The Bite Before Christmas

Summary   |   Excerpt   |  Reviews

  Ebook Publisher: Loose-Id
  ISBN: 978-1-59632-372-8
  Release Date: 12/19/06
  Cover Artist:April Martinez
  Available at:Loose-Id   $7.99
 
  Print Publisher: Loose-Id
  ISBN: 978-1-59632-518-0
  Release Date: 9/20/07
  Cover Artist:April Martinez
  Available at:Amazon.com   $11.99
  Barnes & Noble   $10.79
 
  Authors:Laura Baumbach
 Sedonia Guillone
 Kit Tunstall


Summary
print version
ebook version

Ian Flynn, a vampire finds his perfect love in 1823 Victorian England in the form of Trevor Sheffield, a young stage actor. He keeps his true nature a secret from his lover until one Christmas Eve when Trevor is brought to the edge of death by a street gang mugging. Rather than lose the man who helped him discover he still had a soul (and a heart to break), Ian turns Trevor. Afterwards, he spends every Christmas Eve alone, wondering if he committed a selfish act of greed or a self-less act of love eternal.







TOP

Excerpt
  Sin and Salvation    by Laura Baumbach

Before long, the small orchestra signaled the start of the entertainment and Ian lost himself in the tragedy and farce of Frankenstein’s creation. As compelling as the story was for him from a personal viewpoint, the play took on a new attraction when the character of Felix DeLacey walked on stage.

Felix was the son of one of the principal characters, and though not a major part of the production, Ian was instantly taken by the young man playing the role. He was young and beautiful, with luminous blond hair that framed his lean, pale face like a halo, the lamplight glistening through the nearly white strands. He was of average height, slender and lithe, but Ian could see the lines of firm muscle under the tight-fitting breeches and form-fitted vest buttoned over a stark white shirt with billowing sleeves.

When the young man clasped his hands behind his back, the puffy sleeves looked like angel’s wings on his back. His voice was throaty and slightly raw, as if his words had been lightly sanded before they were spoken aloud. His diction was crisp, but Ian’s vampire hearing detected the undertone of a cockney accent the man tried very hard to hide to lend credence to his role as a gentleman’s son. High cheekbones and a tapered, masculine jawline completed the package.

Ian was smitten from the first moment the actor glanced at him and seemed to hold his mesmerized gaze during a pause in the action. Play forgotten, Ian stared at the man through the entire performance, his attraction and need growing through each successive scene. During the first intermission, he signaled an attendant and sent his calling card off to be delivered to the actor, and in the process learned the actor’s name was Trevor Sheffield. Entranced, Ian started when the cue caller announced the end of the play.

Walking backstage to the dressing area, Ian was surprised to discover he was nervous about meeting this young man, a mere human a half a foot shorter than he was and easily forty pounds lighter. Yet with all his age, supernatural powers, and strength, he was suddenly nervous as a lad at the thought of being rebuffed by this man. It irritated and thrilled him, making his arousal soar. The air around him nearly crackled with energy. These two feelings, irritation and unbridled desire, Trevor would always instill in him.

He waited by the closed door the attendant had indicated, accepting his cloak and hat from the man moments later. He tipped the man generously and ignored the knowing wink and leering smile the man let slide across his face just before he walked away. Ian inhaled deeply, noticing the man’s scent, cataloging it should he have to correct the man’s lurid impression for Trevor’s sake at a later date and time. Humans always seemed to need to think the worst of their fellow man. Ian supposed it made them feel better about their own lot in life.

As he waited, Jules appeared out of the throng of milling actors, stagehands, and backstage patrons. He rushed headlong at Ian, a smile on his lips and saucy sway to his slim hips that suggested a practiced air of unspoken seduction. Ian had no doubts Jules made his extra income bedding patrons and street cads alike. It was of no matter any more; Jules paled in comparison to Trevor’s beauty and grace. Ian had lost interest in anyone else.

He caught Jules’s gaze and returned only an unwelcoming, stony stare that made the young man falter in his confident steps. Ten feet away, Jules slowed as Trevor emerged from a curtained-off alcove, traces of the harsh stage makeup still on his neck and cheek. Jules came to an abrupt halt when Trevor stepped between them, locked eyes on Ian, and shyly smiled. Thoughts of Jules faded away, despite that young man’s continued, angry presence.

Unable to resist the hesitant twist to Trevor’s naturally rose-colored lips, Ian smiled back, feeling the urge to take and claim the man surging through his entire body. He had thought his soul had been destroyed with his turning, but if it had, he knew it had been reborn at this moment. His still heart ached and his stirring groin pulsed with need unlike any he had experienced before. His mouth watered with the scent of him and the thought of this man’s taste his blood, his seed, even the bead of sweat on his temple all called to him. And he had yet to say hello.

“Good evening.” Ian walked up to Trevor, towering over him by several inches. His smile widened and he extended his hand to the surprisingly shy man. “Ian Flynn, shameless admirer of your talents.”

The young man huffed a nervous sound and flashed Ian a nervous smile, saying, “Evening, sir.” Trevor shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other, his uncertain gaze darting between Ian’s face and the floor then back again before settling on the vampire’s still extended hand. “Oh, sorry, sir, wasn’t thinking!” He clasped his hand into Ian’s and firmly shook it.

The vampire savored the warmth, barely suppressing the shudder it chased down his spine.

Trevor’s skin was a combination of rough and soft, his fingertips and lower hand lightly callused, but his palms were soft and smooth. It delighted Ian just to touch it, a sensual caress against his own sensitive flesh. He lingered over the texture before allowing Trevor to reclaim his hand. He noticed the way Trevor immediately rubbed his fingers together, but Ian didn’t know if the man was wiping off his touch or trying to re-experience it.

“Why don’t you just call me Ian?”

Trevor ran one hand through his blond hair, running the tip of his tongue over his upper lip. “My name’s Trevor. Ah, Trevor Sheffield, actor.”

“I know that part.” They both laughed lightly and Trevor licked at his lip again.

The tongue was pink and wet as it danced over the plump fullness of upper lip. Ian’s gaze followed every nervous wiggle and thrust. He wondered what it would feel like dancing over the head of his cock or into his ass. He wanted to taste it and feel it battle against his own before he tamed it and swallowed it whole. He could consume every inch of this man and still need more of him.

The scent of harsh soap and lime invaded his nostrils and he had to push it aside to detect the slightly salty, musky smell of Trevor’s body. It reminded him of almonds and chestnuts, slightly bitter and heavy, tempting him.

“So very pleased to make your acquaintance, Trevor.” The tang of masculine arousal struck him like a blow as Ian bent nearer to Trevor over the pretext of more intimate conversation, and inhaled, nostrils flaring, cock hard and needy in the confines of his trousers. He shifted his cloak over his arm to hide his response from Trevor’s shy glances. He needed to taste his man soon.

“I admired your grace and talent on the stage tonight, though seeing you without the trappings of your profession.” He boldly reached out and wiped a smear of paint from Trevor’s blushing cheek with his thumb. “-- enhances my opinion of your attributes, both of the flesh and the mind, even more.” He let his touch linger a second longer than publicly acceptable.

Ian let an appreciative smile light his eyes as he studied Trevor’s surprised, but pleased, reaction to his compliments.

“I was hoping you’d be free to share a late meal with me.” Ian didn’t make it a question. He quietly waited, watching desire, uncertainty, excitement, and attraction all battle for dominance on Trevor’s expressive face. Ian knew why the man was so well suited for acting. His emotions played freely across his fine-boned face and flowed over his audience, even an audience of one. He could read every thought that crossed Trevor’s mind.

Much to Ian’s relief, attraction and desire won. Trevor dropped his gaze, pausing before hesitantly confessing, “Don’t usually go out this late.” A flush of pink bloomed at the top of his high-boned cheeks as he stumbled over an almost whispered explanation. “Got me mum to look after.” He licked his upper lip and his voice grew firmer, his own gaze darting longingly over Ian’s face and broad, muscular body. “But her sister’s come to visit with her for a time.” He stood a bit taller and returned Ian’s smile. “Warm meal’d be nice. Be honored to join you, sir.”

“Ian. I’d like you to call me Ian. An accepted dinner invitation allows us the indulgence of this one, tiny intimacy, don’t you think?”

Trevor ducked his head, nervously fingered the edge of his cloak, and then looked Ian in the eye. “Would be all right, I think.” He paused then added, “Ian.”

Liking the way Trevor’s throaty voice and soft cockney accent made his name sound, Ian moved closer and took Trevor’s cloak from the man’s arm. He held it out and indicated the young man should put it on. Trevor instantly obeyed and Ian enjoyed the feel of his warm, firm body close to his own as he shrugged the cloak over and around Trevor’s lean shoulders. Slipping into his own cloak and hat, Ian guided Trevor out the side exit to a line of waiting cabs, not sparing the fuming, dismissed Jules a second glance.




TOP

Reviews


  Review Site: MyBookCravings
  Reviewer: Pam
  Rating: 5 Roses & Recommended Read


In Sin and Salvation by Laura Baumbach Vampire Ian Flynn meets and falls in love with a young stage actor, Trevor Sheffield. On Christmas Eve, happy and content for the first time in years, he goes to meet his lover, only to find him under attack by a band of thugs and on the edge of death. Unwilling to lose his true love, he turns him. Each December 24th they spend apart, until finally one holiday season they realize the wonderful gift they have been given and it changes their lives forever. Ms. Baumach has written a gem of a Christmas story, filled with love, passion, personal demons and redemption. It’s a male/male romance at its best and one that I intend to enjoy again next holiday season.





  Review Site: Fallen Angels Reviews
  Reviewer: Teresa
  Rating: 4 Angels

Once again, Ms. Baumbach has created two very compelling characters that take on a life of their own. Ian is a very loving person with very strong beliefs that, even though it causes him pain, allows Trevor to act as he must. Trevor feels he needs to make amends for his life, but a meeting with a child may help him see the true meaning of Christmas.

This is a very interesting anthology that incorporates three completely different stories, but each story has a base theme that supports and enhances the others. Each story evolves around a vampire base, but they all go in completely different directions. Each of these authors have had other books that I have enjoyed and it was fun seeing how they adapted their unique styles of writing to support the theme of this anthology. I enjoyed this book and will look forward to other stories by each of these writers.





  Review Site: JustEroticRomanceReviews.com (no link yet)
  Reviewer: Stacey Landers
  Rating: 4 Stars
  Heat Level: H

"..._Sin and Salvation_ has to be one of the most beautiful love stories I have read in a while. Laura Baumbach did a wonderful job in bringing the reader into the lives of Trevor and Ian, and taking us on their journey. Ian was a very worldly vampire, charming, masculine and sexy. He was a man the loved the arts, and when he first laid eyes on Trevor, it was love at first sight. I can imagine Ian as a Hugh Jackman type of sexy, all the while being witty and intelligent. Trevor knew he lusted after Ian, and threw himself into the relationship with gusto. I found their lovemaking to be full of passion, eroticism, and romance. The story was exciting, sexy, and filled with joyful abandon, all the while having a dark and seedy side that had me grieving the loss of Trevor for the holiday like Ian was. A wonderful tale for the holiday and a superb author to add to my list."