An Improper Holiday

by K.A. Mitchell

He followed all the rules…until one man showed him a dozen ways to break them.

As second son to an earl, Ian Stanton has always done the proper thing. Obeyed his elders, studied diligently, and dutifully accepted the commission his father purchased for him in the Fifty-Second Infantry Division. The one glaring, shameful, marvelous Nicholas Chatham, heir to the Marquess of Carleigh.

Before Ian took his position in His Majesty’s army, he and Nicky consummated two years of physical and emotional discovery. Their inexperience created painful consequences that led Ian to the conviction that their unnatural desires were never meant to be indulged.

Five years later, wounded in body and plagued by memories of what happened between them, Ian is sent to carry out his older brother’s plans for a political alliance with Nicky’s father. Their sister Charlotte is the bargaining piece.

Nicky never believed that what he and Ian felt for each other was wrong and he has a plan to make things right. Getting Ian to Carleigh is but the first step. Now Nicky has only twelve nights to convince Ian that happiness is not the price of honor and duty, but its reward.

Genres: M M Romance, Historical, Romance, Holiday, Historical Romance, Christmas, M M Historical Romance

108 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2009

About the author

K.A. Mitchell discovered the magic of writing at an early age when she learned that a carefully crayoned note of apology sent to the kitchen in a toy truck would earn her a reprieve from banishment to her room. Her career as a spin-control artist was cut short when her family moved to a two-story house, and her trucks would not roll safely down the stairs. Around the same time, she decided that Chip and Ken made a much cuter couple than Ken and Barbie and was perplexed when invitations to play Barbie dropped off. She never stopped making stuff up, though, and was surprised to find out that people would pay her to do it. Although the men in her stories usually carry more emotional baggage than even LAX can lose in a year, she guarantees they always find their sexy way to a happy ending.

http://www.facebook.com/authorkamitchell

Reviews

[⚣Michaelle⚣ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

I really liked this one, and even though that ending was a bit contrived it worked perfectly for all the characters and is likely how a number of same-sex couples managed to stay together in previous eras.

[Heather C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm, I wasn't really sold on Nicky and Ian. For one, I'm not a big fan of reunited lovers and I just wanted more romance from them then what I got. The sex was hot, though not up to the usual kinky standards that I'm used to seeing from this author.

I really liked the secondary characters and the overall plot, even though it was entirely predictable. I would also love to read a story about Lewes or Simmons.

3.5 stars

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical hot Mitchell in an historical setting. I didn't like it as much as her full length books, but the chemistry was good, the historical setting not overly detailed (for someone not usually a fan of historical books, this is great), and a lot of fun.

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed Ms. Mitchell’s writing on a fair number of occasions and “An Improper Holiday” is no exception. This is a lovely sweet holiday story for the ages.

Ian Stanton has returned from the Continent, alive, but sadly no longer whole. Having lost an arm to the war he is at loose ends in his life. As a younger son, and having been forced to resign his commission, he has no set path before him. When his brother, the new Earl of Rayne, calls him into his office Ian can image nothing but the worst. Even his imaginings though can’t compare to the horror he feels at the order his brother expects him to follow.

Lord Amherst has a plan, and his family’s annual Twelfth Night gathering is the perfect time to put it into action. Nicky has been in love with his best friend for years and knowing Ian will be forced to escort his sister Charlotte to the event will give him access. Even the long silence between them while Ian was on the Continent couldn’t end his ardor. While what they had before was only boyhood fumblings, Nicky has put their years of separation to good use and is ready to claim his man. Now if only his prey will climb on board.

This book is just lovely. Even as short as it is, though not too short, you still get a strong sense of the history Ian and Nicky share having grown up together. There’s a bond there that just won’t disappear no matter the time, distance, or social conventions in between them. Having read a fair number of historical romance novels I enjoyed the fluidity with which Ms. Mitchell placed her characters within the time line. I really felt I knew when in history we were and enjoyed the terminology she chose to engage that helped bring a bit of color to the novel.

Ian and Nicky together…what can I say, pure sweetness and light. I loved Nicky’s conspiring to get what he wanted and push past Ian’s understandable hesitations. Ian is so clearly the voice of the times and the fear of breaking social norms. He really struggles internally with what he wants and what society says is right and proper. In his world there just isn’t a way to make things work. (Go Charlotte for being genius! It’s a win/win.) Nicky’s abandon and hedonism is the perfect foil for Ian’s prudish pride. Together there is such heat and a not so small dose of heart!

This review wouldn’t be complete though if I didn’t mention how absolutely beautifully I felt Ms. Mitchell handled Ian’s injuries. I really felt for him and the pain he still feels at the loss of his arm. This book isn’t long enough, or really even written to be angsty enough, to go heavily into a dark place with it, but Ms. Mitchell puts just enough of the true emotion that Ian is dealing with into his reactions to truly take us there. For the type of story this is I felt her blend of tones was perfection indeed.

One last small note, I have a small personal place in my heart reserved for Regency/Historical romance rakes…they’re just so delicious. Julian, my love, I hope some day Ms. Mitchell lets you fall, because goodness you will fall hard. And it will be beautiful!

Loved it! Quickly lapped it all up. I am fully sated in gooey happy Christmas type holiday cheer…even if I am reading this in the middle of the summer. A wonderfully written story with phenomenal characters, a lovely historical back drop, and some hot smexy happily ever afters!

[Betryal · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is when I read books like this one that I realize we are grateful to be in the 21st century where being attracted to the same sex is more acceptable than it was in that day and age.

This was to me a beautifully written story about the joys of two men coming together, sharing pleasures denied by the era they live in and finding a way to be together without discrimination. To me this was a story I would say is about Soul mates and no matter what they found their way back to each other and forsaking what obstacles were thrown in their way in the past and present.

Truly amazing story.

[Ami · Rating 2 out of 5]

The thing is, I never really enjoy Historical stories. English is not my native and I find hard to connect to a story using "old" language that I don't really care about. So I end up not caring for these characters. Maybe it's a nice story but it's hard to feel it when I basically struggle to like the writing. I think I will stick to contemporary/future, thank you very much.

[tacitus · Rating 2 out of 5]

This isn't a love story. It's a friends-with-benefits making an arrangement story. No, thank you.

This story was well written and all that, but I found it difficult to give it more than three stars simply because I didn't really like the characters. Well, to be frank, I didn't like one and simply couldn't understand the other.

Ian ran off to be a solider after his disastrous first time having sex with his lover Nicholas, only we're not actually sure if that's WHY he ran off. This is just the first place where the story gets messy and doesn't make sense. We think he ran off because the experience was so terrifying (due to their inexperience) that he decided it was wrong, but then later we are presented with stories about him rebelling against his father and 'what else is there for a second son?' etc.... So, which was it? Even the author seems confused.

So, five years later Ian returns and his erstwhile lover Nicky expressed some shock and anger over the fact that Ian simply ignored his letters, didn't want to have anything to do with him any more. So....Nicky was waiting for him? Just thought the letters went unanswered because of the realities of war? Why then did Nicky go one to have sex with multiple other partners, including the worst rake in London? Oh, that's right. Apparently you can pine for your one and only love while ALSO fucking every person in sight. This had me shaking my head and really disliking Nicky entirely.

I just don't understand them. Ian clearly appears jealous and angry over Nicky's sexual experiences, yet Nicky actually rubs them in, taunting Ian about them and gloating. I hate Nicky and simply don't understand Ian for putting up with it. What's really impressive is that they come to some kind of "understanding" wherein Nicky agrees to only have full intercourse with Ian from now on, but apparently other things are still allowed with other people? This isn't a love story. It's a friends-with-benefits making an arrangement story. No thank you. =P

PS: the final twist that brings it all together is just TOO perfect and so damn unrealistic it's sad.

[C · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well written but not my cuppa. Thought the addition of Julian to the party and Nicky's complete acceptance of him in spite of what he knew about Ian's sensibilities was ridiculous and I couldn't like Nicky after coming to the fact that he had whored around extensively in Ian's absence and with Julian no less. The fact that Julian was an overt ass to Ian wasn't improved by his later heroics. Seemed to me that Nicky should have loved Ian for who he was but in the end really wanted to change him into just as big a slut as himself. Fantasizing about a ménage even before any relationship is rekindled? Marrying Charlotte? Oh. No. Just. No.

I felt for Ian through the whole story. The lies, deceit of of own sister and the supposed love of his life? Spying on him? Sending him to see his sister in the way he saw her? Tactless and tasteless. It's supposed to be a happy ending but I could not warm to Nicky for clearly not wanting Ian as he was, honor, duty and all. I fear Julian might end up being right about the months wager at the end, and that's sad.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Improper Holiday by K.A. Mitchell was a charming historical romance read. I do think an accurate historical depicting a gay relationship is a particularly difficult thing to do and there is only a certain amount of scope. But, I think the book was well executed and a very sweet read. This author consistently delivers the goods and this gem is no exception. Totally sexy reading and the story has one particularly intriguing secondary character that totally deserves a HEA too.

http://sharrow.wordpress.com/2009/12/...

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps it's a bit early to be reading Christmas-themed stories, but this one insisted I read it now. Short, sweet and steamy at the same time, this Regency era novella about two young men rekindling their forbidden romance after five years apart during Twelfth Night festivities at an aristocratic family's manor was a very enjoyable though occasionally frustrating (mostly due to Ian being a stubborn idiot) read.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant. This was well-written and enjoyable.

[Kassa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a fan of KA Mitchell, so naturally picked up this holiday story. The scenic depiction of a snowy historical is fun and very fitting to the theme while the characters are interesting. Unfortunately the ending is slightly contrived and strained, mostly due to the importance of staying historically accurate. While this won’t bother most fans it does decrease my overall enjoyment of the book and ultimately this offering is not one of my favorites of the author. It’s not bad but here the historical constraints hurt the story rather than lend more depth and richness to the narrative.

The story is about old lovers, Ian and Nicky, as they rekindle their passionate romance. Nicky wants Ian back and schemes with Ian’s sister, Charlotte, and Charlotte’s good friend Emily to get Ian to finally give in to his desires. However before everyone can live happily ever after a few near death experiences as well as more scheming must be survived so Ian will eventually agree to the final plan.

No doubt historical romance fans will enjoy this particular offering. The setting is rich with color and detail, drawing a snowy holiday party with romantic flair. The crisp winter air mixes with the warmth of the house and occupants to deliver a rich atmosphere, ripe for passion. The characterization is solid and well drawn from the stuffy, angst driven Ian to the flirty, wild child in Nicky. Even the bratty yet mischief filled Charlotte is given interest and depth as the various planning and scheming between various members of the party slowly are explained. The romance between the two men is not the only affair and the novella manages to show enduring love through small touches, looks, and sacrifices.

For the most part, this is well crafted and well written with a deft touch to the characters while remaining historically accurate. The story itself focuses on the characters and notably Nicky and Ian as they renew their acquaintance and catch up on lost time. There is a lack of external conflict which is nice and allows the characters’ own turmoil to direct and progress the story. For those readers that enjoy a hefty dose of internal angst and issues, this story delivers a lot of that. There are a few problems with the characterization in that Ian’s often back and forth hemming is at odds with repeated statements that he never waivers from a decision. He in fact spends most of the book agonizing over his decisions and the near death experience is a big catalyst to finally forcing him to make decisions. This is a frustrating plot device and although it’s one the author uses frequently, I’m getting tired of seeing it in her stories to be honest. But other readers may not have the same problem.

Another issue I have is with the ending, which is perhaps a sticking point that others may or may not have a problem. Being as historically accurate as this particular story is, the end resolution is strained and somewhat predictable. The final solution is telegraphed early on if readers know what to look for. Clearly this is as good of a solution that can be created due to the constraints of the time period. There are other solutions offered in the story but none are really serious – even if they suit the romantic element more. So while the ending is as good as it can be, the historical accuracy really hurt this particular ending.

While certain parts of the plot are contrived, the details of the time period and setting come alive with colorful descriptions and textured scenes. The author has no doubt done her research and historical fans will delight in the small details that make up a great holiday love story. There is a small bit of angst that is easily overcome and a few daring, uncomfortable scenes for the intrepid heroes but the ending is as good as the historical period can allow. Overall this is a fun historical from a good author offering some hot, sexy men for the holiday season. Their romance definitely turns up the heat more than a few degrees and the story’s ending remains as accurate as possible. This will appeal to m/m historical romance fans most and fans of the author. Although some may be slightly disappointed in the ending as I was, I highly doubt any will dislike the story.

http://kassa-rvws.livejournal.com/755...

[Erastes · Rating 4 out of 5]

At last–a Regency that reads like a Regency! K A Mitchell was not an author known to me, so I was pleasantly surprised to be drawn in immediately with dialogue that was perfectly formal and with a real sense of time and place.

It’s quite nicely researched, and I wish I had that to say more often. Usage of the word “marquisate” for example which is entirely correct, a journey by carriage to Derbyshire over vile, rutted roads which took days–and extended further because of the inconvenience of Ian’s sister–rather than hours. It’s touches like this which really bring a book to life. (See my recent rant on horses!!)

It’s good too, to see an disabled hero. So many books have entirely whole officers returning from the war, and dealing with an amputee is realistic and refreshing in this genre. In fact Ian is quite a delight, having:

gone from reading classics in his purple robes to the buff and scarlet of a second lieutenant, with no time at all to learn how to converse with a lady. What did one say in such a case?

I love the way he fills in the backstory between himself and Nicholas in deft, episodic touches which pull the reader along like Scheredzhade did with her murderous husband, so we never feel we are being dumped with the backstory, or pulled out of the present narrative with a break in the action, as if often the case with “Parted Lover” stories.

The language is perfectly apt for the period, not so olde -worlde as to be inaccessible, but a great balance of formal narrative and speech and some really lush description, so well painted that you can really see exactly what’s being described, like this section which makes me feel very sorry for the poor servants.

Lacy clumps of snow still fell, yet slowly enough that the cobblestone path was well-cleared by servants wielding stable brooms. Hundreds of candles in the chapel threw enough light to gild the small drifts with a gold luster. Such a view coupled with the light scent of horses from the brooms made Ian fancy the sight and smells recaptured the Nativity.

He’s emo, yes, but it works very well, and that surprised me, as so many times I find an emo protag to be annoying as hell. But Ian is not whining; he’s realistic and fatalistic. He thinks he’s seeing it clearly. Nicholas has responsibilities now he’s the Marquess, and their youthful love affair, however torrid, cannot possibility resume, however much Ian would want it to.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, and there’s much more to the plot, and more character involved–all beautifully fleshed out, and none of them just wallpaper, than the blurb or my clumsy review shows. But I’m not going to spoil it for you, and if you enjoy a regency with a strong flavour of the time, well-researched history that layers itself onto the page without you even noticing it’s there and a protagonists that you will be crossing your fingers for–hoping that they will get their well-deserved happiness, then you are going to love this.

The cover is quite silly, of course, but you can’t have everything.

[SmartBitches · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full review at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

An Improper Holiday is a m/m romance novella set during the Regency period. Regency people weren’t all that big on the actual day of Christmas (this was post-mistletoe, but pre-Christmas trees, cards, and presents). However, Regency people loved to party, and they kicked off their festivities on Christmas night and carried on for twelve days. Apparently there was some controversy over exactly when the twelve nights actually started and stopped. I like to imagine that the answer to the latter was resolved with “We’ll stop when we run out of booze.”

A large percentage of the story is given over to explicit sex scenes. That’s at least somewhat because Ian and Nicky are people who communicate through sex. Although they do talk to each other, most of the time they work through their feelings in bed. For someone who is having multiple orgasms a night, Ian is awfully angsty, but he has real concerns. He and Nicky are both expected to produce children for their families, and if he and Nicky are caught in flagrante they can be imprisoned or executed. Nicky shares these concerns but has more of a “seize the day” attitude and is generally a more confident and optimistic person.

One thing I liked about the story is that it is very upfront about the problems Nicky and Ian face in having a relationship. The resolution is based on a rather delightful and clever twist that will allow the lovers to stay in each other’s lives, but it’s a given that they will never be able to be open about their relationship. It’s an As Happy As Possible Given The Circumstances ending. I liked the flashes of humor. Periodically a steamy scene will be interrupted by Nicky laughing at something particularly pedantic or broody from Ian, and those moments are adorable. I liked the matter-of-fact way that Nicky treats Ian’s missing arm, and I also liked the ending.

I found the story and the characters to be barely sketched in. The ending was lovely but would have been much, much lovelier had certain characters been more fleshed out. If you like explicitly erotic scenes between men, and you like Regency stories, this should be a fun quick holiday read, but to achieve a higher grade I would have needed it to expand more, especially since so many of the story elements (intriguing back stories and intriguing secondary characters) are so tantalizing.

- Carrie S.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author just slays me! "I sodomized him just after Father purchased my commission, but I doubt that is the sort of influence you seek." Oh my gosh, the writing, the wit, the characters, the snark, the SEX. This is a rather short historical but Nicky and Ian burrowed themselves into my heart immediately. They are schoolboy friends and morphed into lovers. Ian goes off to war and is injured and after many years, meets Nicky again at a country house party. Ian is consumed with doing the right thing for his family but is drawn to Nicky. Hot, emotional, sweet and wonderful. Sigh. How many times can I say that I love K.A. Mitchell's writing. She could write a manual on vacuum cleaners and I'd read it.

[Melanie~~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet read. Nicky was most understanding and devoted until pushed so far that he couldn't be. I had guessed the plan before it was revealed but thought it could have been more complete. Then again, Ian's injury could easily explain why he might not ever marry. Still a very satisfying ending.

I liked the story and the use of language and imagery. It all seemed apropos for the setting.

[SheReadsALot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm getting the grasp of K.A. Mitchell's character standards and I like.

Ian and Nicky find away to solidify their love during the Regency period which makes for some pretty tough fences to overcome. They find a way to wrangle through the fences and a way to be together. Enjoyable quick, holiday read with major substance.

[A.B. Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just re-read this and picked up little bits I missed the first time, so I have lifted the rating.

This is so different from her contemporary books, but the Regency period comes through very well.

I'd love to read a story pased on one ofthe minor characters, Julian Lewes.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Mitchell writes historicals as beautifully as she writers her contemporaries, and I hope she revisits these characters in the future. Lewes is deserving of a story all his own, I think.

[Elisa Rolle · Rating 5 out of 5]

2010 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)

[Ro · Rating 2 out of 5]

No, nicky wasn't waiting, or pining or even,loving as far as I'm concerned . I wanted more for Ian, not the slutty Nicky who flaunts it

[Wax · Rating 3 out of 5]

Re-read 12/11/17: I was rooting for Ian and Nicky, but the story just felt too long with not enough time spent together.

[Saritza · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a delectable quick holiday read! K.A. Mitchell delivers again with a steamy historical romance that keeps the fires in the heart as warm as the ones in the hearth.

Summary: He followed all the rules…until one man showed him a dozen ways to break them.

As second son to an earl, Ian Stanton has always done the proper thing. Obeyed his elders, studied diligently, and dutifully accepted the commission his father purchased for him in the Fifty-Second Infantry Division. The one glaring, shameful, marvelous exception: Nicholas Chatham, heir to the Marquess of Carleigh.

Before Ian took his position in His Majesty’s army, he and Nicky consummated two years of physical and emotional discovery. Their inexperience created painful consequences that led Ian to the conviction that their unnatural desires were never meant to be indulged.

Five years later, wounded in body and plagued by memories of what happened between them, Ian is sent to carry out his older brother’s plans for a political alliance with Nicky’s father. Their sister Charlotte is the bargaining piece.

Nicky never believed that what he and Ian felt for each other was wrong and he has a plan to make things right. Getting Ian to Carleigh is but the first step. Now Nicky has only twelve nights to convince Ian that happiness is not the price of honor and duty, but its reward.

Warning: Just thinking about reading this book in 1814 could get you hanged, so the men in this book who enjoy m/m interaction of an intimately penetrative nature are in a hell of a lot of trouble.

What I liked about this book: I love period pieces and those set in 19th century England especially! There's just something very delicious about that time period even with its dark and sinister days. The war's effects on the men is very prevalent in this story with Ian's loss of a limb to the war. That lost limb though is very symbolic and used quite erotically when Nicky worships Ian's body despite the "deformity". It's really an exquisite tale.

I love when one character is oblivious to his own feelings and what they mean while the other is hellbent on making sure they stay together. Add to this storyline the need to keep true to honor and duty and you've got a pairing for the history books. Nicky and Ian's attraction is palpable and while it's easy to see how the book will turn out early in the story, the journey there is no less enjoyable.

Excerpt: Ian tugged at his cravat, itching to be free of the starched cloth and the high collar of his coat. What the devil was taking Simmons? Every bit of sinew and bone—both real and phantom—ached for a chance to settle into the mattress and forget the whole blasted holiday.

He wished he could lay the fault for his pains on the ride this afternoon, but Rowena had a softer gait than he deserved, especially after his dash pell-mell for land unpeopled by the heir to Carleigh. Upon his return, he had stayed with a groom to be sure she had not suffered from his ham-fisted treatment and seen to her getting a soft warm mash as a reward for the exercise.

No amount of mash or currying could excuse either his behavior toward a creature under his care or his assault on Nicky. Whatever the provocation—and Ian should have realized a man like Lewes could scarcely be counted on to speak the truth—Nicky hadn’t deserved the violence of Ian’s temper any more than had the gentle bay mare.

When at last the door opened, Ian spun ’round to be relieved of his coat, sufficiently irritated by Simmons’ delayed arrival to forgo his usual greeting.
Perhaps the fellow had been overindulging in whatever libations were being offered to celebrate the day in the servants’ hall because the valet was clumsy rather than deft, struggling just to ease the coat from Ian’s shoulders.

“And I shall be retiring, Simmons.”

Instead of the expected “Very good, sir,” the man left his arms pinned behind his back and brushed his fingers beneath Ian’s cravat. The unanticipated contact awakened Ian’s skin, his flesh alight with delightful ripples of sensation.

“What the devil?”

He would have turned to face the man, but Simmons stepped closer, hands moving to remove the starched tie while pressing his hips intimately against Ian’s arse.

The shock and terror in his gut, even the pain of his confined shoulders, could not dampen the rush of arousal evoked by the touch, by the strength of another man’s embrace.

“Simmons. I must ask that you remember yourself.” Ian twisted free, retreating to place a wall at his vulnerable back, but his all-too-vulnerable front was exposed to—Nicky.

The identity of his assailant did little to mitigate Ian’s dismay.

“Are you mad?” Ian struggled with his coat, anger lending him sufficient strength to tear one of the sleeves from the body.

Nicky locked the door and removed his own coat. “It is Boxing Day, after all. Simmons has the evening off, as do almost all of the servants. Surely you would not deprive the man of his well-earned holiday.”

“It is not Boxing Day for another hour,” Ian asserted as the solemn toll of the chapel bell made him a liar. He flung his torn coat to the floor.
Nicky’s cravat parted company with his shirt, revealing a neck still defined with the strong tendons Ian had once traced with his tongue. Quelling thoughts of other flesh his mouth longed to revisit grew more impossible with each piece of clothing Nicky dropped onto the Aubusson rug.

“What are you doing?”

“I am preparing for bed. That bed.” Nicky indicated the four-poster in the center of the room.

“Is the castle so crowded the son of the house has been turned out of his rooms?”

“If it pleases you to think so.” Nicky straightened, torso bared to Ian’s gaze.
Firelight gilded Nicky’s skin, gleaming on the fine hairs of his breast, drawing Ian’s eye to the waist of Nicky’s breeches where the hair thickened and darkened. The garnet on his signet ring flashed as Nicky’s hands moved to those buttons.

Ian shut his eyes. “No.”

“No?” The amusement in Nicky’s voice had Ian looking again, forgetting what imminent danger had prompted his action. But Nicky only bent to remove his shoes and stockings, gifting Ian with the sight of the firm curve of his backside under the tight kerseymere breeches.

Nicky brought his hands to rest above his hips, fingers disappearing under the waistband. “Is it truly no or is that what the good soldier, the dutiful second son, feels compelled to say?”
Ian’s throat burned as it tightened, but he could not look away.

“Whom do you seek to save with your denial, me or you?” Nicky persisted. He stepped closer, but made no move to touch Ian. “Why are we to be denied pleasure when you must know how precious and brief life is?”

“The risk of—”

“You threw yourself against a wall of French rifles in service to your father’s idea of honor. Can you not permit yourself something your own honor knows is right? How can it be wrong when we both desire it?” Nicky shoved his breeches down and stepped free, the proof of his desire standing proud and hard.

As swiftly as snow falling off a steep roof, Ian’s body dropped into a pit of raw need. He made a last effort to find any handhold which might keep him from the abyss.

“I do want…” you “…this, but only what we did before. We cannot, I will not…” He tried making a gesture to communicate the specific deed.

“Bugger me?” Nicky grinned. “Fuck me?”

Despite Ian’s shock, the coarseness of Nicky’s words brought a faster beat of blood to Ian’s prick. That unabated grin suggested Nicky knew damned well what effect he had wrought. His next step brought Nicky close enough to try the truth with his hand. Fingers traced the outline of Ian’s prick beneath a layer of wool and linen, a light pressure that offered nothing beyond exquisite torment. A quick hard rub against the crown, dragging the linen across the damp skin until heat pulsed from the tip, the touch as unerringly accurate as Ian’s own.

Pleasure stole his breath as surely as a fist to the stomach. Sucking the air through his teeth, he reached a hand to Nicky’s shoulder, hips tipping into the caress.

Nicky leaned forward until his breath moved against Ian’s ear. “While I find your concern utterly charming, what makes you believe you could take my arse if I didn’t allow it?”

[Gavin Stephenson-Jackman · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you rekindle an romance that's been on hold for five years, and hold up the familial obligations, and keep the whole affair secret? That is the problem that confronts Ian and Nicky. They shared an intimate period of discovery before Ian answered the familial obligations of service in the military. Now he's back and not sure where he fits in now that he is disabled and just a little self conscious of how people will see him. Nicky doesn't care but how can he convince Ian of this, and get back the romance and keep it secret. Ian's sister may be the solution to the problem in more ways than Ian is willing to admit. A very engaging recency romance.

[Martha H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read something light and romantic, and this certainly was. The writing was very clever and sexy, the characters reasonably developed for a novelette, though I didn't get a very good picture of their physical characteristics, which was a little bit weird not to be able to see them in my mind's eye.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A second chance at love sees Ian coming back from the war and thinking he is unworthy but reconnecting with Nicky, his first love, is a chance for him to heal and unexpectedly make several people's lives better in the process.

A short but enjoyable read.

[MM_RomanceBooks Favorites]

Christmas

[Averin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Samhain closure buy. Terrible formatting, ten or more pages of ads for other books.

As for the book, well, no wonder Mitchell never wrote more Regencies. All right, but nothing special, and didn't meet expectations for this author.

[Charly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and sweet

Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.

Rating: 8/10

PROS:
- Ian and Nicky’s past together is revealed in just enough detail early on that it made me instantly curious to read more about them.
- I love the fact that Ian is not physically perfect. The author examines his thoughts and feelings (both mental and physical) pertaining to his amputated arm in a good amount of detail. His musings about it are pervasive, but I didn’t find them annoying; they’re reflective and a little sad, but he’s not overly despairing or dramatic about it.
- I also liked that Nicky is just the slightest bit on the standoffish side when it comes to Ian, yet he’s also the aggressor in their relationship.
- I’ve read quite a few Regency romances over the years, both m/f and m/m, but the characters in this story participate in some holiday festivities and games that I’d never read about before and that give the story a fun, unique feel.
- The ending of the novella contains an unusual plot twist that I liked a lot. (I don’t want to say more because I’m afraid I’ll give something away.)

CONS:
- Mitchell uses occasional foreign phrases throughout the story, and I must admit to my ignorance of the meaning of some of them, which made certain sentences basically incomprehensible to me. For example: “As injurious as this fortnight was to Ian’s mens sana, it was a boon to his corpore sano.”
- There are a couple (but only a couple) conversations that contained fewer speech tags (“he said”) than I wanted; that is, I was confused for a short time as to who was speaking, what the characters’ relationship was, who the people being referred to were, etc. The first of these conversations is at the very beginning of the story.

Overall comments: My one main complaint about this story is that it’s short; that’s not to say that it’s TOO short, though. I just didn’t want it to end. I loved the treatment of Ian’s disability, especially how gentle and reassuring Nicky is without emasculating Ian at all. The sex isn’t terribly graphic, but there’s a decent amount of it.

[Blackravens Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taz’s Review:

In An Improper Holiday by K. A. Mitchell, we follow Ian Stanton who recently returned from war. He and his sister attend the New Year’s party thrown by his former lover, Nicholas Cartham, and all of the old feelings he had experienced years ago resurfaced. As the weekend progresses, Ian fights his urge to reconnect with Nicky. Unbeknownst to Ian, Nicky and a slew of other characters are working to bring them together and what unravels by the end of the story is an ending that leaves all parties happy for the holidays.

I don’t often read stories that have an old fashioned or harlequin feel to them, but this story had the tone of aristocracy throughout. Set in a time where the love between men was frowned upon and in a location where image and decorum were socially valued above personal happiness, the love affair gained a bit of a lurid, secretive feel to it along with a hint of forbidden love sprinkled in.

As the characters circle each other and the story unfolds, I found myself drawn more and more deeply drawn into their feelings and desires until, by the end of the story, I couldn’t put the book down, anxious to find out how it would end.

One thing I particularly enjoyed aside from the story, was the use of language. I tend to focus more on plot and action when reading, but I found myself drawn into the use of language as I read this story. Throughout, Ms. Mitchell respected the sophistication and intelligence of her readers, describing scenes, feelings, and action with language that was precise and original.

I have read other books by this author and what impresses me is her versatility. She can write steaming contemporary novels with scorching love scenes as well as stories such as An Improper Holiday which weave the intricacies of a hierarchical society into a story of love between two men. Such diversity in talent makes Ms. Mitchell an author whose books I truly enjoy reading.

Rated 5 Ravens Taz!