Holiday with a Vampire II: An Anthology

I'm as much of a -- pardon the pun -- sucker for Christmas romance as I am for vampire romance, and this pair of stories was a great pick-me-up after a long day of Christmas shopping. Both stories might downplay the paranormal aspects in favor of the holiday spirit, but both are sure to warm your heart "A Christmas Kiss" by Merline Lovelace -- I only wish this story lasted a little longer! Brett Cooper, the state trooper hero, is just the kind of guy you want to have coming to your rescue, and while Delilah Wentworth, the vampire heroine, is no damsel in distress, she's a very lucky gal when Brett finds her wandering on a snowy highway, feeling woozy after a bit of emergency dentistry to fix a chipped fang (good touch with that: you rarely hear about vampires having dental misadventures, but if you've got jutting fangs, even retractable ones, there are bound to be moments when you need a little help if something goes awry). "The Vampire Who Stole Christmas" by Lori Devoti -- The opening exposition of what lead vampire protagonist Drystan Hurst to plot against his socialite adoptive mother, is awkwardly written, but the story manages to get itself on the right track. Staying with it is well worth that misstep: Aimee Polk, the angelic heroine in disguise, is a fascinating, human, and very original character. I never expected a romance between an angel and a vampire, but Christmas is, after all, a time of miracles, and it brings miracles to both main characters, who deeply need that miracle of love to help them find their way.

"A Christmas Kiss" by Merline Lovelace. Sergeant Brett Cooper barely prevents a nasty accident when he almost runs over a woozy Delilah Wentworth. She is a vampire who had been to the dentist to have her fang fixed. They are attracted to one another and stay together for the holidays while both wonder about the New Year. "The Vampire Who Stole Christmas" by Lori Devoti. Seeking vengeance against the family that adopted him, vampire Drystan Hurst returns home to fall in love with his brother's fiancée, Aimee Polk. Although vampires star in both tales, the paranormal is low keyed as each is more a typical lighthearted holiday romance except perhaps for the vamp needing to go to the dentist in Ms. Lovelace's tale. Still fans will enjoy the vampires finding their "souls" through love. Harriet Klausner