Another Gift

Unexpected Gifts #2

by D.C. Williams

An urgent phone call in the middle of the night sends Nick and Leon on a rescue mission.

Leon’s youngest brother, Jared, is desperate and homeless after he is rejected by their parents.

Amidst the bustle of the holiday season and a trip with Nick’s relatives Nick and Leon incorporate the damaged teenager into their little family.

Now that they have been led to one another, can Nick and Leon put away the past and commit to each other fully in the sight of God?

This an inspirational Christmas story that contains descriptions of intimate moments between two men. It is intended for adults over eighteen years of age.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Christmas, Short Stories

70 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2014

About the author

D.C. Williams is a writer who lives in Pennsylvania with one spouse and one child. I LOVE reader interaction. I used to add that I tended to "friend" people who added my books. I've taken that down because at this point I have people adding my books who I really haven't interacted with at all. The first few months I was doing this I had run into most people who added my books somewhere on Goodreads. Since this is no longer really true (and I've long since eased up on the friendvites accordingly) I'm taking this down because I don't want to discourage people who don't enjoy author interaction from reading my books. That said, I enjoy reader interaction as much as ever, and please, feel free to add me!

You can find me on facebook--https://www.facebook.com/dc.williams.752

I did have an author email listed, but I never remember to check it, so...

Reviews

[D.C.]

It's been a year since this was released, and to celebrate, it will be FREE on Amazon for tomorrow only.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O...

[Issa · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5-3 stars. Late one night Leon receives a call from his brother Brad. Brad received a call from their teenage brother Jared. Having been caught by their parents in a compromising position with another boy, Jared is thrown out of the house. He turns a few tricks to survive but when he finds himself in a situation he doesn't want to continue, he calls Brad. Bard calls Leon because Leon is much closer to Jared than Brad.

This is a companion to Unexpected Gifts a book I simply loved. I wanted to see how Nick and Leon fared, if their relationship still worked, if they remained within their boundaries, if Nick and his parents still maintained their unusual bond. I also wanted a new story, new angst, new issues for them to face and triumph over. This story is not the latter. It's not really a book 2 more of an extended epilogue to book 1. I stepped away after that initial disappointment and gave it a couple weeks before reading it again with different expectations.

Jared is a kid who after facing hard times tries to put on a bad ass attitude, but he’s really a scared little softie inside. Nick and Leon have the room and agree to take Jared in, getting him checked medially and in school. I appreciated the fact this issues were covered and they didn’t just assume Jared was fine but I felt there was too much dialogue and Jared was mainly a sounding board for Leon to bring the reader up to date on how his and Nick’s relationship worked..which if you read the first book you already knew. All of that could have been condensed and replaced with more drama regarding Jared’s inclusion in their lives. Because there is virtually no drama and Nick and Leon agree on almost everything.

With help, Nick and Leon get custody of Jared and we meet Leon and Jared’s parents again. Dysfunctional to the extreme they hate anything outside of their world view. Hating the gay is easy but that is one of only dozens of things they cannot tolerate. The last time Leon saw his parents it left him devastated and I liked seeing how Leon has matured as he confronts them for what is hopefully the last time.

For three-fourth’s of the story, Nick takes a backseat. It’s Leon’s show and while I understood that, Jared is his brother, I missed Nick initiating not just reacting to everything Jared and Leon do.

The last little bit of the story is finally Nick’s show and one I had been waiting for. Nick’s parents take everyone to Disney World for Christmas. Nick has an unusual relationship with his parents. They hate that he’s gay, they wish upon everything he wasn’t, they think it’s wrong, and they worry for his soul. But here’s the difference, they love their son. So Nick and Leon play straight to make the parents feel more at ease. Nick’s parents love the son, hate what he does. Nick and Leon keep parts of their life secret from their parents. And really, there are many parents and children who play this very game with their work, their significant others, their hobbies, etc.

Nick and his mother broach the subject of being gay again, but I can see the love between the two as they realize they will continue to be on different sides of the divide but respect the other for their choice. It’s a beautiful moment and one of my favorite parts of story.

The ending though is lovely as well. Nick and Leon make a choice that fits perfectly with their beliefs and lifestyle.

As a finale to the Unexpected Gifts series I’m mixed. Jared added little to story but sucked up so much time and Leon felt a little flat compared to how I remembered him. However the very end in Disney World completely worked for me on all levels and reinforced how much I loved the first book. I’m glad I had an opportunity to read this story, just wished it had a little more meat to it.

I received a free copy of this story from the author (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review.

[Carly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Unexpected Gifts, which told Nick and Leon's story, primarily from Nick's point of view. ANOTHER GIFT gives readers a more intimate glimpse into Leon's family and heart. The way that he interacts with his brothers, and how he and Nick have drawn together as a couple and show their love to Leon's brother, Jared.

ANOTHER GIFT is a novella length story that is the perfect follow up to UNEXPECTED GIFTS and a deeply touching emotional reading experience. While continuing to exemplify the Christian values that are a central part of Nick and Leon's relationship, ANOTHER GIFT reminds me that love is the most important gift you can give.

My OFFICIAL REVIEW written for Carly's Book Reviews

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Stars Rounded up!

[Seiran · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book really wasn't for me, I didn't read the rest of the series but I have no interest either.