Tag: Holiday Novella

Dear Santa, Dear Dad by T.J. Masters

61fbshHkJML._SL1000_Title: Dear Santa, Dear Dad

Series: N/A

Author: T.J. Masters

Genre: Contemporary/Holiday

Length: Novella (54 pages)

Publisher: T.J. Masters (November 23, 2013)

Heat Level: None

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb: Widower Steven drives to the North of England two days before Christmas to meet his estranged son Andrew hoping for a reconciliation. Steven had rejected his son when, as a 19-year-old student, he came out to his parents as being gay. Andrew now lives with his partner Peter who initiates contact with Steven by forwarding on to him the almost childlike ‘Letter to Santa’ that the lad has written asking for a father who loves him.

At first, Andrew is hostile to his father’s overtures but the bad weather conspires to strand them all together over the Christmas period. Father and son both experience a steep learning curve, not helped by the father realizing that his son’s lover is actually older than he is. Proximity breaks down barriers and the three men work together in the spirit of cooperation and of the season to create a Christmas experience, which will change their lives forever.

Product Link: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-dearsantadeardad-1366340-149.html

Reviewer: GiGi

Review: Coming to terms with his son’s homosexuality, begging forgiveness, both during an impromptu visit to his son and his partner’s county home was difficult enough. Imagine Steven’s surprise when his son’s partner turns out to be his father’s age! That was what greeted him at the door, that and a whole lot of hurt in his son’s eyes.

Can he learn understanding, will Andrew ever forgive him?

Luckily, we have a long holiday weekend in the English countryside to find out! The snowy scene is complete with holiday cooking, decorating, Christmas shopping, Yule log splitting and gathering at a traditional community pub. I really enjoyed the details of the setting for this story, the family coming together and all that involved was icing on Andrew’s Christmas cake! Wonderful little read for the holidays.

I recommend this sweet gem to all.

Hunting for Clay by N.J. Nielsen

13452992*Spoiler Alert*

Title: Hunting for Clay
Series: Toowoomba Boys, #2
Author: N.J. Nielsen
Genre: Contemporary/ Valentine 2012 Releases
Length: Novella (80 pages)
Publisher: MLR Press (February 10th, 2014)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts
Blurb: Two years have passed since Clay and Hunter met on that fateful morning in Tello’s Diner. Getting passed the fact Clay was stalking Marlowe was the easy part. Clay Montgomery’s life has changed for the better the day he found the man who was meant to be the other half of him. Hunter understood him well, and knew how to give him exactly what he needs to be happy. Hunter Weldon knows what he wants, and just how to get it.

For two years, he has loved the man in his arms and now it was time to up the ante.

Product Link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=NJN_CLAY

ISBN: 978-1-60820-602-5

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: Hunter has a huge surprise in store for his boyfriend, Clay. It will take the combined efforts of friends and family to pull it off. I really enjoyed reading this wonderfully written book. I was hooked from the start to find out what Hunter’s plan was for Clay. Hunter gets a job with Digigraph and Damon and he become fast friends as well as associates. He even meets his boss Arthur Davenport when he needs a place to hold the party and Arthur let’s him hold it at his home.

There was plenty of drama all throughout. From Marlowe thinking Angelo was cheating on him only to find out he wasn’t and that Dimmy, Angelo’s brother was making plans with him to move in. To Clay introducing Hunter to his brother Jayden and his boyfriend Bryan only to find out that Bryan was untrustworthy so Jayden breaks up with him. Before the party, Hunter sends Clay on a treasure hunt filled with small gifts along the way that ends at home where he is to get ready for their date. A limo whisks Clay away toward his destination that he has no clue about. He is blindfolded then taken to Arthur’s house where Hunter is waiting to propose and marry him.

It was a fantastic read with a lot of hot sex added to the mix.

The 12 Days of Dennis by Jude Dunn

12 Days - cover3Title: The 12 Days of Dennis

Author: Jude Dunn

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Short (75pgs)

ISNB: 9781620042984

Publisher: Less Than Three Press (18th December 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 – 3 ½ Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: When an unexpected package is delivered on December 14th, Martin is more than a little intrigued by the contents—especially as they’re from his boyfriend, Dennis, and come with instructions to wear them when they go to dinner with Dennis’ parents the following night.

And that’s only the beginning of Dennis’ suggestive gifts.

Purchase Link: http://www.lessthanthreepress.com/books/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=90&products_id=547

Review: Martin is surprised to receive some unexpected gifts from his lover, Dennis, on the run up to Christmas, but he throws himself into the spirit of the gifts. Each day brings a new gift with instructions, the gifts become more suggestive, and Martin gets a Christmas to remember.

This is a cute little story that brings a new meaning to the 12 Days of Christmas with Dennis’ very erotic twist. Martin is slightly more reserved than his cross-dressing lover Dennis is but he gets into the spirit when Dennis sends him sexy gifts. With a variety of gifts from a condom in a jockstrap to five gold rings *wiggles eyebrows* they have some interesting nights out but when Dennis springs the final surprise it just might be more than Martin can handle.

This is a great little story that has snippets of Dennis’ and Martin’s lives on the run-up to Christmas, although we don’t get to know these guys well we do see enough to know that they have a great relationship and that Dennis loves slinky underwear and Martin is slightly more reserved. We see some great reactions to Dennis’ gifts, which have you grinning like a fool, and the last night of gift giving is a pure blast. Although we never see, any sex scenes we are left in no doubt that the gifts are being put to good use.

I recommend this to those who love cute couples, surprising lovers, some fun and games and a fun ending. 

Snowbound by Scarlet Blackwell

19341565Title: Snowbound, 2nd edition

Series: N/A

Author: Scarlet Blackwell

Length: Novella (83 Pages)

Genre:  Contemporary

Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing (December 27th, 2013)

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥2.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Lisa

Blurb: Love at first sight doesn’t just happen in the movies…

Winter in the most inhospitable of environments. Lost in a small South Dakota town during a snowstorm, Hayden Berry is rescued by Deputy Sheriff Dylan Hubble after crashing his car. The attraction between the two men is instant. Dylan takes him to spend the night at his own house. One night turns into two when they are snowed in and something blossoms between them.

Something that can’t possibly happen because Hayden isn’t free to be with Dylan. But love at first sight doesn’t just happen in the movies and Hayden’s feelings for Dylan cast a shadow over the rest of his life…

Product Link:  https://www.totallybound.com/snowbound

Review: Most romance stories that I read don’t come off as real life or even close to it. This story actually made me sad when I read it. To love someone at first sight but to be tied to someone else. I have always hated a person who cheated and hid things from another, always thinking that they get what they deserve in the end. However, this story makes you forget that, well parts of it.

Hayden is lost and stranded when his car crashes into a wall of some sort. It is thirteen below zero and he has no idea of what to do, but to his luck, a cop shows up. Dylan knew he wanted to kiss this man from the start, wanted him for all time. The only problem was Hayden was married to a woman and lived in a different state. Two hot nights full of sex, passion and fire was all they thought they would get. Then they got on with their lives, till twelve years later.

This story was well written with characters who had strengths and weaknesses that they mix together. However, I just couldn’t get into it, maybe because Hayden was leading a double life, where Dylan gets hurt. This story makes me wonder why someone hides themselves so easy just because it isn’t easy to be another way. To betray and hurt to people you love just isn’t my way of life. It was a good story, just not one for me.

Home for the Hollandaise by Julia Talbot and B.A. Tortuga

a7062e4437145f699ca28d9f4f43745e04701e41Title:  Home for the Hollandaise

Series:  N/A

Author:  Julia Talbot, BA Tortuga

Genre:   Contemporary

Length:  Novella (13K)

Publisher: Torquere Press (December 12th, 2013)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts

Product link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_106&products_id=4097

Reviewer:   Pammie

Blurb: Jack hates going back to the East Texas town where he was raised. Even as a successful chef in Austin, he feels like that awkward gay kid all over again. But his dad is sick, and wants Jack’s famous hollandaise sauce for holiday breakfasts. When Jack finds out his old flame Kent is in town for Christmas, too, he thinks things can’t get much worse. Can Kent convince him Christmas miracles can happen?

Review:  Already unhappy at coming home, with its bad memories as well as his father’s advancing Alzheimer’s, Jack thinks things can’t get any worse when he bumps into his old flame Kent. To add insult to injury, even after ten years, Kent is as beautiful as ever.

They arrange a get together to give Jack a break from being at his parent’s home, and quickly find that the spark between them is still there. In fact, it never went away. They make love as if they’ve never been apart.

Now that they’re older and wiser, they’re less likely to end up in a fistfight if the going gets tough. They even find they both live in Austin. Perfect.

This is a nicely crafted piece with a second chance at love and happiness for the guys.

If you like sexy couples, happy endings, second chances, and hot sex, this is for you.

A Special Christmas by Julie Lynn Hayes

1610406192Title:  A Special Christmas, 2nd edition

Series:  N/A

Author:  Julie Lynn Hayes

Genre:   Holiday

Length:  Novella (52 pages)

Publisher: Torquere press (December 4th, 2013)

Product link:  http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4083

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts

Blurb:  Florian Donati has an almost childlike innocence in the body of a god. Unaware of his charms, he enjoys his life, working in his family’s drycleaning business in Prohibition-era Chicago. He loves his job, loves singing Italian opera, and loves the people in his life, including his friend Loria and the notorious gangster Alphonse Capone. Still, he dreams of having adventures and finding love.

Nick Giannakopoulos is a young Greek immigrant who’s come to America to live with his uncle’s family, working with his cousin in the family pharmacy. There are many things he’d love to do, including going to a party in a speakeasy that he and his cousin Milo have been invited to. But it’s on Christmas Eve, so family obligations preclude their going — until Fate intervenes, and Nick and Florian end up at the same speakeasy in Romeoville and find themselves sitting at the same table.

Is instant attraction a basis for a long-term relationship? Or is this just a passing Christmas fancy? Previously published by Silver Publishing.

Reviewer:   Pammie

Review:  A romantic first time love story.

This is a fairly short Christmas read, with the added interest of a peek at the Prohibition era.

Florian likes singing opera, and works in his family’s dry cleaning business. Nick works in the family pharmacy. They also share a similar hero-worship for the gangsters of the day, especially Al Capone. The fates conspire to bring the young men together in a speakeasy on Christmas Eve. Nick is instantly smitten with the gorgeous Florian, and Florian equally with the handsome Nick. On the cusp of sharing a public kiss, the speakeasy is raided. Staying the night at the house of a friend, the two young men find first love together.

It’s a beautifully romantic tale. Nick worries that he will lose Florian just as they’ve met. Florian has no such doubts and plans their happy ever after. I hope if the author writes any more about this gorgeous couple, they get it.

If you like first love, romance and Christmas reads, this is for you.

All I Want for Christmas by V.L. Locey

5c2ce8224a1abeb586f5c2836e07f23ab3a35828Title: All I Want for Christmas

Series:  A Toms & Tabbies Tale

Author: V.L. Locey

Genre: Contemporary/Christmas

Length: Novella (32K)

Publisher: Torquere Press (December 20th, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb: Alexander Dawson thought this Christmas would be a lonely one. He has no way of knowing that his cantankerous cat, Mister Tibbets, will turn a simple online shopping trip into a cataclysmic Christmas conundrum. Alex ends up on a madcap dash to another state during a snowstorm to return a painting to dreamy wildlife artist, Cooper Reynolds. Once he stumbles across Cooper’s remote log cabin, he and the sexy but emotionally distant painter end up sharing more than a kiss under the mistletoe. Things aren’t all holly-jolly for the men though. Cooper gets a terrible case of icy feet, and Alex hits the road as soon as the snowplow clears it, feeling hurt and angry. Can Alex, Cooper, and their feline friends find a way to have purrfect holiday together?

Product Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78_85&products_id=4100

Reviewer:   GiGi

Review: I want nothing more for this dear sweet guy, who loves and cares for ornery senior citizens, and cranky rescue cats, to have everything he wants for Christmas!

Enter the hot, lonely, jaded artist, a snowstorm, and some sizzling attraction and we have a fun story with plenty of Christmas bromance!

This is a fun and sexy read, though I don’t know if even I have enough patience and love for that damnable cat! A fun read, I recommend for those true romantics.

Firehouse Six 2: Fire and Mistletoe by Draven St. James

81ZYgUUj6hL._SL1500_Title: Firehouse Six 2: Fire and Mistletoe

Series:  Firehouse Six, 02

Author:Draven St James

Genre: Contemporary/Holiday

Length: Novella (87 pages)

Publisher:Loose-ID (December 23rd, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb:When Greyson Hayes envisions the perfect first Christmas with Mica Cruz, he sees twisted sheets, a bottle of wine and a roaring fire. What he doesn’t see is a holiday spent with the uproarious Cruz family. Grey hasn’t taken part in a family Christmas since the death of his parents. Despite his misgivings, he can’t seem to form the word no when it comes to Mica.

Mica knows that Grey’s not a Grinch. Hell, the man shares so much Christmas cheer during the holidays that he leaves no time to experience any for himself. Not this year. Mica plans to make a few changes, starting with a few wicked and whimsical gifts. He enlists the help of his co-workers at Firehouse Six. They band together and strive to provide Grey with the same joy he gives to everyone else–with five a.m. tree hunts, strategically placed mistletoe and Mica playing Santa’s not-so-little helper.

But while Mica is busy being nice, Grey has plenty of time to be naughty

Purchase Link: http://www.loose-id.com/fire-and-mistletoe.html

Review: Grey and Mica are smokin’ hot! What more need I say.   This is a fabulous story of two men in love and in the early stages of a relationship. Grey is not used to being out where Mica is.  Grey has reasons why he doesn’t decorate and go all out on Christmas himself but throws himself in covering shifts for others and volunteering. Grey is such a wonderful character, even his faults are sweet.  Mica also is a fabulous character though he and Grey are a little different they blend well and let’s say when they get together and they do every chance they get they set the pages on fire. (Yes, I had to toss in a pun) There are a few more interesting characters in this story and I think I can see some more stories coming soon or at least I hope so

This is such a great story for the times you just want to snuggle up with a hot, sweet sexy read. This is definitely perfect for one of those hot cocoa nights.

If you like sweet generous men; hot, sexy romance; Christmas stories, Santa, and of course hot firefighters this is for you!

Christmas Cookies and Holiday Hearts by Cassidy Love

19245225Title: Christmas Cookies and Holiday Hearts

Series: One Night Series

Author: Cassidy Love

Genre: Christmas Themed Contemporary

Length:  Short (30 pages)

Publisher:  Cassidy Love (December 5th, 2013)

Heat:  Moderate

Heart: ♥♥♥3Hearts

Reviewer: Eli/Mandingo

Blurb: Can one night define your future?

Clay is alone with a new job in a new city. Shy and reserved, he has always had a hard time putting himself out there.

Noah is an aggressive businessman, but is reserved when it comes to matters of the heart. When Clay entered his office building three weeks earlier, Noah felt an immediate attraction to the gorgeous man and has been waiting for the right time to approach him.

When the two end up on the patio together during the company Christmas party, it is the perfect opportunity for them officially meet. When Noah suggests they get away from the chaos of the party, Clay surprises himself by agreeing.

The two men spend a night of passion, exploring and getting to know each other and allowing their attraction to each other overshadow their own vulnerability, but will the sensual connection they felt at night still be there in the morning?

This is a short Holiday romance that is sure to warm your heart.

Purchase Link:   http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Cookies-Holiday-Hearts-Night-ebook/dp/B00H3YIGW0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1387230070&sr=1-1&keywords=christmas+cookies+and+holiday+hearts

Review: Clay and Noah meet at a party. There is instant attraction between these two men who do not do one-night stands.  Their lovemaking is epic for both of them, but Clay feeling out of his ken does a runner much to Noah’s annoyance.   Noah confronts Clay about his behaviour and then retreats to his office to pout, as one is wont to do when one is upset.  By the time Noah realizes that he would have behaved similarly to Clay in the circumstances, Clay has already come to him to apologize for his behaviour.  He brings his favourite holiday food of Gingerbread cookies as his peace-offering.

Sometimes a one-night stand can turn into something so much more when it’s wrapped in the guise of the Christmas holiday spirit. Two very nice men who meet and hit it off. Great little read.

Sappy Pine Trees and Sticky Fingers by Jackie Nacht

4288sappypinetreesandstickyfingers510w-430x645Title: Sappy Pine Trees and Sticky Fingers

Series: Holiday Jobs that Don’t Suck

Author: Jackie Nacht

Length: Novella (66 Pages)

Publisher: Extasy Books (December 15th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Reviewer: Lisa

Blurb: Tis the season—pine needles, sap and frozen limbs, yet these two can still feel the heat between them.

 

Three years ago, Grant left for school, but he didn’t leave without regret. An attraction to his friend Wyatt that he’d never pursued has haunted him these past years. Finally, while home for the holiday break, he has a second chance when he runs into none other than Wyatt himself.
Wyatt has always regretted the moment lost between him and Grant. When Grant starts working at Wyatt’s family Christmas tree farm, Wyatt can sense that the feelings between them have never dwindled in all the time that they were apart. A second chance is brought before them, but what will happen when Grant has to return to school?

Product Link:  http://www.extasybooks.com/sappy-pine-trees-and-sticky-fingers/?keyword=TkVXIFJFTEVBU0VT&option_id=4

Review: Now, I normally love longer stories, but this short story just had me with the first paragraph.

It is such a cute story with wonderful characters. Three years since they had seen each other and there was regret that they hadn’t pursued each other. Now they are back in the same hometown and there is so much heat when they look at each other that you can feel it. Grant is just as sweet and loving as you would wish a man would be and the same can be said about Wyatt. There are feelings there and they just burn hotter each day. The sex between them is so hot and sexy that you just fan yourself when you read it. Home for the holidays takes on a new meaning now. To be able to have that second chance you know you had wished for, you would do anything to keep your hands on it.

I do hope that there is a sequel to this story so that you can hear more about their lives together. I am so glad to have had a chance to read this story and would make it one that I would read repeatedly, especially during the holidays.

Gigi’s Review – 4Hearts.

I’m all for going home and reuniting with the would have been crush! Especially when he’s a big, hunky, sexy farmer! This isanother sweet Christmas tale of boy-mets-boy, nearly falls, then goes off to school and when he returns the flames burn hotter! Fairly predictable, not a lot of road blocks, a couple cute first dates, but sweet nontheless.