The Bite Before Christmas by Heidi Betts
Brava
Paranormal
ISBN: 978-0758247612
Reviewed by Jo




“All I Vant For Christmas”
Connor Drake is a millionaire and a vampire with a problem. He wants his family to celebrate an old-fashioned holiday season. But his brother and sister like the thrill of shocking people with the more shocking aspects of being a vampire. When Connor mentions this to a good friend, she suggests he hire a party planner she knows to at least give him the celebration he wants. Jillian Parker has mixed feelings as she heads to an interview to plan a party that could make her name. The timing couldn’t be better either because Jillian has just decided to break out of her rut and take more of what life has to offer.

As their meeting goes on, Connor knows that his party might be all he wants for the holidays but what he really wants is Jillian. After Jillian agrees to the job and the unusual conditions, she quickly discovers the problems with this dysfunctional family are interesting to say the least. But she is determined to pull off the best Norman Rockwell Christmas party she can. From the minute they meet the passion buzzing around Connor and Jillian is undeniable and they aren’t really fighting it anyway. However, now on to the bigger problem – that old fashion family Christmas party.

Can a special party planner find the key to put a family back together? Jillian just might be able to in “All I Vant For Christmas”. The passion that sprang up between Jillian and Connor was all but overwhelming to both of them because it was so unexpected. I loved watching how Connor put Jillian’s fear to rest and how their love bloomed. Even more, I enjoyed watching how their feelings were changing the aspects with the entire family. “All I Vant For Christmas” is a fun and erotic journey into an old fashioned Christmas.


“A Vampire in Her Stocking”
Vivian Harrison has been an assistant at the news station for many years. Over these years, she has fallen in love with her boss. However, Vivian hasn’t done anything about it because there is one major problem – she is a vampire and he doesn’t know it nor does he really like them. Sean Spice is an on air reporter who has found out he has a major illness and is dying. Sean has made arrangement to leave the station but he hasn’t told the one person closest to him – his amazing assistant. Now time is up and he has to tell her before he leaves.

Vivian can’t believe the news and the fact that Sean is dying. Confiding in her best friend, Vivian is reminded that she can allow Sean to live forever, but Vivian knows Sean would never agree to it. Image her surprise to find a ribbon-wrapped Sean under her tree, even worse, he has been changed into a vampire. Vivian will have to help him come to grips with his new reality and the anger he feels. Knowing she has lost Sean forever, Vivian helps him with the basics and then lets him walk away. Heart broken, Vivian hopes that Sean will find happiness and maybe someday so will she.

“A Vampire in Her Stocking” gives Vivian everything she has always wanted and then has her lose it all. Watching Vivian and Sean brace up to the news that he would be leaving in order to die without public knowledge, hurt. I had to give Vivian points for helping Sean through his anger, while knowing he has lost all hope for love. I could have shook Sean a few times, but still understood the shock he was going through. However, I loved how when I thought all hope was lost, Sean gave Vivian the best Christmas present ever – his heart. “A Vampire in Her Stocking” proves that Christmas joy can come from the deepest of lows and a belief in true love.


“It’s A Wonderful Bite”
Angelina Ricci is one woman who knows what she wants and how she wants it. Of course, seeing the evidence of her work in bringing love to two of her good friends warms her heart at Connor’s party. Even if it was outside of her dating agency for vampires. Angelina feels the warmth and love of her friends and wants it for herself. Even having her longtime lover with her doesn’t ease the want because even after all the years together, they are still just lovers. Ian Hart truly loves Angelina even if he doesn’t talk about it. He has always been one of those strong, silent types along with being a cop. After the party, Ian just wants to watch his favorite movie and then have a passionate night with Angelina.

Angelina wakes up after their wonderful night to find herself in a different reality, one in which both she and Ian are human and cops. Not realizing what happened right off, Angelina soon discovers wanting more can give you less. The love that she wants so much again seems to be just out of her reach. In this reality, a stake out bumps them up against vampires and any chance at love is lost to both Angelina and Ian by the end of that night. Shock awakens Angelina to discover Ian right next to her and she has another chance to accept the love that has always been there.

“It’s a Wonderful Bite” takes Angelina on a journey to discover that the love she wants and hopes for is right in front of her. I watched as Angelina’s envy at her friends’ happiness blinded her to what she already had. The real life dream was a shock and heartache that Angelina never expected with Ian. I loved how Ian sprang his Christmas surprise on Angelina and gave her the best Christmas present available. “It’s a Wonderful Bite” takes a holiday classic and shows one woman that her life really is a wonderful thing.


The Bite Before Christmas is three great stories showing that love can come in many forms. I loved the fun love between Connor and Jillian that loosened up a dysfunctional family. I wanted to hug Sean and Vivian several times and hoped their love would be discovered in time. I saw Angelina learn love’s most important lesson and achieve her heart’s desire with Ian. The Bite Before Christmas is a passionate and loving book that shares the joy and love that Christmas can bring – with a paranormal twist.