sessions more than make up for it.
The perfect story for readers of the genre that don’t care for the more sensual stories. There is definitely a passion and chemistry between Garnet and Wes and boy do they like to kiss, the focus of this story shines on how they found each other and how they complement each other in the present. This is a must read if you are looking for a fun, cheesy, romantic Holiday story!
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Feels Like Home Author: Rowan McAllister Narrator: Michael Stellman Genre: Contemporary/Holiday Length: 1 hour and 46 minutes Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (11-10-14) Heat Level: Mild Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts Blurb: It’s only three days ’til Christmas. Jeremy Porter is still grieving over his mother’s death, and Paul McClellan is a lonely divorcee just trying to make it home even though the only one waiting for him is his cat. It may seem like a miserable combination, but when Jeremy saves Paul from being hit by a car during a nasty snowstorm, their connection and chemistry are undeniable. It’s easy to cuddle up with a stranger when you’re snowed in but can a holiday affair turn into more if being together feels like home?
Review: Jeremy Porter is on his way home just a few days before Christmas when a sexy stranger catches his eye. Paul McClellan is stranded with a flat tire just outside Jeremy’s apartment when a would be hit and run driver comes dangerously close to ruining Paul’s Christmas. After pulling Paul to safety, Jeremy invites him up to his apartment to warm up and wait out the snow before they can safely change the tire.
There is a connection between them that cannot be denied and almost as soon as they are inside and in wrapped up in warm clothes, they are out of them and wrapped up in each other. They spend the next two days wrapped in a world wind romance getting to know more about each other. They are both single but Jeremy is still mourning the loss of his mother and his ex-boyfriend while Paul has been divorced for close to six years, but his ex-wife can still make him feel like a petulant child.
Jeremy is amazed at how quickly he acclimates to having Paul around, thinking being with Paul feels like home, feels natural. And yet, he won’t tell Paul, or ask him to stay. When the storm clears and they replace Paul’s tire, will he go? Or will he stay and make a home with Jeremy.
This was a cute story about finding the one in the oddest of ways. My only complaint would be I wanted the author to decide between adult and YA. Words used were definitely descriptive, but then it was more of a fade to black than actual details of what these guys were doing. I would have rather had one, or the other, instead of teetering between the two. My first audible with Michael Stellman and I’d listen to him again, he held his own with voice changes and had the ability to carry the story with his voice.
If you are looking for something short and festive for the season, give this one a go.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Lonnie’s New Christmas Series: Dragon Marines #2 Author: Jenn Dease Genre: Holiday/ Paranormal Length: Short (41 pages) Publisher: MLR Press (December 11th, 2014) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts Blurb: Can Lonnie overcome the bad Holiday memories with his dragon’s help?
Lonnie Douglas has reason to dislike, almost hate the holidays. His parents are now in the background of his life. Back from his time in the Navy, Vincent Taylor lands in Lonnie’s present life, hoping to show him the love and need he has always felt.
Can Lonnie handle the new responsibilities the town leaders are asking of him? Can he overcome the bad memories with his dragon’s help?
Review: Lonnie doesn’t like Christmas because of past experiences with his family ruined it for him. But now he’s asked to play Santa. With the help of his mate, he sees the joy in Christmas now.
Very sweet story and about how Christmas is a time to celebrate and be with friends, family and loved ones. I loved how Vincent, a dragon shifter, and Lonnie waited until they were older and had experienced life before they mated. It was cute that Vincent volunteered to be an elf.
Great read.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com*
Title: The Swag Man Delivers Series: 2014 Advent Calendar package “Celebrate!” Author: Sean Michael Genre: Contemporary Length: Short (24 pages) Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (December 1st 2014) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3.5 Hearts Blurb: Orpheus “O” Drummond, a recent Ph.D. graduate, is visiting Australia after defending his thesis, and being dumped by his boyfriend. While alone on the beach in Australia was not how he’d originally planned on spending his Christmas, when O runs into Gage, he figures Santa knew exactly what he was doing.
Gage is traveling away from his Texan home, trying to “find himself.” When he finds O instead, he doesn’t think things could have worked out better. Together Gage and O celebrate Christmas in the best way they can think of.
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2014 Advent Calendar package “Celebrate!”
Review: O decided to visit Australia alone after being dumped by his boyfriend of five years the day after he defended his thesis. While sitting on the beach watching the water he meets Gage. Gage is a Texan boy who has been in Australia for a month. The two hit it off right away and decide to spend Christmas together. What follows is pretty hot.
This was a cute little holiday short. Both O and Gage are adorable. It leaves it with a happy for now deal and I wouldn’t mind seeing a larger story with them.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: The Holiday Hoax Series: N/A Author: Skylar M. Cates Genre: New Adult/Holiday Length: Novella (85 pages) Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (December 12th, 2014) Heat Level: Low Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts Reviewer: Aerin Blurb: I’m Evan Goodman, budding actor, future star, college freshman. Oh, and let’s not forget—recently dumped. If only my family wasn’t expecting to meet my new boyfriend over the holiday break. Enter JD Laurens—a sweet and quiet science major who mostly keeps to himself. When he gathers the courage to come out, poor JD gets abandoned by his only family right in front of me, and now he has nowhere to go for Christmas.
But I have a proposition for him: pretend to be my boyfriend for the holidays so I can take him home.
Review: What a cute holiday story, the best I’ve read so far. Our main characters are Evan and JD, both college students, each with his own problems concerning Christmas. JD’s story was quite sad and unfortunately, a lot of young gay men have stories similar to his. JD’s brother can’t accept the fact that JD is gay and now JD doesn’t have anywhere to go for Christmas.
Evan was excited to take his boyfriend Tyler home for Christmas to introduce him to his parents, but got dumped by Tyler at the last-minute. After witnessing JD’s abandonment by his brother, he comes up with a genial solution: he offers JD a home and a family for Christmas and in return, JD helps him out by pretending to be Tyler.
As Evan gets to know JD better, the pretend relationship they have starts to feel real. I liked them together, their relationship seemed genuine and their chemistry intense. Evan’s family is very open-minded but conservative at the same time. They were kind and made JD feel welcome, but what I really loved about them was the fact that religious traditions were important to them, but only if they got to experience them as a family.
There’s no steam in this book, no on-page sex, but the feelings JD and Evan develop for each other are strong and real. This is a perfect, lovely holiday read that will definitely put a smile on your face.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Dreaming of Snow Author: Teodora Kostova Series: West End book 2.5 Genre: Contemporary/Holiday Length: Novella (89 pages) Publisher: Teodora Kostova (December 9th 2014) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Blurb: It’s been a year since Adam and Penn moved in together, and they’ve settled down into their comfortable new life together.
Only…not everything is as perfect as it seems.
Penn is a bit bored after quitting his job at Queen Victoria, and Adam can’t seem to find inspiration for his latest film script.
Jared and Fenix are about to spend their second Christmas in their new home in the picturesque city of Malmö, Sweden. With a beautiful new house and a successful dance studio to run, Jared and Fenix are happy and content.
Only…not everything is as perfect as it seems.
When Jared invites Adam and Penn to spend the holidays with them in Malmö, Adam reluctantly agrees. But the two weeks filled with Christmas shopping, delicious food, fragrant wine, playing in the snow and, most importantly, spending quality time with their closest friends, proves to be exactly what everyone needs.
*Dreaming of Snow is about the characters of Dance and Mask, so reading this novella if you haven’t read those books is not recommended*
Review: Adam and Penn have moved in together and settled into a routine, but Penn is missing working, and Adam is lacking any creativity while trying to work on his next script. When his best friend Jared invites Adam and Penn to come spend Christmas with him and his husband, Fenix, in Sweden, Adam is hesitant but agrees. Penn is over the moon excited to be getting away from everything for a few weeks with his love and determined to make sure Adam relaxes and enjoys himself.
From the start when they arrive, Adam can sense something is off with Jared and Fenix. Not so far off to be a problem, or ruin their Christmas together, but off. Separately and together, the two couples set about getting ready for Christmas with visits to local shops, buying presents and making ornaments for each other. They take turns cooking, share meals and watch movies together as they prepare for a memorable Christmas. But both Jared and Adam have surprises for their loves, surprises that will either make or break this special Holiday, depending on how their perspective partners react.
Thank you Teodora for opening up the world of West End and letting us visit with Adam, Penn, Jared and Fenix this Christmas. I thoroughly loved catching up and seeing what these guys have been up to since the wedding and the cohabitation of the last couple books. There are several special surprises in this novella, events that will shape and mold stories in this series to come. As usual excellent character development and well thought out situations come full circle and left me anxious for the next book, so please, write faster!
The perfect little love story for the Holiday Season, a must read for anyone that likes strong characters and perfect partnerships in their couplings. Oh, and it’s super sexy, with some juicy bedroom scenes with both couples.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Hot Water Series: N/A Author: Cassie Sweets Genre: Contemporary Length: Novel (200 pages) Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (December 12th, 2014) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts Blurb: Summer never ends on the tiny South American island of Santa Juanita where the people are beautiful and the water is always—hot!
Dive master Clive Ducaine left a disastrous affair and corporate day job to pursue a simpler life. He has no regrets about his decision to move to Santa Juanita to teach tourists the fine art of spelunking. With the unlimited banquet of hot bodies and casual sex to fill his days and nights, he has truly found paradise on earth.
Eight years ago Trevor Donohue’s lover was gunned down on a New York street and died in Trevor’s arms. Life changed that day, and not for the better. Now, working as a VP for a medical manufacturing company leaves Trevor no time or desire for another relationship. But then, during his first vacation in years, he meets the resort’s sexy dive instructor, Clive.
Suddenly abandoning his tight schedules and video-meetings for a little vacation romance looks a lot more promising.
Review: I really don’t know what to think of this book. I like because it isn’t over the top with drama – I had many scenarios running through my head, but none of them came to be. However, at the same time, it’s not too heavy on action, of any kind. But before I say anything about the main characters, Trevor and Clive, I have to say my absolute favourite character is a foul mouth ball of feathers – Clive’s pet bird Rodger. He is a foul-mouthed parrot who swears the most at people he likes.
I also like how the bird provides of comic relief and helps keeps the story on its feet, as his owner bumbles with his romance. Animal characters are always cool, particularly if they seem to be somewhat sentient like Rodger, because he sure does say the right things sometimes – a point that Clive does make for the reader and for Trevor. Many of his lines are from movies and though he swears it’s enough to give, at least me, a warm and fuzzy feeling.
Trevor and Clive run hot and cold when they are together. Trevor doesn’t rush into relationships. Clive, as a rule, only has hook ups. Trevor is on vacation at the resort where Clive works after being forced to take his vacation. Then Trevor wants to spend time with Clive but Clive doesn’t want to take a chance of actually getting his heart involved. Details of Trevor and Clive unfold slowly and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. The fact that these two men are stubborn often has them at cross purposes.
They both have their reasons for being who they. The one thing we know from the outset is that Trevor has already dealt with the loss of a lover when he was younger, a love that had changed the course of his career and a love that was probably more juvenile than mature. We also know Clive has also a bad relationship in the past and left everything behind, which is how he ended up as a dive instructor in another country.
This story goes at a slow but steady pace. It was an odd change for me because lately I’ve been ready fast-paced book with plenty of action. Regardless, it was enjoyable, particularly because of an event that happens in subtle but spectacular fashion, forcing Trevor and Clive to make some decisions. I’ll admit, it is a bit clichéd but the conclusion was satisfying to read, especially after what I’m calling “the event”.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Late Bloomer Series: N/A Author: Bru Baker Genre: Contemporary/Holiday Length: Novella (64 pages) Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (December 10th, 2014) Heat Level: Low Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts Blurb: If not for his family and his Christmas tree farm, David Rochester would be a recluse. And Erik Shriver wouldn’t know a quiet moment if it smacked him in the face. But now David’s farm has brought them together. When Erik’s flurry of bad jokes and frenetic energy sets David off kilter, his family notices and begins conspiring. They push David and a very willing Erik together again and again until David stops denying his attraction.
But an almost-hermit and a soon-to-be-former club boy each bring baggage into a relationship. They’ll have to take things slowly to find the middle ground between David’s taciturn silence and Eric’s boundless chatter
Review: This is a fairly cute Christmas story; there is some sweetness to it, but the sour nature of main man, David, kind of covers it up a bit. The story is as simple as the blurb states and really does show that opposites truly attract.
It was fun to see Erik throw David into a spin. David doesn’t like people, though plenty of people seem to like him. I think I like David because in some ways he reminds me of myself. David’s well meaning family are also quite a laugh, they all live in the same area and run the family business. Erik on the other hand, hides his true self behind a big smile and a lot of bad jokes. There is a lot more to these characters than meets the eye and that is what makes the story enjoyable. If it had been simply about these guys getting together, it’d be quite boring, but as it is, we get to know Erik and David and the strange little community they live in.
If you don’t want complicated, this is a nice story, although it left me wanting more.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: A Gentleman’s Agreement Author: J. Roman Narrator: Paul Morey Genre: Historical/Holiday Length: 2 hours and 24 minutes Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (10-22-2014) Heat Level: Low Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Blurb: Thomas Derrik is about to have the worst Christmas of his life. Three days before the holiday, he finds out the father he doesn’t get along with is arriving on Christmas Eve, his ex-lover and new brother-in-law will be staying at his estate until the New Year, and his beloved brother, Edmund, has died.
Luckily, Edmund’s last holiday scheme may well save Thomas’s Christmas: Henry Appleby, a young lord fresh from the Continent, has arranged to court Thomas. But the family tragedy and jealous exes may put an end to the romance before it begins.
Review: Thomas is considered a miscreant in his era. A place and time where attraction to the same-sex is punishable by death. Not long ago he ended a relationship with his best friend of many years after learning the man had a man in every port, Thomas wasn’t as special to him as Thomas had been led to believe. Now with the Holiday fast approaching Thomas is alone, surrounded by family he doesn’t much care for and to make matters worse, he has just learned of his beloved brother’s death.
Edmond, Thomas’s younger brother, was a true friend and ally, very understanding about Thomas’s choice in partners. So much so that it would seem even in death, he is still looking out for his brother. A gift, of sorts, arrives along with Thomas’s father in the form of one Lord Henry Appleby and his sister. It would seem that Henry and Thomas have many things in common, including the same best friend, Edmond, and a proclivity for other men.
A deal brokered by Edmond and Henry to ensure Thomas both happiness and stability is set in motion, but Edmond’s untimely death and Thomas’s clingy ex could destroy even the most intricately detailed plan.
For such a short story, there was a lot of attention paid to even the finite details of descriptives and characters. Set in a time where a Gentleman’s word was his bond and an agreement carried as much weight as a contract. But the relationship between Thomas and Henry becomes much more than just a means to an end, they truly care for one another. The narration was the perfect complement to the characters and the storyline, Morey is so well spoken and has sort of this aristocratic air to his voice that blended perfectly with the written words of this novella.
A perfect story for the season, and very inexpensive for either the audible or the e-book version. I highly recommend for fans of historical romance or just fans of romance in general.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Christmas Cole Author: BG Thomas Narrator: Paul Morey Genre: Contemporary/Holiday Length: 2 hours and 4 minutes Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (10-30-2014) Heat Level: Low Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Blurb: Javier Torres was a sweet, plump, and very unpopular child. But over the years, he turned himself into a gorgeous gym god. The problem is he’s also become an egotistical snob. But one day his arrogance pisses off the wrong little old lady, and he wakes up to find that, like the Prince in Beauty and the Beast, he’s been transformed into something from his personal nightmares.
Javier has nowhere to go but back home. Where to his surprise, he is greeted with open arms. Not just by the family he remembers, but by his new brother-in-law, Cole. Cole suspects there might be a pretty heart to go with the pretty face locked inside that new body. But has Javier learned enough to earn Cole—instead of coal—for Christmas?
Part of the Dreamspinner 2011 Advent Calendar – I’ll Be Home for Christmas
Review: Javier Torres went from an isolated, over weight and insecure teenager to a conceited, self-absorbed and condescending adult. Somewhere along the way, Javier forgot what it was like to be the one who was picked on, ridiculed, and ostracized because of his appearance and sexual preference. Enter one lovely little old woman with silver hair and a stunning smile to remind him.
When Javier wakes up in the body he thought he left behind and his partner jets off to vacation without him, he is left alone and confused just days before Christmas. A cup of coffee in the mall and a random message scrawled on the table send Javier back to the place he couldn’t get away from fast enough a decade ago, home.
In a twist on the It’s a Wonderful Life and Christmas Carol stories, Thomas takes a man who lost sight of what’s important, and shows him that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. In an effort to hide the pain of his past, Javier remade himself. Only to turn into the type of person that sent him away in the first place. When the tables are once again turned and he heads back home, he is embraced, to spite his appearance.
I really enjoyed the moral of this story and how Thomas explored such a wide array of emotions in such a short amount of time. Add to that the voice of Paul Morey and his ability to stretch himself into a multitude of characters from one breath to the next. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him actually whine before though, and it was so perfect for Javier when he is at his lowest point.
Javier learns through pain and disappointment what is truly important. The good thing is, it’s not too late for him to have a chance at happiness. And for the first time ever, someone WANTS Cole in their stocking!
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: A Lion in Tales Author: Andrew Grey Series: Dreamspinner Press 2013 Advent Calendar package “Heartwarming.” Narrator: KC Kelly Genre: Holiday/Contemporary Length: 2 hours and 9 minutes Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (9-19-2014) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Blurb: Larry Kincaid isn’t ready to be a parent, but when his sister dies in an accident, he takes his nephew, Angus, into his home. The change throws Larry’s life into limbo until he meets Joshua Langdon.
To Joshua, Larry is a lion: growly and strong, but too proud to ask for help. Joshua gets past his defenses and finds a place in Larry and Angus’s family, but Larry’s pride gets in the way. Can they turn their holiday romance into a relationship that lasts into the New Year?
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2013 Advent Calendar package “Heartwarming.”
Review: Short, Sexy, and Steamy wrapped up in a pretty red bow! My three favorite colors, oh how I’ve missed you!!
Larry Kincaid inherited the responsibilities of being a father to his young nephew, Angus, when his sister passed away. Every day is about going through the motions with Larry thinking of what is best for Angus. All that changes when he takes Angus to a local shop to get a tux for their annual Christmas party. Angus is immediately enamored with the shop worker, Joshua Langdon, as is Uncle Larry.
Circumstance leads Larry to invite Josh to the Christmas party, and the two share a very heated, very passionate night for an after party. But when Josh leaves in the night without so much as a word or a note, Larry is hurt. A past relationship that went bad left a sour taste in Larry’s mouth and he jumps to conclusions about why Josh left. Then refuses to hear his explanation. As fate would have it, the two meet again by chance, shopping for Christmas trees. Can Larry let go of the past, be a father to Angus, and have a relationship with Josh?
Trademark Andrew Grey with the perfect plot and precise character development. The flow from start to finish was steady and graceful. Larry is a lion when it comes to his role as a father figure and his business, but when it becomes more personal with Josh, he acts like an unsteady kitten. Until Josh calls him out on it, and then it’s on! What he has to do is find a balance between being Angus’s father and Josh’s lover. This book seriously made me laugh, cry, and swoon.
If you’re looking for a fun Holiday read that is equal parts sexy and sweet, then this is the book for you.
Updated Audio review December 2014…
I do love when a narrator can take a story I’ve already read and enjoyed and add just that little something more to it. There were actually little things in the story that I either missed or just didn’t quite catch when I read it, or perhaps Kelly’s rendition of the written word just brought something new to it. Larry lost his sister and became the sole guardian to his young nephew and he constantly worries that he can’t give little Angus what he needs. Josh sees the man who Larry truly is. A fiercely loyal, strong single father and the perfect partner for him.
Through Christmas parties, fancy suits and decorating trees these two men fall in love and show a promise of becoming a family. Kelly took Grey’s words and told them in a way that expanded an already fantastic story. Like I said before… Short, Sexy and Steamy! The perfect companion to the written work.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Green the Whole Year ‘Round Series: N/A Author: Rowan McAllister Genre: Contemporary/Holiday Length: Novella (77 pages) Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (December 10th, 2014) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts Reviewer: Aerin Blurb: Couples counselor Ted Freeman is still reeling six months after his partner left him. He desperately hopes a week of peace and quiet at a quaint mountain cabin will be just what he needs to regain his personal and professional confidence.
Neil Kelly is a computer programmer who just got promoted to full-time and is celebrating over Christmas by going on his first real grown-up vacation at the Cabins in the Pines Inn. When he runs into Ted, his longtime crush, Neil can’t believe his luck, and he vows to do whatever it takes to make Ted see him as something other than the dork next door.
Neil wasn’t part of Ted’s plan for the holidays, but he might turn out to be exactly what Ted needs.
Review: Heh, what a cute and fun holiday read! This is a novella a bit on the short side, but it was funny and heartwarming. Ted Freeman is a couples’ counselor who has trouble coming to terms with the breakup with his ex. Ironic? Maybe, but that makes it more entertaining for us. He came to spend Christmas by himself at a little cabin in the mountain, in hopes of some much needed quiet and reflection time.
Neil Kelly is treating himself with this Christmas trip at the same location as a reward for the hard work he’s done for the past few years. He is bright, and happy, and to make this more interesting, he’s known Ted for a few years and has a huge crush on him. Ted’s peace and quiet is obliterated by the verbal diarrhea Neil is prone to sprouting when in close proximity to Ted. Neil just can’t help himself….he was a very entertaining character.
Will Santa be kind enough to Neil to offer him what he most desires this Christmas…? Ted’s heart (and body)?
I recommend this to everyone who loves a nice Christmas story with a serving of Christmas sex.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Cold Feet Series: N/A Author: Jay Northcote Genre: Contemporary/Holiday Length: Novella (70 pages) Publisher: Jay Northcote (December 8th, 2014) Heat Level: Low/Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5 Hearts Reviewer: Aerin Blurb: Best friends snowed in together. When the heat rises, will they get cold feet?
Getting snowed in at a remote cottage in Wales with someone he’d fancied for ages isn’t exactly how Sam expected to spend Christmas. His feelings for Ryan are pointless. Ryan’s straight—or so he thought.
Until now, Ryan’s kept his feelings for Sam buried. Why ruin a friendship over what might only be gay experimentation? Playing it cool seems safer, until a cold snap makes sharing body heat vital. In their Welsh safe haven, anything seems possible.
As Ryan’s reserve melts away, Sam wants more than stolen kisses under the mistletoe. But a sudden thaw means making decisions. They could face the New Year together—unless one of them gets cold feet.
Review: Awww, what a cute Christmas story, it gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling that any good holiday story is supposed to do. This is definitely not as steamy as I normally came to expect from this author, but it’s perfect for these characters.
Sam and Ryan are best mates, Sam is openly gay, and Ryan is only gay. They are very different from each other and even though at first glance they don’t seem to have much in common (Ryan is the big closeted jock and Sam is the nerdy smarty-pants), they just fit. Sam has been in love with Ryan for a long time but he has no clue that Ryan returns his feelings. So when they get snowed in together in a cottage in Welsh, they get the perfect opportunity to act on their feeling.
They play board games, entertain the funny old lady next door and explore their new friends-to-lovers status every chance they get. Of course there are going to be some misunderstandings caused by lack of communication between Ryan and Sam, but don’t you fear, it all works out in the end; and if the New Year brings Ryan out of his closet, all the better.
This will definitely put a smile on your face, so go cuddle with a blanket and a glass of wine and let Sam and Ryan make your day a little brighter.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Out for the Holiday Author: Susan Mac Nichol Genre: Contemporary Gay Romance with a dash of Paranormal Length: Novella (42 pages) Publisher: Boroughs Publishing (December 4th 2014) Heat Level: Mild Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts Blurb: Being in love is tough enough at eighteen, but being in love and outed to your dad is a disaster that will take more than a little holiday magic to fix.
Review: All Samuel wants for his birthday slash Christmas this year is for his boyfriend Lucas to openly love him. Having recently lost his mother, Lucas doesn’t want his first Christmas after her death with his father to be marred with telling him the truth about his sexuality.
But Sam is tired of being Lucas’s secret and he wants to tell everyone the truth about what Lucas means to him, how much he loves him. After a pretty nasty fight Sam out’s Lucas not only to his father, but to his friends as well in a jealous, worded rampage. Now he faces his birthday and Christmas alone, without his lover, who is fit to be tied for being Outed for the Holiday.
A short little Christmas time story about thinking before you speak. Sam doesn’t intend to hurt the man he loves, he just wants Lucas to be open and honest about their relationship. He doesn’t think about the consequences of his actions, and almost looses Lucas in the aftermath of his verbal diarrhea. I really liked that Mac Nichol was able to give a pretty decent history and current story for both these young men in so few pages.
My only issue with the story was the attempt to include a bit of a paranormal aspect and how that played out. It didn’t quite mesh for me, but overall it was a fun story, perfect for the season!
Title: Prancer and Gruff Series: Love’s Landscapes (A Goodreads M/M Romance Groups series) Author: Jade Crystal Genre: Contemporary Length: Novella (65 pages) Publisher: M/M Romance Group (July 7th 2014) Heat Level: Low Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts Blurb: Dear Author, Being a cowboy is the only life I’ve ever known and I wouldn’t change that for anything. Running the ranch keeps me too busy to be lonely but at night, when I’m lying in bed waiting for exhaustion to take me, I can admit I wish there was someone there beside me. Then you pranced into my life in response to a housekeeper wanted ad I posted online. You are nothing I expected and everything I need. My opposite in every way, your softness to my strength, your sass to my gruff, and yet we just fit. I’m stubborn and set in my ways, but I know I can be your happy ever after if you give me a chance. How do I convince you to be mine? Photo Description:
A cowboy stands alone in a grassy field, a saddle dangling from his grip by the saddle horn. He stands comfortably, feet apart and shoulders wide. He is looking down, his dark hat obscuring his face and throwing shadows over one shoulder. He is bare-chested, sporting an impressive upper body physique; he is wearing only belted jeans and boots. A river, some brush, and a wooden fence can be seen in the distance.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group’s “Love’s Landscapes” event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story. Purchase Link: http://www.mmromancegroup.com/prancer-and-gruff-by-jade-crystal/ Reviewer: Leigh Review: Cliff is the owner of a ranch and recently put an ad out for a housekeeper. One night Troy shows up at his door. As Troy puts it, he is the best kind of housekeeper “sassy and fabulous.” Troy is definitely that. Cliff is gruff and lonely and Troy brings excitement to Cliff in more ways than one. Troy talks a mile a minute and Troy’s inner monologue is absolutely hilarious. I loved him. He is totally quirky and zany.
The two of them together are awesome. Cliff is the serious gruff rancher and Troy is the flaming prancing queen. They are complete opposites but they work for each other. There is no sex in the story, but I didn’t miss it either. The two of them accepted each other as they were and that I loved.
This was well written and very entertaining. Great read.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Matches Author: Rick R Reed Genre: Holiday/Fairy Tale Length: Novella (17 pages) Publisher: Rick R. Reed (December 7th 2011) Heat Level: None Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts Blurb: A poignant gay twist on the beloved Hans Christian Andersen classic, “The Little Match Girl”…
Christmas Eve should be a night filled with magic and love. But for Anderson, down on his luck and homeless in Chicago’s frigid chill, it’s a fight for survival. Whether he’s sleeping on the el, or holed up in an abandoned car, all he really has are his memories to keep him warm: memories of a time when he loved a man named Welk and the world was perfect.
When Anderson finds a book of discarded matches on the sidewalk, he pockets them. Later, trying to keep the cold at bay hunkered down in a church entryway, Anderson discovers the matches are the key to bringing his memories of Welk, happiness, and security to life. Within their flames, visions dance and perhaps a reunion with the man he loved most.
Review: Anderson is an unlucky victim of life and circumstance. He lost his lover in an accident, and then lost his job, and finally his home. Living his life in abandoned cars or wherever he can find at the time, he longs for the life and the love he lost. When a train operator mistakes him for a vagrant and sends him back out onto the cold streets, he happens upon a book of matches that prove to be a welcome distraction from the cold.
This little story broke my heart! For the short time, I was with Anderson I truly felt his pain in the words I was reading. It made me thankful to have a job, a roof over my head, a nice warm bed to lay my head down on at night. So sad how life sometimes gives all the bad cards to the same person.
If you are a fan of bittersweet stories, then Matches is just perfect for you.
Hi guys, we now have Derrick Knight stopping by on the first day of his Miracle on Mistletoe Lane blog tour, this is a sweet Christmas story that warms the heart. We get to have a quick peek at an excerpt and there’s a great giveaway where you can win your own copy. So enjoy the post, read my review and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~
Miracle on Mistletoe Lane
by
Derrick Knight
Joe Koehler and his six-year old son, Joey, are down on their luck. Currently, Joe is unemployed due to a bad economy and taking care of a medically complex son. Recently father and son become homeless due to their apartment catching on fire and Joe being without any insurance. They are forced to live in Joe’s old red pick-up truck. Eventually father and son take refuge at Hope House, a local homeless shelter, which is run by a kindly, yet mysterious, elderly woman named Emily.
Sidney Maier recently inherited his grandparents home but the house is in desperate need of repair. Skills Sidney greatly lacks. He befriends a fellow church member Emily who is the Interim Director at Hope House. Sidney tells Emily that he needs help with remodeling his new home. Also, he confides in her, that he is lonely and wishes he could meet someone special.
Emily and her assistants orchestrate for Joe and Sidney to meet where an instant attraction forms between both men. Joe and Sidney embark on a journey of courtship, but soon a negative force learns of their budding romance and wants to stop it at any cost. Emily and her assistants must all use their special talents if Joe and Sidney are meant to live happily ever after.
Title: The Magic of Christmas
![SwagManDelivers[The]LG](https://mmgoodbookreviews.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/swagmandeliversthelg-e1418266423925.jpg)
![HolidayHoax[The]LG](https://mmgoodbookreviews.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/holidayhoaxthelg-e1418693326797.jpg)
