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Unwrap These Presents
Twenty-three authors of lesbian fiction contributed holiday stories that give you snow, presents, plenty of food, Holiday cheer and nicely wrapped curvy women under the tree.All profits of this anthology will be donated to the Albert Kennedy Trust in the UK and the Ali Forney Center in New York City. Both organizations provide housing for homeless LGBT Andi Marquette, Ashley Stevens, Catherine Lane, Cheri Crystal, Cindy Rizzo, Clare Lydon, Devin Sumarno, Erzabet Bishop, Eve Francis, Fletcher DeLancey, Jae, Jean Copeland, Joan Arling, Jove Belle, L.T. Smith, Lee Lynch, Lois Cloarec Hart, Nikki Busch, Patricia Penn, R.G. Emanuelle, S. M. Harding, T.M. Croke, Wendy Temple
476 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 13, 2014
6 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
About the author
Astrid Ohletz
17 books38 followersAstrid Ohletz has an education as a library assistant but worked as a legal secretary for one of the partners of a large, international law firm for more than ten years before she became a publisher, establishing Ylva Verlag and its international pendant, Ylva Publishing, in 2011 and 2012. Publishing combines her love of books with her understanding of legal and economic issues. Being able to publish books where subtext is maintext is a dream come true for Astrid.
In her free time, she writes stories under the pseudonym Emma Weimann.
In her free time, she writes stories under the pseudonym Emma Weimann.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 7, 2014
Twenty three authors offered their stories to Unwrap These Presents with all the proceeds going to LGBT charities. Good stuff. I ejoyed reading the stories by authors whose work I have previously read along with some new to me authors who I look forward to reading in the future.
I took a few notes as I was reading. Here are the highlights.
Red and Green and Gray by Jove Belle
A story of courage and acceptance. I like the tentative way Charlie and Liz reached out to each other looking for common ground. Lovely.
The Miracle of the Lights.
Cindy Rizzo. Emotional and educational. Great to see Robin and Tracy make a cameo appearance and learning about Hasidic Jewish traditions was fascinating. Pretty amazing story when you make crusty old me tear up. Excellent.
A Christmas Epiphany - Wendy Temple
Claire and Margo discuss their daughter's relationship with all kinds of underlying memories of love lost and fates determined based on fear and uncertainty.
A New Christmas Carol by Eve Francis.
Caroline and Kim and a lucky pizza delivery. Kudos to Caroline for having the guts to follow her heart.
Christmas Road Trip by Jae
Funny and surprising. Full entertainment in a few short pages.
Holiday Spirit -Fletcher Delancey.
Awesome story. The emphasis on place and time sets up the story so well. The setting is as important a character as Robin and Evelyn and the ethereal Jackie. I loved the Holiday Spirit in this one. Will look for more by this author.
Elfin Magic by R.g. Emmanuelle was hot and steamy and funny. Win, win
First Christmas by Jean Copeland. Longing and discovery. A nice holiday treat.
Andi Marquette's Season's Meetings; So much heat in a glance, a couple of pairs of interesting boots and two very steamy mistletoe kisses. Loved it.
A Champagne Christmas by Clare Lydon. One word. Brilliant.
I took a few notes as I was reading. Here are the highlights.
Red and Green and Gray by Jove Belle
A story of courage and acceptance. I like the tentative way Charlie and Liz reached out to each other looking for common ground. Lovely.
The Miracle of the Lights.
Cindy Rizzo. Emotional and educational. Great to see Robin and Tracy make a cameo appearance and learning about Hasidic Jewish traditions was fascinating. Pretty amazing story when you make crusty old me tear up. Excellent.
A Christmas Epiphany - Wendy Temple
Claire and Margo discuss their daughter's relationship with all kinds of underlying memories of love lost and fates determined based on fear and uncertainty.
A New Christmas Carol by Eve Francis.
Caroline and Kim and a lucky pizza delivery. Kudos to Caroline for having the guts to follow her heart.
Christmas Road Trip by Jae
Funny and surprising. Full entertainment in a few short pages.
Holiday Spirit -Fletcher Delancey.
Awesome story. The emphasis on place and time sets up the story so well. The setting is as important a character as Robin and Evelyn and the ethereal Jackie. I loved the Holiday Spirit in this one. Will look for more by this author.
Elfin Magic by R.g. Emmanuelle was hot and steamy and funny. Win, win
First Christmas by Jean Copeland. Longing and discovery. A nice holiday treat.
Andi Marquette's Season's Meetings; So much heat in a glance, a couple of pairs of interesting boots and two very steamy mistletoe kisses. Loved it.
A Champagne Christmas by Clare Lydon. One word. Brilliant.
July 17, 2016
There are plenty of stories in this solid anthology. As many as twenty-two. And two very good poems by Nikki Busch. It is interesting that my six favorite stories are one behind the other in the book -- The Miracle of the Lights by Cindy Rizzo, A Christmas Epiphany by Wendy Temple, A New Christmas Carol by Eve Francis, Mary Christmas by L.T. Smith, Christmas Road by Jae and Holiday Spirit by Fletcher DeLancey. With these, I emphasize three more stories -- Meet the Lesbians by Ashley Stevens, Home for Christmas by T.M. Croke and A Champagne Christmas by Clare Lydon. Last one is not exactly in a merry, festive mood, but is a very good story.
January 7, 2018
This is a loooooong read, making it almost impossible to craft a cohesive review--there are 23 diverse short stories that range from erotica to fantasy to drama to humor and everywhere in between, all occurring during the Christmas season (with one memorable Hanukkah story, which I added a tag for, because we don't see it very often). There were some awesome stories and some duds and some that just didn't make much of an impression. Some deserved full-length books and some I skimmed just to finish.
I got this at a great price (99 cents, I believe), but it did burn me out a bit. I would've cut the content down by half by putting out two differently-themed volumes--happy holidays stories and let's-just-get-through-this holiday stories. It would've saved us the whiplash and allowed us to enjoy our favorite authors before being rushed onto the next.
Also, two books = more money for charity, which was the point, so hooray!
Anyways, since there were so many stories, I'll just go over a few highlights. I hadn't read previous books from all the authors, but I enjoyed all the stories by authors familiar to me--Wendy Temple's mature, bittersweet romance and Jove Belle's surprisingly sweet prison scene were lovely.
Some other bright spots: I haven't read Lee Lynch's Sue Slate: Private Eye yet, but I thought her spin-off short story, "Kitmas on Peacock Alley," was so freakin' adorable that I might have to advance my paperback copy up on my to-read shelf. "First Christmas" by Jean Copeland was a lovely second-chance-at-love story, and the two bumper poems by Nikki Busch provided a spot-on beginning and ending.
There were two awesome stories by authors unfamiliar to me that really stood out. Fletcher Delancey's "Holiday Spirit" had a great contained plot and a couple with instant chemistry (and a cat!). And "Doctor's Call" by Patricia Penn had great characters, great dialogue, and a believably melancholy hospital setting with a great ending.
The only Hanukkah-oriented story, "The Miracle of Lights" by Cindy Rizzo was a little corny, but it was a great glimpse into WLW in Orthodox Jewish culture that we don't often get to see, and it stuck with me long after reading.
Some of the more fantasy/sci-fi oriented stories didn't do much for me--I think there were three or four "guardian angel" themed stories, which I didn't really get into (though Jae's story, "Christmas Road Trip," was campy and sweet in the very best way). "First Christmas" by Erzabet Bishop might've been decent if I was at all familiar with the parent series, which I wasn't.
Then there were some clinkers. Cheri Crystal's "Mama Knows" was absolutely scorching until the main character was shown to be "packing," which I never understood--I love butch women and have never once met one who "packs" on a regular basis unless they are transitioning. So that didn't do much for me. "Mary Christmas" by L.T. Smith was probably my least favorite--it was too long and the narrator had an unnecessarily harsh voice and outlook on life, which clashed with the supposed holiday tone and left me puzzled.
All in all, a very enjoyable mixed bag that easily overwhelms. Closer to four stars if it was condensed a bit more.
I got this at a great price (99 cents, I believe), but it did burn me out a bit. I would've cut the content down by half by putting out two differently-themed volumes--happy holidays stories and let's-just-get-through-this holiday stories. It would've saved us the whiplash and allowed us to enjoy our favorite authors before being rushed onto the next.
Also, two books = more money for charity, which was the point, so hooray!
Anyways, since there were so many stories, I'll just go over a few highlights. I hadn't read previous books from all the authors, but I enjoyed all the stories by authors familiar to me--Wendy Temple's mature, bittersweet romance and Jove Belle's surprisingly sweet prison scene were lovely.
Some other bright spots: I haven't read Lee Lynch's Sue Slate: Private Eye yet, but I thought her spin-off short story, "Kitmas on Peacock Alley," was so freakin' adorable that I might have to advance my paperback copy up on my to-read shelf. "First Christmas" by Jean Copeland was a lovely second-chance-at-love story, and the two bumper poems by Nikki Busch provided a spot-on beginning and ending.
There were two awesome stories by authors unfamiliar to me that really stood out. Fletcher Delancey's "Holiday Spirit" had a great contained plot and a couple with instant chemistry (and a cat!). And "Doctor's Call" by Patricia Penn had great characters, great dialogue, and a believably melancholy hospital setting with a great ending.
The only Hanukkah-oriented story, "The Miracle of Lights" by Cindy Rizzo was a little corny, but it was a great glimpse into WLW in Orthodox Jewish culture that we don't often get to see, and it stuck with me long after reading.
Some of the more fantasy/sci-fi oriented stories didn't do much for me--I think there were three or four "guardian angel" themed stories, which I didn't really get into (though Jae's story, "Christmas Road Trip," was campy and sweet in the very best way). "First Christmas" by Erzabet Bishop might've been decent if I was at all familiar with the parent series, which I wasn't.
Then there were some clinkers. Cheri Crystal's "Mama Knows" was absolutely scorching until the main character was shown to be "packing," which I never understood--I love butch women and have never once met one who "packs" on a regular basis unless they are transitioning. So that didn't do much for me. "Mary Christmas" by L.T. Smith was probably my least favorite--it was too long and the narrator had an unnecessarily harsh voice and outlook on life, which clashed with the supposed holiday tone and left me puzzled.
All in all, a very enjoyable mixed bag that easily overwhelms. Closer to four stars if it was condensed a bit more.
November 29, 2014
From poetry to shorts this anthology will have something for everybody. Tales of self discovery, of romance, of heartbreak and heartwarming. A strong dose of guardian angels with a side order of succubi and a vampire. Travel and snowstorms loom large as you might expect, but often with unexpected outcomes.
Not all the stories have happy endings, several leave us wanting more, and others leave the characters at the beginning of journey rather than the end. But as always our favorite writers have delivered a wide-ranging assortment that will warm the cockles of the most cynical heart.
You will recognize some, others may be new to you – but what better way to get a feel for a new author than a charitable and seasonal tale.
All profits of this anthology will be donated to the Albert Kennedy Trust in the UK and the Ali Forney Center in New York City. Both organisations provide housing for homeless LGBTIQ youth. Being a young homeless person at Christmas time must be a terrible experience, driving home quite how cut off and isolated they are. This is an excellent way to help provide housing and support.. all for just $8.
Authors: Andi Marquette, Ashley Stevens, Catherine Lane, Cheri Crystal, Cindy Rizzo, Clare Lydon, Devin Sumarno, Erzabet Bishop, Eve Francis, Fletcher DeLancey, Jae, Jean Copeland, Joan Arling, Jove Belle, L.T. Smith, Lee Lynch, Lois Cloarec Hart, Nikki Busch, Patricia Penn, R.G. Emanuelle, S. M. Harding, T.M. Croke, Wendy Temple
Not all the stories have happy endings, several leave us wanting more, and others leave the characters at the beginning of journey rather than the end. But as always our favorite writers have delivered a wide-ranging assortment that will warm the cockles of the most cynical heart.
You will recognize some, others may be new to you – but what better way to get a feel for a new author than a charitable and seasonal tale.
All profits of this anthology will be donated to the Albert Kennedy Trust in the UK and the Ali Forney Center in New York City. Both organisations provide housing for homeless LGBTIQ youth. Being a young homeless person at Christmas time must be a terrible experience, driving home quite how cut off and isolated they are. This is an excellent way to help provide housing and support.. all for just $8.
Authors: Andi Marquette, Ashley Stevens, Catherine Lane, Cheri Crystal, Cindy Rizzo, Clare Lydon, Devin Sumarno, Erzabet Bishop, Eve Francis, Fletcher DeLancey, Jae, Jean Copeland, Joan Arling, Jove Belle, L.T. Smith, Lee Lynch, Lois Cloarec Hart, Nikki Busch, Patricia Penn, R.G. Emanuelle, S. M. Harding, T.M. Croke, Wendy Temple
December 13, 2017
Atypical holiday stories
A mixed bag of stories that take place around the winter holidays (mostly Christmas but Hanukkah is featured as well) and where the holidays aren’t necessarily central to the story but still a presence in each one of them in some way. Some are funny, many heart wrenching, a few are sensual and hot; characters are a range of ages and some are not even human (literally). I half expected a collection of picture perfect families and relationships in this book but was shocked (and relieved) to find more reality in them and more heart too. If you’re wanting light fluffy reading you’ll have to pick and choose your way thru the stories in this book but if you want a different take on the holidays and how others might spend them (for better or worse), or just want to sample a bunch of different authors’ work in one place, this is one book that fits the bill.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
A mixed bag of stories that take place around the winter holidays (mostly Christmas but Hanukkah is featured as well) and where the holidays aren’t necessarily central to the story but still a presence in each one of them in some way. Some are funny, many heart wrenching, a few are sensual and hot; characters are a range of ages and some are not even human (literally). I half expected a collection of picture perfect families and relationships in this book but was shocked (and relieved) to find more reality in them and more heart too. If you’re wanting light fluffy reading you’ll have to pick and choose your way thru the stories in this book but if you want a different take on the holidays and how others might spend them (for better or worse), or just want to sample a bunch of different authors’ work in one place, this is one book that fits the bill.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
November 29, 2014
Brilliant and generous Women
This anthology contains 22 stories and 2 poems by many multi-talented writers! All my Favourite Ylva Gals are here with some several new names as well. They are donating all profits from this anthology to the Albert Kennedy Trust in the UK and the Ali Forney Center in New York City. Both organizations provide housing for homeless LGBTIQ youth.
In keeping with the charity, this book is about homecoming, no matter who or where human or Fairie. It may be finding love and building a life in prison, on the streets or with the pizza delivery woman. Sometimes a bit of help from an Angel or two is required. Maybe its just about finding home and peace within yourself and letting go of past pain. The message of the book is its never too late. Don be afraid to take a chance, you never know what will happen.
Some of these stories are light hearted and funny while others are harder, deeper and even a bit painful but every one of them a meaningful work not to be missed. So many of these stories reached me on an emotional level, I found myself caring about them and feeling the hurts and the joys.
A commendable effort Ms. Ohletz and Ms. Emanuelle, very well done, thank you!
This anthology contains 22 stories and 2 poems by many multi-talented writers! All my Favourite Ylva Gals are here with some several new names as well. They are donating all profits from this anthology to the Albert Kennedy Trust in the UK and the Ali Forney Center in New York City. Both organizations provide housing for homeless LGBTIQ youth.
In keeping with the charity, this book is about homecoming, no matter who or where human or Fairie. It may be finding love and building a life in prison, on the streets or with the pizza delivery woman. Sometimes a bit of help from an Angel or two is required. Maybe its just about finding home and peace within yourself and letting go of past pain. The message of the book is its never too late. Don be afraid to take a chance, you never know what will happen.
Some of these stories are light hearted and funny while others are harder, deeper and even a bit painful but every one of them a meaningful work not to be missed. So many of these stories reached me on an emotional level, I found myself caring about them and feeling the hurts and the joys.
A commendable effort Ms. Ohletz and Ms. Emanuelle, very well done, thank you!
August 5, 2016
I really enjoyed this book, even though I'm not much for celebrating the holidays. There are stories for just about everyone in this collection - there's even a Jewish one! :O The relationships are also across the spectrum when it comes to length - there are some that have just begun, some that are established, and some that have ended. There were a few short stories that I didn't particularly care for, but that's to be expected in a collection such as this. Altogether, though, this was a great read, and it's a good way to get into the holiday spirit. ;)
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews