It’s been a pleasure to have so many people guesting my blog this month, and we have a few more to go before the month is over. Normally, I post a little something about the books I read, but there hasn’t been any space – not that I’m complaining LOL
I thought I’d do a Wrap-Up Wednesday thingy. And the month isn’t over yet, so I might read more books, but this is what I have so far:
Love at First Spray
I was reading this on my phone while my kids were shouting and shrieking, jumping and climbing, fighting and laughing – yes, it changes that fast. Love at First Spray by Tom Caval is a short Christmas story about Simon who’s unfortunate enough not to understand his boyfriend is a spoiled brat.
It annoyed me LOL
Simon is out hunting for a certain perfume in the Christmas crowd – this was pre-covid – but it’s sold out everywhere. When he steps into yet another shop, he gets sprayed by some sample cologne. Tariq, the sprayer, does his best to help Simon and sparks fly.
I liked it, but I would’ve wanted more an ending. Keep in mind, I was a bit distracted by the kids while reading, but I wasn’t really feeling the Christmas joy. Sure there were gifts and such, but I would’ve wanted more.
The idea is cute, though! And it’s free!
books2read.com/LoveAtFirstSpray
A Christmas Short Story
Oh! Oh! Oh! It’s Love time!
It’s the night before Christmas in London. Simon, a small-time clerk in the Big City, has just two hours to buy all the items on a ridiculously detailed (and expensive) gift list. A long list provided by Joshua, his handsome boyfriend, who also happens to be a self-absorbed aspiring model.
Now the race is on to check all the items on the list. For the sake of love. Simon is almost done, but there is only one item left: the latest perfume obsession for gays. Of course, it is sold-out and a desperate Simon needs to scour the city for it. But little does he know, he will have the help of a sexy and exotic stranger.
Love at First Spray is a funny, romantic and cosy gay Christmas short story, about finding love in the most unexpected place.
I Saw Daddy Kissing Santa Claus
This is another short story. Jacob is recovering from the loss of his wife, juggling life with two kids on his own. They’re going to the mall to see Santa as they do every year.
When it’s his daughter’s turn to sit on Santa’s lap, he can’t hear what they’re saying but notices how Santa is watching him. Later that night, he meets a man at a bar…
It’s a cute story. I liked the beginning, but then there is some skimming over things. It’s a 10k story, and it takes place over a year. But cute!
books2read.com/ISawDaddyKissingSantaClaus
Still recovering from an unexpected tragedy, single dad Jacob isn’t sure he’s ready to move on – until he meets Theo in a bar at Christmas. When what was meant to be a simple one-off encounter becomes more complicated, will Jacob have the strength to fall and trust Theo to catch him?
A sweet festive short story of 10,000 words.
Unwrapping
Unwrapping by Clare London is a short-short, only twelve pages. Matt and Harry have been seeing each other for a year, only they’ve never made it official. They might spend almost every day together, tell each other everything, but what are they? Friends? With benefits? Or…
I feel like I’m overusing the word cute, but this is cute! LOL
You can read it on Clare’s site.
Last Christmas Eve, Harry and Matt got together. Sort of. This Christmas Eve – and with the help of a Secret Santa gift – will they make it official?
Free online story, published in December 2017 on the author’s web site.
Home in a Snowstorm
Home in a Snowstorm (Snow Globes #1) by Ava Kelly. I got this much because of the cover, pretty! Here we have a teacher and a dad with a broken leg. It’s a gentle slow-building story.
Daniel is a teacher, and on the last day of school, one of his students needs a ride home because her dad has broken his leg and can’t come and get her. Snow and slippery roads prevent Daniel from leaving, and little by little sparks fly.
books2read.com/HomeinaSnowstorm
Daniel Wu is an elementary school teacher with a big heart and a collection of snow globes to match his travels. The small town he has settled in, however, feels like it could be home. All that’s missing is someone special and a family to call his own.
Resigned to spending the holidays alone, Daniel finishes work on the last day of school, only to stumble upon one his students, Abby Weber, who needs a ride home. Jeffrey Weber, single father and recent owner of a cast on his broken leg, needs quite a bit of help around the house when Daniel drops Abby off. Christmas Eve is around the corner, so Daniel can’t let the two fend for themselves. What he doesn’t expect, however, is the snowstorm that strands him in their remote home in the forest. But is this misfortune, or could it be a wish come true?
Oranges and Cloves
We’re continuing with the cover! Oranges and Cloves by Annabelle Jay is another Christmas story about a single dad.
Landon is a stressed father of three who collides with a man in the grocery shop. He hurries on home to get his kids and go to the church’s Advent celebrations. There he sees the man again, by the cloves and oranges.
I liked how this story started, but then it was like the author forgot to write the last chapter or accidentally deleted the epilogue. Not bad, but a missed opportunity.
books2read.com/OrangesandCloves
Landon, father of three, accidentally runs into another shopper while looking at oranges in the supermarket. He thinks little of the incident, but after being tasked to find a church by his mother and testing out a Children’s Advent Celebration with his kids, he discovers that the shopper is actually one of the instructors helping all of the children make spiced orange pomanders. The man gives Landon a pomander with his phone number on it, but since Landon swore off men for 2017 after his partner left him and his dates have all flakes on him, will he take the instructor up on his offer of a date?
Heathcliff and the Sexy Whippet
Last but not least, we have Heathcliff and the Sexy Whippet by A.M. Fox. This is hilarious. It’s a whirlwind of crazy, paws, and impromptu therapy sessions. Sean is normally working with dogs but is applying for a job at a movie set.
Who says humans don’t have the same needs dogs do? Sean. Sean says that, I’m not sure anyone else does. And to be honest, I think my dog would have eaten Sean LOL. But you never know, he is said to be a sexy Whippet.
I read this sitting on the sofa, chuckling while my husband gave me funny looks.
books2read.com/HeathcliffAndTheSexyWhippet
A.M. Fox was here n the blog earlier this month, and you can read his post here.
A Christmas feel-good tale of snowy, cobbled streets, unfulfilled desires and the sexiest whippet in Yorkshire!
When bubbly Sean Miles applies for a job with a film company, little does he realise what he’s getting into. As an experienced dog groomer, he’s great with fur and claws and loves a poochie cuddle, but has never offered human treatments. Until now.
Heath Mailer is playing the character of Heathcliff. Dark, brooding and intense, the lead actor can scowl aplenty but when he’s in trouble he doesn’t know how to ask for help. Who’s going to offer a hand to Mister Moody?
Forced to work together, Sean and Heath discover some unusual techniques that not only aid the production but also get to the heart of what ails the lead actor. Whoever said dog therapy can’t work on people?
Ofelia Grand 