Holidays Bite

by Laura Greenwood, Margo Bond Collins, Mirren Hogan

’Tis the Season…for vampires!

When the days grow shorter and dusk comes earlier, we may spend our time decorating with holly and mistletoe, drinking cider, and playing in the snow. But the creatures who stalk the night are in their element—and while visions of sugarplums dance in our heads, they’re lurking in the shadows, knowing there’s nothing so delicious as a vampire’s kiss.

So settle in for a long winter’s night full of winter holiday vampire tales from these New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling authors. Including paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and dark fantasy, this collection give a whole new meaning to the term heartwarming.

Because sometimes, the holidays truly bite.

1442 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 2, 2020

About the author

Laura is a USA Today Bestselling Author of fantasy romance and urban fantasy. She lives in the UK, where most of her books are set, with her partner. When she's not writing, Laura can be found exploring worldwide cusine with her partner, drinking tea, and reading fantasy books. Laura specialises in quick reads, featuring healthy relationships and consent-positive moments, regardless of whether she's writing light-hearted romance, mythology-inspired modern fantasy, cozy fantasy or anything in between.

Discover one of Laura Greenwood's most popular series:
- The Apprentice of Anubis (mythology inspired modern/urban fantasy)
- Forgotten Gods (mythology inspired fantasy romance)
- Jinx Paranormal Dating Agency (mythology inspired paranormal rom-com)
- House of Blood and Roses (vampire romantasy)
- Amethyst's Wand Shop Mysteries (urban fantasy murder mystery)
- Scales of Justice (mythology inspired modern/urban fantasy)
- Purple Oak Oasis (cozy fantasy romance)
- Falhaven Castle (cozy fantasy romance)

You can find a full book list and more information on her website, or in her Facebook Reader Group.

Happy Reading!

Reviews

[Katheyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Review of “Dhampir Wish” by Elise Hennessy

“Holiday’s Bite” is a limited-edition compilation of vampire tales by some of the best fantasy authors of the moment, united under the common theme of winter holiday festivities. The compilation offers a diversity of genres and themes from paranormal romance, over dark fantasy to urban fantasy and any possible combination of them. Featuring stories from almost thirty authors, this limited-edition boxed set is a fantastic opportunity to both enjoy new stories from your favorite authors and sample the work of new and future favorites.

“Dhampir Wish” by Elise Hennessy, a story about the spirit of Christmas from a Vampire perspective. Set into the “Blood Legacy” verse it features Dhampir Charlotte Smith and her pureblood vampire partner Armando. Both Charlotte and Armando are enforcers, a kind of vampire police. Charlotte has been searching for her father for centuries without success, and even beginning to believe he must be already be gone, but her new blossoming romantic relationship with Armando, with the attached consequences of he able to live forever and she growing old makes the search all the more urgent. Armando would do everything for Charlotte, even seeking out the help of the Fae to fulfill her wish.

[Sunny Lovestories · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over 20 HOT right Now in their genres come together for one volume of bloodlust in the cold dark days of winter. Some stories are excellent as stand alones. But what kept me from giving five stars was because of one thing easily noticeable: some of the stories are obviously excerpts from the author's longer novels. There are also some stories that tie into the authors, very popular, paranormal series.
All in all 90% of the stories are riveting and make you want to sit and devour the whole anthology in one sitting....with the lights on.

[Margarita Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not knowing anything about celebrating Christmas. Lis decides that she wants to surprise her family with Christmas. Once she starts in her journey it's one castrophy after another. She needs to learn the true meaning of Christmas. Will she succeed? This is a delightful Christmassy read. You will love how she grows as a vampire.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Eliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of Tales of the Favored: A Christmas Tale: A Born Vampire Short Story by Elizabeth Dunlap

I feel like there were a bunch of other stories I should have read before reading this one. There were hints at events I had no clue about and I felt rather lost when they were referenced. Other than that, this story was a kaleidoscope of holiday related topics squashed together to create somewhat of a plot line. There was a good chuckle from all the events but I felt lost when it came to all the characters.

I give this a three out of five stars. The plot was a hodgepodge of events that randomly lead from one thing to the other. I was confused about the characters and felt like I should have known about them by reading previous books, which books? I have no idea.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rhonda Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by Elizabeth Dunlap and was thrilled to be able to receive an ARC in the "Holidays Bite" Anthology. 'Tales of the Favored' is apparently part of the "Born Vampire" series. Now, I haven't read the entire series but this short read made a perfect standalone. It contained all the different characters with quirky personalities along with all the chaos of Christmas. We get to be a part of all this cheerful chaos while the characters are to put to test of finding the true meaning of Christmas. After reading this book, I know I'll have to see about getting the series. This was such a fun read. As I complete the rest of the books, I'll most certainly update my review.

[Tera Comer · Rating 4 out of 5]

*** Read in Kindle Unlimited ***
First Oath - Laura Greenwood
We return to a story about the black fan and Bindi and her fake engagement to Julian. I really enjoy these characters and like the mystery in the series

Hell's Silver Bells - Margo Bond Collins
Great short story about Blaize and her traveling companion, and the adventure they go on while monster hunting at Christmas time.

Tales of the Favored: A Christmas Tale - Elizabeth Dunlap
While I have not read a lot of the books in the Born Vampire series I have read a few so I was not completely lost on some of the characters so some of the settings were familiar to me. Lis needs to learn the true meaning of Christmas before she can get to her family and lets just say she manages to do that in this short story.

[Viv · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Review of Dhampir's Wish by Elise Hennessy***

I am completely invested in the Blood Legacy series by Hennessy and jumped at the chance to read anything connected to the story and the characters the author has created.

Dhampir's Wish did not disappoint - it's a charming Christmas story focusing on Charlotte and Armando, both introduced throughout the Blood Legacy series, with just the right amount of updates from the other characters. A great read to get into the Christmas spirit!

If you're a fan of how Sarah J Maas's "A Court of Frost and Starlight" novella continued the ACOTAR series, Dhampir's Wish gave me exactly the same kind of vibes.

[sherri jones-teachout · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tales of the Favored by Elizabeth Dunlap - A vampire must learn the true meaning of Christmas.
Lisabeth wants to make Knight happy and re-create what Christmas should be. But Lisabeth doesn’t have the first clue about what to buy, and she hates Christmas. But while shopping she meets a woman who is tied to Santa and the North Pole and she takes Lisabeth there to get ornaments. But there Lisabeth has to complete a mission and at the end she will hopefully know the true meaning of Christmas.I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been provided with a review copy of First Oath by Laura Greenwood for an impartial review. This is the prequel to the brand-new The Black Fan series and is an introduction to the characters Bindi and Julian whose story concludes in Bite Of The Oath. I just loved this introduction into these characters. I was just immediately drawn in and I just didn’t want the story to end. I immediately wanted more after turning the last page. I can’t wait to read the conclusion to their story.

[Mrs R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have only read Tales of the Favoured by Elizabeth Dunlap so far.
I loved this story, it was so funny entertaining and lighthearted, with some brilliant characters.
This is a complete story of Lisbeth trying to embrace Christmas for her mates. However, it did feel like part of a bigger story, which I would definitely want to read.

[Trina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a review for one of the books Dhampi’s Wish by Elise Hennessy. As I have read another book of Elise’s which contains some of these characters the setting was familiar which is always comforting when reading a book. It was a sweet, quick read with a Christmas touch and a happy ending. A good read to put you in the Christmas mood.

[Christina Luberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read "Tales Of The Favored: A Christmas Tale" by Elizabeth Dunlap. I'm not sure what I really think since it was so only about a 45 minute read, having you understand the true meaning of Christmas. I recognized the some of the characters, but did not know how they involved into the now at Christmas.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mari (Mystics & Metaphysics Book Blog) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have only read Tales of the Favored: A Christmas Tale: A Born Vampire Short Story by Elizabeth Dunlap in this anthology but I feel like I should also read the others if they are connected. There were instances where I was confused because the story seemed part of a bigger one. The story is fun and has some lighthearted moments.

[꧁ᙏᗣᙃⱿꙆᗣ꧂ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars for the whole 😉👍

[Jennifer Layne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have currently only read: Tales of the Favored: A Christmas Tale by Elizabeth Dunlap

This was fun. It was a quick short read that lets you learn a little more about Lisbeth and her general dislike for Holidays. Though she has decided to try for Her Men and the Children.

It was fun and made me giggle a few times.

I received this as an Advance Reader Copy from Booksprout with the hopes I would like it and review it.