A Paul B Advent Story Review: Son of Santa (Sleigh Ride – 2015 Advent Calendar) by Kate Sands

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Son of SantaNoel Nicholas decides he needs to take some time away from being the son of Santa Claus.  He decides to return to school at a university in Winnipeg, where the winters remind him of the North Pole realm.  He has even gotten a break in his usual job as gift distributor during the last couple of holiday seasons.  However, his time off is interrupted when an ice sprite shows up on campus one November day.

Mrs. Claus has tasked Fannar the ice sprite to check with her son to see if he has heard from his father Santa Claus.  It seems that Noel’s father has taken off without telling anyone where he was going.  This causes Noel some anxiety for two reasons.  This first is that his father is AWOL.  However, Noel has not felt the calling to go home and take over for his father so he knows that his dad is safe wherever he is.  The second is that the messenger is the one man who has been his crush for years.  Will Noel’s missing father bring these two men from the North Pole together after years of dancing around their feelings?

This was a fun holiday read for me.  You can tell that the characters have known each other for years and that they just need an extra push to get them together.  Noel feels that his life as the son of Santa by necessity must be lonely while Fannar wonders what he must do to bring Noel around.  The presence of Ruby from the Eros realm (think Valentine’s day) allows for some sage advice to Noel.

The cover art by Catt Ford shows a young man with snowflakes on his hair and brows in a white turtleneck above a formation of ice crystals.  It is a nice wintery cover for the story.

Sales LinksDreamspinner Press | All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | Buy It Here

Book Details

ebook, 53 pages
Published December 1st 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 9781634769
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesSleigh Ride – 2015 Advent Calendar

A Paul B Advent Story Review: Worth the Wait by Caitlin Ricci and Cari Z

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Sleigh Ride Advent StoryTate Beckinsale is standing in line to get the autograph of his niece’s favorite author. Thinking he was smart leaving work early and arriving at 4:30 for the 5 o’clock event, he is dismayed to find that the line is already 4 blocks long. To make matters worse, a cold drizzle has started to fall. Things begin to look up for Tate when a handsome young man offers to share an umbrella with him. Brandon is also waiting for the author. When the announcement is made that the store is closing, Tate is disappointed that he has failed his niece. However, the young man with the umbrella, Brandon, takes him straight to the signing table and introduces Tate to his mother. After securing the autographs for Tate, Brandon asks Tate out the following day. Will this be a happy holiday season for the two men?

This is a cute story in the Dreamspinner Press Advent Sleigh Ride series. Through the Skype conversations that Tate has with his niece Addie, you can tell that he would do anything for her. I got the same sense that Brandon might become another doting uncle when his visits Tate during one of these conversations. The fact that Brandon did not tell Tate whom his mother is immediately is understandable as he wants to be liked for who Brandon is, not who is mother is. This is a good short story that feels complete yet I want to learn more about these two characters in the future. That too would be worth the wait.

The cover art is the standard cover for the Sleigh Ride event and will not be commented on.

Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press | All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | Buy It Here

Book Details

EBook, 32 pages
Published: November 30, 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN: 978-1-63476-939-6
Language: English
Series: Sleigh Ride

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Sleeping ’til Sunrise (Mangrove Stories #5) by Mary Calmes

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Sleeping Til SunriseNumber five in the Mangrove series, this story features sexy fire chief, Essien Dodd. Essien moved to Mangrove when he took the chief position so that his precocious daughter, fourteen-year-old Ivy, would have a safe environment in which to grow up. His ex-wife passed away from cancer during the past year, and he stayed with her and Ivy to care for them until the end. Now he has full custody, and he wants to provide the best home life possible for his little girl.

Essien is a caretaker—from his job, to his family responsibilities, to his friends and neighbors— if someone needs to be taken care of, it’s a sure bet Essien will find out and be there to help. He had divorced his wife when he knew he was gay and needed to come out, and he’s enjoyed his freedom as a gay man since then, but now that Ivy lives with him full time, he doesn’t pursue relationships or one-night-stands because he wants to be available for Ivy 24/7. Ivy, on the other hand, seems to want him to find someone, so much so, that she actively seeks gay men her dad might like. After the match with the school counselor fell through because he was much too young for Essien and because he refused to let his daughter set him up, he finally told her that if he ever finds a man it will be a man, not a young boy, and he’ll find him all by himself.

What he didn’t tell her is that he has his eye on the gorgeous Dr. Roark Hammond. And Roark seems attracted to him as well, but Roark has a secret, and it’s one that Roark feels will put any hope of a long-term relationship into the impossible-to-have category. Will Essien settle for being put off? Will Roark be able to allow Essien to be his caretaker? Will they sleep together ’til sunrise and wake to greet each new day with hope?

I really enjoy this series, and this one has one of the author’s trademark heroes in Essien—the nice guy who doesn’t realize how much others admire and like him and care about his happiness. Essien deserves to find his man, and the man in this story equally deserves a guy like Essien. There’s nothing about this story to dislike. It’s fairly short, a very light read, and a very sweet romance. Another great bedtime story for the holidays.

~~~
Cover Art by Reese Dante depicts a gorgeous black man, sans shirt, standing against a picturesque sunrise coming up over the Atlantic. It’s perfect for this story.

Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press | All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook, 90 pages
Published December 16th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 1627984712 (ISBN13: 9781627984713)
Edition LanguageEnglish

Series Mangrove Stories with links to Barb the Zany Old Lady’s reviews:

An Ali Advent Story Review: Loving and Loathing Vegas (Sleigh Ride – 2015 Advent Calendar) by Lex Chase

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
 
Loving and Loathing VegasJackson has loved Vegas since God created Man—literally. As a demonic incubi hailing from the Seventh Circle of Hell, Jackson and Vegas have never been anything more than roommates. Now living among humans, they run Eaven, a TripAdvisor-recommended detour-worthy diner famous for its devilishly decadent pies. Business is dead on the holidays, and Jackson will gleefully stab himself with a spatula if he has to clean spotless pots and pans one more time.

For fun—or torture—Vegas makes him a bet that should Jackson win, they take a much-needed vacation. Should he lose, he’s doomed to clean out grease traps for all eternity. When the challenge is to fall in love with other people by Christmas, it proves Vegas isn’t the least bit interested. But when they find an abandoned baby in the trash, she could be the Christmas miracle to warm Jackson’s cynical heart.
 
I thought this was a really enjoyable holiday story.  It was creative and outside of the box.  Jackson loves Vegas but has never had the courage to tell him.  The two men make a bet on Thanksgiving as to who can fall in love by Christmas.  Jackson’s heart’s not really in to it but he decides to play along hoping maybe he can finally get over his feelings for the other man. Things get even more complicated when they find a baby girl in the trash outside their restaurant.  There were a few little things that didn’t make sense to me (ie a side story about another couple) but they were not big enough to effect my overall enjoyment of the story.  If you like stories with a paranormal twist you should definitely give this story a try.
 
Cover art by L.C. Chase. I thought this cover was really well done.  It perfectly captures both the holiday and the paranormal aspect of the story.
Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press | ARe | Amazon | Buy It Here
Book Details:
ebook, 62 pages
Published December 1st 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781634769440
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesSleigh Ride – 2015 Advent Calendar

A Barb, A Zany Old Lady Review: Dom of Ages (Collars and Cuffs #7) by K.C. Wells and Parker Williams

Rating: 5 stars out of 5                 ★★★★★

DomofAgesFSJarod has been a submissive for nearly thirty years. He spent twenty-four years with his last Dom, Master Phillip, who perished in a plane crash four years ago. He’s trying to get back in the scene because he needs someone to serve, but he’s constantly belittled by other subs and Doms, all of whom think a man who is nearly fifty is way out-of-place in the world of BDSM clubs. Just as he’s ready to give up and never return, he’s approached by a young Dom who seems genuinely interested in him.

Eli is only thirty, but he knows what he wants, and he wants a sub who will serve his needs. When he spots Jarod, he recognizes the genuine article—a submissive who is thoroughly a submissive and who shows that in every line of his body, and he knows he won’t be happy unless he can take Jarod home.

Eli does indeed take Jarod home, and Jarod begins his service to Eli that very night. He’s so good at it, in fact, that Eli screws up and puts his own needs ahead of those of his sub, and he fails to comprehend the depth of both Jarod’s loss and his desire to be of service.

When the two eventually do communicate, they find that they work well together, and when Eli finally moves on to scenes and then to sex with Jarod, it’s more than either man could have hoped for. But a harsh reaction from some other submissives at Eli’s club leads them to a new location, Collars and Cuffs, and there their relationship takes a turn for the better. In fact, Jarod’s whole life takes a turn for the better as he makes friends with the other subs in the club—subs we’ve met in past books in this series—Peter, Alex, Scott, Damian, Garrett, Pietro—all are strong secondary characters in this book, and it was an enormous pleasure to have time to “visit” with them and their Doms in this book. In fact, it was one of the highlights of the story for me.

Eli and Jarod explore new scenes; Eli is taught by Thomas how to use sounds on Jarod; and Eli, in turn, offers demos on sounds to other Doms. Jarod and the other subs become close friends, and all work to help Peter prepare a very special surprise for Thomas’s fifty-ninth birthday gift. I have to take a moment here to mention that this was my happy-tears-in-eyes moment in this story. When Thomas pulled Peter into his arms, <spoiler>click here</spoiler> I was sobbing happy, sappy tears!

Of course, there’s going to be a dramatic potential break-up scene as there generally is in all books, but the one in this story was really heartbreaking, and to watch the turmoil both MCs went through was very painful. These authors grabbed my heartstrings with this story and proceeded to dance around me like a maypole, tangling up my emotions and creating a very memorable experience. I loved this story! I think it’s moved up to #two on my list of favorites in this series. (#one is Trusting Thomas—I can’t help myself. I love Thomas and Peter!)

I very highly recommend this book to all lovers of MM romance, BDSM, age gap romance, MCs over forty, and I could go on and on. It’s wonderful. Don’t miss out!

~~~~~

Cover art by Paul Richmond shows an older sub sitting in a cross-legged position in the foreground with a Dom standing to the rear of the scene. The picture illustrates the loneliness Jarod was feeling when Eli came along.

Sales Links:   Dreamspinner Press eBook & paperbackAmazon | Buy it Here

Book Details:

ebook, 264 pages
Expected publication: December 21st 2015 by Dreamspinner Press

Does Age Make A Difference? Find out with ‘Dom of Ages’ by KC Wells & Parker Williams (excerpt/giveaway)

DomofAgesFS

Dom of Ages (Collars & Cuffs #7) by K.C. Wells & Parker Williams
Release Date: December 21, 2015

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Paul Richmond
Photo Credits: Joey Flyfoto, Model: Dirk Caber

 

Blurb

Eli may only be thirty, but he has had enough of pretend submissives. He wants a sub who truly knows how to submit. So when he spies Jarod in a BDSM club, everything about the man screams submission. It doesn’t matter that Jarod has to be about twenty years older than Eli. What does age matter, anyway? Not one to miss an opportunity, Eli moves fast and takes Jarod home with him, without thinking things through. All he can see is what he’s always wanted – a sub who wants to serve.

Jarod spent twenty-eight years with his Master, until Fate took Phillip from him. Four years on, and Jarod is still lost, so when a young Dom takes charge, Jarod rolls with it and finds himself serving again. But he keeps waiting for the shoe to drop. Because there’s going to come a point when Eli realizes he’s a laughing stock in the club. Who would want to be seen with a fifty-year-old sub? And when the moment of humiliation does arrive, Jarod flees. He’d be better off with Phillip.

Despite several missteps, what happens forces Eli to understand that Jarod needs him as much as he needs Jarod. But he knows in order to find happiness, they need friends who will understand. A friend keeps telling him Collars & Cuffs is what they need. Eli finally goes to visit, refusing to risk Jarod being hurt again, and finds everything he’s heard about the club is true. When he takes Jarod, he watches as his sub is met with open arms. As they settle in to their new life, Eli begins to see things differently. And he dares to think he can have it all. Until the phone call that shows him he didn’t realize what he could lose.

 

Pages or Words: 92,000 words
Categories: BDSM, Contemporary, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Romance, May-December Romance

Excerpt:

Jarod

I eyed the other subs enviously as they preened for the Doms, each hoping to spend an hour in a private room with one of them. I felt like a kid again, always the last one picked for sports. The looks I got ranged from amused to withering. I couldn’t believe I’d subjected myself to this. What was worse, I’d actually expected a different outcome.

I sighed deeply. Who was I fooling? I wasn’t twenty anymore. Hell, I wasn’t even twice that. The Doms wanted someone younger, someone trainable, or, failing that, someone who could give them a hot fuck. I had talents in that department from the many years I had served Master Phillip, but since he died, I’d been a submissive who had no one to serve.

“And what are you supposed to be?” a voice near my ear snapped.

“My name is Jarod, Sir,” I answered quietly, my heart thumping so loudly I was certain he could hear it.

There was a low growl. “I didn’t ask your name. I asked what you think you’re doing here.”

Heaven help me, I told him the truth. “Searching for someone to serve, Sir.”

His braying laugh mocked me. When he saw I was serious, he sobered. “No one is going to take you. No master is going to have you.” Then in a softer voice he added, “Go home. You don’t belong here.”

He was right, of course. It was time I admitted that to myself. This was a world that wasn’t like the one I’d been part of. When Master Phillip and I went to the clubs, there was an understanding. People were respectful, even if they weren’t interested in whatever was going on. This club was awful. It was full of young men strutting around like peacocks, each trying to show off more plumage than the next.

It was time to stop kidding myself. There was no reason for me to stay any longer. I’d be on my way, and then everyone would probably have a good laugh at my expense. At least in that, I would have made someone happy. I was about to stand when I felt a hand on my shoulder and smelled the leather.

“What is it you want?”

His breath smelled of mint. It wafted over my face and made my stomach clench with nerves. “To serve, Sir.”

Silence. I waited for it, the inevitable comeback, the jeer, the insult….

“That’s a very good answer, boy. Very good indeed. Stand and turn.”

I rose to my feet and faced the man whose voice gave me butterflies. When I saw him, my heart dropped and crushed them all to dust. The man was handsome, I would never say otherwise, but he was a child. I wanted a Master to serve, not to be a toy for a youngster who would grow bored with me the next time a pretty pony boy pranced by.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

“Jarod, Sir,” I replied, cursing my cracking voice.

He held out his hand and took mine. His grip was firm and warm, and a jolt of electricity ran through me at his touch.

“It’s an honor to meet you. My name is Eli.”

His name was like a caress. There was a gentleness to his voice that had me feeling as though everything might be okay after all. I tried to be surreptitious about it as I looked him over, and he laughed.

“You don’t need to hide anything from me. If you want to look at me, go ahead.”

I raised my head and marveled at how his green eyes shone in the bright lights. His short, spiky hair was dark, but with the colored lights flashing, it was hard to tell what color it was. I had the insane urge to run my fingers through it. He was about my height, and the way those black leather pants clung to his muscular thighs, I really wanted to see his legs. He was slender, but with good definition: it wasn’t a six-pack, but I wouldn’t have minded running my hands over it.

“Aren’t you a bit old for this, Jarod?” His voice was deep, and my skin pebbled at his tone. With a shock I realized he wasn’t mocking me; he was genuinely curious.

Once more I felt compelled to speak the truth. “No, Sir. I-I don’t believe I am.”

His fingers traced along my neck, running gently across my throat. I swallowed hard. It was so different from the treatment I’d received from everyone else here.

“Would you like to play?”

And with those words my heart dropped. “No. I’d rather not.” I was shocked to hear the words come from my mouth. Never before had I told a Sir no, but it seemed to be a night for honesty. Of all the times to be honest, though…. I remained still, awaiting his imminent departure.

“Good. I’m glad. I’m not here to play either.” He was quiet for a moment. “I want you to come home with me. Would that be okay?”

My breath caught. What the hell? He was so different from everyone else in this club. My heartbeat sped up. “Yes, please.” My damn voice squeaked again.

I felt the smooth leather against my throat. “This doesn’t come off until I say so. Is this agreed?”

“Yes.”

“Yes, what?”

I cursed myself for forgetting. “Yes, Sir.”

Buy the book:

Dreamspinner Press eBook: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7217

Dreamspinner Press Paperback: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7218

E-BOOKS 1 – 6 are on sale at Dreamspinner for $1.00 each! http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=907

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Meet the authors:

K.C. Wells:

Born and raised in the north-west of England, K.C. Wells always loved writing. Words were important. Full stop. However, when childhood gave way to adulthood, the writing ceased, as life got in the way.

K.C. discovered erotic fiction in 2009, where the purchase of a ménage storyline led to the startling discovery that reading about men in love was damn hot. In 2012, arriving at a really low point in life led to the desperate need to do something creative. An even bigger discovery waited in the wings—writing about men in love was even hotter….

K.C. now writes full time and is loving every minute of her new career.

The laptop still has no idea of what hit it… it only knows that it wants a rest, please. And it now has to get used to the idea that where K.C goes, it goes.

Parker Williams:

Parker Williams began to write as a teen, but never showed his work to anyone. As he grew older, he drifted away from writing, but his love of the written word moved him to reading. A chance encounter with an author changed the course of his life as she encouraged him to never give up on a dream. With the help of some amazing friends, he rediscovered the joy of writing, thanks to a community of writers who have become his family.

Parker firmly believes in love, but is also of the opinion that anything worth having requires work and sacrifice (plus a little hurt and angst, too). The course of love is never a smooth one, and Happily Ever After always has a price tag.

Where to find the authors:

KC:

Parker:


Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Inked Rainbow Reads, Bayou Book Junkie, Decadent Delights, 3 Chicks After Dark, Gay Book Reviews, Unquietly Me, Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves, Alpha Book Club, The Hat Party, Divine Magazine, BFD Book Blog, Happily Ever Chapter, Love Bytes, Lee Brazil, Jessie G. Books, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, TTC Books and More, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Book Lovers 4Ever, My Fiction Nook, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Charley Descoteaux, Carly’s Book Reviews, Molly Lolly, Sinfully Addicted to All Male Romance, KathyMac Reviews, Three Books Over the Rainbow, Bonkers About Books, Emotion in Motion, A.M. Leibowitz, Foxylutely Book Reviews, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Velvet Panic, Cheekypee Reads and Reviews

Final

Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: One of three $10 ARe gift cards, plus K.C. and Will are going to be stopping at each blog and picking a winner from the comments to receive a copy of ‘An Unlocked Heart’ (or one of the other first six books in the series).  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Link and prizes provided by the authors and Pride Promotions.

 

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Cover reveal for ‘Unquiet’ by Melanie Hansen (excerpt and contest)

Unquiet

Unquiet (Resilient Love #3) by Melanie Hansen
Release Date: January 22, 2016

Goodreads Link
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow

 

Blurb

Loren Smith has been in love with Eliot Devlin almost his entire life. During their turbulent childhood and teen years, Loren didn’t always understand Eliot, and sometimes he could be a challenge, but Eliot was the only one to ever truly ease Loren’s deep loneliness and accept him. When Eliot’s increasingly erratic and self-destructive behavior culminates in a suicide attempt at seventeen, Loren is devastated.

Upon meeting again by chance nine years later, Loren is enjoying a successful career as a police officer while Eliot’s life has been a constant struggle for stability. In and out of mental hospitals, with a rap sheet a mile long, he continues to be buffeted by the twin storms of mania and depression. Loren’s love and protectiveness for Eliot are deeply ingrained in him, however, and their feelings for each other are quickly rekindled.

Loren has issues of his own he’s dealing with, and trying to understand and cope with Eliot’s bipolar disorder isn’t easy. They believe they’re meant to be, and Eliot brings a fulfillment to Loren’s life that no one else will ever match. But as they both come to realize, love by itself can’t cure all.

 

Pages or Words: 102,000 words
Unquiet can be read as a standalone
Categories: Contemporary, Fiction, M/M Romance, Romance

Excerpt

Are you happy, El?” Loren finally asked. “I’ve seen so many different incarnations of your moods, but I honestly don’t know if I’d recognize happiness in you.” His voice held a faint note of apology for asking, and Eliot glanced at him, surprised but pleased by Loren’s candor.

“I don’t know if I’d recognize happiness either, Loren,” he admitted, rubbing his thumb over the back of Loren’s hand when he threw Eliot a stricken look. “Hey, hey,” Eliot said reassuringly. “I don’t mean that the way it sounds.”

Eliot blew out a breath, thinking about how to explain this. Loren waited, but his lips were pressed together in a tight line, and Eliot squeezed his fingers.

“Usually when I wake up in the morning, I’m afraid,” he said, and Loren opened his mouth to speak but then didn’t say anything. Eliot glanced at him again, then continued, “I feel the craziness, the madness lurking, just waiting for me. It feels like it’s attached to me, that when I get out of bed, I’m dragging it with me. It’s always there, ready to pounce and swallow me up.”

“Oh, El,” Loren whispered.

Eliot stroked his hand. “And this morning when I woke up, I wasn’t afraid. I think that’s what it feels like to be happy. It’s enough for me.”

Loren didn’t say anything, but a lone tear slid down his cheek. Eliot reached up and wiped it away with his thumb, stroking Loren’s jaw tenderly.

“What’s the matter, honey?”

Just then the sign for a scenic lookout appeared, and Loren took the exit, parking the truck. He stared through the windshield, blinking fast, more tears welling up.

“The thought of you for all those years, waking up afraid,” he whispered brokenly. “And I wasn’t there, Eliot. I wasn’t there.” Eliot could see Loren’s throat working as he fought not to cry, and with a soft exclamation, Eliot opened his arms, gathering him close. He stroked Loren’s hair, feeling the hot wetness of tears against his neck.

“But you were there, Loren. Shhh,” he soothed.

When Loren calmed a little, Eliot pulled back and took Loren’s face in his hands, forcing him to meet his eyes.

“I’ve been in a lot of therapy over the years, and they always ask me the same thing, what my best memories are, what memories do I have of feeling happy or safe. I’m supposed to bring them to mind when I’m stressed or scared or angry. It’s part of cognitive therapy, learning to readjust your thinking, to focus on good things and not negative things.”

Eliot caressed Loren’s face. “And Loren, there’s a lot I don’t remember, but what I do, every single one of those types of memories is about you. Being kids, riding our bikes, playing with toys, laughing at stupid jokes. Then later the way you held me in the dark after a nightmare or sat with me when I was so sad and hurting that I wanted to die. The way you—the way you loved me, loved my batshit crazy and fucked-up mess.

“You’ve always been with me, Loren, through my memories. Always.”

Loren completely lost it then, and Eliot let him cry it out, murmuring to him, rocking him, reveling in being the one to comfort, to soothe, of being able to shore up the man he loved when he needed it.

Finally the storm passed and Loren pulled away, sitting up and scrubbing his hands over his face.

“I’m glad, El,” he rasped, clearing his throat several times before starting the truck and pulling back onto the interstate. “I’m glad I’m your best memories.”

 

Buy the book:

Dreamspinner Press ebook  and  paperback

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Meet the Author:

Melanie Hansen has spent time in Texas and Florida prisons…for work. She’s been in a room with a 17-year-old mass murderer who was also one of the most soft-spoken and polite teenagers she’s ever met. After a 13-year career as a court reporter, she can tell many stories both hilarious and heartbreaking.

She grew up with an Air Force dad, and ended up marrying a Navy man. After living and working all over the country, she hopes to bring these rich and varied life experiences to her stories about people finding love amidst real-life struggles.

Melanie left the stressful world of the courtroom behind and now enjoys a rewarding career transcribing for a deaf student. She currently lives in Arizona with her husband and two sons.

Where to find the author:

 


Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Books A to Z, Bayou Book Junkie, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, The Hat Party, Molly Lolly, Divine Magazine, Happily Ever Chapter, Boy Meets Boy Reviews, Havan Fellows, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Love Bytes, BFD Book Blog, Louise Lyons, Nephy Hart, Iyana Jenna, MM Good Book Reviews, Jessie G. Books, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Two Chicks Obsessed With Books and Eye Candy, Alpha Book Club, Mikky’s World of Books, Book Lovers 4Ever

Final

Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: $20 Amazon gift card.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Link and prize provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

 

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A Mika Advent Story Review: Not the Best Day by Brynn Stein

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars 

Sleigh Ride Advent StoryHenry hates Christmas shopping. Hates it with a passion. But here he is, downtown shopping two days before Christmas. It would almost be bearable except for the jerk in the trapper hat and plaid scarf who keeps turning up like a bad penny, apparently with no other goal in life than to make Henry’s already crappy day even crappier. Henry doesn’t know what’s up with the guy, but Henry wishes he’d just go away. That doesn’t seem to be in the cards, however. In a day full of surprises, the biggest is yet to come.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2015 Advent Calendar package “Sleigh Ride”.

 This suffered from lack of development. The couple doesn’t even make an appearance together until the last 4% maybe. Until then it’s a story about one guy’s hectic Christmas shopping, and another guy seeming aloof during the holidays. They explained everything, but it seemed out of place in this story. Neither characters were interesting enough & they seemed very thrown together. No chemistry even when they are together. Sadly this missed the mark for me.

Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press | All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | Buy It Here

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 32 pages
Published November 30th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ASINB018RRVQPK
Edition LanguageEnglish
Series Sleigh Ride – 2015 Advent Calendar

Winter Solstice and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

stonehenge-winter-solstice-2012-35

Winter Solstice

This  year Winter Solstice falls on December 22nd, our shortest day of the year.  What is Winter Solstice?  At its most scientific, it can be defined per Wikipedia as ” Winter solstice is an astronomical phenomenon marking the shortest day and the longest night of the year. Winter solstice occurs for the Northern Hemisphere in December and for the Southern Hemisphere in June.”

I found a wonderful article in The Daily Telegraph, ‘What exactly is the winter solstice? By Cameron Macphail, complete with pictures of the Winter Solstice at Stonehenge that defined the day as “sunstill” according to ancient tradition. Read it to find out why.  Its a great article.  Don’t miss out on it.  But honestly, when searching out meanings for the Winter Solstice, you will be flooded with hits. Why?

Because its meaning and celebrations through the centuries makes it so much more than that simple sentence makes it out to be.

For many civilizations and cultures,  the shortest day also meant the longest night of the year. For some a time when spirits visited, the separations between worlds narrows, when the bonfires are lighted to keep the spirits away, and all draw close around the fires. As Cameron Macphail points out, animals were slaughtered so they didn’t have to be fed in the winter, feasts were held, pagan celebrations in hope for a short winter, and fruitful spring.

Because Yule is also a celebration of the return of the sun, for that is what happens once the longest night is over.  The sun’s rebirth starts the next day when starting the next morning at sunrise, the sun climbs a bit higher and stays a bit longer in the sky every day.

From Yule by Akasha:

Bonfires were lit in the fields, and crops and trees were “wassailed” with toasts of spiced cider.  Children were escorted from house to house with gifts of clove spiked apples and oranges which were laid in baskets of evergreen boughs and wheat stalks dusted with flour. The apples and oranges represented the sun.  The boughs were symbolic of immortality (evergreens were sacred to the Celts because they did not “die” thereby representing the eternal aspect of the Gods. The wheat stalks portrayed the harvest, and the flour was accomplishment of triumph, light, and life. Holly and ivy not only decorated the outside, but also the inside of homes, in hopes Nature Spirits would come and join the celebration. A sprig of Holly was kept near the door all year long as a constant invitation for good fortune to visit the residents. Mistletoe was also hung as decoration.  It represented the seed of the Divine, and at Midwinter, the Druids would travel deep into the forest to harvest it.

The ceremonial Yule log was the highlight of the Solstice festival. In accordance to tradition, the log must either have been harvested from the householder’s land, or given as a gift… it must never have been bought. Once dragged into the house and placed in the fireplace it was decorated in seasonal greenery, doused with cider or ale, and dusted with flour before set ablaze by a piece of last years log, (held onto for just this purpose). The log would burn throughout the night, then smolder for 12 days after before being ceremonially put out. Ash is the traditional wood of the Yule log. It is the sacred world tree of the Teutons, known as Yggdrasil. An herb of the Sun, Ash brings light into the hearth at the Solstice.

Think…how many of these traditions are followed in some manner today.

 

No matter your Winter Solstice or Yuletide traditions, whether it be decorating with holly and the ivy or burning the yule log, may your long Winter Solstice night be filled with love, laughter, good books and cheer!

snowflake

Now for This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, December 20:

  • Winter Solstice and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
  • A Mika Advent Story Review: Not the Best Day by Brynn Stein

Monday, December 21:

  • Cover reveal ‘Unquiet’ by Melanie Hansen (excerpt and contest)
  • Anthology Spotlight: Men In Uniform (excerpt and giveaway)
  • Wild & Sexy with ‘Dom of Ages’ by KC Wells & Parker Williams (excerpt/giveaway)
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Dom of the Ages by Will Parker and KC Wells
  • An Ali Advent Story Review: Loving and Loathing Las Vegas by Lex Chase

Tuesday, December 22 (Winter Solstice) :

  • Morticia Knight ‘Safe Limits’ book blast and giveaway
  • When It’s Right (Mile High Romance #1) by Aria Grace tour and  contest
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Sleeping Til Sunrise by Mary Calmes
  • A Paul Advent Story Review: Worth the Wait by Caitlin Ricci and Cari Z
  • A BJ Review: A Policy of Lies by Astrid Amara
  • A Stella Review: Reindeer Games by Kenzie Cade

Wednesday, December 23:

  • Coffee Sip and Book Break: Tina Blenke ‘Life Worth Living’ (excerpt and giveaway)
  • A MelanieM Review: Down and Dirty by Rhys Ford
  • A BJ Review:  Turbulence (Turbulence #1) by Lyn Gala
  • A Paul B Advent Story Review: Son of Santa by Kate Sands
  • A Stella Review: Out of the Blues by Mercy Celeste

Thursday, December 24:

  • Sidewinders are Back with Part & Parcel by Abigail Roux (Riptide Tour)
  • A MelanieM Review: Part & Parcel by Abigail Roux
  • A BJ Review: Cinder by Marie Sexton
  • A Paul B Advent Story Review: Teddy Bear Christmas by CC Bridges
  • A Free Dreamer Review: The Hot Floor by Josephine Myles

Friday, December 25 (Merry Christmas!)

  • Caraway Carter ‘The First Time’ book blast and contest
  • Nicolas by Dianne Hartsock virtual tour and giveaway
  • A MelanieM Advent Story Review: Four Alternative Christmas Present by Tam MacNeil
  • A BJ Review: Turbulence by Lyn Gala
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Flesh Market (Bodies and Souls #1) by Kate Lowell
  • A Sammy Review: Rock Rod Studios Series by Emory Vargas

Saturday, December 26:

  • A MelanieM Advent Story Review: An Assassin’s Holiday by Dirk Greyson
  • An Aurora YA Review: Reasons to Love a Nerd Like Me by Becky Jerams

 

 

 

 

 

A BJ Review: A Policy of Lies by Astrid Amara

 

 

A Mika Advent Story Review: Old Acquaintance by Avon Gale

Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars 

Sleigh Ride Advent StoryAndrew Starling thought when he sold his medical database software to a national corporation, it would finally give him and his wife the financial security needed to build their dream home in the exclusive, wealthy community of Ponte Vedra, Florida. But Andrew’s wife leaves him for another man before the ink dries on the contract, leaving Andrew to enjoy the fruits of his labors—and their sprawling, oceanfront home—all alone. Despite being convinced he has nothing much to celebrate, Andrew goes to the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club’s annual New Year’s Eve party… and meets Elias Rivas, the young, good-looking server who’s always had his eye on Andrew. It might be the new beginning Andrew didn’t even know he needed.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2015 Advent Calendar package “Sleigh Ride”.

Short and sexy story between two guys. I’ll admit the beginning was a little rocky to me. Andrew seemed boring, and a bit dreadful. He didn’t seem angry about his divorce at all. He seemed more perplexed by it. I thought that was funny, I can almost picture him face screwed up in frustration trying to figure out why. I liked Elias character, it was very sure of himself and I’m glad to see that for this age-gap story. I liked them together, they were hot. Seems like it’s a good HFN. I’d love to see more of them in the future.

Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press | All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | Buy It  Here

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 37 pages
Published November 30th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ASINB018RSH5M2
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesSleigh Ride – 2015 Advent Calendar