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Diz and Clarissa #1-4
Three Plus One
Diz and Clarissa Are Back for the Holidays!
It’s Christmas Eve in Baltimore, and you know what that means . . . snow.
Lots of it.
Join our dynamic duo as they battle the elements, quirky friends and family, and two marauding dogs in their annual ill-fated attempts to enjoy a quiet Christmas alone.
Originally published in 2014, this Christmas collection features the short stories, Nevermore!, A Christmas Tree Grows in Baltimore, and Blended Families.
But wait!
There’s more!
In the Bywater Books reissue of Three, you get a (plus one)!
This updated edition of Ann McMan’s romantic comedy classic includes the fourth tale of Diz and Clarissa, ‘Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas.
This trilogy (plus one) is a holiday omnibus not to be missed!
It’s Christmas Eve in Baltimore, and you know what that means . . . snow.
Lots of it.
Join our dynamic duo as they battle the elements, quirky friends and family, and two marauding dogs in their annual ill-fated attempts to enjoy a quiet Christmas alone.
Originally published in 2014, this Christmas collection features the short stories, Nevermore!, A Christmas Tree Grows in Baltimore, and Blended Families.
But wait!
There’s more!
In the Bywater Books reissue of Three, you get a (plus one)!
This updated edition of Ann McMan’s romantic comedy classic includes the fourth tale of Diz and Clarissa, ‘Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas.
This trilogy (plus one) is a holiday omnibus not to be missed!
184 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 26, 2016
8 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Ann McMan
41 books577 followersCollege at an indifferent liberal arts institution taught Ann McMan that understanding subject/verb agreement was not enough to secure her fame and fortune. After graduation, she got a job driving a young adult bookmobile—and spent her days piloting the great rig across the dusty back roads of rural North Carolina. Her duties included making certain that the mobile library always contained at least six copies of "Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret", visiting the county detention unit (it was a great way to catch up with her brothers), and showing public service films about safe sex to pre-teens at 4-H Clubs all across her part of “The New South.”
Soon, the allure of higher education coaxed Ann back to school. For the past three decades, Ann has worked at a succession of premier institutions, designing marketing and advancement materials that promote, promulgate, and extol the benefits of indifferent liberal arts education.
Somebody has to do it.
All this time, she continued to write. And when, at the ripe old age of thirty, she realized that she was not like other girls, the great world of lesbian literature opened its arms, and provided her with a safe haven in which to grow and learn about her new identity. She will forever be indebted to those literary pioneers who had the courage, the talent, and the temerity to gift us all with an art form of our own. Ann’s first and subsequent attempts at writing lesbian fiction have been heartfelt attempts to pay that great gift forward.
Ann McMan is the author of three novels, JERICHO, DUST, and AFTERMATH–and the story collection SIDECAR.
In 2011, Ann, along with her novels JERICHO and DUST and her short story “I Saw Xena Kissing Senticles” were elected to The Royal Academy of Bards Hall of Fame. In 2012, she was awarded the Alice B. Lavender Certificate.
BACKCAST, further adventures of the CLIT-Con 13 (that zany cast of authors from SIDECAR’s “Bottle Rocket”) will be released in 2013.
Soon, the allure of higher education coaxed Ann back to school. For the past three decades, Ann has worked at a succession of premier institutions, designing marketing and advancement materials that promote, promulgate, and extol the benefits of indifferent liberal arts education.
Somebody has to do it.
All this time, she continued to write. And when, at the ripe old age of thirty, she realized that she was not like other girls, the great world of lesbian literature opened its arms, and provided her with a safe haven in which to grow and learn about her new identity. She will forever be indebted to those literary pioneers who had the courage, the talent, and the temerity to gift us all with an art form of our own. Ann’s first and subsequent attempts at writing lesbian fiction have been heartfelt attempts to pay that great gift forward.
Ann McMan is the author of three novels, JERICHO, DUST, and AFTERMATH–and the story collection SIDECAR.
In 2011, Ann, along with her novels JERICHO and DUST and her short story “I Saw Xena Kissing Senticles” were elected to The Royal Academy of Bards Hall of Fame. In 2012, she was awarded the Alice B. Lavender Certificate.
BACKCAST, further adventures of the CLIT-Con 13 (that zany cast of authors from SIDECAR’s “Bottle Rocket”) will be released in 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 31, 2020
5 STARS. The stories are an annual re-read for me. If you haven't read any of this series - I highly recommend you read the yuletide adventures of Diz & Clarissa. If you love ice queens - Clarissa is one of the best. I think I still like the first story, Nevermore the best.
I didn't purchase this compilation. This is a re-issue of "Three" adding the Plus One story - ‘Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas. I've read all 4 stories in one form or another. As it is, I own 3 copies of Nevermore, starting when it was first published on the Academy of Bards website for the "Bard Solstice Challenge #26" in 2011. Although I didn't buy this book, I wanted to add it to my Goodreads list, so in the future I don't inadvertently buy it. What makes it confusing is the cover of 3 plus One is the cover for 'Twas the Nightmare before Christmas.
So in this version -
Originally in
includes Nevermore, A Christmas Tree Grows in Baltimore and Blended Families and story #4, 'Twas the Nightmare before Christmas was published as 
December 20, 2020
Cute collection of short stories about Diz and Clarissa on Christmas Eve throughout the years. Unbelievable and sometimes outrageous situations with a little drugging of children with Benadryl. But light hearted and heart warming nonetheless.
December 17, 2018
Three (plus one) by Ann McMan is a newly reissued Christmas short story collection. Anyone who’s seen my top 10 lists knows they never have just 10 books on them, so how could I not love a trilogy with 4 stories in it?
This a fun, gentle read. The stories are paced well and the language is sharp and hilarious. Some of the situations are ridiculous, but I mean that in the best possible way. I defy anyone to read this book without smiling and laughing their way through it.
Full review: http://www.thelesbianreview.com/three...
This a fun, gentle read. The stories are paced well and the language is sharp and hilarious. Some of the situations are ridiculous, but I mean that in the best possible way. I defy anyone to read this book without smiling and laughing their way through it.
Full review: http://www.thelesbianreview.com/three...
December 9, 2019
‘Three (plus one)’ is a compilation of four short stories featuring Diz and Clarissa, two co-workers who fall for each other, and their lives through four consecutive Christmas. The first story ‘Nevermore!’ was originally published in McMan’s collection of short stories ‘Sidecar’. ‘Nevermore!’ was also published in McMan’s book ‘Three’ along with ‘A Christmas tree grows in Baltimore’ and ‘Blended families’. All these three aforementioned stories plus ”Twas the nightmare before Christmas’ are published in ‘Three (plus one)’.
All the elements of McMan’s style are present in these stories: an acute sense of humour, verbal-sparring dialogues, and hilarious situations. I have to admit that Ms. McMan’s style doesn’t always work for me, but these stories made me laugh out loud. Both main characters are endearing, opposites-attract and with great chemistry. The fact that Clarissa is the epitome of ice-queens doesn’t hurt either. All the stories are featured around Christmas and are the perfect holiday read, full of the Christmas spirit.
This audiobook was narrated by Christine Williams, who has read most of Ms. McMan’s work. Ms. Williams’s tone is a perfect match for McMan’s novels: light, irreverent, and ideal for the author’s typical one-line jokes, ridiculous situations, and acid comments. Ms. Williams seems to be enjoying the story while reading it and the listener can tell.
Available for free to Audible Escape subscribers. Duration: 5 hrs and 40 mins long.
Overall, a funny and enjoyable compilation of short Christmas stories’ audiobook. 4 stars.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
All the elements of McMan’s style are present in these stories: an acute sense of humour, verbal-sparring dialogues, and hilarious situations. I have to admit that Ms. McMan’s style doesn’t always work for me, but these stories made me laugh out loud. Both main characters are endearing, opposites-attract and with great chemistry. The fact that Clarissa is the epitome of ice-queens doesn’t hurt either. All the stories are featured around Christmas and are the perfect holiday read, full of the Christmas spirit.
This audiobook was narrated by Christine Williams, who has read most of Ms. McMan’s work. Ms. Williams’s tone is a perfect match for McMan’s novels: light, irreverent, and ideal for the author’s typical one-line jokes, ridiculous situations, and acid comments. Ms. Williams seems to be enjoying the story while reading it and the listener can tell.
Available for free to Audible Escape subscribers. Duration: 5 hrs and 40 mins long.
Overall, a funny and enjoyable compilation of short Christmas stories’ audiobook. 4 stars.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
June 25, 2017
Amidst all the hijinks, sweet moments between Diz and Clarissa made this at the top of my fluffy romance list. Simple gestures, really - a kiss on the head, lips; a head on one's shoulder; hand holding and many others you have to read for yourself. Mostly, it's a joy to see Clarissa getting exasperated to being amused by Diz's predicaments. We only get to glimpse the development of their relationship every Christmas time, but the sneak peaks were enough nonetheless to establish a solid couple. How I wish there were more story snippets on these two!
December 31, 2020
5 Stars for the Three Plus One Audiobook by Ann McMan, narrated by Christine Williams. I've read this collection through the years in one form or another. I decided to change up my annual read for the audiobook version. I enjoyed Christine Williams' narration, especially Clarissa's voice.
This is a collection of 4 short Christmas stories featuring Diz and Clarissa. When we first meet them, they have been sharing a small basement office at a publishing firm in the research department. Diz is also working on her doctorate and Clarissa having earned her doctorate has been working her way through the ranks/departments of her family firm. These two couldn't be more opposite. Diz, a Rachel Maddow lookalike and Clarissa is wealthy (especially when compared to Diz) but really likes Diz, in spite of their social differences.
This collection is classic McMan with quick, smart, snappy dialogue back and forth. Reminds me of the old B&W movies with Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant (also with Rosalind Russell).
The first story "Nevermore" The night of the company party. Diz gets wasted after Clarissa leaves the party with her boyfriend. Diz wakes up the next morning in her own bed and Clarissa in her apartment. Clarissa is in her apartment?
"A Christmas Tree Grows in Baltimore" Adventures of Diz trying to get a Christmas Tree on Christmas Eve during the worst blizzard ever.
"Blended Families" The families meet.
The final story is "'Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas" It's Christmas Eve and Diz and Clarissa's big plans are complicated when Diz's BFF, Marty is sick and she has no choice but to take care of his three kids, who want to see Santa at the mall – add dogs and a judge and it’s a typical Christmas for Diz and Clarissa.
This is a collection of 4 short Christmas stories featuring Diz and Clarissa. When we first meet them, they have been sharing a small basement office at a publishing firm in the research department. Diz is also working on her doctorate and Clarissa having earned her doctorate has been working her way through the ranks/departments of her family firm. These two couldn't be more opposite. Diz, a Rachel Maddow lookalike and Clarissa is wealthy (especially when compared to Diz) but really likes Diz, in spite of their social differences.
This collection is classic McMan with quick, smart, snappy dialogue back and forth. Reminds me of the old B&W movies with Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant (also with Rosalind Russell).
The first story "Nevermore" The night of the company party. Diz gets wasted after Clarissa leaves the party with her boyfriend. Diz wakes up the next morning in her own bed and Clarissa in her apartment. Clarissa is in her apartment?
"A Christmas Tree Grows in Baltimore" Adventures of Diz trying to get a Christmas Tree on Christmas Eve during the worst blizzard ever.
"Blended Families" The families meet.
The final story is "'Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas" It's Christmas Eve and Diz and Clarissa's big plans are complicated when Diz's BFF, Marty is sick and she has no choice but to take care of his three kids, who want to see Santa at the mall – add dogs and a judge and it’s a typical Christmas for Diz and Clarissa.
December 23, 2018
It took me so long to actually read an Ann McMan novel that I’m embarrassed how much I love listening to them now.
However, I do love listening to her stories.
This is slightly different in that it is a series of short stories, all events happening around Christmas, to the main characters. And that again is McMan’s strength, in my opinion. Her characters are so real. Nothing really goes right for them, in a small way; plans are waylaid; misunderstandings are misunderstood; true love is almost thwarted by lack of courage. Just like real life, really!
Yet, her characters hold their nerve, and their patience, and say the right things rather than the thing they might want to, and the day is saved.
I’m not a huge fan of short stories, or dog poo, or barf jokes, and I’ve often found some of the humor in these books doesn’t work for me but everything else just swells my heart so i find myself firmly in the fan category.
A final shout out to the audible narrator for these books - Christine Williams - who has a great voice and pace for these books.
I’ve started a little tradition for myself of listening to a Christmas themed story in the run up to the day, when I’m preparing things, to get me in the spirit. This year, this one absolutely did.
However, I do love listening to her stories.
This is slightly different in that it is a series of short stories, all events happening around Christmas, to the main characters. And that again is McMan’s strength, in my opinion. Her characters are so real. Nothing really goes right for them, in a small way; plans are waylaid; misunderstandings are misunderstood; true love is almost thwarted by lack of courage. Just like real life, really!
Yet, her characters hold their nerve, and their patience, and say the right things rather than the thing they might want to, and the day is saved.
I’m not a huge fan of short stories, or dog poo, or barf jokes, and I’ve often found some of the humor in these books doesn’t work for me but everything else just swells my heart so i find myself firmly in the fan category.
A final shout out to the audible narrator for these books - Christine Williams - who has a great voice and pace for these books.
I’ve started a little tradition for myself of listening to a Christmas themed story in the run up to the day, when I’m preparing things, to get me in the spirit. This year, this one absolutely did.
December 2, 2022
This is a collection of 4 connected short stories over the course of 4 Christmases and chronologizing the relationship between Diz and Clarissa. I really liked the first story a lot, but I liked the second one less and really struggled with the 3rd and 4th stories. I suppose Ann McMan is trying to be humorous with these stories, but the situations were so over the top that I felt myself getting angry rather than thinking it was funny. And the worst part is I was really into the characters of Diz and Clarissa, but there is a lot of time spent with Diz and the side characters, and I just didn't care about the side characters. And I think it's why I really liked the first story--because Diz and Clarissa are the main characters. But Clarissa becomes less of a focus in the subsequent stories. And we're given Diz's friend Marty as a replacement? Marty and his brood were literally the worst thing about these stories.
So not sure how to rate this as a collection.
Story 1: "Nevermore!" - 4 stars
Story 2: "A Christmas Tree Grows in Baltimore" - 3 stars
Story 3: "Blended Families" - 2 stars
Story 4: "T'was the Nightmare Before Christmas" - 2 stars
2.75 stars, I guess.
So not sure how to rate this as a collection.
Story 1: "Nevermore!" - 4 stars
Story 2: "A Christmas Tree Grows in Baltimore" - 3 stars
Story 3: "Blended Families" - 2 stars
Story 4: "T'was the Nightmare Before Christmas" - 2 stars
2.75 stars, I guess.
August 7, 2017
Diz and Clarissa through four Christmas fiascos
January 15, 2026
Diz and Clarissa work at a publisher doing fact checking. Diz is almost done her Doctorate while Clarissa is fated to be a VP eventually. And is engaged. Despite that, she flirts with Diz...
The two go to the company Christmas party, Diz drinks too much, and Clarissa insusts they dance. And slow dance at that. Then her boyfriend arrives... they leave, Diz marines a bit more then Clarissa returns, and runs a very drunk Diz home.
Clarissa nurses the hungover Diz, teases her then kisses her, revealing she's liked her for awhile.
Second story, Christmas one year later.
Third story, Clarissa introduces Diz to her family.
Fourth, wrap up.
Fun if short book.
The two go to the company Christmas party, Diz drinks too much, and Clarissa insusts they dance. And slow dance at that. Then her boyfriend arrives... they leave, Diz marines a bit more then Clarissa returns, and runs a very drunk Diz home.
Clarissa nurses the hungover Diz, teases her then kisses her, revealing she's liked her for awhile.
Second story, Christmas one year later.
Third story, Clarissa introduces Diz to her family.
Fourth, wrap up.
Fun if short book.
December 12, 2018
Christmas has never been so funny! Loved Clarissa, Diz, Marty, and of course Alvin, Simon, and Theodore! I laughed out loud so many times. This was a very sweet and hilariously funny romance. I was so sad for it to end, I could have kept reading the tales of their exploits for many more hours!
February 4, 2019
So so great
July 5, 2021
4.5 love the characters and very funny short stories!
July 20, 2021
so (sobs) nice!!
please write more diz and clarissa
please write more diz and clarissa
February 13, 2023
Mayhem and Rachel Maddow look-alike
Diz Gillespie has worse luck than the Allstate commercial guy. Three: Plus one refers to 3 Christmas misadventures plus one. A major feature of the first Christmas is Diz’s way overindulgence of 8 Gimlet’s and subsequent drunk-truth telling. Diz is smitten with a coworker, Clarissa, but assumes she’s straight. With good reason-Clarissa is engaged to a man. Clarissa ditches the fiancé and takes Diz home. Clarissa gets Diz home, puts her in bed, removes her shirt, shoes, and pants. Clarissa, it turns out, isn’t as straight as everyone assumed, including herself. There are many bust a gut, laugh out loud episodes of the stories. No good deed goes unpunished springs to mind as Diz finds herself in deep doo-doo over every Christmas. Clarissa springs her from jail-more than once! But true love will out! What? That isn’t the saying?
Diz Gillespie has worse luck than the Allstate commercial guy. Three: Plus one refers to 3 Christmas misadventures plus one. A major feature of the first Christmas is Diz’s way overindulgence of 8 Gimlet’s and subsequent drunk-truth telling. Diz is smitten with a coworker, Clarissa, but assumes she’s straight. With good reason-Clarissa is engaged to a man. Clarissa ditches the fiancé and takes Diz home. Clarissa gets Diz home, puts her in bed, removes her shirt, shoes, and pants. Clarissa, it turns out, isn’t as straight as everyone assumed, including herself. There are many bust a gut, laugh out loud episodes of the stories. No good deed goes unpunished springs to mind as Diz finds herself in deep doo-doo over every Christmas. Clarissa springs her from jail-more than once! But true love will out! What? That isn’t the saying?
March 15, 2019
Laugh out loud fun!
Ann McMan does it again! The misadventures of Diz and Clarissa should not be missed. While I enjoyed their stories, the dogs pretty much stole the show. Brilliant all the way around.
Ann McMan does it again! The misadventures of Diz and Clarissa should not be missed. While I enjoyed their stories, the dogs pretty much stole the show. Brilliant all the way around.
March 20, 2017
If you know Diz and. Clarissa..then this a MUST read. I thoroughly enjoyed it and there are plenty of laughs..!!!
July 13, 2017
Shorts
I have read these stories in many forms and enjoyed them every time. They are well written and extremely funny. Read them and enjoy a great add to your library.
I have read these stories in many forms and enjoyed them every time. They are well written and extremely funny. Read them and enjoy a great add to your library.
November 29, 2018
Fun set of same-time-next-year (with a snow storm) stories that follow Diz and Clarissa's relationship from first kiss to marriage -- with a few unplanned stops along the way.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews