BLURB:
Christmastime brings joy to hearts everywhere. Between snow angels, festive clothing, holiday decorations, and of course, all the beautiful lights, it’s hard not to partake in the season.
Unless you no longer have Christmas in your heart.
Dermot Alasdair has never shared the horrific memories that keep him from celebrating the happiest time of the year, nor does he ever plan to. He’s fine being alone and shut off from everyone; he has his restaurant and that’s all he needs. He believes that, too…until the craft store next door from his eatery hires a perpetually smiling annoyance. Really, it isn’t normal for someone to be that happy all the time.
Xander Leahman didn’t know what he was getting into when he accepted an invitation to visit his best friend and help her interview people for the newly created position of manager at Craft Time. When a surly man bumps into him and then walks away with an enticing sway to his hips, Xander decides the position—and Dermot—are perfect for him. Now all he can think of is finding ways to get Dermot out of his clothes. Well that, and how to open this grinch’s heart to the Christmas season and, hopefully, love.
Publisher: Lime Time Press
Cover Artist: Laura Harner
Unless you no longer have Christmas in your heart.
Dermot Alasdair has never shared the horrific memories that keep him from celebrating the happiest time of the year, nor does he ever plan to. He’s fine being alone and shut off from everyone; he has his restaurant and that’s all he needs. He believes that, too…until the craft store next door from his eatery hires a perpetually smiling annoyance. Really, it isn’t normal for someone to be that happy all the time.
Xander Leahman didn’t know what he was getting into when he accepted an invitation to visit his best friend and help her interview people for the newly created position of manager at Craft Time. When a surly man bumps into him and then walks away with an enticing sway to his hips, Xander decides the position—and Dermot—are perfect for him. Now all he can think of is finding ways to get Dermot out of his clothes. Well that, and how to open this grinch’s heart to the Christmas season and, hopefully, love.
Categories: Contemporary, Gay Fiction, Romance, Holiday Words: 35,562
Publisher: Lime Time Press
Cover Artist: Laura Harner
Excerpt:
“Hey! Good morning!” The cheerful greeting broke through his concentration, and Dermot looked up to see the new manager of the Craft Time craft store sweeping the sidewalk in front of the shop. “Hey,” he muttered sourly. Xander Leahman made his head ache. Just one glance and he wanted to snap at the man to comb his hair, put on a heavier jacket, and for Christ sakes why wasn’t he wearing gloves outside in this weather?
Dermot wasn’t going to stop. He had no plans stop and talk to the smiling man. Xander bubbled more than a bottle of shaken soda water. Dermot didn’t have time for his chatter, and he didn’t have time for the strange, compelling not-quite-nausea he seemed prone to in Xander’s company.
Maybe he was allergic to the man’s cologne, or deodorant, or shampoo. Dermot leaned forward and sniffed surreptitiously, but he couldn't smell anything other than cinnamon and vanilla. An overwhelming urge to bake overcame him, and he jerked himself upright.
He was an executive chef, not a pastry chef. He didn’t bake, and especially not something as…plebeian as oatmeal raisin cookies, which was what Xander smelled like.
“Excuse me.” He deliberately stepped around Xander, who put out a hand and caught his arm.
“I saw you coming down the street.” Xander set the broom aside and picked up a steaming mug from the windowsill. “It’s not as good as Prudence’s coffee, but I made it fresh this morning.”
Blinking in astonishment, Dermot stared from the mug to the hand on his arm. He could really…
“Thanks.” He accepted the mug and inhaled the rich aroma of good coffee, scented with cinnamon and…yeah, vanilla. And he’d thought it was Xander who smelled so good? He didn't know whether to be relieved or embarrassed. “I needed this. That walk feels longer every day that the temperature drops.” The first sip exploded on his tongue with soothing heat and delicious flavor and he bit back a moan of appreciation.
Tracy's Review:
About the Authors:
LEE BRAZIL:
Somewhere in a small town in up-state New York are a librarian and a second grade teacher to whom I owe my life. That might be a touch dramatic, but it's nevertheless one hundred percent true.
Because they taught me the joy of reading, of escaping into worlds crafted of words.
Have you ever been nine years old and sure of nothing so much as that you don't belong? Looked at the world from behind glasses, and wondered why you don't fit?
Someone hands you a book, and then you turn the page and see… There you are, running from Injun Joe in a dark graveyard; there you are fencing with Athos; there you are…beneath the deep blue sea- marveling at exotic creatures with Captain Nemo.
I found myself between the pages of books, and that is why I write now. It's why I taught English and literature for so many years, and it's why my house contains more pounds of books than furniture.
If I'd had my way, I'd have been a fencer…or a starship captain, or a lawyer, or a detective solving crimes. But instead, I am a writer, and I've come to realize that's the best thing in the world to be, because as a writer, I can be all those things and more.
If I hadn't learned to value the stories between the pages, who knows what would have happened? Certainly not college…teaching…or writing.
Contacting Lee around the Web:
HAVAN FELLOWS:
I annoy, love, respect, scare, seduce, hurt, anger, infatuate, frustrate, flatter, envy, amuse and tolerate everyone. I just do it better in writing thanks to a little thing called…edits.
Okay no, seriously…I'm a simpleminded person who enjoys the escape from real life through a book. I write with the group Story Orgy and hope to continue doing so for a long time. I also am privileged to be with the Pulp Friction writers, creating intermingling books in a world all our own. And just like every other red-blooded human—I love hearing from people. So feel free to drop me a line—whether it's a comment on my blog, an email, a tweet, or you track me down on FaceBook or Google +…it's easy to catch someone who wants to be caught.
Contacting Havan around the Web:
12-Dec
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tracy's Review:
ARC provided by the Authors in exchange of an honest review.
4 Stars for Christmas in His Heart
4 Stars for Christmas in His Heart
Dermot and Xander have both been secretly interested in each other for months. Finally Xander makes his move and offers Dermot coffee one morning as he passes by on the way to his restaurant, where he is the owner and head chef. Xander is the manager at the craft store next-door to Dermot's restaurant. Dermot is grateful for the coffee, but NOT the very festive mug it comes in. Dermot hates Christmas. To say Dermot is not a fan of the Christmas season is putting it mildly. Xander is quite the opposite, where Dermot is a grumpy Grinch, Xander is a jolly elf! No one knows that Dermot truly has a good reason for not liking Christmas. Can Xander help Dermot heal and put Christmas back in his heart?
This was a sweet and sexy read. I loved Xander. Dermot, I wanted to strangle with some Christmas lights for a good portion of this book, but he really did have good reason to not like Christmas, and when the truth finally comes out, I was heartbroken for him. I wanted to wrap him up in a big embrace.
These two men had a good connection and excellent chemistry. There were some steamy scenes in this book. The story had good bones and I love the premises of it, but what didn't work for me was the flow. It was choppy at times, and I wasn't always sure of the time frame from one scene to the next. It became confusing at times, and just felt off. The story would be going along nicely, I would be getting into it, and bam...it just stopped holding me captive. I am not sure if it was the collaboration between the authors that caused these issues or what the problem was. My rating is 3.75 rounded up to 4 stars.
About the Authors:
Somewhere in a small town in up-state New York are a librarian and a second grade teacher to whom I owe my life. That might be a touch dramatic, but it's nevertheless one hundred percent true.
Because they taught me the joy of reading, of escaping into worlds crafted of words.
Have you ever been nine years old and sure of nothing so much as that you don't belong? Looked at the world from behind glasses, and wondered why you don't fit?
Someone hands you a book, and then you turn the page and see… There you are, running from Injun Joe in a dark graveyard; there you are fencing with Athos; there you are…beneath the deep blue sea- marveling at exotic creatures with Captain Nemo.
I found myself between the pages of books, and that is why I write now. It's why I taught English and literature for so many years, and it's why my house contains more pounds of books than furniture.
If I'd had my way, I'd have been a fencer…or a starship captain, or a lawyer, or a detective solving crimes. But instead, I am a writer, and I've come to realize that's the best thing in the world to be, because as a writer, I can be all those things and more.
If I hadn't learned to value the stories between the pages, who knows what would have happened? Certainly not college…teaching…or writing.
Contacting Lee around the Web:
Twitter @LeeBrazil
I annoy, love, respect, scare, seduce, hurt, anger, infatuate, frustrate, flatter, envy, amuse and tolerate everyone. I just do it better in writing thanks to a little thing called…edits.
Okay no, seriously…I'm a simpleminded person who enjoys the escape from real life through a book. I write with the group Story Orgy and hope to continue doing so for a long time. I also am privileged to be with the Pulp Friction writers, creating intermingling books in a world all our own. And just like every other red-blooded human—I love hearing from people. So feel free to drop me a line—whether it's a comment on my blog, an email, a tweet, or you track me down on FaceBook or Google +…it's easy to catch someone who wants to be caught.
Contacting Havan around the Web:
Pinterest Twitter: @Havanfellows
Author Questions/Interview
BBJ: Why did you choose to write M/M stories?
Havan: I’ve actually got a few books in different stages that aren’t M/M...but M/M is my first and foremost love. I love reading them and I love writing them.
Lee: M/M is where my inspiration lies. I’ve toyed with writing since I was in high school, and never finished a project until I wrote my first m/m romance four years ago.
What is the book you would bring with you on a desert island?
Now...am I gonna be stuck on this desert island for a long time? Because if so - and I’m only allowed one book - it’s gonna be my huge copy of The Complete Tales & Poems of Edgar Allan Poe for the main reason that I’ve never made it through the whole thing so this would finally be my chance.
East of Eden by John Steinbeck. It’s got everything… love, romance, betrayal, mystery.
How do you come up with your titles?
*points to Lee* When I am title-blocked (which happens quite frequently) I turn to Lee...I don’t think he realizes how many of my titles he’s thought up for me.
Um...they strike in fits of inspiration. We actually had over half of Christmas in His Heart written before the title appeared.
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
This is such a difficult question - I’m not the type of person that ever has just one favorite, there are just too many to choose from to narrow it down to just one. For instance, my favorite classics author would probably be Edgar Allan Poe because he has the ability to stop my heart with just a word or two. My favorite humorous author would probably have to be Shel Silverstein. No matter how many times I read his poems I still giggle like a kid. I actually memorized his poem Clarence for speech class in seventh grade and to this day can recite it perfectly.
Steinbeck, again. He was one of those writers whose final product made it look easy, you know? And having been a writer for four years now, I can tell you that it isn’t anywhere near as easy as it looks.
Do you have a library card and know where it is?
I do have one...and I have no idea where it is. I also haven’t been to the library for myself in many many years.
I do not. There isn’t a library in my town. I’ve long been a hoarder of books. Even in school as a child it was difficult for me to return library books if I truly loved them.
Tour Dates/Tour Stops:
8-Dec
9-Dec
10-Dec
11-Dec
12-Dec
13-Dec
Where to buy Christmas in His Heart:
Tanks for having us on, and for the lovely review :)
ReplyDelete*sigh* I mean, THANKS. No tanks here. All very peaceable this Wednesday. Should never post before the second cup of coffee, huh?
DeleteOh, I thought you were in the military or something! Yeah, always have that 2nd cup before you post! lol
DeleteYou're very welcome, it was a pleasure to read! This was my 1st book, but it won't be my last. I will be looking into others!! <3
Love being here and thanks for the great review. :) And Lee...you haven't had your second cup of coffee yet? *eyes my third cup sitting next to me* um...okay...lol
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.. 3 cups? Wow! lol :)
DeleteHappy holidays, Lee and Havan! The story sounds really good!
ReplyDeleteThank you Mari! Happy Holidays to you !
DeleteHope you enjoy, and have a great holiday season also :)
DeleteHappy Holidays to you guys and to the Bayou Book Junkie Crew! Much success to Lee and Haven on their new release.
ReplyDeletetaina1959 at yahoo.com
Thanks, thats very sweet of you. We hope you have an awesome Holiday too!! Tracy and Mari <3
DeleteThank you! Happy holidays to you and yours :)
DeleteOooooh...I like that holiday wish. :) Thanks for stopping by and hope your holidays bring you loads of smiles.
ReplyDelete