Dreamspinner Presents http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5849
Blurb
The holidays are a time for celebration, discovery, coming home, and maybe even miracles for those who are lucky. From the streets of New York City, to the wintery wonderland of the Maine woods, to the quaint, small town charm of Idaho, the men in these stories have different holiday desires. They’re looking for familiarity or fresh starts, but they have one thing in common—their happily ever afters might be waiting in the last places they think to look. Come see what they unwrap in these stories by three acclaimed authors of male/male romance.
Holiday Roommates by Tere Michaels
As an actor without prospects, Nate Brandywine needs an emergency roommate for the month of December. During a humiliating gig as a Christmas elf at a NYC department store, he meets Sean Callahan, his producer and a man struggling under the weight of a past-due loan. Sean’s desperate for a place to stay in the city for a few weeks. A month of sharing a workplace and an apartment with someone you can’t stop flirting with? Maybe the holidays won’t be so terrible after all.
Review
This is a very cute, sweet, light holiday romance about two “roomies” who find they have a lot in common. They spend a lot of time flirting and the dialog is what makes this story so great. Tere Michaels is an excellent writer and her sense of humor really shines in this one. (A nice light read after the much darker Who Knows the Storm). I especially loved the parts where Nate is promoted over and over in his store production Christmas show – really funny!
4 of 5 hearts
Holiday Sanctuary by Elle Brownlee
Chris Declan is trekking through the wintry wonderland of rural Maine, searching for inspiration and himself, when he’s literally and figuratively taken by storm. First by the surprise blizzard that finds him seeking refuge in Paul Bak’s secluded cabin, and second by Paul. Making the best of being snowed in together soon becomes a comfortable friendship with fireside chats, a quaint holiday celebration, and more. But despite their growing closeness, there’s one thing they avoid—what will happen when the snow clears and the holidays end.
Review
Chris ends up finding shelter in Paul’s cabin and the two end up “falling in love”. This is one of those stories where you will either really love the “insta-love” or be frustrated by it. Since it’s a holiday story – I let my disbelief go and found it charming. I didn’t think the writing was as good as Tere Michaels’ story, but it was still a pretty good offering.
3 of 5 hearts.
Holiday Homecoming by Elizah J. Davis
Gavin Anderson never thought making it as a writer in LA would be easy, but when his latest project falls through, he gives up on Hollywood and heads to Bonabri, Idaho in hopes that the peace and quiet of his childhood home will help him figure out his next move. Instead he finds Eric Nichols, his parents’ cute and charming housesitter who is there to experience the small town Christmas festivities. Gavin’s plans for quiet reflection are no match for Eric’s holiday cheer, and he soon finds himself swept up in the spirit of the season. Gavin thought his life had hit a dead end, but in coming home he finds what might be a new beginning.
Review
Gavin ends up falling for Eric, the housesitter. There is no sex in this story but lots of funny lines, and warm feelings. I was really enjoying this, but was a little bewildered by the abrupt ending, though it generally left me with a strong feeling that these boys were going to make it.
4 of 5 stars
