Thursday, November 15, 2018

A Kiss Before Christmas by A.E. Ryecart Release Blitz


Christmas is looming and Jack De Lacy needs a solution to one hell of a fix.

Dumped by his boyfriend in favour of his best friend, Jack’s been busy bragging about the hot new man in his life.

A hot new man who doesn’t exist.

With an important function to attend where he’ll come face-to-face with his ex, Jack knows he’ll be a laughing stock when his boasts are exposed as nothing more than wishful thinking. He’s desperate but time, like his options, is running out.

Rory Kincaid is scared he won’t last another night sleeping rough on London’s frozen, snowbound streets. With all the homeless shelters full, Rory seeks refuge in the first empty doorway he stumbles across.

Finding Rory shivering in the sub-zero temperatures, Jack can no more send him away than kick a puppy out into the cold. A shower, shave and hot drink later, and the grubby street kid is transformed into a beautiful young man.

As the attraction between them grows, so does a plan that will get Jack out of the mess he’s in and give Rory a warm, safe home for Christmas. Sweet and adorable, Rory will make a great fake boyfriend for the festive season – the problem is, neither Jack nor Rory is sure where the make believe ends and the truth begins.

Warning: This 37k novella contains a camp Christmas tree, a drag queen Christmas fairy called Doris, way too many jugs of eggnog, a closet posh boy, and the sweetest Kiss Before Christmas ever.

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~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~




Jack swung around. “Wait.”

The kid stopped and looked back over his shoulder, his body braced against the buffeting snow.

What am I doing? It was madness, but the feeling that he was kicking a puppy or leaving a kitten in a bag to die, weighed on Jack.

“You can come upstairs and have a have a cup of tea while you wait out the worst of the weather.” What the hell have I just done?

The kid shifted his weight from one already soaked foot to the other. “No, but thanks. I've caused you enough bother already. And you gave me some money – thank you. I'll go—”

“I might be able to run to a sandwich as well.” What next? A bed for the night?

“I don't know...”

“Well, make your mind up, and do it now. I'm not standing out here freezing my bollocks off for much longer. A cup of tea and a sandwich is the offer, and then you're on your way. Take it or leave it.”

Jack turned and unlocked the door, the warmth from the hallway a welcome caress against his cold skin. It had been a rash offer but a good one on a night like this. Well, the kid had turned it down, so he'd have to take his chances on the streets.

“Yes. Please. If you're sure?”

Jack looked over his shoulder. The wind had picked up, and huge snowflakes swirled around. Enough snow had already fallen to cover the black-and-white-tiled path, and it wouldn't be long before there was a whole lot more. Jack jerked his head, and the boy retraced his steps, following Jack inside and up the stairs.

“No offence, but you really smell.” The words tumbled from Jack’s mouth, his nose wrinkling as he closed the door to his top-floor flat. The kid had only just walked over the threshold, but he was already stinking the place out. In the cold, outdoor air, Jack hadn't smelled the tangy, ripe aroma but up close and in the warm... He sniffed and coughed as his throat closed up. Christ, it was horrible. He'd offered food and drink, but a shower was top of the list.

“Sorry, but I've run out of my usual cologne, so I've had to splash on Eau de Homeless.”

Jack froze, his arms half in, half out of his coat sleeves. He stared down at the stranger, the stinking, smelly stranger he’d let into his home. And what was the kid doing? Giving him lip. Which Jack knew he deserved. He carried on peeling off his coat and hung it on a hook on the wall. Yep, he’d deserved the comeback because he hadn’t been exactly tactful.

“Sorry. That was a bit – well, you know.” Jack glanced at the kid, but the brief flare of spirit had been doused, leaving him as cowering as he had been on the doorstep. “Look, I'll sort you out a towel and some clean clothes. I've got some old clothes I was going to take to the charity shop, but you might as well have them. I’ll get you a spare razor, too.” Old enough for dark scruff to shadow his skin, Jack thought, so maybe not such a kid after all. Jack turned away, then stopped. A vital piece of information had been omitted.

“I'm Jack, by the way. What's your name?”

“Rory.”




Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah☆☆☆☆☆
Oooh – this sweet Christmas romance filled me with holiday cheer. This story is full of heart and there is just enough grit to keep it from becoming saccharine. When an affluent Londoner invites the homeless guy on his doorstep in out of the cold, he never imagines how much his decision will change both of their lives.

Jack and Rory’s connection is wonderful. I love how they drag each other out of their misery as they enjoy simple festive pleasures together. The fake boyfriend story should have felt tired or overdone but Rory is absolutely perfect in the role. His interactions with Jack’s ex had me giggling and I love the mix of confidence and insecurity that makes him both vulnerable and completely lovable.

It’s the details in this story that make it special. I love Jack’s rainbow Christmas tree and with his drag queen angel at the top and I love the way London comes to life in this story. This is a funny, sweet, and utterly charming Christmas read.


Ruthie☆☆☆☆☆
If you want to read a Christmas feel-good story, then this has to be high on your list. It is fabulously cute, without being too sweet. It has some hard truths, but also lots of Christmas magic. I loved Jack's embarrassment about his home life, and also how it was revealed. His honesty at explaining why he needs Rory's help, and how careful he is not to spook him, are both so endearing.

A sweet story with a perfect ending – I would love it if we could get caught up again with these guys... maybe for Easter? (Please!)


Angie☆☆☆☆
This was a sweet Christmas love story. There wasn't a lot of steam but there was a lot of heart. Jack has been through an unexpected breakup and has lost his love for Christmas. Rory is down on his luck and can't seem to catch a break. These two are so sweet together and actually go together perfectly. As a reader, I felt more connected to Rory, but I still liked Jack. I hated Sam, he deserved everything he got. Basil/Baz seemed like a genuine guy who made a mistake and realized it and regretted it. I wish we would have gotten to see Rory meet Jack's family, I think he needed to see what true family love was. All in all, a sweet, fast Christmas story.




I love all kinds of MM romance and gay fiction, but I especially like contemporary stories. Born and raised in London, the city is part of my DNA so I like to set many of my stories in and around present-day London, providing the perfect, metropolitan backdrop to the main action. I write at home, in the gym, in cafés – in fact any place I can find a good coffee!

Connect with A.E.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of A Kiss Before Christmas by A.E. Ryecart to read and review for this tour.

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