Where Fiction and Reality Meet
Title: Horse of Bells Author: Pelaam Publisher: Breathless Press Pages/Word Count: 29000 Words At a Glance: While the novella's a quick, fun read, I still can't help but think of missed opportunities Blurb: A legendary horse, magic, and a man shrouded in mystery. Who can he trust? Caolan risks both his heart and his life... Continue Reading →
Title: Under a New Star Author: Leo d’Entremont Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Pages/Word Count: 76 pages At a Glance: Fun characters and a story that could easily be much longer and just as great Blurb: In the 26th Century, mankind has breached the light speed barrier and begun to colonize other planets. They've also learned to Design human beings,... Continue Reading →
Title: Under a New Star Author: Leo d’Entremont Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Pages/Word Count: 76 pages At a Glance: Fun characters and a story that could easily be much longer and just as great Blurb: In the 26th Century, mankind has breached the light speed barrier and begun to colonize other planets. They've also learned to Design human beings,... Continue Reading →
Title: Tidings of Comfort and Joey Down Under Author: David Connor Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Pages/Word Count: 67 Pages At a Glance: Begins with a cute and clever premise, but ultimately falls short Blurb: Seth Anderson thought he was a finalist in the Hot Jack cologne modeling contest for King's Department Store, but Sandy King, upon... Continue Reading →
Title: The Green Man’s Bounty Author: S.A. Garcia Publisher: MLR Press Pages/Word Count: 68 Pages At a Glance: A worthwhile read, though the satisfaction came more from the exploration of rich traditions and the focus on traumatized, displaced children than from anything romantic or fantastical Blurb: Can a Druid accept Christmas by helping WW2 orphans?... Continue Reading →
Title: The Green Man’s Bounty Author: S.A. Garcia Publisher: MLR Press Pages/Word Count: 68 Pages At a Glance: A worthwhile read, though the satisfaction came more from the exploration of rich traditions and the focus on traumatized, displaced children than from anything romantic or fantastical Blurb: Can a Druid accept Christmas by helping WW2 orphans?... Continue Reading →
Title: Mr. Popsalos Author: Lisa Worrall Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Pages/Word Count: 116 Pages At a Glance: Don’t wait until the holidays come around again! Pick this one up now. Blurb: Advertising executive and single parent Luke Fisher has grown painfully aware he becomes less dateable the minute he reveals he has a son. Not entertaining... Continue Reading →
Title: The Wish Augur Author: Cecil Wilde Publisher: Less Than Three Press Pages/Word Count: 44 Pages At a Glance: Quick read, warm-hearted story with good intentions Blurb: Gabriel Juarez has only one wish for Christmas, uttered moments before midnight on Christmas Eve: a hug. He wakes up the next morning to find his wish being haphazardly granted... Continue Reading →
Title: The Journey Back Author: Kristen Slater Pages/Word Count: 35 Pages At a Glance: More tell than show, but a good story nonetheless Blurb: Having quit his job, Idris is trying to make it home to his partner of twelve years, Dan, in time for Christmas. Stuck on a train during a snowstorm, Idris has... Continue Reading →
Title: The Journey Back Author: Kristen Slater Pages/Word Count: 35 Pages At a Glance: More tell than show, but a good story nonetheless Blurb: Having quit his job, Idris is trying to make it home to his partner of twelve years, Dan, in time for Christmas. Stuck on a train during a snowstorm, Idris has... Continue Reading →
Title: The Healing Power of Eggnog Author: Jamie Fessenden Narrator:: Robbie Ravena Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Run Time: 1 Hour, 55 Minutes At a Glance: I would definitely recommend this audio even if you have read the book Blurb: Will Sutherland hasn't been home to see his parents in four years - not since they reacted... Continue Reading →
Title: Happiness for Beginners Author: Zahra Owens Narrator:: Michael Stellman Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Run Time: 1 Hour, 51 Minutes At a Glance: The storyline was too basic, with very few details about the main characters’ lives Blurb: Jesse harbored a crush on his TV series costar, Kaye, for more than eight years, but when the... Continue Reading →
Hello! Angel here again with five more reviews from Dreamspinner's Advent 2014 Anthology, Celebrate! Title: Ilya and The Wolf Author: Rory Ni Coileain Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Pages/Word Count: 25 Pages At a Glance: Highly recommended! Blurb: Ilya, the youngest son of a Moscow oligarch, is so deep in the closet he’d find Narnia if that... Continue Reading →
Title: Late Bloomer Author: Bru Baker Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Pages/Word Count: 64 Pages At a Glance: This story was a late bloomer for me Blurb: If not for his family and his Christmas tree farm, David Rochester would be a recluse. And Erik Shriver wouldn’t know a quiet moment if it smacked him in the... Continue Reading →
Title: A Midnight Clear (Boughs of Evergreen Anthology) Author: Debbie McGowan Publisher: Beaten Track Publishing Pages/Word Count: 84 Pages At a Glance: This was a fantastic holiday read Blurb: It's a cold, desperate December when a young girl flees home, in search of food, shelter and the real Santa Claus. Stranded in George and Josh's... Continue Reading →
Title: Green the Whole Year ‘Round Author: Rowan McAllister Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Pages/Word Count: 77 Pages Rating: 4 Stars Blurb: Couples counselor Ted Freeman is still reeling six months after his partner left him. He desperately hopes a week of peace and quiet at a quaint mountain cabin will be just what he needs to... Continue Reading →
Title: Green the Whole Year ‘Round Author: Rowan McAllister Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Pages/Word Count: 77 Pages Rating: 4 Stars Blurb: Couples counselor Ted Freeman is still reeling six months after his partner left him. He desperately hopes a week of peace and quiet at a quaint mountain cabin will be just what he needs to... Continue Reading →
Title: Happy Holidays (The Dark Angels: Book Four) Author: Z. Allora Publisher: Rocky Ridge Books Pages/Word Count: 125 Pages Rating: 4 Stars Blurb: What do erotic sex toys and Hanukkah have to do with each other? Absolutely nothing unless you're a member of the famous rock band The Dark Angels and the shy but kinky... Continue Reading →
Short stories are hard to write—and review. I love them, personally, but it does take a special type of author to get them correct, in my opinion. I think Stephen King said it best, and I am paraphrasing here, Short stories are like kisses from strangers in the dark. And they are, you never know... Continue Reading →
Titles: Xmas Cake: A Modern Fairy Tale, Coming in from the Cold, and The Bard and His Boyfriend Authors: Raine O’Tierney, Ava Penn, Kathleen Hayes Publisher: Beaten Track Publishing – Boughs of Evergreen Anthology benefitting The Trevor Project Pages/Word Count: 43 Pages/52 Pages/35 Pages Rating: 3.5 Stars Overall Blurbs: Xmas Cake: Once upon a snowy... Continue Reading →
Title: It's Christmas Everywhere But Here Author: Liam Grey Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Pages/Word Count: 96 Rating: 3.5 Stars Blurb: Christmas brings dreams of peace, love, and family time for most. Sadly, Russell Moore isn’t so blessed. Since his coming out and marriage prompted a less-than-joyful reaction from his religious parents, Russ has kept his distance... Continue Reading →
Title: It's Christmas Everywhere But Here Author: Liam Grey Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Pages/Word Count: 96 Rating: 3.5 Stars Blurb: Christmas brings dreams of peace, love, and family time for most. Sadly, Russell Moore isn’t so blessed. Since his coming out and marriage prompted a less-than-joyful reaction from his religious parents, Russ has kept his distance... Continue Reading →
Title: Lion’s Hero Author: Alexis Woods Publisher: Beaten Track Publishing Pages/Word Count: 82 Pages Rating: 4.5 Stars Blurb: A story from Boughs of Evergreen: A Holiday Anthology (proceeds go to The Trevor Project). Eight nights to fall in love. Ari has a mission: meet and fall in love with a man chosen for him by... Continue Reading →
Title: Lion’s Hero Author: Alexis Woods Publisher: Beaten Track Publishing Pages/Word Count: 82 Pages Rating: 4.5 Stars Blurb: A story from Boughs of Evergreen: A Holiday Anthology (proceeds go to The Trevor Project). Eight nights to fall in love. Ari has a mission: meet and fall in love with a man chosen for him by... Continue Reading →
The Novel Approach Reviews 