A Simple Gift

by Christine Pope

A holiday dinner turns into an evening of revelations as Anika's parents finally learn the truth of her relationship with an alien Zhore.

This 6,300-word (approximately 25 paperback pages) short story is a direct sequel to Breath of Life, and so does contain spoilers for the earlier work.

Genres: Romance, Science Fiction Romance, Science Fiction, Aliens, Beauty and The Beast, Ebooks, Fantasy

23 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 3, 2013

About the author

A native of Southern California, Christine Pope has been writing stories ever since she commandeered her family’s Smith-Corona typewriter back in the sixth grade. Many reams of dead trees later, she’s happy to announce that her debut novel, Fringe Benefits,was published by Pink Petal Books on April 8, 2010. Her short fiction has appeared in Astonishing Adventures, Luna Station Quarterly, and the new journal of dark fiction, Dark Valentine. Her paranormal novella, Playing With Fire, was released on August 5, 2010.

While Fringe Benefits is a straight contemporary romance, she writes in a variety of genres, including paranormal romance, fantasy, horror, science fiction, and historical romance. She blames this on being easily distracted by bright, shiny objects, which could also account for the size of her shoe collection.

After spending many years in the magazine publishing industry, she now works as a freelance editor in addition to writing fiction. She lives with her husband and an explosively fluffy Pomeranian mix. Her house is pink, but don’t hold that against her.

Reviews

[Hayat · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This is a Christmas short story, a wrapping up of Anika and Zhore's tale and tying some loose ends from book one, Breath of Life. It was enjoyable, but I wish we had a chance to see things from the parents point of view or even Zhore's.

In A Simple Gift, Anika and her alien husband (and soul mate) invite her parents for a Gaian Christmas celebration and to tell them about their secret relationship and a great news. However, her parents have been kept in the dark about their developing relationship and, as far as they're concerned, they've been blackmailed to let their daughter live with the secretive and hooded alien and they can't wait for their youngest daughter to come home. It's a tale of Christmas spirit and good will helping to smooth out issues and strengthening family ties. I just wish there was a bit more to it than that.

Anika's first person POV was starting to wear me out; she was a boring character without an interesting or original thought in her head, other than the obvious (worrying about her parents accepting Zhore and her love for the gentle alien). I was also hoping to see Zhore's family or people from his home world and was really disappointed to read about only Anika's parents and our MC; seeing Zhore's world/people would've added some depth and a much needed character development to this tale. Still, it was a good novella and it was included in Breath of Life and I appreciate it.

[Rachel-RN · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice story about Anika and Sarzhin's first Christmas. Anika's parents see Sarzhin for the first time. The parents didn't know anything about their daughter's relationship and this is a nice, little story where they find out. Anika also has a nice surprise for them.

[Tammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quick short story the revisits Anika and Sarzhin from Breath of Life. I enjoyed revisiting them and wished that this was longer.

[Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Also own in Gaian Consortium #1-3: Blood Will Tell / Breath of Life / The Gaia Gambit

[Cc · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Christmas short with the character from Breath of Life, Anika and Sarzhin.

[Cassie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A SIMPLE GIFT is the extremely short follow-up story about Anika and Sarzhin from book one, A BREATH OF LIFE. In this book, it is now Christmas and Anika invited her parents over to tell them the great news; that she was married with a baby on the way. Sadly, and a little surprisingly in my opinion, her father doesn't take it all that well, at least at first. Her mother's reaction, however, was a shock but a pleasant one. FIVE SLIPPERS for A SIMPLE GIFT!
This review was originally posted on Happy Ever After.

[Girlgeekallie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Christmas time on Lathvin IV, kinda. At least, it's Christmas time on Gaia, so the Gaian terraforming colonists are celebrating. This coda to Breath of Life is a perfect read to take a short break from the busyness of the holiday season, though you'll want to read Breath of Life first. It is delightful to see that the characters from the book do get their happily ever after.

[Shelley Chastagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is a nice addition to the Breath of Life. I enjoyed seeing Anika and Sarzhin a bit into their happily ever after. I liked getting to see Anika's parents as they take more of a central role. The ending left me feeling satisfied.
All read

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little short story to follow up to Breath of Life. I would welcome another follow up on Anika and Sarzhin.

[Ladymcbeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

that's a good following.

[Lea M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great followup to Breath of Life. Free download!