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Short North #2
Shiny Things
A story from Boughs of Evergreen: A Holiday Anthology
At sixteen, Nathaniel Avery was shipped off to live with an aunt in hopes of quelling a budding relationship between him and another boy. Ten years later, a frantic call from his younger brother and his father's failing health, brings him back home.
Just weeks before Thanksgiving and the most important day in Vincent Cooke's career, he nearly collides with the grown version of the boy he never really forgot.
Will a gallery renovation, the holiday season and the art of a mad genius help them to rebuild a friendship and rekindle a romance?
At sixteen, Nathaniel Avery was shipped off to live with an aunt in hopes of quelling a budding relationship between him and another boy. Ten years later, a frantic call from his younger brother and his father's failing health, brings him back home.
Just weeks before Thanksgiving and the most important day in Vincent Cooke's career, he nearly collides with the grown version of the boy he never really forgot.
Will a gallery renovation, the holiday season and the art of a mad genius help them to rebuild a friendship and rekindle a romance?
53 pages, ebook
First published December 1, 2014
5 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Amy Spector
32 books125 followersAmy Spector grew up in the United States surviving on a steady diet of old horror movies, television reruns and mystery novels.
After years of blogging about comic books, vintage Gothic romance book cover illustrations, and a shameful amount about herself, she decided to try her hand at writing stories. She found it more than a little like talking about herself in third person, and that suited her just fine.
She blames Universal for her love of horror, Edward Gorey for her love of British drama and writing for awakening the romantic that was probably there all along.
Amy lives in the Midwest with her husband and children, and her cats Poe, Goji, and Nekō.
After years of blogging about comic books, vintage Gothic romance book cover illustrations, and a shameful amount about herself, she decided to try her hand at writing stories. She found it more than a little like talking about herself in third person, and that suited her just fine.
She blames Universal for her love of horror, Edward Gorey for her love of British drama and writing for awakening the romantic that was probably there all along.
Amy lives in the Midwest with her husband and children, and her cats Poe, Goji, and Nekō.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
November 27, 2014
I actually cried before I even read this, because it was written by a friend, and for some reason this always sets me off.
This is such a beautiful , generous story. It seems to me that it deals magnificently with the very grown up issues of loss, forgiveness, ignorance, and love. I really like how there is no easy fix for the damage done to everyone by Nathaniel's dad, but in the end, the torn circle is repaired.
Tear moments for me were...the dad moment, the picture, seeing Elijah and Jacob, and of course the L bomb.
There are quite a few times where Amy captures a moment so perfectly that I almost levitated with admiration.
A really well written story, bravo Amy, see, there I go bawling again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=...
This is such a beautiful , generous story. It seems to me that it deals magnificently with the very grown up issues of loss, forgiveness, ignorance, and love. I really like how there is no easy fix for the damage done to everyone by Nathaniel's dad, but in the end, the torn circle is repaired.
Tear moments for me were...the dad moment, the picture, seeing Elijah and Jacob, and of course the L bomb.
There are quite a few times where Amy captures a moment so perfectly that I almost levitated with admiration.
A really well written story, bravo Amy, see, there I go bawling again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=...
June 14, 2017
Una historia dulce y adorable sobre segundas oportunidades, reencuentros, perdón y amor. El autor impone un ritmo muy pausado bañando todo de normalidad, lo que hace que la historia sea más creíble. Qué bonito es el amor.
Encontrar a Elijah ha sido el bonus de la historia.
Encontrar a Elijah ha sido el bonus de la historia.
February 13, 2018
Wow, for this short story to have been only fifty-some pages, the character development and level of feels was completely spot on, feeling like a much longer read.
I love a good "second chances" story and this one did not disappoint.
And the gallery scene with the featured artist answering Nathaniel's question, talk about goose bumps. Yes, it was amazingly written and just that good.
“We were just kids, but I knew. I always knew.”I'd rate this short story at 4.25 stars.
December 23, 2017
*4.5 stars*
This was wonderful. I wish I had read it sooner.
This was wonderful. I wish I had read it sooner.
December 3, 2014
3.5, rounded up.
Sweet, gentle story that I enjoyed, even with the sad parts and a few unanswered questions.
Sweet, gentle story that I enjoyed, even with the sad parts and a few unanswered questions.
July 17, 2015
Lovely, gentle short story of Nathaniel and Vincent as they reconnect after a 10-year separation. Some teary family moments in this one too. Overall, a warm, feel-good, holiday romance.
June 13, 2017
Lovely and sweet short read about finding again your first love.
December 20, 2017
4 Stars
I remember this being one of my favorites from the Boughs of Evergreen: A Holiday Anthology Combined Edition ; Thanksgiving & Christmas should be occasions that bring families together...and it was nice to see both the parent apologize for shuffling off a gay child AND that child working to forgive the parent. Too bad it took an Alzheimer's diagnosis to start the process, but better late than never, and it's a blessing it happened while the father still had his memories.
I remember this being one of my favorites from the Boughs of Evergreen: A Holiday Anthology Combined Edition ; Thanksgiving & Christmas should be occasions that bring families together...and it was nice to see both the parent apologize for shuffling off a gay child AND that child working to forgive the parent. Too bad it took an Alzheimer's diagnosis to start the process, but better late than never, and it's a blessing it happened while the father still had his memories.
November 25, 2014
I absolutely loved 'Shiny Things', Amy Spector's contribution to the Boughs of Evergreen Holiday Anthology.
It's a really sweet story; I absolutely loved Vincent, and his tough cookie exterior with the squishy sweet middle. The interaction between him and Nathaniel is quite touching, with the lovely message that perhaps forgiveness - even for the most hideous things - is possible, and that sometimes love really can span bridges that just seem too far.
A great little read - highly recommended.
It's a really sweet story; I absolutely loved Vincent, and his tough cookie exterior with the squishy sweet middle. The interaction between him and Nathaniel is quite touching, with the lovely message that perhaps forgiveness - even for the most hideous things - is possible, and that sometimes love really can span bridges that just seem too far.
A great little read - highly recommended.
August 4, 2015
I read this story as part of the "Boughs of Evergreen: A Holiday Anthology" book. Proceeds from the sales of this anthology will be donated to The Trevor Project.
I really liked this story. It's a tale of rekindled romance with touches of family and holiday traditions thrown in too. Plus there is a brief part with men in kilts so you can't go wrong!
I really liked this story. It's a tale of rekindled romance with touches of family and holiday traditions thrown in too. Plus there is a brief part with men in kilts so you can't go wrong!
January 22, 2015
I love when love is rekindled. It always makes me feel warm and fuzzy. There is such a thing as second chances.
Not without its bumps and bruises, this couple manage to work through the pain of losing each other the first time around, and slowly rebuild their friendship, while getting to know each other as grown men.
Hope springs eternal, and there is always hope around Christmas.
Not without its bumps and bruises, this couple manage to work through the pain of losing each other the first time around, and slowly rebuild their friendship, while getting to know each other as grown men.
Hope springs eternal, and there is always hope around Christmas.
December 5, 2015
It's a lovely story that just has it all: good things, bad things, lovely things. Lots of lovely things.
The MCs are both equally loveable and real, and the way they interact makes you want to be a part of the process.
It's a beautifully rounded story where everything just seems to fit as it should. And I love second chances...
The MCs are both equally loveable and real, and the way they interact makes you want to be a part of the process.
It's a beautifully rounded story where everything just seems to fit as it should. And I love second chances...
January 5, 2015
4.5 stars! Fabulous story!! Full review at The Novel Approach:
http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/20...
http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/20...
March 4, 2015
Vincent
April 21, 2015
Amy Spector hit it out of the park again with this book, it is a must read. I had to laugh when I read the line---Nathaniel had screamed like a girl.
Spector, Amy (2014-12-01). Shiny Things (Kindle Location 477). Beaten Track Publishing. Kindle Edition.
because just like Nathaniel I have been told by my friends that I scream like a girl. This book has passages in it that will make stop and think. that will bring you to tears and will make you laugh. I recommend this book as a great read
Spector, Amy (2014-12-01). Shiny Things (Kindle Location 477). Beaten Track Publishing. Kindle Edition.
because just like Nathaniel I have been told by my friends that I scream like a girl. This book has passages in it that will make stop and think. that will bring you to tears and will make you laugh. I recommend this book as a great read
December 17, 2014
What a wonderful holiday story. It had me engaged from the beginning and I could feel their feelings redeveloping for each other again. I truly adored this one. The boys made me giddy. I was all gahh, eeep, and ahh the last few chapters. I would love to read more of them in the future. :)
August 22, 2022
This had a few tropes I’m not crazy about (holidays, second chance of romance, homophobic parent). And it was dual POV, vs the singular POV the previous 4 books from Spector I’ve read.
The story was nice, the writing was still just as good as it has been for the others, and the few pages of Claude’s exhibit/story has me tearing up.
So, while the story wasn’t my favourite, the writing still carried it and made for an enjoyable read.
The story was nice, the writing was still just as good as it has been for the others, and the few pages of Claude’s exhibit/story has me tearing up.
So, while the story wasn’t my favourite, the writing still carried it and made for an enjoyable read.
December 15, 2016
This started off a bit bumpy but then grew and blossomed into something that pulled at my heart. It’s the second chances trope mixed in with old friends-to-lovers kept apart by a phobic father.
I just love stories set around art galleries. Artists making and surrounded by beautiful things. Go figure, just love that. Vincent owns and runs a new art gallery—is about to open his first big showing of works by a talented painter—and his childhood flame Nathaniel is the contractor hired to help set up the installation. It’s been ten years since Nathaniel’s father caught them kissing and sent Nathaniel away to live with a distant relative.
I especially liked the wee bit we got of the hermit artist, Claude Bäcker, who paints gorgeous portraits of his long-lost lover (to AIDS, one suspects), to hang in Vincent’s gallery. So nicely rendered, how this man in mourning fits into Nathaniel and Vincent's story, how his bit of nudging helps them see what’s right under their noses. There are some wonderful, tender moments in this—really quite lovely.
December 29, 2014
4.5 stars! This story had all sorts of lovely. Nathaniel and Vincent were separated as teenagers when Nathaniel's father caught them kissing and immediately sent Nathaniel away to live with his aunt in Chicago. Vincent was terrified of what had happened to Nathaniel but could not find him.
10 years later, Nathaniel's father has been stricken with alzheimer's and his younger brother Caleb summons him home to help with the family business. Unbeknownst to Nathaniel, the project he is needed for is to work on Vincent's gallery for a big show the night of Thanksgiving.
Don't want to reveal anymore, but this story is about regret and loss and forgiveness and trying again and second chances and so many other special moment. Highly recommended.
10 years later, Nathaniel's father has been stricken with alzheimer's and his younger brother Caleb summons him home to help with the family business. Unbeknownst to Nathaniel, the project he is needed for is to work on Vincent's gallery for a big show the night of Thanksgiving.
Don't want to reveal anymore, but this story is about regret and loss and forgiveness and trying again and second chances and so many other special moment. Highly recommended.
December 16, 2016
Reread for Christmas 2016
*****
4.5
This was a very nice YA. I really enjoyed this story about second chances and forgiveness. I loved the line about sometimes having to "...make our apologies to the people that come after." It's a mature message for a story written for a young audience but I don't think kids are given enough credit.
I would also love to learn more about Claude, the genius painter. I am always intrigued by a disheveled man in a glasses. :D
*****
4.5
This was a very nice YA. I really enjoyed this story about second chances and forgiveness. I loved the line about sometimes having to "...make our apologies to the people that come after." It's a mature message for a story written for a young audience but I don't think kids are given enough credit.
I would also love to learn more about Claude, the genius painter. I am always intrigued by a disheveled man in a glasses. :D
December 27, 2014
Lovely holiday-themed story about second chances and forgiveness and learning from mistakes. Very well done!
Favorite Quote:
"But not too late to change her ways, Nathaniel. The changing isn't always for the person you hurt. Sometimes we make our apologies to the people that come after."
Favorite Quote:
"But not too late to change her ways, Nathaniel. The changing isn't always for the person you hurt. Sometimes we make our apologies to the people that come after."
December 9, 2016
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this second chance romance. Heartbreaking back-story, gorgeous writing despite a peeve I'm in too good a mood to grumble about, low-drama/medium angst, and ultimately a very sweet read.
November 25, 2015
Very sweet. Want to read more of her work now!
November 28, 2021
This is such a lovely Thanksgiving story, and there is one scene that always makes me cry (yes, I've read it several times). A second chance, contemporary, new adult story that shouldn't be missed.
February 17, 2015
This is an example of a short story that was complete.
Nathaniel and Vincent were learning about themselves, each other and their sexuality. Nathaniel's dad found out and shipped the 16 year old boy away to a relative. Vincent tried to discover where Nathaniel had gone. He had no word from Nathaniel. Both boys were lost. Nathaniel never really came to terms with his banishment.
16 years pass. Nathaniel kid brother asks Nathaniel to return home. He needs help taking care of their father and his business. Nathaniel has not had any contact with his father in those 16 years. Vincent has lived his dream. Nathaniel has not. Nathaniel was a somber soul. He had had few things to smile at since he was 16. Vincent was happy and gregarious.
Vincent liked serious. He liked thoughtful.
And it didn't help that Nathaniel was still gorgeous.
The story of Nathaniel and his father made me cry.
There was a problem that almost made me give only three stars. Please edit. If you change a word or phrase, make sure you delete all of the old word or phrase. Please have someone else read your story for errors before publishing.
Nathaniel and Vincent were learning about themselves, each other and their sexuality. Nathaniel's dad found out and shipped the 16 year old boy away to a relative. Vincent tried to discover where Nathaniel had gone. He had no word from Nathaniel. Both boys were lost. Nathaniel never really came to terms with his banishment.
16 years pass. Nathaniel kid brother asks Nathaniel to return home. He needs help taking care of their father and his business. Nathaniel has not had any contact with his father in those 16 years. Vincent has lived his dream. Nathaniel has not. Nathaniel was a somber soul. He had had few things to smile at since he was 16. Vincent was happy and gregarious.
Vincent liked serious. He liked thoughtful.
And it didn't help that Nathaniel was still gorgeous.
The story of Nathaniel and his father made me cry.
There was a problem that almost made me give only three stars. Please edit. If you change a word or phrase, make sure you delete all of the old word or phrase. Please have someone else read your story for errors before publishing.
January 10, 2017
Read as part of the holiday themed Boughs of Evergreen: A Holiday Anthology Combined Edition profits supporting The Trevor Project which helps young LGBT people with mental health issues.
An emotive and lovely short story by Amy Spector, about two main characters, Nathaniel and Vincent. It soon becomes apparent these two have a past. What transpired had me in tears over loss, and rage over ignorance. Ignorance and judgements of and by humanity, through religions, politics, societies and unjust laws on same sex relationships. And how in many parts of the world this still occurs.
How can love between two people be wrong. The ignorance that has torn families apart too. Yet, it's never too late to say sorry, and hopefully never too late for second chances. This develops into a story for hope.
Just five stars from me.
An emotive and lovely short story by Amy Spector, about two main characters, Nathaniel and Vincent. It soon becomes apparent these two have a past. What transpired had me in tears over loss, and rage over ignorance. Ignorance and judgements of and by humanity, through religions, politics, societies and unjust laws on same sex relationships. And how in many parts of the world this still occurs.
How can love between two people be wrong. The ignorance that has torn families apart too. Yet, it's never too late to say sorry, and hopefully never too late for second chances. This develops into a story for hope.
Just five stars from me.
March 16, 2016
Lovely little Xmas second chances read, and I must admit that the old watery stuff made an appearance at one stage, what a softie I am. Well done Nathaniel and Vincent for not giving up on each other. 4 stars.
January 19, 2015
Short and very sweet.
December 30, 2018
I’ve been working my way through the individual stories from the Boughs of Evergreen holiday anthology and this is by far, one of the best. The writing and character development is so good for a short story it make it seem longer and yearn for more. Watching Nathaniel and Vincent as they reconnect after ten years was lovely. They are like two pieces of a puzzle fitting perfectly together.
January 22, 2022
3,5 really lovely, gentle Novella about a second chance romance between a gallery owner and the contractor he hires to renovate it before a big exhibition. There’s a few things left unresolved and I actually would have enjoyed a longer epilogue but this was typically a Amy Spector well written but sparse story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews