Adrian’s life in Mongolia is very different from Texas, from the holiday celebrations to… dating.
Adrian Delgado’s time in the Peace Corps has been rewarding, but with Christmas around the corner, he is starting to get homesick. Life in Mongolia is very different from Texas, from the holiday celebrations to… dating. Take his coworker Batbayar, for instance—they’ve slept together several times and spend most time outside of work in each other’s houses. But are they “together,” or friends with benefits? Maybe a Mongolian Christmas and a sheep’s head in the bathtub can lead to the answer.
Review
This incredibly short story (17 pages) is very interesting and sweet. We learn a bit about Mongolia and their holiday traditions. The main issue is Adrian isn’t sure what’s going on between him and Batbayar but “Bata” shows Adrian in his own way, that they are in a relationship.
This was pretty cute and showed us a different culture. I give it 3 of 5 hearts.
A geeky science writer has a crush on his postman—but will he ever make a move?
Working from home suits introvert Jim until he gets a special delivery—an extremely cute, temporary postman called Patrick. Jim’s drawn to his wide smile and sexy legs, while Patrick can’t keep his eyes off Jim’s package.
Their doorstep attraction seems mutual, so asking Patrick out on a date should be easy. There’s just one problem—Jim could fit all the pick-up lines he knows on the back of a postage stamp.
As Christmas approaches, Jim knows the end of Patrick’s postal-delivery contract is looming. Taking a chance might be worth it if it keeps Patrick coming to his door.
Excerpt
The sound of the doorbell jarred Jim out of the article on climate change he was working on. Having barely started his first draft, with a deadline forty-eight hours away, he wasn’t too chuffed about being pulled out of the zone. Sighing heavily, he set his laptop aside. As he moved to answer the door, he realised how stiff he was. How long had he been sitting immobile on the sofa? It must have been at least a couple of hours. He was still wearing the ratty old T-shirt and tracksuit bottoms he’d slept in, he realised. But that often happened when he was writing. Getting dressed was just another distraction he didn’t need.
He spotted the flash of a red and navy uniform through the frosted glass panel in the front door and opened it, expecting to see his usual postman Keith.
But on opening the door, he found himself facing a stranger—an attractive stranger with a cheeky grin and twinkly blue eyes under dark spiky hair.
“You’re not Keith,” Jim said.
“Um… no.” Not-Keith’s grin slipped a little. “He’s off work for a few weeks. Had an op on his knee.” He gestured down and Jim’s eyes followed the movement, getting stuck on a delightful pair of muscular legs that emerged from beneath the postman’s navy shorts.
Shorts, in the middle of December? Jim shivered at the thought of it. It was bloody freezing out there, but sunny at least, he supposed.
Jim realised he was still staring like an idiot at the poor bloke’s knees. He quickly looked up again.
“I’ve got something you need to sign for.” Not-Keith pressed a few buttons on his electronic signature gizmo and held it out. A rainbow braided bracelet slipped out from below his sleeve. “Give us your autograph then.”
Jim squiggled something that looked completely unlike his signature, then took the parcel Not-Keith offered him. “Cheers.”
Not-Keith flashed him another devastating smile that did funny things to Jim’s belly. “You’re welcome. Have a good day!”
He turned and hurried off.
Jim’s gaze dropped back down those bare legs: furry, muscular calves over thick socks and boots. The sight of those did funny things a little further south than Jim’s belly.
He shook his head as though to clear it. He didn’t have time to indulge in dirty fantasies about his postman today. There was work to do.
Review
This is a super cute heart warmer!
Jay Northcote excels at giving us lovable yet flawed characters that fill your heart with joy and Jim, the shy workaholic is that guy. He can’t make himself ask out the cute delivery guy, so he buys stuffed animals every day until he’s got himself a virtual zoo! Finally, the delivery guy, Patrick feels sorry for him and does a little asking himself.
Luckily the two are well matched and it looks like they’ll end up seeing a lot more of each other, even after the holiday package season.
I love nerds and Patrick and Jim are two of the cutest you’ll find!
I highly recommend this very sweet holiday treat and give it 4.5 hearts!
Author Bio
Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England, with her husband, two children, and two cats.
She comes from a family of writers, but she always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed her by. She spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content. One day, she decided to try and write a short story–just to see if she could–and found it rather addictive. She hasn’t stopped writing since.
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
Ted is 6 months out of a bad break-up and spending Christmas alone at a cabin he had reserved for his partner and himself before the break up. He’s evaluating not only his break-up but his career choice, since he’s a couples therapist who didn’t see his own break-up coming.
Neil is Ted’s neighbor who’s been crushing on Ted for years, but always gets tongue tied in front of the hot guy and his douche of a partner. He buys himself a holiday getaway package (not knowing Ted will be there) to reward himself for getting his degree.
When Ted first spies Neil, he’s really mean because he doesn’t want company and he’d always thought Neil was a bit too scatter-brained for his tastes. Neil is crushed, but he’s a forgiving sort and when Ted apologizes nicely, they agree to spend some of their holiday together.
Neil’s fresh-faced optimism is just the breath of fresh air Ted needs to see things from a new perspective. In addition, Neil pushes all his buttons sexually, and makes him laugh like he hasn’t in years.
Though Neil is a few years younger and Ted is a bit more jaded, there may be a match made in heaven between these two neighbors after all.
**
I really enjoyed this short holiday story about finding love where you don’t expect it.
I really, really, really liked Neil and though Ted was a bit of a downer, he did turn around a bit toward the end and got to a point where I thought he just might be good for Neil.
Since this is a short-story we really only get a HFN but it looks very promising.
The sex is pretty steamy and the story is pretty sweet. I give it a 3.5 of 5 hearts.
Blurb
