Special Packages

Saint Lakes #5.5

by April Kelley

Some mates come with very special packages.

As the oldest son of irresponsible, selfish parents, Craig doesn't remember the last time he shifted into his turtle form and took a nice relaxing swim. He's far too busy working two jobs and taking care of his six younger siblings. When Craig's mate comes crashing into the diner kitchen, where he's a cook, his life gets even more complicated.

As the oldest vampire in existence, Zadimus has spent a lot of his years alone and liked it. Zadimus never thought his introverted nature would ever be a problem until he meets his mate’s family.

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Shapeshifters, M M Romance, Fantasy, Holiday, Christmas

36 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 31, 2017

About the author

Living in Southwest Michigan, April resides with her husband and two kids. She has been an avid reader for several years. Writing her first story at the age of ten, the characters in her head still won't stop telling their stories. If April isn't reading or writing she can be found outside playing with the animals or taking a long walk in the woods.

If you wish to contact her email authoraprilkelley@gmail.com.

Please visit her website at authoraprilkelley.com

Reviews

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute Christmas story about a vampire who finds his wolf-shifter mate and gets more than he thought possible. I got this on "Instafreebies" so I was really worth reading.

I checked her books on amazon and they are expensive as far as I'm concerned.

[Sierra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much too short. The love Craig has for his siblings is sweet and I love the way Zad embraces the idea of family after being alone so long. The problem was that there was barely any time spent on their mating or relationship. I know that this was being true to the realities of parenting, but I would have loved to see them have a bit of time before the siblings intruded/were integrated in. Not a true Christmas story as well (something that was intimated in its release). Still, very sweet and loving with kids who act like real kids and an older brother with the weight of the world and all the love in his heart on his shoulders. Until he finds his mate and the burden and joy is wonderfully shared.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had known about this one while I was reading the series. Even though this was TOO short and lacking in details, I knew this going in, so... no complaints. What I didn't expect was the way Craig grabbed my heart and had me sitting here "wishing" for more that I knew wasn't coming... grrr

Zad? You gotta love the guy and I would have loved more about him, but... such is life! :(

Craig's parents... don't get me started on child neglect! We will just call them disgusting, abusive baby making machines and leave it at that! OK, I can't let it stop there... The sad fact that this situation actually exists, not only in fiction but in our own communities today is just reprehensible!

[Neats · Rating 2 out of 5]

Im going to review this series as a whole, it was very surface level. If you are looking for chemistry or connection between your mates this is not the series. Every set of mates actively fight their pairing. Every true mate has some reason or rather they dont want their mate. And the Alpha doesn't want to be Alpha. The war, naughty vamps are trying to help naughty humans wipe out shifters n get the witch. Why.. a fae n vampires would help do that is beyond me. But anyways.... meanwhile. Interpecies true mates are happening at a sonic speed level n every time someone finds their mate they object, refuse the mating, avoid the mating

[DC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable, but short, story within the Saint Lakes series. Craig and Zad make a great couple and Zad turns out to be wondeful with Craig’s siblings, whom they are now raising. It would have been nice if this story were longer so we can watch this family of misfits thrive. Also, no explanation was ever provided as to why Craig’s parents are so distant and unloving. Was that a trait of turtle shifters or something else?

[Fay MMBookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little novella for the Saint Lakes series. Short and sweet and packed with family love.
Craig (a turtle shifter) had no time for himself between looking after his siblings, working at his family's diner and also working at cabin rental business.
Zadimus was a vampire and knew his mate was close by.  His solidarity life was about to be no more.

[Virginia Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful short story. We meet Craig that has so much weight on his shoulder. He would never stop caring and taking care of his younger sibling. Then to see the interaction between Craig and Zad was good start to something.
Recommend reading this book

[Carina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story

Very short story. It was good. The quality of writing was good and shows the author could write it into a full novel. It would be much better longer. Also because it was so short there was not enough about the characters backgrounds to be invested in them.

[Garth Mailman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well edited, heart warming, free of blatant sexual descriptions. Involves children.

[Leticia Bushong · Rating 3 out of 5]

To short

I was a little disappointed with this short story there could have been so much more but it was cute.