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Dark is the Night #2.8
A Calm Before the Storm
James and William’s first Christmas together in their own home ought to be a cause for celebration. But when money is tight, and William is going through withdrawals in an attempt to get off of his laudanum completely, the level of holiday cheer is dismally low.
James won’t give up so easily. Especially when he finds the perfect Christmas gift for William, and he’ll do whatever he must in order to get it.
A Calm Before the Storm is a short Christmas story companion to the Dark is the Night series.
James won’t give up so easily. Especially when he finds the perfect Christmas gift for William, and he’ll do whatever he must in order to get it.
A Calm Before the Storm is a short Christmas story companion to the Dark is the Night series.
33 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 9, 2018
2 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Kelley York
23 books604 followersKelley resides off the coast of Northern California with her wife, dogs, cats, and birds. In addition to writing, she has her A.S. in Anthropology, and is a graphic designer with a successful book cover design business called Sleepy Fox Studio. She spends her spare time playing video games and tabletop games like the nerd she is. Her specialty is LGBT+ fiction, usually with a dark twist.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 17, 2023
✰ 4.25 stars ✰
“Keep me close to your chest,
You are the more to my less.”
—Alex Condliffe
These opening words start off A Calm Before the Storm - a bittersweet yet heartfelt epilogue that softly brings closure to James and William's relationship. There are few couples that have a very special place in my heart - ones that if writers would just give me stories of their day to day affairs, I would eat it up. 🥰🥰 These precious two are one of them.
This short story gives us their first Christmas after the incidents from their last case, where William is still coping with withdrawals, and James - this lovely and sweet and full of affection young man - just wants to bring some merry cheer back into his heart. 🩷🩷 There is such a genuine amount of love and acceptance shared between the two of them - we get a glimpse of how much they have grown in love since their years at Whisperwood.
“It’s familiarity. It’s love. A love that I hope William can still feel even when little else can reach him.”
Returning to James' POV - this man is a sweetheart to his core, the absolute perfect and wonderful boyfriend - and I love him so very much for it. 🫶🏻🫶🏻 And darling William who lights up upon receiving his gift - even if he's still struggling, James will always prove to him that he will be right here, by his side.
“Sometimes I do not think I can bear how much I love this silly man.
“Then I’ll be the one strong enough to hold you up until you can stand on your own...”
I adored their tender and adorable moments - ah, if this short tender glimpse into their lives is the last time we get to see them, I'll be so very satisfied. Content with the knowledge that they'll continue to find happiness and strength with each other - because they truly are perfect for each other. 🥹🥹🥹
“Perhaps.” William tilts his head back, gaze soft. “Thank you. For everything. For being you.”
I cut a grin down at him and wiggle my eyebrows. “I’ll remind you that you said that, next time you’re cursing me for being me.”
“There’s not a damned thing about you I would change, and you know it.”
“I do.” I tip my head, ghosting my mouth against his for an easy kiss.
And when I pull back, “Just as I would change nothing about you, dear William. Even on the days when I have to work ten times as hard to make you smile.”
“Keep me close to your chest,
You are the more to my less.”
—Alex Condliffe
These opening words start off A Calm Before the Storm - a bittersweet yet heartfelt epilogue that softly brings closure to James and William's relationship. There are few couples that have a very special place in my heart - ones that if writers would just give me stories of their day to day affairs, I would eat it up. 🥰🥰 These precious two are one of them.
This short story gives us their first Christmas after the incidents from their last case, where William is still coping with withdrawals, and James - this lovely and sweet and full of affection young man - just wants to bring some merry cheer back into his heart. 🩷🩷 There is such a genuine amount of love and acceptance shared between the two of them - we get a glimpse of how much they have grown in love since their years at Whisperwood.
“It’s familiarity. It’s love. A love that I hope William can still feel even when little else can reach him.”
Returning to James' POV - this man is a sweetheart to his core, the absolute perfect and wonderful boyfriend - and I love him so very much for it. 🫶🏻🫶🏻 And darling William who lights up upon receiving his gift - even if he's still struggling, James will always prove to him that he will be right here, by his side.
“Sometimes I do not think I can bear how much I love this silly man.
“Then I’ll be the one strong enough to hold you up until you can stand on your own...”
I adored their tender and adorable moments - ah, if this short tender glimpse into their lives is the last time we get to see them, I'll be so very satisfied. Content with the knowledge that they'll continue to find happiness and strength with each other - because they truly are perfect for each other. 🥹🥹🥹
“Perhaps.” William tilts his head back, gaze soft. “Thank you. For everything. For being you.”
I cut a grin down at him and wiggle my eyebrows. “I’ll remind you that you said that, next time you’re cursing me for being me.”
“There’s not a damned thing about you I would change, and you know it.”
“I do.” I tip my head, ghosting my mouth against his for an easy kiss.
And when I pull back, “Just as I would change nothing about you, dear William. Even on the days when I have to work ten times as hard to make you smile.”
January 15, 2019
A short sweet story set at the holidays, as William battles his addiction and James tries to make it a good Christmas, despite vows to be sensible and frugal. This wouldn't stand alone, but is a nice add on to the dramatic novels, showing us the guys in a more domestic moment.
December 10, 2018
I love William and James so much!
This is a quick, sweet, little holiday story- James and Williams first Christmas together, on their own. It gave me all the feels and even made me a little (okay more than a little) teary-eyed. They love each other so much, I can't even handle it. They deserve all the love and happiness!
April 15, 2024
William and James are so precious and it hurts me to see William in pain and even if sometimes in life things don’t get better, I am desperate to see these fictional men happy and rid of all the things that hurts them… and they seem to be doing great, they even have a kitten now and I love them so much.
December 25, 2020
Very much enjoyed this sweet little installment in the Dark is the Night series. It featured fewer ghosts this time around, but just as much of the lovely relationship development between James and William that I've really come to appreciate.
June 12, 2019
i am so in love with this
July 15, 2019
“It’s familiarity. It’s love. A love that I hope William can still feel even when little else can reach him.”
I LOVE DEAR JAMES AND WILLIAM WITH ALL MY HEART
I LOVE DEAR JAMES AND WILLIAM WITH ALL MY HEART
December 16, 2019
Very sweet. I love how these boys treasure and take care of each other.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
August 12, 2020
It was short and sweet. Or rather bittersweet. I love their relationship so much.
I really hope that William will have more good days than bad ones.
I really hope that William will have more good days than bad ones.
February 12, 2023
This was such a sweet short story. I love James and William so much.
July 18, 2023
Perfectly short and super cute
January 2, 2019
Oh, my heart.
January 29, 2019
C U T E.
Gah.
I can literally feel every last brain cell in my head short circuiting from that cutesy holiday fluff. I don’t even care that it’s almost February.
Somehow, the authors managed to give this short little holiday story that supernatural twist that stays true to the rest of the series, and I absolutely loved it. I adored returning to James and William, and I love how so much substance to the plot managed to be added in such a short amount of time. From William’s withdrawal, to the supernatural assignment, to the gift – though quite brief, it was a perfect reminder of why I adore this series and the characters so freaking much.
If you? Haven’t read? This series? What are? You doing? With your? Life?
I just.
I feel like I should add more substance to this review, but the story was relatively short and... just... this goddamn ship has drained every last coherent thought out of my being. I need somebody to scream with me.
LOVE IT.
LOVE THE BOYS.
BLESS THE AUTHORS.
*screams into pillow*
Gah.
I can literally feel every last brain cell in my head short circuiting from that cutesy holiday fluff. I don’t even care that it’s almost February.
Somehow, the authors managed to give this short little holiday story that supernatural twist that stays true to the rest of the series, and I absolutely loved it. I adored returning to James and William, and I love how so much substance to the plot managed to be added in such a short amount of time. From William’s withdrawal, to the supernatural assignment, to the gift – though quite brief, it was a perfect reminder of why I adore this series and the characters so freaking much.
If you? Haven’t read? This series? What are? You doing? With your? Life?
I just.
I feel like I should add more substance to this review, but the story was relatively short and... just... this goddamn ship has drained every last coherent thought out of my being. I need somebody to scream with me.
LOVE IT.
LOVE THE BOYS.
BLESS THE AUTHORS.
*screams into pillow*
January 24, 2019
3.5 stars
I love James and William so much, I really hope they get a third book.
I love James and William so much, I really hope they get a third book.
November 12, 2021
★★★☆☆ (3.5)
gays owning cats will always be superior
gays owning cats will always be superior
December 15, 2018
A wonderful little holiday novella with two of my all-time favorite characters! I loved reconnecting with James and William! It makes the wait for their next book a bit easier to bear.
James is so determined to cheer up William, who's going through a difficult time, and make their Christmas one to remember. The whole "let's agree not to buy presents and save our money for sensible things" was so recognizable! We've probably all been there, and I can totally relate to the one who doesn't hold up there end of that particular deal.
I so enjoyed seeing James & William all domestic together, though there be ghosts too, of course.
The line of poetry in the beginning of the book was beautiful and absolutely perfect for them! I loved it!
Gimme more!
James is so determined to cheer up William, who's going through a difficult time, and make their Christmas one to remember. The whole "let's agree not to buy presents and save our money for sensible things" was so recognizable! We've probably all been there, and I can totally relate to the one who doesn't hold up there end of that particular deal.
I so enjoyed seeing James & William all domestic together, though there be ghosts too, of course.
The line of poetry in the beginning of the book was beautiful and absolutely perfect for them! I loved it!
Gimme more!
October 16, 2024
"The haze seem to lift from his face, just a flicker of hope and longing in his desperation, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that all of this weight on his soul only buries the William Esher I know that's beneath it all. Some work and time and patience are what we need to find him, is all."
"It’s familiarity. It’s love. A love that I hope William can still feel even when little else can reach him."
"... a long and proper kiss. It tastes very much of cider and a hint of chocolate - oh, the brat has been in the truffles without me...
And it feels very much like home."
the pain, the love ♥
November 10, 2020
This is just a sweet little side story taking place during their Christmas after the 2nd book. This being a series about hauntings, I fully expected something to be wrong with the violin since it's mentioned how notably old it is by James in the very first sentence but... nope. It's just a violin and this is just a normal Christmas. James does get the money working for Preston's aunt doing odd jobs and helping in a seance but that's really the only supernatural element. William's addiction is getting a little grating and I feel sorry for James but that's love, I guess.
July 5, 2021
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Best Reading Month Ever?? —June Wrap Up || 20 books!
V cute lil Christmas-y novella to give me more James and Will content that I was dying for. Poor Will is suffering from withdrawal and James taking care of him just made my heart soar.
Best Reading Month Ever?? —June Wrap Up || 20 books!
V cute lil Christmas-y novella to give me more James and Will content that I was dying for. Poor Will is suffering from withdrawal and James taking care of him just made my heart soar.
May 12, 2020
3.5 A story focusing on the good times without ignoring their difficulties. I like that it was hopeful without making it seem like addiction is something that can just be waved away when its convenient.
June 14, 2021
EVERYBODY SHUT UP.
A short story set during Christmas time where James and William are sweeter than ever.
I love them. I love James and the way he treats William. I love their adornment for one another. I love this domestic set up that they have.
I want a third book for them. Please.
A short story set during Christmas time where James and William are sweeter than ever.
I love them. I love James and the way he treats William. I love their adornment for one another. I love this domestic set up that they have.
I want a third book for them. Please.
December 29, 2018
Cute little holiday story!! I wasn't sure if it might go sort of Gift-of-the-Magi, but when we see James wants to buy William a violin, I assumed it would not ;)
Sweet ♥
Sweet ♥
January 15, 2019
....this is the light read i needed. Thank you so much
March 19, 2019
Fuck yeah I will be sappy and indulgent. Give it to me. Fuck me up.
March 28, 2020
This was a cute little checkup on James and William. A very sweet short story for anyone missing them after the second book and anyone wondering what their life is like together.
June 16, 2020
3.5 stars
May 9, 2021
Just a little comfort before the next story. Lovely.
June 6, 2024
Short and sweet. Though I wish there were more of William and James.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews