Christmas Reading Room December 18

[cornishcat.livejournal.com]

Title: Love in a Cold County
Author: Jojo
Pairing: B/D
Link to story: http://www.thecircuitarchive.com/tca/archive/17/lovein.html

Refusing to spend Christmas with the Doyle family, Bodie is sent to a frozen Cumberland farmhouse to observe a gang of arms-dealers. Unfortunately, his impulsive actions force Ray to mount a rescue.

Flashbacks are beautifully interwoven within the story, attempting to explain the complexity of their personalities and their capacity to commit to the relationship.

It’s impossible to do justice to this story briefly, so re-read it yourself and you’ll understand why it continues to be one of my favourites.

Comments

[jgraeme2007.livejournal.com]

I actually re-read this not too long ago and it's fresh in my mind. In fact, I think it's my favorite of Jojo's, some of her best writing, in my opinion.

I particularly like the balance of real time action with flashback, and the many small but realistic details. She creates believable tension over both Bodie's plight and Bodie and Ray's relationship.

What a good choice!

[cornishcat.livejournal.com]

She creates believable tension... Exactly!

Jojo succeeds in drawing you into the scene with her attention to the understated details. His Mum had been halfway down the path in her slippers, one hand clutched slightly to her neck. You can really visualise her standing there, anxiously watching her son driving off into the unknown, can't you?

[cloudless-9193.livejournal.com]

One of Jojo's perfect fics, this is an absolutely favourite for me! So nice to see it recommended. Thanks. :-)

[cornishcat.livejournal.com]

It was a pleasure to recommend as it really is one of my favourites as well.

[constant-muse.livejournal.com]

Good recc, I love the realism and atmosphere of this fic.

And well done re the title. Jojo could confirm this, but I'm sure she meant 'Love in a Cold County' although I've seen this fic referred to as 'Love in Cold Country'. 'county' is much better.

[cornishcat.livejournal.com]

Oh, perhaps I should have checked my facts first before I linked it to the Circuit Archive, where it is titled "Love on a Cold Country. Hopefully Jojo will comment herself.

[snailbones.livejournal.com]

One of my absolute favourites too. ::beams::

[cornishcat.livejournal.com]

Obviously, we're like-minded people ... I just love this story.

[roven75.livejournal.com]

A fantastic story, one of my favorites as well. In addition to the things already mentioned here I like how JoJo adds in all those little details that make both men so complex and interesting, plus the added humor (Cowley talking to Bodie on the R/T in the beginning? Priceless).

The way she describes Doyle spending Christmas with his family, being thrown back into old familial rituals and caught up in memories and feeling estranged at the same time has always impressed me, too. It's so very comprehensible, I guess we all know this sort of feeling.

[cornishcat.livejournal.com]

There are many, many evocative images so you are able to empathise with all the characters ... even the poor, frustrated Dearie, having been stuck with a moody Bodie for 10 days ... though I personally wouldn't object to that little treat. *g*

[roven75.livejournal.com]

Hehe yes, poor Dearie, I do feel a little bit sorry for him *g*
Being stuck with Bodie... yes, well. It wouldn't be a hardship *bg*

[hambelandjemima.livejournal.com]

Oh, good choice. I love Jojo's writing and this was just perfect for the time of year. Thanks, cc ♥

[cornishcat.livejournal.com]

Yeh, she's brilliant isn't she?

Apart from it being an appropriately Christmas-y story, I recommended this because I simply love the depiction of the lad's relationship, with all their up and downs (metaphorically speaking, of course *g*.)

[hambelandjemima.livejournal.com]

I love the ups and downs of their relationship *g*

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

I've not read this one for ages, but I must! I might even have it printed all ready to curl up with... I seem to remember the lads being cold, and feelin it all the way through to my bones... yet them being their gorgeous hot selves, too... *g*

[cornishcat.livejournal.com]

Yes, the lad's get very, very cold ... but there's a lovely warm ending.

So go on, read it again whilst there's so much snow around.