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Crossing Borders #2
What Child is This?: A Crossing Borders Christmas Story
Rerelease of 2010 title: What Child is This? A Crossing Borders Christmas Story.
Michael and Tristan are finally taking that much needed weekend away for Christmas. They’ve been working so hard at their respective careers there hasn’t been time for a breather, much less a chance to reconnect and see if they’ve been working toward what they both want.
Like always, Michael’s well-laid plan is derailed by a phone call from Apple House. Three of their charges have gone missing and while Michael is worried, it’s not unusual for the young adults who stay at the shelter for homeless LGBT teens to come and go.
But when one of them calls Michael and asks if – hypothetically speaking – it’s considered kidnapping to keep a baby who’s been abandoned, Michael and Tristan head home with all speed to sort things out.
Michael and Tristan are finally taking that much needed weekend away for Christmas. They’ve been working so hard at their respective careers there hasn’t been time for a breather, much less a chance to reconnect and see if they’ve been working toward what they both want.
Like always, Michael’s well-laid plan is derailed by a phone call from Apple House. Three of their charges have gone missing and while Michael is worried, it’s not unusual for the young adults who stay at the shelter for homeless LGBT teens to come and go.
But when one of them calls Michael and asks if – hypothetically speaking – it’s considered kidnapping to keep a baby who’s been abandoned, Michael and Tristan head home with all speed to sort things out.
132 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 21, 2010
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415 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
December 5, 2014
This short provided a nice little peek into Michael and Tristan's life, catching up with them around the time of the Epilogue in Crossing Borders. Michael has arranged a romantic Christmas getaway for him and Tristan to reconnect without the pressures of work and school obligations. The two still have great chemistry and there is one incredibly romantic moment between them at the hotel.
There is a sub-story about some of the teens of Apple House, the home for LGBT teens that Michael runs, that was sweet and also serves to help Michael and Tristan reevaluate the future plans.
I may be biased since Crossing Borders and Michael and Tristan are favorites of mine, but I loved catching up with them and only wished there would be more.
There is a sub-story about some of the teens of Apple House, the home for LGBT teens that Michael runs, that was sweet and also serves to help Michael and Tristan reevaluate the future plans.
I may be biased since Crossing Borders and Michael and Tristan are favorites of mine, but I loved catching up with them and only wished there would be more.
August 7, 2021
A nice follow-up to Crossing Borders and Tristan and Michael. Loved their Christmas get-away at the luxury resort, but honestly I could have done without the drama with the baby.
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January 1, 2011
I always like ZA Maxfield and I enjoyed Crossing Borders. This story is really like 2 short Christmas stories woven together. First there is the continuing story of Officer Helmet (michael) and Sparky (Tristan). Last we saw they were running a shelter called Apple house, and Tristan was teaching and going to school and helping at Apple house. Their part of the story is really just a check in of sort with them. About where they are and where they hope to be going, it was nice to follow up with them. Although the premise that seemed to start the story isn't where the story seemed to go. The other part of the story is about two boys from Apple House. The two guys are so sweet and lovable and I would really like to have read more about them.
April 4, 2011
I had just finished Crossing Borders for the second time and was so glad I could just pop over to Amazon and buy this sequel.
I loved that Michael and Tristan had matured in their relationship. I loved the premise of getting away for a few days. The interplay of the story of Michael and Tristan with the new characters of Jack and Prim worked out well for me. All in all a nice way of catching up with Tristan and Michael and setting them up for another (hopefully longer!) sequel as well as an altogether new story for Jack and Prim. Enjoyable.
I loved that Michael and Tristan had matured in their relationship. I loved the premise of getting away for a few days. The interplay of the story of Michael and Tristan with the new characters of Jack and Prim worked out well for me. All in all a nice way of catching up with Tristan and Michael and setting them up for another (hopefully longer!) sequel as well as an altogether new story for Jack and Prim. Enjoyable.
March 31, 2012
3.5 stars
I enjoyed catching up with Tristan and Michael a few years after Crossing Borders took place. Unfortunately for me, it's just left me wanting more, leaving me rather frustrated, really. It was good but ended up being less than truly satisfying as the future was hinted at, but nothing was acted upon. It's the problem, I guess, of a Christmas themed story as the amount of time is limited to a few days. Oh well, I can but hope....
I enjoyed catching up with Tristan and Michael a few years after Crossing Borders took place. Unfortunately for me, it's just left me wanting more, leaving me rather frustrated, really. It was good but ended up being less than truly satisfying as the future was hinted at, but nothing was acted upon. It's the problem, I guess, of a Christmas themed story as the amount of time is limited to a few days. Oh well, I can but hope....
January 6, 2013
An ordinary follow-up to an excellent book IMHO. I love the 'Crossing Borders' book, in fact I gave it 5 stars in my review, but I was quite disappointed with this effort. I didn't feel that Michael and Tris were in the story that much, I couldn't get into the Jack/Prim pairing at all I'm afraid. I've just re-read 'The Long Way Home', and would love a follow-up book for Kevin & Connor, providing of course that they were the main focus of the story.
July 14, 2012
what was the point of this story.? It was too short to squeeze in other people. If Tristan and Michael adopted said baby maybe there would be purpose. It just shows Michael realizing he was taking Tristan for granted by putting work ahead of their quality time together.
February 26, 2019
2.5 So that was.... unsatisfying. I thought this was suppose to be a story about Tristan and Michael. Which we get, but we also get a story about 2 other MC. Which was weird to me. I found my self skimming their parts so that I could get back to Michael and Tristan. Were the other 2 Mc’s a set up for another book?
To add in insult to injury Michael and Tristan don’t even get their own epilogue, leaving some major questions unsolved. Does that mean there will be another book for them?
I appreciate being able to check in with these two but I did not like how it was conducted. It was already a short story, why do that? That’s why this one gets a low rating for me. Great story just the way it was done for all MC’s really sucked
To add in insult to injury Michael and Tristan don’t even get their own epilogue, leaving some major questions unsolved. Does that mean there will be another book for them?
I appreciate being able to check in with these two but I did not like how it was conducted. It was already a short story, why do that? That’s why this one gets a low rating for me. Great story just the way it was done for all MC’s really sucked
October 10, 2017
Hmm...I guess this just wasn't the story for me. I didn't like that it focused so much on the teens and their actions. I really wanted to see more of the main couple. And then the ending seemed realistic but wasn't what I was expecting.
February 5, 2011
Kathy’s Review:
In What Child Is This, Z.A. Maxfield revisits Michael Truax and Tristan Phillips two and a half years after she first introduced her readers to them in Crossing Borders. Our visit with Michael and Tristan is delightful but, in this reviewer’s opinion, too short!
Michael is now retired from the police force, and he runs Apple House, a shelter for homeless young adults. Tristan is working and attending college, and both men are more in love with one another than before. Michael surprises Tristan with a Christmas getaway in a posh and luxurious hotel, and their first day is perfect. Tristan goes surfing for the first time in ages, and their day culminates with an unbelievably romantic and erotic date. However, reality rudely interrupts their idyllic getaway when Michael receives a phone call from Apple House that Kate, Prim, and Jack have disappeared. And when duty calls, Michael and Tristan answer.
Tristan and Michael are still the beloved, well-developed characters we first met in Crossing Borders. Michael is the same dependable, safety conscious man as before who has a difficult time separating work from his personal life. Tristan is still a thrill-seeking adrenaline junkie, but he has a few softer edges and a great deal more maturity. Their love for one another has deepened, and the passion is still burning hot between these two sexy men.
The subplot with Kate, Prim and Jack is interesting, but it contributes to the first half of the novel being a little disjointed and uneven. Kate, Prim and Jack are also well developed characters, and while their storyline might be a little farfetched, their reactions to the situation they find themselves in are believable, and the resolution of the events involving them is realistic.
What Child Is This by Z.A. Maxfield is a charming and engrossing novella. It is a wonderful example of how a relationship evolves over time, and how important it is for couples to periodically re-evaluate the path their relationship is on. I highly recommend his heartwarming story!
Rated 4 Ravens by Kathy!
In What Child Is This, Z.A. Maxfield revisits Michael Truax and Tristan Phillips two and a half years after she first introduced her readers to them in Crossing Borders. Our visit with Michael and Tristan is delightful but, in this reviewer’s opinion, too short!
Michael is now retired from the police force, and he runs Apple House, a shelter for homeless young adults. Tristan is working and attending college, and both men are more in love with one another than before. Michael surprises Tristan with a Christmas getaway in a posh and luxurious hotel, and their first day is perfect. Tristan goes surfing for the first time in ages, and their day culminates with an unbelievably romantic and erotic date. However, reality rudely interrupts their idyllic getaway when Michael receives a phone call from Apple House that Kate, Prim, and Jack have disappeared. And when duty calls, Michael and Tristan answer.
Tristan and Michael are still the beloved, well-developed characters we first met in Crossing Borders. Michael is the same dependable, safety conscious man as before who has a difficult time separating work from his personal life. Tristan is still a thrill-seeking adrenaline junkie, but he has a few softer edges and a great deal more maturity. Their love for one another has deepened, and the passion is still burning hot between these two sexy men.
The subplot with Kate, Prim and Jack is interesting, but it contributes to the first half of the novel being a little disjointed and uneven. Kate, Prim and Jack are also well developed characters, and while their storyline might be a little farfetched, their reactions to the situation they find themselves in are believable, and the resolution of the events involving them is realistic.
What Child Is This by Z.A. Maxfield is a charming and engrossing novella. It is a wonderful example of how a relationship evolves over time, and how important it is for couples to periodically re-evaluate the path their relationship is on. I highly recommend his heartwarming story!
Rated 4 Ravens by Kathy!
February 26, 2012
Michael treats Tristan to a holiday getaway for the two of them to help them do some much needed reconnecting. While they are away, some of their kids back at Apple House get into a bit of trouble, causing them to have to cut their trip short. During all of the trouble, Tristan comes to some realizations about some things that he wants out of life that cause he and Michael to re-evaluate their relationship and the things that they want. There is also a small side story with a relationship with the residents at Apple House.
This was a sweet story, like everyone says, and the story with Jack and Prim, residents of Apple House, would make a good story of its own. it was nice to see Michael and Tristan again. But I did't love this story like I normally love Maxfield's books. This one didn't enthrall me. I actually read this one, put it down and read something else, went back to it, then read another, and finally came back and finished it. I just had a hard time keeping my attention focused on this one. I found it to be kinda boring. It's a good story, don't get me wrong, I just had a hard time holding my attention to it.
This was a sweet story, like everyone says, and the story with Jack and Prim, residents of Apple House, would make a good story of its own. it was nice to see Michael and Tristan again. But I did't love this story like I normally love Maxfield's books. This one didn't enthrall me. I actually read this one, put it down and read something else, went back to it, then read another, and finally came back and finished it. I just had a hard time keeping my attention focused on this one. I found it to be kinda boring. It's a good story, don't get me wrong, I just had a hard time holding my attention to it.
December 31, 2011
Although it was great to be with Tristan and Michael again, this book didn't live up to the original. It had none of the humor I so loved in Crossing Borders, nor did it have any texting!! Then again, Tristan and Michael were always in each other's presence, so I suppose texting wouldn't have made sense. Try as I did, I never really cared for Jack/Prim/Katy, so the story just seemed to drag on for me, with little adorable snippets of Tris & Mike sprinkled in between the Jack/Prim/Katy storyline.
April 12, 2014
This was kind of like getting two presents in one – a continuation of Michal and Tristan as well as a new romance in Prim and Jack. The only thing that would have made this perfect is if ! Heartwarming and a lovely follow up to “Crossing Borders”.
November 7, 2011
A sweet Christmassy story with some old favorites and some new characters.
Prims background broke my heart, and I would love to see how his and Jacks story played out.
Michael and Tristan, while still great, never quite had the same spark as in crossing boarders for me. But I would sure love to read the next chapter in their life.
Prims background broke my heart, and I would love to see how his and Jacks story played out.
Michael and Tristan, while still great, never quite had the same spark as in crossing boarders for me. But I would sure love to read the next chapter in their life.
December 23, 2010
Three stars. I liked it, but I didn't love it. I felt as though the story was fragmented and the pacing seemed off. That said I enjoyed the revisiting of Tristen and Michael. I'll reread it again after the hectic holidays and see if my feelings change.
December 30, 2010
A wonderful follow up to Crossing Borders, though I wish there'd been more of it. That's really my only complaint; Tristan and Michael are great characters, and the kids from Apple House were also characters I would have liked to have spent more time with.
July 12, 2012
Didn't hook me as much as Crossing Borders. It was a nice re-visit but didn't have the WOW factor.
June 8, 2013
As much as I wanted to read more about Michael and Tristan, I didn't care for this story. The focus was too much on a secondary story line that didn't do much for the book in my opinion. After reading this, I went back and reread Crossing Borders again to get my Michael and Tristan fix.
March 28, 2011
a good book but i prefer the first one
July 25, 2011
Good holiday m/m romance about how getting away from it all for a relaxing holiday weekend doesn't always turn out as one might hope.
March 3, 2012
3.5 stars. A nice look at two of my favorite characters, far enough down the road to get a feel for how their lives are working out. I wanted more... maybe someday please?
June 13, 2020
2,5 stars
September 27, 2015
Love love love these two. What a great followup holiday story :)
February 3, 2017
Loved Michael and Tristan in Crossing Borders. They kind of got lost in the one- too many characters in too little plot.
August 30, 2023
Have You heard The One About A Baby...
CrossingBorders1.5
Officer Helmet has a new iteration of his vocation - Apple House. It’s a halfway house for at-risk LBGT kids, most of whom come from the streets, via the hospital. Are they less volatile than the homeless adults Michael looked out for on patrol? Somewhat.
But trust is always an issue when there’s been abuse. Vulnerabilities...openness can get you killed or locked up. Most people are users, looking out for their own wants and needs; not trying to make a difference in the rest of someone’s life.
Tristan is continuing with school, looking out for his siblings, and helping Michael with Apple House. They are both very busy, doing real things. But, Michael is convinced they’re too busy, that they need “us” time. And he’s not wrong.
The “us” time is about reconnecting and re-evaluation. They are committed to each other, but do they want the life they’re drifting toward? That is what “us” time gives them.
But three of their residents are missing, and finding out why pulls on resources and support structures that are in place for just such a purpose. Even if it’s a found baby.
The beauty here is not lemons and lemonade, but hope.
CrossingBorders1.5
Officer Helmet has a new iteration of his vocation - Apple House. It’s a halfway house for at-risk LBGT kids, most of whom come from the streets, via the hospital. Are they less volatile than the homeless adults Michael looked out for on patrol? Somewhat.
But trust is always an issue when there’s been abuse. Vulnerabilities...openness can get you killed or locked up. Most people are users, looking out for their own wants and needs; not trying to make a difference in the rest of someone’s life.
Tristan is continuing with school, looking out for his siblings, and helping Michael with Apple House. They are both very busy, doing real things. But, Michael is convinced they’re too busy, that they need “us” time. And he’s not wrong.
The “us” time is about reconnecting and re-evaluation. They are committed to each other, but do they want the life they’re drifting toward? That is what “us” time gives them.
But three of their residents are missing, and finding out why pulls on resources and support structures that are in place for just such a purpose. Even if it’s a found baby.
The beauty here is not lemons and lemonade, but hope.
February 9, 2020
It's been a long time since I read the first book, however it was easy to get into this one and I sped through it. Michael and Tristan are great together as always, their admiration of each other and the amount of affection is lovely. They still have incredible chemistry and I enjoyed the development in this one, thinking of the future.
Prim and Jack were adorable, I loved seeing them get to know more about each other and confess their feelings. Neither of them is perfect but they have good intentions when it comes to Chucho, after all they're still young and foolish so I like that a lot.
The ending/epilogue were perfect to finish and rather well done, could have easily gone another route with the baby and so I actually appreciated that it didn't. Overall it was a beautiful, short and easy read with great development to the future for everyone.
Prim and Jack were adorable, I loved seeing them get to know more about each other and confess their feelings. Neither of them is perfect but they have good intentions when it comes to Chucho, after all they're still young and foolish so I like that a lot.
The ending/epilogue were perfect to finish and rather well done, could have easily gone another route with the baby and so I actually appreciated that it didn't. Overall it was a beautiful, short and easy read with great development to the future for everyone.
November 4, 2018
Its a crazy amount of time since I read the first book (November 2011) so that was sort of a mistake (should have read it sooner), but I did recall some of the MCs' characteristics and it can be read alone if you aren't looking for a complete experience.
I enjoyed the secondary story of the two young men and a woman with their 'baby' adventure more than the catch up on Tristan and Michael.
I enjoyed the secondary story of the two young men and a woman with their 'baby' adventure more than the catch up on Tristan and Michael.
November 17, 2018
A wonderful Christmas story that leaves you wanting more.
More of Tristan. More of Michael. More of the residents of Apple House.
Unfortunately it was so long since I read the first book that I sometimes felt I was missing things. I wish I had reread the first one before reading this. If I had I’m pretty sure I would have enjoyed it more and probably given it a higher rating.
More of Tristan. More of Michael. More of the residents of Apple House.
Unfortunately it was so long since I read the first book that I sometimes felt I was missing things. I wish I had reread the first one before reading this. If I had I’m pretty sure I would have enjoyed it more and probably given it a higher rating.
January 14, 2018
Very short and kinda sweet. Good to touch base Micheal and Tristan.
December 9, 2023
Sweet Christmas tale. Fun peek into what Tristan and Michael's life is like after several years. Enjoyed reading it and I recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews