Title: A Very D Christmas
Author: Jane Seville
Length: 13,600 (40 pdf pages)
Publisher: Self published*
Genre: m/m contemporary
Rating: B
Blurb:
This short story featuring the characters from the gay romantic thriller “Zero at the Bone” by Jane Seville. Former hitman D and his partner, surgeon Jack Francisco, unexpectedly spend the holidays with D s long-estranged sister and her family.
Review:
For fans of Zero at the Bone who fell in love with D and Jack, we finally get a little taste of them. They are settled into life in Columbus, and Jack has found information about D’s sister who lives about two-hours away. After some nagging, D finally steps out of his comfort zone and calls, sure that he’ll be rejected. He’s shocked when she’s thrilled to hear from him and before he knows what hit him, he and Jack are spending Christmas Eve with the family he hasn’t seen in thirteen years. Jack inadvertently finds that D’s nephew is being bullied and beaten and being accused of being gay.
It was nice to see D changing, but not so much that he was not the same surly, uncomfortable guy he was in the novel. He’s mellowed and he’s still madly in love with Jack, but he’s still got his edge. Fifty cents from each sale of this short go toward the Trevor Project, so a large portion of the story deals with bullying and how kids cope with it, or don’t. D’s discomfort when asked to speak to his nephew was humorous at the same time being poignant. As his nephew points out, there is so much to worry about, do people think you’re gay, are you acting gay, is someone gay? When I was a kid being gay was the last thing anyone would bully you for. Better? Just different I suppose.
So there isn’t a lot of interaction between Jack and D, it’s predominantly with D’s sister and her family and a large percentage of the story deals with bullying which is definitely a subject that needs attention and some way to stop it. But it was certainly nice to see Jack and D and know that they are still in love and doing well, arguing over who takes out the trash and all those great things that couples get to do. 
You can read this as a stand-alone, as there is enough background and a small preface to let you understand how Jack and D got together, however those who’ve read the first book will likely appreciate it more. I highly recommend the novel Zero at the Bone for those who haven’t read it yet.
* As I noted, fifty cents from each sale goes to The Trevor Project until Jan. 31, so here’s a great opportunity to not only visit old friends, but to contribute to a very worthy cause. Congratulations Jane on making such a generous effort.
