I Spy Something Christmas (I Spy, #3) in Q&A with Josh Lanyon

Mar 07, 2014 Paola rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favourite, story-owned-in-s-author-antho-too, owned-as-ebook, owned-as-print, story-publ-d-in-s-author-antho-too

I was a bit hesitant to read the third instalment of the I Spy series because Mark and Stephen are a bit of an ‘uncomfortable’ read for me. Mark, in particular, in his professional secret agent role he retired from at the end of I Spy Something Wicked as well as in his personal life, may be considered a difficult hero (or antihero) to root for. He’s also a bit slower to evolve and grow, compared to other Josh Lanyon characters, in the sense that it takes him quite a few trials and errors before I was a bit hesitant to read the third instalment of the I Spy series because Mark and Stephen are a bit of an ‘uncomfortable’ read for me. Mark, in particular, in his professional secret agent role he retired from at the end of I Spy Something Wicked as well as in his personal life, may be considered a difficult hero (or antihero) to root for. He’s also a bit slower to evolve and grow, compared to other Josh Lanyon characters, in the sense that it takes him quite a few trials and errors before overcoming certain fears and hang-ups. For these reasons, when he does grow, and when the more unpalatable aspects of his character and personality get overshadowed, if not overcome, by his redeeming traits, the effect is very satisfying for the reader. The I Spy series, therefore, presents a harder challenge for me to get emotionally invested in the characters, but it’s ultimately very rewarding when it happens. And it does happen, in every single book.

In this third novella, Mark has gone a long way from the messed-up, self-involved, insecure (in more than one way) and often unreliable young man we’d met in I Spy Something Bloody.

In I Spy Something Christmas, maybe helped by the holiday mood and more mellow atmosphere, the characters appear more self-assured, more trusting of each other and more committed to their relationship, while still remaining true to their core basic personalities. Josh Lanyon excels, once again, at portraying believably imperfect characters, whose love and devotion for each other is such, however, that they are able, not without obstacles and temporary setbacks, to become so totally dependent on each other that together they are capable of overcoming no matter what danger and challenge coming their way. External dangers still follow Mark even after he’s done with the Intelligence Services, but this time they are overcome by both men as a real team. The danger threatening Mark in this book takes a more emotional and personal note, and Stephen's involvement in resolving the situation and dissolving the tension is incredibly poignant and meaningful even for his and Mark's relationship.

As usual with Josh Lanyon, these characters are anything but clichéd. Mark may be the more impulsive, action-driven and reckless, sometimes emotionally immature one, but he’s also the one more needy of affection, validation and struggling to prove he’s worthy of his partner, whom he not only loves but idolizes. However, Stephen is not devoid of flaws and insecurities himself: he often wonders what made a young guy like Mark fall for a much older man, but especially he’s sometimes not the best communicator when it comes to reassure or guide Mark. Sometimes Stephen would downplay his own insecurities and fears, perhaps overestimating Mark’s intuitive powers or hoping things would settle between them without too much fuss made.

As other readers have remarked, it took Mark three books to finally accept the simple fact that any argument with Stephen, big or small, doesn’t translate into automatic break-up. This is the main reason why in I Spy #3 it feels like the guys have finally ‘settled’ and learned to accept each other, flaws and all, and are willing to overcome any new danger and obstacle together and become stronger for it. In order to reach this stage, trust and forgiveness become essential and non-negotiable.

As I’ve said in my reviews for the previous two instalments of the series, Mark’s lack of social skills (also in full display towards Bryce, Stephen’s ex, who makes a new appearance here) and emotional immaturity may also be a product of his spy training which meant he had to learn to lie, deceive and dissimulate to stay alive, and at the same time his surrogate father-son relationship with his superior he called the “Old Man” made him constantly having to prove his worth to someone older and – it is implied – sharing his same sexual orientation. This complex relationship may have played an important part in how Mark’s relationship with Stephen shaped up at the beginning, and for a long time after.

The whole Christmas-gift exchange scene between Stephen and Mark at the end is heart-warming without being sugary-sweet, and the crossover with The Dickens With Love (one of my all time favorite Josh Lanyon stories) was subtle and poignant. It didn’t feel like a gimmick. It makes perfect sense that a Brit like Mark would be fond of Dickens and appreciate the thoughtful present Stephen got him. The very words Stephen used to reveal how he obtained that rare item and how he explained to Mark the story behind it put a big smile on my face with its light-hearted, hopeful tone.

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Jan 29, 2013 Tamela rated it it was amazing

Shelves: m-m, love-romance, short-story, series, recommended, academic-scientist, military-soldier-spy, mystery-who-done-it

Again, I love these guys. The hard part was the trust issue. Mark honestly didn't remember what had happened, but Stephen was having a hard time believing him.

I'm happy they got some of there differences ironed out and the Stephen let Mark know exactly what to expect in their relationship. ...more

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Dec 24, 2012 Fehu rated it it was amazing

Shelves: christmas-m-m-story, genre-m-m-contemporery, established-couples, profession-medical, profession-assassin-spy

That was a great comeback, I loved the first book in this series, the second less, so but this one was amazingly good and it was nice to visit Mark and Stephen. Some things still haven't changed and there is an intensity between these two characters, that takes some skill to create, especially in a relative short story.
I loved that it's not an empty book, but carefully filled. Established relationship not always work for me because sometimes the tension is gone, or it's too sugary and nothing in ...more

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Dec 24, 2012 Lady*M rated it really liked it

Shelves: m-m-romance, contemporary, suspense

I like revisiting Mark and Stephen a lot, but since this isn't a story you could get into without knowing their history I decided on this rating.

Mark still has some lingering insecurities about him and Stephen and that was a good contrast to his untroubled attitude towards someone aiming for his life. Stephen is a great balance to his younger lover.

I was tickled by Lanyon's nod to The Dickens With Love.

A nice comeback for Lanyon. I'm looking forward to his new stories. ...more

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