Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Jack Frost has a problem. He’s the mythical power behind the elements of ice, snow, and frost, but his fame is being usurped by a fictional Frozen queen. So Jack’s the grumpiest man in Yuleland and is in need of a naughty distraction.

 

Rudolph Hreinn has a problem, as well. Rudy’s in high demand on Christmas, but the rest of the year he’s scorned by everyone for being different. So Rudy’s the saddest man in Yuleland and desperate for a nice diversion.

 

When the winter sprite and the reindeer shifter meet, after a rocky start, a friendship of like minds is born. Attraction soon follows. But then strange things start to happen. Odd omens warn them of dire consequences for Yuleland and for the winter holidays should they fall for each other.

 

Can love unite two lonely men and save Christmas? It’s the most wonderful time of the year—for some frosty reindeer games.

 

Book Review

The world in ‘Defrosting Jack’ may be centuries old, with Yuleland at the center and the Winter Wastelands surrounding it, but the issues its inhabitants face are very up to date. Take Jack Frost, for example. His fame has been usurped by a certain Disney princess from Frozen, and he is not taking it well. Then there is Rudolph, a reindeer shifter, who is being bullied and verbally abused. Both men are not part of Yuleland’s high society and with the similarity of their problems, it’s no surprise they end up banding together. Their tale has a serious undercurrent and there is plenty of angst, drama, and emotion, but the way Susan Laine tells the story is also entertaining, made me laugh more than once, and leads to a lot of fun and naughtiness.

Jack is the embodiment of ice and snow and everything cold. He can’t even touch or be touched by most beings because he’d hurt them if he did. Rudy is one of the nine reindeer shifters needed for Christmas to happen, but the rest of the year he is shunned and bullied for being different due to his heritage. When they meet in a tavern - Jack grumpy as usual and Rudy too shy to say much - there is a spark between them, and Jack decides Rudy needs his protection. So he takes Rudy home to his ice palace, has him settle in a guest room, and wanders off to try to figure out what just happened. Being protective and inviting strangers into his home is not exactly typical for him.

But Jack and Rudy’s meeting, and the friendship driven by attraction and like-mindedness that soon follow, has unforeseen consequences. The closer they get, the more ill omens they see, and soon the whole of Yuleland is threatened unless they can figure out how to fix the problem. It’s an adventure with more than one scary moment, sacrifices are demanded and made, and in the end, it comes down to a test of the feelings that have developed between Jack and Rudy - undeterred by danger and external threats.

If you like stories about the mythological creatures of the winter holiday, if you think that two men with antisocial tendencies would make a great couple, and if you’re looking for a read full of emotion, adventure, unknown danger, suspense, and lots of hot loving, then you will probably like this novella. I think it’s a great take on well-known characters with a few creative twists that make for a great new story.

 

 

 

 

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Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella, 33919 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	07-December-2016
Price	$3.99 ebook
Buy Link	http://www.bookstrand.com/book/defrosting-jack