What do you think?
Rate this book
Bless Us Every One
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2012 Advent Calendar collection Evergreen.
Edan has spent the past five years hiding in his home, living with the ghosts of his Christmases past and unable to allow for the possibility of a future. So when his vibrant and sexy neighbor, Tim, barges into his life with a stepladder and a plate of cookies, Edan finds himself living for the present. But can he let go of his bah humbug ways and accept this second chance as the gift it is?
Edan has spent the past five years hiding in his home, living with the ghosts of his Christmases past and unable to allow for the possibility of a future. So when his vibrant and sexy neighbor, Tim, barges into his life with a stepladder and a plate of cookies, Edan finds himself living for the present. But can he let go of his bah humbug ways and accept this second chance as the gift it is?
38 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2012
About the author
Gina A. Rogers
11 books23 followersGina A. Rogers is an amazon living in South Central Pennsylvania where she grew up and will never be allowed to forget she once sported a mullet. She has mild OCD issues with regards to symmetry and reading order and is obsessed with the letter V. She loves nerds and men who wield swords (pun intended), especially while wearing skirts of the tartan or even leather variety. Although she loves reading dark and tragic stories, the ones that play out in her head and find their way to paper are fun, snarky and always end happily ever after!
You can find Gina A. Rogers on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... or contact her via e-mail at garwriter@gmail.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 6, 2013
3.75*
Dagnabit! I wanted this one to be longer.
It would have been amazing as a longer story...oh well, it was really good as it is, but boy..I would have loved more of Tim's backstory. And yes we do get most of Edan's but I think seeing more of it, his fight against his demons, past and present..oh and a look into the future that would have been really good!
*sigh*
Oh well, anyway, Edan is a bit of a recluse ( that might be an understatement) and I didn't quite get why his family let him get away with it, even knowing the reason, I can just say if he was my son, I would have gone to him as often as I needed to until he realized he couldn't avoid me. But that's a whole other story.
When the ever cheery and Christmas decorating fanatic Tim moves in across the street, it literally changes Edan's life.
Tim has his own history of problems just like Edan, except they both deal with it in very different ways.
I was happy that some of Tim's hopeful and happiness rubbed off on Edan. And when he said :
“We may have gotten the scars while traveling down different paths but the end result is just the same. They’re a reminder of the lives we’ve lead and the things we’ve been through that have cut us deep and left their mark. They’re symbols of our blessings and the second chances we’ve been granted.”
*sniff* so true for all of us.
Why, oh why wasn't this longer....?
Dagnabit! I wanted this one to be longer.
It would have been amazing as a longer story...oh well, it was really good as it is, but boy..I would have loved more of Tim's backstory. And yes we do get most of Edan's but I think seeing more of it, his fight against his demons, past and present..oh and a look into the future that would have been really good!
*sigh*
Oh well, anyway, Edan is a bit of a recluse ( that might be an understatement) and I didn't quite get why his family let him get away with it, even knowing the reason, I can just say if he was my son, I would have gone to him as often as I needed to until he realized he couldn't avoid me. But that's a whole other story.
When the ever cheery and Christmas decorating fanatic Tim moves in across the street, it literally changes Edan's life.
Tim has his own history of problems just like Edan, except they both deal with it in very different ways.
I was happy that some of Tim's hopeful and happiness rubbed off on Edan. And when he said :
“We may have gotten the scars while traveling down different paths but the end result is just the same. They’re a reminder of the lives we’ve lead and the things we’ve been through that have cut us deep and left their mark. They’re symbols of our blessings and the second chances we’ve been granted.”
*sniff* so true for all of us.
Why, oh why wasn't this longer....?
December 5, 2012
This is probably as close to a perfect story that encompasses the Christmas spirit as you can get in such a short length. I loved that Edan is so flawed, so imperfect and yet so longing for something to see past it. Tim is that, the embodiment of living for the present and appreciating what you have. He is exactly what Edan needs.
There isn’t a lot of time to develop more than their beginning, but it’s perfect just as it is. It takes courage to start again, to live again. When Edan tells Tim, “you made me realize I’m still alive yet I’m not living”, ahh, a great turning point. Wanted to clap for him. Tender and gentle.
There isn’t a lot of time to develop more than their beginning, but it’s perfect just as it is. It takes courage to start again, to live again. When Edan tells Tim, “you made me realize I’m still alive yet I’m not living”, ahh, a great turning point. Wanted to clap for him. Tender and gentle.
December 1, 2012
I liked this. It was nice seeing such an unusual take on how to celebrate Christmas. Which after talking with people, it turns out its not so "unusual" it's just the way they do it in that part of the country.
I have never heard the expression "pound sand" before, it doesn't sound pleasant.
Milk jug luminaries... Say What? Sometimes it feels like I'm in a different world here in Oregon.
Keurig? Is this a fancy teapot? Oh it made coffee so is it a fancy coffee maker than? (I have since learned not only is this a coffee maker but a single cup one that does lots of stuff. It's like a magic robot that specializes in warm beverages... Am I the only person that's never heard of these before?) According to google translate, Keurig means Neat. How 1950's quaint.
So the story was cute overall. Mr Edan has a dark past, but in the story you get to see him cope with that and move on. My only real complaint is it ended before Christmas Day. I wanted to see how things went with Edan's Family.
Comments I made as I read it. These weren't in the book but I imagined them. I think I'm funny so in going to share them. These came about because I was in a more goofy than usual mood. And because I'd been talking about Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls So I'm really not a monster and these all in good humor. And there only a few of them because i stopped reading when i went to bed (two things: I wish I could read in my sleep and I sleep naked) and the next day I was in my normal non-stabby mood.
I have never heard the expression "pound sand" before, it doesn't sound pleasant.
Milk jug luminaries... Say What? Sometimes it feels like I'm in a different world here in Oregon.
Keurig? Is this a fancy teapot? Oh it made coffee so is it a fancy coffee maker than? (I have since learned not only is this a coffee maker but a single cup one that does lots of stuff. It's like a magic robot that specializes in warm beverages... Am I the only person that's never heard of these before?) According to google translate, Keurig means Neat. How 1950's quaint.
So the story was cute overall. Mr Edan has a dark past, but in the story you get to see him cope with that and move on. My only real complaint is it ended before Christmas Day. I wanted to see how things went with Edan's Family.
Comments I made as I read it. These weren't in the book but I imagined them. I think I'm funny so in going to share them. These came about because I was in a more goofy than usual mood. And because I'd been talking about Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls So I'm really not a monster and these all in good humor. And there only a few of them because i stopped reading when i went to bed (two things: I wish I could read in my sleep and I sleep naked) and the next day I was in my normal non-stabby mood.
December 22, 2012
A beautiful Christmas story. Both men are damaged in their own ways. One chose to take a more positive outlook, the other more darker look. Friendship, and some season's will, brought them together.
December 27, 2012
Hiding sometimes seems like a good strategy to avoid an issue, but when staying away becomes a habit, it can become very damaging over time. Edan faces just such a situation – staying away from temptation may be a good thing for him, but after five years he is beginning to realize it also means almost no human contact. Of course, that only becomes a problem once he runs into his new neighbor, Tim, with whom he is definitely interested in.
Edan is a very lonely guy. He has isolated himself on purpose, and finds it very hard to pull himself out of it again. His rusty social skills show, and many men would be repulsed by his lack of ability for human interaction. Throughout the story he was the more hesitant of the two, but the change from totally reclusive to "ready for friendship and more" was smooth but noticeable.
Tim is bright and bubbly, and not easily discouraged. He is clearly determined to pull Edan out of his shell, but he uses care and gives Edan enough time to adjust to this new situation. Tim is also understanding, and he is really the one who gives Edan what he needs to feel safe enough to try living is life again.
If you like stories about second chances, if you enjoy reading a man's struggle to live with his mistakes and still look at the future with hope, and if you're looking for a Christmas story with heart, you will probably like this one.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Edan is a very lonely guy. He has isolated himself on purpose, and finds it very hard to pull himself out of it again. His rusty social skills show, and many men would be repulsed by his lack of ability for human interaction. Throughout the story he was the more hesitant of the two, but the change from totally reclusive to "ready for friendship and more" was smooth but noticeable.
Tim is bright and bubbly, and not easily discouraged. He is clearly determined to pull Edan out of his shell, but he uses care and gives Edan enough time to adjust to this new situation. Tim is also understanding, and he is really the one who gives Edan what he needs to feel safe enough to try living is life again.
If you like stories about second chances, if you enjoy reading a man's struggle to live with his mistakes and still look at the future with hope, and if you're looking for a Christmas story with heart, you will probably like this one.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
December 28, 2012
I adored this story. Edan is reclusive and been living a dull life for the past five years while Tim is exuberant and full of life, trying to live his life to the fullest. They both had their issues but while Tim embraced it and moved forward, Edan is too scared to move on. I loved the way Tim helped Edan change but Edan didn't change for Tim, Tim just made Edan realize there's more to life than being afraid.
While the story was short, I still very much enjoyed the relationship that was building. The banter and fun they had together was so sweet it had me smiling. I loved that Edan grew into a stronger person just from having Tim as a friend. More than that, I liked that they became friends before anything else developed. I really wished this had been longer, though, because I want to see them develop more of a relationship! As it is, theirs is just starting but it would be awesome to meet the families and see how they make a relationship work outside the holidays.
While the story was short, I still very much enjoyed the relationship that was building. The banter and fun they had together was so sweet it had me smiling. I loved that Edan grew into a stronger person just from having Tim as a friend. More than that, I liked that they became friends before anything else developed. I really wished this had been longer, though, because I want to see them develop more of a relationship! As it is, theirs is just starting but it would be awesome to meet the families and see how they make a relationship work outside the holidays.
December 26, 2012
3.5 stars.
Despite the title and the hokey Dickens references (such as a character named Tim Little? Ghosts of Christmas Past?), I really liked this short. It was sweet tempered with a little sad, but hopeful at the end.
Both Tim and Edan have been through some serious shit in their lives, but seeing Tim's passion for living and giving 2nd chances helped heal Edan, made him want to live his life fully again.
There's very little physical action in this story, so if you're looking for a healthy serving of smut, you won't find it here. And like many of these "Advent" stories, the timeline is a little questionable.
But, overall it was a great story about 2nd chances and redemption with wonderful characters and a compact, but fully developed narrative. A clever take on a Christmas classic.
Despite the title and the hokey Dickens references (such as a character named Tim Little? Ghosts of Christmas Past?), I really liked this short. It was sweet tempered with a little sad, but hopeful at the end.
Both Tim and Edan have been through some serious shit in their lives, but seeing Tim's passion for living and giving 2nd chances helped heal Edan, made him want to live his life fully again.
There's very little physical action in this story, so if you're looking for a healthy serving of smut, you won't find it here. And like many of these "Advent" stories, the timeline is a little questionable.
But, overall it was a great story about 2nd chances and redemption with wonderful characters and a compact, but fully developed narrative. A clever take on a Christmas classic.
January 16, 2013
~~~
Definitely 2.5 stars, but I can quite go 3.
This is another grumpy, Scroog-ey meets Tiny Tim (practically literally) holiday read. Not that there's anything wrong with that, in fact, it may be my favorite holiday theme this year.
A quick holiday read. I can't say it was my favorite this holiday, but I did like the characters even if the story was a bit lackluster.
Take a look at my Male/Male Romance Book Blog:
http://www.attentionisarbitrary.blogspot.com
Definitely 2.5 stars, but I can quite go 3.
This is another grumpy, Scroog-ey meets Tiny Tim (practically literally) holiday read. Not that there's anything wrong with that, in fact, it may be my favorite holiday theme this year.
"Everyone deserves a second chance."
A quick holiday read. I can't say it was my favorite this holiday, but I did like the characters even if the story was a bit lackluster.
Take a look at my Male/Male Romance Book Blog:
http://www.attentionisarbitrary.blogspot.com
December 22, 2012
Edan has made some mistakes in the past and as a result he has shut himself away from the world. He rarely leaves his house and has no friends until his new neighbour explodes into his life. Tim is the complete opposite of Edan - friendly, out-going and optimistic. He is also supportive and non-judgemental and exactly what Edan needs to bring him back into the world again. This was a lovely, heart-warming Christmas read.
December 10, 2012
Heartwarming Christmas story by a talented new author, can't wait to read more of her work!!
December 21, 2012
To his neighbors, Edan is a weird recluse who never leaves his house and is in a perpetually bad mood. Much like the Grinch, his heart starts to melt and grow when an optimistic and positive neighbor, Tim, knocks on his door and asks for help putting up Christmas lights. The two men develop a sweet friendship that eventually grows into something much more,
I really enjoyed this short story. It has the classic "be thankful for what you have because it could be much, much worse" theme, but it's not done in a cliche and corny way. Tim's outlook on life was beautiful and I couldn't help but absorb some of his positivity. Edan was scarred, both physically and emotionally, so it was nice seeing him slowly open up and heal with the help of Tim.
Since the story was so short, I would love to see more from this couple. I have a feeling there is much more to their story. Bless Us Every One is the perfect feel-good Christmas story that will warm you heart.
I really enjoyed this short story. It has the classic "be thankful for what you have because it could be much, much worse" theme, but it's not done in a cliche and corny way. Tim's outlook on life was beautiful and I couldn't help but absorb some of his positivity. Edan was scarred, both physically and emotionally, so it was nice seeing him slowly open up and heal with the help of Tim.
Since the story was so short, I would love to see more from this couple. I have a feeling there is much more to their story. Bless Us Every One is the perfect feel-good Christmas story that will warm you heart.
December 24, 2012
I really liked this story of Edan and Tim. Edan has been punishing himself for many years for mistakes he made. He rarely leaves his home and has separated himself from society. In barrels Tim - his new neighbor who is so grateful to be alive and so happy to be able to have a home and a life that he just exudes this joy. Edan discovers that maybe he'd like to have a different life and maybe, just maybe he can do it. With Tim's help.
Many things touched me about this story. My mom is in ESRD and on dialysis, so I know what it's like when someone is sick like that. I also have a very soft spot for the damaged and self-flagellating characters, so Edan is just perfect. I loved the way they support each other and the way Tim sees past Edan's mistakes to heart of the person he is.
Well done.
Many things touched me about this story. My mom is in ESRD and on dialysis, so I know what it's like when someone is sick like that. I also have a very soft spot for the damaged and self-flagellating characters, so Edan is just perfect. I loved the way they support each other and the way Tim sees past Edan's mistakes to heart of the person he is.
Well done.
December 30, 2012
This is a light sweet romance between Tim and Eden. I liked the main idea of second chances. For changing your life for the better, but gosh was Tim to cheerful, but okay. A fact is that's always nicer to have around someone who is positive and can pull you out of a dark place.
December 25, 2012
Edan can't figure out what his perky neighbor is up to and before he knows it he's right in the middle of everything. A wonderful story of recovery and the importance of reaching out to others.
December 25, 2013
A quick dose of hurt/comfort and a few laughs thrown in but just not long enough or deep enough to really let me connect to Edan.
March 25, 2016
This is probably my last...no second to last because I've already started another Christmas read.
'Bless Us Everyone' was a cute, short story about second chances and the fact that it's not the reason for needing them that determines who gets them. It's how badly they are wanted by the person who needs them.
I can't honestly say that this was an amazingly, fantastical story for me. It was ok, it was short and had some cute moments.
'Bless Us Everyone' was a cute, short story about second chances and the fact that it's not the reason for needing them that determines who gets them. It's how badly they are wanted by the person who needs them.
I can't honestly say that this was an amazingly, fantastical story for me. It was ok, it was short and had some cute moments.
December 25, 2012
2.5 stars
February 7, 2014
3,75 stars
October 3, 2015
Two guys next door neighbors both lucky to be alive and want there life different.
December 14, 2012
3.5 stars
December 24, 2012
3.5 stars
March 29, 2017
Second chances... joy... mistletoe! Yep, that about sums it up! What a wonderful little short story that I would love to see become a book! Tim Little? Seriously, this was just too perfect! *grin*
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews