Men Under the Mistletoe in Q&A with Josh Lanyon

Dec 08, 2011 SueM rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: pnr, m-m, anthology, historical-romance, cop-agent-military-pi, gfy-ofy, tear-jerker, ipad-stanza, gift-prize

There is considerable variety of genres and styles found in this collection of Christmas-themed stories, and sadly, there is a range in quality too.

For me, the outstanding story was Harper Fox's Winter Knights. In a contemporary story mixed with Arthurian legends and supernatural elements, two lovers come to terms with themselves and each other. Despite its shorter than novel length, this reads like a full length novel, with complex character development, surprising emotional depth and threaded There is considerable variety of genres and styles found in this collection of Christmas-themed stories, and sadly, there is a range in quality too.

For me, the outstanding story was Harper Fox's Winter Knights. In a contemporary story mixed with Arthurian legends and supernatural elements, two lovers come to terms with themselves and each other. Despite its shorter than novel length, this reads like a full length novel, with complex character development, surprising emotional depth and threaded with whimsy, understated humor and love that can last the ages. It is a beautiful heartwarming story with enough heat to make it truly outstanding. 4.5 - 5 stars.

Ava March's historical romance My True Love Gave to Me. takes you on an angst-filled ride as two young men learn to love each other despite convention, yet are heartbroken as convention interferes with their plans. It is a story of learning the value of love and forgiveness, where courage is needed to both face pain and their past. A solid story - 4 stars

Josh Lanyon isn't capable of writing a truly bad story, but I found Lone Star to be not one of this author's better stories. This story seemed a little predictable, despite the hint of paranormal elements, and for me, the characters didn't have the depth that I have come to expect from Lanyon. The easing of past pain and forgiveness seem to happen rather suddenly, and the pacing seemed a bit off overall. As I said, it is not a bad story, but certainly not one of Lanyon's brightest efforts. 3 - 3.5 stars

The Christmas Proposition by K.A. Mitchell probably appealed the least to me out of the four stories, yet I can't exactly say why. This story certainly has the highest heat rating of the four, but rather than love, I felt more lust than anything else from the main characters, as their emotions felt hidden for a good part of the story. By hiding the characters emotions, I think Mitchell was trying to emphasize the uncertainty both characters felt about their relationship. This would probably work quite well in a story of greater length, but it just left me feeling less than involved in the story. 2.5 - 3 stars.
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Dec 06, 2011 Mandy*reads obsessively* rated it liked it

Shelves: ebook-owned, m-m, hurt-comfort-disability, own-book

My True Love Gave To Me 3*

Winter Knights 4*

Lone Star 3.5*

the Christmas Propostion 3*

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Nov 07, 2011 Emanuela ~plastic duck~ rated it really liked it

Shelves: anthology-short-stories-collection

My True Love Gave to Me by Ava March

3.5 stars.

Alexander and Thomas are two young men living their first love, but while Alexander is comfortable with his sexuality, Thomas still thinks his feelings toward men are a sin and an aberration. When he is with Alexander, nothing seems more right, but when he is faced with their first time, he panics and abandons Alexander. It takes Thomas four years to gather up his courage to face Alexander again.

It took me a while to warm up to the characters. Alexan ...more

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