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Home Is Where the Christmas Trees Are
After the tragic death of his sister, Jan, Dex Crawford leaves his life in Portland to take care of his twelve-year-old niece, Rowan. He gets a job as a physical therapist and tries to be a good guardian to Rowan, but they’re both grieving. The Christmas holidays hit Dex especially hard this year. He’d always left it to Jan to make the season merry, and now it’s up to him. Two weeks before Christmas, Dex has yet to even put up a Christmas tree.
Things go from bad to worse when Rowan’s clarinet is stolen right before the school holiday concert. Dex’s life begins to turn around when he accompanies Rowan to school to talk to her band teacher, Ed Alcott. Handsome and kind, Ed likes kids, music, and holiday decorations. Dex comes to think of him as his very own Christmas elf. Ed brings with him everything that’s been missing in Dex’s the possibility of love, home, and celebration… and Christmas trees.
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2015 Advent Calendar package "Sleigh Ride".
Things go from bad to worse when Rowan’s clarinet is stolen right before the school holiday concert. Dex’s life begins to turn around when he accompanies Rowan to school to talk to her band teacher, Ed Alcott. Handsome and kind, Ed likes kids, music, and holiday decorations. Dex comes to think of him as his very own Christmas elf. Ed brings with him everything that’s been missing in Dex’s the possibility of love, home, and celebration… and Christmas trees.
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2015 Advent Calendar package "Sleigh Ride".
45 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2015
About the author
CJane Elliott
23 books41 followersAfter years of hearing characters chatting away in her head, CJANE ELLIOTT finally decided to put them on paper and hasn’t looked back since. A psychotherapist by training, CJane enjoys writing sexy, passionate stories that also explore the human psyche. CJane has traveled all over North America for work and her characters are travelers, too, traveling down into their own depths to find what they need to get to the happy ending.
CJane is an ardent supporter of LGBTQ equality and is particularly fond of coming-out stories. In her spare time, CJane can be found dancing, listening to music, or watching old movies. Her husband and son support her writing habit by staying out of the way when they see her hunched over, staring intensely at her laptop.
CJane is the author of the award-winning Serpentine Series, New Adult contemporary novels set at the University of Virginia. Serpentine Walls was a 2014 Rainbow Awards finalist, Aidan’s Journey was a 2015 EPIC Awards finalist, and Sex, Love, and Videogames won first place in the New Adult category in the 2016 Swirl Awards and first place in Contemporary Fiction in the 2017 EPIC eBook Awards.
CJane is an ardent supporter of LGBTQ equality and is particularly fond of coming-out stories. In her spare time, CJane can be found dancing, listening to music, or watching old movies. Her husband and son support her writing habit by staying out of the way when they see her hunched over, staring intensely at her laptop.
CJane is the author of the award-winning Serpentine Series, New Adult contemporary novels set at the University of Virginia. Serpentine Walls was a 2014 Rainbow Awards finalist, Aidan’s Journey was a 2015 EPIC Awards finalist, and Sex, Love, and Videogames won first place in the New Adult category in the 2016 Swirl Awards and first place in Contemporary Fiction in the 2017 EPIC eBook Awards.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 5, 2015
A death in the family changes everything, and when you add suddenly taking care of a twelve-year-old (or a child of any age, really), that makes everything more difficult. The need to try to make no changes is considerable, but so is the necessity to find a new balance. In this story, Dex struggles with all of that, as well as his own loneliness on top of his niece Rowan’s troubles. Even though Rowan seems to deal pretty well overall, the change and missing her mother gets to both of them. The story of their first Christmas is heart-wrenching at first, but as a few unexpected events bring some changes, a glimmer of hope appears on the horizon – for both Rowan and Dex.
Dex is a physical therapist, and he loves his job. It’s probably part of the reason moving from Portland, Oregon, back to Eugene and into his deceased sister’s apartment was relatively easy for him. While it leaves Rowan in an environment she knows, it also means Dex finds it difficult to see it as his home rather than his sister’s. This becomes especially noticeable in the run-up to Christmas; Dex was ever a fan, but his sister and Rowan made a big deal out of it.
No tree or any decorations are in sight when Rowan leaves to stay with her grandmother in Washington DC, but her music teacher – a man Dex met after her clarinet was stolen – changes all of that. Ed is a huge fan of Christmas, and when he helps Dex decorate the tree he got after much deliberation, things quickly change between the two men. Some Christmas merriment is clearly what they both needed.
If you like stories that involve Christmas cheer helping characters go from sad to happy, if two men who only recently met finding themselves bond is your thing, and if you’re looking for a read that is as emotional as it is sweet, then you will probably like this festive short story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Dex is a physical therapist, and he loves his job. It’s probably part of the reason moving from Portland, Oregon, back to Eugene and into his deceased sister’s apartment was relatively easy for him. While it leaves Rowan in an environment she knows, it also means Dex finds it difficult to see it as his home rather than his sister’s. This becomes especially noticeable in the run-up to Christmas; Dex was ever a fan, but his sister and Rowan made a big deal out of it.
No tree or any decorations are in sight when Rowan leaves to stay with her grandmother in Washington DC, but her music teacher – a man Dex met after her clarinet was stolen – changes all of that. Ed is a huge fan of Christmas, and when he helps Dex decorate the tree he got after much deliberation, things quickly change between the two men. Some Christmas merriment is clearly what they both needed.
If you like stories that involve Christmas cheer helping characters go from sad to happy, if two men who only recently met finding themselves bond is your thing, and if you’re looking for a read that is as emotional as it is sweet, then you will probably like this festive short story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
December 10, 2015
This short 53 page read didn't work quite as well for me as the others that I read from the anthology.
When Dex's sister dies suddenly from cancer, he moves from Portland to Eugene, OR to act as guardian for his now 12 y.o. niece, Rowan.
Neither has truly moved past the death of their beloved sister and mother, so they're more existing than actually living.
But when Rowan's clarinet is stolen and Dex finally meets his niece's beloved music teacher, Ed (aka "Mr. A",) sparks slowly fly, then the two men begin dating.
This one drug on a bit for me; however, the major part of which I wasn't a fan was the instalove. It felt very premature and a bit desperate, truth be told.
They quite literally hang out once, share two kisses, then have one date and bring one another off, "unnh" *splat*, then Dex is dreaming of forever. Out loud to Ed.
“Your mother! I get to have Mrs. Alcott as a mom-in-law! Or are we getting ahead of ourselves here?”Woah. Slow down there, Crazy Train, or I'm going to be forced to reach for my tranquilizer gun!
“I don’t think so. But one step at a time. Christmas Eve at the Alcott home is next. Once you survive that, it’s all smooth sailing.”
Sadly, this one would've worked out better for me without the somewhat out-of-place bedroom scene and the cheesy Elf endearments.
Anyway, the story just ended oddly for me, so this one comes in at around 2.75 stars for overall enjoyment.
December 20, 2015
3.5 Stars
Awwwww, Ed and Dex were perfect together. The Christmas Angel and The Christmas Elf; that just about crossed the line for me into the "too much cute, make it stop" range, but that wasn't overdone so I could deal. The two MC's met at the perfect time and I liked that Dex didn't fight the feels. This could have been one of those times, but the author went with making Dex happy instead and I appreciated that, Dex needed some happy, no more sadness for him.
Awwwww, Ed and Dex were perfect together. The Christmas Angel and The Christmas Elf; that just about crossed the line for me into the "too much cute, make it stop" range, but that wasn't overdone so I could deal. The two MC's met at the perfect time and I liked that Dex didn't fight the feels. This could have been one of those times, but the author went with making Dex happy instead and I appreciated that, Dex needed some happy, no more sadness for him.
December 5, 2015
Dex Crawford is struggling to adjust to life as the guardian of his niece, Rowan. As Christmas approaches he feels even more lost, having relied on his now deceased sister to provide the holiday cheer in all of their lives. When Rowan’s clarinet, a final gift from her mother, is stolen the day before her Christmas concert Dex appeals to her music teacher, Ed Alcott for help.
I really liked the tone of this story. You could feel the grief that Dex and Rowan were suffering with, as they almost reluctantly entered the holiday period. But you could also feel their love for each other, and the fact that they were willing to make an effort to move on from their loss and make the best of what they have left.
I would have liked to see more of Ed throughout the book because I missed the connection between the two main characters. I realize that you need to be a little more forgiving with these short stories but the evident connection between Dex and Rowan just made my perceived lack between Dex and Ed seem all the more obvious.
The resolution with Rowan also felt totally wrong to me. And I know it’s not really fair to say – I think an author should have written it this way – but when it comes to Christmas stories, I just really feel the need to have that big red bow of happiness slapped on top. Usually I’d never say something like that, but it just threw off the “perfect happy ending” that I expect from holiday shorts.
I actually think that most people will enjoy this story, it just didn’t feel quite right for me.
Reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews
http://lovebytesreviews.com/2015/12/0...
I really liked the tone of this story. You could feel the grief that Dex and Rowan were suffering with, as they almost reluctantly entered the holiday period. But you could also feel their love for each other, and the fact that they were willing to make an effort to move on from their loss and make the best of what they have left.
I would have liked to see more of Ed throughout the book because I missed the connection between the two main characters. I realize that you need to be a little more forgiving with these short stories but the evident connection between Dex and Rowan just made my perceived lack between Dex and Ed seem all the more obvious.
The resolution with Rowan also felt totally wrong to me. And I know it’s not really fair to say – I think an author should have written it this way – but when it comes to Christmas stories, I just really feel the need to have that big red bow of happiness slapped on top. Usually I’d never say something like that, but it just threw off the “perfect happy ending” that I expect from holiday shorts.
I actually think that most people will enjoy this story, it just didn’t feel quite right for me.
Reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews
http://lovebytesreviews.com/2015/12/0...
November 21, 2019
Dex is taking care of his niece after his sister was killed, he is doing the best he can, but things go bad, when her clarinet is stolen, Dex will do anything to make this a better Christmas for her. He goes to talk to her band teacher and sparks fly when the two meet. Ed has just been moving along from day to day, when he meets Dex, things start to heat up.
This was a cute read, both Dex and Ed, were fun and cute together. A nice low angst Christmas story about two men who help each other heal and grow.
This was a cute read, both Dex and Ed, were fun and cute together. A nice low angst Christmas story about two men who help each other heal and grow.
December 22, 2015
ARC provided by the publisher through Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words in exchange for an impartial review.
Dex Crawford has moved into his sister Jan’s condo to become the guardian for her daughter, Rowan, after Jan’s death. A physical therapist who does home visits, he’s able to do his documentation from home at the end of the day so he can accommodate his neice’s schedule. Twelve-year-old Rowan is typical of girls that age, and though unhappy, seems to love Dex, and they get along well.
When Rowan’s clarinet is stolen just before a concert, Dex accompanies her to the band room to ask the music teacher if she can borrow one. There he meets Ed Alcott, son of one of his clients, and a man he feels he already knows based on what Mrs Alcott has said about him. Though he can’t tell Ed he’s met his mother, he can extend a warm hand in friendship, and the two men feel the sparks fly as they greet each other.
Love at first sight? Why not? Ed brings Christmas into Dex’s cold and lonely heart as Rowan is away spending the holidays with her grandmother. Dex is shocked by how quickly he and Ed seem to get to know each other and how close they become within only forty-eight hours.
This story left me with a big smile on my face as the two characters who so richly deserve each other find their happiness together. The main and secondary characters were very well developed in such a short story, and the story itself is very believable. I highly recommend this one to add some cheer to your Christmas holidays.
Dex Crawford has moved into his sister Jan’s condo to become the guardian for her daughter, Rowan, after Jan’s death. A physical therapist who does home visits, he’s able to do his documentation from home at the end of the day so he can accommodate his neice’s schedule. Twelve-year-old Rowan is typical of girls that age, and though unhappy, seems to love Dex, and they get along well.
When Rowan’s clarinet is stolen just before a concert, Dex accompanies her to the band room to ask the music teacher if she can borrow one. There he meets Ed Alcott, son of one of his clients, and a man he feels he already knows based on what Mrs Alcott has said about him. Though he can’t tell Ed he’s met his mother, he can extend a warm hand in friendship, and the two men feel the sparks fly as they greet each other.
Love at first sight? Why not? Ed brings Christmas into Dex’s cold and lonely heart as Rowan is away spending the holidays with her grandmother. Dex is shocked by how quickly he and Ed seem to get to know each other and how close they become within only forty-eight hours.
This story left me with a big smile on my face as the two characters who so richly deserve each other find their happiness together. The main and secondary characters were very well developed in such a short story, and the story itself is very believable. I highly recommend this one to add some cheer to your Christmas holidays.
December 15, 2015
“He turned and there Ed stood, gazing at him with those twinkly eyes. His sweet elf, lighting up this dreary room with his glow. Dex grabbed him and kiss him, pouring his gratitude into it until he had no breath left.”
3 Christmas Tree Stars!! This was a cute, little read! I was entertained overall!
After Dex’s sister, Jan dies, he’s left in charge of his niece Rowan. And as much as they try to move on they are both grieving in their own ways. Christmas comes around and neither are very cheery, since Jan was the one that instilled the cheeriness. Things just aren’t going their way and then Rowan’s clarinet was stolen right before her holiday concert. Dex goes with Rowan to school to talk to her music teacher and when he sees Ed, he realizes maybe the holiday isn’t so bad after all.
This book was so cute and really restores your faith in the holidays and love!!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Melissa from Alpha Book Club
December 23, 2015
In lieu of writing reviews – I’m taking an extended break – I decided to leave this list showing the reasons for the stars I’ve given to the stories I’ve read.
5 Stars – Given to stories that had me falling in love with the characters, had me so engaged in the plot I couldn’t put the book down and stories that either made me cry buckets and/or laugh until I cried.
4 Stars– Given to stories that I REALLY enjoyed reading but had me wishing for just a bit more.
3 Stars – Given to stories that I thought were worth the read but they didn’t knock my socks off.
2 Stars – Given to stories that didn’t work for me. I couldn’t connect to the MCs or feel any sort of connection between them. I couldn’t follow the plot or there wasn’t a plot. Every so often one of these stories just needs work to fix what went wrong but mostly 2 star reads are stories that leave me wondering why I kept reading until the end.
1 Star - I RARELY give out 1 Star so when I do it means the story was a complete train wreck.
I know what I may love another reader may wonder what the hell I was thinking and vise versa but I’m okay with that!
5 Stars – Given to stories that had me falling in love with the characters, had me so engaged in the plot I couldn’t put the book down and stories that either made me cry buckets and/or laugh until I cried.
4 Stars– Given to stories that I REALLY enjoyed reading but had me wishing for just a bit more.
3 Stars – Given to stories that I thought were worth the read but they didn’t knock my socks off.
2 Stars – Given to stories that didn’t work for me. I couldn’t connect to the MCs or feel any sort of connection between them. I couldn’t follow the plot or there wasn’t a plot. Every so often one of these stories just needs work to fix what went wrong but mostly 2 star reads are stories that leave me wondering why I kept reading until the end.
1 Star - I RARELY give out 1 Star so when I do it means the story was a complete train wreck.
I know what I may love another reader may wonder what the hell I was thinking and vise versa but I’m okay with that!
January 21, 2016
Dex is now living with his 12 year old niece since his sister died. He’s a single gay man who doesn’t know a thing about girls, especially grieving ones.
When his niece loses her clarinet he goes to her band teacher for help on purchasing a new one. They have an instant connection and end up spending the holidays together.
**
I didn’t like the way this ended. (Spoiler alert: the niece ends up moving away to live with her grandmother.) To me it felt like he’d failed and I’m not sure how this was supposed to make me feel good about this story.
I liked the chemistry between the two MCs and it seemed like he was really doing a good job with the niece so…
I guess this just didn’t hit my buttons.
2.5 of 5 stars
When his niece loses her clarinet he goes to her band teacher for help on purchasing a new one. They have an instant connection and end up spending the holidays together.
**
I didn’t like the way this ended. (Spoiler alert: the niece ends up moving away to live with her grandmother.) To me it felt like he’d failed and I’m not sure how this was supposed to make me feel good about this story.
I liked the chemistry between the two MCs and it seemed like he was really doing a good job with the niece so…
I guess this just didn’t hit my buttons.
2.5 of 5 stars
December 7, 2015
*copy provided by author/publisher via Divine Magazine in exchange for an honest review*
3.5 Stars
Dex meets his niece's sexy music teacher, Ed when he takes Rowan to school after her Clarinet is stolen.
This was a cute, extremely fast paced story. While it was well written I would have liked the story to move a little slower. I thought it was good, but too rushed. I would have loved a chance to see Dex and Ed as a couple and to get to know them a bit better.
All in all this was an enjoyable Christmas read!
You can find my other reviews for Divine Magazine at ~ http://divinemagazine.net/jreviews/my...
3.5 Stars
Dex meets his niece's sexy music teacher, Ed when he takes Rowan to school after her Clarinet is stolen.
This was a cute, extremely fast paced story. While it was well written I would have liked the story to move a little slower. I thought it was good, but too rushed. I would have loved a chance to see Dex and Ed as a couple and to get to know them a bit better.
All in all this was an enjoyable Christmas read!
You can find my other reviews for Divine Magazine at ~ http://divinemagazine.net/jreviews/my...
December 31, 2015
lonely gay bachelor uncle gets some (physical) relief
Dex was very sympathetic as a single gay man trying to care for his recently orphaned niece was sweet, although a couple of twists and turns in the story were appropriately unsettling for him. His meeting with a potential love interest (and his mother) was also nicely, and became even hotter with an eventual hook-up. The ending promised a bit much for a very recently attached couple, in part due to the hurried nature of a short story.
3.5 stars for the set-up, 3 for the sizzle, and 2 for the forced HEA ending, rounded to 3 overall
Dex was very sympathetic as a single gay man trying to care for his recently orphaned niece was sweet, although a couple of twists and turns in the story were appropriately unsettling for him. His meeting with a potential love interest (and his mother) was also nicely, and became even hotter with an eventual hook-up. The ending promised a bit much for a very recently attached couple, in part due to the hurried nature of a short story.
3.5 stars for the set-up, 3 for the sizzle, and 2 for the forced HEA ending, rounded to 3 overall
December 6, 2015
I have always enjoyed romances with children in them and I really enjoyed this one even if I didn’t really enjoy the ending. I read a couple of books by this author so I wasn’t surprised that I enjoyed the book. I immediately connected with Dex, Ed and Rowan. I was glad to see that Ed and Dex were going to make a go of this especially with how the story ended. Sorry I refuse to tell you. You’ll just have to read the book for yourself.
I received a free copy of this book to read for Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this book to read for Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
December 6, 2015
Reviewed for Prism Book Alliance
I was planning on giving this story four stars. It is a solid holiday tale with likable characters and just enough conflict to make it interesting. Then Elliott went and made me tear up. Yep, that extra half star is for the tears.
For full review see Prism Book Alliance http://www.prismbookalliance.com/?pos...
December 17, 2015
A short holiday read that felt over too soon. Whilst I liked it there was still more I wanted to explore.
Dex and Ed knew of each other but hadn't met - when Dex is at a Christmas low, Ed is there for support.
Dex and Ed knew of each other but hadn't met - when Dex is at a Christmas low, Ed is there for support.
December 20, 2015
This is a sweet tale of new love and overcoming hurt. I think the part that kept me from loving this story was the bittersweet feeling because of Dex's niece.
January 11, 2016
Just didn't work for me
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews