George Hunt started out as a minor character in the popular Marshals series as a bodyguard to Sam and Jory’s daughter, Hannah. But as written by Calmes, there was just something special about George. Something extraordinary. The readers just wanted more.
The character developed as did his roles throughout various crossover stories, each redefining his history, his character and his heroic actions. And it brought him into the shared world, because of many traumatic events, with Hannah’s doctor, Dr Kurt Butler.
These are all fantastic novels that should be read, not just for the foundation knowledge but for the terrific storytelling.
But all those narrative paths led to George’s Big Day. A hilarious, sometimes poignant, action packed novel in which George tries to get married. Accompanied by many of the characters from his missions (and crossover novels) as well as the friends and co-workers from the Marshals series, it’s a law enforcement thriller, matrimonial circus, where hijinks ensue, love is pledged, there’s blood and casts, and a HFN with rings in sight.
Plus dogs and and a very mean kitty.
Did I say how much I love George and his stories? I absolutely adore George, and all his books. Especially this one. And while I’m not sure if this is the last, it’s ok if it is. What a wild ride it is.
Love it and it’s a total joy.
Great covers by Reese Dante.
With George:
Just George #1
Wintering with George #2
George’s Big Day #3
Connected Series:
A Matter of Time – 6 books
Marshals – 6 books
Standalone:
Again
🔹See the author’s notes for the entire list of crossover characters and the books/series they came from.
George Hunt wants to get married. The fact that he does is utterly amazing and a huge leap of faith for a man who’s always been certain that happily ever afters only happen in fairy tales. The thing is, though, ever since Christmas, when Dr. Kurt Butler, the man he loves, gave him a ring, he’s changed his mind about what’s possible. But between deployments and venues that have to be booked years in advance, matrimonial bliss seems persistently out of reach. Fortunately, George’s friends come through, offering the perfect setting.
Of course, when your life is full of heroes, there are always villains looking to even the score. When the day of the nuptials conflicts with murderous agendas, the only thing that really matters is being married at the end of the day. If George can keep his eye on the prize and everyone does what they do best, it might just all work out.
Hayden Hall’s Mingle All The Way see out the second season of the heartwarming, wonderful Christmas Falls series. So of course, I mistakenly read it out of order and stumbled across the answer to this season’s biggest mystery, who is Christmas Falls Secret Santa?
The answer was absolutely perfect and in keeping with the heart and magic of this small Christmas town and community.
It’s the romantic journey of two childhood friends who were separated by a parent’s need to locate for a job and the revelations and romance that is sparked when they’re reunited years later when both are back in Christmas Falls.
Milo, the boy who left crushed and crying returned home first , years later to open his dream shop, Jingle Bites, selling his handmade chocolates. Now arrives Christian, returning home after his ventures outside in NYC, both romantically and professionally, failed.
Memories and their old friendship revives their relationship but something else turns it into a deep bond.
Milo has been a favorite throughout the series, with his quiet engaging hometown voice and handmade chocolates that appear in every story. Hall take a terrific secondary role and turns Milo into a great character, one who can make a reader feel connected to his life and struggles, whether it’s the charming shop he’s poured everything into or his long time feelings for Christian.
Christian is a very strong character but I have to admit there’s moments I was very frustrated with his character and or maybe the lack of momentum in his outlook and his poor treatment of Milo. Continued expectations of forgiveness for the same behavior grows old in fiction as well as real life. It becomes an issue when a writer’s character inability to move forward becomes a loop instead of a forward path once too often. That narrative stumble temporarily took me out of the story and from my connection to this character.
The ending is fantastic and more than made up for that section prior. It’s that Hallmark climax that’s heartwarming and full of seasonal surprises.
Milo, this town and yes, Christian, all have that wonderful Christmas Falls energy and finale that is the reason we read and love this series.
Christian and Milo and his Jingle Bites was a delight and a lovely way to close the season for this year. Highly recommended.
Cover art by Morningstar Ashley Designs
And check out all the books in the Christmas Falls series, both 1 and 2.
Christmas Falls, Season 2:
The Snuggle is Real by DJ Jamison Flake It til You Make It by Beth Bolden ❤️
12 Dates of Christmas by Brigham Vaughn
Here Comes Santa Paws by Lee Blair
Under the Mistle-Foe by Rye Cox
❤️Christmas Beau by Amy Aislin
❤️No Business Like Snow Business by J.A. Rock & Lisa Henry
Frost Impressions by Kelly Fox
Promise Yule Be Mine by Rhys Everly ❤️Mingle All The Way by Hayden Hall
Christmas Falls, Season 1:
Grinch Kisses by DJ Jamison Snowbody Loves You by Jacki James Get Frosted by Amy Aislin
When I go home for the holidays, Santa has a secret waiting for me…
I wandered far and wide in search of happiness, never finding what I sought. When I return to Christmas Falls to lick my wounds, the last thing I expect is for Santa to send me a golden-haired, blue-eyed man I once called my best friend—the friend who was taken away from me when we were kids.
Milo Montgomery is back in town, and he doesn’t wait for miracles to come to him. There’s a special sort of magic in the way he spreads joy throughout our town.
His chocolate shop might be struggling, but that can’t break his festive spirit. His optimism is contagious, and his cheerful mood makes me feel like I’m thirteen again, catching snowflakes on my tongue. As we walk down memory lane, recreating every Christmas Eve we spent together, our friendship becomes everything I’ve been missing.
Milo confesses I was his first and only love. But as a straight man, I can never love him the same way. Or can I? I’m beginning to question everything I thought I knew about myself. About the world.
Maybe happiness has nothing to do with a place. Maybe all it takes is the right person.
Christmas Falls: Season 2 revisits a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie. It’s a multi-author M/M romance series.
K. C. Carmine’s contemporary romance is a sexy sweet best friends to lovers romance with a twist. In a series that is centered around a Diner that is a safe haven for the LGBT community, the stories are themed on the same storylines and characters. Here Charlie, who transitioned once his family moved, is reunited with his best friend from childhood, Trent, who’s just arrived in town.
Carmine’s story has a number of big elements and emotional moments to explore. It’s been ten years since Charlie and Trent have seen each other, and the growth for each person in that time has been tremendous. Especially for Charlie. Then there’s Trent who’s recognizing that his sexuality is more fluid, pansexual than strictly drawn to one gender. There’s more. From a reunion of old friends who’ve had enormous changes in their lives to an intimate sexual relationship and love life, including a mixed everyday interactions.
It all occurs without too much introspection, drama , and time span. For all the terrific characters, great aspects of the story, and even the relationship, for me, that it all came together so fast felt unreal.
It was like watching a sweet romance unfold but I never felt a connection because, imo, they were never grounded or believable. To have that would have needed more depth, layers, and time for the years apart and the growth they’ve undergone to be fully understood and explored between them.
Enjoy the story for the sweet sexy moments and romance the author intends.
Can a rocker fall for a gym bunny? Nah, no way. But what if the big, muscly guy looks sad? Well…
Moving out of his hometown gives Trent the freedom to shape his life the way he wants, out of his brother’s shadow. Running into his childhood friend is not what he expected, but exactly what he needed. Amidst the chaos of new discoveries, his closeness to Charlie unlocks his heart and mind.
With supportive family and friends, Charlie lives as his true self. His past comes stumbling into his life in the shape of a muscled, cute-as-a-cupcake guy who shakes the foundation of the walls around Charlie’s heart.
The new feelings threaten to jeopardize their friendship after they just got it back.
A story of a rekindled friendship, a bi-awkening, opposites attract, and trans joy.
A standalone MM book (with a trans man) from multi-author, shared world Diner Days series.
Striking a Chord at Randy’s is a low angst M/M opposites attract romance between a trans male music lover and a lost boy about to have an awakening.
Multi-author series info: Love beyond the binary: serving up low angst trans romances at Randy’s Diner.
Fragile as Glass by Pat Henshaw is a wonderful, slightly mystical romance in JMS Books LLC’s Gay Advent Calendar this year.
Henshaw does such an excellent job in creating the character of glass artist Ashton Snell, complete with compelling history that explores and helps the reader really understand him, his personality, including his disability, and the slightly magical gift that he inherited from his grandfather. Ashton is so well written that he and this narrative need a longer story to completely dive into all the many elements and characters this author has created here.
The other main character is singer/rock star/songwriter Hunter who just isn’t as layered a character but has the ability to grow into something special. He’s intriguing but there’s so much to Ashton that anyone would be a lesser individual with this story. There’s not enough pages for equal development.
He comes with a good backstory, two side characters ( a bodyguard and his boyfriend , a chef) that I also wanted more of. Especially Gil, that bodyguard, because in a tv show or on stage, he’s what’s called a “scene stealer”. He’s that dynamic.
There’s also something fascinating going on, plot wise, that Henshaw pulls together here. After giving us an idea of the intriguing place where Ashton lives, a home turned compound that his grandfather started and has filled with artists. Ashton has two long time friends,fellow artists, and the author begins a storyline about a changing new dynamic between them, not a welcome one.
It’s a great plot. But that’s not what the story is about, and it has nowhere to go. It’s dropped. But I certainly was glued to this aspect of the story and it’s still there in my mind, going back over what the author might have done with more pages to really explore this aspect of Ashton’s life.
The romance between Ashton and Hunter is magical, quick, with a dramatic moment and then a sweet ending. That seems a bit rushed. But that is my preference for longer stories in general and this is in keeping with the spirit of the story.
Fragile as Glass by Pat Henshaw is a lovely story. It’s got so many interesting elements and well done characters that I wish it was twice its length or a prequel for more of this universe to come.
It’s another win for this author and the delightful press, JMS Books LLC. Check them out!
A scrying stone says after his gift is destroyed, a famous songwriter will fall in love. Will the stone’s prediction come true?
Glass artist Ashton Snell is delighted when superstar singer/songwriter Hunter Davidson walks into his shop looking for a gift for a friend. On a whim Ashton looks through a scrying glass to see what’s in store for Hunter in the future. The stone shows a vision of the glass unicorn gift shattering and Hunter falling in love. Should Ashton tell Hunter what he’s seen?
Before he can decide, Hunter asks him to lunch. Ashton agrees although he’s surprised someone as celebrated as Hunter would want to be seen with him. Despite living with it since birth, Ashton is still self-conscious about his limp. Hunter, however, doesn’t seem to notice it.
Could their lunch be the beginning of a lasting friendship? Or will their attraction turn into something more?
On Circus Lane by Lily Morton is another one of this author’s fantastic heartwarming Christmas stories. The second novel, Merry Measure, was released first in December 2020, and is the hilarious holiday story of Arlo Wright, the younger brother. And I love it.
But it had been several years since I’d read it so I approached On Circus Lane with fresh eyes and as though the characters were completely new to me. After a reread, I think this is the best way to go into the book because Bee and Tom Wright were secondary characters in Merry Measure and I love their personalities and characters so much more here .
As they roam around the snow covered streets of Edinburgh, peering into the tiny alleyways and decorated shops that Morton vividly describes, we become deeply connected to this complicated marvelous couple. As with all her books, Morton has visited and traveled the same pathways that her characters take so the incredible sights and experiences of their journey come alive through the author’s own eyes as her imagination. It’s so beautifully written and charming.
Layered into the charming holiday landscape are the perfectly executed characters of Bee Bannister and Tom Wright. Bee is that slowly unfolding gift of hidden depths, adolescence painful secrets, and unimaginable intelligence wrapped up in a lovely quirky man who trusts few and has an unlimited appetite for knowledge. I adore him . Tom Wright, with his unusual family background and his parents romantic love story, is the perfect companion and character whose own journey to love is one that fits in so beautifully that the reader is along with them emotionally each step forward.
Secondary characters like Sal and Ivy, Frank and awful boyfriend Stephen are just as well crafted, full of energy and personality. We love them, root for them, and even dislike one of them ,it’s a complete cast of recognizable people that add to a warmhearted romance full of the sights and atmosphere of the holiday season in Edinburgh.
In short, a fabulous story and a must read this year.
The first time Bee Bannister met Tom Wright, he couldn’t stand him.
Everything about the man aggravated him—his perfect hair and body, his confident arrogance, and the way he looked straight through Bee.
Which is why it’s such an unpleasant shock to find that he’ll be sharing space with him while on a Christmas holiday with friends in Scotland.
However, as the days fly by and snowy Edinburgh begins to work its magic on him, Bee discovers that sometimes first impressions can be very misleading. Tom is kind and funny, and somehow, rather than looking through Bee, he actually sees and likes all of him.
The two men grow closer, but will Bee follow his heart or his head when the holiday ends? And can relationships that start so badly ever lead to love?
From bestselling author Lily Morton comes a festive romantic comedy about enemies to lovers and the magic of Christmas.
This is the first book in the Wright Brothers series.
Amy Aislin is another terrific author whose ability to write people in thoughtful adult relationships has been a huge factor in why I love her stories so. Christmas Beau features many of the wonderful Amy Aislin elements of look for in her books and make them a must read.
The characters are multifaceted, facing realistic challenges, dealing with them by communicating to each other, while still respecting their own emotional state or the history behind some of them. This is grownup adult behavior being treated as such. And I love that in a story. No over the top drama but serious conversations about the challenges ahead or the obstacles currently being faced.
Aislin’s characters and narrative smacks of realism while still being hilariously funny at times. Yes, I was giggling so hard at how socially awkward single dad Scott Jersey becomes when faced with his son’s hockey coach, Hank Beaufort.
Hank is one of the four Beaufort brothers, but the only one who didn’t make it to the NHL, something his brothers tease him brutally for. Now as he’s building up the hockey program for young players in Christmas Falls , he’s struggling with his plans for going forward. Hank, with the hockey history and surroundings, is a notable Aislin character.
Scott Jersey, single father, of a hockey playing 12 year old son, has his old problems. He’s just been fired from his law firm, living on his savings, and seeking a new direction for himself. Plus crushing on his son’s coach.
Scott is both vulnerable, hilarious in his ineptitude when it comes to dealing with Hank, a realistic dad, and a good man. He’s the character a reader immediately relates to, along with his son.
There’s several other family components that add in complexity to the story, each being layered into the narrative in believable ways. And having the characters dealing with each one in ways that are equally satisfying.
I just loved this book. There’s no rush into an instant love. No immediate moving in together. Instead we get a couple that’s thoughtful, moving, and respectful of each other’s feelings and lives. Building a relationship that’s solid.
What a fantastic gift.
Highly recommend this book and author if you’re not already familiar with her.
Cover art by Morningstar Ashley Designs
And check out all the books in the Christmas Falls series, both 1 and 2.
Christmas Falls, Season 2:
The Snuggle is Real by DJ Jamison Flake It til You Make It by Beth Bolden ❤️
12 Dates of Christmas by Brigham Vaughn
Here Comes Santa Paws by Lee Blair
Under the Mistle-Foe by Rye Cox
❤️Christmas Beau by Amy Aislin
❤️No Business Like Snow Business by J.A. Rock & Lisa Henry
Frost Impressions by Kelly Fox
Promise Yule Be Mine by Rhys Everly Mingle All The Way by Hayden Hall
Christmas Falls, Season 1:
Grinch Kisses by DJ Jamison Snowbody Loves You by Jacki James Get Frosted by Amy Aislin
Oh, he looks like he has it all together, but the reality is that he’s freshly retired from an unimpressive minor hockey career, and the ink is barely dry on his equally unimpressive second divorce. Now he’s the hockey director at the community center in a small town that treats Christmas like Santa Claus is real, and he’s not sure his new career is any more impressive than the last. As the new guy in town, he’d be lonely as hell if it weren’t for his dogs.
The one spot of brightness?
Scott Jersey, the adorably awkward single dad who brings his son to practice every week.
Hank’s not interested in a new relationship so soon after the disaster of the last one, but when doggy play dates lead to real dates, will he be able to set aside his reservations to be someone’s Christmas beau after all?
Christmas Falls: Season 2 revisits a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie. It’s a multi-author M/M romance series.
Under the Mistle-tome by Sammi Cee is the third book I’ve read in the multi-author Christmas Falls series and it’s my favorite one so far.
A best friends to lovers story, here the best friend from childhood is returning to Christmas Falls after a long separation and with an adorable daughter in tow.
Trevor’s cold family life that he and his young daughter, Holly, are leaving behind is sharply contrasted with the warmth and joyful welcome that awaits them at the familiar bookstore run by Trey and his heart warming family. Cee makes that bookstore, Season’s Readings, with its fun kids story times run by Eddie, hustling crowds of book loving people, and general air of welcoming spirit a place of reality for the reader. It grounds us and all the characters immediately.
It’s a place where the men can start their own journey back together as Trevor’s adorable little Holly adjusts to her new home, stealing hearts and scenes left and right.
Through Holly, the reader gets to view Christmas Falls as we should see it! Christmas Falls parades, the magical world of the town spreads out before Trevor and Holly as she sees it for the first time and Trevor remembers why he loves it so and needed to return. And Trey, see his town again and appreciates how special it is again.
This entire story is just a reminder of the importance of the community and spirit of the holiday season, whether it’s a large town celebration or a family coming together, home again in heart and place. Such a joy to read in every aspect.
If I had a quibble, it was the quick resolution for the manner Trevor was treated, and his daughter was treated by his parents . There was a later disclosure about her behavior but it did nothing to assuage the lack of full support from his father or the lack of apologies from either for what was really long term damaging behavior. If this was going to be an important element, then it needs just as thorough and satisfying ending.
Otherwise, a fantastic holiday story, with beautifully rendered scenes and great characters. I love it.
Christmas Falls:
✓ Get Frosted by Amy Aislin
◦ Grinch Kisses by DJ Jamison
◦ Snowbody Loves Me by Jacki James
✓ Silent Knight by Beth Bolden
✓ Under the Mistle-tome by Sammi Cee
◦ Clausing a Scene by Casey Cox
◦ No Elfing Way by Hayden Hall
◦ Ready, Set, Glow by Rye Cox
◦ Scrooge You! by Brigham Vaughn
“Christmas Falls is a multi-author M/ M romance series set in a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie.”
Hoping to give his young daughter, Holly, the joyful childhood he had, Trevor moves back to the one place he’s always considered home—Christmas Falls.
As happy as he is to be back in the festive atmosphere of the small charming town, it’s nothing compared to how excited he is to spend time with his best friend, Trey.
Taking over the family bookstore in the town he grew up in was all Trey had ever wanted. Until Trevor walked back into his life, proving his childhood crush had never completely faded.
And Trevor’s daughter? Well, the adorable girl quickly claims a piece of Trey’s heart.
With the help of a little holiday magic, these two men and one very determined little girl may get exactly what they need—a family.
Christmas Falls is a multi-author M/M romance series set in a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie.
Brigham Vaughn brings us another terrific heartwarming holiday romance with 12 Dates of Christmas, a novel in the multi-author series, Christmas Falls: Season 2.
One of the best holiday series, now in its second season, the setting is a town dedicated exclusively to Christmas, 12 months of the year, Christmas Falls. Complete with a charming map of the town, outlying areas (few as they are), and the Christmas shops with the holiday punny names that we’ve become so familiar through so many stories and characters.
Widower Nick Morgan, who’s been mentioned in previous books, is Christmas Falls matchmaker. He wants everyone to experience the love and joy he had in his marriage with his wife before she died, so he’s made it his mission to help others find their match.
But to take that business online he needs a better website. And someone who has the ability to create one. That’s website developer Leo Fenner (best friend to Hayden ) who has recently relocated to Christmas Falls having fallen under its charms and wanting a change.
These are two completely sweet people that Vaughn has created for the story and watching each of them grow together, working with each other, and through a couple of different struggles is low key lovely and heartwarming.
The reader, if they are following along in the series, may recognize some scenes from other stories but now from their perspectives. A element I really enjoy.
And the aspect of Nick’s story, from realizing that he has already been bisexual to the journey of acceptance that’s it’s time to move forward past grief to a new chapter and relationship is believable. Even his missteps and fear all feels true to heart.
As does the gentle reminders and ways Leo both protects himself yet leaves the path open for them both.
Did I want a little more of them at the end? Certainly but 12 Dates of Christmas (Christmas Falls: Season 2 #3) by Brigham Vaughn is a holiday heartwarmer. Christmas Falls lights up my holiday reading and this is just one more reason why.
Another win!
Cover art by Morningstar Ashley Designs
And check out all the books in the Christmas Falls series, both 1 and 2.
Christmas Falls, Season 2:
The Snuggle is Real by DJ Jamison Flake It til You Make It by Beth Bolden ❤️
12 Dates of Christmas by Brigham Vaughn
Here Comes Santa Paws by Lee Blair
Under the Mistle-Foe by Rye Cox Christmas Beau by Amy Aislin
❤️No Business Like Snow Business by J.A. Rock & Lisa Henry
Frost Impressions by Kelly Fox
Promise Yule Be Mine by Rhys Everly Mingle All The Way by Hayden Hall
Christmas Falls, Season 1:
Grinch Kisses by DJ Jamison Snowbody Loves You by Jacki James Get Frosted by Amy Aislin
Charmed by the small town, and weary of the big city dating scene, Leo moved to Christmas Falls in hopes of finding love like his college friend, Hayden.
Nick Morgan had the love of his life and lost her, but is determined to help others find their happily ever after with his matchmaking service.
His website needs work though, and Leo is just the man for the job.
The web developer signs up for Nick’s matchmaking service to get a feel for what the process is like, all while secretly hoping it’ll bring him the love of his dreams.
But as Nick and Leo work together, the sparks between them are impossible to ignore.
Too bad there’s a few little problems.
For one, Nick’s never fallen for a man before. And, oh yeah—those dates he’s planning for Leo? They’re supposed to be with other guys …
Christmas Falls: Season 2 revisits a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie. It’s a multi-author M/M romance series.
Publisher: Two Peninsulas Press (November 19, 2024)
Immediately upon opening the book, I love this format, the story is divided into the four equinoxes of the year, starting with Spring. It’s a wonderful method of showing progression of the characters’ relationships and developments in their lives while folding in meaningful celebrations of the year.
I also had to go for tissues more often than expected, not knowing fully about the history of USMC vet Luther Sorenson, the unit he’d served in and the full story of the losses that followed him home. It’s so well written, soft in details, a wealth of sparsely communicated pain, loss , and love for a career and those who were unable to make it out. Including his K9 partner.
The foster aspect of Luther is beautifully captured. From Luther’s skittish memories to his fabulous trans sister from the same system, Violet, who is the core member of his family, and his new foster 8 yr old daughter, Mila, each is a remarkable factor in this story. Merrill has crafted in each one a memorable quiet gem. Through subtle character building, layers of background and small details combined with a nuanced personality that’s allowed development throughout the storyline, we’re able to see the characters grow, stumbling, achieving new milestones, and getting them into the new paths.
That includes former Air Force soldier Doug Cross, a security coder now in business for himself. Part singer, goth artist, and a person helping out his friends with their dog rescue, it’s at a Bay city fair where adjoining booths , the rescue team and Luther’s artwork, force a meeting.
From there, from Equinox to equinox, a relationship or really, an interlocking group of relationships are slowly being formed. There’s meaningful adjustments, adult communication, necessary talks about their histories and his health, his daughter. Everything is just as important and real. The fears and the challenges. The surprises and the heartwarming wins.
It’s watching Mila go from a fearful 8 year old at the beginning to a young girl so happy and excited in her heart at the end. The families formed, standing together in the firelight of that Solstice fire. More tissues.
Yes , there’s a furry one too. I really wanted more of him.
In fact this entire book is so great, so moving, and magnetic in its emotional appeal that I wanted to explore more of each Equinox stage. Dive deeper in how the changes occurred that lead to the beginning of the next Equinox stage.
My hope is the line at the end where there’s a promise of more to come.
I’ll be there to see what happens.
A beautiful story, outstanding work, a definite recommendation.
Cover design by Kelly York, love this cover so much
Once Upon a Holiday series – 8 books:
Once Upon a Second Chance by Davidson King
Once Upon A Mistletoe Kiss by Sammi Cee
Once Upon a Holiday Vacation by Annabella Michaels
From the author of the award-winning novel You Can Do Magic: Carnival of Mysteries and Publishers Weekly’s BookLife quarterfinalist Earthquake Ethan comes a heartwarming holiday tale of found family and sacrifice. Two wildly opposite veterans connect over a shared love of art, rescue dogs, and a very special foster child.
Settling in the Bay Area after his stint in the Air Force, Doug Cross’s new titles include business owner and member of a goth-punk band. And, apparently, professional do-gooder. When his housemate needs funds for her dog rescue, he willingly whips up goth-inspired dogwear to sell at a local craft fair. He gets a rather cool reception after offering a helping hand to their booth neighbor, however…which is a shame, because the bearded artist is the first man to turn Doug’s head in a while.
Marine vet and single foster dad Luther Sorenson is struggling to keep his family afloat—and himself on his feet, literally. He’s selling his paintings at the fair when his body betrays him, and he’s forced to ask for help from the goth guy next door. Doug made a humiliating experience seem easy and innocuous, and despite their differing opinions on the military…Luther can’t stop thinking about the charming man. His killer makeup skills and the way he rocks a kilt aren’t helping.
The men embark on a tentative relationship, but as the seasons change, so do their circumstances. Navigating a new relationship is hard enough. Add in an adorable foster daughter, a new job, a business emergency, and a grumpy dog…and the two vets/artists will have to get creative if they want to carve out time for love.
Once Upon A Goth Dog Solstice is a part of the multi-author series Once Upon a Holiday Story. Each book can be read as a standalone and in any order. What links these books together is The Hook’s Book Nook Traveling Library, a library on wheels owned by two old ladies in love.
Publisher: Celie Bay Publications LLC; 1st edition (December 10, 2024)
The Pairing is one of my top two books of the year. A absolute masterpiece of a book, a gastronomical tale and a oenophile’s dream journey that’s a bisexual and nonbinary romance of rediscovery and enduring love set upon the landscape of some of Europe’s most beautiful and ancient cultural heritage sites and tiny restaurants.
There really aren’t enough pages or words to describe how much I love this.
Just be prepared to be hungry, and thirsty and , frankly feeling like you need something, want something, because you’re not eating, drinking, being there smelling the aromas, luxuriating in the heat or atmosphere of any of the scenes or moments the characters have pulled you into. It’s a sensory experience, an overload of energy and emotional experience on so many levels. That’s how vivid the writing, how gloriously beautiful the characters and how deeply their story envelopes you into the journey.
At its most basic, it’s a story of two childhood friends who loved each other. Became lovers for two years, parted angrily on an airplane ride to London, on their way to a special food and wine vacation. It was supposed to be a start of many things together but it was an end.
Four years later, the two people unexpectedly use the vouchers for that same vacation and see each other once again.
It sounds simple but it’s anything but.
Author Casey McQuiston brings the reader into the lives of longtime friends and now exes, Theo Flowerday, assistant sommelier and
Kit Fairfield , pastry chef, in an imaginative format. Half the book belongs to the perspective of Theo, a California native and assistant sommelier who has finally decided to move on from the past, take the vacation they had planned to go on, and put an end to a failed relationship they have never fully recovered from. We see the beginning, the end. And then the entire new journey four years later from Theo’s perspective.
At midpoint, at a certain time in the vacation and this couple’s renewed relationship, McQuiston switches the narrative over to Kit, appropriately, where we follow the same path. First their beginning. The end . And then his perspective on how they reconnected and what the years have done to them, the changes, as well as the misunderstandings and mistakes made. By both.
Theo is at first described as bisexual but it’s no surprise to the reader that part of the conversation and story is Theo’s acceptance , or more embracing their identity as a nonbinary person. Kit , throughout the book, is a clearly bisexual man who has a deep sense of self and the enjoyment of sex.
Sex, along with wine, food, art and the landscapes, is as much a part of the story as the characters. Theo and Kit have sex, and not just with each other. For those uncomfortable with this aspect of the story or the characters, remember they aren’t in a romance at the time and Europe looks at relationships differently in some ways. Plus vacation romances are, as they say, a thing. It all plays out sensually and believably true to heart.
I fell into the story, the lives of the characters, and the incredible journey the author takes us on, a map having been provided at the beginning of the book should the reader want to follow along.
I saw places where I’d visited through a new standpoint, had fresh views on artists and history tossed around that had me thinking and reaching for my own old references and notes. And then submerging myself in this cornucopia of narrative sensual characters, fully developed elements and places that can’t be appreciated in one reading.
I might need to book myself a vacation.
I’m highly recommending this as one of my top two books of the year. A narrative masterpiece of the senses.
LIMITED FIRST PRINT RUN–featuring sprayed edges with a stenciled script design. Only available for a limited time and while supplies last.
In #1 New York Times bestselling author Casey McQuiston’s latest romantic comedy, two bisexual exes accidentally book the same European food and wine tour and challenge each other to a hookup competition to prove they’re over each other―except they’re definitely not.
Theo and Kit have been a lot of things: childhood best friends, crushes, in love, and now estranged exes. After a brutal breakup on the transatlantic flight to their dream European food and wine tour, they exited each other’s lives once and for all.
Time apart has done them good. Theo has found confidence as a hustling bartender by night and aspiring sommelier by day, with a long roster of casual lovers. Kit, who never returned to America, graduated as the reigning sex god of his pastry school class and now bakes at one of the finest restaurants in Paris. Sure, nothing really compares to what they had, and life stretches out long and lonely ahead of them, but―yeah. It’s in the past.
All that remains is the unused voucher for the European tour that never happened, good for 48 months after its original date and about to expire. Four years later, it seems like a great idea to finally take the trip. Solo. Separately.
It’s not until they board the tour bus that they discover they’ve both accidentally had the exact same idea, and now they’re trapped with each other for three weeks of stunning views, luscious flavors, and the most romantic cities of France, Spain, and Italy. It’s fine. There’s nothing left between them. So much nothing that, when Theo suggests a friendly wager to see who can sleep with their hot Italian tour guide first, Kit is totally game. And why stop there? Why not a full-on European hookup competition?
But sometimes a taste of everything only makes you crave what you can’t have.
“The summer’s best romance novel.” – Rolling Stone
“Spicy, sexy and absolutely delicious.” – People
“Move over ‘hot girl summer’ – ‘hot bisexual summer’ is ready for its moment and Casey McQuiston’s new novel The Pairing is here to usher it in.” – USA Today
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 