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I Heard Him Exclaim: A Modern Gay Romance with a Dash of Christmas Magic
(Part of His For The Holidays Anthology)
Who Likes a Skinny Santa?
Steve Adams's heart hasn't been in the Christmas spirit ever since doctors put a stent in it and ordered him to clean up his act. No longer filling out his Santa suit or allowed to make merry, he's forgoing the holidays this year and heading to Vegas to indulge in the few vices left to him: gambling and anonymous sex.
His road trip takes a detour when he encounters Chandler Tracey, who's just inherited guardianship of his five-year-old niece. Overwhelmed, Chandler's on his way to deliver Poppy to his parents. But fate has other plans and, after car trouble, Chandler and Poppy accept a ride home with Steve. Though the heat between the two men is obvious, they put it on simmer while they band together to make Poppy's Christmas as perfect as possible.
Steve soon comes to believe that while Chandler is the right person to look after Poppy, someone needs to look after Chandler. Fortunately, Steve knows just the man for the job.
141 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 16, 2010
9 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
November 29, 2017
----> :) This is a different, sweet Christmassy M/M love story !!
Older, Steve Adams had a heart attack and stent implanted last year, and this year he's too thin to be his usual Santa self. He decides to skip the holiday and headed to Vegas for some R & R, but at the rest stop, he meets a lovely man struggling to cope with his new responsibility, his niece Poppy. On top of that, their borrowed car won't start, so Steve takes a look. With a couple of twists and turns, the unlikely trio are all going to Steve's family for Christmas.
Younger Chandler is insecure about raising his dead brother's child, even though he loves her, and wants to do his best, he's fearful of failing.
Big hearted Steve sees what he wants in Chandler, someone he can care for, love and cherish, along with darling Poppy. Steve 's family, the "Adams family", are outgoing, loud, and welcoming. Steve and Chandler take every opportunity to steal their time alone and the M/M hot sexiness is scorching...whew !
Loved these deeply moving characters, and the surprisingly sweet tale. It's not totally realistic, but in a mushy Christmas story, it works well.
This heartwarming tale will leave you smiling and hopeful. ENJOY !!!
"...it just goes to show, if you need a little Christmas, it always pays to find someone who needs it more."
=========================================
Older, Steve Adams had a heart attack and stent implanted last year, and this year he's too thin to be his usual Santa self. He decides to skip the holiday and headed to Vegas for some R & R, but at the rest stop, he meets a lovely man struggling to cope with his new responsibility, his niece Poppy. On top of that, their borrowed car won't start, so Steve takes a look. With a couple of twists and turns, the unlikely trio are all going to Steve's family for Christmas.
Younger Chandler is insecure about raising his dead brother's child, even though he loves her, and wants to do his best, he's fearful of failing.
Big hearted Steve sees what he wants in Chandler, someone he can care for, love and cherish, along with darling Poppy. Steve 's family, the "Adams family", are outgoing, loud, and welcoming. Steve and Chandler take every opportunity to steal their time alone and the M/M hot sexiness is scorching...whew !
Loved these deeply moving characters, and the surprisingly sweet tale. It's not totally realistic, but in a mushy Christmas story, it works well.
This heartwarming tale will leave you smiling and hopeful. ENJOY !!!
"...it just goes to show, if you need a little Christmas, it always pays to find someone who needs it more."
=========================================
February 23, 2011
First, let me say that I didn't get the title of this book. What did you hear him exclaim? Who are you? And who is him? Does that have anything to do with the story? (My confusion didn't affect my rating, of course. I'm just curious.)
Steve Adams has always loved Christmas and dressing up as Santa to spread the merriment around, but he isn't in the mood to celebrate the holidays this year. He can't fill out his Santa suit anymore, thanks to the new lifestyle he's been forced to embrace after the scare he had almost a year ago, when he had to have an angioplasty and doctors put a stent in his heart. Ordered to clean up his act, he quit smoking, dropped a lot of weight, and started exercising regularly and eat healthy. He's on his way to Vegas, to spend the holidays and avoid the Christmas festivities he'd have to join if he stayed at home, when he meets a somewhat distraught younger (and attractive) man and his 5-year-old niece.
Chandler Tracey and his niece Poppy, whose guardianship he inherited after his brother and sister-in-law were killed in a car accident only a month ago, are on their way to spend Christmas at his parents' when car trouble leaves them stranded on the road. Being a nice guy and all, Steve offers them a ride and the trio is soon back on the road. As Steve and Chandler spend time together and talk about their recent life-changing experiences, the sexual attraction between them grows and they begin to wonder if there's more to it. Well, duh! :)
I thought this was a very sweet Christmasy story, but it was also very unrealistic and I couldn't suspend my disbelief enough to enjoy it without frowning over Chandler's and Steve's foolishly trusting behavior. Chandler was neurotic about Poppy's safety, which was okay considering he was as insecure as only new parents can be, so how come he didn't think twice before accepting Steve's ride offer? Steve was a complete strange and you just don't climb into a strange's car like that, especially when there's a safe alternative available. Steve's safety wasn't in any danger when he offered Chandler and Poppy a ride, but I thought he pushed his luck when he invited them to stay at his house. On his defense, he knew Chandler better by then, but still.
All in all, this was an okay read, with some quirky but likable characters and a good amount of holiday cheer. There wasn't much conflict in the story, but that was fine because I wasn't expecting it. The HEA felt a bit forced at first, but a nice epilogue cemented it and made it okay. After all, all's well that ends well.
Note: This story is also available in His For The Holidays anthology.
Steve Adams has always loved Christmas and dressing up as Santa to spread the merriment around, but he isn't in the mood to celebrate the holidays this year. He can't fill out his Santa suit anymore, thanks to the new lifestyle he's been forced to embrace after the scare he had almost a year ago, when he had to have an angioplasty and doctors put a stent in his heart. Ordered to clean up his act, he quit smoking, dropped a lot of weight, and started exercising regularly and eat healthy. He's on his way to Vegas, to spend the holidays and avoid the Christmas festivities he'd have to join if he stayed at home, when he meets a somewhat distraught younger (and attractive) man and his 5-year-old niece.
Chandler Tracey and his niece Poppy, whose guardianship he inherited after his brother and sister-in-law were killed in a car accident only a month ago, are on their way to spend Christmas at his parents' when car trouble leaves them stranded on the road. Being a nice guy and all, Steve offers them a ride and the trio is soon back on the road. As Steve and Chandler spend time together and talk about their recent life-changing experiences, the sexual attraction between them grows and they begin to wonder if there's more to it. Well, duh! :)
I thought this was a very sweet Christmasy story, but it was also very unrealistic and I couldn't suspend my disbelief enough to enjoy it without frowning over Chandler's and Steve's foolishly trusting behavior. Chandler was neurotic about Poppy's safety, which was okay considering he was as insecure as only new parents can be, so how come he didn't think twice before accepting Steve's ride offer? Steve was a complete strange and you just don't climb into a strange's car like that, especially when there's a safe alternative available. Steve's safety wasn't in any danger when he offered Chandler and Poppy a ride, but I thought he pushed his luck when he invited them to stay at his house. On his defense, he knew Chandler better by then, but still.
All in all, this was an okay read, with some quirky but likable characters and a good amount of holiday cheer. There wasn't much conflict in the story, but that was fine because I wasn't expecting it. The HEA felt a bit forced at first, but a nice epilogue cemented it and made it okay. After all, all's well that ends well.
Note: This story is also available in His For The Holidays anthology.
December 8, 2011
This was my favorite out of the whole His For The Holidays anthology.
When Steve lost all his weight due to medical problems, he lost all his spirit for Christmas as well. He leaves for Vegas to cope with his lost love of being Santa and runs into Chandler and Poppy at a rest stop. Chandler's on his way to his parents' house with his niece, who he's the new guardian of. Both Steve and Chandler are lost, looking for two separate things but Fate has something else in mind when Chandler's bad luck keeps bringing Steve to his rescue.
I loved the way it was so deep into Christmas and how Steve was a real live Santa who just lost his spirit. I enjoyed seeing Chandler and Poppy show Steve you can still be Santa even if you aren't fat anymore. And I loved that Steve showed Chandler that he can be a great parent even though Chandler thought he wouldn't be. Loved these two guys and the way they connected so well especially after Chandler's continuing bad luck had Steve helping him over and over again.
Definitely something I'll be re-reading because it was such a sweet, cute story especially the ending. Definitely recommended.
When Steve lost all his weight due to medical problems, he lost all his spirit for Christmas as well. He leaves for Vegas to cope with his lost love of being Santa and runs into Chandler and Poppy at a rest stop. Chandler's on his way to his parents' house with his niece, who he's the new guardian of. Both Steve and Chandler are lost, looking for two separate things but Fate has something else in mind when Chandler's bad luck keeps bringing Steve to his rescue.
I loved the way it was so deep into Christmas and how Steve was a real live Santa who just lost his spirit. I enjoyed seeing Chandler and Poppy show Steve you can still be Santa even if you aren't fat anymore. And I loved that Steve showed Chandler that he can be a great parent even though Chandler thought he wouldn't be. Loved these two guys and the way they connected so well especially after Chandler's continuing bad luck had Steve helping him over and over again.
Definitely something I'll be re-reading because it was such a sweet, cute story especially the ending. Definitely recommended.
December 20, 2019
Edit: A re-listen now it's snowing, and this time, I snagged on a line I hadn't noticed before. There's a part where the smaller of the two men is about to top the other and the line is something like, "He loved being [the big man]'s boy, but he also wanted to be his man."
So, there's a lot to unpack in that throw-away line, but I'm going to be brief: there is nothing more (or less) "manly" or "masculine" about a position. Nothing. And I'm annoyed I bumped into it again in a story I'd previously enjoyed—the couple weren't doing any role-playing, by which I mean there was no hint of daddy/son stuff to make the line feel more kink/role related, though the age difference is there. It was a sour note. Anyway. Being a bottom doesn't make you the "boy" any more than being the top makes you the "man." That sort of stuff is the bread and butter of misogyny and homophobia, and it kinda needs to vanish. I'm not sure I'll keep this story in my holiday rotation now, and I'm bummed about that, since I really did enjoy the larger narrative. Maybe I can just skip the chapter.
--
I listened to this one as an audiobook as part of the packaged deal His For The Holidays and it was my favourite of the bunch. The short version is pretty much covered by the blurb, but it did a few other things well that I liked: the "new parent" angle of the fellow who has custody of his niece for her first Christmas without her parents (who died recently) was pretty solid. I liked that he was completely "I can't do this, especially not by myself, what the hell!" about the whole thing, and I liked that when he bumped into former-Santa who offered help, his first instinct was more of a "I have to be careful" than a "whatever help I can get is good." The balance was there at first. I mean, that tips pretty quickly (because it's a romance novella set at Christmas) but at least there was lip service.
There was also a kind-of/sort-of chosen family vibe, even though the vast majority of the cast was made up of relatives of the former-Santa. It was more their willingness to fold the sudden parent and his niece into the flock than anything else, but those are the kinds of Christmas stories that warm my heart the most. And, it might have been the audiobook performer, but the little girl never came off obnoxious in any one direction or other, which is rare for kid characters in romance novellas.
So, there's a lot to unpack in that throw-away line, but I'm going to be brief: there is nothing more (or less) "manly" or "masculine" about a position. Nothing. And I'm annoyed I bumped into it again in a story I'd previously enjoyed—the couple weren't doing any role-playing, by which I mean there was no hint of daddy/son stuff to make the line feel more kink/role related, though the age difference is there. It was a sour note. Anyway. Being a bottom doesn't make you the "boy" any more than being the top makes you the "man." That sort of stuff is the bread and butter of misogyny and homophobia, and it kinda needs to vanish. I'm not sure I'll keep this story in my holiday rotation now, and I'm bummed about that, since I really did enjoy the larger narrative. Maybe I can just skip the chapter.
--
I listened to this one as an audiobook as part of the packaged deal His For The Holidays and it was my favourite of the bunch. The short version is pretty much covered by the blurb, but it did a few other things well that I liked: the "new parent" angle of the fellow who has custody of his niece for her first Christmas without her parents (who died recently) was pretty solid. I liked that he was completely "I can't do this, especially not by myself, what the hell!" about the whole thing, and I liked that when he bumped into former-Santa who offered help, his first instinct was more of a "I have to be careful" than a "whatever help I can get is good." The balance was there at first. I mean, that tips pretty quickly (because it's a romance novella set at Christmas) but at least there was lip service.
There was also a kind-of/sort-of chosen family vibe, even though the vast majority of the cast was made up of relatives of the former-Santa. It was more their willingness to fold the sudden parent and his niece into the flock than anything else, but those are the kinds of Christmas stories that warm my heart the most. And, it might have been the audiobook performer, but the little girl never came off obnoxious in any one direction or other, which is rare for kid characters in romance novellas.
November 28, 2018
Overall book rating: 4
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 3.8
Did it have the Holiday/Christmas feel? Why YES! Yes it did!
Don’t you just absolutely ADORE Steve?? I do. I adore him.
I really liked Chandler and Poppy as well but Steve stole the show.
All things sticky sweet and Christmassy good in my opinion.
No aeons of unnecessary Drama. Just the right amount of Christmas magic and
GOOD PEOPLE.
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 3.8
Did it have the Holiday/Christmas feel? Why YES! Yes it did!
Don’t you just absolutely ADORE Steve?? I do. I adore him.
I really liked Chandler and Poppy as well but Steve stole the show.
All things sticky sweet and Christmassy good in my opinion.
No aeons of unnecessary Drama. Just the right amount of Christmas magic and
GOOD PEOPLE.
January 27, 2024
What an incredibly sweet story. I was in the right frame of mind for a heartwarming holiday romance, and I really enjoyed Z.A. Maxfield's I Heard Him Exclaim.
The audio version is lovely.
The audio version is lovely.
December 18, 2021
OK about my page 14 I knew I had read this book before. Luckily, I really enjoyed it the first time so I finished it to see if it was still as good as I remember and it was. I’m trying not to be annoyed with it changing its title but it is what it is. This was enjoyable Maxfield.
Ding, ding, ding…
Ding, ding, ding…
December 10, 2012
4.5 Stars
Steve Adams is Santa Claus at heart. One year ago, Steve had a wake up call when doctors put a stent in his artery and ordered him to clean up his act. Since then he has quit smoking, eats healthy, exercises, and has dropped a lot of weight. The new and improved Steve is lean and mean but no longer fills out his beloved Santa suit. Sadly, this year, Steve's heart just isn't into the Christmas spirit so he decides to forgo the holidays and heads off to Vegas to indulge in the few vices left to him: gambling and anonymous sex. At a truck stop, Steve encounters Chandler Tracey and his five-year-old niece, Poppy. Chandler recently inherited guardianship of Poppy after her parents were killed in an automobile accident on Thanksgiving. Overwhelmed with grief and parental responsibility, Chandler is on his way to deliver Poppy to his parents. Fate, however, has other plans and, after car trouble, Chandler and Poppy accept a ride home with Steve. I Heard Him Exclaim is Steve, Chandler, and Poppy's Christmas tale about the healing power of love.
I really enjoyed this story. I loved both MCs, especially Steve. He's got that perfect blend of strong and vulnerable. I felt so bad for Chandler and Poppy. The gravity of their loss was staggering and I was rooting for them all the way. Chandler was a little too soft and caving under the pressure but luckily Steve was there for him to lean on. I loved the craziness of the Adams family and how they celebrate Christmas with total abandon. Their love and acceptance of Chandler and Poppy was heartwarming to read. I had one minor gripe: I am not a fan of the "boy" endearment. Anything but that. Well, maybe not anything. On a positive note: I loved the book cover. Very pretty.
Bottom line: a sweet tale of love and loss during the holiday season. I hope to revisit with this family again!
Steve Adams is Santa Claus at heart. One year ago, Steve had a wake up call when doctors put a stent in his artery and ordered him to clean up his act. Since then he has quit smoking, eats healthy, exercises, and has dropped a lot of weight. The new and improved Steve is lean and mean but no longer fills out his beloved Santa suit. Sadly, this year, Steve's heart just isn't into the Christmas spirit so he decides to forgo the holidays and heads off to Vegas to indulge in the few vices left to him: gambling and anonymous sex. At a truck stop, Steve encounters Chandler Tracey and his five-year-old niece, Poppy. Chandler recently inherited guardianship of Poppy after her parents were killed in an automobile accident on Thanksgiving. Overwhelmed with grief and parental responsibility, Chandler is on his way to deliver Poppy to his parents. Fate, however, has other plans and, after car trouble, Chandler and Poppy accept a ride home with Steve. I Heard Him Exclaim is Steve, Chandler, and Poppy's Christmas tale about the healing power of love.
I really enjoyed this story. I loved both MCs, especially Steve. He's got that perfect blend of strong and vulnerable. I felt so bad for Chandler and Poppy. The gravity of their loss was staggering and I was rooting for them all the way. Chandler was a little too soft and caving under the pressure but luckily Steve was there for him to lean on. I loved the craziness of the Adams family and how they celebrate Christmas with total abandon. Their love and acceptance of Chandler and Poppy was heartwarming to read. I had one minor gripe: I am not a fan of the "boy" endearment. Anything but that. Well, maybe not anything. On a positive note: I loved the book cover. Very pretty.
Bottom line: a sweet tale of love and loss during the holiday season. I hope to revisit with this family again!
December 25, 2010
Steve Adams is not in the mood for Christmas -- while he is probably the only man who feels depressed for losing weight and getting into shape, but he was Santa Claus and who likes skinny Santa? On the way to indulge himself to Las Vegas, he encounters Chandler Tracey and his five-year-old niece, Poppy. Poppy's parents died in an accident and as her godfather, Chandler is taking care of her. But while Chandler isn't sure he is up for the job, Steve is sure that the young man can, with a little help from Santa :)
I have only read two stories by Z.A. Maxfield before and I didn't really connect with those. However, this one, oh, this one I LOVE. I think the relationship between Steve and Chandler -- despite it being instant within two days -- doesn't feel rushed. Within that two days, the two men do learn something about each other.
Chandler is the younger guy; getting a five-year girl on his lap is not something he can wrap his head in. He is constantly freaking up, he isn't sure he is up to the task. Personally, I totally get him. I cannot imagine myself having to suddenly taking care a kid as well. His worries and doubt are all right on the spot. Not to mention the fact that he is gay, and there are people who still cannot accept gay parents. Steve, on the other hand, is more relaxed and sure about himself (and Chandler). I think he is a perfect balance for Chandler (I'm not sure how old Steve is, maybe 40-ish?); it is also helped that he comes from a big family.
I wish this story is being made into a TV movie or something, because I truly want to see all the decorations from "The Adams' Christmas Party"; because I'm sure they're all amazing.
I have only read two stories by Z.A. Maxfield before and I didn't really connect with those. However, this one, oh, this one I LOVE. I think the relationship between Steve and Chandler -- despite it being instant within two days -- doesn't feel rushed. Within that two days, the two men do learn something about each other.
Chandler is the younger guy; getting a five-year girl on his lap is not something he can wrap his head in. He is constantly freaking up, he isn't sure he is up to the task. Personally, I totally get him. I cannot imagine myself having to suddenly taking care a kid as well. His worries and doubt are all right on the spot. Not to mention the fact that he is gay, and there are people who still cannot accept gay parents. Steve, on the other hand, is more relaxed and sure about himself (and Chandler). I think he is a perfect balance for Chandler (I'm not sure how old Steve is, maybe 40-ish?); it is also helped that he comes from a big family.
I wish this story is being made into a TV movie or something, because I truly want to see all the decorations from "The Adams' Christmas Party"; because I'm sure they're all amazing.
December 9, 2013
Note: This is the 3rd short story in the His For The Holidays collection.
4 stars
Steve was written too perfectly and what he had to offer (his support, his family, even his idiosyncrasies) and the timing of when Steve met Chandler was much too coincidentally manufactured that it lost its relatability.. it was as if Chandler made a Christmas list to Santa and that list was delivered to Chandler by Santa “Steve” Clause himself.
Aside from the unrealistic nature of the plot, for some reason I really enjoyed it. It worked for me, though I can see how it might not for everyone. Unlike the first book in this collection, Mistletoe at Midnight, which also read like a Hallmark movie, I was happily swept away here with the MCs in their holiday spirit and I didn’t mind that the whole thing was like a Christmas miracle. However cheesy it all might have been I really liked it. I thought the attraction and passion between the MCs was sexy, I found Poppy adorable, and I was happy to see the easy ready-made-family HEA at the end.
4 stars
Steve was written too perfectly and what he had to offer (his support, his family, even his idiosyncrasies) and the timing of when Steve met Chandler was much too coincidentally manufactured that it lost its relatability.. it was as if Chandler made a Christmas list to Santa and that list was delivered to Chandler by Santa “Steve” Clause himself.
Aside from the unrealistic nature of the plot, for some reason I really enjoyed it. It worked for me, though I can see how it might not for everyone. Unlike the first book in this collection, Mistletoe at Midnight, which also read like a Hallmark movie, I was happily swept away here with the MCs in their holiday spirit and I didn’t mind that the whole thing was like a Christmas miracle. However cheesy it all might have been I really liked it. I thought the attraction and passion between the MCs was sexy, I found Poppy adorable, and I was happy to see the easy ready-made-family HEA at the end.
March 12, 2013
Very cute Christmas story with likable characters and a sweet ending! It includes all ingredients needed for a lovely holiday read: a hot Santa, Christmas-crazy family members, a sad past event, insta-love, awesome chemistry between our protagonists, and a nice little niece to complete the perfect family setup.
The characters are developed enough to show flaws and insecurities as well as their shining good personalities. I loved how Chandler struggled with the guardianship of his niece because I think this is a very realistic take on the situation. And if the whole story is a bit unrealistic (especially in how fast the relationship develops)... well... it IS a holiday story after all :D
The characters are developed enough to show flaws and insecurities as well as their shining good personalities. I loved how Chandler struggled with the guardianship of his niece because I think this is a very realistic take on the situation. And if the whole story is a bit unrealistic (especially in how fast the relationship develops)... well... it IS a holiday story after all :D
December 5, 2012
3.5 stars
This was a sweet story. Yes, there was insta love and pretty unrealistic, but it was a Christmas story and had the kind of ending that you want when reading a holiday book.
This was a sweet story. Yes, there was insta love and pretty unrealistic, but it was a Christmas story and had the kind of ending that you want when reading a holiday book.
June 17, 2019
On the way to Vegas in his '69 Super Bee Six Pack, Steve meets Chandler and his five-year-old niece Poppy and brings them home with him to celebrate Christmas. It's a big chance of plans, since Steve has been feeling like his holiday spirit was surgically removed by his cardiologist .... but, actually that cardiologist saved his life by putting a stent (and the fear of God) into him and now Steve doesn't smoke, doesn't eat gloriously greasy food and is too skinny to fit into his Santa suit. But on the plus side .... as Steve tells Chandler, "I'm in the best shape I’ve ever been in. I could fuck you longer and harder and in more ways than either of us ever imagined without breaking a sweat.”
There's seriously hot sexual sizzle here (bonus: sex in a kitchen pantry!) as well as some serious Christmas decorating. Steve's extended family is that family - the ones that overly decorate for Christmas with any number of lawn inflatables, reindeer on the roof, and have laminated schematics for their holiday glowing / singing / pulsating lights. But this is a sweet holiday read that is equal parts fun, sweet and sexy.
There's seriously hot sexual sizzle here (bonus: sex in a kitchen pantry!) as well as some serious Christmas decorating. Steve's extended family is that family - the ones that overly decorate for Christmas with any number of lawn inflatables, reindeer on the roof, and have laminated schematics for their holiday glowing / singing / pulsating lights. But this is a sweet holiday read that is equal parts fun, sweet and sexy.
February 25, 2021
A fun romance of two men one who was not feeling Christmas thanks to not being fat enough to play Santa Claus a role he loved and another whose brother and sister in law had died leaving him a small girl he felt ill equipped to raise. The characters are great and the story line is wonderful. A great feel good book.
January 14, 2011
I Heard Him Exclaim
Z.A. Maxfield
4.5 out of 5 stars
In I Heard Him Exclaim we’re treated at Christmas in all its glory, with the commercial bells and whistles (and lights) to match. Main character Steve’s family is completely nuts when it comes to Christmas: they decorate their houses outrageously and they live for the festivities. Steve himself used to be equally nuts, and he liked to play the part of Santa, but not this year. He is not in the spirit because he is no longer filling out the Santa suite after a heart operation early that year. He decides to go to Las Vegas to escape the festivities, but on his way there he meets Chandler, who just inherited guardianship of his five-year-old niece, Poppy. The two of them can use Steve’s help after their car broke down and their holiday plans got canceled, so Steve decides to take them home. There he and Chandler work together to give Poppy a wonderful Christmas while they feel more and more attracted to each other.
I have to admit that I had a little trouble with getting the image of Steve as an old, wrinkly Santa out of my head after the first descriptions of his physical features. I’m not a big fan of the May-December theme where the age difference between the characters nears the parent-child gap. So, to make this story work for me, I had to make Steve a bit younger and more attractive in my head than the author probably had meant him to be. But apart from that, their love story was easy to enjoy. I loved Chandler and his feelings towards his niece and I found Steve’s observational skills regarding Chandler very engaging and sweet. And their smexy moments were certainly sizzling hot and entertaining in their variety. The author succeeded in conveying that Steve and Chandler are so right for each other, even if they only met a couple of days ago. Overall this was a well-written, enjoyable, festive love story with a touch of seriousness and a lot of smiles in it.
Favorite quote:
http://erotromreader.blogspot.com/201...
Z.A. Maxfield
4.5 out of 5 stars
In I Heard Him Exclaim we’re treated at Christmas in all its glory, with the commercial bells and whistles (and lights) to match. Main character Steve’s family is completely nuts when it comes to Christmas: they decorate their houses outrageously and they live for the festivities. Steve himself used to be equally nuts, and he liked to play the part of Santa, but not this year. He is not in the spirit because he is no longer filling out the Santa suite after a heart operation early that year. He decides to go to Las Vegas to escape the festivities, but on his way there he meets Chandler, who just inherited guardianship of his five-year-old niece, Poppy. The two of them can use Steve’s help after their car broke down and their holiday plans got canceled, so Steve decides to take them home. There he and Chandler work together to give Poppy a wonderful Christmas while they feel more and more attracted to each other.
I have to admit that I had a little trouble with getting the image of Steve as an old, wrinkly Santa out of my head after the first descriptions of his physical features. I’m not a big fan of the May-December theme where the age difference between the characters nears the parent-child gap. So, to make this story work for me, I had to make Steve a bit younger and more attractive in my head than the author probably had meant him to be. But apart from that, their love story was easy to enjoy. I loved Chandler and his feelings towards his niece and I found Steve’s observational skills regarding Chandler very engaging and sweet. And their smexy moments were certainly sizzling hot and entertaining in their variety. The author succeeded in conveying that Steve and Chandler are so right for each other, even if they only met a couple of days ago. Overall this was a well-written, enjoyable, festive love story with a touch of seriousness and a lot of smiles in it.
Favorite quote:
“[…] men came in two different flavors, and one of those flavors could fix cars. The other, the group to which he belonged, were utterly useless without a cup of coffee in one hand and a computer mouse in the other. He looked under the hood of the car and felt like the apes at the beginning.”
http://erotromreader.blogspot.com/201...
January 17, 2014
The narrative voice in this one sounds a lot like Amy Lane to me, in her lighter moods.
Love this line: "Chandler had a way of looking at him that was one part I’ve never seen anything this bizarre before and one part last scoop of ice cream on a really hot day."
Overall -- well, hmmm. The MCs seem too perfect. One, Steve, is a 40-ish guy whose whole family (parents, siblings, cousins ad infinitem) have a collective obsession with Christmas. Most of the family live within a couple of blocks of each other, and every year they compete to see which house can boast the most outrageous Christmas displays. Steve has always -- since he was a little kid -- taken on the role of Santa; he is kind and generous and outgoing and giving, and just all those perfect Christmas traits. The other MC, Chandler, is a younger man who has just been given custody of his 5 year old niece Poppy after her parents were killed in a Thanksgiving car crash. Chandler is overwhelmed with the responsibility. Steve is NOT feeling the Santa this psrticular Christmas. He's having a bit of a midlife crisis after having some heart trouble and being forced to lose a lot of weight (Santa shouldn't be skinny!). Steve takes off in his Santa-red classic muscle car, heading for Vegas to get laid, but his plans are derailed when he comes across Chandler and Poppy and their broken down car at a rest stop on the highway.
This is all just too...pat. Too "oh, here we are with the perfect setup for some manipulative -- I mean heartwarming -- Christmas cheer". Maxfield is a good writer, and there were genuinely funny and/or touching moments throughout -- AND this wasn't really intended to be a realistic tale in the first place -- but it still felt artificial to me. Hey, I can be a grump when I feel like it. ;-)
3 stars
edited to add -- I listened to the audio version of this a couple of months ago (roughly 10/13). I really liked the narrator on this one -- thought he did a great job with both the overall tone and the voices. I'm adding half a star for narration, and rounding up to 4.
Love this line: "Chandler had a way of looking at him that was one part I’ve never seen anything this bizarre before and one part last scoop of ice cream on a really hot day."
Overall -- well, hmmm. The MCs seem too perfect. One, Steve, is a 40-ish guy whose whole family (parents, siblings, cousins ad infinitem) have a collective obsession with Christmas. Most of the family live within a couple of blocks of each other, and every year they compete to see which house can boast the most outrageous Christmas displays. Steve has always -- since he was a little kid -- taken on the role of Santa; he is kind and generous and outgoing and giving, and just all those perfect Christmas traits. The other MC, Chandler, is a younger man who has just been given custody of his 5 year old niece Poppy after her parents were killed in a Thanksgiving car crash. Chandler is overwhelmed with the responsibility. Steve is NOT feeling the Santa this psrticular Christmas. He's having a bit of a midlife crisis after having some heart trouble and being forced to lose a lot of weight (Santa shouldn't be skinny!). Steve takes off in his Santa-red classic muscle car, heading for Vegas to get laid, but his plans are derailed when he comes across Chandler and Poppy and their broken down car at a rest stop on the highway.
This is all just too...pat. Too "oh, here we are with the perfect setup for some manipulative -- I mean heartwarming -- Christmas cheer". Maxfield is a good writer, and there were genuinely funny and/or touching moments throughout -- AND this wasn't really intended to be a realistic tale in the first place -- but it still felt artificial to me. Hey, I can be a grump when I feel like it. ;-)
3 stars
edited to add -- I listened to the audio version of this a couple of months ago (roughly 10/13). I really liked the narrator on this one -- thought he did a great job with both the overall tone and the voices. I'm adding half a star for narration, and rounding up to 4.
December 8, 2010
So fun!
Steve and Chandler start the story as strangers. Both of them are on the road trying to escape the memories of what they are missing most this Christmas. The timing is just right for them to cross paths at a gas station along the way.
Overwhelmed with his new responsibilities with his niece, Chandler welcomes the opportunity for something good. He still worries, but accepts Steve help. Steve is just excited that he can share Christmas again.
The attraction between the two is obvious but they have to be more subtle with Poppy in the car. Their own form of hide and seek.
As good as the beginning of this story is, the best parts are when they make it back to Steve's house. Steve's over the top family is fantastically devious. Steve's normal Christmas rituals are unlike anything Chandler has seen and he finds himself letting go of some of his anxiety. The care, warmth, teasing, and instigating between Steve's family rubs of on Chandler, and Poppy is lossing a bit of her haunted look.
I'm glad that through all the holiday cheer that the problems they had in the first place didn't go away. Maxfield was able to deliver great tension breakers when things got too heavy, but Christmas was in no way a cure-all. Instead it allowed them both to lay it out on the line. The worst case scenario being they would part ways after the holiday and Chandler got his car back. But if it worked, they knew there wouldn't be anyone else for either of them. Funny how much being completely 100% from the start with someone cuts out a lot of the doubt and insecurity in a relationship.
Steve and Chandler start the story as strangers. Both of them are on the road trying to escape the memories of what they are missing most this Christmas. The timing is just right for them to cross paths at a gas station along the way.
Overwhelmed with his new responsibilities with his niece, Chandler welcomes the opportunity for something good. He still worries, but accepts Steve help. Steve is just excited that he can share Christmas again.
The attraction between the two is obvious but they have to be more subtle with Poppy in the car. Their own form of hide and seek.
As good as the beginning of this story is, the best parts are when they make it back to Steve's house. Steve's over the top family is fantastically devious. Steve's normal Christmas rituals are unlike anything Chandler has seen and he finds himself letting go of some of his anxiety. The care, warmth, teasing, and instigating between Steve's family rubs of on Chandler, and Poppy is lossing a bit of her haunted look.
I'm glad that through all the holiday cheer that the problems they had in the first place didn't go away. Maxfield was able to deliver great tension breakers when things got too heavy, but Christmas was in no way a cure-all. Instead it allowed them both to lay it out on the line. The worst case scenario being they would part ways after the holiday and Chandler got his car back. But if it worked, they knew there wouldn't be anyone else for either of them. Funny how much being completely 100% from the start with someone cuts out a lot of the doubt and insecurity in a relationship.
January 4, 2015
This story started out strong, a well plotted chance meeting and good early glimpses of the three main characters: Steve, Chandler and Chandler’s niece, Poppy.
For those of you who don’t usually go for kids in their stories (I’m with you on that in a lot of cases), Poppy is a pretty fab five year old. Overall, there are truly wonderful humorous moments, sweet gestures between Steve and Chandler and members of Steve’s family are used well in piecing together the puzzle.
It’s all uneven, though, unfortunately. Things would be rolling along and then a bit of odd dialogue would make me tilt my head. Steve and Chandler would be talking and then one of them would do something that just didn’t seem to match up with the personality. Sometimes things felt right, like they were moving at an appropriate speed and then the wheel would start to squeak and wiggle and throw the pacing off. Now, this isn’t horrible by any means. I liken it to when there is a fantastic cast but the movie ends up being meh. Steve and Chandler are actually two very interesting characters and they deserved a bit better treatment, a bit more depth. But like I said, this isn’t at all horrible and it’s definitely still a funny, sweet story in which I was glad to meet Steve and Chandler.
For those of you who don’t usually go for kids in their stories (I’m with you on that in a lot of cases), Poppy is a pretty fab five year old. Overall, there are truly wonderful humorous moments, sweet gestures between Steve and Chandler and members of Steve’s family are used well in piecing together the puzzle.
It’s all uneven, though, unfortunately. Things would be rolling along and then a bit of odd dialogue would make me tilt my head. Steve and Chandler would be talking and then one of them would do something that just didn’t seem to match up with the personality. Sometimes things felt right, like they were moving at an appropriate speed and then the wheel would start to squeak and wiggle and throw the pacing off. Now, this isn’t horrible by any means. I liken it to when there is a fantastic cast but the movie ends up being meh. Steve and Chandler are actually two very interesting characters and they deserved a bit better treatment, a bit more depth. But like I said, this isn’t at all horrible and it’s definitely still a funny, sweet story in which I was glad to meet Steve and Chandler.
November 15, 2014
I found I Heard Him Exclaim to be a wonderful holiday read that put a smile on my face. Both MCs were interesting (especially Steve as Santa) and fit together well. I liked reading the story form their alternate POVs. Some stories with kids can be annoying with the way the kids are handled, but Z.A. Maxfield did a good job with making the kids realistic and also giving enough focus on the adults. Steve's sister, Kelley, was a riot and the descriptions of all the Christmas decorations and activities were great fun. The set-up of how Steve and Chandler meet may have been a bit fairytale-ish, but this is a holiday story, so I thought it worked. I liked how, despite their quick, strong attraction/feelings toward each other, there were still real issues and concerns for the two MCs which were not magically resolved by love. And, they actually talked about them! Refreshing. The epilogue was lovely, the icing on the cake.
November 30, 2013
3.5 Stars
This was a cute little x-mas story.
The new parent syndrome Chandler suffers from is perfect. However, the bathroom thing, my husband, who has been a parent for 6 years, still has no idea what to do. He just hopes the girls don't have to use the "potty" while out in public. I think back before people could just send the kids to go without fear, now there are too many crazies and pervs out there.
Steve was a little too perfect, but I loved him for it. His family. EEK! Kelly cracked me up! "don't look now, but you've got dick lips, sweetheart." BWHAHAHA!
I would have liked to have seen what happened in between though.
Overall, cute, but I have NO idea what the title means.
"Who the hell is Clarence?"
This was a cute little x-mas story.
The new parent syndrome Chandler suffers from is perfect. However, the bathroom thing, my husband, who has been a parent for 6 years, still has no idea what to do. He just hopes the girls don't have to use the "potty" while out in public. I think back before people could just send the kids to go without fear, now there are too many crazies and pervs out there.
Steve was a little too perfect, but I loved him for it. His family. EEK! Kelly cracked me up! "don't look now, but you've got dick lips, sweetheart." BWHAHAHA!
I would have liked to have seen what happened in between though.
Overall, cute, but I have NO idea what the title means.
"Who the hell is Clarence?"
December 27, 2010
This is an incredibly cute and sweet story about two men who casually meet at a rest-stop. Chandler is travelling with Poppy, his niece, who he has to look after after the death of Poppy's parents in a car accident. Dealing with a child shattered his world and filled him with the fear of doing something wrong. Steve went through a serious medical problem, that forced him to stay fit (eat well, lose weight, exercise, etc.). His outer appearance probably doesn't match the image he has of himself anymore. When they meet, Poppy seems to see immediately through Steve's appearance and recognizes the Santa in him. This chance meeting is the core of this warm story that will make you feel good and happy and it will fill you with hope and joy.
December 15, 2012
3.75 Stars
Another Christmas story in my queue dealing with loss and love. Two men who have had recent losses in their lives find love and more with each other. One man has lost his brother and has been given custody of his niece. The other man has had a serious health scare and has had to change his life. The plot was sweet and I loved the three main characters. The extended family and town was fun. The main problem I had with it is a problem I have with most shorts. THEY'RE TOO SHORT. This could have so easily been a novel or at least a novella. Things just moved way to fast for me. But I did like it all the same.
And one of the love interests being "Santa" was a lovely touch. OK, not the North Pole one but . . . hey read it and find out!
Another Christmas story in my queue dealing with loss and love. Two men who have had recent losses in their lives find love and more with each other. One man has lost his brother and has been given custody of his niece. The other man has had a serious health scare and has had to change his life. The plot was sweet and I loved the three main characters. The extended family and town was fun. The main problem I had with it is a problem I have with most shorts. THEY'RE TOO SHORT. This could have so easily been a novel or at least a novella. Things just moved way to fast for me. But I did like it all the same.
And one of the love interests being "Santa" was a lovely touch. OK, not the North Pole one but . . . hey read it and find out!
November 13, 2025
Sweet as all get out... and I mean SWEET. As far as romance goes, this one is almost perfect (too perfect some may say)... and I loved it. Steve is the classic "knight in shinning armor": flawless, strong and sensitive... and I loved that too. Chandler is a bit scared of his new situation (with good reason) and in need of exactly what Steve is out to give. It's a great angst-free holiday romance with a generous dose of fun, cliches and hot sex. What else can I ask for? And BTW I want a Sexy Skinny Santa for Xtmas too. *winks*
December 20, 2015
This was a charming holiday story that I found romantic, heartwarming, and uplifting. Maybe the idea that complete strangers, Chandler and Steve, would be so trusting of each other is a little unrealistic but this is fiction, however, we all start out as strangers and I believe we all have that one person out there that we just know in our hearts that we can trust. That's what Chandler and Steve are to each other, that one person that can make the other see what is real and true. How they get there is what makes this a fun and enjoyable read that is a great addition to my holiday library.
January 4, 2016
Both Steve Adams and Chandler Tracey are struggling to cope with changes in their individual lives. Both struggling with something that affects (Effects? It's affects, right? Hell, I don't really know.) their identities.
There is a chance meeting before Christmas and well, things get weird.
Steven is just SO weird. Unbelievably weird.
Yeah, just weird. LOL
There is a chance meeting before Christmas and well, things get weird.
Steven is just SO weird. Unbelievably weird.
Yeah, just weird. LOL
March 29, 2011
This was a sweet feel-good holiday tale about a chance encounter at a rest stop, between Steve (aka "skinny Santa") and Chandler (aka "boy"), that turns into something special over the Christmas period.
The whole concept was really original and all of the Christmas touches (the lights, decorations, elves (!) etc.) made me want to re-read this in a more appropriate season! Big smiles all round :D
The whole concept was really original and all of the Christmas touches (the lights, decorations, elves (!) etc.) made me want to re-read this in a more appropriate season! Big smiles all round :D
May 1, 2011
This story stretched my suspension of belief almost to the snapping point. Too many coincidences, too much of a perfect life, too much of a perfect love-at-first-sight, too much "perfect kid" who never cries, never whines, etc. Just the whole story felt like this candy-shell of perfection with no real meat to the story all tied up with a pretty bow.
And the lead character didn't have one single flaw. People such as in this story don't actually exist.
And the lead character didn't have one single flaw. People such as in this story don't actually exist.
March 21, 2021
This was such a feel good book. It started with a little heartache as we meet Chandler and Poppy shortly after Poppy’s parents (and Chandler’s brother) are killed in an accident. Things are stressful and bleak until the meet Steve who ends up being a knight in shining armor.
The guys fall for each other quickly, but I love how they communicated and strived to make things work. Awesome story, beautiful family, and great holiday warmth.
The guys fall for each other quickly, but I love how they communicated and strived to make things work. Awesome story, beautiful family, and great holiday warmth.
January 3, 2011
Third in the "His for the Holidays" anthology, I loved the way this one incorporated Christmas into the story. It was done in such a way that you couldn't possibly tell this story without Christmas, which is what (to me) an themed anthology story should be. Warm and sweet, without being saccharine. The Adams family was pretty awesome, and Steve was a unique, refreshing character. Great story.
February 6, 2015
Two sexy men, a little insta-love, the holiday spirit, family (including an adorable niece), and sadness/uncertainty turned into happiness. I may not really understand/get the title, but I loved the story. This goes on the 'holiday reread' list for sure.
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