My Christmas Nemesis by Sue Brown
If someone hurts you, it's better to confront them about it rather than let it fester. It allows the other person to clarify things and can lead to a more favorable outcome. After hearing Aaron, a coworker, make disparaging comments about him, Laurence feels like he is "out to get him." For months, he avoids Aaron until they are thrown together on Christmas Eve. Thanks, Sue, for the charming "Halmarkish” story with a delightful ending.
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Joanna Chambers
There's an old saying that when you assume something, it makes an a** out of you and me. Jordan is attracted to a coworker, Harrison, who is ridiculously handsome. Still, Jordan has had his share of falling for straight guys with devastating results, so Jordan assumes that Harrison is straight. He misinterprets Harrison's interest as a joke and is rude to him. When he discovers the truth, Jordan hopes there is still time to salvage the situation. Thanks, Joanna, for reminding us not to jump to conclusions.
A Spaceman Came Traveling by Barbara Elsborg
We've all been in situations where life isn't ideal; we don't fit in anywhere but desperately want to. Seven works at a restaurant where he is taken advantage of to return to his cold, lonely room. A bright spot in his life is when one of the patrons comes in with a little boy. Seven overhears the little boy saying he wants a space suit to visit his deceased mother in the stars. Seven doesn't want him to be disappointed. Determined to make the boy's dream come true, he designs a space suit and drops it off.
even's act of kindness reminds me that giving without the expectation of receiving is the best gift of all. Thanks, Barbara, for the different Christmas story that emphasized the real spirit of Christmas.
Ethan Gold Feels Like Home by Suki Fleet
Home is where the heart is a well-established fact. Often people will let you down, disappointing you when they ought love you. Yet, if you find someone who loves you unconditionally, being with them is like coming home. Recognizing this truth gives Ethan and Win their much-deserved happy ending. The supernatural element makes this hurt-comfort story more profound, while eventually having a happy ending is complex and frightening—especially when the "bad guy's role is unclear. Thanks, Suki, for reminding us that family is not always the people you are kin to.
Kissing the Winter Wizard by Amber Kell
When Sam's niece, Maddy, talks him into kissing a statue of a wizard, he doesn't think the "statue," Allard, now a man, will show up at his front door. The story continues with hilarious, tender, and solemn events. Thanks, Amber, for turning a serious situation into a happy one by bringing Maddy, Allard, and Sam together for the best Christmas ever.
Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot? by Liam Livings
Shakespeare wrote: "To err is human and to forgive divine." Although Drew has reservations, his best friend convinces him to attend his 10th high school class reunion, promising she will go with him. Her child gets sick at the last moment, and she must back out, leaving Drew to decide to go since he is bound to run into his nemesis, William, who tortured him unmercifully through school. As he feared, William is there but is unexpectedly nice to Drew. They have changed a great deal since high school and soon learn that they are more alike now than then. William apologizes profusely for the idiot boy he was back then. A blizzard throws them together, during which time they have a brief sexual encounter. They part ways but not on good terms, which they soon regret. Finally, William decides that a life with Drew is more important than his pride and apologizes again but will Drew still hold a grudge or forgive him? Thanks, Liam, for reminding us that having a grievance against another damages us as much as it does them.
Santa No 5 by Clare London
Jacob Carter, the new police chief of a small village, has difficulty believing that Nicholas (Nick) Hollybush is a criminal because Nick has tried hard to make up for his evil ways by doing good deeds in the village. Still, Jacob must wonder when Mrs. Summers identifies Nick, dressed as Santa No.5, as the person with his hand in her purse. It's almost unheard of, but there have been three break-ins, and Nick may be involved. Thanks, Clare, for the story's twists and turns and the happy, unpredictable ending, reminding us that things are not always what they seem.
Our Kind of Music by Susan Mac Nicol
Milas has a crush on Teddy, a fellow student, but hasn't been brave enough to ask him out. Instead, he follows Teddy like a stalker, admiring him from afar. One day, Teddy calls him out on his "stalking" asking why he's following him. Milas must think fast and points to a fantastic musician busking on a nearby corner. It turns out that the man, Alfie, was a famous musician until AIDS took his partner. After that, he lost his desire to play. Milas and Teddy are planning a winter festival to benefit AIDS research and ask Alfie if he would like to participate because his appearance would earn even more money for the cause. At first, Alfie is hesitant, but when he starts to think about it, he knows it is a good idea. Along with other talented street people, they form a band and perform. Thank you, Susan, for this magical story and for reminding us of what Henry Wadsworth wrote: "Music is the universal language of mankind."
Tainted Love by Louisa Mae
Lucian is a fallen angel who, while on Earth during Christmas, can't wait to cause mischief and mayhem. As he contemplates agitating a couple by flirting with one of the men, he realizes he knows his partner. As he reflects on what to do next, he runs into his lover, Sage, an angel still in good standing. They haven't seen each other for a very long time. Even though Sage tries to pretend he doesn't care, secretly, he does. Lucian is madly in love with Sage and wants to be with him, but it can never happen because of his fateful choice. As they struggle with their "different" missions, Sage to bring happiness to others and Lucien to bring misery, they contemplate past decisions. ‘Tainted Love’ was a dark story with some light thrown in. Also, I'd like to know what Lucien did to make him fall. Thanks, Louisa, for reminding us that none of us are all good or evil; we are a mix of both.
The Christmas Pony by Jackie North
It takes a good-hearted person to go above and beyond to ensure a little girl has her special Christmas gift, but that's what Ty does. Even though he is at a low point in life, he wants to make sure that he makes someone else happy. After his truck goes into a ditch, Ty drives through a blizzard and walks to the Farthingdale ranch. The ranch is an extraordinary place where people heal and find a beginning. Thanks, Jackie, for allowing me to return to Farthingdale Ranch and all the fantastic characters who live there. Of all the great stories in the anthology, yours is my favorite.
Holly and the Heathen by Jack L. Pyke
'Holly and the Heathen' is the darkest story in the anthology. It's complex and profound. There is a supernatural element about bending space and time, among other factors, and some of the main characters are in a BDSM relationship. One of the three is a psychopath. The references to Welsh customs were interesting, but much of the dialogue was "foreign" to me. The main issue with the story was that there were too many characters and storylines going in different directions that I couldn't follow. I felt like I was coming in in the middle of a movie. Thanks, Jack, for getting everyone back where they belonged.
The Christmas Café by Ali Ryecart
After an ill-planned night of debauchery, Seb wakes up in a horrible apartment in an even worse part of town wearing nothing but his jeans. He is far out of his element with no idea what to do. Seb grabs a grubby shirt and wanders outside. Surprisingly, he finds a cafe and goes in. Immediately, he realizes he looks worse than the patrons, primarily homeless people. Seb thinks that if he can reach his friends, he can get out of there, but when Seb receives access to a phone, he can't remember anyone's number! Besides, there's a blizzard going on outside. While there, Seb gains a new appreciation for a simpler life, one in which he may be happier. Thanks, Ali, for reminding us that money can't buy everything.
Never Let You Go by K.C. Wells
Even though they are divorced, when his ex-husband, Paul, is in a coma, Max comforts him even when no one else does. Paul has left Max on his paperwork as his next of kin, so he will be the one to make the hard decision when and if it comes to that. While there, Max realizes that a nurse nicknamed Tiny is taking special care of Paul, and he is grateful. He doesn't realize how much Tiny admires Max for sticking by Paul. When it's time to let Paul go, Tiny is there, comforting and supporting Max. Thanks, K.C., for the sad but thoughtful story. I cried.
I chose to read and review the ‘Kind Hearts at Christmas Anthology’ because HIV/AIDS is more than some distant experience for me. I lost many friends in the 80s when the disease was raging out of control. One experience has stayed with me to this day. My friend was a physician’s assistant at Johns Hopkins in the AIDS Clinic. I went on rounds with her one day and met some men who were dying from the dreaded disease. The last young man I met looked so forlorn and defeated that I went over and gave him a big hug. He hugged me back and smiled, grateful that I thought of him as a person and not a “leper”’ I can’t recall his name, but this profound experience has stayed with me even after all these years.
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![Kind Hearts At Christmas: MM Romance Charity Anthology by [Liam Livings, Jackie North, Jack L. Pyke, Ali Ryecart, K C Wells, Sue Brown, Joanna Chambers, Barbara Elsborg, Suki Fleet, Amber Kell, Clare London, Susan Mac Nicol, Louisa Mae]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/513oxNrlBEL._SY346_.jpg)
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