New Release Review: Christmas Ghosts by Jenn Moffatt #Review #Giveaway

Title: Christmas Ghosts 
Author: Jenn Moffatt 
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Publication Date: December 1, 2019
Length: 44 pages

Reviewed by Michael

Synopsis

Dealing with the unexpected loss of his mother isn’t how carpenter Steve Browning planned to spend his Christmas. Hoping her costume jewelry can bring some happiness to others, he takes it to the local community theater, where he runs into his first love, Troy Baxter.

Troy’s trying to help his sister put on a gender-fluid version of A Christmas Carol, but no one on the cast or crew knows which end of a hammer to hold let alone use a power tool. Then a face from the past brings a present-day miracle… one that could lead to the happy future they both thought they gave up back in high school.
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2019 Advent Calendar "Homemade for the Holidays."

Purchase Link

Review

I’m not sure what’s going on, but this is the second book I’ve read in as many weeks that starts with a deceased relative.  With that said, neither was a particularly sad read.  I just find it ironic.

I can’t imagine having to deal with something like losing a loved one to cancer during the holidays.  The good thing (if you can call anything about this situation “good”) is that Steve doesn’t have to go through it alone.  His younger brother, Pete, has come home from college to help go through their mother’s things.  Some of those items end up being donated to a local theater company run by his ex Troy and Troy’s twin sister Camille.

Steve and the twins haven’t seen each other in awhile, and while I don’t remember it being clearly stated, I think it had to with Steve’s decision to focus on his family and Troy going into the military.  They simply away from each other.  Life has a tendency to get in the way, sometimes.  We drift away from the people that mean the most, sometimes unintentionally.  This is about finding what you thought once lost.

It’s clear, however, that the feelings they once had for each other are still there.  It’s almost as if no time passed for Steve and Troy at all.  Which was refreshing, particularly in a holiday story.  You don’t want anything too angsty.  At least I don’t.  I prefer my holiday stories to be sweet.  And this one definitely is.

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Release Blitz: Santa's Last Gift by Sandine Tomas #Review #Giveaway

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Length: 60,475 words 

Cover Design: Alexandria Corza

Blurb

The greatest gift might be what they already have.

After years away building his career, event planner Sebastian Chesnut returns to his small hometown of Fir Falls to reconnect with his mother, sister, and young nieces before his job takes him to London.

He doesn't expect to find his high school boyfriend, Matty, has become a virtual member of Seb's family. Back then, Matty only offered a casual relationship, but Seb fell hard, and history is soon repeating itself. Seb’s afraid to hope for a second chance, no matter how much they’ve grown and despite the family they share. Instead, he focuses on creating a last perfect holiday, which won’t be easy with his sister’s ex planning to take the girls over Christmas.

Seb and Matty might not know what to do about their feelings for each other, but one thing’s for sure—it won’t be Christmas without the kids. Can these star-crossed lovers pull off a holiday miracle?

Review

Sebastian has spent the last five years missing his family, especially his two nieces, Chance and Rowan. Sure he’s skyped with his mother, sister and the girls but it’s not the same as being there. But he’s worked so hard and sent every spare penny home to make sure that his mother kept their family home and that her shared business with his sister became a success. Now he has a chance at a huge promotion—the only catch is the job is in England. But at least he’ll have this Christmas to spend with his family—maybe that will make the feeling of loss at moving a bit better. What Seb doesn’t expect to see when he arrives is his high school boyfriend Matty firmly ensconced in his family home as a beloved and important uncle. Between his jealousy over Matty having a bigger place in his niece’s hearts than him and his deep pangs of loss over what he once had with Matty, Seb realizes Christmas and his ex-boyfriend may break his heart all over again.

I will admit that I struggled with Santa’s Last Gift just a bit. Author Sandine Tomas does write a sweet and romantic holiday story but I stumbled over just how she crafted Matty’s character and how intensely he loved Seb’s family. From calling Seb’s mother “Ma” to how the two children seemed to almost view Matty with more love than even their father who may have been divorced from their mother but who was certainly not written as a distant dad, the whole plot point had me confused. Perhaps it was because Matty rarely spoke of his own parents or maybe there were not enough past memories of how cold and distant they were to him that made his clinging to Seb’s family seem a bit over the top and odd. Whatever the reason I felt myself almost disliking his intrusions into Seb’s family time and oddly got angry over what felt like a blatant “see what you missed by trying to save us financially?” message from Seb’s sister over the one time telling him how wonderful he was for sacrificing for them. It made both mother and sister seem so ungrateful.

To further understand my confusion I never got the idea that the mother or sister really told Seb to stop helping financially and just come home to spend quality time. So, in many ways the story felt like it was missing some pieces. What did work in this novel’s favor was the children and how they warmed up to Seb as well as his coming to a decision that would change the rest of his life. That on page journey was really nicely written—it was realistic in terms of how the kids thawed toward their uncle and emotional when Seb finally understood what he really wanted in life.

In the end, I can honestly say that many may enjoy Santa’s Last Gift by Sandine Tomas. It is a lovely holiday themed story that has all the elements it needs to be a success. While I can’t say it was a favorite of mine I can certainly acknowledge good writing and this one certainly fits that bill.

 

Author Bio

Sandine Tomas grew up an unapologetic bookworm, making friends with characters from the ancient past to the farthest reaches of the universe. Her career as a marketing writer has given her insight into the divergence between what a person thinks they want and what they truly need. Relationships are at the heart of her writing, and she enjoys creating characters who become so real that their stories beg to be told. Writing allows her to explore people and ideas from all sides, spinning a notion around like a gem until its facets glisten.

Twisting the old adage about writing what you know into writing what you feel, Sandine doesn’t shy away from raw emotions, turbulent circumstances, and above all, deep passions, fueled by humor, honesty, and trust. She enjoys instilling her characters with the flaws, courage, and idiosyncrasies that brings them to life.

Sandine lives in New York with her husband, two daughters and a Golden Retriever puppy named Noodle. An unabashed TV and film enthusiast, she happily binge watches her favorites until her eyes glaze over. Her other guilty pleasures include attending fandom conventions, sleeping in on weekends, and recharging solo by holing up with a caramel macchiato and an amazing book.

If you’d like to chat, reach out to her here or on Twitter (@sandinetomas) or Facebook(sandine.tomas).

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Release Blitz: Santa Daddy by Keira Andrews #Review #Giveaway

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK - Exclusive to Amazon and Available to Borrow with Kindle Unlimited

Length: 30,000 words approx.

Cover Design: Dar Albert @ Wicked Smart Design

Blurb

Mall Santas aren’t supposed to be hot.

Hunter Adams is hopelessly adrift after college. He’s still a virgin, can’t find a real job, and has no clue what to do with his life. In desperation, he returns to his humiliating old job as an elf at the Santa's Village in his hometown's dying mall. The Santa on the job is an unexpectedly sexy lumberjack, twice Hunter's size and age. He makes Hunter feel very naughty—too bad he's grumpy and intimidating.

Years after the tragic death of his partner, Nick Spini has his beagle and long, hard days on his Christmas tree farm. That’s plenty. But he can’t refuse a loyal friend’s plea for help and finds himself filling in as Santa at the local mall. Despite Nick's attempt to stay aloof, the beautiful, anxious young man playing elf brings out his long-dormant daddy instincts.

When a surprise blizzard traps them alone in Nick’s isolated forest home, their attraction burns even brighter. Will they surrender to the sizzling connection between them and find the release and comfort they crave?

Santa Daddy is a holiday gay romance from Keira Andrews featuring an age gap, steamy m/m first times, daddy role-playing and light spanking, Christmas romance feels, and of course a happy ending.

Review

I have read all of Keira Andrews books and have loved them all. Santa Daddy is no different, this is a short, sweet, and sexy read.

Hunter’s day is not starting off well, he’s late for a job he doesn’t even want to go to, he is spending the weekend working as a Santa’s elf for Christmas at the local mall. When he runs into Santa, Hunter is shocked to find such a sexy, older man looking like “lumberjack Santa”

Hunter doesn’t think he makes a good first impression, but Nick sees him. Nick owns a Christmas tree farm and lives a pretty solitary life except for his sweet beagle, Ella. Nick has a job opportunity on his farm for Hunter and the two end up snowed in together. Nick knows he won’t be able to resist Hunter for long, but wonders what if Hunter shares his bit of kink. Could Hunter need a Daddy? There’s only one way to find out...

This was a quick and fun read, but with some very touching moments. I enjoy Keira Andrews writing so much and this is a great addition to her catalog.

Author Bio

After writing for years yet never really finding the right inspiration, Keira discovered her voice in gay romance, which has become a passion. She writes contemporary, historical, fantasy, and paranormal fiction and — although she loves delicious angst along the way — Keira firmly believes in happy endings. For as Oscar Wilde once said:

“The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means.”

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