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So, I'm sure a lot of people noticed that I was asking for reviewers for a special project. Thank you to everyone who responded. With Christmas being this week, I thought it might be neat to take a look at the first ever anthology on Gay Authors. The theme for the 2004 Winter Anthology was "Christmas" which seemed rather fitting considering the season. I asked each reviewer to pick a story from that first anthology and review it for this special review feature. I hope you enjoy reading these seven reviews as much as I did! 2 Below by Comicality Reviewer: Daithi Word Count: 18,279 This story was one of seven done for the first Anthology ever done on GA. The Anthology was titled " Christmas". With a title like that you would figure it would be Christmasy and everything, especially with a title like 2 Below. The story ends around the time of Christmas, it actually started around the end of summer beginning of fall. So not really a Christmas story as expected. But I thought after it ended and I just sat there going over it in my mind; it was a perfect Christmas story. When I think of Christmas i think of snow, innocence, mostly of children, true, but just that pure innocence only ever happens at Christmas. The story starts off with Gordon noticing a new family moving into the neighbourhood just a few houses down from him. Now he knows a boy moved in but he never sees him. So for the first little bit of the story we see Gordon pretty much having a one on one with himself, saying he isn't a stalker but you just know there is a boy in that house and he was going to see him. But he has these conversations with himself. It's not creepy or anything; its actually really cute and just endears you to him. Then comes the day that he sees the boy and his description of the boy in front of him is so not what you expected and the story takes off from there. Gordon finds out the boys name is Seth and that he is a Sci-fi nut like himself. They meet over a driveway full of snow and it slowly takes off from there. What I like best about this story is the descriptive way that Comicality just sweeps you along for the ride, with just his words you get a full picture of these boys. Gordon, older, a bit more aggressive, but, odd as it may sound, very sweet and unexpected. Then there is Seth, younger and so very innocent. A couple of ups and downs, missed cues, and a kooky dialogue with Gordon's best friend Johnny just makes this a great and literal boy next door story. It starts off with a boy making it his mission to meet the unseen boy he knows moved into the neighbourhood and finishes with a beautiful endearing intimate scene on the living room floor of Gordon's house while watching sci-fi horror flicks. The last scene makes the whole story. Ties it up with the proverbial red ribbon Christmas bow. It is so supremely done with innocent touches: a hug here, holding hands there, a whoops almost caught by mom in the middle lol. The whole story is like a love scene in itself with a slow build up of sights, touches, and ends in a climax of the story that is just perfect. Comicality admits in the first few sentences that this story was his first ever Christmas story and in my opinion it was one of the best I have read. While it may not be a Christmas story in itself, it embodies all the emotions and innocence that I like to think is Christmas. Most definitely a must read and a reread if its been a while. A Christmas Story by Jamie Anderson Reviewer: aditus Word Count: 1,186 Renee asked me to review one entry of the very first anthology that was ever done on GA, the theme was 'Christmas'. Many authors think of elaborate, meaningful titles for their stories, I was intrigued by the factual and sincere way Jamie named theirs; as well as the story note: One short, trite Christmas story sans sex. On Christmas Day John sits shivering on a park bench after storming out of the house without taking his coat. He had a fight with his dad, a Regimental Sergeant Major no less. While he thinks about what happened, what words had been said by him and his dad, he has an unusual encounter. Well not so unusual, considering the time of the year. The story focused on one of the things Christmas, or whatever you celebrate around this time, stands for IMO: Make you feel you belong, no matter what, even if sometimes a little miracle is needed. I would change the story note: One short, well written Christmas story sans sex. A Ghost of Halloween Present by gardentuber Reviewer: podiumdavis Word Count: 3,132 This story is a thick covered chocolate bar with a warm caramel center, sweet on first taste and even sweeter near the center, as it sucks you in from the word go. The world of Gayle and the words that describe his life after losing the love of his life are so eloquently laid out and visually descriptive to the point that you feel everything that Gayle has gone through. You can tell how much he loved the man of his life, Jim, even years after his passing. With this short story we come to understand just how much Gayle has tried to move on, while struggling with his own health issues. As Halloween approaches, Gayle knows that this will be the closest he’ll ever be in reconnecting with his one and only. But will this come to pass? Forever December by Dabeagle Reviewer: crazyfish Word Count: 6,440 It is my pleasure to review a short story, Forever December, by Debeagle. The title might suggest a doom and gloom tale of winter. At first glance, the backstory opening of the narrator, Rollie, bereft and divorced after the murder of his teenage son, doesn’t seem encouraging. However, the story takes a surprising turn when Rollie steps outside of himself to help a homeless young man, Tyler. The young man has been around the block, and despite his harsh circumstances, his vulnerability is palpable, certainly draws you to feel with him. The interactions between the old Rollie and the young Tyler are immersive and heartfelt. The themes of sharing, giving, communion, ring throughout the piece. In biting cold winter’s night, the warmth renewal finds a way through cold hearts. Expectedly, no good deed goes unrewarded, but the conclusion is no way predictable. I will leave you to read the rest of story to enjoy its twist ending. Suffice it to say, you will be touched to the core and be blessed for having the opportunity to experience it. My First True Christmas by Bill W Reviewer: Lisa Word Count: 11,250 I love reading stories in the first person. I love reading about the main character’s thoughts and inner ramblings as only he can describe what he’s thinking. So imagine my delight when I clicked on “My First True Christmas” by Bill W. and found that not only is this story about a teenager (my favorite people to read about), but it’s written in said teenager’s point of view! Tommy is a kid who is spoiled rotten. His parents can certainly afford to spend lots of money on him because number one, they have it, and number two, he’s an only child. In fact, he makes his Christmas list out the day before Thanksgiving! His mother threatens him every year that if she doesn’t have his Christmas wish list in her hand by Thanksgiving, he won’t be getting ANY presents! As I said, Tommy’s a greedy s.o.b. and this is quite apparent in his Christmas wish list. He starts out small with just some CD’s and DVD’s, but then he gets into large, expensive items most kids could only dream about. I just sat there reading his list with my mouth hanging open! Did I mention this kid is spoiled? The funny thing is, his folks don’t act like rich, pretentious people. In fact, every Christmas his dad spends thousands of dollars on needy families. He buys them whatever they need: clothes, school supplies, etc. He does this all anonymously. Tommy’s father has tried to explain to Tommy why he does but Tommy has never understood. Tommy would rather have all the electronics, “toys”, and games for himself. Tommy’s outlook changes when he and his family are at the mall on Black Friday. He has a chance meeting with Jason, a hungry, disheveled boy his age who simply asks his family for some spare change so he can eat. During a shared meal, Tommy learns about Jason and realizes that not everyone is as privileged as he is. It forces him to take a step back and look at his life and he decides he needs to make a change. Of course me being the sap that I am, I shed a few tears while reading about Tommy’s “transformation”. Tommy finally learns how to give back like his dad always does every Christmas. Tommy learns a valuable lesson in this story and I am happy to say I don’t think he’ll be a spoiled s.o.b. anymore! Nick Cringle by Myr Reviewer: LJH Word Count: 5,676 Nicholas Christopher Cringle. 16 years old. CEO of the biggest manufacturing and delivery service company the world has ever seen. As a leader, he's good. Very good. As a teenager, he is super mature. And so he must be in order to run the business. He listens. Offers advice. He leads and his colleagues and employees follow diligently. Then he does something totally unthinkable. He decides to take leave from the company to attend The Basler Academy for Boys and Young Gentlemen in New York. Unheard of. His predecessors never took time off. Against all adversity, he arrives at the school and is met by jealousy in some quarters, and acceptance in other quarters. He is bullied. He fights back. He is loved. He returns that love. He meets Josh, whom he comes to love and respect, and, as thanksgiving approaches, he invites Josh to spend some time with him. However, in order to do this, Josh must be prepared to keep to himself the family secrets. What are these secrets? How will they affect Josh? The story engaged me in the flow of the scenes. It flows beautifully. It's fulfilling and uplifting with an ending that will surprise every reader. The ending crackles. At the beginning of the story there is an account of events that brings the reader up to speed. It's handled with great care. Then it stops. Myr deliberately withholds information and only later on drops in what is essential. There are clues all over the place. Many writers make the mistake of writing entire pages of backstory before starting with the action. Not Myr. He knows the craft well. He writes in just the correct amount of backstory. The dialogue is skillfully written. He does this so that the secrets are not exposed too soon. Throughout this entire short story, I came to the conclusion that: The beginning grabs. The middle holds. The end satisfies. Not an easy task. But that is what readers want. And that is what Myr delivers. Taylor's Christmas Present by miguelsanchez55 Reviewer: Ron Word Count: 7,054 Taylor, not yet a young teen, and his mother move to a new neighborhood two weeks before Christmas. This turns out to be a frustrating attempt to prevent him from dwelling on an accident from two years previous. An accident that cost the life of his friend, Toby and youthful love. It is not hard to imagine the frustration the move creates for Taylor in jumping schools. A first day at school proves to be interesting for Taylor. His first impression is a taunt from a bigger kid but luck prevails and he meets another young man who offers good advice. He then literally runs into Marvin, the biggest kid in the middle school who becomes a pivotal character in Taylor’s life. It turns out that Marvin has also changed schools but for a very different reason. After a brief altercation with the taunting bully from the beginning of the day, Taylor is saved by Martin. Both boys feel an attraction to the other and decide to get to know one another better over the school holidays. Is it a match, does Taylor find a new young love? You will need to read this story by Miguel Sanchez to find the answer.