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Love at Stake #2.5 (A Very Vampy Christmas)
Sugarplums and Scandal
SUGARPLUMS AND SCANDAL brings together the best of romance and mystery in one delightful collection of Christmas tales. In the expert hands of six of Avon's best storytellers, the holiday season takes on an air of love and scandalous surprises! Filled with Christmas miracles, romance, and suspense, this will make the perfect gift for both romance and mystery fans. Each author brings their own unique voice and characters to the collection, as well as their fan followings.
All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth – Lori Avocato
The Lords of Misrule – Dana Cameron
The Ghost of Christmas Passed – Mary Daheim
Partners in Crime – Cait London
Holly Go Lightly – Suzanne Macpherson
A Very Vampy Christmas – Kerrelyn Sparks
All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth – Lori Avocato
The Lords of Misrule – Dana Cameron
The Ghost of Christmas Passed – Mary Daheim
Partners in Crime – Cait London
Holly Go Lightly – Suzanne Macpherson
A Very Vampy Christmas – Kerrelyn Sparks
327 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 31, 2006
69 people are currently reading
2041 people want to read
About the author
Lori Avocato
26 books65 followersAfter serving in the Air Force as a registered nurse, Lori Avocato decided to give up nursing to write fiction. She lives in New England and is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, PASIC, NINC, Romance Writers of America, the Author's Guild, and Sisters in Crime. She's raising two teenage sons (heaven help her!), and one darling dog, Spanky. Lori is the author of six novels featuring Pauline Sokol: A Dose of Murder; The Stiff and the Dead; One Dead Under the Cuckoo's Nest; Deep Sea Dead; Nip, Tuck, Dead; and Dead on Arrival.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
December 6, 2021
It was enjoyable Christmas read with 6 novellas published in 2006. It was on my TBR for a couple of years before I finally picked it up.
I enjoyed The Lords of Misrule by Dana Cameron, a little murder mystery set in London,1722 and Partners in Crimes by Cait London about theft gone wrong in a small town and one handsome stranger. Alas, both authors do not have anything new published in the last 10 years but I did find some Ebooks on my local library. I Might check them out!
I enjoyed The Lords of Misrule by Dana Cameron, a little murder mystery set in London,1722 and Partners in Crimes by Cait London about theft gone wrong in a small town and one handsome stranger. Alas, both authors do not have anything new published in the last 10 years but I did find some Ebooks on my local library. I Might check them out!
December 25, 2017
A fun little anthology of Christmas tales. Some of the stories were so-so and some were laugh out loud funny. By far the best one was the last one.
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS MY TWO FRONT TEETH
A fun little introduction for me to the character of Pauline Sokol. I've added this series to my TBR. However, this story was way too short. Just long enough to get me interested in the characters.
THE LORDS OF MISRULE
I really wish this were longer. Once I started to like the characters, it was over.
THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PASSED
An interesting look into the backstory of Judith's mom.
PARTNERS IN CRIME
I wondered if this were part of a bigger series, but apparently not. Would be interested if it were.
HOLLY GO LIGHTLY
A sweet little story of a ghost taking care of the people she left behind. The idea of the cat being convinced to help decorate the tree was a little stretching believability, even for a ghost.
A VERY VAMPY CHRISTMAS
The best story of them all. Not because there was that much chemistry between the leads. No, for me, it was the laugh out loudness of the whole thing. The whole idea of soap operas for Vampires, and a were-rabbit? Priceless!
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS MY TWO FRONT TEETH
A fun little introduction for me to the character of Pauline Sokol. I've added this series to my TBR. However, this story was way too short. Just long enough to get me interested in the characters.
THE LORDS OF MISRULE
I really wish this were longer. Once I started to like the characters, it was over.
THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PASSED
An interesting look into the backstory of Judith's mom.
PARTNERS IN CRIME
I wondered if this were part of a bigger series, but apparently not. Would be interested if it were.
HOLLY GO LIGHTLY
A sweet little story of a ghost taking care of the people she left behind. The idea of the cat being convinced to help decorate the tree was a little stretching believability, even for a ghost.
A VERY VAMPY CHRISTMAS
The best story of them all. Not because there was that much chemistry between the leads. No, for me, it was the laugh out loudness of the whole thing. The whole idea of soap operas for Vampires, and a were-rabbit? Priceless!
December 2, 2019
I really enjoyed these stories. There were a couple of authors that I had read before so I knew characters in these stories but I also enjoyed the stories by authors that I had not read before. All together a fun Christmas read. #readforkimberly
September 1, 2021
I am leaving the 3 star rating, because for me the most interesting novella was "A Very vampy Christmas" by Kerrelyn Sparks.
December 9, 2018
Christmas and mysteries (preferably something to do with murder) have been going together for a long time in literary works, and this book tries to follow that honoured tradition. Unfortunately, the inept writing of most of the writers, have made this book an absolute dud, except for one jewel at the end.
1) “All I Want for Christmas” by Lori Avocato: One of the most moronic pieces that I have read. Henceforth, any anthology featuring this author would get a red flag from me, unless some truly exceptional authors have also contributed to that book.
2) “The Lords of Misrule” by Dana Cameron: I totally fail to understand as to why the author had decided to peddle this constipation-inducing period piece onto us, in a Christmas-themed anthology. Pure crap.
3) “The Ghost of Christmas Passed” by Mary Daheim: Dear God! If such stuff can find a place in a Harper & Collins book, then miracles (of all sorts) can happen indeed.
4) “Partners in Crime” by Cait London: You know, Christmas used to be a time of not only festivities, but also of hangings (quite a festival in those days). Can someone revive that glorious tradition, starting with the hanging of the author of this miserable piece of s**t?
5) “Holly Go Lightly” by Suzanne Macpherson: Another candidate for said hanging contest! You can imagine how nicely the book is shaping up.
6) “A Very Vampy Christmas” by Kerrelyn Sparks: Finally! The only story that can be read, enjoyed, and chosen for a re-read.
But that last jewel doesn’t justify buying this entire bucket of lard. Hence, better get the Kerrelyn Sparks story in some other Paranormal Romance themed or single-author collection, and trash any thought that you might be having about buying this book.
1) “All I Want for Christmas” by Lori Avocato: One of the most moronic pieces that I have read. Henceforth, any anthology featuring this author would get a red flag from me, unless some truly exceptional authors have also contributed to that book.
2) “The Lords of Misrule” by Dana Cameron: I totally fail to understand as to why the author had decided to peddle this constipation-inducing period piece onto us, in a Christmas-themed anthology. Pure crap.
3) “The Ghost of Christmas Passed” by Mary Daheim: Dear God! If such stuff can find a place in a Harper & Collins book, then miracles (of all sorts) can happen indeed.
4) “Partners in Crime” by Cait London: You know, Christmas used to be a time of not only festivities, but also of hangings (quite a festival in those days). Can someone revive that glorious tradition, starting with the hanging of the author of this miserable piece of s**t?
5) “Holly Go Lightly” by Suzanne Macpherson: Another candidate for said hanging contest! You can imagine how nicely the book is shaping up.
6) “A Very Vampy Christmas” by Kerrelyn Sparks: Finally! The only story that can be read, enjoyed, and chosen for a re-read.
But that last jewel doesn’t justify buying this entire bucket of lard. Hence, better get the Kerrelyn Sparks story in some other Paranormal Romance themed or single-author collection, and trash any thought that you might be having about buying this book.
June 12, 2013
Found this book to be rushed and characters were annoying didn't enjoy it at all :(
September 17, 2015
A Very Vampy Christmas By Kerrelyn Sparks - 4 stars
January 6, 2016
A Very Vampy Christmas – Kerrelyn Sparks
This is actually the only short story I read in this anthology but for those who follow Love at Stake, it's worth it. It's a follow up of the second book in the series, Vamps and the City, and Maggie got the job at DVN. She is a leading actress in "As a Vampire Turns" playing the part of Don Orlando de Corazon's lover.
Their story is great, filled with hilarious details. I never thought Sparks would make me like Don Orlando but the twist to his story was very good. Tootsie and Scarlet made me laugh out loud. All the references to soup operas were so silly they turned out funny. And the Christmas dinner by the end with all its revelations can be considered predictable but the reactions of each character and the details made me really like the story.
This is actually the only short story I read in this anthology but for those who follow Love at Stake, it's worth it. It's a follow up of the second book in the series, Vamps and the City, and Maggie got the job at DVN. She is a leading actress in "As a Vampire Turns" playing the part of Don Orlando de Corazon's lover.
Their story is great, filled with hilarious details. I never thought Sparks would make me like Don Orlando but the twist to his story was very good. Tootsie and Scarlet made me laugh out loud. All the references to soup operas were so silly they turned out funny. And the Christmas dinner by the end with all its revelations can be considered predictable but the reactions of each character and the details made me really like the story.
February 17, 2009
I got this book for the Kerrelyn Sparks story and it did not diappoint. The tale of Maggie and her "Don Orlando" and finding our who he really is was entertaining and fun. This story takes place after book 2 but before book 4 since Ian is still young, therefore it is before he takes the stay-awake potion in Texas in book 4. I really love the characters that Kerrelyn writes and look forward to the next installment in her series. This story was a nice little bridge between stories. And I always liked the character of Maggie so it was nice for her to get her own story, even if it was a short one.
I will probably get around to reading the rest of the stories as well, but really was only interested in the Kerrelyn Sparks one.
I will probably get around to reading the rest of the stories as well, but really was only interested in the Kerrelyn Sparks one.
November 22, 2011
It was a struggle on what to rate this book because there were so many stories in it. Honestly almost all of them were 4 star worthy, but one dragged so much at the beginning I didn't even finish it. That's kind of rare for me. However, the whole reason I picked up this book was for Kerrelyn Sparks' story A Very Vampy Christmas, part of her Love at Stake series. My only real complain about it and the other stories I read is they are all HFN endings rather than HEA. But overall they are individually great romance mysteries...except for the slow moving one with WAY too many characters mentioned in the first few pages.
January 3, 2018
I felt that some of these stories were a little boring. But I did like Partners in Crime by Cait London,
Holly Go Lightly by Suzanne Macpherson, and A Very Vampy Christmas by Kerrelyn Sparks.
My favorite story was Holly Go Lightly. It was whimsical and funny. I liked how even though Holly was dead, she got her point across. I loved when she put some kind of truth serum in Nick, Gwen and Nick's family's wine. Boy, did they tell Gwen off!
And then she pushed Nick to go to California, to find something important.
Holly Go Lightly by Suzanne Macpherson, and A Very Vampy Christmas by Kerrelyn Sparks.
My favorite story was Holly Go Lightly. It was whimsical and funny. I liked how even though Holly was dead, she got her point across. I loved when she put some kind of truth serum in Nick, Gwen and Nick's family's wine. Boy, did they tell Gwen off!
And then she pushed Nick to go to California, to find something important.
February 6, 2010
I just love Holiday Stories!! This was a terrific anthology with some great authors I knew and some I did not... more additions to the TBR list! What a feast for a holiday story fan! Multiple good authors each contributed tales of mystery and romance.
Suzanne Macpherson - Holly Go Lightly
Kerrelyn Sparks - A Very Vampy Christmas
Lori Avocato - All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth
Dana Cameron - The Lords Of Misrule &
Mary Daheim - The Ghost Of Christmas Passed
Suzanne Macpherson - Holly Go Lightly
Kerrelyn Sparks - A Very Vampy Christmas
Lori Avocato - All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth
Dana Cameron - The Lords Of Misrule &
Mary Daheim - The Ghost Of Christmas Passed
February 12, 2012
I only read the Kerrilyn Sparks story - and am I ever sorry I wasted the time. I don't know why I keep reading this series. It's a little to campy for me. But here I am, back for more. I missed this one the first time around, so my timeline was even off. Ugh. Read it. Check it off the list. Moving on.
March 17, 2025
Grabbed for the Cait London book.
LORI AVOCATO - ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS MY TWO FRONT TEETH
DANA CAMERON - THE LORDS OF MISRULE
MARY DAHEIM - THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PASSED
CAIT LONDON - PARTNERS IN CRIME
Enjoyable but stilted and lacking real connection.
Cecelia was just too OCD for my liking. A bit rude really organising people’s possessions without that persons approval.
Slightly crazy thinking but I did love her skills at extremely odd thinks like picking locks and hot wiring cars. When she took off towing the trailer I thought that was funny.
Joe was good but just felt like I didn’t get to know him that well. To give him credit he did try to tell Cecilia the truth about himself before she found out.
Resolution happened off the page.
SUZANNE MACPHERSON - HOLLY GO LIGHTLY
KERRELYN SPARKS - A VERY VAMPY CHRISTMAS
LORI AVOCATO - ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS MY TWO FRONT TEETH
DANA CAMERON - THE LORDS OF MISRULE
MARY DAHEIM - THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PASSED
CAIT LONDON - PARTNERS IN CRIME
Enjoyable but stilted and lacking real connection.
Cecelia was just too OCD for my liking. A bit rude really organising people’s possessions without that persons approval.
Slightly crazy thinking but I did love her skills at extremely odd thinks like picking locks and hot wiring cars. When she took off towing the trailer I thought that was funny.
Joe was good but just felt like I didn’t get to know him that well. To give him credit he did try to tell Cecilia the truth about himself before she found out.
Resolution happened off the page.
SUZANNE MACPHERSON - HOLLY GO LIGHTLY
KERRELYN SPARKS - A VERY VAMPY CHRISTMAS
December 8, 2021
Another anthology where half the offerings were a slog to read while the other three were enjoyable. The Sparks, Macpherson and London offerings—the best of the six-were saved for last. The anthology involves different genres with a mystery element. Some are from established series while others are stand alone. Only one was from an other I know and enjoy, Kerrelyn Sparks and it was fun to revisit her vampire series. Five of the six are well written but the first three entries just weren’t my cup of Christmas punch. Maybe you will fare better.
January 6, 2019
An interesting selection of short stories of various genres and time periods.
I read or tried to read (I don't remember what happened so either it was a DNF or not memorable...)All I want for Christmas before. I didn't make it very far this time either.
I could not force myself to finish the Ghost of Christmas past (bed and breakfast mysteries). I was so bored I was considering vaccuming instead. UGH
I enjoyed the other 4 stories quite a bit, though.
I read or tried to read (I don't remember what happened so either it was a DNF or not memorable...)All I want for Christmas before. I didn't make it very far this time either.
I could not force myself to finish the Ghost of Christmas past (bed and breakfast mysteries). I was so bored I was considering vaccuming instead. UGH
I enjoyed the other 4 stories quite a bit, though.
January 8, 2021
The Lords of Misrule By Dana Cameron
I checked this out of the library after a friend asked if I'd read anything by Dana Cameron. This short story is a Christmas time period piece with all the best aspects of a mystery, mixed with great 'heart'.
I fell in love with the characters, the tone, and the fact that both observation and intelligence came together to solve the mystery.
I checked this out of the library after a friend asked if I'd read anything by Dana Cameron. This short story is a Christmas time period piece with all the best aspects of a mystery, mixed with great 'heart'.
I fell in love with the characters, the tone, and the fact that both observation and intelligence came together to solve the mystery.
January 25, 2018
Lori Avocato All I Want for Christmas-loved it. I will look for her books to read
Dana Cameron The Lords of Misrule-it was good. I love that time era.
Mary Daheim The Ghost of Christmas Passed-it was ok. I was just confused what the story was supposed to be about. It tied in at the end.
Cait London Partners in Crime. Was good. The ending was a little abrupt.
Suzanne Macpherson Holly Go Lightly-it was cute. First supernatural in book. I love that aspect.
Kerrelyn Sparks A Very Vampy Christmas. This is the author that brought me to this book. I love this series. I very much enjoyed this story.
Dana Cameron The Lords of Misrule-it was good. I love that time era.
Mary Daheim The Ghost of Christmas Passed-it was ok. I was just confused what the story was supposed to be about. It tied in at the end.
Cait London Partners in Crime. Was good. The ending was a little abrupt.
Suzanne Macpherson Holly Go Lightly-it was cute. First supernatural in book. I love that aspect.
Kerrelyn Sparks A Very Vampy Christmas. This is the author that brought me to this book. I love this series. I very much enjoyed this story.
December 24, 2021
This book is comprised of 6 novellas. Here are my ratings for each in order from best to not so best.
1. A Very Vampy Christmas - 4 stars
2. Holly Go Lightly - 3-1/2 stars
3. All I Want For Christmas is my Two Front Teeth - 3 stars
4. Partners in Crime - 3 stars
5. The Ghost of Christmas Passed - 2 stars
6. The Lords of Misrule - 1 star
1. A Very Vampy Christmas - 4 stars
2. Holly Go Lightly - 3-1/2 stars
3. All I Want For Christmas is my Two Front Teeth - 3 stars
4. Partners in Crime - 3 stars
5. The Ghost of Christmas Passed - 2 stars
6. The Lords of Misrule - 1 star
January 9, 2022
Sugarplum and Scandal (Love at Stake)
Six romantic books, one historical, one paranormal, and four contemporary. Book 1- All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth, book 2 - The Lords of Misule, book 3 - The Ghost of Christmas Passed, book 4 - Partners in Crime, book 5 - Holly Go Lightly, and book 6 - A Very Vampy Christmas. Ok story.
Six romantic books, one historical, one paranormal, and four contemporary. Book 1- All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth, book 2 - The Lords of Misule, book 3 - The Ghost of Christmas Passed, book 4 - Partners in Crime, book 5 - Holly Go Lightly, and book 6 - A Very Vampy Christmas. Ok story.
December 31, 2025
All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth – Lori Avocato
Pauline Sokol, an insurance scam investor is looking into a dentist, Elfin Santana, who has supposedly not given an old man his front bridge work that he has paid for.
This story was packed with Christmas names and references which were kind of funny, it's very short so the story flow felt a bit off, but overall it was an enjoyable read. It reminds me a bit of Janet Evanovich ,Stephanie Plum and Tori Carrigton, Sophie Metropolis books
The Lords of Misrule – Dana Cameron
Christmas 1722, female protagonist solves a mystery. This one was very short, well written but hard to review without giving any spoilers.
The Ghost of Christmas Passed – Mary Daheim
The premise is a large multi-generational family getting together for Christmas.
I didn't really like this one. It's part of a series that at last count had 31 books in it. (Bed and Breakfast Mysteries) I haven't read any of them so all the descriptions of chawhen characters where scheduled to arrive and trying to keep track of who's who was overwhelming and very little actually happened in the story.
Partners in Crime – Cait London
Someone is breaking into houses and stealing Christmas presents. Someone is also causing problems for Cecilia. A handsome stranger, Joe Berenger , comes to the rescue.
This was a great rom-com crime mystery. I liked the characters. It's short so I will let her getting so close to a guy she just met slide.
Holly Go Lightly – Suzanne Macpherson
This was my favorite of the book. I loved the characters and the plot.
A Very Vampy Christmas – Kerrelyn Sparks
This is loosely part of the Love at stake series. Ian helps a vampire with amnesia find out who he is. It was a good story, but seems like a prequel to a full novel because at the end a lot of plot is unresolved.
Pauline Sokol, an insurance scam investor is looking into a dentist, Elfin Santana, who has supposedly not given an old man his front bridge work that he has paid for.
This story was packed with Christmas names and references which were kind of funny, it's very short so the story flow felt a bit off, but overall it was an enjoyable read. It reminds me a bit of Janet Evanovich ,Stephanie Plum and Tori Carrigton, Sophie Metropolis books
The Lords of Misrule – Dana Cameron
Christmas 1722, female protagonist solves a mystery. This one was very short, well written but hard to review without giving any spoilers.
The Ghost of Christmas Passed – Mary Daheim
The premise is a large multi-generational family getting together for Christmas.
I didn't really like this one. It's part of a series that at last count had 31 books in it. (Bed and Breakfast Mysteries) I haven't read any of them so all the descriptions of chawhen characters where scheduled to arrive and trying to keep track of who's who was overwhelming and very little actually happened in the story.
Partners in Crime – Cait London
Someone is breaking into houses and stealing Christmas presents. Someone is also causing problems for Cecilia. A handsome stranger, Joe Berenger , comes to the rescue.
This was a great rom-com crime mystery. I liked the characters. It's short so I will let her getting so close to a guy she just met slide.
Holly Go Lightly – Suzanne Macpherson
This was my favorite of the book. I loved the characters and the plot.
A Very Vampy Christmas – Kerrelyn Sparks
This is loosely part of the Love at stake series. Ian helps a vampire with amnesia find out who he is. It was a good story, but seems like a prequel to a full novel because at the end a lot of plot is unresolved.
December 12, 2017
While the plotting & characterization was good this seemed to be written more for young teens than young adults. I would be very interested in a G-rated adult book for those of us with some grey in our hair who are CW fans.
February 2, 2019
I bought this book to read Kerrelyn Sparks story which was 5 stars!!
I also thoroughly enjoyed Lori, Cait, and Suzanne’s stories!
I still could not tell you what Dana and Mary’s stories were about.... which is why I’m only giving 4 stars.
I also thoroughly enjoyed Lori, Cait, and Suzanne’s stories!
I still could not tell you what Dana and Mary’s stories were about.... which is why I’m only giving 4 stars.
December 27, 2020
I usually enjoy silly holiday novellas, but none of these stories held my interest.
(borrowed via Overdrive)
(borrowed via Overdrive)
April 11, 2021
I love short stories with Christmas themes. This was enjoyable and just the right touch for the holidays!
June 13, 2022
This rating is for A Very Vampy Christmas only
December 2, 2022
Enjoyed this unusual stories
December 15, 2024
Nice variety of little stories. Read and enjoy!
July 31, 2021
All I Want for Christmas...1 star
Lords of Misrule... DNF
Ghost of Christmas Passed...1 star
Partners in Crime...2 stars
Holly Go Lightly...3.5 stars
A Very Vampy Christmas...2.5 stars
Lords of Misrule... DNF
Ghost of Christmas Passed...1 star
Partners in Crime...2 stars
Holly Go Lightly...3.5 stars
A Very Vampy Christmas...2.5 stars
July 10, 2011
This collection includes six short mystery stories set around the holidays. Most of them also have at least a hint of romance and you’ll even come across a Christmas miracle or two. None of the selections are earth-shattering but, as with all anthologies, they give you an introduction to authors you may never have read otherwise, which is why I like to use collections like this one as a way to ‘test drive’ for writers whose works I’ve been thinking about reading. Overall, this is a passable group of stories, but one you would probably be just as happy getting from the library as buying.
All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth, Lori Avocato (3 stars)
Medical Insurance Fraud Investigator Pauline Sokol, with a little help from the sexy Jagger, decides to do a good deed and help poor Leonard Niski get his bridge work back in time to chow down on some Christmas ham. However, when Pauline starts looking into the jolly dentist, Dr. Elfin Santana, she finds things are way more complicated than she expected. Has she bitten off more than she can chew? (Sorry, I can never resist a truly horrible pun.)
The Lords of Misrule, Dana Cameron (4 stars)
In Dana Cameron’s contribution, Miss Margaret Chase helps to solve a Christmas Eve crime involving theft and murder - with a little help from her brother and his enigmatic friend. Set in 1722, The Lords of Misrule is a classic English manor house mystery and was my favorite in this collection. The mystery was well plotted, the characters intriguing and the historical setting warm and inviting.
The Ghost of Christmas Passed, Mary Daheim (2 stars)
Mary Daheim delivers a Christmas miracle, of sorts, in The Ghost of Christmas Passed. When amateur sleuth and innkeeper Judith McMonigle Flynn gathers her boisterous extended family together for their traditional Christmas Eve celebration, conversation turns to her mother’s brother Bart, who disappeared many years ago. As Judith learns more about her mysterious Uncle, it seems like his spirit may be looking for a way to join the family gathering. This story was a bit confusing for me. I felt like I would have appreciated more if I had read some of the books in Ms. Daheim’s series featuring Judith.
Partners in Crime, Cait London (3 stars)
I liked this story, but I would have liked it more if it had been longer. It felt like bits and pieces (and not inconsequential pieces) had been cut out of a longer story to make it the right size for this collection. Cecilia Lattimore gets a little holiday help from an unexpected source in this story by Cait London. A professional organizer, Cecilia’s being threatened by someone who’s breaking into her house and throwing her things into disarray. When a homeless man comes to her aid, Cecilia decides to organize his life as a way to say thank you, but Joe Berenger isn’t quite as down on his luck as he has led Cecilia to believe.
Holly Go Lightly, Suzanne MacPherson (2 stars)
In Suzanne MacPherson’s story, Nick Fredericks can’t seem to get his dead ex-fianceé off of his mind. After spending all of Christmas Eve thinking about Holly, Nick finally realizes her spirit is trying to tell him something important. When Holly’s ghost leads him to a seaside bungalow early Christmas morning, Nick discovers true Christmas Joy. This story was sweet, but not very believable, and I’m not talking about the ghost here. The way Nick and everyone in his family takes the presence of Holly’s spirit so calmly didn’t ring true for me, nor did the events in Carmel after Nick’s arrival.
A Very Vampy Christmas, Kerrelynn Sparks (2 stars)
In this campy, funny tale a newly made vampire suffering from amnesia gets help from his fangy soap-opera co-star when he goes searching for his lost past. The story is well- written, and the ending is satisfying, but all in all, it was a little bit cheesy. And not in the laugh-out-loud-meant-to-be-cheesy kind of way the author was aiming for (at least, I think she was). Just, you know, cheesy.
All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth, Lori Avocato (3 stars)
Medical Insurance Fraud Investigator Pauline Sokol, with a little help from the sexy Jagger, decides to do a good deed and help poor Leonard Niski get his bridge work back in time to chow down on some Christmas ham. However, when Pauline starts looking into the jolly dentist, Dr. Elfin Santana, she finds things are way more complicated than she expected. Has she bitten off more than she can chew? (Sorry, I can never resist a truly horrible pun.)
The Lords of Misrule, Dana Cameron (4 stars)
In Dana Cameron’s contribution, Miss Margaret Chase helps to solve a Christmas Eve crime involving theft and murder - with a little help from her brother and his enigmatic friend. Set in 1722, The Lords of Misrule is a classic English manor house mystery and was my favorite in this collection. The mystery was well plotted, the characters intriguing and the historical setting warm and inviting.
The Ghost of Christmas Passed, Mary Daheim (2 stars)
Mary Daheim delivers a Christmas miracle, of sorts, in The Ghost of Christmas Passed. When amateur sleuth and innkeeper Judith McMonigle Flynn gathers her boisterous extended family together for their traditional Christmas Eve celebration, conversation turns to her mother’s brother Bart, who disappeared many years ago. As Judith learns more about her mysterious Uncle, it seems like his spirit may be looking for a way to join the family gathering. This story was a bit confusing for me. I felt like I would have appreciated more if I had read some of the books in Ms. Daheim’s series featuring Judith.
Partners in Crime, Cait London (3 stars)
I liked this story, but I would have liked it more if it had been longer. It felt like bits and pieces (and not inconsequential pieces) had been cut out of a longer story to make it the right size for this collection. Cecilia Lattimore gets a little holiday help from an unexpected source in this story by Cait London. A professional organizer, Cecilia’s being threatened by someone who’s breaking into her house and throwing her things into disarray. When a homeless man comes to her aid, Cecilia decides to organize his life as a way to say thank you, but Joe Berenger isn’t quite as down on his luck as he has led Cecilia to believe.
Holly Go Lightly, Suzanne MacPherson (2 stars)
In Suzanne MacPherson’s story, Nick Fredericks can’t seem to get his dead ex-fianceé off of his mind. After spending all of Christmas Eve thinking about Holly, Nick finally realizes her spirit is trying to tell him something important. When Holly’s ghost leads him to a seaside bungalow early Christmas morning, Nick discovers true Christmas Joy. This story was sweet, but not very believable, and I’m not talking about the ghost here. The way Nick and everyone in his family takes the presence of Holly’s spirit so calmly didn’t ring true for me, nor did the events in Carmel after Nick’s arrival.
A Very Vampy Christmas, Kerrelynn Sparks (2 stars)
In this campy, funny tale a newly made vampire suffering from amnesia gets help from his fangy soap-opera co-star when he goes searching for his lost past. The story is well- written, and the ending is satisfying, but all in all, it was a little bit cheesy. And not in the laugh-out-loud-meant-to-be-cheesy kind of way the author was aiming for (at least, I think she was). Just, you know, cheesy.
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