December first! The countdown to Christmas has begun and what better way to get into the holiday spirit than read a holiday story? I’ve said it before, but the absolute best thing with having writer friends it that I get to read their books before you do :p. Today is the release day of Nobody’s Butterfly by Claire Davis and Al Stewart…and I read it weeks ago.

Johnny Strong hasn’t spoken to anyone for two years unless you count the ghost living in the cobweb by his window, of course. But then Finn comes – Finn who’s always there, who is loud and eats all the time, Finn who claims to be Johnny’s wizard. Finn makes potions and he knows what Johnny is thinking. And then there is the neighbour…

I know many reviewers say Davis and Stewart’s writing style is quirky, and it might be, but I’m always thinking it’s poetic. No one paints a picture like the two of them do, few highlights the little things the way they do, and Nobody’s Butterfly is just as magical as the other stories they’ve written…it even has a wizard…and a butterfly.

If you like YA, you’ll love this. If you don’t, read it anyway. If you’re looking for erotica, this is not for you!

books2read.com/NobodysButterfly *

Cobweb ghosts are so inconvenient—especially grumpy ones with bad breath. Don’t they know silence is golden?

Johnny Strong is the expert; he hasn’t spoken in two years. Not one word to anyone except the ghost. The main purpose of life is to avoid people and not get noticed. Friends? He doesn’t need them; and certainly nobody wants him despite what the ghost says.

Until a new boy appears at Windybank—Finn Lyons, teenage wizard. He eats frogs, concocts potions, and is always hungry. Not only does Finn stand up for Johnny; he actively seeks his company and soon becomes part of life.
First love; family and words; a heady mix to go in the potion but how will it all turn out?

Hubble bubble; Johnny Strong’s in trouble! Silence is not always golden in this sweet, zany story of the purest magic at Christmas.

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My life is utter chaos – the food is on the stove, my sister has gone into labour, my little one fell down the stairs and does now have a black eye, my mum is on her way here, the vacuum cleaner is still in the kitchen, the rest of the kids are vibrating with expectations, my husband is shielding himself with his guitar, and one of the cats is walking all over the keyboard. But, I have read a story!

I picked a short story for this day since it’s the day before the day (here, I know most of you celebrate on the 25th but we don’t). A Christmas Outing by Jonathan Hill is a Christmas coming out story, not necessarily what I usually read, but this is brilliant.

I had a laugh reading about poor David and his insane family – there was a lot of recognition there LOL. David is planning on telling his parents he’s gay and that Jamie, his boyfriend, actually is his boyfriend and not just a friend from school, but his parents’ focus is everything else and making himself heard in the chaos isn’t easy. It’s sweet, and it’s funny, and David’s sister is insane. I also might have to steal the name Godfrey for some future story, it has a certain ring to it.

I know no one has any time to spare this weekend, but if you happen to find yourself with half an hour or so do check this one out, it’s well worth it.

books2read.com/AChristmasOuting *

It’s that time of year again, when Mum insists on dragging us to the Christmas markets. This year is a bit different, though, as my friend Jamie is coming too.

Mum is so stressed about enjoying the evening that she probably won’t enjoy it, Dad has conveniently developed a sudden fear of crowds to try to get out of it, and I’m waiting for the right moment to tell them both that Jamie is more than just a friend…

A feel-good comedy short story of around 10,000 words.

* By clicking the Books2Read link you’ll be taken to an external page. Links to Smashwords, Kobo U.S and Amazon contain affiliate links that earn me a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.