This was a pleasant story with a paranormal edge to it. As vampire tales go, it was pretty good.

My two sentence review: This started really well!!!!!!!!! And then it became increasingly bewildering...

Basically, this book was nearly impossible for me to give a rating for. On the one hand, the plot got weirder the further along I read, with far too much convenience with some things. ("Oh hi, this thing exists that you've never heard of in your centuries of being alive and guess what? We have it!") On the other, I did actually enjoy reading it. If anything, the outlandishness of some things made it more fun with the addition of a friend I could go WTF to in DMs.

The romance itself is hard for me to judge. I liked it and I didn't. It started with some fun, a nice building tension with banter and boardgames. But then it escalated, with professions of love in a matter of days. It was bizarre that Mara got upset with Conner for keeping secrets because, really, who would divulge everything about themselves to someone they only really knew for a few days??? The whole romance side of the relationship was entirely too rushed, even taking into account the whole "mate" thing. The bedroom scenes were spicy, though, so the physical aspect of the relationship was en pointe.

It lost a star from me for a particular reason: the use of suicide as a plot device. Apparently Conner's ex was so shocked at discovering he's a vampire that she shot herself in the head. She was later described as needy and reliant on him. This was used to achieve two things. First, so Conner would have a reason to be Sad and withdraw from his family, and for Mara to then be all "oh, you poor man sad face". Second, to provide a convenient contrast and show that Mara isn't Crazy and Dependent (even though she does act like she can't ever leave Conner). I didn't think it was necessary to throw in a "crazy lady" suicidal ex just to prove how perfect Mara and Conner are together. Soz.

So yeah, I think 3 stars is a happy medium. It was fun and sexy and different, but it was also a little ridiculous and insta-lovey, with a "crazy" ex thrown in for drama.

Try not to read too many Christmas ones because they just flood the book world. You could say if you wanted to od on them you certainly could. I wanted to read this one because it has a paranormal twist and that is right up my alley. Traveling for the for a new start can be stressful enough but even more so when the car has a bit of trouble. Being rescued by a stranger that carries with him a strong magnitizim can also help sizzle a girl's nerves. Mara is feeling like she has met him before. Connor remembers but did not think their paths would cross again but love has a different road for them to travel all together. He also gets feelings he has not had in eons with good reason but she doesn't know how different he is. As that may be it does not stand in their way and their relationship will build with drama to follow with it that will have these two especially Connor for awhile dodging family and other things. This is quite a good read that will warm the night thanks to these two. His family will be quite the set of characters also. I found also humor interlaced in this novel which is why it is nice also. Grand solution also to their being different that was different for sure. So glad to have bit into this one and enjoyed every morsel. Received a arc for a honest review.

This is a fun read, I've not read a book from this author before, but I will definitely look out for more, I really enjoyed this story

Mara, a divorcee and Conner, a vampire a rescue and destiny collide

I received a copy from Netgalley and voluntarily leave my own thoughts

Mara Livingston stirs an onslaught of emotions and an unimaginable rush of desire in vampire, Connor Reece and he wants to claim her as his own but if his family finds out about Mara she will most certainly be killed in this heartwarming paranormal holiday romance.

This fast paced and smooth flowing plot warms the heart with a charming holiday romance full of suspense and romance. Connor fell for Mara years ago but fearing and now that fate has brought her to his doorstep he doesn’t want to let her go. The reader can’t help but get caught up in Connor and Mara’s romance as there attraction vibrates with fiery intensity from every page and the emotional turmoil of the courtship draws the reader deep into the story. Mara is starting over and leaving her past behind and she believes that Connor may be just what her heart desires but he’s keeping secrets.

The well written scenes and details capture the imagination and bring the story to life as Connor tries to reconcile his desire for Mara and his family obligations. As their romance blossoms throughout the holiday season which causes quite a bit of tension as Connor tries to keep her safe from her family but he knows that she is the only woman for him. All of the characters are strong, compelling and grab the reader’s attention from the very beginning and ensure that the reader comes back for more.

The author has created a fascinating new world of vampires that has caught my interest and the heartwarming holiday cheer of the happily ever after for this couple really captured my heart as well. I was enthralled with the book from the very beginning that starts off with excitement and progresses with lots of sizzling passion and I can’t wait to see where the author takes this new series.

RATING 3.5 STARS

Christmas With a Bite is by Patricia A. Wolf. Fate has brought this couple together not one, not two, but three times. Will destiny finally get it’s way this Christmas?

Mara Livingston’s divorce is final. She was deeply hurt by her now ex-husband and is on the way home for a much needed Christmas with her family in Denver, Colorado. Its two weeks before Christmas and a freak Texas storm has popped up, making the roads treacherous with ice. Mara is doing her best to keep her car on the road but loses control and slides off the highway. She’s in the middle of no-where and leaves the safety of her car to try to find help. Unfortunately things go from bad to worse until she is rescued by a man who seems vaguely familiar.

Conner Reese is a vampire and by choice lives in a remote cabin in seclusion. He can’t believe that Mara has come upon his cabin by accident. It’s not the first time they’ve met but Mara doesn’t seem to remember him. When they touch, there is something there, something electrical. Is it fate that has brought her back to him?

“How could this woman stir emotions in him so raw after such a long time? Why did he feel as if he’d known her for more than just one dance?”

After the storm passes, Mara continues her trip on to Denver to see her family. Denver is also where Conner’s family lives. Conner is the son of royals. He is heir to the House of Elysian. After a two year absence, his parents are desperate for him to come home and take a mate. It is time for him to assume his role.

“Mara was not just a mortal. She was his destiny, and no matter what he had to do, he would find a way to be with her.”

This book has been on my to read list for quite some time and I was thrilled to add it to my Christmas reading this year. Unfortunately, it didn’t really deliver as I hoped it would. When Conner first reunites with his parents, his father very sternly reminds Conner of the rules against vampires mating with humans. And that he would under no circumstances be allowed to choose a human. There is the hint of severe consequences if he doesn’t obey. That Mara could be in danger. So I waited and waited for something big to happen. And it never really did.

The sexy times between Mara and Conner were indeed very steamy. But, I didn’t really feel the connection between them. There were no warm and fuzzy feelings in my tummy. With that all being said, it was still a sweet Christmas story of destiny bringing two souls together at Christmas and finally getting their chance for a happy ever after.

This was nice and entertaining read. When Mara Livingston looking to start over after a failed marriage. On the road to visit her family for the holidays, her troubles or fait stepped in to reunite her with her destiny. Connor Reese never forgot the one time he meets Mara. But as the story progressed we see that Mara and Connor was really destined to be together. However, Connor has a secret that Mara being human can’t find out or her life will be in danger.
Christmas with a Bite was a quick read with likable characters.

Christmas with a Bite is a quick, festive read with enough fangy bits to intrigue and entertain. Step into a world where a kindhearted vampire must choose between the love of a mortal and revealing the deeply guarded secret of what he is.
I have to admit that Christmas with a Bite is not the strongest vampire story I've ever read but it's entertaining and the light touch on the vampire lore and world building does not detract from the story. Enough of it was interspersed throughout the story that I felt like I was slowly getting immersed into the world. I don't know if Ms Wolf has other similar books but as far as I can tell this is a standalone story. Since I love a good paranormal romance I was wanting some stronger world building. I did thoroughly enjoy the few supernatural abilities Ms Wolf wove into the story for the various vampires in the story.
With Conner and Mara, I confess to having a hard time pinning them down as characters. I would have liked more character development and seeing more of their personalities come through as they got to know each other. I would have liked to connect with them better.
Conner, to me, was not your typical vampire. He's basically a nice guy who has been hurt by a previous lover and is licking his wounds. Even doing so, he's never forgotten Mara whom he had met many years ago. Conner keeps his vampire nature a secret and he's terrified of revealing who and what he is to Mara even as they fall into each other in pleasure and love. It must have been so hard for him because he kept thinking the whole time he was with Mara that his time with her was limited and it would end. Conner has a hard time seeing beyond his past experience and pain into trusting Mara with his secret. Fortunately, Conner has interfering parents.
Mara was quite one dimensional for me. She had been hurt by a douchebag ex-husband and is looking for a fresh start. Her attraction to Conner takes her completely by surprise considering she is still recovering from the betrayal that broke up her marriage. At one point she even says something to Conner that had me not very happy with her. It seemed like she was lumping Conner in the same category as her ex. Fortunately for her, Conner was understanding and insightful about what she said. I, on the other hand, was a little annoyed with her. With Mara, it was all about her being swept away by her desire and feelings for Conner. I'm a little surprised how quickly everything evolved between them but then again, maybe that's the magic of Christmas?
This story didn't leave me wanting to go through all of Ms Wolf's backlist but I'd be willing to at least take a look at it and see if anything catches my attention.

Christmas with a Bite by Patricia A Wolf. This is the story of Mara Livingston and Connor Reese.
Mara is trying to start fresh after a awful divorce with a lying and cheating husband. On her way to see family she has an accident in a snow storm that leads he to meet up with Connor. Connor is a vampire and with that he feels like a monster which has lead him to isolate himself. When he goes to help the person that has been in an accident he learns that it is Mara. Mara thinks she seen Connor before but cannot place where that was. Connor has met Mara before and when he did he wanted her above all else but he chose to send her safely on because he feared his family would hurt her. But now that fate has sent her to him again he is not sure that he can leave her again..so he goes forward to get back in with the family in hopes of being able to finally be with Mara. But Mara soon learns where she has seen him and feels taken back that he wasn't forthcoming with this knowledge.
This was my first book by this author and I hope to read more by her again!