Rating: 4.75🌈

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 

Once Upon a Lullaby Lane by K York

Once Upon a Christmas Con by Skylar M Cates

Once Upon A Christmas Song by Mary Calmes

Once Upon a Yuletide Romance by RJ Peterson

Once Upon A Goth Dog Solstice by R L Merrill 

Buy link

        Once Upon A Goth Dog Solstice: A Crafty Tale

Blurb 

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)
• Publication date: December 10, 2024
• Language: English
• Print length: 154 pages