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Christmas Spirits
The Gift
The ghost of Christmas Past... If Charles prefers leather to tinsel, that's okay. Nicky is still sure he can teach his master to love Christmas with the aid of a perfect gift. Just because Charles doesn't see any point in making a fuss about Christmas, that doesn't mean he can't tolerate Nicky's passion for tinsel and holly. He's never forbidden his pet from enjoying any of his Christmas traditions and he thinks that's enough. Nicky has one ambition to give his master a perfect Christmas. He's willing to do anything to make that happen even if it means taking risks and asking his master for special privileges - even if it means inviting a third man into their bed. The Spirit of Christmas Past isn't used to visiting Christmases that involve quite so much nudity, passion or kinky sex. Leading a dominant man like Charles through the Christmases isn't easy and keeping his eyes off the frequently naked Nicky is impossible. Still, all the spirit can do is enjoy the show because his job is to bring lovers together and fade away inconspicuously. That's the plan. However, if someone suddenly wants to thank him, who is he to say no? This story has a hot male gay menage scene and some BDSM play."
76 pages, ebook
First published December 8, 2008
About the author
Kim Dare
160 books1,519 followersKim is a thirty-three year old bisexual submissive from Wales (UK). First published in 2008, she has since released almost 100 BDSM erotic romance titles ranging from short stories to full length novels. Having worked with a host of fantastic e-publishers, she has just moved into self publishing.
While she has occasionally ventured towards other pairings, Kim's first love is still, and probably always will be, Male/Male stories. But, no matter what the pairing, from paranormal to contemporary, and from the sweet to the intense, everything she writes will always feature three things - Kink, Love and a Happy Ending.
While she has occasionally ventured towards other pairings, Kim's first love is still, and probably always will be, Male/Male stories. But, no matter what the pairing, from paranormal to contemporary, and from the sweet to the intense, everything she writes will always feature three things - Kink, Love and a Happy Ending.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
November 27, 2022
Dommy Scrooge?
The ghost of Christmas Past takes a
Dom on a trip to visit 5 of his Christmases.
Along the way he sees another side to his submissive and finds a better future.
The Dom isn’t very Scroogey at all so much of the tension is gone here.
Good D/s dynamic. And who knew Christmas spirits could get erections??
The ghost of Christmas Past takes a
Dom on a trip to visit 5 of his Christmases.
Along the way he sees another side to his submissive and finds a better future.
The Dom isn’t very Scroogey at all so much of the tension is gone here.
Good D/s dynamic. And who knew Christmas spirits could get erections??
December 19, 2013
Oh no! Everything was going so great! The story was lovely, very entertaining, and then, wham! The hell?
Nope. Couldn't get onboard with that. It didn't work or fit into the story for me AT ALL. *shrugs*
Nope. Couldn't get onboard with that. It didn't work or fit into the story for me AT ALL. *shrugs*
December 18, 2012
Another Kim Dare win! She is so good at writing people with issues that are relateable and not overdone.
This is a christmas tale and I am glad I didn't read it at Christmas. I have to admit the dang thing made me cry.
Charles is just obtuse enough not to see how he is hurting Nicky and Nicky is just insecure enough not to know how to ask for what he wants. Thanks to the Spirit of Christmas Past, Charles gets his eyes opened and Nicky gets the security he is craving.
The only drawback on this one is the threesome. It was fun to read but the story could have been more touching without this scene in this manner.
This is a christmas tale and I am glad I didn't read it at Christmas. I have to admit the dang thing made me cry.
Charles is just obtuse enough not to see how he is hurting Nicky and Nicky is just insecure enough not to know how to ask for what he wants. Thanks to the Spirit of Christmas Past, Charles gets his eyes opened and Nicky gets the security he is craving.
The only drawback on this one is the threesome. It was fun to read but the story could have been more touching without this scene in this manner.
December 9, 2017
Great Christmas tale. No one can write a sub like Kim Dare, she's amazing.
Really good chemistry between the two MCs and I loved the spirit... very nice.
Really good chemistry between the two MCs and I loved the spirit... very nice.
August 21, 2012
I enjoyed this Scrooge story but I was confused about how not-as-bad-as-Scrooge like the Master was -- either there was more to their relationship that we didn't see (likely) or I am Scroogy myself (likely). It didn't feel that short either which was surprising -- normally this length book to me feels very short. I wasn't as engaged with the characters as I usually am in a Dare story - although it was sweet and cute. I kept wanting Nicky to speak up and share what he wanted. I did very much like the serving submissive components which is something you don't see that much - in this way which doesn't make the sub come off as weak and simpery.
August 2, 2009
Kim Dare managed to make me cry in a story about Christmas and Dom/sub relationship!!!
Let me tell you that elephants are flying outside...lol
Beautiful characters, amazing chemistry!!!
Let me tell you that elephants are flying outside...lol
Beautiful characters, amazing chemistry!!!
November 29, 2022
Love this story. It's an annual re-read for me.
January 11, 2010
The Gift is another wonderful story from Kim Dare, who is rapidly become a favorite. I really enjoyed reading about Charles, a Dom, and his sub, Nicky.
It's Christmas Eve and Charles is downstairs relaxing while Nicky is upstairs putting the finishing touches to his Christmas preparations. Charles and Nicky live a 24/7 Dom/sub lifestyle and while Nicky defers to his Master in all things Charles knows that Christmas is a very special time for his Pet. Even though it holds no special place in his heart he allows Nicky free rein during the Christmas Season as far as decorations and Christmas activities. But, is he really giving Nicky what he needs? Charles is about to find out as the Spirit of Christmas Past comes to pay him a visit.
Accompanied by the cute young Spirit Charles goes back in time to the Christmases he's shared with Nicky and slowly comes to realize that although he loves his Pet he hasn't always given him what he most wanted or needed.
I really enjoyed this sweet, sexy, tender and also quite hot take on a classic Christmas story. The added element of the BDSM lifestyle, as usual very well written by the author, worked well in this story. I loved both Nicky and Charles. It's obvious they love each other deeply yet even though they've been together for five years there are still things they need to learn about each other and their feelings.
There is a brief menage scene in the story but it's quite mild and in no way is it detrimental to Charles and Nicky's relationship. Actually, quite the opposite is true, the menage actually helps to cement the foundation of their relationship and future. Overall, this is a really enjoyable story with well developed main characters and an interesting plot. The story flows well throughout and has a nice emotional punch to it in the end.
This is another winner for Kim Dare and I highly recommend it.
It's Christmas Eve and Charles is downstairs relaxing while Nicky is upstairs putting the finishing touches to his Christmas preparations. Charles and Nicky live a 24/7 Dom/sub lifestyle and while Nicky defers to his Master in all things Charles knows that Christmas is a very special time for his Pet. Even though it holds no special place in his heart he allows Nicky free rein during the Christmas Season as far as decorations and Christmas activities. But, is he really giving Nicky what he needs? Charles is about to find out as the Spirit of Christmas Past comes to pay him a visit.
Accompanied by the cute young Spirit Charles goes back in time to the Christmases he's shared with Nicky and slowly comes to realize that although he loves his Pet he hasn't always given him what he most wanted or needed.
I really enjoyed this sweet, sexy, tender and also quite hot take on a classic Christmas story. The added element of the BDSM lifestyle, as usual very well written by the author, worked well in this story. I loved both Nicky and Charles. It's obvious they love each other deeply yet even though they've been together for five years there are still things they need to learn about each other and their feelings.
There is a brief menage scene in the story but it's quite mild and in no way is it detrimental to Charles and Nicky's relationship. Actually, quite the opposite is true, the menage actually helps to cement the foundation of their relationship and future. Overall, this is a really enjoyable story with well developed main characters and an interesting plot. The story flows well throughout and has a nice emotional punch to it in the end.
This is another winner for Kim Dare and I highly recommend it.
December 26, 2010
Glad I read this today. Left me with a couple of tears, a big smile, and happily satisfied.
August 29, 2011
This really made my day. It made me excited to read this year's upcoming (hopefully wonderful) Christmas stories. What a sweet, endearing story!
December 10, 2018
Loved it!
December 27, 2011
This story started out a bit confusing at first. I thought it was a Scrooge "bah humbug" story. It was a twist on that story but in a way that was written so poignantly, at one point my heart broke for Nicky. Nicky is so insecure that he's constantly afraid of being let go. I can understand his fear and I feel badly for him. While it's true that Charles as a top should know what is going on, how can he when Nicky is so good at serving and keeping quiet? I'm glad the Christmas spirit of the past was able to show Charles what was going on in Nicky's mind. I like this series and would definitely read more about it. I'm glad my friend Dee gave it to me for Christmas. :) She's the bomb!
December 25, 2010
Loved this book. I am a total sucker for ANY version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, but I never thought to find it in a M/M--DOM/sub romance. Highly recommended. Thanks Kim Dare!
December 11, 2011
4.5 stars. Sweet kinky m/m holiday romance about a dom who's visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past and shown how his sub has interpreted their time together...
October 31, 2018
In this story, Kim Dare made this relationship between a sub and his dom feel like work. It feels like Nicky (the sub), works for his boss the dom, and that without any clear instructions. He is the whole time busy trying to figure out what his boss wants, second guessing himself, worrying himself sick that his boss will be unhappy. No fun at all. And not much fun for me to read.
Read
May 15, 2009The story is really nice despite it having two of the things that are not really my cup of tea, a D/s relationship and a menages.
Charles was Nicky's master for the last five years. When they started the D/s relationship of Master and pet 24/7 it was Christmas time but Charles asked Nicky to come to live with him from the first of January, and so they lost their first Christmas. After that, every year, Nicky did his best to celebrate the holiday, trying every year to find something to please his Master, but to his eyes, Charles is only suffering all his enthusiasm.
But this Christmas, Charles receives a visit from the Spirit of Christmas Past; the spirit, a young and handsome man who seems to have a soft spot for Nicky, shows to Charles all the trouble Nicky went through in the last five years to make his Master happy. Seeing all those Christmas one after the other, makes Charles realizes that his pet has a real love for him and for the Christmas season, a love this last that he is not really sharing with Charles since Nicky doesn't believe that his Master really likes it.
Nicky is really a sweet character; he is the perfect epitome of the good pet, always trying to satisfy every whims of his Master, always putting his Master's desires in front of his owns. Probably the story should show us how cold and aloof his Master is, but actually I only see a gentle man, maybe not so demonstrative, that always tries to understand his pet's needs. Charles is gentle and caring, he likes to dominate Nicky, but he is always aware of Nicky's limits, and he is the first to reprimand him if he thinks that he is pushing himself to far. Charles is not a negative character, but maybe he is not expansive, and instead Nicky is a man who lives to feel cherished and loved.
Accordingly to what I said, the problem of me not liking a D/s relationship is no more important, since between Charles and Nicky there is a deep and true love, and so how they choose to demonstrate that love is their own choice and I don't judge it. It remains the little problem of the menages, that I really didn't feel necessary, but it's a very little scene, and almost "chaste" and in the context of the story, an only event, and so, in the end, also this problem is overcome.
Again a very nice Christmas story.
http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/45...
Charles was Nicky's master for the last five years. When they started the D/s relationship of Master and pet 24/7 it was Christmas time but Charles asked Nicky to come to live with him from the first of January, and so they lost their first Christmas. After that, every year, Nicky did his best to celebrate the holiday, trying every year to find something to please his Master, but to his eyes, Charles is only suffering all his enthusiasm.
But this Christmas, Charles receives a visit from the Spirit of Christmas Past; the spirit, a young and handsome man who seems to have a soft spot for Nicky, shows to Charles all the trouble Nicky went through in the last five years to make his Master happy. Seeing all those Christmas one after the other, makes Charles realizes that his pet has a real love for him and for the Christmas season, a love this last that he is not really sharing with Charles since Nicky doesn't believe that his Master really likes it.
Nicky is really a sweet character; he is the perfect epitome of the good pet, always trying to satisfy every whims of his Master, always putting his Master's desires in front of his owns. Probably the story should show us how cold and aloof his Master is, but actually I only see a gentle man, maybe not so demonstrative, that always tries to understand his pet's needs. Charles is gentle and caring, he likes to dominate Nicky, but he is always aware of Nicky's limits, and he is the first to reprimand him if he thinks that he is pushing himself to far. Charles is not a negative character, but maybe he is not expansive, and instead Nicky is a man who lives to feel cherished and loved.
Accordingly to what I said, the problem of me not liking a D/s relationship is no more important, since between Charles and Nicky there is a deep and true love, and so how they choose to demonstrate that love is their own choice and I don't judge it. It remains the little problem of the menages, that I really didn't feel necessary, but it's a very little scene, and almost "chaste" and in the context of the story, an only event, and so, in the end, also this problem is overcome.
Again a very nice Christmas story.
http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/45...
December 29, 2010
Really enjoyed this rendition of the Ghosts of Christmas (in this case, the Ghost of Christmas Past). It was kind of heartbreaking to see how much Nicky put himself out there to please Charles, especially for the holidays, and to have Charles be pretty oblivious to how much his lack of enthusiasm was hurting Nicky. I loved that Charles was shown the error of his ways and wised up quickly to how lucky he was. I really think Nicky himself was the perfect gift, one that kept on giving. I could have done without the threesome at the end. I was selfishly hoping Charles would permanently do away with that particular offering and maintain a possessive attitude towards Nicky, but at least it was kept fairly minimal. This was a wonderful holiday read and another great book by Kim Dare!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2010
3.5 stars. A wonderful short story about a Master, his pet, and the meaning of Christmas. As the Spirit of Chirstmas Past takes the Charles through a journey of past christmases with Nicky, we are presented with a series of scenes that slowly show the love and tenderness between the two men and build the case for their HEA. This could have been a 4.5 stars story, but the ending just didn't fit. It seemed out of place and off character. Still, this is a very enjoyable story for those who like to read about D/s relationships.
February 14, 2010
Loved the premise of the book and the promise of that premise certainly delivered. I was hooked -- right up until the threesome at the end. Didn't feel right for the story or these characters. In fact, felt completely wrong, wrong, wrong. *sigh* Otherwise, a stellar book. I'll no doubt re-read it at some point, but will pretend it ends a few pages earlier than THE END actually appears. ;-)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2010
4.5 Stars
I LOVED this book! A wonderfully charming Holiday read. I loved how Ms. Dare slowly revealed Charles' feelings towards Nicky to us, the readers, as well as to Charles himself. I'll definitely be searching out other work by this author.
I LOVED this book! A wonderfully charming Holiday read. I loved how Ms. Dare slowly revealed Charles' feelings towards Nicky to us, the readers, as well as to Charles himself. I'll definitely be searching out other work by this author.
December 19, 2013
Stop what you are doing and go read this! So sexy and emotional and sweet and sad but then happy....oh the feels! The perfect blend of sexy and emotional with a perfect holiday theme. Yes! This is exactly what I needed today!
October 30, 2022
M/M D/s romance erotica. A whimsical novella.
Charles is a dominant visited by the spirit of Christmas past as his relationship with Nicky his 24/7 slave suffers unbeknownst him.
The POV alternates but in an uneven way at times.
The time travel was a good way to dive into the characters and quickly explore the relationship. It was also a good justification for sticking to mostly sexual encounters to explore.
I am giving it only 3 stars because the sex could have been written much better. I just found the erotica unsatisfactory. I don’t understand why it was light on details in some ways.
Otherwise it is not a bad read.
Charles is a dominant visited by the spirit of Christmas past as his relationship with Nicky his 24/7 slave suffers unbeknownst him.
The POV alternates but in an uneven way at times.
The time travel was a good way to dive into the characters and quickly explore the relationship. It was also a good justification for sticking to mostly sexual encounters to explore.
I am giving it only 3 stars because the sex could have been written much better. I just found the erotica unsatisfactory. I don’t understand why it was light on details in some ways.
Otherwise it is not a bad read.
December 11, 2024
2024 Christmas Bingo 7
2.5 stars
The Spirit of Christmas Past with a Scrooge-y master and his pet who loves Christmas is a clever combo that worked really well for me. I almost choked up at one point! But I HATED the threesome at the end so much. In theory it should work -- both the reasoning behind it and the dynamics within it -- but Nicky's whole personality seems to change as he seduces the "spirit" and the author makes such a big deal about the spirit not being an actual human person that it was just weird. Weird, weird, weird. I couldn't even skim it, just had to hop straight over the whole thing.
2.5 stars
The Spirit of Christmas Past with a Scrooge-y master and his pet who loves Christmas is a clever combo that worked really well for me. I almost choked up at one point! But I HATED the threesome at the end so much. In theory it should work -- both the reasoning behind it and the dynamics within it -- but Nicky's whole personality seems to change as he seduces the "spirit" and the author makes such a big deal about the spirit not being an actual human person that it was just weird. Weird, weird, weird. I couldn't even skim it, just had to hop straight over the whole thing.
December 1, 2023
Cute BDSM Christmas book about a Dom and his Sub. The Dom doesn't do Christmas and the Sub loves it. The year he decides is his last decorating, the Spirit of Christmas Past comes to visit and takes the Dom on a ride.
Charles is the dom and thinks he is taking care of his Sub, and he is to a point, but Nicky is not quite happy with how they celebrate and over the years it wears away at him. Charles doesn't realize what he's doing so seeing it again opens his eyes. This was a beautiful revelation and a wonder HEA.
Charles is the dom and thinks he is taking care of his Sub, and he is to a point, but Nicky is not quite happy with how they celebrate and over the years it wears away at him. Charles doesn't realize what he's doing so seeing it again opens his eyes. This was a beautiful revelation and a wonder HEA.
December 29, 2019
This is such a sweet read over the Christmas time. Nicky is a sweet, considerate, warmhearted boy who is so fully of Christmas spirit. I wish his master could have realized how special his boy has been to him sooner to avoid the misunderstanding and how unhappy his boy has felt for a whole entire year. Well, that is the whole point of this sweet story is about. I enjoyed reading Kim Dare's novels and wish she has more to come in the new year!!!
December 1, 2023
I wanted to try something short, unusual, dare I say weird. And this book was perfect.
In the beginning I was surprised that this is a retelling of The Christmas carol from Charles Dickens, but it somehow works. Overall this book didn't disappoint or amaze me, but if you want a quick read with a spicy and uncommon topic, which was also kinda cute at times, I recommend giving this a try.
In the beginning I was surprised that this is a retelling of The Christmas carol from Charles Dickens, but it somehow works. Overall this book didn't disappoint or amaze me, but if you want a quick read with a spicy and uncommon topic, which was also kinda cute at times, I recommend giving this a try.
February 2, 2021
4.5 stars
It would have taken 5 stars but I'm not into 3somes
It would have taken 5 stars but I'm not into 3somes
December 4, 2010
This is a beautiful and sweet Christmas short story. Nicky, the submissive, is totally involved in the celebration of Christmas, while his master, Charles, is not interested in it. That's why the Spirit of Christmas Past tries to make Charles understand the extent of Nicky's love for Christmas (and by doing so, his love for his master).
Nicky's devotion is heartbreaking. Having read Duck! (and having fallen in love with Orin), at one point I knew that I couldn't help feeling so much for Nicky and his efforts. He has the purest heart and intention and he is so considerate and loving, watching him decorate and make their house warm was like contemplating the making of a jewel.
Charles, the master, is a good man and he is good to Nicky, but he is probably still too caught up in himself, maybe because he is not used to giving back love. He provides for Nicky (he gives him money, and a roof, and a bed) but he's not giving Nicky the sparkle of real love and commitment.
And what about the Spirit of Christmas Past? Naughty!
There are two reasons why I'm not giving five stars. There are a couple of editing issues (at one point there's a never mentioned before "Eric" appearing between two Nicky-related paragraphs, or it may be that I didn't understand, I'm not a native speaker, and there was a he/be error). The second reason is that the menage scene was not very convincing (or maybe it was me, I didn't want anyone interfering with Nicky and Charles).
It's a great story and it makes me want to buy every Kim Dare book I can lay my hands on!
Nicky's devotion is heartbreaking. Having read Duck! (and having fallen in love with Orin), at one point I knew that I couldn't help feeling so much for Nicky and his efforts. He has the purest heart and intention and he is so considerate and loving, watching him decorate and make their house warm was like contemplating the making of a jewel.
Charles, the master, is a good man and he is good to Nicky, but he is probably still too caught up in himself, maybe because he is not used to giving back love. He provides for Nicky (he gives him money, and a roof, and a bed) but he's not giving Nicky the sparkle of real love and commitment.
And what about the Spirit of Christmas Past? Naughty!
There are two reasons why I'm not giving five stars. There are a couple of editing issues (at one point there's a never mentioned before "Eric" appearing between two Nicky-related paragraphs, or it may be that I didn't understand, I'm not a native speaker, and there was a he/be error). The second reason is that the menage scene was not very convincing (or maybe it was me, I didn't want anyone interfering with Nicky and Charles).
It's a great story and it makes me want to buy every Kim Dare book I can lay my hands on!
February 12, 2011
The ghost of Christmas Past visits a Dominant to show him how his attitude regarding Christmas is slowly crushing the spirit of his submissive. Sounds like a simple story, and really it is, but Kim Dare puts such emotion into this little story that it goes way beyond that.
As you see their history together, watch the misunderstandings between them, your heart kinda breaks - at one point, I must admit I did cry. But the love between them is so obvious to any outsider - you're almost screaming at them to just take a step back and LOOK!!
As always, the sex is hot, steamy and very yummy, but this story is way more than that - again, Kim Dare brings love totally to the forefront, and it's about caring for the person you're with rather than just hot bodies. Another keeper, for sure.
As you see their history together, watch the misunderstandings between them, your heart kinda breaks - at one point, I must admit I did cry. But the love between them is so obvious to any outsider - you're almost screaming at them to just take a step back and LOOK!!
As always, the sex is hot, steamy and very yummy, but this story is way more than that - again, Kim Dare brings love totally to the forefront, and it's about caring for the person you're with rather than just hot bodies. Another keeper, for sure.
September 22, 2014
Starting the book I expected it to be much worse than it really turned out to be. I did not like the idea of Christmas Spirit and the thresome but finally it was not that bad :P What I really liked was one of the protagonists - Nicky. A bit shy and worrying too much submissive pet of his beloved master Charles.
The story was light and I went through it very fast. The story is a nice thing to be read if you do not have much time or need to unstress and you do not care too much. A big fault of the book is presenting the sex scenes in a very laconic manner. The characters and their personalities are so interesting, that making someting bigger out of it, would be a nice.
The story was light and I went through it very fast. The story is a nice thing to be read if you do not have much time or need to unstress and you do not care too much. A big fault of the book is presenting the sex scenes in a very laconic manner. The characters and their personalities are so interesting, that making someting bigger out of it, would be a nice.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews