Heartwarming Advent Calendar Novellas Bundle 6

When the chance came to review the novellas for the Heartwarming Advent Calendar they all looked so good that we decided to do our Nina and Beans joint reviews thing and talk about them all.  Some are longer and those get their own review space.  Some are shorter and those we are putting together into small bundles.   So bundle up, snuggle down, sip that eggnog and let’s find something great to read.

Title:  Holly and Oak

Author:  J.L. O’Faolain  

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press

Length:  28 pages

Rating:

Quad Shot of Love

Blurb:  Twice each year, during the solstice, the Holly King battles the Oak King as Nature takes its course. This year, however, Holly concedes defeat far too easily. Curious about his brother’s haste, Oak nags his brother into revealing his secret: a new relationship with a human. While loving a mortal is not taboo, Oak fears his brother’s love may run too deep. But despite knowing he risks his heart, Holly is determined to share warmth with his Sergio for as long as the world will allow, if not beyond.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2013 Advent Calendar package “Heartwarming”.

Reviews:

Beans:  This was different. I don’t know if this story was the shortest of the bunch of Advent Novellas, but it sure felt like it. The idea of the seasons having to fight over the time, and severity was well done and felt mythological.

I have to be honest that the whole story had me intrigued enough to look up this author for more. It felt new, refreshing, odd, and sweet.

Nina:  It was cool that there was a winter solstice story in the Advent Calendar.  I felt like this was a sample of a really great book that I would have enjoyed reading very much.  Could we please get more of this story?

Title:  A Solstice Journey  

Author:  Felicitas Ivey

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press

Length:  59 pages

Rating:

Up All Night Satisfaction

Blurb:  Upon leaving his company’s Christmas party, Gunnar Dagviðurson decides to walk to the train and enjoy the snowfall, only to get caught in a winter storm that magically transports him to a mysterious foreign realm. That’s how Celyn finds him, stumbling blindly through the snow, and Celyn takes Gunnar home to a castle of faery. Gunnar wants to find his way home for Christmas, but suddenly he’s faced with a choice: does he go back to his adopted family in the human world or stay with the magical family he’s found?

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2013 Advent Calendar package “Heartwarming”.

Reviews:

Beans:  This story was truly unique. Even though it felt like the first chapter of an epic fantasy romance I was satisfied with the ending. The world the author created in such a short amount of space was wonderful and made me want to dig in and explore.

I also loved how accepting both cultures were of Gunnar. It was a great for how natural everyone was. A fun story with more depth and maybe if we beg enough the author will write this into that epic fantasy romance I’m craving.

Nina:  Magic and faery and snowstorms.  What can happen when you wish for home while walking when the barrier between worlds is thin.

Gunnar was a relatively simple guy who loved being an accountant and his family.  He wasn’t looking for an adventure or to change his life, but when he found himself in another world he was amazingly calm and clear headed.

Celyn was beyond sexy. He was very sweet and kind to a man who was lost and confused. I think he prettying took one look at Gunnar and was done.

I adored the respect that was paid to adoption and the family who raises us as well as the family we make from those who accept and love us as we travel through life.

I loved this story. I’m a sucker for this type of fantasy and these guys and their world was fabulous.
I want more please.

Title:  Wrapped Up In You

Author:  Lucy Whedon

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press

Length:  33 pages

Rating:

Up All Night Satisfaction

Blurb:  Friends of Norris Mason and Danny Falk said their relationship was guaranteed to last. But lack of communication and individual insecurities broke them apart, and their love affair ended with Danny seeking employment in Japan. Now it’s two years later, Danny is back in town, Norris hasn’t let go of his love for Danny, and their friends are determined to see them happy again—together. A bit of Christmas matchmaking may encourage a new start for Norris and Danny… if they’re willing to take a chance.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2013 Advent Calendar package “Heartwarming”.

Reviews:

Beans:  There is so much in this story for such a short read!  I liked the pace and was weepy through most of it. It was very well written. I felt like I was in the party with Norris and Danny, watching them. Worth the small amount of time to read. It will enchant you and have you breathing fast to the last word.

Nina:  Intense, fast paced and brief.  Sometimes we say and do things that we don’t mean and we find ourselves in places we can’t get back from.  These guys get a second chance and they have to decide if they are brave enough to take the chance to open their hearts to each other again.