Summary:
Podlington Tales - Snowed In
All I want this Christmas is alone time with you
Eli and Cameron have plans to spend Christmas Day with Eli’s family, but their enthusiasm is seriously lacking. They moved into their house in Podlington only two months earlier and, given the choice, they’d rather celebrate the holiday in private and create memories on their own.
Too polite to cancel the get-together, Eli and Cameron don’t mention their reluctance to each other. Their selflessness doesn’t stop either of them from secretly wishing for a reason to stay in their new home for the day, though.
Will Podlington’s magic grant them another wish, or are they about to celebrate the Christmas they don’t really want?
Welcome to Podlington! The fictional English village where magic happens and dreams come true. This LGBTQ+ Christmas story is part of the Podlington Village Romance series and can be read as a standalone novel. Christmas Perfect features Eli and Cameron from Picture Perfect, a lot of snow, and dreams coming true.
Original Review January 2023:
I should mention that this is a holiday glimpse into an established couple whose journey is originally told in Picture Perfect, the first book in the Podlington Village Romance series. I have always been a read-in-order kind of gal even when it comes to standalone series HOWEVER, I'm afraid I have yet to find time to read the original series and that almost stopped me from reading this Xmas entry but I was too hungry for holiday stories so I went ahead.
I just want to say I was in no way lost having started with this holiday short, I think I would have connected to Eli and Cameron more had I known the journey they took to get to this point but it didn't lesson my enjoyment.
Christmas Perfect is a fun short about the young couple balancing the need to spend holidays with families and the want to hunker down in their new home with each other. Any time a book makes you smile and go "ahhh" you know you have found a keeper. I look forward to going back and learning how the men got to where they are.
Summary:
Podlington Tales - Snowed In
What could be better than a Christmas for two?
It's Leo and Nick's first Christmas since moving in together. Leo is beyond excited about the big day and Nick is determined to make this an occasion neither of them will forget.
But along with the freakish weather bringing a picture-postcard white Christmas, the Podlington magic springs two more unexpected deliveries on them, threatening to ruin their perfectly planned day.
Can an unwanted Christmas card and an urgent phone call be enough to spoil Christmas or are they gifts in disguise?
Welcome to Podlington! The fictional English village where magic happens and dreams come true. This LGBTQ + Christmas story is part of the Podlington Tales Romance series and can be read as a standalone novel. Delivering Christmas features Leo and Nick from Building Something, a lot of snow, and dreams coming true.
Original Review January 2023:
I don't know what to say about this short other than it warms the heart in ways that very few short stories do. Fun, emotional, sweet, touching, just all around perfect read for the holidays.
Once again I'll add that I have not read the original Podlington Village story, Building Something, that tells Leo and Nick's original journey but I was no way lost. I look forward to seeing how the men got to where we see them here.
Summary:
Podlington Tales - Snowed In
Doesn’t everyone deserve to know they’re loved?
A postcard delivered seventy years late to the wrong address is a funny story to tell your friends. A postcard with a hidden love letter, delivered seventy years late to the wrong address is a romantic mystery. One that Marcus Wright is determined to solve.
Spencer Heans isn’t sure that tracking down the author or intended recipient of the letter is a good idea. Writing happy endings is one thing but real life doesn’t work that way. Dragging up the past might cause more harm than good...
The trail of clues takes them back to Podlington in time for the holidays. Will some seasonal Podlington magic make this the perfect Christmas for more than one couple?
Welcome to Podlington! The fictional English village where magic happens and dreams come true. This LGBTQ+ Christmas story is part of the Podlington Village Romance series and can be read as a standalone. Sending Love features Spencer and Marcus from Booking Love in starring roles as amateur detectives, a seventy-year-old letter, a little Podlington luck, and a guaranteed happy ending.
The Podlington Village Romance series is written in British English and includes at least one non-binary character. Therefore, they/them is sometimes correctly used as a singular pronoun.
Original Review January 2023:
I'd like to think that I would do everything I could to make sure a letter that arrived decades late to the wrong address found it's way to the proper place. You see stories like this pop up every once-in-a-while on the feel-good news feeds but rarely is it found in fiction(at least the fiction I read). Riza Curtis is a new author to me and I can't think of a better story to draw one in and I look forward to reading more of the author's work.
Sending Love is everything that Christmas is about: love, family, friendship, and it's chock full of holiday spirit. Definitely can't go wrong with this one and though it's a holiday tale it can be read all year long.
Again, I have not read the original story in the Podlington Village series that tells Spencer and Marcus' journey but I wasn't lost and I definitely want to see how they got here.
Christmas Perfect by Helena Stone
Chapter 1
Cameron
“Are you ever coming to bed?” Eli stood in the doorway to Cameron’s study, leaving him struggling to conceal the object on his desk from view.
“In a moment. I just want to finish this.” Cameron kept his reply vague on purpose.
Eli shook his head. “I know you tend to forget the passing of time when you hit your flow while writing, but it will be Christmas in twenty minutes. Surely it’s time to give it a rest?”
Guilt stabbed at Cameron. Eli was right. Locking himself away in his writing room on Christmas Eve was bad form. But it was not as if Cameron had had a choice in the matter. He was lucky his plans had come together in time for Christmas. It had been such a close call. It would be easier if he could tell Eli what was going on, but that would have to wait until tomorrow. Otherwise, he would spoil the surprise, and it would all have been for nothing.
“You go ahead,” Cameron said while continuing to hide what he was doing. If Eli had been a few minutes later, at least it would have been wrapped. “I’ll join you in a few minutes. Promise.” He mentally crossed his fingers that Eli wouldn’t come to him for a kiss.
“It’d better be a few minutes only,” Eli mock threatened. “If you’re not there at midnight, I’ll come and drag you to bed.” He chuckled. “On second thoughts, that sounds like a great idea.”
“Go!” Cameron growled. “The quicker you leave me alone, the sooner I’ll be done and in bed with you.”
“Okay. Okay.” Eli stepped back. “Just don’t make me wait.”
As soon as Eli was gone, Cameron jumped into action. He glanced at his present for Eli one last time before folding the green wrapping paper with gold stars around it and applying Sellotape. Not for the first time, nerves swirled in his belly. Would Eli like it? Was it too much? Too sentimental?
Cameron grabbed the present and stood. It was beyond too late for those questions. As Eli had just pointed out, they were only minutes away from the start of Christmas. He had run out of time to come up with better gift ideas. What he had would have to do. Surely, he’ll like it.
He made his way from his study to the living room, where the lights were off, but the Christmas tree was still lit. He stared at the collection of gifts beneath the branches. Most of them had been there for a few days. Both he and Eli had occasionally and not quite inconspicuously dropped one or two wrapped items there. One of the packages he had never seen before, though. At about a metre high and more than half as wide, it was huge and unmissable.
Much to his surprise, Cameron’s fingers itched to loosen the paper and have a peek at what it hid. Because he knew how much he would hate it if Eli found out what Cameron’s gift was before tomorrow morning, he told his curiosity to shut up. He walked to the tree, placed his own present next to the mystery gift, turned off the fairy lights, and left the room. In about eight hours, his curiosity would be satisfied, both about Eli’s present for him and about Eli’s reaction to what Cameron gave him.
You’re an adult, for crying out loud. Surely you can wait.
Cameron amazed himself. He couldn’t remember the last time he had been excited about Christmas. Probably around the time he’d discovered there was no such thing as Father Christmas. Sharing his life with Eli had revealed sides of Cameron he hadn’t known existed. He chuckled softly as he climbed the stairs to the bedroom he shared with Eli and continued smiling when he walked in.
“And he made it with exactly seven minutes to spare.” Eli smirked at Cameron. “It’s a shame, really. I was starting to look forward to the prospect of manhandling you into our bed.”
“Were you now?” Cameron returned Eli’s smirk. “Well, don’t let me stop you.” He took a step back. “I can leave for another seven minutes if you want.”
“Don’t you dare.” Eli threw the bedding away and shot off the bed so fast Cameron didn’t have an opportunity to fully appreciate his very beautiful and very naked body before it crashed into his. It was all Cameron could do to keep his balance, and a heartbeat later, Eli’s arms were around Cameron’s neck, Eli’s legs around his waist, and Eli’s mouth on his.
Still swaying a little from the onslaught, Cameron indulged in Eli’s taste. If this was what Eli was like if Cameron kept him waiting, maybe he should do so more often.
“Too many clothes,” Eli muttered without moving his mouth away from Cameron’s.
Cameron chuckled. “I can’t hold you and strip at the same time.”
“Spoilsport.” Eli mock glared at Cameron as he dropped to the floor and took a tiny step back before removing Cameron’s glasses and placing them on the bedside table with care. The moment he faced Cameron again, Eli pulled Cameron’s jumper over his head.
Cameron got the message and rushed to divest himself of the rest of his clothes, as impatient as Eli was for that skin-to-skin contact. As soon as he was naked, Cameron grabbed Eli around the waist, tackled him to the bed, and pinned Eli beneath him.
“Is this what you had in mind?”
“Hmmmm.” Eli’s smug smile reminded Cameron of the proverbial cat that got the cream.
Cameron rocked his hips, and their cocks brushed. Eli shuddered, and any hint of smugness disappeared from his gaze to be replaced by heat.
“Let’s start our Christmas with a good fuck.” Eli reached up and cupped Cameron’s cheek. “Hard and dirty.” Eli wrapped his legs around Cameron’s waist and tightened his grip until their groins connected and their dicks lined up next to each other.
“Fuck, yes!” Cameron moved his body, and the resulting friction sent electric shocks through his veins. Half a year after they got back together, their hunger for each other hadn’t lessened. If anything, it was deeper now. It didn’t take much to set them off, and they’d discovered their needs matched up close to perfectly.
Cameron continued to rock, and Eli moved with them. Pre-cum made the contact slick, more sensuous, and their breathing grew harsh. They stroked each other and scratched. Kissed, nibbled, and licked. Cameron’s skin was alive, and his heart soared.
“Want you.” It sounded like both a plea and a demand.
“Yes.” Cameron reached for the bedside table and felt around until he connected with the small container. “Got ya.” Moments later, he sank two fingers into Eli’s heat, forcing a groan from Eli’s lips.
“Too much?” Cameron asked, not really worried.
“Fuck, no.” Eli bucked his hips. “Give me more.”
“Your wish…” Cameron added a finger and moved his hand back and forth.
“Good.” Eli’s eyes had lost most of their blueness and were almost black. “Not enough. I need you.”
Cameron didn’t need to be told twice. He sat back and moved a lube-slicked hand up and down his rock-hard cock while Eli’s heated gaze followed the motion.
“Want this?”
“Now,” Eli growled. He grabbed his knees and pulled up his legs.
Eli’s hole was just there, in Cameron’s line of vision, ready and waiting. He took a moment to enjoy the view.Then he shuffled closer on his knees and stroked the head of his dick over Eli’s hole and perineum.
“Now!” Eli’s voice held a trace of desperation, and Cameron took pity on him.
Sliding into Eli was like coming home. As if this was where Cameron belonged. When he bottomed out, he claimed Eli’s lips in a ferocious kiss.
At first, Cameron kept the pace leisurely, wanting to postpone their climax, but he fought a losing battle. Either Eli hadn’t received the memo about taking it easy, or he’d decided against the idea. Eli’s movements as he fell into rhythm with Cameron were forceful and harsh.
“Cam. Please.” Eli fisted his hands in Cameron’s hair and pulled him into a kiss.
Cameron’s resolve died, and passion took over. He broke the kiss, placed his arms on the bed on either side of Eli, and pushed himself up. The angle meant he could plough into Eli harder and faster and had the added bonus of…
“Fuck! Yes! Right there!” Eli’s arse left the bed as he chased Cameron’s cock while he withdrew before pushing into Eli again.
“So good.” As so often before, Cameron lost himself in Eli. He closed his eyes and surrendered to his feelings as his heart, his soul, and his body gave his all to Eli.
It wasn’t much longer before Eli grabbed his cock, tugged a few times, and with a roar, tensed.
Cameron forced his eyes open. Few things were as beautiful as Eli at the height of his orgasm, and Cameron drank in the sight. It was the extra nudge he needed, and moments after Eli, Cameron came too.
It wasn’t until after he’d used a towel to give both of them a wipe and he dropped to the bed beside Eli that the thought hit Cameron…again. If only he could find the words to describe what Eli looked like when they made love, but in this case, his vocabulary failed him miserably.
“Merry Christmas.” Eli pressed his lips against Cameron’s cheek.
“Merry Christmas.” Cameron turned his head fast enough that his answering kiss landed on Eli’s lips. He pulled Eli close until his head rested on Cameron’s shoulder. “Further celebrations can wait until tomorrow.”
“Busy day,” Eli murmured, and Cameron could hear he was already half-asleep.
“That’s Christmas for you.” Cameron wasn’t sure Eli had heard him. Which was probably just as well. Christmas was supposed to be about family, so it made sense they’d spend the day with Eli’s parents.
Cameron didn’t need Eli to know that he’d selfishly rather stay at home for a celebration just for two.
Delivering Christmas by Alex Jane
CHAPTER ONE
Nick
The last present that needed to be wrapped was in Nick's hand, when he heard the front door bang open and Leo's cheerful voice shout up an excited, "Merry Christmas!"
Even with his chance to get all his gifts wrapped and looking perfect lost to his poor time-keeping, Nick had to grin.
"It's not Christmas yet!" he yelled back, as he stuffed the small box under his side of the mattress where he hoped it wouldn't be noticed. They had been greeting each other in the same way since Leo started getting over-excited about the festive season after Nick's birthday at the end of November.
Nick wasn't all that fussed about Christmas usually. He normally worked straight through, apart from sacrificing half a day to the company Christmas party, and a nice meal with his mum after they'd exchanged presents on Christmas Day.
Leo on the other hand — it had been like having a golden retriever wearing a Christmas jumper running around the place as soon as the clock struck midnight on November 30th.
He'd insisted they get a real tree which was fine but they had ended up with one far too big for the front room of the cottage. Then Leo had materialised enough decorations from somewhere that you could barely even see there was a tree at all by the time Leo was finished trimming it.
Nick had to admit it looked good, each bauble perfectly placed, the tinsel plush, and enough sparkling fairy lights to rival Blackpool Pier. Although nothing looked as good as Leo's face every time he looked up at it, a happy glow lighting him up, inside and out.
Leo hadn't limited himself to decorating the inside of the house either. He had also made Nick climb on the roof and hang lights from the guttering. Well, not made. When Nick found out Leo had been intending to climb up there himself, the thought of him wielding anything that might resemble a tool had Nick quickly volunteering to get out the ladder. They'd already learned the hard way that DIY was not Leo's forte.
As well as the roof, they had lights in the cherry tree in the front garden and a huge wreath on the door. Nick had put his foot down when he'd caught Leo eyeing up the life-sized plastic reindeer in the garden centre, only because there had to be a limit. Leo had done his best to put on a brave face but had sulked most of the way home. He only stopped when Nick had pulled over into a quiet lay-by and given him a semi-public blow job. Which would have been insanely sexy if Leo hadn't kept talking about how he'd return the favour if they could go back and buy just one.
As Nick headed down from the bedroom to the sounds of rustling and banging that were coming from the kitchen, he half-wondered if Leo had, in fact, sneaked back to liberate Rudolph on his way home from work.
It wasn't Rudolph.
"What in the —?" Nick put his hands on his hips and stared at the mound of grocery bags on the kitchen counter. And on the floor. And on the kitchen table. "You got more food?"
Leo's face popped up from behind the counter, looking a little tired but smiling as always. "Well, yeah. Thought it would be best, considering." He was still wearing his winter coat, unzipped at the front revealing his uniform and hospital lanyard still around his neck. His hair was slicked back and his eyeliner was a little smudged under one eye but he looked happy.
They'd been living together for months now and, even though Nick got to see him like this every day, he still wanted to pin him down over the kitchen counter and beg him on his knees for a game of doctors and nurses.
Instead, he cleared his throat. "Considering?"
"The weather report?" Leo frowned over at him as if he was an idiot. "Did you not hear it?"
Nick huffed out a laugh. "Oh that. The light snow that might miss us? Hardly warrants you buying enough food to last us a month. Unless you're expecting company."
"It won't." Leo started pulling a four pack of baked beans from a bag.
"Won't what?"
"Miss us."
Nick laughed again but stepped forward to help. "Didn't know meteorology was your specialist subject."
"You forget." Leo waggled a packet of cream crackers in Nick's direction. "I've lived in Podlington for a while now."
"Oh," Nick said, nodding his head and trying not to laugh. "What is it? The ducks walking widdershins around the pond or are the bulbs coming up early in Mrs Vance's borders some kind of omen?" A packet of extra absorbent kitchen roll thwacked him on the head.
"No, you idiot. I told you. We always get snow."
That did make Nick laugh. "You can't always get snow at Christmas."
"Always."
"That's impossible. It barely even snows in this part of the country all winter in a good year. Or in a bad one, depending on how much you like snow, I guess."
"It does here."
"Bollocks."
"And if it says it's actually going to snow, then we know we're in for a lot of it."
"Light flurries," Nick said, brandishing a box of coffee filters. "Emphasis on light — wait, why did you buy more candles?"
"The only ones we have are scented?" Leo looked at Nick like he was an idiot. Again. "In case we get a power cut? I'm not wasting the good ones just so we can see. Plus, we'd suffocate if we light all the Cinnamon Cheer ones at the same time. Did you call your mum? Make sure you do in case the phones go out."
"What is this, Armageddon? And yes, I called her. She's fine, sends her love, can't wait to see us for New Year. Unless you think there'll be an avalanche or yeti attack and we won't make it there alive?"
Leo stopped what he was doing, and sent Nick a look that said he wasn't impressed at all by his attitude. "I sometimes think I preferred it when I thought you were a humourless automaton."
"Really?" Nick raised one eyebrow and stepped around the counter, sliding into Leo's personal space and curling an arm around his waist.
"Yeah," Leo said playfully. "You know, if I told anybody how funny you think you are, no one would believe me."
"You don't think I'm funny?" Nick leaned in closer.
"Hilarious." Leo managed in a breathy whisper a millimetre before Nick's lips connected with his, snatching the air from both their lungs. Kissing Leo never got old. It was both comforting and wildly sexual to hold him close and feel their bodies moving and reacting in harmony to each other. Even the way Leo's lips mouthed a path along the line of his jaw all the way up to his ear to whisper, "The ice cream is melting. We should really put all this away before we start anything."
Nick groaned, letting his head thunk forward onto Leo's shoulder. Leo shoved him away playfully before finally slipping off his coat and getting back to the groceries.
Not one to pout usually, Nick sure as hell felt like trying as he headed over to the kitchen table to retrieve whatever Leo had left there. As he passed the end of the kitchen counter, his eyes fell on a stack of paperwork piled neatly in the corner where they habitually left bills and other bits of post which needed sorting and his memory was jogged.
"This came for you." He held out the envelope across the mountain of half opened bags.
Leo frowned at what was obviously a Christmas card but took it and started ripping at the envelope roughly. "You didn't open it?"
Nick shrugged and turned away. "It's got your name on it, not mine." He went back to wondering why they would need so much toilet paper while he waited for a cheeky comeback or some acknowledgment of who had sent the card. When there was only stony silence from the other side of the room he got concerned before he got curious, turning just in time to see Leo ripping the card in half, then half again — then half again — before he opened the cupboard under the sink and threw the pieces in the bin.
"Everything okay?"
There was a moment of hesitation that was so fleeting Nick thought he must have imagined it, when Leo stood bracing his arms over the sink, his body tense and his expression angry, before his body and features softened back to his usual smiling demeanour.
"Junk mail. Nothing important."
"You've gotta stop signing up to all those mailing lists." It was an ongoing joke between them which never failed to get a rise out of Leo so getting silence back again wasn't what Nick was expecting at all. Although, this time, he was met with something altogether more pleasant as Leo slid around the counter and crowded into Nick's space.
"The ice cream's in the freezer. You wanna keep talking about my shopping habits or you wanna take this upstairs?"
Nick ran one finger down the front of Leo's uniform, his breath stuttering slightly, knowing exactly what was underneath the dark blue tunic — the firm tight body, mahogany skin, long lean limbs and a thatch of dark hair between his legs. "That is probably the dumbest question you have ever asked me."
"Challenge accepted. How about… you want me to change or shall I keep the uniform on?"
"Jesus," Nick laughed. "You're right. That's dumber." He laughed again when Leo took him by the hand and dragged him towards the stairs. "Hey, would you — ?"
"I'm not wearing the stethoscope."
"Just once?"
"It's not a toy."
"I know but —"
"Maybe you should have put one on your list for Father Christmas?"
"You know I did." He'd meant it to be playful until Nick realised maybe he wasn't completely joking.
Leo stopped with one foot on the stairs and looked over his shoulder, a naughty smile spreading over his face. "Well, if you've been a good boy, I'm sure Santa will come through."
"I have." Nick's voice broke a little when he replied, "I promise, I really have."
"Yeah?" Leo laughed. "Well, in that case, maybe you can open one of your presents early. It is Christmas Eve, after all."
"Oh my god, this really is the most wonderful time of the year."
“Yeah, whatever." Leo yanked him playfully along as they climbed the stairs, and Nick showed him exactly how good he could be.
Sending Love by Riza Curtis
Chapter One
Spencer
The persistent beeping of the ‘Oh shit’ alarm seeped into Spencer’s brain, until it finally grabbed his attention, dragging him out of the depths of his laptop. It took another few seconds for him to locate his phone from where it had been shoved underneath the pile of notes that threatened to take over his desk and silence the infernal noise. The ‘Oh shit’ alarm was never good news, but he let out a stream of creatively violent curses when he saw the time.
Late again.
Spencer hit ctrl-S on the document, unwilling to trust the auto-save with his precious work, before shoving the laptop closed. He would turn it off properly later, when he wasn’t running late for a date.
He staggered through the flat, towards the front door, running his hands through his hair as if that would make up for running out of time to brush it. Shoving his shoes on, he pulled his key off the hook beside the doorframe before realising he’d forgotten his phone. There was no way he was going to be able to convince Marcus that he’d been ready on time now.
Retracing his steps, Spencer found his mobile in his office, where he’d abandoned it after switching the alarm off. He racked his brain for anything else he might have forgotten. Phone, keys... wallet. The rattle of a key in the lock told him that his time was up though. He began the walk back through the open plan kitchen and living area towards the entrance.
“Hello, you,” he called, a rueful smile plastered on his face.
“Evening,” Marcus, Spencer’s partner, greeted him. “Not quite ready?” The innocent tone he’d put on was ruined by a barely disguised chuckle.
Spencer scowled playfully, unable to argue his case. Even after six months together, just Marcus’s presence brought a smile to his face.
“Obviously not,” he grumbled, knowing that his sheepish expression said it all.
Marcus laughed, not bothering to hide his amusement. Rather than stepping over the junk mail accumulating on the doormat, as Spencer had for the past couple of days, he gathered it up and carried it in.
Shaking his head, Spencer sighed dolefully. “You shame me.”
“You are utterly shameless, Spence.” Marcus teased, rolling his eyes. He moved closer, trapping Spencer against the side with a grin. “It’s a good job I actually made our reservations for seven.”
Spencer’s jaw dropped and he gaped. “You–”
“Let’s meet at six, and get dinner at half six,” Marcus mimicked Spencer’s accent badly, raising his eyebrow as if to challenge Spencer to argue. Spencer silenced any further mockery by kissing Marcus. Gods, Spencer was so lucky to have Marcus in his life.
Reluctantly, they separated after a moment.
“I’m just popping to the loo,” Marcus said, taking a step back. “Then we’ll go.”
Deciding to do something useful in the minute or so Marcus would be gone, Spencer started to sort through the junk mail. Amongst the brightly coloured adverts, a faded postcard caught his eye. He dumped the rest into the recycling bin and studied the picture.
It was a traditional snowy Christmas scene. Quaint houses with thatched roofs made up the background. He could have sworn the village looked vaguely familiar but it was probably just that all English villages looked the same depicted in miniature.
The focal point of the image was a couple holding hands as they walked home. It wasn’t a sad image but it tugged at Spencer’s heartstrings in a way that he couldn’t understand.
He turned it over.
Dear Timothy
That wasn’t right. Neither was the neatly penned address on the right hand side. It wasn’t anything like the address for his apartment.
17 Rosemary Way
Podlington
Spencer flipped the card back over briefly to study the village in the artwork. That was why it had seemed familiar. It was an image of Podlington. He could just make out the Miracle of Magic pub in the distance.
How the hell had a postcard from Podlington ended up in a flat over a hundred miles away?
“What you got there?”
Spencer jumped at the sound, putting the postcard down. Oops, he was supposed to be getting ready to leave.
“It’s a postcard, misdelivered here.”
Marcus picked it up, glancing at the handwritten text before letting out a low whistle. “Never mind wrong place, wrong year!”
The date hadn’t caught Spencer’s attention before–1957.
“I know they say the postal service has been going downhill but taking more than sixty years to deliver a letter?” he joked.
“And to the wrong address!” Marcus added, putting it back on the side. “Anyway, come on you, or we really will be late for our reservation.”
Saturday Series Spotlight
Helena Stone can’t remember a life before words and reading. After growing up in a household where no holiday or festivity was complete without at least one new book, it’s hardly surprising she now owns more books than shelf space while her Kindle is about to explode.
The urge to write came as a surprise. The realisation that people might enjoy her words was a shock to say the least. Now that the writing bug has well and truly taken hold, Helena can no longer imagine not sharing the characters in her head and heart with the rest of the world.
Having left the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam for the peace and quiet of the Irish Country side she divides her time between reading, writing, long and often wet walks with the dog, her part-time job in a library, a grown-up daughter and her ever loving and patient husband.
After spending far too long creating stories in her head, Alex finally plucked up the courage to write them down and realized it was quite fun seeing them on the page after all.
Free from aspirations of literary greatness, Alex simply hopes to entertain by spinning a good yarn of love and life, wrapped up with a happy ending. Although, if her characters have to go through Hell to get there, she’s a-okay with that.
With only a dysfunctional taste in music and a one-eyed dog to otherwise fill her days, Alex writes and walks on the South Coast of England—even when her heart and spellcheck are in New York.
You can now find her dark m/m romance under Alexis Jane, if you like love…but darker.
Riza began writing stories at a young age to the annoyance delight of anyone she could bully persuade to read them. Now somewhat older, if not wiser, things haven't really changed.
Riza lives in England where they enjoy adding extra letters to words, tea, and discussing the weather (it's always raining). Late diagnosed with autism and ADHD, Riza is passionate about disability rights and inclusivity both in the real world and her stories. Happy endings guaranteed.
Helena Stone
Alex Jane/Alexis Jane
Delivering Christmas by Alex Jane
Series
