The Bite Before Christmas

Betts (Knock Me for a Loop) sets three Christmas-themed vampire romance novellas in an alternate modern-day Boston. The strongest is “A Vampire in Her Stocking,” in which matchmaker Angelina Ricci presents an unexpected gift to love-besotted vamp Vivian Harrison: Viv’s adored boss, who’s saved from a devastating illness when Angelina turns him into an unwilling bloodsucker. “All I Vant for Christmas” involves a human party planner, a wealthy vampire, and a mansion that needs to be decorated from crypt to attic. The weakest entry is “It’s a Wonderful Bite,” in which Angelina longs for a proposal from her lover after 80-something years of undead, unwed bliss. There’s far more than kissing going on beneath the mistletoe, making this stocking stuffer most suitable for raunch-minded paranormal romance fans. (Oct.)