What do you think?
Rate this book
La Janara: A Christmas Tale
What will the predator do when the prey learns to hunt?
Once, I was a nurse and I loved my job. Healing the sick and loving what was broken had always been my calling. But then Luca crashed into my life, destroyed it, and left me to pick up the pieces.
I can't let him get away with it. I'm willing to do anything to give him what he rightly deserves. Even if it means becoming something I had thought only existed in legends or folklore.
I am a Janara, a witch, as it has been told for ages in Southern Italian folklore—and I'm as real as it gets.
I don’t have time for love. I don't have time for Alex—my first love, my first heartbreak, and the only one who can still cause me to falter. He chose the wrong time to come back to Italy.
Shadows and secrets surround us. It can turn deadly. Especially when Luca decides it’s time to claim what he wants for himself. I welcome him to try.
The Winter Solstice approaches and as my people meet under the walnut tree, I vow to make sure Luca is my guest of honor.
Blood, bones, and witchcraft—that's all I need to write my story
Once, I was a nurse and I loved my job. Healing the sick and loving what was broken had always been my calling. But then Luca crashed into my life, destroyed it, and left me to pick up the pieces.
I can't let him get away with it. I'm willing to do anything to give him what he rightly deserves. Even if it means becoming something I had thought only existed in legends or folklore.
I am a Janara, a witch, as it has been told for ages in Southern Italian folklore—and I'm as real as it gets.
I don’t have time for love. I don't have time for Alex—my first love, my first heartbreak, and the only one who can still cause me to falter. He chose the wrong time to come back to Italy.
Shadows and secrets surround us. It can turn deadly. Especially when Luca decides it’s time to claim what he wants for himself. I welcome him to try.
The Winter Solstice approaches and as my people meet under the walnut tree, I vow to make sure Luca is my guest of honor.
Blood, bones, and witchcraft—that's all I need to write my story
182 pages, Paperback
Published December 21, 2024
6 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 4, 2025
This was a fantastic story from Ernst. I loved that the majority of the book was from the POV of the two MMCs, it was a refreshing to read as most stories tend to focus on the woman's POV. I loved the premise of the story as well and all of the background on Janara has had me thinking about it almost daily and wanting to learn even more. This is a great read and I recommend trying it out!
March 18, 2025
I had the pleasure of doing a revision proofread for this one. DO NOT SLEEP on this author, people! The way she weaves words and crafts chemistry is chef’s kiss.
Also, I have a crush on Vittorio, whom we meet in this book but have the pleasure of seeing na—um, seeing more of in Soulless Mates.
P.S. Give the author some time to re-publish the newest version 🤭
Also, I have a crush on Vittorio, whom we meet in this book but have the pleasure of seeing na—um, seeing more of in Soulless Mates.
P.S. Give the author some time to re-publish the newest version 🤭
December 21, 2025
This was a strange and confusing read for me, which is why it lands at two stars.
It is a paranormal dark romance but I never fully understood what was happening or how everything connected. For such a short story, a lot happens very quickly and with very little explanation, which left me feeling more lost than intrigued.
About halfway through, I realized this one just wasn’t for me. Not because it’s badly written, but because I personally needed more clarity to enjoy the story.
The “Christmas Tale” aspect also felt very loose, aside from taking place in December, the holiday theme didn’t play a meaningful role.
It is a paranormal dark romance but I never fully understood what was happening or how everything connected. For such a short story, a lot happens very quickly and with very little explanation, which left me feeling more lost than intrigued.
About halfway through, I realized this one just wasn’t for me. Not because it’s badly written, but because I personally needed more clarity to enjoy the story.
The “Christmas Tale” aspect also felt very loose, aside from taking place in December, the holiday theme didn’t play a meaningful role.
December 23, 2024
“Che il Solstizio d’Inverno ci porti buoni frutti. Che la caccia abbia inizio. May the Winter Solstice bring us a good harvest. Let the hunt begin.”
Let's go! This story gripped me! It has a lot of heavy topics, so please read the trigger warnings before diving into this novella, but I believe Denise did a wonderful job navigating through them!
What you'll read about:
Second chance romance!
Witches!
Eerie things!
Assholes in power getting what's coming to them!
Let's go! This story gripped me! It has a lot of heavy topics, so please read the trigger warnings before diving into this novella, but I believe Denise did a wonderful job navigating through them!
What you'll read about:
Second chance romance!
Witches!
Eerie things!
Assholes in power getting what's coming to them!
January 6, 2025
✨️Second Chance
🖤Witches
✨️First Love
🖤He Falls First
✨️Family Secrets
🖤Touch Her and 💀
✨️Insta Lust
AND MORE!!
PREDATOR AND PREY...
This was my first read from this author and I don't regret it. It is fast paced and will keep you up and wondering what is going to happen next! This book does have a few topics that may come by as a little twisted. PLEASE check for trigger warnings! Your mental health matter.
🖤Witches
✨️First Love
🖤He Falls First
✨️Family Secrets
🖤Touch Her and 💀
✨️Insta Lust
AND MORE!!
PREDATOR AND PREY...
This was my first read from this author and I don't regret it. It is fast paced and will keep you up and wondering what is going to happen next! This book does have a few topics that may come by as a little twisted. PLEASE check for trigger warnings! Your mental health matter.
December 23, 2024
Well damn 😅 I went into this book blind as a bat, and truthfully, I am so glad I did. Reading this story during the winter solstice made it that much better. It was so captivating, and I couldn't get enough of the story. This was equal in plot and spicy. The intensity of the plot continuously draws you in. Absolutely loved! 💯
February 18, 2025
"To the sensitive and odd ones that refuse to stay broken. I hope he will get what he deserves. Meanwhile, enjoy the hunt."
It is perfect for Christmas ... I love how this was from 2 POV from two MMCs which was so good and i love it . I love the background of Janara and i just stop thinking about this book. I cant wait till i read more from Denise
It is perfect for Christmas ... I love how this was from 2 POV from two MMCs which was so good and i love it . I love the background of Janara and i just stop thinking about this book. I cant wait till i read more from Denise
January 22, 2025
The POV is from the two MMCs for most of the book which was a refreshing change as i find most books focus mainly onthe FMC
The premise of the story and the background on Janara was great, it made me want to learn more the further i got into the book, so overall i would recommend
The premise of the story and the background on Janara was great, it made me want to learn more the further i got into the book, so overall i would recommend
November 26, 2025
Rating 3.5
December 12, 2025
got about 40% through and dnf. I found it a bit repetitive and couldn't get into it.
December 27, 2024
this is the first book by this author I have read
it was very gripping really interesting and I really enjoyed it
I would say check triggers
this is only a short read under 200 pages but the plot is there
4 🌟
medium 🔥
it was very gripping really interesting and I really enjoyed it
I would say check triggers
this is only a short read under 200 pages but the plot is there
4 🌟
medium 🔥
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews