Saturday 13 December 2014

FIRST CLASS PACKAGE, All the Info, Excerpt and Review

First Class Package



Title: First Class Package
Genre: contemporary gay romance, short story, free story
Author: Jay Northcote
Word count: 7377

Buy links:



Blurb

A geeky science writer has a crush on his postman—but will he ever make a move?

Working from home suits introvert Jim until he gets a special delivery—an extremely cute, temporary postman called Patrick. Jim’s drawn to his wide smile and sexy legs, while Patrick can’t keep his eyes off Jim’s package.

Their doorstep attraction seems mutual, so asking Patrick out on a date should be easy. There’s just one problem—Jim could fit all the pick-up lines he knows on the back of a postage stamp.

As Christmas approaches, Jim knows the end of Patrick’s postal-delivery contract is looming. Taking a chance might be worth it if it keeps Patrick coming to his door.

Excerpt

The sound of the doorbell jarred Jim out of the article on climate change he was working on. Having barely started his first draft, with a deadline forty-eight hours away, he wasn’t too chuffed about being pulled out of the zone. Sighing heavily, he set his laptop aside. As he moved to answer the door, he realised how stiff he was. How long had he been sitting immobile on the sofa? It must have been at least a couple of hours. He was still wearing the ratty old T-shirt and tracksuit bottoms he’d slept in, he realised. But that often happened when he was writing. Getting dressed was just another distraction he didn’t need.
He spotted the flash of a red and navy uniform through the frosted glass panel in the front door and opened it, expecting to see his usual postman Keith.
But on opening the door, he found himself facing a stranger—an attractive stranger with a cheeky grin and twinkly blue eyes under dark spiky hair.
“You’re not Keith,” Jim said.
“Um… no.” Not-Keith’s grin slipped a little. “He’s off work for a few weeks. Had an op on his knee.” He gestured down and Jim’s eyes followed the movement, getting stuck on a delightful pair of muscular legs that emerged from beneath the postman’s navy shorts.
Shorts, in the middle of December? Jim shivered at the thought of it. It was bloody freezing out there, but sunny at least, he supposed.
Jim realised he was still staring like an idiot at the poor bloke’s knees. He quickly looked up again.
“I’ve got something you need to sign for.” Not-Keith pressed a few buttons on his electronic signature gizmo and held it out. A rainbow braided bracelet slipped out from below his sleeve. “Give us your autograph then.”
Jim squiggled something that looked completely unlike his signature, then took the parcel Not-Keith offered him. “Cheers.”
Not-Keith flashed him another devastating smile that did funny things to Jim’s belly. “You’re welcome. Have a good day!”
He turned and hurried off.
Jim’s gaze dropped back down those bare legs: furry, muscular calves over thick socks and boots. The sight of those did funny things a little further south than Jim’s belly.
He shook his head as though to clear it. He didn’t have time to indulge in dirty fantasies about his postman today. There was work to do.




Author Bio

Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England, with her husband, two children, and two cats.
She comes from a family of writers, but she always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed her by. She spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content. One day, she decided to try and write a short story–just to see if she could–and found it rather addictive. She hasn’t stopped writing since.

Links


My thoughts:

Jay Northcote spoils us with this free holiday read. First Class Package is a fun, sweet, touching and all-round wonderful short story.

I’m not going to say a lot about the story besides what you can find in the blurb. This is a sweet short story you should enjoy for yourself. Suffice to say I enjoyed my time with Jim and Patrick, couldn’t help smiling at the cuddly toys – especially the pink elephant – and adored the goofiness of these two young men. The understated yet clear loneliness of both Jim and Patrick was sad without being dramatic. Just as their mutual shyness was frustrating without being irritating.

Jay Northcote has made the ‘boy next door’ her own. You’ll recognise her characters, will be able to hear their dialogue, and will be charmed by them. If you haven't read anything by Jay Northcote yet why don't you sample First Class Package and allow it to convince you to read more by this rather wonderful author.



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