Icecapade (His for the Holidays) in Q&A with Josh Lanyon

May 13, 2012 Mandy*reads obsessively* rated it really liked it

Shelves: ebook-owned, m-m, hurt-comfort-disability, short

This story just goes to show that sometimes a short story doesn't have to feel short!
Although the story is told in about a 24h timeframe it is really a 10 yr love story in the making!
I really liked it! ...more

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Mar 05, 2012 Ari rated it really liked it

Shelves: mm-romance

i loooooovvvveeeee all Josh Lanyon's story!!!
i would give it 5 stars if it just a bit longer, moarrr Noel - Cuffe pleaseeee

okay enuf with the ridiculous squeeing!!

Noel Snow is diamond thief turns to writer, and Robert Cuffe is a special agents assigned for his crime. They once had spent one blissful night together, and now, 10 years later, they met again in the spirit of christmas (?) XDD
Anyway, were they goin to pick up where they left off?

It's only 100 pages long, but maannnnnn, it's so goooo ...more

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Sep 06, 2011 Paola rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favourite

A masterfully written little gem of a story, with a lot packed in it, and despite the short story format the characterisation and emotional depth didn't suffer.
By the second chapter, Josh Lanyon has managed to craft a universe that is rich and detailed enough to sustain the reader’s interest and investment in the characters, something that is more easily found in a full-length novel. The one between Noel and Robert is a very interesting dynamic, both past and present. I thought Robert’s wry and A masterfully written little gem of a story, with a lot packed in it, and despite the short story format the characterisation and emotional depth didn't suffer.
By the second chapter, Josh Lanyon has managed to craft a universe that is rich and detailed enough to sustain the reader’s interest and investment in the characters, something that is more easily found in a full-length novel. The one between Noel and Robert is a very interesting dynamic, both past and present. I thought Robert’s wry and often cynical humour created an interesting counterbalance against Noel’s more naive and optimistic nature. Compared to Robert, Noel seems to be taking things seriously and ‘literally’, and feeling he’s let down Robert all this time and guilty for exposing him in his novels and for damaging his FBI career.
Both characters show a remarkable dignity and nobility, no matter their backgrounds and their relative position in the ‘moral’ spectrum in which they’ve been operating for years before crossing paths again.
The irony in Noel (view spoiler)was a clever touch, almost a form of retribution (view spoiler).
Another nice touch were the drunken phone calls he’d made every year to Robert.
And there were many other genuinely heart-warming moments that blended naturally into the narrative and didn't sound 'forced'. Even the episode with the baby llama was very endearing, for itself and in how it revealed Robert's feelings for Noel. All these moments, the tension between the characters, and their conversations dwelling on their respective pasts (for example, Noel’s upbringing, Robert losing his parents, etc.) contributed to the emotional depth of the story.
Besides, the vivid winter imagery made the landscape so tangible I could almost smell the pine trees, feel the silence and isolation around Noel’s house, and imagine how beautiful and secluded the setting must be.

About the characters’ past, I would have loved so much to witness (view spoiler), and I entertain the hope that the author might revisit these characters in the future and fill in some of the characters’ back stories.

...more

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May 03, 2012 Lady*M rated it it was amazing

Shelves: m-m-romance, contemporary

Cat burglar turned novelist + FBI agent + sexual tension + llama in distress = great fun! I loved Noel and the two guys simply worked together.

Yes, it's too short for full 5 stars but, what the hell, it has LLAMA in it! XD ...more

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