A Bewitching Christmas by Amanda J. Greene
Series: Under Realm Assassins #1
Published by Indie
Published on: December 13, 2013
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 104
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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It has been seven years since Analette Dyson stopped practicing magic and headed to New York, where she created a new life, complete with a fabulous job, an apartment in Central Park West, and a sexy werewolf fiancé. She never planned on returning to her small home town in Maine, but when she learns her grandmother is ill, she decides to pop over for a visit and what better time than Christmas? Excited for her fiancé to meet her family, they head up a day early.
Worst idea ever!
After doing some last minute Christmas shopping, Analette returns to their hotel to find her fiancé in bed with another woman. Cursing the universe for her never ending bad luck with men and dreading telling her family about her cheating fiancé, she heads to the bar to self medicate.
Not one to celebrate the holidays, vampire and assassin, Cole McRae, has followed a lead to a rustic town in witch territory. But after a few days of research and waiting for his target to show, he begins to suspect he has wasted his time. That is, until he meets a curvaceous blonde with bewitching green eyes at the local bar. One night with the enchanting Analette could make this useless trip well worth his time.
Their passion is undeniable and unbeknownst to them, their fates are intertwined. Magic and romance will strike on Christmas, changing their lives forever.
Christmas is my favorite time of the year, and along with that goes reading at least one or more Christmas books every year. This year I bought two Christmas novellas, both of which are paranormal. A Bewitching Christmas is the first of these.
A small town in Maine full of witch magic, is the setting for this story. Cole, a vampire assassin, has come to town to hunt down a werewolf that is stealing witch magic. Analette is a witch, home for the holidays after a very long absence, and has brought her fiance with her. Only she has just found him cheating, so her holidays are pretty much shot. When the two meet in a bar, the attraction is mutual, and a one night stand seems to be the thing to do.
The premise of a vampire that’s a hunter of rogue supernatural beings was interesting, although hunters of supernatural villains is a pretty common idea. Or maybe I have just read a lot of them lately. But really this story ended up being mainly about the romance, which is fine. My problem with this story was the insta-lust, and the amount of the story that was made up of sex scenes. Since it is a novella, and already short on story, I just wanted more actual content, and less of the extremely detailed sex. I am all for sex scenes in a romance, but not so much that I start skimming, and I did skim.
I did like the main characters of Cole and Ana. We do get background on both, and there is even some world building. Cole has been flawed by a horrible childhood, never celebrated Christmas, and really has never known love. Ana has been traumatized by her father’s death in an accident, and her belief that it’s her fault. The two flawed characters just make sense together.
So it was a fairly good romance, with good characters, and even had a murderous villain along for the ride. I think it just comes down to personal taste-I wanted more about the murderous villain, and how he stole magic, and less of the sex scenes. However, I am sure that there are readers out there that will enjoy it just like it is.
I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.
I definitely think I would have wanted more of the story too than just the romance/sex side of it. Sorry this wasn’t a bit better.
kindlemom1 recently posted…Review: Behind the Stars by Leigh Talbert Moore
I know, but some really like this kind of story, so I think there will be an audience for this 🙂 I did like the characters and premise!
Lorna recently posted…Review: A Bewitching Christmas by Amanda J. Greene
i would prefer more plot and less sex scenes too^^
But like you i have to read at least one or two christmas story at this time of the year so i hope my order of those by nalini singh will arrive on time^^ ( and i’m sure i have a few more in my pile that i could refind)
miki recently posted…How to Date a Dragon ( Flirting with Fangs trilogy 2) by Ashlyn Chase
Yes, just something about this time of the year makes me want to read a Christmas book too 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: A Bewitching Christmas by Amanda J. Greene
I skim sex scenes so….
blodeuedd recently posted…Book Blog Walkers: Weekly Check-in Nov 21 2014 and Pride and Prejudice re-tellings x3
So it’s not your thing either 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: A Bewitching Christmas by Amanda J. Greene
Sounds like an ok story, but I probably would have prefered more story, less sex too. I guess its not too bad if you’re expecting it at least, so I’ll make a note for myself, just in case
Berls recently posted…A Month of Giving Thanks Day 22
I know that lots of people might like this story because the premise was pretty good. I think it’s all in personal preferences and what you are in the mood for 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: A Bewitching Christmas by Amanda J. Greene
One should never want to skim the sex scenes. Well, at least you to enjoy some of it. Great review!
sharonda recently posted…#VideoBookReview: A BDSM Weekend: The Sweetest Taboo by Harper Miller
That’s true, I didn’t hate it 🙂 And thanks!
Lorna recently posted…Review: A Bewitching Christmas by Amanda J. Greene
I tend to do that too. I skim tedious sex scenes just to get to the meat and potatoes of the plot. It still sounds like a fun read though. 😀
Joy (Joyousreads) recently posted…In Which There Were No Books
And when it’s a novella, it just takes the place of plot I think!
Lorna recently posted…Review: A Bewitching Christmas by Amanda J. Greene
I’m glad the characters were good, Lorna. I’m with you about needing a story to go along with the steamy scenes. And in a novella, an author really needs to have a strong story…or it’s just sex. I hope the other Christmas-themed novella you bought is more fulfilling.
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…**Bought, Borrowed, & Bagged ~ #42**
Well there was a story but just not enough of one. And actually not that much about Christmas at all really. I just finished the other one and loved it-I think it will post next Saturday 🙂
Too bad this didn’t have more balance. I can handle insta-love and sexy time if there is enough story wrapped around it. I need to connect.
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Sunday Post #135 Gobble?
I actually can too especially when a shifter is involved, I just wanted more of the actual plo,t and honestly more about the Christmas aspect.