Category: m/m holiday stories

An Alisa Review: Christmas Kisses at the North Pole by Jessie Pinkham

Rating:  2.75 stars out of 5

Adley is an unusual elf. He prefers skiing to parties, doesn’t like to sing, and cares so little for elf conventions that his brother despairs of him ever getting married. Which is fine, because Adley has no intention of marrying just anyone.

When he meets Keru at the annual Christmas Eve party, the two are drawn to each other. The party may be the most important event of the elvish social calendar, but neither Adley nor Keru minds leaving early to take a walk. They enjoy an idyllic and romantic first date under an aurora, rescuing a reindeer calf along the way, and a relationship seems promising.

But their second date takes a dire turn when a skiing trip brings them face to face with a polar bear. They’d like to keep seeing each other … if they can make it through their second date without being eaten!

Adley and Keru are two peas in a pod from what I can see with similar interests and disinterests.  Unfortunately this story just didn’t really have any high or low points it was just sort of blah.  Much of it was talking about the elf culture and very matter of fact with no feeling.  For two who got along so well and even had two date one right after another they moved slowly and there wasn’t anything that connected me to the characters.

The cover art by Written Ink Designs is a sweet picture of Adley and Keru.

Sales Links: JMS Books | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 46 pages

Published: December 23, 2017 by JMS Books

ISBN: 9781634865296

Edition Language: English

A MelanieM Review: A Cop for Christmas by Jamie Fessenden

Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5

Mason Collier isn’t big on authority figures. When Office Steve Coleman pulls him over and gives him a speeding ticket, he doesn’t react well. He’s even less happy when he discovers the cop lives next door to his parents’ house.

No matter where they turn this holiday season, Steve and Mason keep running into each other, and whenever they talk for more than a minute, they piss each other off. But from wayward dogs to Christmas tree hunts to maple syrup festivals, it proves impossible to avoid each other in the small town.

If Mason can see the good man behind the badge, he might just get a cop for Christmas.

A Cop for Christmas by Jamie Fessenden is a sweet holiday romance, complete with overly energetic young lab and a cringe worthy meet/greet that every young couple loves to relate later on in their relationship.

The author does a lovely job of enveloping us in the atmosphere of the small town, snow, maple syrup and all so it’s very easy to fall in love with it’s inhabitants as we meet them along with Mason as he sees the place his parents call home.  The characters here are all well-crafted, so the loving family dynamics of the Collier family feels real as does the lonely trailer of Officer Steve Coleman next door.

I enjoyed every bit of the journey Mason and Steve take to their HFN ending…we will see more of them and how it plays out in the sequel A Viking for Yule.  There’s  some unexpected suspense, lots of romance, and more.    This is a small town and people who definitely deserve several visits back to see how everyone is settling in, and I’m not just talking about Mason and Steve.

Jamie Fessenden’s holiday stories made an  impact on me this Christmas season.  They are sweet, heartwarming, full of hope, romance, and love that will last past the New Year’s.  Read A Cop for Christmas and then head to A Viking for Yule.  I highly recommend them both!

Cover art by Reese Dante is terrific and works for the story and characters.

Sales Links:Amazon US | Amazon UK

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 123 pages
Published November 19th 2016
Original TitleA Cop for Christmas
ASINB01NB9811M
Edition LanguageEnglish

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Eight Nights In December by Keira Andrews

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

This is a lovely holiday story featuring a family celebrating Hanukkah.  Lucas’s college roommate Sam is heading home for the holidays and Lucas is looking forward to peace and quiet in the dorms while the partying jock is away.  Orphaned after his father passed away in September, Lucas has nowhere to go—until Sam’s mother takes him by the hand and drags him home to New York with her. 

She deposits him in Sam’s little brother’s room, but when Lucas gets a look at his little brother, Nate, is evident that little is the last word he’d used to describe the sexy, glasses-wearing geek.  And Nate’s view of Lucas isn’t that bad either.  It’s not long until the two begin a fling and though Lucas starts off as an inexperienced virgin, by the time the eight days of Hanukkah are over, that’s no longer the case.  In fact, by the end of the eight days there’s more going on than a holiday fling, and neither Nate nor Lucas are looking forward to their separation after New Year’s Day. 

But Nate’s not out and Lucas promised his dad he’d go to his dad’s favorite college to study medicine.  Nate also isn’t happy with the career choice he’s following to please his own dad.  He really wants to be a photographer but he promised his dad he’d be a lawyer.  Can these two young men find their way to their hearts’ desires—including each other—after only eight days together? 

This is, as I said, a lovely story and for those who like sexy romps, this one will make your holiday stocking sizzle.  It’s also a sweet love story and just thing to brighten a gloomy day. 

~~~

Cover art by Dar Albert depicts head shots of two young men gazing fondly at each other in the top pane of the cover, the title and a Star of David in the center, and a night scene of New York City in the lower pane.  Bright and attractive, it suits the story perfectly.

Sales Link:  Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 100 pages
Published December 7th 2017 by KA Books
ISBN139781988260259
Edition Language English

A MelanieM Review: A Viking For Yule by Jamie Fessenden

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

AFTER SAM’S GRANDFATHER nearly died in a blizzard one year ago, Sam has panic attacks in snow storms. So where does his friend Jackie propose they spend the holidays, as the last stop on their trip around the world?

Iceland. Of course.

But there’s more in Iceland than snow. When Arnar, a handsome Icelandic man, offers to escort Sam on a several-day tour of the beautiful countryside, they soon find themselves drawn to each other. But Arnar is firmly rooted in his native soil, and Sam has to return to the US in a week to care for his ailing grandfather.

Suddenly, yule can’t last nearly long enough.

A Viking for Yule by Jamie Fessenden is actually a sequel to the author’s very likable holiday story, A Cop for Christmas.  But honestly, this is the story I absolutely adore.  At the front?  It  absolutely redeems a wishy washy character so bland he threatened to fade into the snow in the first one.  That would be Sam.  Here he become a fully fleshed adult, someone we can finally connect with away from his Gramps.  We get to see the man,  watch how the gift of independence the trip lays upon him enables him to enjoy himself, the places and people, and grow as a person.  It’s not that Sam actually changes but more our acceptance of him and that’s a really great treat.

Next up is Arnar, the man who helps to act as Sam’s guide when Sam’s “Auntie Mame” and her dear friend take the time to make their own schedule.  Arnar, has his own issues having recently broken up with his partner. He’s not entirely happy to be involved with the “tourist” that his “aunt” has brought with her on her visit to see his mom.  I loved Arnar. He’s a man of depth and deep love of his country, a memorable character all around who sees something wonderful in Sam.

However, it’s Christmas time in Iceland and, while freezing, holiday celebrations are everywhere.  Which brings me to the third marvelous element of this story.  The author’s clear love and familiarity with Iceland.

This is as much a love story to Iceland as it is Sam and Arnar’s.  Sam and Arnar travel to many locations in Iceland, ones often famous for their Christmas markets, some for their geographical formations, and others for their religious significance. These travels are folded into the story with an ease that’s remarkable and a fondness that radiates from every scene.  Iceland is truly another main character here and it helps make the story.

Everything about A Viking for Yule is lovely. From the romance, the characters right to the ending, I just loved it.  You will too.  It’s not just for the holidays but one I could read any time of the year.

Cover Art by Reese Dante is perfect for the characters and storyline.

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 256 pages
Published November 29th 2017
ASIN B077TLWLZ4

NOTE: Though this novel includes characters from “A Cop for Christmas,” it is a standalone adventure. It isn’t necessary to read “A Cop for Christmas” first.

A LIla Review: Came Upon a Midnight Clear by Katie Porter

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Up-and-coming film producer Kyle Wakefield lives in the closet rather than risk the wrath of his influential, conservative parents. The only time he took a chance on love was a tempestuous teenage affair with Nathan Carnes. But when Nathan proved himself hell-bent on self-destruction and wound up in prison, Kyle closed off his heart.

Almost a decade later, Kyle’s production partner hires Nathan’s stunt company, Second Chances, to work on a big-budget action film in London. Nate is floored by his explosive reunion with Kyle. But he sure as hell isn’t surprised that Kyle still treats their mutual needs—and Nate—like dirty little secrets.

As the London holiday season casts its dazzling spell, the two men find themselves falling in love again. Kyle is one breathless kiss away from declaring himself to Nate—and to the world—but they cannot ignore secrets borne of youthful mistakes. To protect their bright new future, Kyle and Nathan will need all their passion and trust . . . and a little Christmas magic.

Came Upon a Midnight Clear is my favorite MM Romance story. I read it for the first time in 2013 and fell in love with Nate and Kyle after their very first scene together. For a couple of fictitious characters, their chemistry is palpable throughout the pages and the longing they have for each other makes their struggle to have a relationship real.

I re-read this book in 2016 and got a paperback copy as well. I loved rediscovering their love and all the scenes that made their relationship special. I’m not entirely sure why, but after reading over 1,500 MM books, this one still my favorite. And that’s why I just read it one more.

This is a re-edited version of this story, but the main events still the same. The only edits I noticed were related to technology and pop culture references. The sense of place, culture, and holiday spirit brings this story together. It’s not a traditional Christmas tale but a second chance love.

Since the start, it’s easy to see how good they’re together. Plus, how well they did without each other. They don’t need the other to be successful. Their relationship goes beyond that, to a friendship that stayed with them even after all the years apart. Their love is just an added bonus and the sex their way to connect.

And there’s a lot of sex in this story. Hard, raw, loving, but always as part of their developing story. This is definitely an erotic romance. Even so, the romance is as important as the plot itself. There’s a lot of angst too and Kyle’s and Nathan’s original relationship will pull your heartstrings, but it’s worth it.

This book is not perfect or a writing masterpiece but the authors did an excellent job developing the characters, creating an interesting supporting cast, and making Kyle’s and Nathan’s love believable. As a reader, we get to cheer for them until the very end. The epilogue is the perfect ending to the book. And yes, I’d read it again. 🙂

Also, Came Upon a Midnight Clear is now a 2017 Riptide Holiday Charity Novel benefiting The Russian LGBT network.

The cover by Natasha Snow is sweet and festive, just a bit too generic for this story. Other than the London Bridge, it doesn’t give the reader a feel for the story.

Sale Links: Riptide | Amazon | NOOK

ebook, 291 pages
Published: November 20, 2017, by Riptide Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-62649-673-6
Edition Language: English