Now that we’re into December, I feel compelled to point out that I wrote two holiday stories last year. If you haven’t read them, you might consider giving them a go this holiday season!
"The Christmas Wager" by Jamie Fessenden
The Christmas Wager is a Christmas Victorian about a businessman, Andrew Nash, who convinces his best friend, Lord Thomas Barrington, to take him to Barrington Hall for the holidays, even though Thomas has been estranged from his father for years.
It was my first (and so far only) attempt at a Victorian novel and the historical accuracy is a bit dubious (apparently, one does not eat scones for breakfast), but the novella has received a lot of kudos for the romance in the story. It’s a light, entertaining read.
"The Meaning of Vengeance" by Jamie Fessenden
The Meaning of Vengeance, on the other hand, explores how the Vikings celebrated Yule before Christianity came to Iceland and features the Norse god of sex and fertility, Frey, giving guidance to a young Icelander. Geirr’s older brother is killed by Ari in a duel, and Geirr himself is injured, when he seeks vengeance. But rather than kill him, Ari, chooses to nurse Geirr back to health. Isolated in a remote farmhouse in the middle of a harsh Icelandic winter, the two young men slowly begin to trust one another…and perhaps even fall in love.
Of my published works, this one is the least well-known, though it received good reviews. Personally, I think it suffered from being part of an anthology with a cover that was wonderful and perfectly suited to the anthology, but completely inappropriate to this story. I really hope more people discover it this Yule and give it a chance.
Jamie Fessenden's Blog 