Six Ways From Sunday by Mercy Celeste

Title: Six Ways From Sunday

Series: N/A

Author: Mercy Celeste

Genre: MM / Contemporary / Erotic Romance

Length: Novella

Publisher: Beg For Mercy Press (April 12^th, 2013)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Take one NFL tight end, and one Marine, add one week and watch the sparks fly.

Bowen Murphy craved two things, football and Dylan. After high school he had football but he lost Dylan.

Dylan Sunday walked a different path, one laid down before him by his father and his grandfather. Losing Bo one day after discovering they shared more than football wasn’t part of the bargain.

Six years of missed connections and finally Dylan is able to come home to the man he left behind. The spectacle of the biggest game in the NFL is only the beginning of one sizzling week. After that time and fate would decide if Bo and Dylan would walk the same path, or if one of them would make the ultimate sacrifice.

Warning: bittersweet tale of two hot men, making up for six years of separation. May not be suitable for sensitive readers. Contains scenes of male/male sexual practices.

Product Link: http://www.amazon.com/Six-Ways-from-Sunday-ebook/dp/B00CBP5SOA

Review: Oh my God, I really do think after this read that Mercy Celeste is a wicked, wicked woman. She cannot possibly have pulled this incredible story.

You just know from page one, from first paragraph, hell from first line that this story is going to be intense and is going to rock you. The pace is set and it’s fast. You need to keep running along with the story and you need your wits about you.

Long time friends Bo and Dylan not only take separate paths when Bo goes to college and Dylan hits the Marines, but that day they realize that both are attracted to each other and their feelings are reciprocated. Many years of friendship seem a bit lost when they could have had more and now they are going to be apart for who knows how much time…

So at this point you think nice start and nice little characters. You see the temper Bo has. You see the love he harbors for Dylan and vice versa, and you get one hell of an intense first time between the two young lovers. So, the question remains, what is the author going to do with that? And Celeste does not disappoint delivering one hell of a week with our heroes six years later.

Both characters are more mature. Dylan has already become someone in the Marines. He is no longer the young boy who left, rather a man who is absolutely delicious to read about. Surprising Bo at his Super Bowl game, he is in town for one week. Bo has changed too, he has come to realize that that friendship they had is not only the same, but rather stronger and the love he once harbored for Dylan is right there simmering under his skin waiting for Dylan to come back to him.

What follows is a week of hot, steamy, incredibly erotic sex between them. And I do mean incredibly erotic. Perhaps it was that shadow of desperation in the air, the fact that after six years all they have is a week and it seems so little time for those two. The text does manage to convey everything and while doing that you get so engrossed and caught up that you completely forget that something is coming up. That twist in the plot catches you off guard and hits you full force.

It’s a roller coaster of emotions and feelings, their intensity growing higher and higher, leaving you breathless and shocked. Personally, when Bo lays eyes on Janine, Dylan’s mother, I had to take a break and stop to get my brain in order. It was heartbreaking and after all that good time the pair spent this was like cold water splashed in your face. Cruel in so many ways, I can’t begin to describe or even hope that I could find the words to do so. You see, up until this point, this book was a four hearts rating for me. Because, while sexy and sensual and erotic, it was just that. With this twist, it made a full five hearts and while I was cursing the author all the time I could see the brilliance of the twist. She made it real. And then, while trying to come to terms with the text, while trying to make the end and get a hold on my dispersed thought she does it again.

I mean really? Really? What on Earth woman. How twisted can you be? I don’t know what was more cruel, the first twist or the second? Of course, I couldn’t be happier with the result. I looooved it. The impossibility that a novella, with a limited space for development could turn you upside down like this was the best surprise ever and if my enthusiasm didn’t show it, and if you need me to spell it loud and clear, people do read this book. It’s not to be missed.

Young Pim and the Goblins by Corey Michael Smithson

Title: Young Pim and The Goblins

Author: Corey Michael Smithson

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Epic Adventure

Length: Super Novel (324pgs)

Publisher: Corey Michael Smithson (2^nd March 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: An unusual and thrilling adventure story, set within a self-contained universe of competing cultures and dangerous magic, “Young Pim and the Goblins” explores the unexpected consequences of freedom, through the eyes of a former slave on the cusp of adulthood. The world of “Young Pim” is balanced between three ancient Great Houses, a semi-industrialized human town, and an underground society of misunderstood creatures. Sold at birth into slavery and raised by sadistic overseers, an adolescent boy named Young Pim narrowly escapes from the horrors of Old Buttertub, a training school for ritual concubines, only to find himself lost in an unfamiliar and menacing landscape. He is captured by the Goblins, an aggregate civilization of monsters and warriors, and he is introduced into their complex social networks. During his time among the various clans and species, he learns to overcome superstition with curiosity, prejudice with love, and fear with valor. But in liberating himself, Pim has inadvertently set into motion a chain of events that will eventually lead to the destruction of the Goblins’ way of life, and the rise of an oppressive human religion. “Young Pim and the Goblins” is aimed at a target audience of curious, imaginative readers who enjoy provocative and challenging fantasy.

Purchase Link: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/291490

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/young-pim-and-the-goblins-corey-michael-smithson/1114796326

UK: http://www.whsmith.co.uk/eProducts/Young-Pim-And-The-Goblins+eBook+KB00106361344

Review: Young Pim was sold into slavery at birth. Since then he has been trained to withstand pain and torture for the future use of his owner. it is a life that all the boys at Buttertub are facing. Young Pim follows a rat one day and finds a secret door to the outside. Fleeing from his future, he finds himself falling into the hands of the Goblins. Living with the Goblins, Young Pim learns the meaning of family, love and glimmering hope. But, his escape has set in motion a turn of events that will change not just the Goblin’s destruction, but also the destruction of the known society of the humans.

This is a dark fantasy that digs deep into how easily societies can rise and fall and how just one or two people can create change that can cause the destruction of a way of life. In this fantasy world there are three Great Houses that control the land, Buttertub, Barnaby and Crugghaberra and each are as cruel as the last. Young Pim escaping has repercussions that are far-reaching. Young Pim’s adventure takes him deep into the bowls of the mountain, seeing incredible creatures, making wonderful friends and facing devastating enemies.

Although this story isn’t a typical M/M there is a childlike innocent love which develops between Young Pim and Young Jym (a broken boy). This story follows Young Pim on his journey. it is a difficult path that he finds himself on with many obstacles and with some joy, danger and loss. There are many wonderful creatures that we come across and a community that pulls together welcoming those that find their haven. But, there are also horrors that we come across, depravity and unnecessary suffering and a talking sorcerer rat. This story isn’t for those that are faint of heart. It is dark, dangerous with many pitfalls. There is little true joy and it doesn’t have a miraculous happy ending.

This is a well written story that pulls you into a fantasy world that will make you cringe in places. the settings that are described come alive in your mind and there are characters that you cheer for and characters that you take joy in their destruction no matter how grisly the demise. Corey Michael Smithson has created a world that brings you the best and worst of civilization and he also brings a world where sometimes there just is no happily ever after.

I have to recommend this to those who love dark fantasy, adventure, cruel characters, wonderful characters and an ending that leaves you wondering what might be next.  

Icicle by Natalie Vale

Title: Icicle

Author: Natalie Vale

Genre: Paranormal

Length: Short (31pgs)

Publisher: Natalie Vale (21^st December 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥3½ – 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Haunted by a recent breakup, compulsive traveler Sean finds himself trapped in a sudden blizzard. Near death, he’s rescued by a man for whom the cold holds no danger. A man with losses of his own and memories he’s never been able to share. For one night, in a tiny cabin deep in the woods, these two lonely souls will find refuge in each other. Contains explicit sexuality and some violent war imagery.

Purchase Links: US: http://www.amazon.com/Icicle-ebook/dp/B00ARY1H24

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Icicle-ebook/dp/B00ARY1H24

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/267026

Review: Sean just can’t seem to settle.  He has a feeling that there is something out in the world just waiting for him.  leaving his lover Zach isn’t an easy choice, but it is one that he has to make. Stranded, alone and freezing, Sean is rescued by a man who is lost himself.  What Sean and Ezra share that night has them both finding home.

This is a touching, slight paranormal with a touch of historical element. Sean is searching for something, but he just doesn’t know what.  Leaving his boyfriend, Zach, he sets out to wander the country and find what is missing from his life.  But, stranded and freezing, he fears that Zach’s last words to him may come true. Ezra has also been searching for something, but he knows what it is.  He just can’t seem to find his way, saving Sean and bringing him back to his humble cabin, leads him to find his way home.

This is quite a poignant little story, which is brimming with heart clenching emotion.  Sean at first seems to be selfish.  He has a man who adores him and will travel with him when the urge hits Sean.  But, he throws Zach’s love back in his face, because he has a feeling that there is something or someone out there that would just be right. When Sean finds himself freezing under a tree I couldn’t quite quench the little spark that wanted to shout ‘Karma’, but the following scenes touch your heart as he comes to realize that what he was looking for was right in front of him the entire time. Ezra has also been looking for something and spending the night with Sean shows him the way, their coming together is beautiful and isn’t a quick fix, it is a joining of souls, a sharing of lives that will blow you away.

I will recommend this to those who love slight paranormal stories, historical flashbacks, sweet loving, finding the way home and a very happy ending for all involved.

Asylum by Piper Vaughn

Title: Asylum

Series: N/A

Author: Piper Vaughn

Genre: MM / Contemporary

Length: Novelette (17,000 words)

Publisher: Piping Hot Books (February 23^rd, 2013)

Reviewer: Thommie

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥3.5~4Hearts

Blurb: Johnny Cairo is known as the Scaremaster. He works for Fear Asylum, his father’s traveling haunted house, and makes his living terrifying people. But Johnny has never frightened easily himself. That is, until he wakes up in the middle of the night and finds his best friend’s younger brother in his bed. Naked.

Johnny’s fought against his attraction to Brennan for years, worried that giving in to it will lead to losing the friendship he shares with Brennan’s older brother, Eddie. As much as he fights it, though, the lure of having Brennan in his bed proves too hard to resist. They start an affair that’s supposed to be no-strings-attached, but Johnny’s persistent denial of the growing feelings between them leads to a rift that might not be mendable. Then an accident at Fear Asylum nearly costs Johnny the one thing he holds dear, and he learns that while his nickname might be the Scaremaster, he knows next to nothing about real fear.

Product Link: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/288931

Review: This very quick story is perhaps a study in seduction. Loved it and mostly loved Brennan. His insistence was hilarious having poor Johnny scrambling for some semblance of sanity.

Johnny has crushing on Brennan for years, but Brennan being his best friend’s younger brother complicated things. Johnny has no intention of jeopardizing his friendship due to lust. While working on the Fear Asylum and keeping an eye on Brennan for his friend’s sake, Johnny fails to realize how much Brennan has really grown up. That is until one night he finds Brennan in his bed. So yes, Johnny is shocked and that keeps him from reacting and turning Brennan down… the first night. The second night he’s determined to do so, but Brennan kisses him and well, his brain melts and the third and the forth…

But eventually Johnny gets a grip in his sanity that seems to be escaping him lately and turns the young man down.  A bit harsh, admittedly, but the result is the same. Problem is Johnny never thought that he’d be missing Brennan this much and the very idea of losing him forever hits the target when an accident occurs and the very possibility that Brennan with leave forever knocks on the door.

The story was very sweet and sexy. As I said I loved Brennan. He was cute and persistent even when it hurt him. And Johnny, oh dear, poor guy lost his mind. It happens, of course, but reading it just brought memories and made me smile.

Problem is that it was too short of a story and left some questions behind. First off, I have no idea how old Johnny is. Brennan is twenty and calls Johnny “old man” at some point, but I’d love to have a clearer view. And the story being so short left no room for emotions to develop. Yes, the lust was almost tangible and the intensity of the guys’ lovemaking nearly there, but that desperation for me was due to a long longing and the fact that nothing was secure between them. I’d have loved if this story was a bit longer and gave us some more “quality” time with the guys.

As it was, it was sexy and fun enough and a quite enjoyable read. The writing was easy-going and I literally inhaled it. If you’re up for this kind of read I totally recommend it.

p.s.

This is definitely one of those stories I’d love a sequel to come by and give us a bit more. It’d be such a shame for Johnny and Brennan to end here.

 

–

Tormented Discovery by Jayson James

Title:  Tormented Discovery

Series:  Finding Our Way Series Book Two

Author:  Jayson James

Genre:   Young Adult

Length:  365 Pages

Publisher:  Amazon Digital Services, Inc. (January 27^th, 2013)

Heat Level:  Low

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts

Blurb:   Justin and Derrick have a secret that they revealed only to their closest friends. They are gay and are now a couple. The story of Justin and Derrick continues as they learn more about being a gay couple in their senior year of high school and the complications that arise from it. Some friends will have their backs while others simply stand on the sidelines. Other friends will be accepting and others will ridicule them.

Sometimes love is almost not enough to save a relationship and both Derrick and Justin begin to have their doubts as they watch relationships around them rise and fall. Justin and Derrick both want to have new experiences, new choices and make new friends, which leads to them questioning their own relationship. They soon discover that some of the people they consider friends have their own secrets, some darker than others. The couple begins to see how people react towards homosexuality and just how people want to deal with it and them.

Will Justin and Derrick be able to hold onto each other while their lives and secrets spiral around them?

Or will they decide to step back and give up on themselves and each other?

Product Link:  http://www.amazon.com/Tormented-Discovery-Jayson-James/dp/1480246433

Reviewer:   John

Review:  Oh no! Oh yes! I loved this novel. This story is told in three points of view, Hayden’s Derrick’s and Justin’s. To some, that might be a little confusing, but it’s not. When there is a skip of one point of view to the other, the story flows smoothly. It does not go back and retell what you just read. At first, I found it hard to know in whose point of view I was, but when I catch on, I loved the story from beginning to end.

My favorite character was Hayden. I loved the little kid. He was straight and friends with the gay guys in school. His best friend Ryan has a little crush on him. A little? He falls for the guy! Who wouldn’t? He was awesome! At first, Hayden freaks. Name a straight guy that wouldn’t, right? After he calms down, he seeks Ryan and tries to fix their friendship which he does. Those two stay as friend and I liked that.

Derrick and Justin were awesome. I liked their love story, but Hayden stole the show. I hated Kristian. He was mean and unlikeable. I hope he gets what he deserves in book three. The plot was good, but the story was a little too long for me. I liked the fact that I felt like a fly on the wall throughout the novel. I truly felt like if I was eavesdropping on their conversation and a part of the gang by the end of the book.

In a nutshell, the story and characters were great and likeable. I recommend this novel to anyone who wants to read about a group of friends as they make their way through life.

 

Arresting Love by Silvia Violet

Title:  Arresting Love

Series:  Wild R Farm Series   

Author:  Silvia Violet

Genre:  Contemporary/Cowboy

Length:  Novella (130 Pages)

Publisher:  Self-Published (December 30, 2012)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥3Hearts

Blurb:  Billy Lawson is jealous. Every day he watches his boss, Cole, and his boss’s lover, Jonah, prove again and again how deeply in love they are. Billy’s never had a real relationship, and he didn’t believe true love existed until Cole proved otherwise. Now, he longs for what Cole and Jonah have.

When he meets Levi, a scared, wounded shifter who needs his help, he ignores the chemistry that flares between them, thinking he’d be taking advantage of Levi at a vulnerable time in his life. Before Levi can convince Billy they were made for each other, his past catches up to him, and both men must fight for a chance at love.

Product Link:  http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/269683

Reviewer:   Cat

Review: Billy is forced to go on a vacation by his boss, a wolf shifter. Billy’s been content to just have random sex, but now watching Cole and Jonah, he wants more.

Levi is a scared young boy, lost and alone on the streets, and on the run. Though looks can be deceiving; he is also a mountain lion.

I think the story is pretty good, though I didn’t initially realize this is a second book in a series, and was lost for a chapter or so. Eventually the backstory was filled in, sometimes in big chunks almost like dropping back and reading another book. I also find it a bit hard to believe how the shifters all live together: like Jonah being a horse, and his lover being a wolf, then bring in poor, sad, young Levi as a mountain lion to work and live on the. But, this is fiction after all, and when you set that aside and don’t overthink these things, the story is sweet and loving. I am always a sucker for hard-fought true love, so I like that the seemingly meeker Levi is more dominant in private with the more controlled Billy. I will be getting the first, and look forward to the third!

I recommend this to anyone liking unusual shifters like horses and mountain lions, or werewolves, mystery, and hot mansex.

Way Off Plan by Alexa Land

Title: Way Off Plan

Series: Firsts And Forever

Author: Alexa Land

Genre: Contemporary, Crime, Mafia

Length: Novel (346pgs Amazon count)

Publisher: Alexa Land (19^th December 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½ – 4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Jamie Nolan is a young cop on his first undercover assignment, sent to investigate Dmitri Teplov, a suspected major player in the Russian mafia. Jamie knows better than to get involved with the gorgeous, charismatic nightclub owner. But right from the start, the spark of attraction between the two of them is undeniable.

Everything about Dmitri is just so unexpected. He’s sweet and kind, and has a nerdy side that Jamie finds irresistible. Can this man really be a criminal?

No matter if Dmitri is guilty or innocent, Jamie’s big Irish Catholic family of cops and his police captain are never going to accept this relationship. Dmitri’s dangerous and manipulative gangster uncle is also none too thrilled that these two are together, and wants Jamie out of the picture. On top of that, Jamie’s still reeling from a recent breakup, and Dmitri is unavailable anyway. Isn’t he?

No way should this thing between them be happening. Getting involved with Dmitri Teplov was never part of the plan. But sometimes, the best plan is the one you make up as you go along.

Purchase Link: US: http://www.amazon.com/Way-Off-Plan-ebook/dp/B00AQP65GW

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Way-Off-Plan-ebook/dp/B00AQP65GW

Review: Jamie is handed his first undercover assignment, infiltrate a nightclub and get close to the owner, Dmitri Teplov, a suspected player in the Russian Mafia. But, things don’t go quite as planned when Jamie finds himself strongly attracted to the man, and Dmitri is nothing like a hardened criminal. Dmitri does what he has to so he can protect his family, but meeting Jamie throws him in a tailspin, getting involved with a cop could be a mistake, but falling for that cop could be deadly.

Alexa Land is a new author and I have to say that for a first self-published book this is great. It isn’t a heavy dark story of mafia vs. cops, it’s a more lighthearted story that you take with a pinch of salt and a bit of a reality check. Jamie and Dmitri meet when Jamie is sent into Dmitri’s club undercover.  The attraction between them is instantaneous and it isn’t long before they are madly in love. But, nothing is ever easy and Jamie’s family are far from happy, his boss thinks he’s lost his mind and his ex thinks he’s doing it for attention. Dmitri is stuck between a rock and a hard place. He’s the name behind the Russian mafia, his uncle is forcing him to marry and his family is in danger if he doesn’t do what his uncle wants.

These characters are not what you would expect a cop and a mafia boss to be like; in fact I kept forgetting what their roles were. Dmitri is so sweet and gentle, shy and slightly submissive, he is a gem of a character, he puts his game face on when he has to, but with Jamie he is a darling. Jamie is still reeling from a break up when he meets Dmitri, but Dmitri wipes the other man from his mind.  Dmitri shows Jamie a side of himself that not many people see and Jamie will take a chance on him, willing to put aside everything else for even a few months with the delectable man.

This story is cute and sweet with a touch of action, not what you would expect from a mafia, crime story, but it’s a completely great read if you want something light and enjoyable with some hot man on man action, as well as sweet loving. I recommend this story if you want a light enjoyable read.

William by Anyta Sunday

Title:  William

Series:  Enemies to Lovers #03

Author: Anyta Sunday

Genre:  M/M Romance

Length:  Novel (223 Pages)

Publisher:  Self-Published  (May 26, 2012)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:  William needs to learn to think before he speaks. He accidentally outed his last boyfriend to his bigoted family. Looking to make a new start, he escapes to the most distant place he can think of: New Zealand. There he boards with a substitute mom and her too-hot-to-be-real son, Heath, but Heath and his homophobic friend Rory want William to leave before things “crash and burn,” whatever that means.

Unfortunately, traveling to the end of the world isn’t far enough for William to lose his runaway mouth.
But is it far enough to lose his loneliness?

Product Link:  http://www.amazon.com/William-Enemies-to-Lovers-ebook/dp/B0086POVJM/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1357862972&sr=1-3&keywords=anyta+sunday

Reviewer:   Leary

Review:  This story delves into the heartache and heartbreak of losing a younger family member, and lies people tell themselves in order to keep going. It illustrates the tangled webs we weave, and how the reactions of one person can bring our card houses tumbling down. I was sucked in from the beginning, and stayed up all night to read it. William became my hero. An enjoyable read with a believable cast, it is full of hilarious one-liners that had me rolling my eyes. Definitely worth your time.

The F Words by Anyta Sunday

Title:  The F Words

Series:  Enemies to Lovers #04

Author:  Anyta Sunday

Genre:  Contemporary

Length:  Novel (227 Pages)

Publisher:  Self-Published (October, 2012)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:  Rory A. Phillips is sick of being haunted. Sick of hurting. Sick of being so fucking lost. Whenever he ‘sees’ his best friend William, he’s packing up his motorbike and on the move. But is there a place he can run to that will ever be free of William? A place where he could ever learn to love? A place he can call home?
After losing his last living relative, Eric Graham moves to Wellington to start a new job and a new life. Alone—save for his grandpa’s ashes he can’t bring himself to scatter in the sea. The only guy in the city he knows is a homophobic prick that he’d rather have nothing to do with—but he just can’t stop running into him.

Rory and Eric, both grieving and alone, are searching for a way to move on.

And maybe the best way to do that is together.

Product Link:  http://www.amazon.com/The-Words-Enemies-Lovers-ebook/dp/B009L9F2LS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357883233&sr=8-1&keywords=The+F+Words

Reviewer:  Leary

Review:  Another poignant story from Anyta Sunday, this delves more into the grief and loss of losing people who are close to you. We met Rory and Eric in William’s story, and Rory is plagued by that same loss. Hiding in the closet, from everyone, especially himself, Rory has a difficult path to follow. He can choose to deny himself and his memories, and live in constant misery, or he can choose to face himself and his fears, and embrace life. An ally from an unexpected quarter got me teary-eyed. Uninhibited acceptance is something we all seek, no matter the orientation. Now if only Rory can trust his instincts.

Eric is William’s best friend, and an out gay man. Having just lost his last relative, his grandfather, he is having trouble letting go, and carries his grandfather’s ashes around in an urn, contrary to what was requested. He has so much guilt for one so young, but that allows him to see what is going on with Rory. Despite Rory having been a right homophobic jerk to him in the past, something makes him want to help him. Now, if only he can let go of the past and trust Rory.

Sock It To Me, Santa! by Madison Parker

Title:  Sock it to Me, Santa!

Series:  None

Author:  Madison Parker

Genre:   Young Adult

Length:  Short (55 Pages)

Publisher:  Madison Parker (Amazon)

Heat Level:  None

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb:   Ryan is assigned to Jamie Peterson for his class’s secret gift exchange. If word gets out that he has to make a handcrafted gift for flamboyant and openly gay Jamie, Ryan will be the laughing-stock of the school. It’s a good thing no self-respecting boy would be caught dead in a craft store, because otherwise he’d be at risk of being spotted when his mom drags him to her weekly craft workshops. He hopes Jamie will appreciate all the trouble he’s going to for this assignment. Finding the perfect gift is gunna be tricky. Jamie deserves something good, though, after all the crap he has to put up with at school. At least, Ryan tells himself that’s the reason he’s putting so much thought into the gift. It couldn’t be that he has feelings for Jamie, could it?

Product Link:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A6JN95I

Reviewer:   John

Review:  Ryan is a closeted gay teen who has been living in the shadows all his life. In high school, he keeps hiding because he fears the retribution of his peers, since being gay is not acceptable by them. He tries to go under the radar and live a normal life, like everyone else. Jamie Peterson is the opposite of Ryan. He is the most flamboyant gay kid in school. His sexual orientation makes him the center of every joke and prank by his classmates. When Mrs. Keats assigns Jamie for Ryan’s secret Santa gift exchange program, their paths intercept and we get to see a new side of these two boys.

I love Ryan. He is a normal gay kid trying to survive an environment where being gay is totally unacceptable and lands you a spot on the hot seat. He has to hide who he is in order not to be the center of brutal jokes. When he has to make three gifts for Jamie for the secret Santa gift exchange program, he begins to let loose and gets to know the flamboyant boy. Jamie was as sweet as sugar. Even though he was the center of attacks by his classmates, he did not let them get to him. The kid fought back. That was something that Ryan could not do. He could not come out as a gay kid and tell the world to screw off. After following Jamie around, he falls in love with him. Yes, he messes up sometimes, but he quickly does something that makes you continue loving him. I loved the ending since Ryan got the courage to tell everyone how much he loves Jamie and what he means sot him.

This is one of the sweetest and shortest stories that I have ever read and I hope that there is a sequel to it because I want to read more about these two characters. Madison Parker is a fresh voice to the writing community and I know that great things will come her way if she continues writing sweet little stories with happy endings. I recommend this novel to anyone who wants to treat their eyes with a loving story about love, acceptance and courage for this Christmas season.