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A Vampire's Christmas Carol
This holiday season has bite.
Ben Prescott hates Christmas—he’s a vampire, and to him, there’s certainly nothing jolly about the holiday season. While the humans are running around being merry, he’s hunting in the shadows. Ben plans to spend the holidays his way…by stalking deadly prey.
But fate has other plans for Ben.
Three visitors are coming Ben’s way…A demon who will force Ben to face his past, a ghost who will show Ben the present he could have, and a shifter who will reveal the darkness that waits in Ben’s future. Unless Ben can change his ways, he may just turn into a real monster, one who can’t be saved by anyone or anything.
’Tis the season…to be undead.
Ben’s redemption rests in the hands of the one woman he loved and lost—Simone Laurent. If Ben is going to have a chance at being more than just the beast in the darkness, he has to prove himself to the lovely Simone. A very hard task, considering that, once upon a Christmas Eve, Simone died in Ben’s arms…
_________________
Warning: This book features one very tortured vampire, a sexy ghost from his past, and hot scenes designed to melt the winter snow. Plenty of action, adult situations, and steamy times are ahead. Happy holidays!
Approximately 23,000 words
Ben Prescott hates Christmas—he’s a vampire, and to him, there’s certainly nothing jolly about the holiday season. While the humans are running around being merry, he’s hunting in the shadows. Ben plans to spend the holidays his way…by stalking deadly prey.
But fate has other plans for Ben.
Three visitors are coming Ben’s way…A demon who will force Ben to face his past, a ghost who will show Ben the present he could have, and a shifter who will reveal the darkness that waits in Ben’s future. Unless Ben can change his ways, he may just turn into a real monster, one who can’t be saved by anyone or anything.
’Tis the season…to be undead.
Ben’s redemption rests in the hands of the one woman he loved and lost—Simone Laurent. If Ben is going to have a chance at being more than just the beast in the darkness, he has to prove himself to the lovely Simone. A very hard task, considering that, once upon a Christmas Eve, Simone died in Ben’s arms…
_________________
Warning: This book features one very tortured vampire, a sexy ghost from his past, and hot scenes designed to melt the winter snow. Plenty of action, adult situations, and steamy times are ahead. Happy holidays!
Approximately 23,000 words
84 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2013
About the author
Cynthia Eden
310 books6,733 followersAward-winning author Cynthia Eden writes sexy tales of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance. She is a New York Times, USA Today, Digital Book World, and IndieReader best-seller. Since she began writing full-time in 2005, Cynthia has written over one hundred novels and novellas.
Cynthia lives along the Alabama Gulf Coast. She loves romance novels, horror movies, and chocolate. Her favorite hobbies including hiking in the mountains (searching for waterfalls) and spelunking.
Cynthia lives along the Alabama Gulf Coast. She loves romance novels, horror movies, and chocolate. Her favorite hobbies including hiking in the mountains (searching for waterfalls) and spelunking.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 287 reviews
January 5, 2017
2 Stars
I didn’t actually read A Christmas Carol until December of 2015 despite the fact that the movie has been a part of my Christmas tradition since my stepmother first entered my life as a pre-teen back in 1996. However when I did read it, it blew me away! See those 5 bloody stars? They were for a reason! So when I saw that there was a vampiric retelling of this story and it was FREE through Kindle Unlimited I quickly agreed to a buddy-read it with my fellow ALL-THINGS-VAMPIRE-LOVER, heatherdoll!
These 2 Stars are also for a reason. The theme of Dickens’ story is not an entirely unselfish one, I strongly believe that holding the threat of damnation over someone’s head and telling them to be a better person or else is rooted in humanity’s selfish nature that we never really do ‘good’ for goodness sake but because of the aftereffects of those actions. People kind of suck that way. HOWEVER, in the original story Scrooge learns that being a horrible person begets a horrible end. In this our Scrooge counterpart, Eric, does NOT learn that lesson. His entire goodness stems from the presence of another.
Honestly, I would probably have forgiven it this had the writing been better but alas it really wasn’t all that good. The characters are all two dimensional and the weird ‘ghosts’ were trite stereotyped creatures.
A demon, an angel and were-cougar walk into a bar….
Everyone:
Or lives....
Or whatever….
Actually, y’know what?, I simply don’t care. At all. About anyone in this story. Not even enough to make some cheesy reference or joke to how this all went down.
A whole big world of mehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....
I didn’t actually read A Christmas Carol until December of 2015 despite the fact that the movie has been a part of my Christmas tradition since my stepmother first entered my life as a pre-teen back in 1996. However when I did read it, it blew me away! See those 5 bloody stars? They were for a reason! So when I saw that there was a vampiric retelling of this story and it was FREE through Kindle Unlimited I quickly agreed to a buddy-read it with my fellow ALL-THINGS-VAMPIRE-LOVER, heatherdoll!
These 2 Stars are also for a reason. The theme of Dickens’ story is not an entirely unselfish one, I strongly believe that holding the threat of damnation over someone’s head and telling them to be a better person or else is rooted in humanity’s selfish nature that we never really do ‘good’ for goodness sake but because of the aftereffects of those actions. People kind of suck that way. HOWEVER, in the original story Scrooge learns that being a horrible person begets a horrible end. In this our Scrooge counterpart, Eric, does NOT learn that lesson. His entire goodness stems from the presence of another.
Honestly, I would probably have forgiven it this had the writing been better but alas it really wasn’t all that good. The characters are all two dimensional and the weird ‘ghosts’ were trite stereotyped creatures.
A demon, an angel and were-cougar walk into a bar….
Everyone:
Or lives....
Or whatever….
Actually, y’know what?, I simply don’t care. At all. About anyone in this story. Not even enough to make some cheesy reference or joke to how this all went down.
A whole big world of mehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....
September 4, 2017
Loved it.
Hero was obsessed with the heroine so was she.
Safety Note:
Hero was obsessed with the heroine so was she.
Safety Note:
December 10, 2017
3.25 stars
![Profile Image for Carol [Goodreads Addict].](https://cdn.statically.io/img/i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1626057011i/10717098._UX200_CR0,33,200,200_.jpg)
November 12, 2013
A Vampire's Christmas Carol by Cynthia Eden is the perfect book for a self professed lover of paranormal romances that also loves Christmas books. My only complaint is that is was too short.
This book was such a sweet story, Yes, I said sweet! Ten years ago, Ben was so happy. He had fallen in love with the most wonderful woman, Simone, and planned to spend the rest of his life making her happy. But, fate had other plans. On Christmas Eve he was attacked in Central Park by a vampire but instead of just killing him, the vampire fed Ben his own blood which turned him into a vampire himself. Flash ahead ten years to what has become of Ben's life. Without Simone, he has lived his life in the darkness. He only kills the lowest of the low, life's truest and lowest criminals, to feed on. It is now Christmas Eve again but this night he is given the gift of seeing his past, present and future in order to try to set a new path for himself.
He is first visited by a demon, appearing as a man covered in tattoos, William, who shows Ben his past.
His second visitor is an angel but to his surprise, that angel is his beloved Simone. Simone shows Ben the present but there were many things that Ben hadn't taken the time to notice.
His third and final visitor to show him what his future holds if he doesn't change his path is a shape-shifter who can change from a man to a black panther, Jamison.
All three of these visitors had a part in the night ten years ago that Ben was changed. They show Ben a different perspective on his past and choices he has made and how it will affect his future if he doesn't change his ways. Can what they show him truly lead Ben out of the darkness? What price did Simone pay for loving Ben? I enjoyed every page of this book and it was the perfect entrance into my favorite time of the year.
note: Due to some adult content, this book is for mature readers only.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Cynthia Eden for providing me with a copy of this book for review.
This book was such a sweet story, Yes, I said sweet! Ten years ago, Ben was so happy. He had fallen in love with the most wonderful woman, Simone, and planned to spend the rest of his life making her happy. But, fate had other plans. On Christmas Eve he was attacked in Central Park by a vampire but instead of just killing him, the vampire fed Ben his own blood which turned him into a vampire himself. Flash ahead ten years to what has become of Ben's life. Without Simone, he has lived his life in the darkness. He only kills the lowest of the low, life's truest and lowest criminals, to feed on. It is now Christmas Eve again but this night he is given the gift of seeing his past, present and future in order to try to set a new path for himself.
He is first visited by a demon, appearing as a man covered in tattoos, William, who shows Ben his past.
His second visitor is an angel but to his surprise, that angel is his beloved Simone. Simone shows Ben the present but there were many things that Ben hadn't taken the time to notice.
His third and final visitor to show him what his future holds if he doesn't change his path is a shape-shifter who can change from a man to a black panther, Jamison.
All three of these visitors had a part in the night ten years ago that Ben was changed. They show Ben a different perspective on his past and choices he has made and how it will affect his future if he doesn't change his ways. Can what they show him truly lead Ben out of the darkness? What price did Simone pay for loving Ben? I enjoyed every page of this book and it was the perfect entrance into my favorite time of the year.
note: Due to some adult content, this book is for mature readers only.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Cynthia Eden for providing me with a copy of this book for review.
December 22, 2016
Buddy read with the fangtastic Karly!
Vampire Christmas! I downloaded this freebie because, obviously, that's how I celebrate this time of year. With free books... and blood. MUWAHAHAHA!!!
Ahem.
This was an all right story, but it didn't wow me or anything. I didn't particularly love or hate the characters. I've seen them before in other books, and they're not very exciting. I liked William and Jamison, but Ben and Simone were rather boring.
I didn't like that I'm also not big on ALLLLL the supernatural creatures being present in one story. It always feels like overkill to me.
I tried reading another of Eden's books before and ended up DNFing. I think I just don't care for her ideas and setups, although I do like that she thought to combine vampires and Christmas.
This won't be one of my holiday favorites (although as far as books go, I don't really have any), but it was a good way to pass an hour or so on a rainy December afternoon.
2.5 stars.
Vampire Christmas! I downloaded this freebie because, obviously, that's how I celebrate this time of year. With free books... and blood. MUWAHAHAHA!!!
Ahem.
This was an all right story, but it didn't wow me or anything. I didn't particularly love or hate the characters. I've seen them before in other books, and they're not very exciting. I liked William and Jamison, but Ben and Simone were rather boring.
I didn't like that I'm also not big on ALLLLL the supernatural creatures being present in one story. It always feels like overkill to me.
I tried reading another of Eden's books before and ended up DNFing. I think I just don't care for her ideas and setups, although I do like that she thought to combine vampires and Christmas.
This won't be one of my holiday favorites (although as far as books go, I don't really have any), but it was a good way to pass an hour or so on a rainy December afternoon.
2.5 stars.
December 3, 2016
What a fab twist on A Christmas Carol! Shifters, Demons and Vampires done that Cynthia Eden way. I needed a something festive, but still out of the ordinary and BOOM, this author continues to deliver! This is an entertaining read kept in the "holiday spirit" that is fast and a bit of fun even the dire realm of the afterlife!
December 5, 2021
Absolutely LOVED this when I read it several years ago and I still love it today!
Ben was one tortured vampire and watching his story unfold in a remake of a Christmas classic was fantastic. This is a short read with a wickedly fast pace to it. I loved the style and format the author used to share this story. I couldn’t help but feel for several of the parties we were introduced to. This has a bit of humor, some serious angst, enough steam to melt the North Pole, and an ending that made me want to reread this one all over again.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Ben was one tortured vampire and watching his story unfold in a remake of a Christmas classic was fantastic. This is a short read with a wickedly fast pace to it. I loved the style and format the author used to share this story. I couldn’t help but feel for several of the parties we were introduced to. This has a bit of humor, some serious angst, enough steam to melt the North Pole, and an ending that made me want to reread this one all over again.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
November 12, 2013
'Twas the night before Christmas. A demon, a shifter and an angel walk into a bar... to save a vampire's soul? It wasn't exactly like that, but you'll understand the joke if you read this book. ;)
Charles Dickens might have frowned upon Ms. Eden's retelling of his classic story, but I liked it! I'll take a sexy vampire over old, grouchy Scrooge any day, any way. Sorry, Mr. D.
Charles Dickens might have frowned upon Ms. Eden's retelling of his classic story, but I liked it! I'll take a sexy vampire over old, grouchy Scrooge any day, any way. Sorry, Mr. D.
December 13, 2013
I was really enjoying this re-telling of A Christmas Carol...until we met the heroine. It's not even that she was awful or irritated the hell out of me, but she was just so bland.
This is basically a reunited lovers story, and while I normally love those I do generally want to see why the characters love each other. The most I got out of this was that he felt like a better person with her and she saw his potential.
I don't know about you, but I've seen many relationships (and people) crash and burn for a love like that.
Because this is a novella I didn't expect loads of information and story here, but I was surprised by how much world Cynthia Eden managed to pack into the story. There were demons and shifters, angels and vampires. I felt like I had a pretty good sense of most of it - though I'd definitely want to know more about the demons!!
Overall a quick, good paranormal retelling. The writing was good and I'll definitely be checking out more of Ms. Eden's books in the future. I just wish that there had been more time spent developing the relationship and less time on the sex scenes (which were apparently quite forgettable as I can barely remember them except that there were 2 of them).
Previous thoughts:
I'm trying to decide between 2.5 and 3 stars.
Mini-review to come.
Buddy read with Sarah
This is basically a reunited lovers story, and while I normally love those I do generally want to see why the characters love each other. The most I got out of this was that he felt like a better person with her and she saw his potential.
I don't know about you, but I've seen many relationships (and people) crash and burn for a love like that.
Because this is a novella I didn't expect loads of information and story here, but I was surprised by how much world Cynthia Eden managed to pack into the story. There were demons and shifters, angels and vampires. I felt like I had a pretty good sense of most of it - though I'd definitely want to know more about the demons!!
Overall a quick, good paranormal retelling. The writing was good and I'll definitely be checking out more of Ms. Eden's books in the future. I just wish that there had been more time spent developing the relationship and less time on the sex scenes (which were apparently quite forgettable as I can barely remember them except that there were 2 of them).
Previous thoughts:
I'm trying to decide between 2.5 and 3 stars.
Mini-review to come.
Buddy read with Sarah
November 20, 2021
2 Stars
Review:
So this book wasn't for me. I don't super remember this book, but I did type up all my thoughts when I read it, so these are those thoughts.
It was all thrusting sex and perky pink nipples and silk wrapped around cocks and a woman who had no personality beyond wanting to love her man no matter what. Two sex scenes in a 90-page book. Those pages could've been used (or more could've been added) to develop the characters, who felt flat. If I don't care about the characters, then I don't care about the sex they're having.
I liked that this was a Christmas Carol retelling, with a vampire, no less! But I feel like it kind of missed the point. *SPOILER* *END SPOILER* Then again, maybe the author wasn't trying to portray that and just wanted to use the three visitors idea.
There was one sort-of plot hole thing that annoyed me. *SPOILER* *END SPOILER*
Overall, a little too much sex and not enough story or character development for me, but we all have different taste, so that doesn't mean this won't be a quick, enjoyable Christmas romance for other readers.
*Rating: 2 Stars // Read Date: 2020 // Format: Ebook via TTS*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes quick reads, paranormal romance, sex, vampires, and Christmas books.
More Reviews @ Metaphors and Moonlight
Review:
So this book wasn't for me. I don't super remember this book, but I did type up all my thoughts when I read it, so these are those thoughts.
It was all thrusting sex and perky pink nipples and silk wrapped around cocks and a woman who had no personality beyond wanting to love her man no matter what. Two sex scenes in a 90-page book. Those pages could've been used (or more could've been added) to develop the characters, who felt flat. If I don't care about the characters, then I don't care about the sex they're having.
I liked that this was a Christmas Carol retelling, with a vampire, no less! But I feel like it kind of missed the point. *SPOILER* *END SPOILER* Then again, maybe the author wasn't trying to portray that and just wanted to use the three visitors idea.
There was one sort-of plot hole thing that annoyed me. *SPOILER* *END SPOILER*
Overall, a little too much sex and not enough story or character development for me, but we all have different taste, so that doesn't mean this won't be a quick, enjoyable Christmas romance for other readers.
*Rating: 2 Stars // Read Date: 2020 // Format: Ebook via TTS*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes quick reads, paranormal romance, sex, vampires, and Christmas books.
More Reviews @ Metaphors and Moonlight
November 14, 2013
I only recently discovered Cynthia Eden’s writing, and I cannot deny she is fast becoming one of my favorites’. Her stories are well written and unusual. Her characters are unique and engaging. And because of those skills you are left with a riveting and thoroughly enjoyable read!
We all know the story of A Christmas Carol, it is one of Charles Dickens most well known and loved tales. There have been many variations upon this theme over the years (my favorite being The Muppets interpretation, don’t judge it’s a classic). Cynthia has taken this story and put her own inimitable twist on it…
- “A demon, a shifter, and an angel walk into a bar…”
I have to say that line made me chuckle. Poor old Ben has been existing as a Vampire for 10 years now, he was turned Christmas Eve, just before what would have been one of the most important and happy times of his life. He is a dark and troubled soul, having lost everything and the one person most dear to him on the process…Simone.
As with the usual way of A Christmas Carol, Ben after almost making a monumental mistake in judgment, is visited by 3 separate beings (revisit the little quote above), and given a glimpse of what things have past, are currently happening and what his future may look like.
I don’t read many PNR books, but with Cynthia Eden’s name on the cover I was happy to give it a go, and I would happily recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick, steamy, seasonal read.
ARC kindly provided by the author via Netgalley, and it was my pleasure to provide the above review.
We all know the story of A Christmas Carol, it is one of Charles Dickens most well known and loved tales. There have been many variations upon this theme over the years (my favorite being The Muppets interpretation, don’t judge it’s a classic). Cynthia has taken this story and put her own inimitable twist on it…
- “A demon, a shifter, and an angel walk into a bar…”
I have to say that line made me chuckle. Poor old Ben has been existing as a Vampire for 10 years now, he was turned Christmas Eve, just before what would have been one of the most important and happy times of his life. He is a dark and troubled soul, having lost everything and the one person most dear to him on the process…Simone.
As with the usual way of A Christmas Carol, Ben after almost making a monumental mistake in judgment, is visited by 3 separate beings (revisit the little quote above), and given a glimpse of what things have past, are currently happening and what his future may look like.
I don’t read many PNR books, but with Cynthia Eden’s name on the cover I was happy to give it a go, and I would happily recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick, steamy, seasonal read.
ARC kindly provided by the author via Netgalley, and it was my pleasure to provide the above review.
March 10, 2016
Nice twist on an old classic! Wish that ending could have been drawn out a bit, but nice all the same.
December 1, 2013
This is a sweet little take on the Charles Dickens Christmas Carol classic. Only this one bites. Vampires, angles, demons and shifters. It is going to be a scorching hot Christmas!
This tale centers around Ben. He is a vampire and he is becoming a monster. He kills. He justifies his kills by only killing those who he deems to be "bad". He kills those who murder and who rape.
But one night in an alley, everything changes. A demon comes in the form of the ghost of Christmas past.
He shows Ben what his life once was.
Ben had once been a good man. He had been in love, with Simone. She was his everything. Until one day when his life changed forever.
Ben became a vampire and a monster. He hides away in an abandoned cabin and has forgotten the joy of Christmas. His second visitor his Simone. She shows him his Christmas present.
His final visitor of the evening is a shifter who shows him how his decisions play out in the future and what becomes of those around him.
Ben must make a choice. He has to redeem himself or set a path for himself that leads to pain and destruction.
Ben has to set things right. Simone always loved the holidays and Ben finds himself and his humanity in the joy of the season.
I enjoyed the unique and modern take on this classic. It was short and sweet but just right to put me in the mood for the holidays and still get a taste of a hunky vampire in the process. Cynthia Eden is one of those authors that you just cant go wrong with. I have yet to read anything from her that I didn't enjoy.
Great job! 4 Solid stars.
This tale centers around Ben. He is a vampire and he is becoming a monster. He kills. He justifies his kills by only killing those who he deems to be "bad". He kills those who murder and who rape.
But one night in an alley, everything changes. A demon comes in the form of the ghost of Christmas past.
He shows Ben what his life once was.
Ben had once been a good man. He had been in love, with Simone. She was his everything. Until one day when his life changed forever.
Ben became a vampire and a monster. He hides away in an abandoned cabin and has forgotten the joy of Christmas. His second visitor his Simone. She shows him his Christmas present.
His final visitor of the evening is a shifter who shows him how his decisions play out in the future and what becomes of those around him.
Ben must make a choice. He has to redeem himself or set a path for himself that leads to pain and destruction.
Ben has to set things right. Simone always loved the holidays and Ben finds himself and his humanity in the joy of the season.
I enjoyed the unique and modern take on this classic. It was short and sweet but just right to put me in the mood for the holidays and still get a taste of a hunky vampire in the process. Cynthia Eden is one of those authors that you just cant go wrong with. I have yet to read anything from her that I didn't enjoy.
Great job! 4 Solid stars.
December 9, 2014
Buddy read with Ange
3.5 stars
It's that time of year when I'm reaching for the festive holiday reads again so how could I resist a paranormal retelling of A Christmas Carol? Obviously I couldn't and I'm really glad I picked up Cynthia Eden's novella A Vampire's Christmas Carol. This is a fairly short story at around 80 pages so it is very easy to read in one sitting and is a great little holiday read.
Ben's life was changed forever when he was attacked and turned into a vampire one Christmas, losing the love of his life not long afterwards just sent him deeper into despair. Now Ben has started to become the monster he never wanted to be, he kills the people he feeds from but justifies his actions by only choosing murderers and rapists as his victims. He is on the verge of losing his soul though and this Christmas eve he will be visited by three different supernatural creatures who will show him the past, present and future in the hope of convincing him to change his ways.
This was such a fun retelling and I really enjoyed the paranormal twist on the traditional tale. Ben is visited by a demon whose life he once saved, the ghost of the woman he loved and a shapeshifter he inadvertently helped but can they convince him that life is worth living and he doesn't have to be a monster just because he is a vampire? If you enjoy a reunited lovers story and are looking for a short but sweet Christmas read then this will be just what you're looking for.
3.5 stars
It's that time of year when I'm reaching for the festive holiday reads again so how could I resist a paranormal retelling of A Christmas Carol? Obviously I couldn't and I'm really glad I picked up Cynthia Eden's novella A Vampire's Christmas Carol. This is a fairly short story at around 80 pages so it is very easy to read in one sitting and is a great little holiday read.
Ben's life was changed forever when he was attacked and turned into a vampire one Christmas, losing the love of his life not long afterwards just sent him deeper into despair. Now Ben has started to become the monster he never wanted to be, he kills the people he feeds from but justifies his actions by only choosing murderers and rapists as his victims. He is on the verge of losing his soul though and this Christmas eve he will be visited by three different supernatural creatures who will show him the past, present and future in the hope of convincing him to change his ways.
This was such a fun retelling and I really enjoyed the paranormal twist on the traditional tale. Ben is visited by a demon whose life he once saved, the ghost of the woman he loved and a shapeshifter he inadvertently helped but can they convince him that life is worth living and he doesn't have to be a monster just because he is a vampire? If you enjoy a reunited lovers story and are looking for a short but sweet Christmas read then this will be just what you're looking for.
December 6, 2018
A VAMPIRE’S CHRISTMAS CAROL is a twist on the Dicken’s classic with a little bit of The Gift of the Magi thrown in for good measure.
The storyline focuses on vampire Ben Prescott and the three visitors who are about to open his eyes to the possibility of a future with the woman he lost ten years before.
Like the original Dickens’s classic, our ‘hero’ is on a destructive path and no one is safe when Ben needs to feed. Ben is a vampire who justifies his kills attacking the criminal element and those who have killed or attacked someone else. But Ben has made an error in judgment and his latest target is an innocent. What transpires is the ‘what if’ of one vampire’s actions on Christmas Eve. Three visits in three hours will put everything into perspective for a reluctant vampire who has lost the only woman he has ever loved.
Cynthia Eden’s re-telling of the Dickens’s Christmas Carol will tug at your heart when sacrifices are made to ensure our vampire heads down a different path.
A Vampire’s Christmas Carol is darker than normal holiday story but one that will end with a happily ever after.There is a little bit of romance, a little bit of heartbreak and a whole lot of Christmas spirit.
*whispering* and YES that is Francesco J. Cura on the cover
Copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
The storyline focuses on vampire Ben Prescott and the three visitors who are about to open his eyes to the possibility of a future with the woman he lost ten years before.
Like the original Dickens’s classic, our ‘hero’ is on a destructive path and no one is safe when Ben needs to feed. Ben is a vampire who justifies his kills attacking the criminal element and those who have killed or attacked someone else. But Ben has made an error in judgment and his latest target is an innocent. What transpires is the ‘what if’ of one vampire’s actions on Christmas Eve. Three visits in three hours will put everything into perspective for a reluctant vampire who has lost the only woman he has ever loved.
Cynthia Eden’s re-telling of the Dickens’s Christmas Carol will tug at your heart when sacrifices are made to ensure our vampire heads down a different path.
A Vampire’s Christmas Carol is darker than normal holiday story but one that will end with a happily ever after.There is a little bit of romance, a little bit of heartbreak and a whole lot of Christmas spirit.
*whispering* and YES that is Francesco J. Cura on the cover
Copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
December 16, 2016
Second chance M/F. The story felt contrived and illogical. The excuse for Ben being a bad vampire was stupid. I had no problem with his vigilante selection of criminal victims and then draining them dead dry. Yes, he made a few careless mistakes, but his heart and intentions were in the right place. His main problem was intense grief and rage that could have been prevented if Simone had not lied to him for 10 years.
No romance and relationship development.
No romance and relationship development.
January 1, 2016
Unique take on Charles Dickens', A Christmas Carol. Ben, a lonely, angry vampire, is visited by three beings; a demon, an angel, and a shifter, in an attempt to save his soul. Original paranormal with touches of humor and romance.
December 12, 2013
'Ben hunched his shoulders and pulled his coat closer. The cold didn't bother him. His body healed from nearly any injury, so when his fingers got too told, they just started to reheat a few moments later. He healed and he lived and he hated it.
My thoughts
I spotted this book on NetGalley and thought it sounded interesting as it's a re-writing of a very popular Christmas story. I thought it would be perfect to read in the weeks leading up to Christmas, and as it's a novella I knew it would be a quick and easy read.
I finished this book within two days, but it could easily be finished in a single day, as my Kindle informed me that the book only takes around an hour and a half to read. I probably could have finished it in one day if I wasn't reading any other books at the time.
As I said before, this book is a re-telling of the popular Christmas story, A Christmas Carol. I haven't read the original story yet, but I plan on reading that next for my Christmas reading challenge. I've seen this story told in many different ways through Christmas films that always find a new way to tell the story, but I've never seen it told in this way.
Ben is a Vampire who has every reason to hate Christmas, since his girlfriend Simone died on Christmas eve a few years ago. This causes him to fall into the darkness that so easily comes with being a Vampire. Blaming himself for Simone's death, Ben stays in the shadows and becomes more and more of a recluse.
Instead of being visited by three ghosts, Ben is visited by a Demon, a Ghost and a Shifter. This of course is a completely different take on the story of A Christmas Carol, and one that fits in well with today's love for Paranormal stories. This unique way of telling the story definitely made the story enjoyable for me, but it's also not a book that stood out for me.
That being said, it's certainly entertaining with it's new take on a well known story. If you're looking for something fast paced to read over the holiday season, and you're a lover of Paranormal stories, then you should definitely give this a read.
My thoughts
I spotted this book on NetGalley and thought it sounded interesting as it's a re-writing of a very popular Christmas story. I thought it would be perfect to read in the weeks leading up to Christmas, and as it's a novella I knew it would be a quick and easy read.
I finished this book within two days, but it could easily be finished in a single day, as my Kindle informed me that the book only takes around an hour and a half to read. I probably could have finished it in one day if I wasn't reading any other books at the time.
As I said before, this book is a re-telling of the popular Christmas story, A Christmas Carol. I haven't read the original story yet, but I plan on reading that next for my Christmas reading challenge. I've seen this story told in many different ways through Christmas films that always find a new way to tell the story, but I've never seen it told in this way.
Ben is a Vampire who has every reason to hate Christmas, since his girlfriend Simone died on Christmas eve a few years ago. This causes him to fall into the darkness that so easily comes with being a Vampire. Blaming himself for Simone's death, Ben stays in the shadows and becomes more and more of a recluse.
Instead of being visited by three ghosts, Ben is visited by a Demon, a Ghost and a Shifter. This of course is a completely different take on the story of A Christmas Carol, and one that fits in well with today's love for Paranormal stories. This unique way of telling the story definitely made the story enjoyable for me, but it's also not a book that stood out for me.
That being said, it's certainly entertaining with it's new take on a well known story. If you're looking for something fast paced to read over the holiday season, and you're a lover of Paranormal stories, then you should definitely give this a read.
December 4, 2013
4 brightly shining stars
I don't do Vampires! Or Demons, or PNR in general for that matter!
So this must be good as I'd devoured it in 24 hours!!
A demon, a shifter and an angel walk into a bar... to save a vampire!
It can only be a Christmas Carol! We all know the Dickens tale. This is just a really well written rendition of it.
Cynthia Eden drew me in with beautiful lines like this...
"Bah, humbug!"? Not at all!...
Come see my full review!
http://cariads-sizzling-pages.blogspo...
Sizzling Pages Romance Reviews
Sizzling Pages @ Facebook
Twitter:@Sizzlingpages
I don't do Vampires! Or Demons, or PNR in general for that matter!
So this must be good as I'd devoured it in 24 hours!!
A demon, a shifter and an angel walk into a bar... to save a vampire!
It can only be a Christmas Carol! We all know the Dickens tale. This is just a really well written rendition of it.
Cynthia Eden drew me in with beautiful lines like this...
"Bah, humbug!"? Not at all!...
Come see my full review!
http://cariads-sizzling-pages.blogspo...
Sizzling Pages Romance Reviews
Sizzling Pages @ Facebook
Twitter:@Sizzlingpages
June 6, 2021
read this review at Got Fiction? Blog
Cynthia Eden's knack for writing dark heroes who straddle the line of good guy/bad guy really shines through here.
It's Christmas Eve, and Ben is out hunting. he's a vampire with a vigilante streak. But he's no hero, in fact someone pulled some major strings to give him one last chance to change. If he kills this night, his soul will be lost.
Embarking on a Dickensonian journey of redemption, we see Ben from both before and after he was turned. And we see that maybe the darkness was inside him before he was turned.
Only one person ever saw the real Ben, and she's dead.
Or is she?
At one point Simone tells him, "You're so busy punishing the world," she told him, her heart aching, "that you forget you can save it."
And when she reminds him of just who he can be, you'd think he'd see the light and change, but not every story has a happy ending. It takes a huge sacrifice, and a tragic ending for Ben to change. The big question is, will it be too late?
With a dark, gritty world, and an anti-hero to die for, Cynthia Eden uses her talent to the fullest. Sometimes the best endings aren't always perfect.
Cynthia Eden's knack for writing dark heroes who straddle the line of good guy/bad guy really shines through here.
It's Christmas Eve, and Ben is out hunting. he's a vampire with a vigilante streak. But he's no hero, in fact someone pulled some major strings to give him one last chance to change. If he kills this night, his soul will be lost.
Embarking on a Dickensonian journey of redemption, we see Ben from both before and after he was turned. And we see that maybe the darkness was inside him before he was turned.
Only one person ever saw the real Ben, and she's dead.
Or is she?
At one point Simone tells him, "You're so busy punishing the world," she told him, her heart aching, "that you forget you can save it."
And when she reminds him of just who he can be, you'd think he'd see the light and change, but not every story has a happy ending. It takes a huge sacrifice, and a tragic ending for Ben to change. The big question is, will it be too late?
With a dark, gritty world, and an anti-hero to die for, Cynthia Eden uses her talent to the fullest. Sometimes the best endings aren't always perfect.
November 30, 2013
ARC provided by author through NetGalley for an honest review.
Ben Prescott has been undead for the past ten years. Every since that fateful night when he was attached in the park and lost Simone Laurent, the only woman he'd ever loved. He has spent his time in the darkness dispatching those he feels don't deserve to live. Murderers, rapists, etc. On this Christmas Eve, three will come to him, a demon, an angel willing to make a big sacrifice and a shifter to show him his past, present and what his future holds if he doesn't change his ways.
This was sweet. It was a play on A Christmas Carol with a vampire in his place and much more at stake.
December 16, 2013
3.5 stars
The idea was pretty intriguing -- and I enjoyed it mostly. Ben was a vampire, on a brink of falling deeper into darkness of his soul, when he was visited by a demon, a ghost, and a shifter, in this re-telling of Dicken's "Christmas Carol". I enjoyed the twist related to the heroine's identity. I wasn't in love with Eden's penchant of using "baby" though *bah, humbung!*.
All in all, it was a fast-paced and easy read, while still instilling the sense of Christmas and theme of redemption.
The idea was pretty intriguing -- and I enjoyed it mostly. Ben was a vampire, on a brink of falling deeper into darkness of his soul, when he was visited by a demon, a ghost, and a shifter, in this re-telling of Dicken's "Christmas Carol". I enjoyed the twist related to the heroine's identity. I wasn't in love with Eden's penchant of using "baby" though *bah, humbung!*.
All in all, it was a fast-paced and easy read, while still instilling the sense of Christmas and theme of redemption.
December 18, 2021
True to the concepts of the original book, but boy have the details been changed! Scrooge is a vampire with homicidal tendencies, Tiny Tim is a homeless teenager and future murder victim, and Belle is the guardian angel that fell in love with her charge...
It's a fast ride down the expected path. It's a fun read.
It's a fast ride down the expected path. It's a fun read.
December 8, 2013
This was a totally cute take on Dicken’s Christmas Carol.
Ben is tortured. And turning into a Scrooge. He lost the love of his life, Simone. And he blames himself. Only things aren’t always as they seem. And sometimes, Christmas is the perfect season for redemption.
Ben is tortured. And turning into a Scrooge. He lost the love of his life, Simone. And he blames himself. Only things aren’t always as they seem. And sometimes, Christmas is the perfect season for redemption.
January 3, 2016
Decent read, enjoyable.
This was a really good book. A different twist on the ghosts of Christmas, (a Christmas Carol). Author put this together perfectly, and it was great. The things we will do for true love, it's amazing. Good read.
This was a really good book. A different twist on the ghosts of Christmas, (a Christmas Carol). Author put this together perfectly, and it was great. The things we will do for true love, it's amazing. Good read.
November 28, 2013
4 stars
Quick read and it was sweet! I would give this 5 stars if it was a little bit longer. Yes, I want more. I hope the author has other vampire books for me to read.
Recommended.
Quick read and it was sweet! I would give this 5 stars if it was a little bit longer. Yes, I want more. I hope the author has other vampire books for me to read.
Recommended.
December 13, 2015
Vampires do a Christmas carol...love, redemption, can a vampire be saved, well of course he can its Christmas!
December 25, 2015
This was an enjoyable Christmas read and a great take on a Christmas Carol given the paranormal twist. It was light and fluffy and I definitely recommend to paranormal fans!
December 31, 2018
Ben is on a path of destruction because as far as he is concerned his life is not worth much. Ten years ago, on Christmas eve, he lost all which was important to him, when a rogue vampire turned him. Since then Christmas was a reminder of the pain and loss and so, he detests the holiday. He spends his time hunting and killing criminals. Then one fateful Christmas eve while on the verge of killing someone a demon from his past visited him with the offer of redemption. Now he relives his past, see his present and gain a peek at his future.
I enjoyed this short but intriguing paranormal story, which was a nice twist of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol. The story demonstrated that love is all about making sacrifices. Ben learnt this lesson well. There were twists I never expected, which made for some interesting moments.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, this was a wonderful read and one I would recommend.
I enjoyed this short but intriguing paranormal story, which was a nice twist of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol. The story demonstrated that love is all about making sacrifices. Ben learnt this lesson well. There were twists I never expected, which made for some interesting moments.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, this was a wonderful read and one I would recommend.
November 29, 2013
I love the old classic Christmas story, A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens so it was exciting to see it given a fresh new telling by setting it in the paranormal romance genre. The author was very creative in sticking to the spirit of the story while offering up something new and sultry in the bargain.
Ben Prescott's life is nothing the way he imagined. It's Christmas Eve, but he hasn't celebrated in years since that last time didn't go so well for him and he figures there's no real hope anyway. Ten years before, he was attacked by a monster and left to become just like the fiend. All his hopes were destroyed that night with Simone's death so now all he lives for is the next vigilante killing that feeds him. He's a creature of the night-a vampire- and he chooses as his food source humans who prey on other humans. But he is stopped this night from finishing his kill by a ghost from his past. Okay, demon from his past, but who's counting.
William Marley has come to help persuade him that he really needs to change his ways before midnight when all is lost. More is riding on Ben choosing a different path for his life than he could imagine. Marley takes him back into his past to the evening that changed it all and it was no less heart-wrenching than the first time around. But Marley is only his first visitor of three that will come to show him also his present and what could be his future. Ben soon learns the stakes are higher than he realizes. There are grave doubts that there is enough good in him left, but maybe he just needs the right motivator to find enough hope to change.
As I said, this is a paranormal retelling of A Christmas Carol. The Scrooge in this case is a bitter and disheartened vampire whose character was written well and he makes a great sympathetic hero. It does deviate a bit to include a romance and a sweet heroine though these two definitely have a little something hot and spicy going on with their sweet. It was a quick read, but it wasn't missing anything to make it a complete story. The other ghosts were a fun, irreverent addition and I loved how there was even a character to portray a new version of Tiny Tim. The story is told mainly from Ben's point of view, but it does switch giving time for the other characters to have their turn too.
All in all, I enjoyed this version of the old classic tale. I think it will appeal to the paranormal romance lovers who are looking for a quick holiday read and have an appreciation for the old Dicken's classic.
My thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Ben Prescott's life is nothing the way he imagined. It's Christmas Eve, but he hasn't celebrated in years since that last time didn't go so well for him and he figures there's no real hope anyway. Ten years before, he was attacked by a monster and left to become just like the fiend. All his hopes were destroyed that night with Simone's death so now all he lives for is the next vigilante killing that feeds him. He's a creature of the night-a vampire- and he chooses as his food source humans who prey on other humans. But he is stopped this night from finishing his kill by a ghost from his past. Okay, demon from his past, but who's counting.
William Marley has come to help persuade him that he really needs to change his ways before midnight when all is lost. More is riding on Ben choosing a different path for his life than he could imagine. Marley takes him back into his past to the evening that changed it all and it was no less heart-wrenching than the first time around. But Marley is only his first visitor of three that will come to show him also his present and what could be his future. Ben soon learns the stakes are higher than he realizes. There are grave doubts that there is enough good in him left, but maybe he just needs the right motivator to find enough hope to change.
As I said, this is a paranormal retelling of A Christmas Carol. The Scrooge in this case is a bitter and disheartened vampire whose character was written well and he makes a great sympathetic hero. It does deviate a bit to include a romance and a sweet heroine though these two definitely have a little something hot and spicy going on with their sweet. It was a quick read, but it wasn't missing anything to make it a complete story. The other ghosts were a fun, irreverent addition and I loved how there was even a character to portray a new version of Tiny Tim. The story is told mainly from Ben's point of view, but it does switch giving time for the other characters to have their turn too.
All in all, I enjoyed this version of the old classic tale. I think it will appeal to the paranormal romance lovers who are looking for a quick holiday read and have an appreciation for the old Dicken's classic.
My thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
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