Sunday, December 27, 2020
2nd Day of Christmas Author Spotlight: DJ Jamison
DJ Jamison writes romances about everyday life and extraordinary love featuring a variety of queer characters, from gay to bisexual to asexual. DJ grew up in the Midwest in a working-class family, and those influences can be found in her writing through characters coping with real-life problems: money troubles, workplace drama, family conflicts and, of course, falling in love. DJ spent more than a decade in the newspaper industry before chasing her first dream to write fiction. She spent a lifetime reading before that and continues to avidly devour her fellow authors’ books each night. She lives in Kansas with her husband, two sons, one snake, and a sadistic cat named Birdie.
EMAIL: authordjjamison@gmail.com
Summary:
Marital Bliss #1
Can two men fake their way to marital bliss?
Caleb Taylor is shocked to learn his family could lose Bliss Island Resort — their home and livelihood — unless he makes use of a clause to marry the child of investor Louis Chastain. Sofia Chastain is more like a sister than a love interest, and Caleb isn’t ready to sign over his future. But Sofia has a brother, and Caleb has a plan ...
Julien Chastain was disowned at fifteen and has made a life as a go-go dancer in Miami, but he lives paycheck to paycheck. When his childhood friend proposes an outlandish marriage contract, he thinks he’s crazy. But it’s a chance at a future that’s tough to pass up.
Caleb and Julien must present themselves as an authentic couple for the legal loophole to work, but the lines between “fake” and “real” keep shifting as they navigate intimacy, public scrutiny, and sabotage.
Love isn't part of the plan, but plans change. If they can outsmart Julien's father and prove their love is worth more than a transaction, they just might find a true happily-ever-after.
Click to read my review(Best Reads of 2019 Part 2).
Summary:
This box set includes three previously published holiday romances by DJ Jamison: Winter Blom, Chance for Christmas, and Yours For The Holiday.
Winter Blom
Lane Cross works construction to pay the bills, and makes metal art to … also pay the bills. As a single dad, the enjoyment of his art has taken a backseat to making ends meet. And his love life has taken a back seat to caring for his son, especially when Zach, age 6, sabotages every babysitting attempt Lane makes. Then Lane meets news intern Andy Blom. The man’s Swedish name meaning bloom is perfect for him: Andy is refreshingly sweet and vibrant. But when Lane moves too fast, will he scare away the surprisingly innocent young man – or will Andy’s journalistic ethics end them before they ever begin?
Chance for Christmas
Chance Rasmussen returns to Ashe, Kansas, eight years after his high school crush humiliated him with a sext that went viral. He's low on holiday spirit with his personal ghost of Christmas past haunting him, but when his BFF asks him to attend a party as her fake date, he reluctantly agrees. The last person he expects to see there is Joe Stewart, the compassionate prosecutor he hero-worshipped during the lowest point of his life. The spark of attraction is still there, but Chance isn't planning to stay in Ashe past the holidays and the specter of his past still looms large between them. Can they find a way to build a future together or will Joe only have Chance for Christmas?
Yours For The Holiday
Remy Wells is in no mood to share a room with his brother's best friend during a holiday stay. Jason Hendricks has always treated him like a little brother to tease and taunt, all the more embarrassing because Remy has secretly crushed on the jerk since puberty. But when Jason confides he's bisexual, Remy realizes the crush he loves to hate could be the perfect rebound.
Two of the books in this set are from the Ashe Sentinel Connections universe, but each romance introduces new characters and can be read on its own.
Lane Cross works construction to pay the bills, and makes metal art to … also pay the bills. As a single dad, the enjoyment of his art has taken a backseat to making ends meet. And his love life has taken a back seat to caring for his son, especially when Zach, age 6, sabotages every babysitting attempt Lane makes. Then Lane meets news intern Andy Blom. The man’s Swedish name meaning bloom is perfect for him: Andy is refreshingly sweet and vibrant. But when Lane moves too fast, will he scare away the surprisingly innocent young man – or will Andy’s journalistic ethics end them before they ever begin?
Chance for Christmas
Chance Rasmussen returns to Ashe, Kansas, eight years after his high school crush humiliated him with a sext that went viral. He's low on holiday spirit with his personal ghost of Christmas past haunting him, but when his BFF asks him to attend a party as her fake date, he reluctantly agrees. The last person he expects to see there is Joe Stewart, the compassionate prosecutor he hero-worshipped during the lowest point of his life. The spark of attraction is still there, but Chance isn't planning to stay in Ashe past the holidays and the specter of his past still looms large between them. Can they find a way to build a future together or will Joe only have Chance for Christmas?
Yours For The Holiday
Remy Wells is in no mood to share a room with his brother's best friend during a holiday stay. Jason Hendricks has always treated him like a little brother to tease and taunt, all the more embarrassing because Remy has secretly crushed on the jerk since puberty. But when Jason confides he's bisexual, Remy realizes the crush he loves to hate could be the perfect rebound.
Two of the books in this set are from the Ashe Sentinel Connections universe, but each romance introduces new characters and can be read on its own.
Summary:
Hearts & Health #4
Beau James isn't out, but he's not fooling anyone. When he's cornered by two bullies, he's rescued by none other than the broody Wade Ritter, who he's crushed on from afar. Despite their family connection, Wade has resisted all of Beau's attempts at friendship -- until now. His protective streak gives Beau an opportunity to get past Wade's prickly exterior.
Wade considers Beau to be a quasi-cousin. He's been careful to keep Beau in that box because he is too tempting to a gay boy determined to remain in the closet after his coming out went all wrong. But when Wade sees bullies harassing Beau, he offers to help. Little does he know this small crack in the walls around his heart is the opening Beau needs to move in and change Wade's life.
After years off the rails, Wade realizes there's room for recovery. If he can face hard truths about his sexuality and love himself, he might be able to love Beau too.
Room for Recovery is part of the Hearts and Health series. It contains cameo appearances by other characters in the series, but it can be read as a standalone.
Wade considers Beau to be a quasi-cousin. He's been careful to keep Beau in that box because he is too tempting to a gay boy determined to remain in the closet after his coming out went all wrong. But when Wade sees bullies harassing Beau, he offers to help. Little does he know this small crack in the walls around his heart is the opening Beau needs to move in and change Wade's life.
After years off the rails, Wade realizes there's room for recovery. If he can face hard truths about his sexuality and love himself, he might be able to love Beau too.
Room for Recovery is part of the Hearts and Health series. It contains cameo appearances by other characters in the series, but it can be read as a standalone.
Summary:
My Anti-Series #3
Can one drunken night in Vegas and a pair of wedding rings lead to a happily ever after?
Love has never been a good bet for Chris, so going on a Vegas wedding trip for his friends is bittersweet. Especially when Ant, the last man to break his trust, is suddenly along for the ride. Which explains why Chris wakes up in his hotel room with the mother of all hangovers. Not so much why Ant is in his bed ... or worse, wearing a matching wedding band.
Ant invited himself on a Vegas trip, gambling on a second chance with the man who got away. He never dreamt he'd be the one with a wedding ring on his finger, but if their predicament gets Chris talking to him again, he'll make the most of it.
Between keeping their secret from friends and trying to figure out what really happened that first crazy night in Vegas, passions ignite. If they can hold on to their fresh start, maybe the Vegas motto doesn't have to hold true: What happens in Vegas doesn't have to stay there.
Love has never been a good bet for Chris, so going on a Vegas wedding trip for his friends is bittersweet. Especially when Ant, the last man to break his trust, is suddenly along for the ride. Which explains why Chris wakes up in his hotel room with the mother of all hangovers. Not so much why Ant is in his bed ... or worse, wearing a matching wedding band.
Ant invited himself on a Vegas trip, gambling on a second chance with the man who got away. He never dreamt he'd be the one with a wedding ring on his finger, but if their predicament gets Chris talking to him again, he'll make the most of it.
Between keeping their secret from friends and trying to figure out what really happened that first crazy night in Vegas, passions ignite. If they can hold on to their fresh start, maybe the Vegas motto doesn't have to hold true: What happens in Vegas doesn't have to stay there.
Summary:
One kiss under the mistletoe destroyed a friendship. Will another Christmas kiss remake it into something better?
Eli hasn't been home since he left at eighteen with a heart aching from his best friend's rejection and his father's intolerance. But when his father reaches out, Eli figures it's time to make peace with his family. He doesn't expect to come face-to-face with Turner too -- or to learn that the straight friend he'd foolishly loved is actually bisexual -- but once the shock wears off, he knows exactly what he wants for Christmas.
Turner's life isn't everything he'd once planned, but he's happy to be the shoulder his loved ones lean on. They keep him busy, which is just as well since none of his dates have really clicked. He hasn't been able to connect with anyone the way he did with his former best friend. When Eli shows up for the holidays after years away, Turner doesn't know what hit him. But he knows one thing: This time, he wants to give Eli a reason to stay.
All I Want Is You is a friends to lovers, second-chance romance with an HEA.
Eli hasn't been home since he left at eighteen with a heart aching from his best friend's rejection and his father's intolerance. But when his father reaches out, Eli figures it's time to make peace with his family. He doesn't expect to come face-to-face with Turner too -- or to learn that the straight friend he'd foolishly loved is actually bisexual -- but once the shock wears off, he knows exactly what he wants for Christmas.
Turner's life isn't everything he'd once planned, but he's happy to be the shoulder his loved ones lean on. They keep him busy, which is just as well since none of his dates have really clicked. He hasn't been able to connect with anyone the way he did with his former best friend. When Eli shows up for the holidays after years away, Turner doesn't know what hit him. But he knows one thing: This time, he wants to give Eli a reason to stay.
All I Want Is You is a friends to lovers, second-chance romance with an HEA.
Regifted
Room for Recovery
My Anti-Marriage
All I Want is You
Sunday's Short Stack: Another Day with Jory by Mary Calmes
Jory holiday ficlet.
This Christmas free short is just brilliant and gets more fun to read every year, quite possibly even more so this year because 2020 has been so crappy that we all need a little Jory and Sam in our lives to make everything better. Jory's knack for finding himself in unique situations makes great reading, or as Sam has been known to call him a "trouble magnet". One of the things I love about these guys is that despite the trouble Jory attracts and Sam is called in to get him out of, Jory often finds a way to wiggle himself out of it and when Sam isn't available, there's plenty of friends and family to aid the man with a heart of gold. Throw in the pairs' little people, Hannah and Kola, and you have a Christmas classic in the making and if you've never read Jory and Sam's adventures before this is a perfect free read to wet your whistle but be prepared to be busy for the next days as you'll want to go back and read the couple from their first meeting.
Original Review January 2017:
What a wonderful post holiday treat! Saw a post about it on Facebook and immediately went to read it. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Jory and Sam and the entire cast of characters from Mary Calmes' Matter of Time Universe. I think I love married and domesticated Sam & Jory as much if not a little more than them as flirty & fighting newbies. Just a wonderful addition to the series!!
RATING:
Author Bio:
Mary Calmes lives in Lexington, Kentucky, with her husband and two children and loves all the seasons except summer. She graduated from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, with a bachelor's degree in English literature. Due to the fact that it is English lit and not English grammar, do not ask her to point out a clause for you, as it will so not happen. She loves writing, becoming immersed in the process, and falling into the work. She can even tell you what her characters smell like. She loves buying books and going to conventions to meet her fans.
What a wonderful post holiday treat! Saw a post about it on Facebook and immediately went to read it. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Jory and Sam and the entire cast of characters from Mary Calmes' Matter of Time Universe. I think I love married and domesticated Sam & Jory as much if not a little more than them as flirty & fighting newbies. Just a wonderful addition to the series!!
RATING:
I was surprised when I got home and found the tank he drove already parked in our small two car garage. It was tiny, compared to most people’s, as the cars could fit in there but nothing much else besides the kids’ bikes. Sam had put up bike hooks on the far wall, so I was always careful pulling in so I didn’t crush them. They used to be on the sides, with mine, but after Kola and Hannah made a nighttime getaway, Sam had moved them just to be on the safe side. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust them—they were both the kind of people anyone would be happy to claim—it was just that they were both superheroes at heart, so if duty called, they would ditch out to help a friend in need. At least now, they couldn’t get far without transportation.
Him being home was not super great for me—I’d hoped to have a little more time to prepare—but there was no way around it, and I wasn’t going to change my mind. Picking up the sleeping dog from the passenger seat, I tucked him under my arm and got out.
There were cans of wet food in a bag in the trunk, and I collected that, snapped the leash to the collar, and led the sweater-clad Chihuahua toward my home.
I thought he’d have trouble with the stairs, being as small as he was, but he went right up them to the back deck Sam had built, along with his brother and mine, this past summer. I opened the French door and stepped into the kitchen—the door was new also—and was greeted by my cat, Chilly, calling to me from the top of the refrigerator. Both me and Dobby—I’d already named him after the elf from Harry Potter because, hello, with those ears he could get Direct TV, I was sure—looked up at the cat.
“Don’t be an ass,” I ordered Chilly.
He stretched and yawned wide, making a show like he could have cared less, but I knew he was eaten up with excitement and interest as deliberate as he was moving.
There was a hop onto the counter and then another to the floor before he strutted over to me and the tan and black Chihuahua. Pushing out his nose, he was clearly horrified when the dog licked it—the disgust was evident—but he only “talked” to the puppy. There was no hissing. I was counting it as a win.
Taking off the leash, I watched a second as the dog sat and regarded the cat, and the cat did the exact same. Everything Siri had read to me on the way home in the car said that the process of introducing pets should be done slowly and in stages. I had no time for that, so I was glad it worked out. Not that I was all that worried. Chilly was no longer a freaky kitten but a true cat with all the disinterest in anything that wasn’t about food, being brushed, or sleeping in his spot in front of the fireplace. He might need to share that and one of the kids’ beds, but other than that, the dog was two pounds lighter than his eight, so it wasn’t like either of them was taking up a lot of room.
“Hello?” I called out now that the pet introductions were done.
Nothing.
And that was odd because how was I not worth a greeting from my husband?
Walking into the living room from the kitchen, I found the Chief Deputy of the Northern Division of Illinois Marshals Service lying on his back, spread eagle on the floor beside the Christmas tree.
I cleared my throat.
Heavy sigh in return.
Putting everything that I hadn’t left in the kitchen down on the sideboard that ran the length of the back of the couch—keys, phone, wallet, gloves, sunglasses—I then shed my peacoat, scarf and beanie before walking over to stand above the man I loved and adored.
His eyes were closed and I noticed that he had apparently walked straight in and just stretched out in the middle of our living room. The man was still dressed in his overcoat and suit, his scarf was still on, his badge clipped to his belt, and his gun was still in its holster.
“Uhm.”
His eyes opened slowly, and I noted the defeat as well as the furrowed brows.
“What’s the story here, marshal?”
He cleared his throat. “I was just with Hannah in the principal’s office at school.”
This was news. “Why?”
“They called me because your daughter refused to tell everyone on her different social media accounts that she and Melanie Dudley were friends.”
I squinted at him. “I’m sorry, what?”
“Well,” he sighed. “Apparently, at recess, she was on Snapchat telling everyone, hey I’m at school hanging with my buds, and she names some other kids.”
“She can do that there because it disappears, right?”
“You’re asking me?”
I snickered. “Okay, well, they all have code names, so I’m sure it was faces all clustered around a phone, and now it’s gone.”
“You’re right,” he agreed, “but that’s not the issue.”
“What’s the issue, then?”
“Apparently, this Melanie wanted to be in the picture too.”
“I have never heard of a Melanie only Dhara, Jing-Wei, Kaitlin and Red.”
“Red?”
“Red was Robyn last year but is now transitioning from female to male.”
“He’s the one who tutored Hannah in Algebra.”
“Yes.”
“It’s hard to keep up with all Hannah’s friends. Kola’s are easier.”
“That’s because there’s only Jake and Harper and the three of them are inseparable.”
He grunted.
“But since Melanie is new to me, I’m thinking they must not be friends.”
“Right, but Melanie wants to be trending on Snapchat like B is, so she wanted to be in the picture too.”
“And this has what to do with us?”
“Well, Melanie went for B’s phone, and B said no, and first they ran, and then Melanie grabbed B’s hair, and that’s when B put the move on her.”
“She’s a Blue Belt in Tae Kwon Do now Sam, there actually is a move. What do you expect her to do?”
“Use her power for good.”
“Did she hurt Melanie?”
“No, but when the teacher went over and told B to give her her phone––”
“Why would she need that?”
“To see if there was something offensive that B had written about her.”
“Why would the teacher think that B was writing about her?”
“Not the teacher, Melanie.”
“I thought you said the teacher took the phone.”
He groaned. Loudly. “The teacher went over to check B’s phone to see if B had posted anything offensive about Melanie.”
There was a lot of emphasis on B and Melanie there. “Oh.” I said.
“Yes.”
“That’s crap.”
“Well, when B refused, the teacher took it, and that’s when B yelled and the phone locked up and zapped Mrs. Fitzpatrick.”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it.
Mary Calmes lives in Lexington, Kentucky, with her husband and two children and loves all the seasons except summer. She graduated from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, with a bachelor's degree in English literature. Due to the fact that it is English lit and not English grammar, do not ask her to point out a clause for you, as it will so not happen. She loves writing, becoming immersed in the process, and falling into the work. She can even tell you what her characters smell like. She loves buying books and going to conventions to meet her fans.
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EMAIL: mmcalmes@hotmail.com
Another Day with Jory #8.6
Series
KOBO / AUDIBLE / DREAMSPINNER
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