Where Fiction and Reality Meet
Title: The Storm’s Gift Author: A.D. Ellis Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Length: 34 Pages Category: Contemporary, Holiday, New Adult At a Glance: A cute, short story, but with some elements that seemed off for college life. Reviewed By: Jennifer Blurb: Snowed in together in their college dorm, two men share a quick connection that creates enough... Continue Reading →
Title: Trading Tridents Author: C.M. Taylor Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Length: 32 Pages Category: Contemporary At a Glance: A fun story with two versions of Aquaman, fanboys, and conventions. Reviewed By: Jennifer Blurb: DecemberCon 2017. John Perlan, aka YouTuber “SmileyNibor,” has come to the con for one reason and one reason only: to see his idol,... Continue Reading →
Title: The Last Gift Author: Chrissy Munder Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Length: 48 pages Category: Contemporary, Holiday At a Glance: I was completely charmed by this slow-burn and delightfully sweet story. Reviewed By: Sadonna Blurb: College student Nick Reed works late shift at a convenience store and dreams of graduation, a job he can be proud... Continue Reading →
Title: A Holiday Crush Author: CJane Elliott Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Length: 50 Pages Category: Contemporary, Holiday At a Glance: This one was a nice addition to this year’s advent story collection. It kept my Christmas cheer going for sure! Reviewed By: Jules Blurb: San Francisco lawyer Brad Halberstam is in a rut. At forty-one, he’s... Continue Reading →
Title: The Mature Man’s Guide to Surviving Change Author: Chris Scully Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Length: 59 pages Category: Contemporary, Holiday At a Glance: This is a heart-warming friends to lovers, second chance love story, with sweet and humorous moments that I thoroughly enjoyed. Reviewed By: Sadonna Blurb: In the sunny playground of Palm Springs, growing... Continue Reading →
Title: Welcome Home, Soldier Author: Deanna Wadsworth Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Length: 76 Pages Category: Contemporary, Holiday At a Glance: Welcome Home, Soldier is a sweet reunion story that many will find redemptive and romantic and a nice way to spend a few holiday hours. Reviewed By: Sammy Blurb: Clay and Daniel fell in love as... Continue Reading →
Title: An Unexpected Sanctuary Author: Cassie Decker Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Length: 33 Pages Category: Holiday, Sci-Fi At a Glance: A short but sweet dystopian set during Christmas with great characters. Reviewed By: Jennifer Blurb: An aggressive super-flu pandemic wipes out a majority of the population over the course of one Christmas holiday—and brings Tobin and... Continue Reading →
Title: Eugene and the Box of Nails Author: Jaime Samms Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Length: 58 Pages Category: Contemporary, Holiday At a Glance: Reading Eugene and the Box of Nails made me realize that it’s been too darn long since I’ve read something by Jaime Samms, and reminded me how much I love her books. Reviewed... Continue Reading →
Title: The Probability of Mistletoe Author: E.J. Russell Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Length: 43 Pages Category: Contemporary Holiday Romance At a Glance: The Probability of Mistletoe is a wholesome story standing strong amongst stars. Reviewed By: Jenn Blurb: When software engineer Keith Trainor decides to start his own company, he knows exactly who he wants as... Continue Reading →
Title: The Werewolf Before Christmas Author: Charles Payseur Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Length: 35 Pages Category: Sci-Fi, Holiday At a Glance: Between Alec’s imperfect magic, his growing love for Ray, and some incredibly random situations, this is a perfect addition to the Advent Calendar. Reviewed By: Jenn Blurb: Ray seems like the perfect boyfriend—he’s gorgeous, incredibly... Continue Reading →
Title: The Holly Groweth Green Author: Amy Rae Durreson Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Length: 55 Pages Category: High Fantasy, Holiday At a Glance: With gentle and endearing characters, a simple, sweet story, and a lovely ending, this story will be just the ticket for those who allow their imaginations to soar. Reviewed By: Sammy Blurb: When... Continue Reading →
Title: Candy Canes and Cappuccinos Author: Elizabeth Coldwell Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Length: 24 Pages Category: Contemporary Holiday Romance At a Glance: I don’t have a ton of stuff to say about this one, guys. I think twenty-four pages simply isn’t a lot of space to get much of a story going. This was for sure... Continue Reading →
Title: O Hell, All Ye Shoppers Author: Louisa Masters Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Length: 26 Pages Category: Contemporary, Holiday At a Glance: Anyone who has shopped or worked retail during the holiday season will commiserate with the characters. Reviewed By: Jennifer Blurb: Ethan Hall plans to fill Saturday, December 23, with junk food and bad TV,... Continue Reading →
Title: A Gift of Family Author: Tami Veldura Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Length: 32 Pages Category: Contemporary Holiday Romance At a Glance: I think A Gift of Family was exactly what it was supposed to be—a sugary little holiday romance to warm the readers’ hearts. Reviewed By: Jules Blurb: Scott Burke has always desired a big... Continue Reading →
Title: The Puzzle Box Author: CC Bridges Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Length: 31 Pages Category: Contemporary Holiday Romance At a Glance: The Puzzle Box is a perfect short holiday story that reminded me of the Christmas carol 'I’ll be Home for Christmas'. The pacing is well done, the emotions are well telegraphed, and the characters are... Continue Reading →
Title: All Creatures Great and Small Author: Kasper Quill Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Length: 34 Pages Category: Contemporary Holiday Romance At a Glance: All Creatures Great and Small is a sweet Christmas story that just makes you go 'aww'. Reviewed By: Jenn Blurb: Growing up an orphan meant Charlie never celebrated Christmas. He’s committed to making... Continue Reading →
Title: Wreck the Halls Author: Jessica Payseur Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Length: 46 Pages Category: Contemporary Holiday Romance At a Glance: This is a short holiday novella with a HEA(?) that tries to be a love/hate, push/pull kind of storyline. Unfortunately, it just didn’t do it for me. Reviewed By: Carrie Blurb: Business has been good... Continue Reading →
Title: Hope Is the Thing with Feathers Author: Brandon Witt Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Length: 48 Pages Category: Contemporary Holiday Romance At a Glance: While Samuel and Raymond may be advanced in years, their romance is young at heart. Hope Is the Thing with Feathers is one holiday story I highly recommend. Reviewed By: Sammy Blurb:... Continue Reading →
Title: An Open Window Author: Rick R. Reed Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Length: 21 Pages Category: Contemporary Holiday Romance At a Glance: This Christmas short is just pure magic. Tender and emotional, An Open Window has earned a place at the top of my Christmas list! Reviewed By: Sammy Blurb: Two men. One Christmas Eve that... Continue Reading →
Title: A Timely Gift Author: Kris T. Bethke Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Length: 39 Pages Category: Contemporary Holiday Romance At a Glance: This is a sweet, incredibly romantic short with just the right amount of “magic”. It’s a feel-good story with no angst, and is all about falling in love. I highly recommend it. Reviewed By:... Continue Reading →
Title: Ghostwriter of Christmas Past Author: TA Moore Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Length: 57 Pages Category: Contemporary, Holiday At a Glance: Worth the read and a good addition to the advent calendar. Reviewed By: Jenn Blurb: Ever since ghostwriter Jason Burke ended up in loco parentis for his orphaned niece, Mallory, he’s been trying. He goes... Continue Reading →
Title: Red Popcorn Strings and Gumball Rings Author: Nell Iris Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Length: 46 Pages Category: Contemporary Holiday Romance At a Glance: Red Popcorn Strings and Gumball Rings is a lovely, hopeful example of what Christmas is truly about. Reviewed By: Jules Blurb: Christmas is coming, and young couple Casey and Ellis are very... Continue Reading →
Title: Dear Ruth Author: Kim Fielding Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Length: 52 Pages Category: Holiday Romance, Contemporary At a Glance: I loved Dear Ruth from start to finish, and loved the ending. It fit perfectly with the tone and theme of the story, and was just right. Reviewed By: Jenn Blurb: Dear Ruth, I’m not in... Continue Reading →
Title: Homemade from the Heart Author: Bru Baker Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Length: 52 Pages Category: Holiday Romance, Contemporary At a Glance: The entire story was just perfect, and I thoroughly recommend it with a cup of your favourite hot beverage! Reviewed By: Jenn Blurb: Craft store owner Grant has always been a sucker for a... Continue Reading →
The Novel Approach Reviews 