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Colin and Martin #1
Colin and Martin's First Christmas
Blind since birth, Martin Kellam is facing the prospect of yet another Christmas alone save for his guide dog, Toby. Finding it easier to shop online, Martin orders groceries to be delivered from the local supermarket. It doesn't hurt that the delivery driver is strong, hot, and has a sexy London accent.
Colin Rodgers usually leaves Martin's deliveries until last so he can spend a little extra time with the man he admires and has a secret longing to protect. One day close to Christmas, Martin is making soup and asks Colin to join him. Colin agrees. As they eat, Colin reveals he's not looking forward to Christmas as he'll be spending it with a friend and the friend's fiance.
Not expecting him to accept, Martin offers to cook Christmas dinner for Colin. But Colin surprises him. Will turkey and stuffing be all they'll share?
Colin Rodgers usually leaves Martin's deliveries until last so he can spend a little extra time with the man he admires and has a secret longing to protect. One day close to Christmas, Martin is making soup and asks Colin to join him. Colin agrees. As they eat, Colin reveals he's not looking forward to Christmas as he'll be spending it with a friend and the friend's fiance.
Not expecting him to accept, Martin offers to cook Christmas dinner for Colin. But Colin surprises him. Will turkey and stuffing be all they'll share?
27 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2010
2 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Drew Hunt
64 books87 followersHaving read all the decent free fiction on the net Drew could find, he set out to try his hand at writing something himself. Fed up reading about characters who were super-wealthy, impossibly handsome, and incredibly well-endowed, Drew determined to make his characters real and believable.
Drew lives a quiet life in the north of England with his cat. Someday he hopes to meet the kind of man he writes about.
http://www.smashwords.com/profile/vie...
Drew lives a quiet life in the north of England with his cat. Someday he hopes to meet the kind of man he writes about.
http://www.smashwords.com/profile/vie...
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 8, 2013
“Hey, man, how the hell can you be gay? You’re six foot three and built like a brick shithouse,” Max had told the brown-haired brown-eyed Colin.
no, that's not the right way to describe your characters.
the idea for this story was pretty sweet, but it was badly written and overall not satisfying.
the romance is never developed: we see martin cooking, martin jacking off his "meat", martin chopping up his fingers, martin getting insulted by his brother and, three years later, colin kissing him coming home from work.
the end.
seems pretty pointless, doesn't it?
but what spoiled the story for me was the awful writing.
examples?
If Colin were to use just one word to describe himself, then he’d have to say that he was a cuddler. (your main personality trait cannot be being a cuddler. there's got to be something more interesting you can say about yourself.)
I’ve been round and round the town so many times today, it wouldn’t have surprised me if I hadn’t met myself coming in the opposite direction. (english is not my first language, but i get the feeling that it should be "...if i had met myself...". right?)
another thing that bugged me, but that's a pet peeve of mine so it might not bother other readers, is that when thinking about each other, the mcs use names like the powerful stud, the blind man, the weaker man... it drives me crazy.
all-over-the-place commas bother me a lot, especially those between the subject and the verb. *shudder*
the meeting with martin's brother was obviously just a way to let colin know that martin was gay; bob is never mentioned before or after that.
immediately after that, the story jumps three years ahead before colin even has the time to talk to martin.
the parts of the story that were supposed to be funny weren't; the rest, on the contrary, made me laugh.
and now, for your reading pleasure and so you know what to expect...
The Brussels sprouts had been rather tricky to prepare, Martin had ended up cutting himself a couple of times.
Fortunately he’d had less trouble with the carrots and turnips. The turkey was cooking nicely, Martin had just basted it, and the ten o’clock news had just come on when his phone rang. Who on earth could that be? Martin rarely received any phone calls. A cold shiver ran down his spine. Oh, God, I hope it isn’t Colin ringing up to cancel. I don’t think I could cope with that. He wiped his hands, and walked into the front room, reaching the phone on its fifth ring. [Devil in the details.] “Hello?” Martin said nervously.
“Hi Martin, it’s me, Colin.” Oh no. Martin could feel his legs beginning to give way. “You there, Martin?”
“Erm, yeah.” Martin began to steel himself for the bad news.
“Listen, I’m sorry...” The blood pumping in his ears prevented Martin from hearing much more.
Why, why, it’s not fair. It’s just too cruel.
“Martin? You sure you’re all right?” Colin’s concerned voice came over the phone. “Look [you'll find the comma that was supposed to be here a few lines down] I’m on my way now, love.”
“Huh?” Martin was confused. “Martin, I’m on my way.” The line went dead.
****
Colin got into his car and sped across town. Something was wrong, Martin sounded so distant somehow. He’d only rung up to confirm the time of the meal. He wanted to leave the house; Max and his girlfriend, [oh, God, will you look at this comma?!] were getting on his nerves with their endless billing and cooing. Colin needed to escape. (Dun dun DUN...)
“Martin!” Colin shot through the back door, almost falling over Toby. [the dog] “Out of the way, boy!” The first thing Colin saw on entering the kitchen was numerous red fingerprints all over the work surfaces. “God, no, he’s bleeding.” [Talking to youself?]
please, tell me this is supposed to be funny. please.
no, that's not the right way to describe your characters.
the idea for this story was pretty sweet, but it was badly written and overall not satisfying.
the romance is never developed: we see martin cooking, martin jacking off his "meat", martin chopping up his fingers, martin getting insulted by his brother and, three years later, colin kissing him coming home from work.
the end.
seems pretty pointless, doesn't it?
but what spoiled the story for me was the awful writing.
examples?
If Colin were to use just one word to describe himself, then he’d have to say that he was a cuddler. (your main personality trait cannot be being a cuddler. there's got to be something more interesting you can say about yourself.)
I’ve been round and round the town so many times today, it wouldn’t have surprised me if I hadn’t met myself coming in the opposite direction. (english is not my first language, but i get the feeling that it should be "...if i had met myself...". right?)
another thing that bugged me, but that's a pet peeve of mine so it might not bother other readers, is that when thinking about each other, the mcs use names like the powerful stud, the blind man, the weaker man... it drives me crazy.
all-over-the-place commas bother me a lot, especially those between the subject and the verb. *shudder*
the meeting with martin's brother was obviously just a way to let colin know that martin was gay; bob is never mentioned before or after that.
immediately after that, the story jumps three years ahead before colin even has the time to talk to martin.
the parts of the story that were supposed to be funny weren't; the rest, on the contrary, made me laugh.
and now, for your reading pleasure and so you know what to expect...
The Brussels sprouts had been rather tricky to prepare, Martin had ended up cutting himself a couple of times.
Fortunately he’d had less trouble with the carrots and turnips. The turkey was cooking nicely, Martin had just basted it, and the ten o’clock news had just come on when his phone rang. Who on earth could that be? Martin rarely received any phone calls. A cold shiver ran down his spine. Oh, God, I hope it isn’t Colin ringing up to cancel. I don’t think I could cope with that. He wiped his hands, and walked into the front room, reaching the phone on its fifth ring. [Devil in the details.] “Hello?” Martin said nervously.
“Hi Martin, it’s me, Colin.” Oh no. Martin could feel his legs beginning to give way. “You there, Martin?”
“Erm, yeah.” Martin began to steel himself for the bad news.
“Listen, I’m sorry...” The blood pumping in his ears prevented Martin from hearing much more.
Why, why, it’s not fair. It’s just too cruel.
“Martin? You sure you’re all right?” Colin’s concerned voice came over the phone. “Look [you'll find the comma that was supposed to be here a few lines down] I’m on my way now, love.”
“Huh?” Martin was confused. “Martin, I’m on my way.” The line went dead.
****
Colin got into his car and sped across town. Something was wrong, Martin sounded so distant somehow. He’d only rung up to confirm the time of the meal. He wanted to leave the house; Max and his girlfriend, [oh, God, will you look at this comma?!] were getting on his nerves with their endless billing and cooing. Colin needed to escape. (Dun dun DUN...)
“Martin!” Colin shot through the back door, almost falling over Toby. [the dog] “Out of the way, boy!” The first thing Colin saw on entering the kitchen was numerous red fingerprints all over the work surfaces. “God, no, he’s bleeding.” [Talking to youself?]
please, tell me this is supposed to be funny. please.
December 8, 2012
Another lovely romantic read. I love a under dog type story and this was perfect. I first found Drew on a free authors web site and I'm so glad to see him getting published.
ETA
Second time round and as good as the first. Colin and Martin make a perfect couple.
ETA
Second time round and as good as the first. Colin and Martin make a perfect couple.
November 4, 2010
This holiday-ish short story warms my heart because of the sweet relationship between Colin and Martin. Martin Kellam is not a perfect-looking guy, like in most of m/m romance I read (the guys who are usually handsome and gorgeous and having flawless physical characteristic). Instead, Martin is blind, a bit overweight, with pork-marked face. Since Martin is blind, he cannot really be sure if Colin is gay (not like he can check on the guy, right) but he fantasies about Colin, and he wishes, at least Colin want to be his friend and be his company for Christmas. Colin is the more look-after-and-protect
kind of a guy; and he cares for Martin and he thinks the blind smaller guy is one of the kindest and gentlest person he ever meets.
I just love character that is not perfect, don't you? And I think this story is down-to-earth as well as very romantic. I love the domestic feeling of Martin cooking Christmas dinner for Colin, and there is a scene of misunderstanding over a phone conversation that results in such sweet, sweet scene. I totally love the ending. Beautifully done.
kind of a guy; and he cares for Martin and he thinks the blind smaller guy is one of the kindest and gentlest person he ever meets.
I just love character that is not perfect, don't you? And I think this story is down-to-earth as well as very romantic. I love the domestic feeling of Martin cooking Christmas dinner for Colin, and there is a scene of misunderstanding over a phone conversation that results in such sweet, sweet scene. I totally love the ending. Beautifully done.
December 13, 2012
Well, that was cheese-tastic. But the thing is that both Colin and Martin are so damned sweet and sincere that I kind of felt bad snickering over them the whole time. XD
Talk about suspending disbelief. It's not that I didn't buy the premise itself - gay grocery delivery boy falls for a regular client, a blind man with whom he spends time every week.
But the way it all unfolded was a bit silly, ESPECIALLY when they oh-so-conveniently "run into" Martin's drunk, asshole brother in a park who "outs" Martin to Colin. Where are their parents? Why was Martin spending Christmas alone in the first place? Why did he come out to his brother in the first place if he's such a blatantly unapologetic asshole? And what does Martin do for a job, for fuck's sake?!! I hate these kinds of plot holes!
Colin's back story was at least fully established...
Can't say I recommend this one, which is a shame, because the plot itself had potential.
*Special thanks to JMS Books for the free give-away!
Talk about suspending disbelief. It's not that I didn't buy the premise itself - gay grocery delivery boy falls for a regular client, a blind man with whom he spends time every week.
But the way it all unfolded was a bit silly, ESPECIALLY when they oh-so-conveniently "run into" Martin's drunk, asshole brother in a park who "outs" Martin to Colin. Where are their parents? Why was Martin spending Christmas alone in the first place? Why did he come out to his brother in the first place if he's such a blatantly unapologetic asshole? And what does Martin do for a job, for fuck's sake?!! I hate these kinds of plot holes!
Colin's back story was at least fully established...
Can't say I recommend this one, which is a shame, because the plot itself had potential.
*Special thanks to JMS Books for the free give-away!
December 26, 2012
This was a wonderful, wonderful read. It's a realistic story with realistic men. One of them is blind with very bad facial skin after a childhood illness. The other has come out of a relationship with a "perfect looking man" and has realized that looks isn't everything. I loved how things developed between the two and the hopes and feelings of Martin were just heartbreaking (the blind one). Definitely a story I'll read again. It's one of the few Christmas reads that have warmed me from the inside.
December 8, 2012
This was a very sweet short. There really wasn't anything too complex about the story line, but it just came together nicely for me. A lovely holiday read.
February 3, 2011
Colin and Martin are a study in contrasts. Colin is big and strong, and you presume handsome; Martin is smaller but slightly overweight, with pock-marked skin and blind. It seems like an unlikely combination for a relationship, but Colin acknowledges a need in himself to act the role of a protector for others. He spends some time wondering if he’s truly attracted to Martin, or if it’s just a need to protect someone. When Martin screws up his courage and invites Colin for Christmas dinner, maybe they’ll both have a chance to find out if they can have more.
I liked Colin, I like that he was quite aware of his penchant for wanting to coddle and protect, and he tried to ensure he wasn’t attracted to Martin for the wrong reasons. Martin was more emotional. He burst into tears a few times, and not always with good reason. When Colin phones to confirm the time for dinner, Martin is so sure he’s going to beg off that he bursts into tears, causing Colin to rush over fearing something dreadful has happened. That was a bit annoying to me, but I admired Martin’s attempt to cook a complete turkey dinner without sight.
I found the writing style to have an amateur feel to me. It just didn’t come across as very sophisticated. I admire what the author tried to do, to have ordinary guys who aren’t gym bunnies or somehow blessed with unnatural beauty find love, and I think with some more practice the author could bring it to a higher level because the concept was certainly worthwhile. For those interested in reading stories with a disabled, and yet very able, protagonist it would be a good choice for a sweet quick read. I see there is also a sequel to Colin and Martin’s story coming this month as well.
I liked Colin, I like that he was quite aware of his penchant for wanting to coddle and protect, and he tried to ensure he wasn’t attracted to Martin for the wrong reasons. Martin was more emotional. He burst into tears a few times, and not always with good reason. When Colin phones to confirm the time for dinner, Martin is so sure he’s going to beg off that he bursts into tears, causing Colin to rush over fearing something dreadful has happened. That was a bit annoying to me, but I admired Martin’s attempt to cook a complete turkey dinner without sight.
I found the writing style to have an amateur feel to me. It just didn’t come across as very sophisticated. I admire what the author tried to do, to have ordinary guys who aren’t gym bunnies or somehow blessed with unnatural beauty find love, and I think with some more practice the author could bring it to a higher level because the concept was certainly worthwhile. For those interested in reading stories with a disabled, and yet very able, protagonist it would be a good choice for a sweet quick read. I see there is also a sequel to Colin and Martin’s story coming this month as well.
Read
January 29, 2011This short story is sweet and tender, very romantic and with very little sex, but only since it was not necessary, the amount of good feelings was enough to warm your heart, in perfect agreement with the seasonal romance theme.
Colin is a big and kind man who works as delivery man; a delivery man can know a lot of the people he delivers grocery to, and so Colin knows that Martin, the blind gentle guy will spend Christmas alone. Colin has thought a lot about Martin, who has always a gentle word for him; Colin’s interest is a romantic one, despite Martin is not exactly handsome, on the contrary he has his face scarred by a juvenile illness and he is a bit over weighted; but Colin has learned the hard way that appearance is nothing, his former lover Simon, a very handsome man, was also always ready to cheat on him, something that he is sure Martin would never do.
Sure, I think there is a bit of “comfortable” love here, Colin is probably thinking that Martin will never cheat on him because he has no chance to do that; this is the devil advocate in me speaking, since Colin never once, in all the story, will ever have a bad thought regarding Martin, and Martin is so fragile and hopeful that my heart was all for him. Martin has a lot of love in him he wants to share with someone, and he falls for Colin without even knowing how Colin is or if he is even gay: Martin falls for Colin’s kindness, for the need Martin has of a friend, and if this friend will become also a lover, that is a bonus, but really Martin would be glad enough even if their relationship was only one of friendship.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004A14QKU/?...
Colin is a big and kind man who works as delivery man; a delivery man can know a lot of the people he delivers grocery to, and so Colin knows that Martin, the blind gentle guy will spend Christmas alone. Colin has thought a lot about Martin, who has always a gentle word for him; Colin’s interest is a romantic one, despite Martin is not exactly handsome, on the contrary he has his face scarred by a juvenile illness and he is a bit over weighted; but Colin has learned the hard way that appearance is nothing, his former lover Simon, a very handsome man, was also always ready to cheat on him, something that he is sure Martin would never do.
Sure, I think there is a bit of “comfortable” love here, Colin is probably thinking that Martin will never cheat on him because he has no chance to do that; this is the devil advocate in me speaking, since Colin never once, in all the story, will ever have a bad thought regarding Martin, and Martin is so fragile and hopeful that my heart was all for him. Martin has a lot of love in him he wants to share with someone, and he falls for Colin without even knowing how Colin is or if he is even gay: Martin falls for Colin’s kindness, for the need Martin has of a friend, and if this friend will become also a lover, that is a bonus, but really Martin would be glad enough even if their relationship was only one of friendship.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004A14QKU/?...
December 6, 2012
Read for the M/M Romance bingo challenge:
Colin delivers orders for a supermarket and one of his customers is Martin who is blind and lives alone with his guide dog Toby. Colin has just broken up with his cheating boyfriend. Both guys are in need of a friend and Martin finally gets his courage up to ask Colin to Christmas dinner. Martin’s excitement, nervousness, and preparation for the big day really pulled at my heart.
Darn it if friendship doesn’t quickly grow into more and luckily Colin and Martin don’t have to spend Christmas alone. At its essence this is a sweet, romantic little story of two lonely men finding each other. While it kept my interest, the writing was a bit clumsy in places and it could have fared better with a little less telling and more showing, IMO.
Colin delivers orders for a supermarket and one of his customers is Martin who is blind and lives alone with his guide dog Toby. Colin has just broken up with his cheating boyfriend. Both guys are in need of a friend and Martin finally gets his courage up to ask Colin to Christmas dinner. Martin’s excitement, nervousness, and preparation for the big day really pulled at my heart.
Darn it if friendship doesn’t quickly grow into more and luckily Colin and Martin don’t have to spend Christmas alone. At its essence this is a sweet, romantic little story of two lonely men finding each other. While it kept my interest, the writing was a bit clumsy in places and it could have fared better with a little less telling and more showing, IMO.
November 19, 2010
cute little Christmas story that was unconventional (eg. Martin, one of the main characters was blind, had facial blemishes, and was not thin) and sweet, as two very different men developed a loving & romantic partnership. I did like the references to some non-traditional foods for Christmas dinner, but then, I like food :) It managed to convey a lot of sentiment in such a short story. A definite re-read for me.
December 6, 2010
2.5 stars. I have read each story Drew has released through the new invite only publisher, but felt it was a struggle to really get into the characters in this one. I gave it 2.5 stars because Drew writes real characters with real lives and I like that, imperfection is perfect. The story line is a good one until the two mains actually connect; I would have liked to have read more about that rather than just a straight jump to the epilogue. Nx
December 18, 2012
This is the first of a series of 4 stories, all about the same MCs and all set during the Christmas season. These have a very sweet premise -- Colin, a grocery delivery driver, falls in love with Martin, who is blind and mostly house bound. The story is marred by clunky writing, but the regionally flavored dialogue is nice and the warm spirit of the piece helps to carry the reader through.
It will be interesting to see how the other three stories develop.
It will be interesting to see how the other three stories develop.
January 15, 2017
I got this on one of the free book days by JMS Books this month.
Its a quite short snippet about how two men came to be together. We don't know how long they've been casual acquaintences but christmas gives them the chance to get to know each other better.
I liked that the characters are not perfect and I do always like stories in Britisgh dialect.
I'd like a longer story about the two men.
Its a quite short snippet about how two men came to be together. We don't know how long they've been casual acquaintences but christmas gives them the chance to get to know each other better.
I liked that the characters are not perfect and I do always like stories in Britisgh dialect.
I'd like a longer story about the two men.
November 4, 2010
3.5 stars
July 6, 2016
Reread, still liked it and still love Martin. Colin is sweet and it's a cute little short.
June 24, 2011
Sweet, short read.
December 21, 2011
A sweet Christmas story with 'real people' as MCs so I was a wee bit disappointed that just as Colin and Martin got together the story leapt to 3 years later.
November 15, 2012
3,5*- good read...
December 29, 2012
Beautiful romance embodying the spirit of the season. I enjoyed every word.
December 14, 2013
I found this infinitely cute!
October 7, 2014
it wasn't sweet enough to make me forget how predictable and naive it was. plus, i really didn't feel it.
July 26, 2016
A short yet very pleasant Christmas story of which I truly adored.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews