Wanted for Christmas

by J.M. Dragon

Belle Farrow knew what she wanted for Christmas‒work. Except she had little to offer but a minor degree in cookery and household management, certainly not enough for a decent chef or housekeeper position. Then she saw an advert in the local newspaper. Housekeeper/cook/nanny for the period of Christmas until the New Year. Could this be her savior for a short time, even if children didn’t exactly come under her expertise. How hard could it be for a few weeks? Danny Reed, is desperate, taking out an ad to find someone who can provide skills she hasn’t…cooking being the main one. Her aim, ensuring she keeps custody of her two nephews and niece. Helping her to provide evidence all is well for the grandparents visit Christmas day. There must be someone out there that would fit the bill for a few weeks. This is Christmas. Perhaps Santa reads the ad column too and pushes a little spirit of the season and romance into the request.

Genres: Christmas

89 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 30, 2019

About the author

JM Dragon was born in the United Kingdom and after leading a hectic working life in logistics, made the startling decision to up root and move half way around the world to New Zealand. That decision changed her life, she is now a New Zealand citizen and looks at the country now as her home and in her words 'I wouldn't live anywhere else in the world it's fabulous'.
Her life changed dramatically to a lifestyle block owner of 3 acres, complete with 2 Alpacas, 80 chickens and 4 cats.
She has written for as long as she can remember and has in her portfolio many novels and short stories. Some of which are published.
Today she splits her time between, her home life 'those darn weeds and chickens', her business venture with Affinity Ebook Press NZ LTD and writing.

Reviews

[Elske · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this book from Bella Books and was very disappointed with it. It felt like a rush job. The story had a very rough feel and the book badly needs good editing.

[Loek Krancher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cosy read!

Children was not part of her plans and neither was farming. After an awkward start and Christmas drawing closer, finally things are looking brighter and there is even a chance of finding love. Wanted for Christmas is a cosy short read with an unexpected family, pets, an idyllic scenery and with a tidbit of romance. Overall an enjoyable story.

[AnnMaree Of Oz · Rating 2 out of 5]

A really enjoyable novella. Under 2 hours. But ending abruptly with a far too quick wrap up that left me wanting.

Danny is an Aunt to 3 children who are 10, 8 and 5 and is now their guardian after a car accident killed her brother and his wife 8 months ago. She's struggling emotionally and time-wise with the family farm and work commitments, along with the children and their own grieving issues, as well as dealing with her own pain from the loss - as well as other past trauma.

Danny advertised for a housekeeper to help out for a few weeks over Christmas, to try and ensure the children's wellbeing but mostly to help ward off the ensuing in-law relatives claims to guardianship of the children. Enter Belle applying, who is described as plump and loves to cook and is opinionated but very caring, too. She immediately adores the charming farmhouse and the children but is a little put off by the icy Aunt Danny. She senses they are all still reeling and trying to find their way and she desperately wants to help them.

Belle becomes a warm staple in their lives, and Danny really thaws to her, as well as the kids adoring her. There's a slight attraction starting between Danny and Belle.

It was all going so well, then suddenly it tries to wrap things up far too quickly, and then just ends abruptly leaving a lot of issues hanging, which really annoyed me. I was even flicking back and forth on my kindle to see if I missed a page or twelve or twenty! But nope. It's like the author had a great half of a novel, then decided to just end it. I was so disappointed because otherwise I REALLY enjoyed the story and characters. I'm kinda sitting here in shock, wondering WTF happened?

I could have easily given this 4 stars, but that ending set it back to 2. Not satisfying at all. Do Not Recommend :(

[Doug Elliott · Rating 2 out of 5]

The setup is promising: a single aunt raising her late brother's children in need of a little help paired with a suddenly unemployed housekeeper. The build-up to a potential relationship is believable. However, the sudden "will you marry me" came out of the blue and really did not follow so quickly from what was happening at that point. This development was so abrupt it seemed more like a desperate business proposition than like a declaration of love. The main characters get their HEA, but it doesn't quite work.

[Fran Sappharc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Torn. I don’t tend to read many short stories so perhaps the sudden moving on to the end of the story is normal but it seemed to me the main characters were getting to know, getting interested then suddenly declaring love. The ending came so suddenly I was convinced the declarations would end up having been a dream. It felt that a huge chunk of the book had been missed out. Having said all that.... if I hadn’t enjoyed it, or bought into it, the sudden move on would have been a relief rather than leaving me feeling short changed. Since it is the season of goodwill I will say it’s me, not the author. Hence 3.5 tweaked to 4 and not down to 3. However if you like normal length, in depth books then it’s not me!

[Aris Duarte · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a short and beautiful christmas story. Belle sends her application to a wanted ad on the paper and not only her life changes, but also Danny's and her nephews lives.

The kids are just wonderful, specially Jack and the way their lives mix together it's just lovely and hits right into your heart.

[J.R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An advert starts it all.

Short story where two women realize each has their own way of doing things. One is taking care of her brother's children and the other is taking care of business of managing a home. Enjoy!

[Michelle Schuler · Rating 3 out of 5]

For hire

It was an okay romance. Slow, very slow. There was chemistry. The couple seemed to barely talk and interact except at meal time. Before they even kissed they were engaged. The holiday theme was just a day, no interaction. It felt like rambling. Liked the premise.

[Lily · Rating 1 out of 5]

There was all the potential of a cute christmas story; however, that is all it was - potential.
The lack of editing (numerous spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, and both missing and incorrect punctuation) made it a painful challenge to read, let alone enjoy.

[Robin Clairvaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wanted for Christmas is a short and sweet story about how two women find home and love and learn to build a family together.

I recommend it to readers who enjoy a quick, low-angst wlw romance set against a snowy holiday backdrop.

[MALLORY · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book,but would have liked to have known how she had gotten the scars on her face.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet Christmas story. Not long and very little romance but one of the main characters, Belle, is instantly likeable and the relationship she builds with the children in her charge is heart warming. First time ever that characters is a lesbian romance story not described as gorgeous.