Book Reviews

Book Blurb

When Marcus and James started dating a few years ago, James invited Marcus home to spend the holidays with his close, Christmas-loving family. Marcus quickly realized once was enough, and since then, he’s stayed behind.

But this year will be different. Though the festivity and chaos make Marcus uncomfortable, he loves James, and he’s decided to put aside his unease so they can spend Christmas together—even if it means losing his hotel room to one of James’s siblings, braving the cold to go caroling, and battling the crowds so the children can visit Santa. It’ll all be worth it if Marcus can take his place in the family’s traditions—and maybe begin a new tradition for the two of them.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2016 Advent Calendar "Bah Humbug."

Book Review

James, of 'Traditions' by Ann Anderson, is sad that his lover, Marcus, doesn't want to spend Christmas with him at his family's house, but he understands that Marcus isn't used to all the noise and confusion that's inevitable with having so many people under one roof. Marcus doesn't comprehend the significance of his family's Christmas customs or why they continue. But this year, Marcus decides, because it is so important to James, he's going to give it another try.

When they arrive, his family is delighted that Marcus has come but them being there immediately causes a complication. Since one of the family customs is that everyone is to sleep “under one roof”, there isn't room for James and Marcus. Fortunately, they have reserved a room at a nearby hotel. Determined to get into the holiday spirit, Marcus takes in stride things that drove him to distraction before, i.e., James's father's rule of “no funny business under this roof”; getting “attacked” by the kids; fighting the crowds to see Santa on Christmas Eve; and, ultimately, giving up their small bastion of peace and privacy, giving up their hotel when a family member gets sick.

Coming from a family who threw him out years ago when he announced that he was gay, Marcus marvels over James's family and how much they love each other. This year, Marcus is determined to see beyond the noise, inconvenience, and crowded conditions to grasp some of the meaning behind all the “chaos” of the family who opened their arms and hearts to him and, in one grand, sweeping manner, give more of it back.

This story touched my heart. My parents are no longer with me but what I would not give to have one more Christmas with them; another chance for things to be the way they were when I was young. It would be beyond wonderful to take part in the family attending a midnight candle service together, to marvel at my father's “perfectly” decorated tree, to savor my mother's scrumptious cooking, and, most of all, to be able to be in their loving embrace, one more time. Traditions are an essential part of preserving the love and closeness of families.  Making memories that will last far into the future, recollections that live in our hearts forever are extremely important. Thanks, Ann, for the wonderful Christmas story and for helping me recapture some of my happiness of times past.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Short Story, 35 pages/11865 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	01-December-2016
Price
Buy Link	OUT OF PRINT