We will review the Dreamspinner Press advent calendar one review a day. At the end of the month THREE winners will be picked to receive some great prizes!
First prize is 10 books from your Dreamspinner wishlist .
Second prize is 5 books from your Dreamspinner wishlist.
Third prize is 3 books from your Dreamspinner wishlist.
Day 16
REVIEWED BY CINDY
TITLE: First New Year’s After the Apocalypse
SERIES: 2016 Dreamspinner Advent Calendar – Bah Humbug
AUTHOR: Jessica Payseur
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 49 Pages
RELEASE DATE:
Blurb:
Wade Turner takes a drunk Jaxxon home after work hoping to get laid. What he gets instead is news that the world as they know it is ending—superbugs are sweeping the nation, leaving high death tolls in their wake, and the president has been assassinated. In this new storm of chaos everyone is referring to as the Apocalypse, Wade decides their chances are better if they stick together.
But when Jaxxon’s ex dies in a hurricane and his daughter goes missing, Wade watches the man he loves slip into despair. Desperate to save his relationship, Wade leaves in the middle of the night on a dangerous journey to save Jaxxon’s daughter—a child he’s not sure is even still alive. If he can put this family back together, maybe there will still be something worth celebrating in the aftermath of the Apocalypse.
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2016 Advent Calendar “Bah Humbug.”
Review:
This is not a long story. At 49 pages you would think it would be hard to tell a full story without leaving the reader feeling cheated but Jessica Payseur has managed to do just that.
The story starts out at the beginning of the apocalypse. When Wade and Jaxxon meet on the day that the world starts to end. Can I just say kudos to the author for not bringing zombies into the equation? I like that the angst comes from the deterioration of mankind and the terrible things that people will do to one another in dire situations.
Wade falls hard for Jaxxon and Jaxxon seems to be falling for him too. But his boyfriend is a father and news that his ex has died and his daughter is missing turns Jaxxon bitter and withdrawn, prompting Wade to set out to find the girl or die trying.
You have to love Wade for his determination to find his lover’s child. He doesn’t quit and the journey he makes is dangerous, and all for a man he’s not sure can ever love him as much as Wade loves him.
This story has everything I needed to sweep me along and while I was pretty much assured of a happy ending (it is a Christmas story after all) there was enough quiet desperation to make the angst whore very pleased.
It’s a great little story that you will burn through very quickly to find out how their happily ever after happens. I will be looking for more stories from this author in the future.
Rating: 
Buy Links:
Thank you for the review. This sounds like a deep one. I’ll jote the title to add to my reading list.
Wow. That quite a story in 49 pages. Thank you for the review. I am highly intrigued by this one after your review
New author for me, but it sounds interesting. Thank you for the review, Cindy!
It sounds intense, but beautifully done!
Holiday apocalypse, huh? Well, thanks for the review. Sure sounds intriguing
Certainly a different kind of holiday story but it sounds good. Thank you for the review.
Now this is a different Christmas story but after reading your review i’m definitely putting this one on my tbr list. Thank you.
I love a short story that can pack a punch. Thank you for the review.
Thanks for the review. New author for me.
I’m not normally one for short apocalyptic reads or post-apocalyptic – romantic or otherwise – as i like more to get into, so to speak.. But this sounds like it could be an enjoyable and uplifting read. Great review – might just change my opinion on these kinds of shorts – will be giving this a go then. 😀
Thank you for the review, this sounds great.
This one sounds like a story I would like! Thanks for the review – and I agree, kudos for no zombies.