Donnie’s crush on his sister’s roommate Alejandro has gone beyond childhood dreams – and it’s driving Donnie insane! So when Donnie gets a chance to house-sit for his sister and Yandro, Donnie doesn’t feel alone. He’s got all his vivid fantasies to keep him company! Can a little dumb luck – and a little help from a magical homemade gift – help Donnie’s fantasies come true?
Review
This is like a prequel to the Johnnie’s series. Donnie is Chase’s friend who sort of “introduces” Chase to the joys of gay sex even though Chase still won’t admit he’s gay. (Good Reads lists this as part of the Granby knitting series, but I think it’s only because knitting is involved.)
Donnie, meanwhile, is falling in love with his sister’s roommate Alejandro. Over the course of 3 years Donnie’s crush grows and grows and Alejandro isn’t immune.
Eventually Donnie and Alejandro come together and it’s amazing!
**
This is a short story, so we move quickly from crush to lover, but its very well developed and has a surprising amount of hot sex for the small number of pages.
I really like both Donnie and Alejandro and though I wish we’d been able to see them as a couple (for more than the sex), I still think they’ve got what it takes to last. I appreciated the back-story of Chase and how it added depth to his character for us, but I wished we could have spent that time learning more about Donnie and Alejandro.
Sean Crisden has narrated many of Amy’s books and he always does a great job. I really liked his Alejandro – mmmm Spanish accent…. Sexy! However, I thought his “Donnie” voice was a little weird. It wasn’t enough to detract from my enjoyment of the story, but it wasn’t my favorite of his narrations.
Overall, I’d give both the story and the narration a 4 of 5 hearts
Two strangers on a plane, one heading to Paris, the other Barcelona, with only a connection in London in common—at first.
Two strangers on a plane, one heading to Paris, the other Barcelona, both trying to get to their families in time for the holidays. It’s Christmas Eve, and all they have in common is a connection through London. When flights get delayed and cancelled, that connection goes beyond an airport, a terminal, and a secluded meeting room. And for Lance and Bruce, Christmas morning will hold even more joyous miracles.
Review
There are short stories (fully developed stories told with a few words) and then there are long fantasies. This is another long fantasy.
Though I appreciated some of the funny lines and creative descriptions used to convey this fantasy of hooking up with a stranger on a trans-Atlantic flight, there was no real story here.
Some of the things that happened had me scratching my head in confusion. Hand jobs over the toilet in an airplane bathroom? I can’t even really picture the physics of that.
Using Purell as lube? Wouldn’t that hurt? How is that slippery?
Upgrading a stranger’s ticket to first class and booking a seat next to him after a snowstorm has grounded a bunch of flights at Christmas? I don’t think so.
So, while I can appreciate what the author was trying to do, I don’t think it worked very well.
I give this 2 of 5 stars for colorful descriptions and interesting ideas.
Overcoming Challenges and Kicking Ass
When Kate Pavelle told me that she wanted to put together an anthology of stories to benefit Eric Arvin and asked if I wanted to contribute a story to it, I was surprised. Me, really? I’m thrilled to be included in such a special project for such an amazing man.
I was also excited and grateful because contributing to the anthology lets me help Eric in ways that I couldn’t do on my own. All of the proceeds of the KICKASS Anthology benefit Eric who, despite facing enormous medical costs and challenges many of us can’t imagine, keeps smiling and laughing and sharing his life with us through the videos he posts and the stories he tells.
Eric, you are an incredible person and an inspiration. You are a true kickass, grabbing every day by the horns and never losing that amazing smile. I’m so honored to be able to help you in this small way.
As I was considering the theme of being a kickass, of the little guy persevering to beat overwhelming odds and challenges, Finlay Bizet came to me. He isn’t anything special. He’s just an average guy, experiencing a run of bad luck – a lifetime’s worth. When he loses his job and faces eviction on the same day, he calls his best friend Jay to commiserate. In an unexpected turn of events, Fin finds himself treated to a night of wild abandon followed by a proposition that could solve all of his problems. Accepting the arrangement leads Fin to love, a new attitude, and the greatest challenge of his life. Can Fin conquer his inner demons and find the strength to achieve his goal, or will he crash and burn like every other time before?
Here’s a little glimpse into my story, If The Shoe Fits, and the challenge Fin must overcome:
* * * * *
Life is good, Fin thought for the first time ever as he and Jay were wrapping up their three-mile run. The last mile had been tough. Jay had been with him, pushing him to meet the goal, and he did it. They rounded the corner of the gym and jogged toward the door, wherein a steam in the sauna, a shower, and a muscle rub awaited them, when a bright pink sheet of paper on the noticeboard caught Fin’s eye.
He paused in front of the noticeboard, reading with growing interest while trying to control his breathing. Jay made it to the gym door before realizing Fin wasn’t with him, then he jogged back to stand beside him and stare at the plethora of colors and announcements behind the glass.
Not seeing anything that he thought would have caught Fin’s attention, he asked, “So…whatcha looking at?”
He wasn’t even breathing hard. Damn rat bastard. Mr. I-Can-Run-Five-Miles-Easy-So-Three-Is-A-Freaking-Cakewalk. I love him but, shit, he could at least pretend to be out of breath. Fin pushed the unhelpful thought aside and stabbed a finger at the bright pink flyer. “That one.”
“The city’s annual marathon to support the local homeless LGBT youth shelters,” Jay said, reading the information at the top of the flyer. “It’s a great cause. Several of the other trainers have run in this marathon in the past. Do you want to sponsor someone?”
“No, I think I want to run in it myself,” Fin replied softly, slowly, as if testing out the words. They flowed from his lips without a hitch, and he felt a smile spread across his face. He said it again, louder and with confidence he could feel in his bones. “I want to run in the marathon, Jay.”
“You want to – what?” Jay stood there, blinking, for several heartbeats before he found his voice again. “You want to run a marathon. You, who was a total slacker just six weeks ago, want to run a race that is the ultimate test for runners. Do you even know how long a marathon is?”
“26.2 miles.” He rattled off the answer without missing a beat. “Although I did just read that on the flyer.”
“Do you have any concept of how great a distance 26.2 miles is? You almost keeled over after three miles just now.”
Fin made a show of looking around as if he’d lost something. “Where did my supportive ‘You can do anything you set your mind to’ boyfriend go?” Gesturing to stop a passerby, he asked, “Have you seen my boyfriend? He seems to have disappeared.” The passerby continued on her way after giving him a weird look, and he turned back to Jay. “Why is it so hard to believe that I want to do this? Have you finally lost faith in me, Jay? Is that it?”
“God, no, Fin. I have all the faith in the world in you.” Jay opened the glass door and took one of the flyers out of the stack tacked onto the noticeboard. “I’m just…surprised. And a bit doubtful, I admit.”
Fin allowed himself to be steered toward the front door of the gym when Jay snaked his arm around his waist and pulled him close. “Isn’t that kind of the opposite of what it means to have faith in someone?”
The corner of his mouth quirked up as Jay glanced at him. “Caught that, huh?” His gaze returned to the flyer, reading the important details more carefully. “It’s not that I doubt you, babe. You can do anything you set your mind to. I just doubt the possibility, and the safety, of you trying to run in this particular marathon.”
Oh, well, that is a different thing entirely. Fin breathed a sigh of relief. Jay was his rock. He had been for more than fifteen years, but the last six weeks had seen him become something more…his cornerstone, his foundation. He hadn’t intended to become so dependent on his best friend and boyfriend, but there it was all the same. I need him, in a way I’ve never needed anything or anyone else in my life. If I lost him, everything would fall apart again.
“When is it?”
“About six months from now.”
“Is it possible to train for a marathon in six months?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never trained for anything even remotely like that.”
“There have to be reputable online resources, right?” he asked, trying to keep hope alive. I don’t know why this one or why now. I don’t know why that’s so important, but it is. “And you said some of the other trainers have done this marathon. Maybe they would help.”
“Sure they would. We all support each other the best we can.”
“Talk to them, please.” Fin tried to keep the desperation out of his voice but knew he failed when he saw Jay’s furrowed brow. “Do it for me.”
Jay studied his face for a moment. “Why is this so important to you?”
“I have no idea. It just…it just is, that’s all I can say.” The furrowed brow accompanied by a frown clued him in to Jay’s deepening doubt. “I’m not keeping anything from you, I swear. But this is the goal I want to set for myself. I don’t understand why either. It just feels right.”
That phrase took him back to the morning after he spent his first night with Jay. It was obvious from his reaction that it had a similar effect on Jay. “Okay, babe, I’ll talk to them and get all the inside info I can. If this is a realistic goal, then we’re in it together.”
A less than manly squeal might have slipped from Fin’s lips, though no one except he and Jay heard it and Jay knew better than to ever mention it. He wrapped his arms around his boyfriend’s neck and kissed him hard. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
* * * * *
About The Author:
Jade Crystal is easily distracted by the shiny things in the world. She often rambles and at times makes little sense to anyone but herself. She is most focused when writing the contemporary, paranormal, urban fantasy, and sci-fi romances of all her sexy men – in other words, her characters. It’s their story, after all. Jade merely records it. Sometimes her imagination runs away with the stories they tell. Other times, they are infuriatingly quiet. But don’t let them fool you…she loves every single second she spends with them. Her favorite thing to do besides writing their stories: leaving the real world behind and getting lost in books on rainy nights with a cup of hot tea and a handful of chocolates.
Blog: http://boundbybloodblog.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jade.Bloodandfires
Google+:https://plus.google.com/u/0/+JadeCrystal/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BloodandFires
Email: [email protected]
Blurb:
Against bad odds, he persevered. Wit, grit, and guile pulverized his scary opponent into a sad pile of dust.
Eric Arvin is Kickass.
Even a kickass hero needs a hand from a secondary
character, and Eric needs that extra power boost right now. This anthology is a volunteer effort organized by Eric’s fans and fellow writers in order to help him raise funds and help cover the cost of his high-tech recovery. His wicked sense of humor is intact, but his body needs a bit of help.
These stories are meant to inspire. They’re a warm hug, a wave from afar, a wink and a nod. Discover new authors and graphic artists as you, too, get revved up to slay whatever ails you!
Illustrated edition !
A Note from the publishers:
KICKASS ANTHOLOGY was produced in order to raise funds for the medical recovery of our friend and colleague, author Eric Arvin.
All artwork, both written and graphic, was donated free of charge.
All proceeds will go directly to Eric Arvin and his family.
12/13/2014 – Boys in Our Books – Kate Pavelle
12/15/2014 – Kimi-Chan Experience – Jade Crystal with Eleanor Pavelle
12/16/2014 – The Novel Approach – Amy Arvin & Angela Arvin-Young
12/18/2014 – GGR Reviews – JP Kenwood with Fiona Fu
12/19/2014 – Rainbow Gold Reviews – Jackie Keswick with Tara Bluhm
12/20/2014 – On Top Down Under – Nancy Hartmann
12/22/2014 – Joyfully Jay – Sophie Bonaste
12/23/2014 – Prism Book Alliance – Brandon Witt with Catherine Dair
12/27/2014 – MM Good Book Reviews – Mia Kerick & Michael Bowler
12/29/2014 – Love Bytes – Keira Andrews with Connie Bailey
12/31/2014 – JP Barnaby – Tali Spencer
1/2/2015 – Hearts on Fire Reviews – Jonathan Penn with Taomi
When American Ian lands a secretarial job in the United Kingdom, he thinks he’s set for life. Admittedly, he’s still a bachelor living in a small apartment and working for a complete jackass, but other than that, his life is everything he ever hoped for in an enticing city full of beautiful people. When Alistair Security is robbed during the Christmas Fundraiser, the last thing Ian expects is to end up locked in with his boss, Alex Alistair, and to realize he might have mistaken his resentment for something else. The two men find common ground throughout the night, but when morning comes and the news hits the headlines, their connection will be tested. Ian might find himself at the start of a hot office romance—or he’ll spend the holidays browsing the classifieds.
Review
This started out as a very hot, enemies to lovers story. I loved the sexual tension between the jack-ass boss Alex and his super-efficient and snarky assistant Ian.
At the company Christmas party there’s a break-in (proving that the security company isn’t so good at it’s job) and Alex and Ian are locked in with one another while the thieves taunt them outside the door.
Here’s where the story goes off the rails for me. They make a plan to call Ian’s sister (not the cops mind you) and have her call the police but Ian is anemic and drops the phone because he’s too weak from hunger. (Huh? I don’t get that connection at all.) Then, while they wait, hoping the cops are coming, they deicide to have sex for the first time. Later, Ian makes a comment about a competitor being a former lover and Alex gets mad, fires Ian and storms off. Alex’s fiancé (a woman) sees how sad Alex is and tells him she knew he was always gay and that she only stayed with him because she felt that if he was going to be unhappy she was better than nobody but seeing him with Ian forced her to realize he could be happy – so he should be with Ian. (Say what?)
It just didn’t make much sense.
So, though it had good potential, it really fell flat at the end and unraveled to the point that it was almost ridiculous.
Blurb
Joon, Tae, and Sangsun belong together, but a relationship will mean defying tradition and coming out of the closet.
College friends Joon, Tae, and Sangsun parted ways after an aborted attempt at a threesome. Ten years later, life has carried them down very different paths, but Joon misses his friends and decides to invite them to his home in South Korea for Christmas. He believes they belong together, but convincing the others to defy tradition and try again will take faith, hope, and a lot of talking—especially since all three of them are still in the closet.
Review
The blurb pretty much says it all. When they were young, the three men were close and attempted to form a threesome, but Sangsun got scared and ran. In the 10 years since then, Joon has remained a virgin, Sangsun has been only with women and Tae has been with men, but only very casually.
Joon decides he needs the threesome to feel complete, so he calls the other two and invites them for Christmas. With only a little bit of talking (the whole story is only 20 pages) he convinces them to give up their very traditional and closeted lives to be together in a threesome/triad relationship, and they have sex.
**
I know that you have to judge short stories with a different standard than a novella or novel, but there are ways to move a story forward that makes sense even with only a few words or pages. This story does not do that. One second they’re all discussing their lives and bemoaning the fact that their traditional Korean lifestyles do not mesh at all with being gay, much less being in a threesome, the next they’re getting naked.
This felt like a long fantasy rather than a developed short story and it just didn’t feel authentic or remotely plausible. The “Christmas” part of the story also felt forced and again emphasized that this was a fantasy disguised as a holiday short story.
When six-year-old Matt Wilson and his Shih Tzu, Pixie, step out of the Stanton Community Hospital and disappear, his desperate parents convince Jaron Greenberg, a local pet psychic, to aid the police in the search. Jaron specializes in finding lost kitties and fixing problem pooches. He isn’t prepared for a case with so much at stake. And as soon as he starts, the abilities he’s had since childhood begin changing and growing in unexpected ways.
Paulo Silva is a veteran detective new to the small town of Stanton. As the low man on the totem pole at Stanton PD, he isn’t happy when the chief assigns him to babysit the pet psychic instead of actively working the missing child case. As Jaron uncovers clues, Paulo starts to wonder if he might be the real thing. Or maybe it’s just his testosterone reacting to what he’s sure is mutual attraction.
Review
(Some spoilers included at the end.)
Jaron is a pet psychic who works for his best friend at a dog salon. He barely scrapes by, lives in the back room of the salon and has the most amazing dog ever- Bear.
Paulo is the skeptical cop assigned to the case Jaron is called in on. Matt, a six year-old boy and his dog Pixie have gone missing and Jaron is asked to help find the dog and thus (hopefully) the boy. Paulo doesn’t want to believe in Jaron’s skills, even though he is immediately attracted to the man.
Over time Paulo is convinced of Jaron’s integrity and his abilities. They work together – sometimes illegally – to do everything they can to bring Matt back to his family.
While doing the investigation Jaron’s skills begin to change. His body begins to weaken and he even seizures as he sees more and more deeply into the mind’s eye of Pixie, the missing dog.
There is also some drama with Jaron’s best friend who is suddenly acting like a jealous boyfriend and kicking Jaron out of his home. Paulo’s ex gets involved as well, stirring the pot and causing trouble for Paulo on the police force. Not to mention there are psychic “haters” accusing Jaron of witchcraft and communing with the devil.
If all that weren’t enough, part way through the story tragedy hits and we begin to wonder if it’s at all possible for Matt to be found. (If you are worried about Matt being found or the fate of his dog – I put a spoiler in the end of the review – for some it might make the difference of whether or not you’d read this book.)
With the clock ticking and Jaron’s body failing him as well as new “powers” overwhelming him Paulo and Jaron and the ex take a road trip hoping to find Matt before it’s too late.
**
I was really prepared not to like this story. As an animal person, I was really worried when I read some of the early reviews and was prepared to be really upset.
But… I gotta tell you, I thought this book was a page turner.
The drama is right on the money. Though I hate books where we see things from the villain’s POV, I was able to follow the story easily even though I skipped those sections.
The romance is definitely not the star of the show. Sure, Jaron and Paulo end up with a very HFN that feels pretty solid, but most of this was about the mystery and the growth of Jaron’s psychic powers. It was fascinating. I loved how he was able to be in the mind of the pet and then later in the mind of people.
As a mother, reading a book about a missing child is bone chilling. There is nothing quite like worrying about your baby being taken – all of us can relate to that fear. So if you’re squeamish about that plot line – by all means skip this book. No doubt about it – it’s a hard one for some people.
However, the mystery was done really well and I appreciated that there was next to no physical damage done to Matt –the emotional scars from being abducted are bad enough.
Sometimes I thought there were a few too many “dramas” thrown in for story clarity. There was the best friend, the ex, the history with the old police force… I’m not sure these added to the story enough to be included, unless this is the beginning of a series and we need all that to help us understand future books. I really didn’t need to know the details of the case that sent Paulo packing to another job – really. I didn’t.
So – I have a hard time rating this. As a romance I’d give it a 3 of 5. There was some heat, some tension, and a pretty solid HFN. I liked Paulo and Jaron as a couple and hope we might see them again in a sequel.
As a mystery/thriller I’d give it a 4 of 5. I loved Jaron’s powers and thought the laying out of the mystery was well played even though we (as the audience) knew who the villain was the entire time. I had to subtract some points for the drama and for the villain POV.
So – as a compromise I’ll give it a 3.5 of 5 hearts and let you decide for yourself. If you want a hearts and flowers romance – this is definitely not for you. If you want a captivating mystery with romantic gay elements – I think you’ll find this book right up your alley. If you are a pet lover with a low tolerance for anything bad happening to a pet – you may want to read the spoilers or just plain skip this book.
**Spoilers**
(I won’t leave you hanging – you gotta know Matt gets found – I wouldn’t be able to read something like this if he wasn’t. Pixie however doesn’t make it.)
Ara Costas has it all—riches, power, and the kind of beauty that attracts all the right people. He’s flying high and loves his life, until a serious car accident leaves him horribly scarred. Ara becomes an angry recluse, hiding away in his Chicago high-rise apartment, running his multimillion-dollar business from behind a computer screen.
Ilias Adams is a quiet farm boy who keeps his nose buried in books. A great education and stellar resume land him a job as Ara’s assistant and liaison to the board of directors. Little did he know when he signed up for this dream job that he’d end up working for the world’s moodiest, most uptight boss.
Ilias is scared of Ara at times, but he recognizes the challenge he faces when he meets Ara and sees the reason for the man’s anger. Ara is guarded and suspicious, since he can’t believe anyone can bear to look at him. Despite all this, Ilias is determined to turn the beast into a beauty again, at least on the inside, and tear down the walls Ara has so carefully constructed around him.
Review
So, everyone knows the story of Beauty and the Beast, right? Well, imagine that in modern times, with two men and you have the essential storyline for Beast.
Ara was a vain, douche-bag. Mean, cocky, self-centered. He gets mutilated in a car accident and now can’t stand the sight of himself. He’s still so vain and self-centered that he’s kept himself locked away in his apartment for the last seven years running his father’s company.
Ilias is a farm boy who just graduated from business school. He’s trying to prove to his father that he can make it in the city and that his education was worth leaving the farm for. He applies for and is accepted as Ara’s assistant and “front man”. The face that will be presented to the board in Ara’s stead.
Ara is known to go through assistant’s like water due to his strict rules and contrary nature, but something clicks between him and Ilias and before they know it, they have moved from employee/employer to friend and then to lover.
**
The story actually moves the couple together in a relatively short time, but it takes many pages for them to even touch. We get to see both POVs in most circumstances so we really get an in depth appreciation of what each is feeling.
Ara is deeply scarred by his experience and needs so much personal growth to get to the point where he can appreciate that beauty is only skin deep.
Ilias has his own insecurities, but for the most part he is our savior in this story, dragging Ara along into the light of self awareness.
The authors have done an excellent job of following the old fairy tale but modernizing it and making it gay. I really enjoyed the care and depth of the characters, including the secondary characters that was taken.
Though Ara’s weaknesses proved tiring, especially toward the end, Ilias really pulled the story together and kept me invested in the couple. I adored his character and really felt that he and Ara made a great couple.
The narration by KC Kelly is practically perfect. He does such an excellent job with changing characters voices and giving real emotion to the story. I felt his accent for Ara was more Russian than Greek, but I’m no linguist! In any case it felt “erupoean” and absolutely worked!
I would absolutely recommend listening to this more than reading simply because KC Kelly does so much for the story.
I highly recommend this story and audiobook and give both 5 of 5 hearts.
Only a privileged few know L’Ange’s head of security Arman de Soto is a shifter, and even fewer know he’s been systematically killing off a pack of werewolves. The reason for this vengeance is a secret Arman trusts with no one, quite the opposite of his obvious longtime pursuit of the château’s overseer, Linus Hobbes. Despite Arman’s reputation as a loner, the only thing he needs to complete his life is Linus. Predator and prey just don’t mix—but Arman won’t give him up.
Linus has lived alone for more than seven years, sheltered at L’Ange under an assumed name and hiding secrets of his own, including his terrifying attraction to the most dangerous man he’s ever met. Arman knows Linus should be afraid of the predator stalking him, but Linus is still drawn to him like a moth to a flame, no matter how much he tries to deny his instincts. It’s not until Linus’s past and Arman’s crusade exposes their secrets and opens L’Ange to attack that Arman realizes waiting any longer is a risk he just can’t take. So he’ll have to take his quest to the source of the threat in a gamble to protect L’Ange, Linus, and any future they might have together.
Review
We met Arman in Old Loyalty, New Love. He was the mysterious bodyguard who helped protect Roman and Quade. Though we were led to believe he was interested in a certain jackal named Tucker, we find out quickly that this was a red-herring, serving to stir jealousy in the heart of Linus.
Linus is the fastidious and cold caretaker of L’Ange. It’s clear he’s been abused in his past and we learn early on just how terrible that abuse was. Arman has been Linus’ protector and often his touchstone for years, but the time has come for that relationship to develop to its full potential and Arman isn’t waiting any longer.
Arman is a man of mystery. We don’t know what he is, though we all think he must be a shifter – it isn’t until quite a bit into the story that we figure out just what he is. (I think everyone will be surprised by the reveal!)
In addition to hiding who he is, he also hides what he does. We find out that he has an agenda- a vendetta really – of epic proportions. This vendetta makes him almost an anti-hero. He’s definitely not the typical perfect Alpha we have seen in other Mary Calmes’ stories. He’s got a dark side that he’s embraced fully.
Surprisingly, Linus is perfectly okay with this dark side and in fact, he too embraces the vendetta and we see some pretty significant changes in his personality as a result of this.
One of the things I really liked about this story was that Linus and Arman get together pretty early on. They work as a team for most of the story and it was imminently satisfying to watch their relationship grow and deepen while they worked together.
Though it might seem a bit blood-thirsty, the vendetta is explained really well and at no time did I feel that there was any other possible course of action than that which Arman took.
I really felt that in this “universe” the animal natures of the shifters were really well developed and “authentic”. These aren’t people who just happen to have the occasional “furry power” thrown in to explain insta-love and mating. They are truly unique beings with a different set of rules and personalities.
I loved that Roman wasn’t quite on board with the vendetta. Sure, he loves Linus and despised what happened to him, but he wasn’t born a shifter and he still sees things through a human lens and judges by a different rule-book.
Mary Calmes is amazing at world building and her shifter universe is unique, creative and very well developed. She isn’t afraid to stray from typical “shifter” lore and she draws us in with her own clever style.
The chemistry between Arman and Linus is scorching hot. Mary writes excellent sex scenes and the sexual tension and it’s subsequent release is phenomenal in Fighting Instinct.
I can’t wait to see what happens between Jon and Kelvin and hope to see book three in the very near future!
Though it isn’t the first time and it won’t be the last time I say it – I love Mary Calmes’ books and I highly recommend them all.
Rein Dear is a prestigious title, accompanied by admiration, devotion, and celebrity status, all of which one saucy Vixen thrives on. Alas, Vixen’s only concerned with having fun, unlike his stuffy and sensible best friend, Rudy Rein Dear, who Vixen has always been jealous of. Aside from being chosen by Mayor Kringle to be Captain the Rein Dear Squadron, Rudy’s managed to snag himself a prince, even if that prince is the dangerous and imposing Jack Frost.
All’s not lost for Vixen though. He discovers Jack’s cousin Vale has a soft spot for him. Vale Frost might not be a dashing prince, but he’s the next best thing: a decorated Lieutenant for the Toy Soldier Army, and a member of the Frost monarchy.
Determined to get what Vixen feels he deserves, he sets off on a mission to ensnare the kind-hearted lieutenant. But Vixen’s selfish ways are sure to lead to disaster, and it’ll take more than a little courage to set things right.
Review
By now we’ve grown familiar with Charlie’s alternate Christmas world and if you haven’t read books one and two I highly recommend that you do. This can probably be read as a stand-alone, but it might not make as much sense and certainly won’t be as good without reading the other two.
Vixen is one of Rudy’s co-pilots and Vale is Jack’s cousin. Vixen is a … well, Vixen is a slut. He lost the love of his adoptive parents when they had a baby of their own (way to break my heart Charlie!) and he substitutes the arms of any willing male for that missing affection.
Vale is a quiet, studious soldier. He mostly follows the footsteps of his father and does nothing to stir trouble. He admires Vixen from afar, but never dares to push himself in among the throngs of admirers for fear of a trampled heart.
Vixen decides to set his cap for Vale when he considers that – with Jack officially off the market – Vale is the closest thing to a Prince Charming he’ll get. What he doesn’t figure on is that Vale is more than a step up the social ladder. He’s a good guy, warm, tender, and truly devoted to Vixen.
Jealousy causes Vixen to do something unthinkable and it ends up putting the entire kingdom at risk. In order to right the world, both Vixen and Vale must put their lives on the line and risk themselves and their hearts.
**
It was hard to like Vixen at first – as we are supposed to – he’s quite vain and shallow. But… there are hidden depths to him that we discover and pretty soon, we are rooting for him and Vale to make a love connection.
Vale is the perfect hero. Steadfast, true, honorable, but capable of making mistakes, just like the rest of us.
I really enjoyed the excitement and couldn’t read fast enough to see if Vixen could save the day.
The story moves quickly but there is just enough there to make all the characters feel really well developed and the plot gripping.
I hope we see more from this Christmas world and I highly recommend this book in the series.
Taking You Home Audiobook (Sequel to Boys of Summer)
Blurb
The man on his arm isn’t nearly as scary as the man in the mirror. Hunter Willis’ “Guy Town” passport was stamped and in as good working order as his Harley. Like a good Midwestern jock, he’d ride that manly machine to his construction job every day, even throw back a few beers with the boys. Hockey and baseball filled out his single-dude weekends. Then, summer heat worked its magic, and he fell in love with his best friend, sexy stockbroker Maxwell Daniels. The Harley is still in the garage, but the man is definitely – and lustily – out of the closet. As in tearing the door off its hinges. Now that Hunter’s in love, he’s in all the way. Even proposed – and Max has accepted. But before their dream wedding in Vermont next spring, they must face the greatest danger to their perfect love. Meeting the family. It’s not just enduring the Daniels clan’s magnifying glass. It’s facing the deep, dark fears and secrets that are suddenly brought into sharp focus. Forcing them to decide if theirs is only a summer fling – or a love that can flourish even in the chill of winter.
Review
This is the sequel to Boys of Summer and in a way it’s the bigger of the two books. In book one – we see how they met and the process they took to becoming a couple. We see a some of their angst – especially Hunter’s – as they go from identifying as “straight” to a gay relationship.
This is Maxwell’s journey. We meet his family, learn about his early forays into reading gay mags and wearing his sister’s dress. Together, he and Hunter face the family displeasure and disdain and then we see it gradually morph into acceptance and love.
Max also “tests” Hunter several times – making him prove his devotion as he takes him out clubbing and then again when Max becomes Maxine.
Some will find this over the top – full of ooey gooey love and emotion and light on plot. But… that’s where the two books taken together are such a remarkable pairing. Book one showed us what was one of the major hurdles (Max and Hunter coming together) but book two shows us how much more there is to the story.
I really enjoyed all the emotion and the quick build up to conflict and resolution as each “trial” for Hunter is easily met by his steadfast devotion. Max’s growth and emotional maturation from straight to gay is thorough. There is more depth to him than we glimpsed in book one and this explores all those early feelings and the hidden desires he had that he only now feels confident enough to share with Hunter.
It was an imminently satisfying book in that we never feel uncertain about the ending, but get to explore the nuances of their relationship so much more intricately.
The sex was scorching hot. Let’s not forget that. Scorching.
I also thought the time with Maxine was done very well. What an interesting dichotomy. Max both loves and hates that Hunter was attracted to Maxine and Hunter has to handle that so delicately and he does with tremendous aplomb.
It was also very satisfying to see them all the way through the wedding. Such a nice neat bow tied off for us.
Brian Pallino continues to do an excellent job with the narration and I really enjoy listening to his voice.
I give both the book and the narration a 4.5 of 5 and I would highly recommend the book and the series.
Blurb
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