RELEASE DAY REVIEW: 'Vampire Claus' by Robert Winter
Title: Vampire Claus
Author: Robert Winter
Published: November 15, 2017
Publisher: Self-Published/Robert Winter Books Cover Artist: Dar Albert/Wicked Smart Designs
Genre: Dark Erotic Romance; Paranormal Romance
Length: 97 Pages
Tags: Gay; M/M; Paranormal: Vampires; Holiday: Christmas; Novelette; HFN; CW: Violence - Explicit
About Vampire Claus
A lonely vampire and a fearless mortal with no instinct for self-preservation. Isn't that what Christmas is all about?
'Twas the night before Christmas, but what's stirring is a little more dangerous than a mouse. Taviano is nearly two hundred years old and never wakes in the same place twice. Weary and jaded, the vampire still indulges in memories of childhood Christmases in Naples. He lingers in shadow, spying on mortals as they enjoy the holiday.
When Taviano spots a handsome young man in Boston loaded down with presents and about to be mugged, he can't help but intervene. Soon he's talking to joyous, naïve, strong-willed and funny Paul, a short-order cook who raised funds to buy Christmas presents for LGBTQ children. Before he knows what's happened, Taviano is wrapped up in Paul's arms and then in his schemes to get the presents delivered by Christmas morning.
A vampire turned into a Christmas elf... What could go wrong?
Vampire Claus is a 30,000-word standalone gay romance about a lonely vampire and a fearless mortal with no instinct for self-preservation. A heartwarming ending, no cliffhanger, and a young man who discovers he has a thing for fangs. Isn't that what Christmas is all about?
5 HEART READ
REVIEW:
Robert Winter’s stories are always creative and completely unique, and he has outdone himself with Vampire Claus. This novelette is complex and a bit dark, and Winter weaves an intriguing tale with a positive and hopeful message.
These are characters I definitely hope to see more of in the future.
Feeling nostalgic for the Christmases of his youth, and reminiscing about his boyhood lover, the vampire Taviano stops to peer in on a Christmas Eve Mass. When Taviano hears a commotion and intervenes to prevent a mugging, he is immediately drawn to Paul, the intended victim.
This is a beautifully written scene and sets the stage for the rest of the story. Here Winter explains about the two entities that exist within the vampire: The human part of Taviano remains with his memories, desires, and emotions intact. Alongside that lives the demon, the “bloodbeast”, the vampire.
One body, two distinct beings who, up to this point, do not interact.
Taviano examines his attraction to Paul, “The bloodbeast remained strangely quiet, drifting in his belly and mind, but asleep. With that awareness, Taviano finally had to admit that the yearning he felt was entirely his own.” Well Taviano has almost two hundred years of yearning to make up for and Paul definitely has no complaints.
The sex is hot and wonderfully kinky.
With Taviano free to embrace his human side he is playful and sweet. He is amazed to find he can use his power to create happiness and help others, and how good it feels to do just that. With the help of Paul’s positive outlook, Taviano reclaims a number of important things for himself.
One of my favorite aspects of Robert Winter’s writing is how different each story is, and Vampire Claus is just that. He doesn’t follow a formula, his characters are complicated, and the relationships they form fascinating to watch. I really hope to see more of the Vampire Taviano and Paul, maybe we can see how they celebrate Easter?
A copy of Vampire Claus was provided to Kimmers’ Erotic Book Banter, by Robert Winter, at no cost and with no expectations in return. We offer our fair and honest opinion on behalf of our readers.
Amazon/KU
Meet the Author
Robert Winter lives and writes in Provincetown, Massachusetts. He is a recovering lawyer who prefers writing about hot men in love much more than drafting a legal brief. He left behind the (allegedly) glamorous world of an international law firm to sit in his home office and dream up ways to torment his characters until they realize they are perfect for each other. When he isn’t writing, Robert likes to cook Indian food and explore new restaurants. He splits his attention between Andy, his partner of sixteen years, and Ling the Adventure Cat, who likes to fly in airplanes and explore the backyard jungle as long as the temperature and humidity are just right.
For more from Robert be sure and visit his website.
