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.
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.
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.
At the North Pole, no one is more powerful and feared than the Prince of Frost. As general of the toy soldier army, Jack Frost has been working extra hard to put away the villainous Mouse King once and for all. If that isn’t taxing enough, Jack has to deal with the scandal and gossip brought on by news of his relationship with Rudy Rein Dear, captain of the Rein Dear Squadron, which hit headlines last holiday season. Lucky for Jack, his reputation has managed to deter any foolish attempts to stir up trouble. At least until now.
When someone sabotages Rudy’s plane during a test run a few weeks before Christmas, Jack is determined to find the culprit by any means necessary. The closer he gets to finding answers, the more difficulty he has not falling back to his icy ways. Has the Mouse King stepped up his game in order to throw Jack off his, or is someone a little closer to home behind the attempt on Rudy’s life? Either way, Jack has every intention of delivering a Christmas they won’t soon forget, even if it means losing the newfound warmth in his heart.
Review
In book one (Mending Noel) we met Jack and Rudy, an already established couple, in love and helping two Christmas Elves in trouble. The author introduced us to her sometimes hysterical, sometimes tongue in cheek, always creative and sometimes exciting alternate or adjacent world in the North Pole. Kringle is the Superior Being and Jack Frost is the Prince of the land, his father the king. Rudy is a Rein Dear, a pilot for Kringle, of course.
(You can definitely read this as a stand alone, but I suggest reading the series in order for the most enjoyment.)
In book two we learn more of Rudy and Jack’s back-story. Before Rudy, Jack had a heart so frozen he had no compassion and was feared throughout all the land. Rudy came along and thawed that heart, showing him love. At this point in the story, they’ve been a couple for hundreds of years, but only recently have they become public knowledge. Rudy has just moved into the castle and his presence is causing lots of trouble.
Rudy ends up in a suspicious accident and Jack ends up with a frozen heart again. Now it’s up to Rudy and his friends to try to unfreeze that heart before it’s too late.
**
This was not nearly as light hearted as book one. Jack has a dark side and we see a lot of it in this story. The heat between Jack and Rudy a little hotter in this book but it’s still pretty tame.
I absolutely love the Christmas-isms and the different roles all our favorite characters play in this alternate reality. How can you not laugh at curses like Holy Holly?!
Because they were an already established couple, the “romance” was a little less the focus and the drama more compelling than in book one, but it was still very tender and sweet.
I’m really enjoying these novellas and highly recommend them to anyone looking for a light holiday read full of fun and magic.
Cast out of his clan of shifters and with no family of his own, Anton Cedwell wants nothing more than to be accepted by his partner Sean’s family when the two of them visit over Christmas. But Sean’s powerful father, Flavius, isn’t happy his son chose a shifter as a mate, and Sean is hiding secrets from Anton. When Sean is attacked by rival weres, Anton hopes Sean’s family will finally see the depth of his commitment and how far he’s willing to go to protect the man he loves.
Review
This is a fascinating world. Anton is a shifter but Sean and his family are… something else, very powerful. In this short story we get politics, magic and power, intrigue, a fight scene and… some really hot sex, too!
Since the couple is already established, we already know they are committed to one another, but this short story shows us just how committed they are and what that means to their families and their community.
I really wished this was a longer story because so much happened in so little space that just as I got a handle on Kaitland’s “universe” the story’s over. The “King of Me” aspect was really touching – I loved all that it implied with such a simple phrase.
The chemistry and devotion between Sean and Anton was electric and their scene on the ride was very erotic. I really enjoyed this glimpse and hope to see more about this world in a longer book.
Trent returns to his family’s ancestral home, where he experienced his first kiss and first heartbreak.
To honor his grandmother’s final request, Trenton Appleton drops everything to visit the family’s ancestral home: Hummingbird House, where he experienced his first kiss and first heartbreak with Callum Eason.
Eight years ago, confused by his attraction to Trent, Callum reacted badly. But with help he never expected, Callum found himself and learned to accept who he was.
Now Trent is back at Hummingbird House, and Callum has his opportunity to salvage their friendship, at least. But Trent is less receptive than he was all those years ago. Still, Callum is determined to show Trent he has changed and keep his promise to Trent’s grandmother. When past mistakes repeat themselves, Callum must break the cycle before his last chance with Trent passes him by.
Review
Trent just lost his “Grammy” Astrid who rescued him from his disastrous parents, raised him, then finally succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease. She’s left him the ancestral house in England where she and he spent many summers and the occasional winter.
When he returns to England with Astrid’s ashes, he runs into his childhood crush, Callum. He and Callum had grown up together as best friends, but when Trent kissed him as a teen-ager, Callum panicked, then crushed Trent by flaunting a girlfriend in front of him the next time they were together. Though Trent has tried to form new relationships he hasn’t been able to get over Callum and caring for Astrid has kept him pretty solitary for most of his life.
Callum, meanwhile, finally admitted he was gay and has been feeling horrible for the way he treated Trent all those years ago. He’s grateful to have the opportunity to make amends and he has high hopes that they may even get a second chance at a relationship.
**
This is another great holiday story and takes place in England, so it has that fairytale quality to it that seems to go so nicely with Christmas. The ancestral Hummingbird House has a lovely prophesy that links ownership of the house to true love, and it looks like Trent and Callum will fulfill it.
I really enjoyed the secondary characters as well and the method of letter writing used by the author to bring Astrid into the story.
It was very well writte, sweet and sexy, Christmas tale!
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:
Sam and Ryan are best “mates” (I love the British!) from university planning a short holiday with their other roommates in the country. A sudden storm hits, preventing two of them from making it out to the cabin. Now, instead of a casual party with the four roommates, it’s an intimate stay between just two.
Sam is openly gay and has known he’s had feelings for Ryan forever. Sam knows those are pointless as Ryan is straight. (We’ve heard that before, right?!)
Ryan has had feelings for Sam pretty much since Sam came out but hasn’t been able to deal with his own sexual identity. Being snowbound forces those feelings to the surface and he and Sam begin to explore their feelings (and each other!).
In addition – they meet a wonderful woman named Mari who has a bazillion cats and shows the boys what the holiday spirit is all about.
**
This is a lovely short-story perfect for the season. The set-up for forcing Ryan to confront his feelings felt natural and their easy, slow start into making things physical also fit their age and the setting. There is a bit of steam and smolder, but most of this is about the boys’ changing feelings and emotions.
This isn’t as angsty as some of Jay’s other novels, certainly not as steamy, but it is every bit as sweet and sentimental – full of all the wonderful “feels” that she excels at delivering.
I’m a sucker for the GFY theme, coupled with the British and the friends to lovers… it hit all my buttons in a big way!
I highly recommend this holiday treat and give it 4.5 of 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. http://www.jaynorthcote.com
Rowan and Martin must learn to trust one another if they hope to deliver a phoenix home in time.
Although Rowan Stormbringer was raised Wiccan, he’s never felt a connection to magic. That changes on the eve of Yule, when he encounters a magical creature, a phoenix, that needs his help getting to Stonehenge before the sun sets that day. Hiding a magical creature in the mortal world is tricky at best, but partnering with a good- looking, snarky taxi driver may be just the ticket Rowan needs. As they explore their instant attraction to each other, Rowan and Martin must learn to trust one another if they hope to deliver the phoenix home in time.
Review
OMG I loved this story!
Rowan is the black sheep in his Wiccan family – not quite a believer in all things witchy – but he works for the family biz and is currently in London on a job. He goes to catch a cab when suddenly he sees something fly by and knows he has to find and help it.
Turns out, the flying thing is a Phoenix needing a ride to Stonehenge (of course!). Rowan’s cab driver (Martin) wants the cash up front if he’s going to deliver this dodgy package all the way to Stonehenge but can’t help but be pleased when he finds out Rowan plays for his team.
Rowan and Martin (if you’re as old as me that’s a funny name combination!) must walk the last few feet since the cab can’t make it all the way. Rowan has to divulge just what it is he’s carrying, and now Martin thinks Rowan’s cute and batty. But both Rowan and Martin are amazed at what they sees when they let the Phoenix fly and both lives will be changed as a result.
In the end, the clasp of hands lets us know that there will be more to the romance and having seen true magic, we know both men’s lives are going to change in lots of ways.
**
Again I’m left wishing this were a longer story because it was so dang good! However, the author did a great job of giving us a complete story full of adventure, humor, and magic.
I give this story 5 of 5 hearts and highly recommend it.
Accepting shapeshifter Volyk’s Christmas offer will change Ilya’s life forever.
Ilya, the youngest son of a Moscow oligarch, is so deep in the closet he’d find Narnia if that weren’t a decadent Western story. On Christmas Eve, his brothers lure him into the forest, intending to murder him and erase the shame he inflicts on their family by existing. However, the attempt is interrupted by Volyk, a wolf who carries the blood of the ancient oboroten’ —shapeshifters. Ilya never imagined a Christmas gift like the handsome wolf, but accepting what Volyk offers will have consequences that change both of their lives forever.
Review
In this tremendously sweet shifter story, a gay man of Russian Royalty (Ilya) is tricked by homophobes into going out in the snow to gather wood. They end up attacking him and nearly kill him.
Ilya is saved by a “wolf” with a fascinating story to share and a life of mated perfection to save him forever from those that would call him an abomination.
**
The writing is beautiful and fluid and has a fairytale like quality to it.
I hope/wish there are more stories from this “world” as it was beautifully created and wonderful to read.
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Blurb
