Tag: LGBTGIA holiday romance

Review: Sleigh It Ain’t So (The Kings: A Treemendous Christmas Book 2) by Charlie Cochet

Rating: 4.5 🌈

Sleigh It Ain’t So, the second short story in Cochet’s A Treemendous Christmas series, is focusing primarily on a favorite character of mine, Fitz Harlow. Fitz, one of the Boyfriend Collective, is a fabulous character, along with his standard poodle, Duchess, who goes everywhere with him and his boyfriend, Jack, one of the Four Kings Security Agency. It’s their relationship and Jack’s reaction to the traumatic events that’s still effecting their lives that has everyone concerned.

This is a short tale that still pursues that overall arc themes of saving the town of Winterhaven and its famous Christmas celebration, but Cochet is beautifully threading through multiple storylines, like Fitz and Jack’s , to both highlight the couple and still illustrate how much they love each other and fit that into the overall plot and town’s character.

It’s the couple that Fitz was working on bringing together, the various buildings that need repairing, the Christmas lights and townspeople with their own stories and holiday names. Cochet is merrily weaving it all together into a single story and overall narrative that satisfies our need for romance and a sleigh full of the Christmas spirit. With adorable dogs even.

And it looks like they might be the main stars of the next installment, Home for the Howlidays! I’m thoroughly enjoying this series and this was just another great story in a small package.

I’m highly recommending it.

THE KINGS: A TREEMENDOUS CHRISTMAS

✓ Not So Silent Night #1

✓ Sleigh It Ain’t So #2

◦ Home for the Howlidays #3

◦ Rebel Without a Claus #4

Buy Link:

Sleigh It Ain’t So (The Kings: A Treemendous Christmas Book 2)

Blurb:

Fitz Harlow has the idyllic life he always dreamed of. With the fashion industry a distant memory, he now revels in the joy of running his own salon. In addition to his flourishing career, Fitz has found the love of his life, Jack, and inherited a colorful family of former Green Berets and their loving partners. And who could forget his adorable poodle princess, Duchess? But life isn’t all sprinkles and gingerbread. As Jack becomes consumed by his work, cracks appear in their fairy-tale love story.

When their family is whisked away to the charming town of Winterhaven for the holiday season, Fitz eagerly embraces the festive merriment. Amidst the delightful matchmaking chaos and mischievous antics, can the enchantment of Christmas in Winterhaven work its magic to help Fitz and Jack rediscover the spark that first ignited their love?

• Publication date: December 5, 2023

• Print length: 96 pages

Welcome to the Four Kings Security Universe! The current reading order for the universe is as follows:

FOUR KINGS SECURITY UNIVERSE

“STANDALONES

◦ Beware of Geeks Bearing Gifts-Standalone (Spencer and Quinn. Quinn is Ace and Lucky’s cousin.) Can be read any time before In the Cards.

FOUR KINGS SECURITY

✓ Love in Spades-Book 1 (Ace and Colton)

✓ Ante Up-Book 1.5 (Seth and Kit) Free short story

◦ Be Still My Heart-Book 2 (Red and Laz)

✓ Join the Club-Book 3 (Lucky and Mason)

✓ Diamond in the Rough-Book 4 (King and Leo)

◦ In the Cards-Book 4.5 (Spencer and Quinn’s wedding.)

◦ FOUR KINGS SECURITY Boxed Set includes all 4 main Four Kings Security novels: Love in Spades, Be Still My Heart, Join the Club, and Diamond in the Rough.

BLACK OPS: OPERATION ORION’S BELT

◦ Kept in the Dark-Book 1 (Standalone series can be read anytime)

THE KINGS: WILD CARDS

◦ Stacking the Deck-Book 1 (Jack and Fitz).

◦ Raising the Ante-Book 2 (Frank and Joshua)

◦ Sleight of Hand-Book 3 (Joker and Gio)

◦ THE KINGS: WILD CARDS BOXED SET Boxed Set includes all 3: The Kings: Wild Cards books: Stacking the Deck, Raising the Ante, Sleight of Hand, and bonus story In the Cards.

RUNAWAY GROOMS SERIES

◦ Aisle Be There

◦ To Have and Witthold

THE KINGS: ROYAL FLUSH

◦ Dealing Him In

◦ Calling His Bluff

THE KINGS: A TREEMENDOUS CHRISTMAS

✓ Not So Silent Night

✓ Sleigh It Ain’t So

◦ Home for the Howlidays

◦ Rebel Without a Claus

Review: Holiday Crush: MM Small Town/Hockey Romance (The Elmwood Stories Book 3) by Lane Hayes

Rating: 4.5🌈

And it’s back to Elmwood, one of my favorite places to visit for charm and romance. Now it’s Ivan, of Rise and Grind coffee shop and the questionable latte art, and Court Henderson’s, late of a minor Charleston hockey league team, time for love and HEA.

Court’s come home after being cut from his minor league team. He’s a year away from his intended retirement date and he’s got no idea what he’s doing going forward. Lane Hayes is so excellent in getting into the muddled mindset of someone like Court, a player who has only known hockey, but hasn’t been able to leverage his talent to make the NHL so no one is calling now he’s been cut.

Ivan, co-owner of Rise and Grind, has had an 11 year old crush on the town’s golden boy, one that started in kindergarten.

Ivan, all clothed in black and shiny with Christmas spirit, is such a beautiful character. Vulnerable, introverted, yet brave enough to accept who he is and embrace his own style and identity. Hayes portrays him so vividly that his personality becomes an integral part of the town and force for those around him.

Court’s confusion and indecisiveness are believable, especially when he’s talking about his future and lack of planning to Ivan. When they’re slowly reconnecting and discovering how much they like each other’s company, it’s such a wonderful journey to share.

There are other side storylines that give depth and insight into the lives of the characters and Elmswood. These elements are just as interesting and often emotionally important as the main ones they support.

I really wanted a little piece of that Mighty Mites on ice practice chaos. So cute!

This is a heartwarming story, a holiday hockey romance full of the Christmas spirit and HEA joy. It’s one that I’m happy to recommend as well as the entire series. Can’t wait for the next one to come.

The Elmwood Stories:

✓ You, Again #1

✓ Next Season #2

✓ Holiday Crush #3

◦ Thin Ice #4 – tbd 2024

Buy Link:

Holiday Crush: MM Small Town/Hockey Romance (The Elmwood Stories Book 3)

Blurb:

The hockey has-been, the barista, and some holiday magic…

Court

Cut from the team, fired my agent…now what?

This can’t be it for me. Unfortunately, the phone isn’t ringing. My best bet is to head home for the holidays and regroup.

Problem: I don’t know what to do with myself. Helping out at the rink might be my ticket out of here, but nothing is happening fast enough. And then there’s Ivan. No, no, it’s not what you think. We went to school together. We’re acquaintance-friends…nothing more.

But you know, I like him. A lot. He’s funny and relentlessly upbeat. I’m a better person when I’m with him—the kind who volunteers to deck the halls and wrap garland on lampposts and—

Whoa. What’s happening here?

Ivan

I love the holidays! But running the coffee shop on my own during the busiest season of the year is going to be a challenge. And the sudden appearance of my former crush is all kinds of distracting.

See, I spent my formative years mooning over Court Henderson, our high school’s hockey phenom, even though he was out of my league. Thankfully, I grew up and left the silly remnants of my youth behind. Or did I?

Grown-up Court is full of surprises, and under his gruff yet extremely fine exterior, he’s a good soul with a huge heart. He’s charming, sweet, handsome, and— Uh-oh.

My crush is back. Just in time for the holidays…

Holiday Crush is an MM bisexual, small town romance featuring a renewed ancient crush, some mistletoe latte art, and a little seasonal magic.

• Publication date: December 10, 2023

• Print length: 190 pages

Review: Not So Silent Night (The Kings: A Treemendous Christmas Book 1) by Charlie Cochet

Rating: 4.5🌈

It took me a while to remember who all the couples were in Charlie Cochet’s Not So Silent Night, the first part of her The Kings: A Treemendous Christmas series. But once I jumped into the chaos that’s the found family of the Four Kings Security family and their partners/

husbands known as the Boyfriend Collective, including three dogs, it all quickly came back together. I soon remembered how much I enjoyed the couples and this wild, action packed romantic universe Cochet has created around them.

It’s Christmas and from the perspective of billionaire Colton as he surveys his home he shares with husband Ace, as the group tries to pull together the perfect holiday decorations. It’s obvious that something extra special is needed as it’s just not happening as he’d hoped.

It’s a quickly booked month long holiday to the perfect Christmas getaway, Winterhaven. Which means nothing will go off as anticipated to the delight of the reader and amazement of everyone else involved.

Winterhaven is a Christmas town in need of some miracles, some of which can be supplied by the newly arrived Four Kings security group and the Boyfriend Collective who set out to make things happy and bright!

This is a joyful and sexy read, full of the Christmas spirit, for Colton and Ace, and the other couples joining in the help each other and the town celebrate Christmas. It’s got dogs romping through snow, matchmaking, snappy dialogue, and sexy moments between couples. Just everything we need and love about the series.

I’m hurrying over to the next one to see how the rescue is going. This is a definite recommendation for fans of the series and holiday reading.

THE KINGS: A TREEMENDOUS CHRISTMAS

✓ Not So Silent Night #1

◦ Sleigh It Ain’t So #2

◦ Home for the Howlidays #3

◦ Rebel Without a Claus #4

Buy Link:

Not So Silent Night (The Kings: A Treemendous Christmas Book 1)

Blurb:

Escape to a Winter Wonderland with CEO and billionaire Colton Connolly as he embarks on a shenanigan-filled journey in search of the idyllic white Christmas he’s always craved. Inspired by the enchantment of his favorite holiday movies, Colton surprises his beloved husband and their found family with a trip to the captivating mountain town of Winterhaven.

However, beneath the twinkling lights, unexpected trouble awaits. A miscommunication leaves the town in dire straits, threatening to steal away the magic of Christmas. Determined to save the day, Colton rallies his family, ready to overcome any obstacle and ensure that Christmas in Winterhaven is nothing short of perfect.

Join Colton, Ace, and the Four Kings Security family as they embark on a quest to rescue Winterhaven from its frosty woes. Will they succeed in delivering the most unforgettable Christmas imaginable, or will this charming town lose its cherished festivities forever?

* This holiday series is a spin-off from the Four Kings Security Universe. It’s recommended that you read the Four Kings Security series, as well as The Kings: Wild Cards series before reading this series as these are established characters who have previously had their own books. The shenanigans begin with Love in Spades, Four Kings Security, Book 1 (Colton and Ace’s book).

Welcome to the Four Kings Security Universe! The current reading order for the universe is as follows:

FOUR KINGS SECURITY UNIVERSE

“STANDALONES

◦ Beware of Geeks Bearing Gifts-Standalone (Spencer and Quinn. Quinn is Ace and Lucky’s cousin.) Can be read any time before In the Cards.

FOUR KINGS SECURITY

✓ Love in Spades-Book 1 (Ace and Colton)

✓ Ante Up-Book 1.5 (Seth and Kit) Free short story

◦ Be Still My Heart-Book 2 (Red and Laz)

✓ Join the Club-Book 3 (Lucky and Mason)

✓ Diamond in the Rough-Book 4 (King and Leo)

◦ In the Cards-Book 4.5 (Spencer and Quinn’s wedding.)

◦ FOUR KINGS SECURITY Boxed Set includes all 4 main Four Kings Security novels: Love in Spades, Be Still My Heart, Join the Club, and Diamond in the Rough.

BLACK OPS: OPERATION ORION’S BELT

◦ Kept in the Dark-Book 1 (Standalone series can be read anytime)

THE KINGS: WILD CARDS

◦ Stacking the Deck-Book 1 (Jack and Fitz).

◦ Raising the Ante-Book 2 (Frank and Joshua)

◦ Sleight of Hand-Book 3 (Joker and Gio)

◦ THE KINGS: WILD CARDS BOXED SET Boxed Set includes all 3: The Kings: Wild Cards books: Stacking the Deck, Raising the Ante, Sleight of Hand, and bonus story In the Cards.

RUNAWAY GROOMS SERIES

◦ Aisle Be There

◦ To Have and Witthold

THE KINGS: ROYAL FLUSH

◦ Dealing Him In

◦ Calling His Bluff

THE KINGS: A TREEMENDOUS CHRISTMAS

✓ Not So Silent Night

✓ Sleigh It Ain’t So

◦ Home for the Howlidays

◦ Rebel Without a Claus

Review: Uriel: Yule Lads Book Two by Macy Blake

Rating: 5🌈

Frosted Gingersnaps! Macy Blake outdid herself! Uriel: Yule Lads Book Two by Macy Blake is fabulous, just another fabulous fantasy Christmas read.

I loved last year’s Sprites finding their mates and reclaiming their magic in Mistletoe Falls but Macy Blake is being extra spicy with her Yule Lads!

The Yule Lads are that tiny bit of naughty to balance out the outstanding “nice” of the Sprites, the naughty falling more to playful pranks than anything else, with a twinkle in their eyes. Definitely up to “snow good”.

But with Uriel, Blake has fun not only with the pranks but with naughty book titles (Uriel owns Ornamentary Books and More). So we get hilarious Riding Rudolf, amongst others, that are shared with fellow book lover, Joe Watson. Joe, who loves his books, also runs the Snowda Shoppe, dispensing seasonal coffees and treats alike. But unlike the Yule Lads, Joe is very human with a human problem. One that comes to town.

Blake brings Uriel and his Joe together in a funny, magical way. It’s got puns galore, a mutual love of books and a slightly naughty perspective on things. Also fabulously , there’s red sparkles of magic coating everything as Uriel realizes he’s found himself a mate in Joe and got his magic back.

This is such a heartwarming romance and punny path to a magical HEA that’s it’s really going to keep a smile on the reader’s face and make them feel like they’re part of the whole Mistletoe Falls Christmas magic.

I hope Blake keeps this going past the Yule Lads, it’s a fantastic place to keep coming home to at Christmas time.

Love the covers.

Highly recommended.

Yule Lads:

✓ York #1

✓ Uriel #2

◦ Leif #3 TBD

◦ Edgar #4

Buy Link :

Uriel: Yule Lads Book Two

Blurb:

His holiday is about to go off-book…

Uriel Lad is single all the way. He enjoys his quiet life in the small town of Mistletoe Falls, running Ornamentary Books and More. This holiday, though, Uriel’s Yule Lad magic is back, which means making mischief throughout the season. It should be a perfect Christmas, until his new friend Joe begs for help with a problem.

Joe Watson loves his new life in the quaint little holiday town he’s come to call home. His happiness is threatened when his ex-boyfriend shows up unexpectedly. In a panic, Joe claims that his closest friend in Mistletoe Falls is his boyfriend—his fake boyfriend who has snow interest in love or romance.

Uriel’s magic is causing havoc in his life, and his pretend relationship with Joe is complicating matters even further. He’ll have to use every trick in the book to save his heart and make sure Joe gets the happily ever after he’s always wanted.

If you love fake boyfriends, magical mischief, and friends to lovers, you’ll want lots myrrh of this sweet holiday romance

Review: Catered All the Way by Annabeth Albert

Rating: 4 🌈

Catered All the Way by Annabeth Albert is this author’s annual Christmas story and it’s a heartwarmer!

Albert writes to two of her strengths, the military and gaming community, which are combined in Atlas Orion and Zebediah Seasons. They are the reason to read this book.

The main characters are Atlas, a Navy SEAL support Chief , and Zeb, a gamer who’s a successful streamer and influencer, able to turn his passion into a business.

The location is Kringle’s Crossing, the same town from The Geek Who Saved Christmas, and centers around the Seasons family store and drama. Atlas is the best friend of Zeb’s older brother, Gabe, and was a fixture at the Seasons house growing up due to his parental dysfunction.

It’s a two person perspective, with a bi-awakening and a multiple plot lines about the struggling family and their dynamics . Some of these, like everyone’s love and concern for Gabe’s expectant wife are wonderful. We see everyone function as a loving unit. But other aspects that are just as important got a limited amount of attention to the detriment of the narrative imo. That happens when the story is jam packed with characters with issues and layered with multiple elements.

Atlas is a terrific character. With his family background and current status as in SEAL support, he was realistic. Especially since Albert let us have glimpses into his career, action on the job (great helicopter moments), that grounded him. We got some of that with Zeb, interacting with his fans, but no actual gaming.

Zeb’s complicated. For the character of Zeb, it’s his long time crush on the seemingly straight Atlas. Did Atlas actually know Zeb was gay? And Zeb has decided that this holiday season is the time to see if there’s anything in his crush on a straight Atlas.

One frustrating aspect of Zeb’s character is the disrespect he constantly takes from Gabe over his successful career and passion for gaming. He works at Seasons part time to help out not for the money but to assist his brother and his business. But the same man willing to take a chance on Atlas is a doormat for the verbal abuse his brother constantly gives him until the book is about finished.

The excuses the author writes for this aspect of their relationship, the acknowledgment and somewhat “apology “ from Gabe to Zeb is astonishingly shallow and takes a mere sentence or two. Then it’s a throwaway line about the brother needing to see a therapist about anxiety and it’s done. So two impactful elements dismissed with little real depth or resolution.

Luckily, the remaining storylines are carried out in the narrative to a fully balanced conclusion. The men actually talk about what and how they feel , then act accordingly. Zeb and Atlas work beautifully as a couple, their relationship and romance is the reason to read the book. Also because you enjoy the author and Christmas stories.

There’s also several discussions about grief and loss, as every character here is very much mourning the loss of the parents of Zeb and Gabe, that includes Atlas who saw them as stand-ins for his own neglectful family.

I don’t feel that this was as fabulous as The Geek Who Saved Christmas, it’s still a good holiday story. More due to the main characters and not some of the secondary elements which in this case took away from the story.

Adorable cover as always.

Buy Link:

Amazonhttps://www.amazon.com › Catered-…Catered All the Way: A MM Holiday Christmas Romance by Annabeth Albert

Blurb:

Tis the season for a hopeless crush on my older brother’s best friend…

This year will be different. I’m all grown up, my gaming channel is a huge success, and I finally have the confidence to make my move on Atlas Orion, the hottest chief in the navy.

However, I don’t intend for my smooth move to be covering Atlas in cranberry sauce. Not at all how I want to reintroduce myself to my new roomie and coworker. Atlas is in town to help save Seasons, my family’s historic holiday gift shop and event space. Seasons is booked solid with catered parties, so we need to avoid any more disasters.

Like my malfunctioning air mattress. We’re down to one bed, two dudes, and a whole lot of holiday-fling temptation. Atlas has never been with a guy, but I don’t have to do much persuading. And what better way to explore than a secret romp? No strings, and no one has to know.

The problem? With every passing week, I fall harder for Atlas, who’s far more than his drool-worthy muscles and heroic job. He’s kind, funny, makes me breakfast in bed, and each midnight snowball fight brings us that much closer to heartbreak.

Atlas can’t stay in Kringle’s Crossing forever, and I can’t imagine leaving the only place I’ve called home. Our feelings run deep, but is it a holiday illusion? Can we find our way to a lasting future?

CATERED ALL THE WAY is a brand-new, full-length holiday romance from the beloved author of THE GEEK WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS. Lovers of stand-alone swoon-worthy Christmas stories will fall for this geek + military pairing. Full of spicy first times, bisexual awakening, quirky small-town residents, and guest appearances from some fan-favorite characters, this only one bed, brother’s best friend romance is sure to find a place under many trees! Dual POV and the happiest of endings guaranteed.

• Publisher: (December 4, 2023)

• Publication date: December 4, 2023

• Print length: 250 pages

Review: Under the Mistle-tome (a Christmas Falls story) by Sammi Cee

Rating: 4.5🌈

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.”

Buy Link:

Under The Mistle-tome

Blurb:

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.

• Publisher: (December 1, 2023)

• Publication date: December 1, 2023

• Print length: 188 pages

Review: Under the Mistle-tome (a Christmas Falls story) by Sammi Cee

Rating: 4.5🌈

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.”

Buy Link:

Under The Mistle-tome

Blurb:

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.

• Publisher: (December 1, 2023)

• Publication date: December 1, 2023

• Print length: 188 pages

Review: Grinch Kisses (Christmas Falls #1 by D J Jamison

Rating: 4.5🌈

Griff is a character I met in previous books, largely Beth Bolden’s Silent Knight, where he’s everywhere trying to keep order for the Christmas festivities.

Now Jamison takes him and fleshes him out. We see a man with a failed marriage, teenage kids he never sees, who’s made his job his life and order a safety net for his loneliness.

It’s takes a sister, a fake boyfriend ploy, and a man with a tragic background, to get Griff out of his Grinch-like ways and into a relationship and new life. Same goes for Logan, the friend who agrees to the fake boyfriend deal for his bestie when she invites him home for the Christmas holiday. He’s a well defined character, his own foster background and loss of family coming through in moving glimpses.

The author has written several tough topics into the narrative. Loss of family, fear of abandonment, inability or fear to connect, trauma and loss. Whether it’s fear of what’s gone or what is there to have and can be lost. Again.

How each man is feeling about these important issues, the emotional state of mind is beautifully expressed in scenes, individually and of the men working together to overcome their fears.

The storytelling is so warmhearted and layered with the seasonality of the Christmas events and townspeople as they have their own impact on the growing relationship.

I love the story and definitely feel it’s a must read for anyone who enjoys holiday stories.

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.”

Buy Link:

Grinch Kisses

Blurb:

I’m the grinch who saves Christmas …

Yep, you read that right. Every year I save Christmas–and Christmas Falls–by organizing a massive festival that sustains tourism for our little town.

But it turns out when Christmas is your life 24/7, the shine wears off the twinkly lights after a while. The holidays are a heck of a lot of work, and when I go home, I want peace and quiet, not fa-la-la’ing on my porch.

That all changes when my sister brings me an early Christmas gift. One I didn’t ask for. One that’s tall, broad, and handsome…

Suddenly this season got a whole lot brighter.

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.

Review: A Beginner’s Guide to Christmas Miracles by Shannon Mae

Rating: 4.5🌈

It’s the holidays and time for Shannon Mae’s Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures to go all things Christmas! What an absolute blast and ho ho ho happy romance this is!

Mae gives us her version of the Santa origin story this time around with a touch of chaotic demonic energy and angelic joy combined to create happiness and love for children at a certain time of year. That had serious ramifications for one Nachielus (not Nicholas).

I absolutely loved seeing Nach return to the human realm. Mae’s ability to make the reader see the joy and wonder of the season, the warmth and happiness he’s able to bring, is a marvel of its own.

That carries over to the other characters, Beckett, a human, whose love for Christmas is deep and abiding as well as his roommate, who adds to the holiday spirit.

Together, we get a portrait of two beings who are soulmates, completely compatible in every sense of their being. It’s sexy, fun, but also filled with the joy and excitement of the Christmas spirit.

Happily, we get appearances from another important couple too. That’s the frosting or maybe tree topper on the Christmas tree here. As well as hints for a new book and identity of a character that’s been around in the background of the preceding stories.

All in all, a fabulous time was had back in this universe and I have another Christmas story to recommend.

Great cover again!

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures: (Paranormal Romance) :

✓ A Beginner’s Guide to Death, Demons, and Other Afterlife Disasters

✓ A Beginner’s Guide to Mistakenly Summoned Demons and Other Misadventures

✓ A Beginner’s Guide to Revenge, Chaos, and Other Absurd Escapades

◦ A Beginner’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Demons (A Novella)

Buy Link:

A Beginner’s Guide to Christmas Miracles30Kindle Edition$0.00or $2.99 to buy

Blurb:

Nachielus (not Nicholas) may have gotten into a bit of trouble over unsanctioned miracles, ending up on the upstairs’ naughty list. Sure, maybe he’d gotten a little carried away with the whole Christmas thing, but he hadn’t meant to become a part of folklore, and surely that wasn’t a reason to bury him in centuries of paperwork. Banned from topside and missing his favorite holiday, he gets a push from a certain demon to pop up and have a look around. When he meets Beckett, a Christmas-loving elf enthusiast who mistakes him for the Santa hired for a fundraiser, how can he say no? Next thing he knows, Nach is in over his head again, because this is one human he can’t resist.

Beck’s Christmas is merry and bright, especially after he encounters Nach, the hottie in questionable Santa attire. Nach’s kindness, generosity, and charm have Beck falling faster than a snowflake. With no place to stay, obviously Beck needs to bring Nach home with him. Beck never believed in love at first sight before, but there’s just something about Nach that calls to him, and it isn’t long before he’s trying to figure out to keep this sexy Santa all to himself.

Tags: Beck is living his own Christmas rom-com, complete with a meet cute and lots of Christmas kisses; Nach never means to cause trouble—it just seems to find him (and the reindeer thing was definitely not his fault); Nach has a very loose definition of what constitutes a miracle; corporate Scrooges try to suck the fun out of Christmas (but don’t worry, they don’t succeed); Nach is an angel of joy of fulfillment, so expect plenty of joy… and fulfillment (wink, wink).

A Beginner’s Guide to Christmas Miracles is a 30k novella bursting with laughs, holiday spirit, and a Happily Ever After that even the Grinch would approve of. Get ready for festive chaos, Christmas kisses, and a love story weirder than Grandma’s fruitcake.

— A Beginner’s Guide to Christmas Miracles by Shannon Mae

• Publication date: November 27, 2023

• Print length: 118 pages

Review: The Holigay Hookup by Louisa Masters

Rating: 3🌈

A story in shared universe with the author’s Mr Romance of the Franklin U series collection, this holiday short features the uncles of Mr Romance’s young main couple.

I’m a solid fan of Masters and her ability to build great characters, relationships, and, indeed, imaginative worlds to throw them into.

But the short length here limits this to a cute story with characters and a relationship that’s one note, quickly built, instant love, with little of the author’s usual narrative charm and depth. There’s just too little page length.

It’s a meet, insult, meet again with great embarrassment. Apologies and into bed. Love and immediate commitment. Done. With family that you don’t have much time to get a feel for.

So if you’re interested in a quick holiday tale that’s a cute read. Pick it up, read, put down. Mainly because of the author. Interested? The Holigay Hookup by Louisa Masters is a short story for you.

Buy Link:

Blurb:

The hot guy at my new job is my nephew’s boyfriend’s uncle… and I just insulted his whole family…

Transferring to the California office is a great opportunity for me, and it gives me the chance to spend more time with my nephew, Liam. There’s no way to lose in this situation—especially when I meet Jim, who works in my office, is super-hot, and seems interested.

Except, for reasons I can’t explain, I might have complained about having to spend Thanksgiving with Liam’s boyfriend’s family, who are mega rich. I wasn’t expecting to turn up and discover that Jim’s nephew is dating mine… and that the family I called snobs is his.

Now I have to find a way to apologize and convince Jim to keep my secret. There’s no way I’ll risk damaging Liam’s relationship. Too bad there’s no chance he’ll still be interested in me… right?

A fun holiday romp with cameo appearances by Liam and Charlie from Mr. Romance.