Saturday, December 15, 2018

What's on the Reading Radar: Holiday Edition #1 #holiday #reading

Starting with today's Reading Radar, I will have five post across this coming week about new release holiday reads. Last year I was looking only for fantasy/sci-fi/paranormal holiday stories because that is what I like to read. This year I have switched it up a bit. I went hunting for holiday stories, originally for today only. I put an inquiry on my facebook wall but I also checked out retailers. I doubt that I got them all, but since I can fill five post with about 20 per post, I think I picked up a lot.

A small change to the layout is an abbreviation of what I usually do with only the Title with link, Genre, Notes, and Blurb.  There are just so many and I wanted to save myself for the work. :D This post will include the authors who gave me a link on my facebook shout-out. Enjoy!


Title: A Very Vampire Christmas

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay

Notes: Tags: Christmas, humor, romance writer, vampire, Wild West
Blurb: Stuck for ideas on what to get his wealthy, blind, vampire lover for Christmas, Kevin comes up with the idea of recovering Danton’s long-lost but much-favored glass eyes from their home in a Wild West museum. But one touch of the eyes and Kevin is swept by his developing clairvoyant powers into a psychic nightmare of the old Wild West the eyes ‘witnessed’ while still in Danton’s head. The journey reveals a gunslinger Sheriff Danton, brings to light the lingering threat of Danton’s violent vampire ex-lover, and ultimately seals a new bond between Kevin and Danton in a Christmas to remember.



Title: Season to Shimmer 

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Family / Gay /

Notes: 

Blurb: One morning close to the holidays, Nolan wakes up to two surprises: a distress call from his younger brother and a beautiful man in his bed. Nolan, an art gallery owner, has always been discreet about his sexuality, but when his baby brother plans to come out at the annual family gala, Nolan wants to have his back—and that means showing up with a man of his own on his arm. Nolan knows just the man for the job.

Skylar, who owns a karate studio in St. Augustine, can’t get his one-night stand out of his mind. When he runs into Nolan at his gallery he is more than happy to volunteer his services as arm candy. Out-and-proud himself with his striking blue/green hair, Skylar is all in. Their adventure means a fancy salon, family drama, lots of sex, a ninja hippo, and palm trees lit up in a very suggestive way. By the end of it, what started as a hookup might become much more.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2018 Advent Calendar "Warmest Wishes."




Title: An Operative of Fate

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Lesbian / 

Notes: 


Blurb: Devin Knight seems to have lost all hope of a private life. It's been ages since she's had a date. It's been ages since she's been alone with another woman. All she does is work. She works at four in the morning, she works at nine at night. When she came back home after culinary school, she didn't expect to be responsible for so much so soon. She didn't expect to be in charge of the Knight Bakery without her father to help her. She didn't expect to be mired down in predictability, drowning in expectations. No matter what she does, she cannot seem to live up to his example. 

Now, the annual Pine Ridge Christmas Eve Parade is unfolding around her, she's up to her eyeballs in cakes, pies and cookies and the universe conspires to give her a glimpse at what her future could be. Will she open her heart to Christmas possibility?



Title: Dylan the Bad Boy Reindeer & His Virtuous Mate (Willy the Kinky Elf & His Bad-Ass Reindeer Book 5)

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay /

Notes: When I grabbed this I didn't realize that it was a part of a series. It starts with Willy the Kinky Elf & His Bad-Ass Reindeer. I appears that the author puts one out every years since 2014.


Blurb: From the world of Willy the Kinky Elf & His Bad-Ass Reindeer.

The North Pole isn't exactly as it appears in fairy tales. It has the elves and Santa and his reindeer, but Santa and Mrs. Claus aren't the jolly couple the world believes them to be. Far from it, actually. The reindeer are all shape-shifters who transform into gorgeous beings in human form and are respected by all.

Reindeer Dylan is the ultimate bad boy - wearing leather, riding a motorcycle, having sex anytime he wants. Forced to run away as a teen, he’s had to fight for survival. Now twenty-five, Dylan lives in Mistletoe Hill, the one place in the North Pole that's not eggnog and sugar cookies.

When Santa's wife promises to share information about Dylan's long-missing mother, he reluctantly escorts her to the annual Christmas party to make Santa jealous. What he doesn't expect is to see a reindeer who'll have him wanting something he's never wanted before. Scared of what he's feeling, he leaves, not even knowing the reindeer's name.

Cole Crawford is one of the North Pole's most respected citizens. Not one for random hookups, when he locks eyes with Mrs. Claus' date at the party, he's convinced he's found his mate. But then the reindeer bolts, leaving Cole wondering if he'll ever see him again.

When Mrs. Claus breaks her promise, Dylan contacts the Chief Reindeer and his elf for help locating his mother. Unfortunately, there are powerful people who'll stop at nothing to ensure that certain secrets stay buried. Elf Willy just wants to play matchmaker and drink his Peppermint Whiskey. After witnessing the look between Dylan and Cole last Christmas, he makes it his elfly duty to bring them together.




Title: A Season of New Beginnings

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Gay /

Notes: 


Blurb: Joshua just wants to be alone. Happy holidays be damned; the last place he wants to be is at a Christmas Eve party surrounded by overly jolly friends. After a breakup with his boyfriend, Clay, he’s having a hard time watching other people be merry when all he wants is to drown himself in booze.

If it wasn’t for a promise to two dear friends, he’d have been home on his couch watching the least festive thing possible. Instead, he’s got to deal with flamboyant Desi flirting up a storm with him. Only Desi has a past too, and his own pain, as well as a bit of unsolicited advice for Joshua that could turn his bleak night into a bright future.




Title: The Holiday Spirit

Genre: Romance / Fantasy / Gay /

Notes: 


Blurb: It’s hard being the PA for the Holiday Spirit.

Julian is more dedicated than most, and knows the job inside and out. But that doesn’t mean he’ll still have a job when the new Holiday Spirit is elected. It also doesn't mean he’s immune to the *cough* charms of the office, but that's a whole other problem.




Title: Slow Summer Heat

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Over 40 / Aussie Christmas / Gay / 

Notes: 


Blurb: Geoffrey Saxon is in his forties, a bit plump, a lot fuzzy, and rather boring in bed—and thanks to a very public breakup, everyone in his street knows it. However, what they don’t know is that Geoffrey sometimes watches his hot young neighbor, Vaughn, in the pool. Vaughn has invited Geoffrey to join his pool parties, but Geoffrey knows it’s only pity.

As if things can’t get worse, Geoffrey’s air conditioner breaks during a heat wave in Western Australia—and just before Christmas. In search of some relief, he camps out in his backyard, where he also has a prime view of Vaughn swimming… naked. When Geoffrey’s injured falling from his spying post, Vaughn comes to his rescue and Geoffrey doesn’t think he can be more horrified.

But he could be in for a sweet holiday surprise. Is he ready to take the dive?

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2018 Advent Calendar "Warmest Wishes."




Title: Sugar Cookies & Computer Code

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay /

Notes: 


Blurb: Tandy has never fit in with the others at the North Pole, whether it’s his size or love for computers. But he wants to contribute to the mission of making the world’s children happy. Every elf does. Taking time away from his baby — a new process for the Nice and Naughty lists — to do the yearly census on the Isle of Misfit Toys just doesn’t fit into his schedule.

It seemed like every time El turned around, there was another elf getting under foot for a census. Did the elves think that toys just disappeared from the Isle? And those that arrived were accounted for before they arrived. All El wanted at this point in his life was to become a baker at the North Pole. He’d had the love of a child already and Jack Frost did it hurt when he was no longer in his heart. Maybe if he avoided the elf this year, they’d just leave him to his cookies.

Can the magic of the holidays bring these two together? El and Tandy both need help healing and isn’t Christmas the season of miracles?




Title: Camouflage Christmas

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Military / Gay /  

Notes: 


Blurb: In war-torn Afghanistan, all Captain Oliver Macintosh and Captain Brendan Clarke want for Christmas is each other. But will either of them have the courage to take the first step before it’s too late and they run out of second chances?
M/M Contemporary Romance

16,000 words




Title: Paradise Lodge

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Rocks Bands / Pansexual / Bisexual / 

Notes: Tags: friends to lovers, holidays, musicians, new adult, vacation


Blurb: Azariah Bell is a nervous wreck. He isn’t prepared to spend the final week of the year with his best friend, Ky O’Sullivan, lead vocalist for their pop rock band, Moving Insignia—especially after the fight he caused before they parted ways two weeks ago.

Afraid of not being taken seriously by Ky, Azariah was concerned about what confessing his feelings would do to their friendship, or the band. He tried to keep his emotions in check, but instead, he exploded in anger over some petty issue, and now he’s potentially lost Ky forever.

Ky is looking forward to the band’s annual writing retreat for a week of songwriting and recording at a secluded mountain resort. Spending Christmas with his family gave Ky time to reflect on how he’d handled Azariah’s epic meltdown. It wasn’t good, and Ky is determined to uncover the true nature of Azariah’s unusual behavior. They didn’t keep secrets from each other, or so he believed.

Expecting to see the rest of the band when they arrive by helicopter, Ky and Azariah are shocked to learn they are alone at a deserted lodge. When they discover they’ve been set up by their bandmates so they can “sort it out,” their choices are few. But it’s critical for them to resolve their problems if they have any hope of enjoying the new year together, let alone make that new album happen.




Title: A Holiday Tradition

Genre: Romance / Contemporary /  Gay /

Notes: 


Blurb: Paul Carpenter has his life all planned out. Or at least his father does. The right school, the right degree, the right job. Paul is on track, until a bus accident has him sitting out a coveted internship, babysitting, or being babysat, by a grandfather he barely remembers during his holiday stay in a Florida RV park. His father’s reasoning? How much temptation can Paul find around a bunch of senior citizens playing bingo? There’ll be nothing to distract him from his studies. 

It’s hard to muster his holiday spirit when Paul is used to snow and cold, not sun, surf, and plastic flamingos in Santa hats. But then Paul meets Kevin Lombardo, who offers to show him some new holiday traditions. Suddenly Paul’s fast track hits a curve.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2018 Advent Calendar "Warmest Wishes."




Title: Burning Down the HouseEscape from the Holidays

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Gay / 

Notes: 


Blurb: Leo's quiet vacation in Vermont is cut short by news that his beloved grandmother's in the hospital because she tried to burn down her own house. Feeling low and depressed that she might be falling victim to dementia, Leo takes comfort in a man he meets in the hospital's Quiet Room. The encounter's supposed to be a one-night stand, one and done, no strings attached, but Leo's surprised when he wants more.

​The problem is that Aaron comes with strings and complications—ones Leo isn't sure he wants to deal with on top of his own problems. Leo's going to have to reach deep if he wants more than superficial, but he's determined to try if the universe will just cooperate.



Title: Christmas Prince

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Gay / 

Notes: 


Blurb: Prince Raphael, the youngest son of the Montaunoit royal family, is the custodian of his country's history. At a Sotheby's auction, he outbids Marc on an item he doesn't even want. Just because he can.


Meeting the museum curator turns Raphael's world upside down, and when lust turns to love he knows he has to change.

Can Marc be the one to show Raphael that he doesn't have to stay the lonely prince forever, and that love is always an option?

* * * * *

This story is one of seven stories which can all be read and enjoyed in any order.

* * * * *

In 1750, a master woodcarver poured all his unrequited love, passion, and longing into his masterpiece—a gorgeous Christmas angel for his beloved’s tree. When the man he loved tossed the angel away without a second thought, a miracle happened. The angel was found by another who brought the woodcarver True Love.

Since then, the angel has been passed down, sold, lost and found, but its magic remains. Read the romances inspired by (and perhaps nudged along by) the Christmas Angel through the years. Whether it’s the 1880’s New York (Kim Fielding), the turn-of-the-century (Jordan L. Hawk), post World War II (L.A. Witt), Vietnam-era (N.R. Walker), the 1990’s (Anyta Sunday), 2018 Europe (RJ Scott), the Christmas Angel has a way of landing on the trees of lonely men who need its blessing for a very Merry Christmas and forever HEA.




Title: Designer Holiday

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Second Chances / Gay /

Notes: 


Blurb: It’s never too late for a second chance at love… or is it?


Rayne Sadler left the tiny town of Holiday Pines and his childhood sweetheart, Emilio Rives, to make a name for himself in the world of interior design. For twelve years, he never looked back. Now he has the successful career he wanted, but no one to share his life.

Emilio isn’t happy when Rayne returns to Holiday Pines to renovate the local playhouse. The town wants to stimulate the failing tourist industry, but Emilio has no interest in reviving the ashes of his relationship with Rayne.

Yet shared memories and experiences are powerful things. As the playhouse is restored to its former glory, the friendship between Rayne and Emilio slowly returns as well, and their chemistry is as powerful as ever. Rayne has designs on Emilio’s heart, and he sets out to prove it. Will the magic of Christmas thaw Emilio’s heart, or will it remain as cold as mountain snow?




Title: Krampus Bah Humbug

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay /

Notes: 


Blurb: When Krampus gets called to help find a missing Incarnation, he finds himself in over his head. It takes a little bit of magic and a help from a couple friends to win the day. More than one surprise looms that will turn his whole world upside down. Krampus has to get with the holiday attitude or lose all that he holds dear.




Title: Once Upon a December

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Gay / 

Notes: 


Blurb: Gibson Frost hates Christmas.


The holiday brings nothing but painful memories for him. It’s not a time for celebration or cheer so he works through the new year, avoiding as much fanfare as possible. Only this December is different because for the first time in a long time, he’s met someone that isn’t afraid to go toe-to-toe with him, to challenge him, and push him to open up.

Felix Michaelson loves Christmas.

His big, boisterous family celebrates the holiday the same way they do everything. Together and with all their heart. So when his parent’s new neighbor turns out to be a Grinch who wants to stomp all over their joy, he’s determined to show the man there’s plenty to celebrate. Somewhere beneath all that ice, he knows there’s a heart of gold.

But is one month enough time to convince Gibson they could have a lifetime of happiness together or will Felix need a Christmas miracle to win the heart of a Grinch?




Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

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