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When Awakens the Heart
October 1st.
Declan wakes from a deep slumber, the same as he does each year, hollow and ravenous. Only one thing can satisfy his hunger. Blood is the cost of his immortality.
He meets the vibrant Skyler at a club who reminds him what it feels like to be alive. But he can’t stay with the beautiful blond. It’s too risky.
Declan has had centuries to imagine finding someone, but now that he has, he’s afraid he’ll hurt him. The only way to protect Skyler is to push him away.
Will Skyler still want him, fangs and all, or is Declan destined be alone eternally?
When Awakens the Heart is a stand-alone novella.
Declan wakes from a deep slumber, the same as he does each year, hollow and ravenous. Only one thing can satisfy his hunger. Blood is the cost of his immortality.
He meets the vibrant Skyler at a club who reminds him what it feels like to be alive. But he can’t stay with the beautiful blond. It’s too risky.
Declan has had centuries to imagine finding someone, but now that he has, he’s afraid he’ll hurt him. The only way to protect Skyler is to push him away.
Will Skyler still want him, fangs and all, or is Declan destined be alone eternally?
When Awakens the Heart is a stand-alone novella.
103 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 2021
About the author
Duckie Mack
36 books229 followersShe loves reading and writing stories that show that love isn't defined by gender. She writes sweet romance with fun heat, adorkable characters, and is a sucker for an HEA.
She lives in Southern California with her family, 2 dogs, and 3 cats, and loves to give out free hugs at pride events.
Duckie loves to interact with readers and is most active on instagram @authorduckiemack
Keep up to date on Duckie's book news by subscribing to her newsletter-
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/form...
She lives in Southern California with her family, 2 dogs, and 3 cats, and loves to give out free hugs at pride events.
Duckie loves to interact with readers and is most active on instagram @authorduckiemack
Keep up to date on Duckie's book news by subscribing to her newsletter-
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/form...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
March 29, 2022
This was really sweet if a bit rushed. I loved both characters, but I wished we'd gotten more of Skyler's POV.
November 23, 2021
A MM Vampire Halloween novella with blood, heat, emotions, changes, romance, curse & the power of love!
Vampire falling for human is a famous trope & we're seeing Duckie's take on it with a holiday twist! Its my 1st time reading a paranormal story by her, DEVOURED it in 2hrs.
This starts with Declan waking up from his gift/curse, hungry for blood yet having enough self-control to be humane. Its same each year for last 200 years, being awake for only October. Is this really living? So lonely.
So it's jarring when in a club, Skyler SEES him. The hot guy with blonde pinkish hair, an artist who's larger than life SEES the quiet predator & doesn't fear him but feels his struggles.
From a dance to the night of passion, their connection & sparks are more potent than anything ever. Could it be more? Will Skyler accept ALL of Declan? Its so out of control, For Sky's safety, D leaves.. But when weeks later, Chancely they meet again, falling in love is inevitable. Cue Scares, swoons, exposing secrets & past truths!!
Then the month comes to an end, I was so anxious 😭, Can their love overcome Dec's curse & the after effects of his "forgetting" bite?! YES!!!
For the How & thrills with feels...Read this novella now!
The blurb's perfect & I'd wanted to read this on Halloween but ended up reading it on Nov 1st, which worked out perfectly 😉. I loved the epilogue, So happy for D+S! A fun tidbit I noticed in the book: The word "Vampire" is never used. Whoa!
**ARC Gotten for a Honest Review.**
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Vampire falling for human is a famous trope & we're seeing Duckie's take on it with a holiday twist! Its my 1st time reading a paranormal story by her, DEVOURED it in 2hrs.
This starts with Declan waking up from his gift/curse, hungry for blood yet having enough self-control to be humane. Its same each year for last 200 years, being awake for only October. Is this really living? So lonely.
So it's jarring when in a club, Skyler SEES him. The hot guy with blonde pinkish hair, an artist who's larger than life SEES the quiet predator & doesn't fear him but feels his struggles.
From a dance to the night of passion, their connection & sparks are more potent than anything ever. Could it be more? Will Skyler accept ALL of Declan? Its so out of control, For Sky's safety, D leaves.. But when weeks later, Chancely they meet again, falling in love is inevitable. Cue Scares, swoons, exposing secrets & past truths!!
Then the month comes to an end, I was so anxious 😭, Can their love overcome Dec's curse & the after effects of his "forgetting" bite?! YES!!!
For the How & thrills with feels...Read this novella now!
The blurb's perfect & I'd wanted to read this on Halloween but ended up reading it on Nov 1st, which worked out perfectly 😉. I loved the epilogue, So happy for D+S! A fun tidbit I noticed in the book: The word "Vampire" is never used. Whoa!
**ARC Gotten for a Honest Review.**
FB Page | Instagram | Bookbub | FB group
September 28, 2026
This was SO GOOD and BEAUTIFUL, I just couldn’t love this book even more!! If you want a M/M VAMPIRE ROMANCE between a cursed vampire who meets a man who understands him for he is, this quick spicy novella is for you! Loved DECLAN & SKYLAR’s love story and would recommend if you love BEAUTY AND THE BEAST retellings!
October 29, 2021
Duckie Mack knocked this vampy little Novella out of the park!
Declan and Skyler had amazing chemistry and the angst! Oh lord the angst!
And can we talk about that blood sucking handy for a second? *fan self* good lord Duckie! Didn't know you had it in you!
I loved this and it was such a fun little treat ;)
Declan and Skyler had amazing chemistry and the angst! Oh lord the angst!
And can we talk about that blood sucking handy for a second? *fan self* good lord Duckie! Didn't know you had it in you!
I loved this and it was such a fun little treat ;)
November 4, 2021
REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ When Awakens the Heart by Duckie Mack is the romantic vampire tale of Declan who awakens from his slumber one month out of each year with a hunger for blood and the flesh, but one he is willing to take by force and the other he is not. With his thirst temporarily sated, he ventures into a club where he meets Skyler, a beautiful blond young man who has a strange way of reminding Declan what it feels like to be truly alive again. Declan’s instinct is to protect Skyler, even if that means pushing him away forever. But in the end, is love more powerful than the vampire’s curse?⠀
⠀
This darkly romantic novella pulses with a blend of passion and angst. Declan and Skyler are polar opposites but each possesses a magnetism and energy that completes the other. The author skillfully uses the narrative voice to help lend this story its dark and gothic vibe. My only complaint would be that this is only a novella and not a full length novel. I would love to spend more time with these unique and fascinating characters, and even delve into Declan’s backstory. Perhaps, if we are lucky, Declan and Skyler will make some future appearance in either a story of their own or as supporting characters in someone else’s. ⠀
⠀
This darkly romantic novella pulses with a blend of passion and angst. Declan and Skyler are polar opposites but each possesses a magnetism and energy that completes the other. The author skillfully uses the narrative voice to help lend this story its dark and gothic vibe. My only complaint would be that this is only a novella and not a full length novel. I would love to spend more time with these unique and fascinating characters, and even delve into Declan’s backstory. Perhaps, if we are lucky, Declan and Skyler will make some future appearance in either a story of their own or as supporting characters in someone else’s. ⠀
July 6, 2023
Love really does triumph over all
I loved this story! This is one of those stories that just touches you and makes you feel. It causes introspection. How would you handle being only "awake" for one month of the year? How would you handle the loneliness and the isolation from the life you'd once had? Poor Declan! In trying to do something extremely good he ended up being "cursed" with a half life. Forced to ingest blood to survive. All the darkness of things he's done and things he'll be forced to do again weighing on his heart and mind. And then Skyler! Beautiful and full of light Skyler. Skyler who sees into the very soul of Declan and sees someone worthy of love. Skyler who carries his own "curse" and needs someone too! Loved, loved, loved this short story is much! Not exactly a vampire story but something entirely different and unique. I definitely recommend this!
I loved this story! This is one of those stories that just touches you and makes you feel. It causes introspection. How would you handle being only "awake" for one month of the year? How would you handle the loneliness and the isolation from the life you'd once had? Poor Declan! In trying to do something extremely good he ended up being "cursed" with a half life. Forced to ingest blood to survive. All the darkness of things he's done and things he'll be forced to do again weighing on his heart and mind. And then Skyler! Beautiful and full of light Skyler. Skyler who sees into the very soul of Declan and sees someone worthy of love. Skyler who carries his own "curse" and needs someone too! Loved, loved, loved this short story is much! Not exactly a vampire story but something entirely different and unique. I definitely recommend this!
December 11, 2021
So good! This was surprisingly sweet for the subject matter, and Duckie’s take on vampires was unique and very interesting. Skylar is a doll and Declan is a closet romantic ❤️ I loved these characters and their story!
October 27, 2021
Leave it to Duckie Mack to take an angsty vampire short story and make it the sweetest, most heart-fluttering story I’ve read all month.
I adored Declan and Skyler!
I adored Declan and Skyler!
Want to Read
November 2, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (11/1/2021)! 🎁
August 5, 2022
First time I have read this author and this was a very sweet, lovely short story. I have the author's "Love Bank Romance" series already lined up to read next.
October 27, 2021
Genre/Tropes: MM, PNR
POV: 1st, Declan (1 chapter from Skyler)
Standalone
STEAM LEVEL: 🔥🔥🔥
Wow, when I say this is the perfect Halloween, PNR, MM Romance, I mean it! Coming in around 22k words, this novella packs a heckuva punch in both the steam and emotions.
Declan was cursed to awaken every October for one month only. As the centuries pass, he simply exists as the world changes for the 335 days a year he slumbers. A chance encounter with a blonde haired man with a pink streak running through it turns Declan’s life from existing to living.
I ADORED Skyler. With his empathetic nature, he can feel Declan’s turmoil and it draws him closer. Skyler sees him and loves him fiercely and Declan falls just as hard. When their time is up at the end of the month, will their love survive? Gah! You just need to read it! Take a couple of hours and just disappear in this world, y’all!
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⭐️ 𝙀𝙙𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙨 𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩. ⭐️
October 28, 2021
This was super adorable but Skyler seems like a naive and innocent person at first. Not going to lie I was a little bit scared for him haha. The end surprised me even though I was hoping something like that happen. When Awakens the Heart is a short vampire m/m story perfect for Halloween!
October 6, 2022
This was a sweet vampire story. The relationship development felt a bit too rushed for me and I think I would have had an easier time getting on board with all the conclusions Skylar drew just from looking at Declan if we had Skylar's POV as well. But overall it was a nice, short read.
November 13, 2023
I must be a little more discerning for vampire stories than most other reviewers because this book was just ok for me.
The lore here is a little different where our vampire, Declan, is only "awake" for one month a year where he must feed and then "sleeps" for the rest of the year. His vampirism is the result of a curse/spell of sorts that an old witch conjured up to save his life. It's all very weird when you could save yourself the explanations and just have him be a normal vampire.
I also didn't like Skyler at all. He read as a somewhat stereotypical gay person, always calling Declan "hun" (if you call anyone "hun" and aren't a 80 year old grandmother or a diner waitress from New Jersey, don't do that - it's patronizing as all hell) or "Dec" (saying it out loud would just remind me of Liam Sullivan's Kelly character from early 00s YouTube) and just being ostentatious and overbearing. I would usually say it doesn't make sense someone as old as Declan would give Skyler the time of day but since Declan has only "lived" one month a year for all those years, they might as well be the same age. Maybe that was the author's intention with the weird form of vampirism.
On top of that, Skyler is of course ~special~ as a strong empath that doesn't really culminate to anything other than him being more attracted to Declan since Declan doesn't have the same emotional output as a normal human, so he doesn't overwhelm Skyler's senses.
Just questionable plot choices on top of questionable plot choices. I'm glad this was so short.
The lore here is a little different where our vampire, Declan, is only "awake" for one month a year where he must feed and then "sleeps" for the rest of the year. His vampirism is the result of a curse/spell of sorts that an old witch conjured up to save his life. It's all very weird when you could save yourself the explanations and just have him be a normal vampire.
I also didn't like Skyler at all. He read as a somewhat stereotypical gay person, always calling Declan "hun" (if you call anyone "hun" and aren't a 80 year old grandmother or a diner waitress from New Jersey, don't do that - it's patronizing as all hell) or "Dec" (saying it out loud would just remind me of Liam Sullivan's Kelly character from early 00s YouTube) and just being ostentatious and overbearing. I would usually say it doesn't make sense someone as old as Declan would give Skyler the time of day but since Declan has only "lived" one month a year for all those years, they might as well be the same age. Maybe that was the author's intention with the weird form of vampirism.
On top of that, Skyler is of course ~special~ as a strong empath that doesn't really culminate to anything other than him being more attracted to Declan since Declan doesn't have the same emotional output as a normal human, so he doesn't overwhelm Skyler's senses.
Just questionable plot choices on top of questionable plot choices. I'm glad this was so short.
October 5, 2022
This was possibly the sweetest vampire/paranormal story I have ever read! As a novella, it was a well written and balanced story-a lovely quick read with a lot of lust and love.
We first meet Declan as he wakes up from his yearly sleep, he has one month awake before his body shuts down again for another year, during that time he has to feed on the blood of humans, this is the result of a curse that was placed on Declan by a witch over 200 years ago.
He meets Skyler in a nightclub, their eyes meeting across the dance floor, this begins a night together where Declan struggles with keeping control of his need to feed over the attraction he feels for Skyler. The connection between the two is beautiful and the relationship that develops is just perfect and, oh my gosh, the ending is exactly what I needed.
A beautiful story with a HEA I didn't see coming.
We first meet Declan as he wakes up from his yearly sleep, he has one month awake before his body shuts down again for another year, during that time he has to feed on the blood of humans, this is the result of a curse that was placed on Declan by a witch over 200 years ago.
He meets Skyler in a nightclub, their eyes meeting across the dance floor, this begins a night together where Declan struggles with keeping control of his need to feed over the attraction he feels for Skyler. The connection between the two is beautiful and the relationship that develops is just perfect and, oh my gosh, the ending is exactly what I needed.
A beautiful story with a HEA I didn't see coming.
July 5, 2022
This is a short story about Declan a vampire who only gets to live for one month a year, the month of October. When he goes to a club he meets Skylar a sweet caring young man. Skylar is drawn to Declan and convinces him to spend the night with him. They end up meeting again but can Skylar convince Declan to give them a chance. Can these two different people overcome everything to get their happy ending. You will have to read the book to find out. Duckie Mack is such a talented author, she has created another wonderful story with characters you will fall in love with. I would definitely recommend this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 17, 2024
A delightful short story/novella about instant connection. Duckie Mack is wonderful at giving us fully-realized characters and their stories, while keeping a shorter overall read. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to delve into the story, a wish for more when it was all over.
Minor paranormal elements with Declan having vampiric characteristics, but never being fully identified as one, as his condition is more a result of a spell/curse than a new animalistic being in the world.
Skyler is a very fun, sunshiny artist who feels an immediate calling to Declan when they meet at a club. It would definitely be defined as instant lust, but their loving connection takes very little time to develop once they spend more time together.
If you're looking for a quick read, definitely check this one out!
Minor paranormal elements with Declan having vampiric characteristics, but never being fully identified as one, as his condition is more a result of a spell/curse than a new animalistic being in the world.
Skyler is a very fun, sunshiny artist who feels an immediate calling to Declan when they meet at a club. It would definitely be defined as instant lust, but their loving connection takes very little time to develop once they spend more time together.
If you're looking for a quick read, definitely check this one out!
October 29, 2021
When Awakens the Heart, was absolutely perfect. It was amazing and I am aching for more❤ the chemistry and emotional connection were beautifully shown and even though this was a short novella, the story was very fleshed out and the characters had all the debt they needed. I am in love with this, and I am needing some art to go with it, because I totally want to see this gorgeous man with an auburn braid and this beautiful blonde pink haired unicorn 💗💗💗 thank you this story totally made my day💗💗💗
And the love scenes were just perfection, sensual, emotional, sweet, just beautiful 💗
And the love scenes were just perfection, sensual, emotional, sweet, just beautiful 💗
October 31, 2021
A sweet and spicy M/M paranormal romance for you to enjoy on Halloween.
Declan, a centuries old being and Skyler, a wonderful painter find each other in a dark club and sparks fly as soon as their eyes meet. Declan tries to hide what he is and push Skyler away but Skyler has other plans for this handsome mystery man and is determined to show him that he's not scared of what Declan is.
I wish it was longer, I'd love to see what becomes of them but for a novella, it's very detailed and doesn't leave you wondering.
Declan, a centuries old being and Skyler, a wonderful painter find each other in a dark club and sparks fly as soon as their eyes meet. Declan tries to hide what he is and push Skyler away but Skyler has other plans for this handsome mystery man and is determined to show him that he's not scared of what Declan is.
I wish it was longer, I'd love to see what becomes of them but for a novella, it's very detailed and doesn't leave you wondering.
October 28, 2021
Thank you for the ARC read, I voluntarily give this book an honest review. Man I just couldn't get enough of this, Duckie Mack has brought a unique take about the paranormal, that just captured the reads attraction between these two men so well. What was once a gifted blessing has long worn down to a curse to Delcan. Over the year's Delcan finds he has become equal opportunity kinda monster, For one month he is free in his wanderlust when it comes to his hungers. Only looking forward to the end of his quest. With one unique connection, Delcan finds himself, putting again someone above the hunger by running. Skyler can feel the pull as well as his pain but can he handle the beast, when they meet again? Skyler is just to sweet, a bright light in his world of darkness.
October 31, 2021
When Awakens The Heart is an m/m paranormal/ vampire romance set around October/ Halloween.
I was sure exactly what to expect. I generally love dark reads especially ones revolving around Halloween but this one had do much more to it.
It’s a short read so doesn’t take long.
I would definitely recommend sinking your teeth into this hauntingly passionate and sweet romance.
Loved it. Declan & Skyler are 🔥🔥
I was sure exactly what to expect. I generally love dark reads especially ones revolving around Halloween but this one had do much more to it.
It’s a short read so doesn’t take long.
I would definitely recommend sinking your teeth into this hauntingly passionate and sweet romance.
Loved it. Declan & Skyler are 🔥🔥
November 28, 2021
Great
Okay it really feels like something special when an author is able to evoke so many emotions from what are relatively a small number of pages. This story felt intense hearing it from Declan’s point of view from his first awakening. His life seems so bleak. Hearing the last bit from Skyler is what really rounded it out for me though. Skyler really did help bring Declan back into the land of the living.
Okay it really feels like something special when an author is able to evoke so many emotions from what are relatively a small number of pages. This story felt intense hearing it from Declan’s point of view from his first awakening. His life seems so bleak. Hearing the last bit from Skyler is what really rounded it out for me though. Skyler really did help bring Declan back into the land of the living.
March 11, 2022
I received this book as a gift and I'm so happy to have gotten it. I love Skyler and Declan. A human and a vampire. This is a story about pure, true love between two people who shouldn't be together, but are pulled to each other. They just see the good in each other and take care of each other. It takes a lot for an author to make me cry, but Duckie did it with these characters. I highly recommend this book and I will definitely be re reading this again and again.
December 2, 2022
Scoville heat rating: 🥵🥵🥵🥶🥶 3/5
More sweet than anything, Declan and Skylar are a fated match. While we don’t get a lot of Skylar’s POV, I definitely get the sense that they comfort one another from the ache that their inner demons cause, leaving an overall warm vanilla flavour to the feeling of this short novella.
More sweet than anything, Declan and Skylar are a fated match. While we don’t get a lot of Skylar’s POV, I definitely get the sense that they comfort one another from the ache that their inner demons cause, leaving an overall warm vanilla flavour to the feeling of this short novella.
July 27, 2023
Extremely Unexpected
We read 2hr reads all the time... They so often seem to lack depth... A genuine connection to the characters on the fast pace road to love... Skylar and Declan give everything that you would expect from 250 pages of novel... There is struggle, acceptance, love and a happily ever after... Pretty solid writing in my opinion...
We read 2hr reads all the time... They so often seem to lack depth... A genuine connection to the characters on the fast pace road to love... Skylar and Declan give everything that you would expect from 250 pages of novel... There is struggle, acceptance, love and a happily ever after... Pretty solid writing in my opinion...
December 15, 2024
Beautifully Written.
This was such a lovely MM vampire romance novella! Sad, sweet and loving with some spice thrown in. I loved how it was written, it reached my emotions. - Declan is cursed to only awaken for month every year, but this year he meets someone that changes his world. And perhaps his curse isn’t really such a curse after all… - Spice level : 2.5/5
This was such a lovely MM vampire romance novella! Sad, sweet and loving with some spice thrown in. I loved how it was written, it reached my emotions. - Declan is cursed to only awaken for month every year, but this year he meets someone that changes his world. And perhaps his curse isn’t really such a curse after all… - Spice level : 2.5/5
October 27, 2021
I received a copy of this book from the author, and this is my honest review.
Cute!!!!!!!!!!!
Dec and Skyler are so sweet!!!
That was a very nice surprise.
If you're looking for a very quick read that leaves you happy, you found it!
Cute!!!!!!!!!!!
Dec and Skyler are so sweet!!!
That was a very nice surprise.
If you're looking for a very quick read that leaves you happy, you found it!
October 27, 2021
This is my first time reading a book by Duckie Mack and I loved it! I am totally a fan of holiday books and this little Halloween novella clicked ALL of my boxes. I am looking forward to finding more of Duckie’s books to read as this was an absolute great intro to her work.
October 28, 2021
Thank you, Duckie Mack, for the ARC!
I really loved this one. It was beautifully written, with emotion bleeding through every word. Short but lovely, with memorable characters. A quick and enjoyable read, no doubt.
Duckie is firmly becoming one of my favorite authors.
I really loved this one. It was beautifully written, with emotion bleeding through every word. Short but lovely, with memorable characters. A quick and enjoyable read, no doubt.
Duckie is firmly becoming one of my favorite authors.
October 29, 2021
This is a adorable Halloween MM romance. Love getting to know Declan and Skylar in this short story. Definitely recommend if looking for a fast Halloween themed romance. Loved reading this! Highly recommend!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews