Kieran and Gwen are powerful Strigorii vampires who’ve been married over three and a half centuries. Their Master Vampire, Abbott, realizes the couple is on the eve of dissolving their marriage, but no one wants to see their long-time romantic partnership break up. Abbott hopes the gift of a shared blood servant who happens to be a trained bodyguard can solve several problems in one solution. … With the coming war so close, he needs to take steps to protect the couple who manage his vast fortune. If the former slave can also help them find common ground and rekindle their romance? Even better.
Ajax was abducted from foster care as a small child and raised as a slave. Chosen for his size, he was forced into hard physical labor to create a huge, intimidating physique. His original Vampire Master had the slave trained to be his personal bodyguard, and Ajax excels at it. When Abbott took over the territory, he tried letting Ajax work for Drake Security, but the werewolf was miserable.
How can a swan possibly fit into this? Arabella’s mother sold her eggs to the traffickers, and the swanling was hatched into slavery. When the Swan Queen took over the crown, she tried to award Arabella her freedom, but it never took. Surprisingly, it’s possible the little swan might be the glue that holds everything together.
Our story starts on one Christmas and ends on the next. A lot can happen in a year.
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Kieran and Gwen have been married for over three a half centuries, but they are having problems and in an attempt to keep them dissolving the marriage, Abbott gives them the gift of a shared blood servant who happens to be a trained bodyguard. Raised as a slave, Ajax excels at being a bodyguard, but his werewolf was miserable working for Drake Security. Arabella is a swan that was hatched into slaver but when the Swan Queen tried to award her with freedom, it didn’t take. This story starts on one Christmas and ends on the next.
This foursome romance is a passionate and emotionally gripping read that shares insights in the making of an unorthodox family that includes two vampires, a wolf shifter and a swan. The chemistry that flows between these characters sizzle with heat and passion and the relationship is full of some scorching hot intimacy of varying types of interaction. If readers are not into reading about kinky, bdsm scenes, then this book is not for them, but for others it is a steamy, emotional read with two heroines and two heroes that easily draw readers into their story and refuse to let go and by the end readers have really gotten to know these characters and what makes them tick.
The plot is steady paced and covers a full year of suspenseful and emotionally turbulent day to day events that would take place in the making of this kind of family including supernatural politics that have to be considered. The story also some suspenseful and exciting events as readers get the highlights from the supernatural war from this foursome’s point of view. Readers definitely find that once they begin…they definitely don’t want to put this book down until they have read every last page.
Candace Blevins delivers another masterpiece.
Kieran and Gwen’s marriage is on the rocks. But Master vampire steps in with a gift hoping to help heal the rift with a gift. The gift is Ajax.
From the start i couldnt put the story down. To me this story is not just about saving a marriage, its a journey of self discovery, of finding ones self,learning tolerance and recognising others need. Plus the most important part love.
The struggles each character goes through touch your heart. Candace writes so exceptionally, that you are drawn in and feel the emotions they feel.
Its gripping, exciting, emotional and places sad. The love they share seems complete, but something is missing. Arabella is their saving Grace, but they are hers too.
There is so many undercurrents in the story, I couldn’t put it down till I was finished. I put the book down with the biggest smile my heart full. Then started the story again.
Love love loved it.
Thank you Ms Blevins.
The Gift asks the question what constitutes freedom? Are we ever free from our past? What is the greatest gift to a slave? For Ajax freedom means being in control of his mind and gaining control of his wolf. For Arabella it means having someone care for her in every way. For Kieran and Gwen it means keeping their marriage strong even after 350 years. But the greatest gift any of them can receive is the gift of family. This is a sweet and kinky tale that will leave you with a holiday glow.
Kieran and Gwen will always hold that special place in my heart because of their connection at the start of Kirsten’s story. It was a joy to see them have their own story, and to get to see Abbott as a good guy, looking out for his people. Finding out how deep the bond between the two Irish vampires went, and how well they treated each other, and Ajax, and then Arabella, made for a compelling story. Of course, they are vampires, so they both have a touch of the sadistic streak, but they have depth of emotions as well. They are far from perfect, and the insight into their psyche provided so much depth to them as characters, and to the story
Ajax was wonderful, and I couldn’t get enough of him. His strength, his heart, his caring, and his internal conflict and awareness. He was an all-around likable character, trying to find his way, and balancing his thoughts and needs. Kieran and Gwen both feed a part of him, and everything seems to be developing well, but something seems to be missing and holding him back. Once Arabella enters the picture, as unplanned as it all was, his soul settles. The foursome blends and mixes expertly, and all the needs, of all four, are met. The things they all bring to the table make them connect with each other, separately, or together, in the variations of their numbers, in and out of, the bedroom. The final chapter, where are the feelings are explained, was perfection!
Always an auto download for me, Candace Blevins once again pulls me in with her story about Ajax, Kieran, Gwen and Arabella! Learning to live, move beyond, and revel in life after adversity, the journey of this group’s relationship is beautiful as it unfolds. Of course, with some hot spice thrown in as well! This story truly is a Gift that will keep you warm for the holidays! (I am already salivating over when we will get another new book from Candace!)
In case you have a delicate soul, be aware that Ms. Blevins writes very hot sexual scenes with lots of creative variety. For whatever reason (probably having to do with the fabulous Ajax on the cover) it escaped me that this book also features vampire couple Gwen and Kieran. I was delighted as I already had met this couple on the pages of “Only Human”. Was immediately content knowing I would learn more about this couple found in the amazing world Candace Blevins created. I do think this would work well as a stand-alone read, but is all the richer if you follow the series.
And do I ever adore Ajax!! Best. Gift. Ever. The storytelling bounces from the viewpoint of one character to another….and while sometimes that can be distracting….in this story I liked seeing how the same situation would be viewed from a very different perspective. This author includes vivid descriptions in her storytelling, including smaller details it wouldn’t even occur to me to think about. This book is an excellent addition to her universe.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
This was a great story. If you follow this world you need to read this book and if you don’t you still need to read this book. I loved seeing Gwen & Kieran again since I’ve always wondered about them since we first saw them in Only Human. This world that Candace has created with all these wonderful characters will pull you in and keep on the edge of your seat. I highly recommend this book and all her other books too!
I couldn’t wait and dig in to this story, a vampire couple, a werewolf and a swan, would they all make it work. I shouldn’t have worried because Candace has a way of being able to explain the hows and they whys.
The vampire couple is Kieran and Gwen who are having marital problems, Abbott gifts them Ajax as their blood servant and bodyguard, and he hopes that he can be much more to the couple. As the big approaches, Arabella surprisingly comes in at a point that she is very much needed.
Throughout the story we learn backstories from Ajax and Arabella, and are very heartbreaking. However, that’s all they’ve known, so to them it’s a normal life. As the four get to know each other, they each come to the conclusion that what they’ve been missing is being and belonging as a family
The story is so moving on so many levels, it touches on the power exchange and how they all deal with it. It brought out so many emotions as well, especially between Ajax and Arabella. I wish I could have just continued reading their story, that’s one of the best things about Candace’s writing, you never want it to end.
Kieran and Gwen are powerful Strigorii vampires who are married for 3 century. There marriage is on the rocks and then an unexpected change happens one swan shifter and a wolf shifter enters into the situation. This book is full of intense emotions the chemistry between all 4 characters will have you so invested into there future. I really enjoyed how this story unfolds. No spoilers here grab a copy and enjoy.
I have said this time and time again when I read one of Candace Blevin’s books, but, there is a reason she is my go to author for Erotic Paranormal Romance and it’s because she is the Queen of the Paranormal Universe and I bow to her Mastery.
I LOVE AJAX! He has come a long way since his days as a slave and only being called “Guard” his story really did pull at my heartstrings as well as Arabella’s backstory and I need to give a big THANK YOU to the author for not going into vivid detail on certain aspects of their past because I don’t think I would have been able to get through it. Children being used as sex slaves is my HARD LIMIT in books I will not read a book that glorifies it and just thinking about it has my skin crawling. While both Ajax and Arabella were used for sex as children we did not witness it in this book, it was mentioned and my heart broke, I had to put the book down a few times and walk away for a bit but we were just give a some basic facts on what they went through in order to understand their life and how they are trying to adjust to their freedom and how each of their experiences have made them into the people they are today. Ajax is an Alpha werewolf that was beaten down in to submission now that he is free he is having a hard time dealing with the two different sides of himself, the same for Arabella but in a different way. She was raised as a slave/servant and doesn’t know anything else but now she wants to feel needed and useful as well as loved….honestly doesn’t everyone want to feel that way? Like I said my heart broke for the two of them and I am so glad they found each other.
The Hotness factor is through the roof with Ajax, Kieran, Gwen, and Arabella. The four of them really know how to play together, whether it’s just two, three, or all four of them they really get things scorching hot. Master Abbott really knows how to give Christmas gifts and I would love to be on his Christmas list. *wink* *wink*
The Gift: Pleasure Times Four is a great holiday story for readers that have been enjoying the Chattanooga Supernaturals Series but if you haven’t read the latest in the Only Human Series be warned that this book will contain some major spoilers. I will admit that I haven’t read the most current book and I kid you not when I say that my eyes bugged out of my head with a big surprise that I was not prepared for. This book can be read on it’s own but just know that it ties into multiple series and will contain spoilers if you plan on going back and reading them.
This book was a true gift and a pleasure to read. I would highly recommend this book to fans of Candace Blevins, lovers of Erotic Paranormal Romance, and lovers of Menage Romance, but remember over 17 please due to content.
Happy Reading!!!
This book felt like a walk down memory lane.
First the diminutive couple I remember sitting in Kirstens office long ago. Their problem still isn’t solved, but Abbott takes it upon himself to solve it for them. With a unique present. A former slave, a wolf reared as bodyguard, to protect them, to feed them, and hopefully bring them together again.
While following the change in their dynamic, the whole supernatural world of Chattanooga unfolds around them. From Abbott and the Coterie to the RTMC, the wolf pack, The Dragon King and the Swan Queen, and what happened behind and under the scenes during the last battle, that was ultimately won, but brought about many painful losses and profound changes.
While the world around them is changing, so is the bond between the two vampires and their protector. And when an unforeseen emergency brings another member into their union, the dynamic changes again.
Ms Blevins does the interaction between Vampires and their companions like nobody else. So you get another deeply, sensuously moving piece of her supernatural world, and a Christmas story with bite and claws, changing body parts, and love, and most important, family and belonging.
This book was a real gem to read, Candace didn’t disappoint !!!
When there is a break up on a horizont, trust our good old (LOL) vampire Abbott to solve things in his own way – “just do as I tell you, no questions asked !!! ” I feel like we need to start a hashtag for these series #AbbottKnowsBest 🙂 or #JustDoWhatAbbottSaid
Can two vampires make it work after soo long even with their own way of balance or will an addition to their little household help ? how about two additions ??? The more the merrier …
I thing to talk about this book without giving away much (spoilers concerning the Only Human series if you are reading it !!!!!) is this
— variety is the spice of life —
and this book will prove it, beyond the shadow of the doubt. and I have to say I loved every minute of it. and just when you think Candace has gone all mushy on us, there is kicking ass, and sex scenes that are (by now) one of Candace most know trademarks !!! so buckle up, cause this will take you for an intense ride and you will be back for more
Candace Blevins does it again with her holiday offering of “The Gift.” Kieran and Gwen are at odds with each other. After more than three centuries of marriage, dissolution might well be the next stage in their relationship. Leave it to Abbott to come up with the perfect gift to keep this great couple together. But…it wouldn’t be a Candace Blevins book without such amazing characters. Likes: Where to begin. Since the beginning, what has attracted me to Ms. Blevins books are her characters. The personalities and level of detail that goes in to each character is what keeps me tapping those pages. In “The Gift”, you can feel the age of the vampires and while regular readers of her books will get a general overview of the power structures across species and within them, watching Gwen and Kieran as they navigate the shifts in power dynamics within their own relationship was intriguing. With Ajax, given his background, he comes across with a strong ability to detach (rightly so) and that too slowly transitions as the relationships grow and everyone bonds. And then there’s Arabella. I have so many questions about her and it’s all good. And of course, this story fits within the timeline of the last book in the Only Human series, so you get to read/see a different perspective of what’s going on with the big battle. If you love great PNRs with strong characters and a compelling plot, then dive into this book. It might just get you feeling Christmassy. Sort of. And I will admit to feeling a bit sniffly at the end.
We met Kieran and Gwen previously when they met with the marriage counsler, Kirsten O’Shea our heroine from the Only Human series.
Master Abbott inherited Ajax when he took over another territory where the Master of the area had mostly slaves.
Other opportunies didn’t work out since Ajax needed to be with someone he could take care of so Abbott gifted him to the couple to be a shared bloodservant hoping to bring them together since feeding vampires usually included sex and closeness.
An issue cropped up when Kieran treated him as a sex slave even while he was working as the head of his security. Fortunately Ajax was able to make sure that someone could help him to get the issue resolved, a huge step for a fomer slave.
Now we’re treated to hot and wild erotic sex scenes with power exchange and enough variety to satisfy anyone.
We’ve heard of the power of three and how it’s three cubed to equal the power twenty seven and in an emergency Arabella becomes one the three to save a life. And so it became the power of three plus one and an attachment between them began.
I’m a sucker for a good love story and this one satisfied my sweet tooth with lots of steam as well. I read it twice and will read it again to make sure that I didn’t miss any nuances since so much action was included.
Once again Ms. Blevins gave me a book with fully developed characters to get involved with and care about and I loved it.
My rating: delicious 4,5 stars.
Ms. Candace surprised us again with a brilliant story. The title is very fitting on many sides, not just the obvious one.
We get to know much more about vampire politics and how things are managed in the back. We knew a lot from previous books but this one is up-close with more details, interaction, dynamics and power exchange.
The plot is pretty direct with an ex-slave given to a vampire pair and due to the circumstances, another ex-slave Arabella joins them. It was amazing to see so many layers of Ajax, revealing them one by one was fascinating. I’m not sure I liked more his serving side or dominating one. His growth and development were fascinating and Ms. Blevins does a wonderful job revealing his emotions, psyche, and struggles through becoming his own person again and finding his place. His past is tragic and I was amazed by how he managed to come out being the whole person. When he connects with Arabella it is clear that the union between 4 of them is complete.
The battle that is ongoing at the time is epic and for those who want to know more, it is mandatory to read Unhuman Acts.
The kink in the book is creative with the different dynamics and a good portion of sadism. I always love Ms. Blevins’s scenes and those also didn’t disappoint. They were unique and intense with a lot of power exchange.
In the end, this story is about growth, belonging and finding family. It is actually quite sweet.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.