A Barb, the Zany Old Lady Advent Story Review: Holiday Hotel Hookup by Jeff Adams

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

When IT consultant, Marty, checks in at the hotel in Dallas where he’ll be spending a working vacation over the holidays, little does he know that one of the benefits actually greets him at the front desk. Checking his phone before bed that night, he’s intrigued by a few local offers from Manhunt, a hook-up app he’s downloaded to his phone. One turns out to be the gorgeous man who checked him in, the hotel’s assistant manager, Jose, aka JJ.

Though they don’t get to hookup that night, they do get together the next night and discover they have a lot in common. They end up spending more time together, including a gaming marathon with Marty’s friends on Christmas Day, during which JJ does some distracting and erotic things to Marty while he’s trying to play.

The author has created two very loveable characters who fit well together, and I enjoyed the witty banter and fun-loving escapades in and out of the bedroom. The story ends with a hope for a bright future as these two career-oriented men face the realities of continuing a relationship and decide it’s worth the try. I would love to see this story developed into a novel. The characters were great and the possibilities endless.

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

Book Details:

ebook, 38 pages
Published December 1st 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781634769617
edition languageEnglish
seriesSleigh Ride – 2015 Advent Calendar

A Barb the Zany Old Lady Advent Story Review: Elf on the Beach by TJ Nichols

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Roone is an elf who is on his one year elf mission during which he gets to decide if he wants to remain human forever, or if he wants to return to the North Pole to work in the “family business.” It’s two weeks before New Year’s Eve, the last day of his mission, when he finds himself on the beach in Australia, taking surfing lessons from his gorgeous instructor, Kyle.

Roone has the hots for Kyle and is determined to learn how to surf. He’s equally determined to put a smile on Kyle’s face and help him find the magic of Christmas. Raised in foster homes, Kyle has no recollection of Christmas being anything but lonely and sad. He was never given anything he wanted, especially the gift of his mother coming back for him.

But Roone’s happiness and belief in the magic of Christmas is contagious, and Kyle begins to have little glimpses of what might be when Roone reveals he’s an elf. The untrusting side of Kyle is dominant, however, and that may mean the end of Roone’s chance for a little more happiness before he leaves. Or is it the end? Readers will enjoy this tale as we see just how powerful belief can be.

I like the twist the author gave to the elves having their chance for a one year mission before deciding to work at the North Pole. And I love the way the magic slowly happened in the story, and the ending was surprising and fun. I also enjoyed the engaging characters and the non-traditional (no snow) setting. This is a great little stocking stuffer to put a little magic in someone’s heart.

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

Book Details:

ebook, 41 pages
Published December 1st 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781634769594
edition languageEnglish
series Sleigh Ride – 2015 Advent Calendar

A BJ Review: Grateful by Kim Fielding

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Nate Roth’s latest dumb stunt has left him with a broken arm, black eye, and stitched chin—and extra trepidation about visiting his family for Hanukkah. He fears his relatives will put him through another round of criticism for his foolish choices and his nonexistent love life. Several mishaps during his short journey to his parents’ house don’t bode well. But along the way he meets impossibly gorgeous Gio DiPietro—and maybe it’s time for Nate’s risk-taking impulses to turn out well for a change.

This is a part of the 2015 Dreamspinner Press Advent Calendar. Since it’s a short story, I’m going to try to avoid going into the plot more than the blurb already does. Don’t want to spoil it! But will say that from the first line, this little story made me smile.

Nate is a thirty-year old klutz who can’t say no to a dare but has a streak of bad luck a mile wide. And he names his house plants. He is absolutely freaking adorable. Then we get meet Gio, and I’m all in, because Gio shows dogs. Just like me! Add in that he’s resourceful, sweet, and has an adorable shaggy dog… and this book had me reeled in, hook, line and sinker.

Thoroughly adored Nate’s family and oh, how it made me I wish I had one like that! The gift-giving scene was perfectly beautiful and had me teary. Now that’s a tradition I’d love to be able to try.

For such a short story, the author does an exceptional job of character building. I feel like I know these guys, or that I want to! Low on the heat meter, but plenty of lovely emotional feels to make up for it!

This isn’t the type of fantasy/fairy tale Kim Fielding stories I’m usually drawn to… it’s a light contemporary, humorous and non-angsty. And there is absolutely no edge of dark here. In fact, this little holiday gem sparkles. A highly recommended light holiday read.

Very cute and whimsical cover.

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

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 41 pages
Published November 30th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ASINB018RSHA2C
edition languageEnglish
seriesSleigh Ride – 2015 Advent Calendar

A MelanieM Advent Story Review: Leap Through Eternity by Sara Stark

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Being evacuated from his apartment in the middle of the night because some idiot forgot his cookies in the oven isn’t the ideal way to meet a guy, but Mason’s hot neighbor Cole sure looks great in his underwear. The trouble is, Mason is the idiot who started the fire, and Cole doesn’t appreciate being lied to any more than he appreciates being driven out into the cold. It looks like their romance might end before it gets started, but Christmas is a time for second chances….

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

In Leap Through Eternity, Sara Stark has written a sweet confection of a story for the holidays. Mason is tall, adorable, holiday happy and a great cook, although not terribly focused, which can be a not so wonderful combination in the kitchen when he sets things on fire, like Christmas cookies.

Cole is a police officer misplaced by a fire in his apartment building. Cole’s not that crazy about Christmas. We never doubt that the two will get together. Its a Christmas story, it all but glitters.

The author’s descriptions sparkle, her characters come to life on the pages and if the path to love is instantaneous, well, blame it on the eggnog and the holidays. At 26 pages, Cole and Mason are adorable. Mason is the more well developed of the two characters but Cole is engaging to the point we love them both. It was a quick read and I enjoyed every word. You will too. What fun I’m having with the Advent stories!

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

Book Details:

ebook, 26 pages
Published November 30th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781634769402
edition languageEnglish
seriesSleigh Ride – 2015 Advent Calendar

Holiday Reading and Reviews- Yes, Virginia, Its December 1!

This year Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is reading and reviewing many holiday stories, among them the Advent collection from Dreamspinner; Sleigh Ride. We will roll out one a day for 31 days, starting December 1st, today. Here is a little bit more information about the Dreamspinner Advent collection which includes stories about things less than traditional.

Sleigh Ride…

The course of true love can be a bumpy, up-and-down, and sideways ride, but the end-of-the-year holidays are perfect for happy endings! Whether they’re finding a new romance or rekindling an old one, the men in these stories get some help from the magic of the season. Some of them might need a miracle to muddle through the conflicts and confusion that arise, but luckily for them, ‘tis the season. From naughty fun, to heartfelt and heart-wrenching reunions, to out-of-this-world adventures, these guys are in for quite a ride.

Holiday reading fun! Sleigh Ride is a package of 31 stories:

An Assassin’s Holiday by Dirk Greyson
The Beary Best Holiday Party Ever by B.G. Thomas
Best Laid Trap by Rob Rosen
Blame It on the Fruitcake by Pat Henshaw
A Certain Kind of Holiday by Andi Van
Christmas Miracles of a Recently Fallen Spruce by Brandon Witt
Elf on the Beach by TJ Nichols
Fireworks and Resolutions by Leandra Dohman
Four Alternative Christmas Presents by Tam MacNeil
Grateful by Kim Fielding
Hapless by Therese Woodson
Hearth and Home by E.T. Malinowski
Holiday Hotel Hookup by Jeff Adams
Home Is Where The Christmas Trees Are by CJane Elliott
Kismet by Cassie Decker
Leap Through Eternity by Sara Stark
Loving and Loathing Vegas by Lex Chase
Menorahs and Mistletoe by Jess Roth
Mission Mistletoe by Jessica Payseur
Northern Lights by Asta Idonea
Not the Best Day by Brynn Stein
Nøtteknekkeren by Felicitas Ivey
Old Acquaintance by Avon Gale
Somewhere to Be by Amy Yip
Son of Santa by Kate Sands
Talk Turkey by Bru Baker
Teddy Bear Christmas by CC Bridges
A Trip to Remember by Meg Harding
Unto Us the Time Has Come by Sean Michael
Whispers of Old Winds by George Seaton
Worth the Wait by Caitlin Ricci & Cari Z.

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