Genre: Contemporary, Holiday, Military
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
Get It On Amazon | Universal Buy Link
About The Book
From the author of the award-winning novel You Can Do Magic: Carnival of Mysteries and Publishers Weekly’s BookLife quarterfinalist Earthquake Ethan comes a heartwarming holiday tale of found family and sacrifice. Two wildly opposite veterans connect over a shared love of art, rescue dogs, and a very special foster child.
Doug Cross spent the first half of his life attempting to appease his career-military father. After a stint in the Air Force and a successful career in cybersecurity, he’s traveled the world in search of fulfillment. He believes he’s found it in the San Francisco Bay Area with a room on an urban farm, a new spot in a goth punk band, and the support of his extended family. He’s always been a helper by nature, so when he learns that his housemate’s dog rescue is in trouble, he creates goth-influenced dog accessories to sell at the Treasure Island Arts and Crafts Fair in hopes of raising much-needed funds for the pups. He also lends a helping hand to his neighbor at the fair, and the two have a potential meet-cute…that quickly fizzles, leaving Doug wondering why his charming personality failed to make a new friend.
Luther Sorenson is a disabled Marine veteran who is struggling to keep his family afloat—and himself literally on his feet. His sister convinces him to sell his wood paintings at the fair as a way to supplement his income. He’s a single foster dad to eight-year-old Mila and is desperate to give her everything she deserves. His body doesn’t always cooperate, however, and having to ask for help from the goth guy next door at the art market could have potentially been humiliating. But Doug makes it easy, and Luther can’t stop thinking about him in between markets. Doug seems like the kind of person Luther could add to his support network. Not to mention, his superb makeup skills and the way he rocks a utilikilt have Luther smitten in no time.
A brunch “business meeting” turns into adult summer camp, and Doug and Luther embark on a tentative courtship while navigating the challenges of parenthood and owning a small business. But as the seasons change, the two men find in each other what they’ve always desired: love, family, and acceptance. On the night of the winter solstice, will they choose to combine forces and step into the unknown together?
Once Upon A Goth Dog Solstice is a part of the multi-author series Once Upon a Holiday Story. Each book can be read as a standalone and in any order. What links these books together is The Hook’s Book Nook Traveling Library, a library on wheels owned by two old ladies in love.
The Review
Luther Sorenson survived a tragic accident three years ago, and he still deals with the pain, but does his PT exercises to help get him through the day. Even though his VA treatments are helpful, none are guaranteed to work. He was a very loyal and dedicated Marine, but now his life is different.
His sister Violet is a night nurse, and she helps Luther out, getting him acclimated, and helping him start his own wood painting business. He sells his work at the Art Market on Treasure Island, one weekend a month, but he would love to just stay home and spend the time with his foster child, eight-year-old Mila Saavedra.
Luther and Violet were both children in the foster care system. It was a difficult time for them – he never wanted her to face what he had when he went through in the system. He would always look for ways outside of his own experience to connect with Mila, especially with bad dreams. Little by little, she was becoming more open with him, but it was a slow process.
At his first weekend at the Art Market, Violet volunteers to stay with Mila – she is always there whenever Luther or Mila needed her. The event is a nerve racking experience for him – he is cautious about the pain, and it slows him down. He also needs a cane to assist him at times. He has a place at his booth for the cargo trailer, but it’s a long hike from his truck. As he finishes setting up, he realizes he left the credit card reader behind. But before he makes the long hike back, music and laughter distracts him.
The booth next to his is called “Goth Dog Rescue,” and they are selling all types of dogs things, from clothes to bowls. It made him reflect on the three years he hadn’t been around a dog. A man and woman sit there chatting, and when the man turns around, he catches Luther looking. Luther thinks the guy would be more comfortable at a club with his makeup and mohawk.
Before making the hike back to his truck for the reader, he decides to look inside the cargo trailer, but that’s a struggle for him and he falls.
Doug Cross has room and board at his cousin’s place – Dinah Shaw’s urban farm, where they run the Goth Dog Rescue. It’ a great place. He loves the dogs, has a outlet for his art and music, and keeps out of trouble. But Doug is more than that. He was once a reluctant Senior Airman, but only stayed in the military for six years before being recruited by a contractor in a very lucrative job. He also plays gigs at times.
When Doug hears the commotion, he goes to help Luther. Doug is enthusiastic, and doesn’t have a problem sticking around and helping out. But during their discussion, more Doug than Luther, something makes Luther stand-offish. Doug wonders what he did to make Luther upset. When they meet again, and can amends be made and a friendship begin? Or is all lost?
Merrill pens a delightful tale with Once Upon A Goth Dog Solstice, a holiday romance that takes place during the Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, Fall Equinox, and Winter Solstice.
It has all the feels with a little girl, a dog, a Marine Vet and a charming guy named Doug. Even though Doug is goth, he’s very different. He’s not moody or dark – he’s just a big ball of enthusiastic energy and really loves life. His support and love for Luther gives the vet a new lease on life. It also helps in giving Mila a new security. I also liked Violet, whose devotion to Luther and Mila was really needed.
I highly recommend Once Upon A Goth Dog Solstice, a quick but beautiful romance. Merrill never disappoints – she always create wonderful characters who bring lots of love to her stories.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
