Make the Yuletide Gay
Anthology includes…
Sleigh bells ring—are you listening?
It’s that time of year again, and we have the perfect way to get you in the mood: A free anthology! Five holiday stories that are guaranteed to warm your heart, heat up your cold nights, and most importantly: Make your yuletide gay.
A Christmas Party to Remember by Nicky Spencer
Last Christmas, Cory and Wes made a connection that left them both thanking Santa. But when Cory doesn’t show up for their first date, Wes swears he won’t make that mistake again. This year, can Santa’s magic find a way to bring them back together?
Let’s Not Go Crazy by Stephen Hoppa
The holidays are stressful enough without Ethan’s boyfriend Nate trying to kill him with Christmas cheer. But Nate’s found a whole new way to torture Ethan when he reveals that he wants kids. Will their conflicting desires tear their relationship apart, or will they find a way to ring in the new year stronger than ever?
Captain Jack and the Snack Attack by Addison Albright
Two men determined to win the same treasure at a charity silent auction, a wayward kitten, grumbling tummies, and a dilemma: what’s the correct gift-giving etiquette for a first date that’s mere days before Christmas, and what could possibly go awry with this merry combination?
The Christmas Day Date by Nell Iris
One rainbow Christmas tree in harm’s way and an afternoon spent eating far too many cookies, equals two men with changed holiday plans. But how does that translate into a date?
The Year of the Monkey by Amy Tasukada
The last thing Aoi wants to do for New Year’s is spend it with his boyfriend’s parents. They were far from thrilled when their son came out. Can Aoi warm their hearts making traditional mochi or will they end up in an even stickier situation?
EBOOK
Note: Royalties earned from Amazon prior to KDP price-matching the free listings at the other distributors have been donated to The Trevor Project.
(LIBRARY/BORROW)
EBOOK
Release Date: November 16, 2017
Cost: FREE
Length: 82 pages (PDF) / 41,303 words (Anthology) – 6,992 words (Captain Jack and the Snack Attack)
ISBN: 9781370455461
ASIN: B077J3JGJJ
Heat Rating (A Christmas Party to Remember by Nicky Spencer): 3 flames – Moderate – While physical details are described, they are not graphically depicted.
Heat Rating (Let’s Not Go Crazy by Stephen Hoppa): 4 flames – Explicit – Intimate scenes are described using more graphic terms.
Heat Rating: (Captain Jack and the Snack Attack by Addison Albright): 2 flames – Subtle – Sensual, but not explicit. Physical interaction beyond kissing and touching is implied and/or described in general terms. Emotions emphasized over graphic description.
Heat Rating: (The Christmas Day Date by Nell Iris): 1 flame – Sweet – Kisses with maybe some mild petting shown onscreen.
Heat Rating: (The Year of the Monkey by Amy Tasukada): 1 flame – Sweet – Kisses with maybe some mild petting shown onscreen.
Click the links, below, to read the full reviews (if still available).
Excerpt from a review by Felices at “Noteworthy Book Reviews”
10 out of 10 stars
This is a collection of beautiful Christmas shorts of about 30 minutes reading each and written by five very talented authors. If you don’t know their work, what better way to introduce yourself to them than one-clicking. And they are free!!
Excerpt from a review by Cinnamon at “Love Bytes Reviews”
4 out of 5 stars
(excerpt from the review of Captain Jack and the Snack Attack)
What I liked most about this story is that this is exactly the sort of thing that I’d agonize over. Because you just know that whatever you choose to do, it’s going to be the wrong decision, and it’s going to be awkward. On top of that we have two adorable men at the very start of their relationship and an adventurous puffball named Captain Jack.
Excerpt from a review by Mari at “Bayou Book Junkie”
4 out of 5 stars
Overall, this was a pretty solid anthology, all the stories were enjoyable and just perfect to cuddle up on a cold afternoon. Very recommendable!
Excerpt from a review by Camille at “Joyfully Jay”
3.5 out of 5 stars
(excerpt from the review of Captain Jack and the Snack Attack)
The set up for Kenton and Gordie meeting feels like classic Albright to me—well within the realm of possibilities, but with a unique twist. I liked the way Gordie first views the handsomely dressed Kenton warily and even gives him epic stink eye—only to bump into Kenton at the animal clinic where he works.
Excerpt from Captain Jack and the Snack Attack by Addison Albright
“No, no, no!” Gordie Triggs grumbled as he elbowed his best friend, Claire. His light brown hair swung across his brow as he cocked his head toward Mr. Short-Pale-and-Stunningly-Handsome, fifty yards away on the other side of the convention hall. “Dammit! He’s going back.”
Claire turned to look at the man as he headed back to the signed Dead Men Tell No Tales movie poster Gordie had bid on. Gordie would’ve bet his left nut the well-fitting navy suit the guy wore was an Armani G-Line.
“Bastard.” Her mutter might have held a hint of sarcasm. Her side-eye definitely did. “Who does he think he is, anyway?”
The upbeat tempo of The Beach Boys singing “Little Saint Nick” mocked him right along with Claire. Of course he knew Mr. Blond-and-Gorgeous had every right to outbid him, but that didn’t make it any easier to accept. He shook out his hands and slowly exhaled. “I don’t have a chance, do I?”
“I did warn you.”
Gordie nodded glumly. The grocery chain’s annual silent auction charity fundraiser was mostly populated by their own upper management and that of the sales and marketing teams of their vendors. Claire had scored a couple tickets and a voucher toward her bids as a reward for being employee of the year at one of the stores.
Point being, most of the people here had deeper pockets than Gordie did as a veterinary technician. Much deeper, as evidenced by the expensive-looking suit on Mr. Totally-Unconcerned-Someone-Kept-Upping-the-Bid. Not to mention, it was for charity, so it was supposed to be all in good fun.
“Well,” he said. “It’s already more than I’d usually spend for Genna’s Christmas gift, but I can go a little higher.” Genna was his twin sister, and they shared a love—lust—for all things Captain Jack Sparrow. That poster would be perfect for her present.
“That’s the spirit. And those tickets to see Hamilton in June are still in your range. She’d like that, too.”
“I doubt they’ll stay in my reach. Not a chance, in fact.”
Claire shrugged and nodded toward the adjacent table. “I’ll bet this one hundred-bottle microbrew sampler will.”
“Maybe.” Gordie gazed longingly across the room, and Johnny Depp seemed to stare back, taunting him. Daring him to try again.
“And either of those two could be ‘couples gifts’ for both Genna and Derek, so you could factor that into your bid price.”
“I’m going to give the Pirates of the Caribbean poster one more shot.”
“Pace yourself.” Claire placed a hand on his forearm. “Let the guy wander off. Maybe he’ll get distracted. You should wait ’til closer to the end.”
“I need to leave enough time to try for something else if he outbids me. There’s some unique stuff here—things I’d never find out shopping.”
“I know, right? I want to get my dad that catered tailgate party.”
“But you bid on that gift basket full of spa crap.”
“Yeah, yeah.” She absently brushed a pretend crumb off her sleeve. “I’m letting luck decide for me. If I get outbid, I’ll go for the dad-gift. If not, that’s providence telling me I deserve to be spoiled.”
He rolled his eyes since she was looking away. There was plenty to distract them. Table after table was covered in drool-worthy merchandise and services. Convention center employees bustled back and forth converting the picked-over dinner buffet to a dessert spread.
“Come on. I want to see what the poster’s up to.” They zigzagged around tables laden with everything from autographed sports memorabilia to Tiffany-style lamps. When Gordie spied the new bid, he blew out a relieved sigh. “He only upped it by ten dollars. Maybe he’s reaching his limit.”
“Or maybe he’s flirting with you—wants you to notice him and keep coming back.”
“Oh, for fu—” Gordie bit off the rest. They were at a charity auction, after all. “He’s a straight guy. Probably wants the poster for one of his kids.”
“Lighten up. At least have fun imagining it. Why assume he’s straight? He could be gay, or maybe bi.”
“The laws of probability are on my side. Besides, why would he assume I’m gay? I’m here with you.”
“The laws of party-pooper are on your side.” Claire sniffed. “Anyone who sees you drooling over Captain Jack is gonna suspect. Why don’t you admit it, you’re hung up on this poster because you want to be able to visit it on a regular basis.”
Gordie ignored her comments, partly because it would be dishonest to deny any of it. Better to pretend he was taking the high road, refusing to be baited. “Come on. We haven’t seen all the gift baskets yet.”
Captain Jack and the Snack Attack Copyright 2017 Addison Albright