Book Blast: What Happens At Christmas by Jay Northcote

What Happens At Christmas by Jay Northcote
Amazon Kindle: What Happens At Christmas

Blurb: When two friends pose as boyfriends, could what happens at Christmas turn into something more?
Justin is recently and unhappily single. Christmas is coming, and he doesn’t want to face his ex alone at their office party. So Sean—Justin’s best mate and long-time secret crush—volunteers to go with him and pretend to be his new flame.

Sean has always lusted after Justin from afar, but there’s never been a good opportunity to ask him for more than friendship. Posing as Justin’s boyfriend isn’t a chore, and if Justin wants to rebound onto him, Sean’s more than willing. At the party pretence and reality blur, and a kiss on the dance floor leads to a night of passion.

In the aftermath, they both assume it was a one-time thing until fate intervenes. Stuck together in London over the holidays, they give in to temptation again. But what happens at Christmas stays at Christmas... right?

( Excerpt )

Meet the author: Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England, with her husband, two children, and two cats.

She comes from a family of writers, but she always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed her by. She spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content. One day, she decided to try and write a short story–just to see if she could–and found it rather addictive. She hasn’t stopped writing since.

Where to find the author:
www.jaynorthcote.com
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27235755-what-happens-at-christmas?ac=1

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2015 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Romance by the Book by Jo Victor

Romance by the Book by Jo Victor
Lesbian Contemporary Romance
Paperback: 264 pages
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books (June 9, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1626393532
ISBN-13: 978-1626393530
Amazon: Romance by the Book
Amazon Kindle: Romance by the Book

For a smart woman, Alex is pretty clueless. She wants the truth, but she’s looking in the wrong place. She wants love, but she’s not looking at all. If only Cam didn’t keep disrupting her life, Alex might be able to find some answers. After all, it’s not as if Cam is interested in her. Which is probably a good thing, since Cam is even more infuriating than she is charming—and she’s got plenty of charm. On the other hand, Rosamund, Cam’s ex and Alex’s professional rival, is definitely interested in Alex, but can she be trusted? Alex doesn’t even realize the historic house she’s staying in is haunted. Perhaps a little supernatural help will lead Alex to uncover the secret of a love story hidden for over a century, and to solve the greatest mystery of all—the truth hidden in her own heart.


I enjoyed this story, however it seemed to get off to a slow start.  The characters were well written and had good chemistry.  It wasn't hard to see them getting together.

2015 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Jade by Skylar Wood

Jade by Skylar Wood
Lesbian Erotic Romance
Publisher: Dark Hollows Press, LLC (October 6, 2014)
Amazon Kindle: Jade

Jade Tanner appears to have it all. To the world she is a self-made billionaire and business woman extraordinaire. However, it’s lonely sitting atop the corporate world, and more and more Jade can’t help but feel empty inside.

A secret sexual fantasy life begins as she starts chatting online with a beautiful young escort named Twylla Star. Becoming deeply immersed in this fantasy world, her desire to meet this woman soon becomes so overwhelming that Jade finds herself booking a date with her.

Meeting the delectable Twylla in Las Vegas, Jade is unprepared for the impact Twylla has on her the moment she holds the other woman in her arms. What started out as an unfettered sexual weekend with someone she’d never see again, suddenly turns into something more.

When lust turns to love, are they strong enough to let go of the past to build a future together? And what will happen when the real world comes crashing back in?


Very enjoyable book.

2015 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Les faits accomplis by Anna Martin

Les faits accomplis by Anna Martin
Gay Contemporary Romance
Paperback: 234 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (November 24, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 163216471X
ISBN-13: 978-1632164711
Amazon: Les faits accomplis
Amazon Kindle: Les faits accomplis

Adam Hemlock rules the elite New Harbor Academy. With his mother in Paris, he throws hedonistic, alcohol- and drug-fueled parties for his equally rich, desperately bored classmates. How’s a guy who lives life to the extreme to stay entertained? Take on a challenge, of course, and hope the exhilaration of the play-by-play fallout chases away the indifference. At the big pre-senior-year bash, Adam’s offered a dare—seduce the new kid. Adam initially laughs off the idea but changes his mind when he sees Jared.

Jared Rawell has spent the past two years at a Texas military school, where his father sent him to “pray away the gay.” He sees the academy in more liberal Washington as a chance to start over and achieve the grades he needs to get into an Ivy League school. When a beautiful but terrifying girl offers Jared a deal—don’t sleep with Adam Hemlock and she’ll help Jared get through senior year—he sees no reason to say no. But nothing is as simple as it seems.

With layers of hidden agendas, backstabbing, lying, cheating, drugs, and entitled teenage egos, Jared and Adam must navigate a high school minefield while waiting for the inevitable explosion.


I really enjoyed this story. While some of the characters weren't very likeable, they all grew over the course of the story. I enjoyed reading about the growing friendship and romance between the two main characters, but the rest of the cast were very three dimensional too. Easy to read writing style, and very descriptive. 

2015 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Theory Unproven by Lillian Francis

Theory Unproven by Lillian Francis
Gay Contemporary Romance
Paperback: 396 pages
Publisher: Love Lane Books; First edition (July 22, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1515076873
ISBN-13: 978-1515076872
Amazon: Theory Unproven
Amazon Kindle: Theory Unproven

Working with elephants in their natural habitat has always been Eric Phillips dream. Getting what he’s always desired introduces him to Tyaan Bouwer, the bush pilot that flies in his supplies, and Eric discovers the allure of South Africa goes beyond the wildlife and the scenery. But in an area where bushveld prejudices and hatred bleed across the borders, realising their love will be a hard fought battle. Keeping hold of it might just kill them.


New to me author but I'll be reading more. I got sucked into this very quickly and spend several late nights reading as I couldn't put it down. Realistic characters, including side characters. Also loved the elephants - they were characters in their own right.  The settings were well drawn, and helped to bring the story to life, very easy to imagine.

Coming out can be very difficult for many in the LGBT.  So much is at risk, especially when you have lived your truth in private for so long, that it nearly kills you to face being out.  It was great to see Tyaan come to terms and give in to what he desperately needed in his relationship with Eric.  Great characters and setting.