Polly was nearly killed in a vampire battle near the end of the American Civil War. Her body needed time to heal, but she awakens into a startling future no one in the eighteen hundreds could’ve possibly dreamed of. To further complicate things, Polly wakes a week before Thanksgiving, so she’ll have to navigate the craziness of modern day Christmas on top of everything else.Jayce is an ancient … ancient vampire who’s taking it easy while he lives under this identity. He was a famous physicist in the roaring twenties, but he’s currently a bartender, where everyone knows him as Ace. Abbott assigns the super-genius to teach Polly about this world she’s awakened to — with cars, airplanes, indoor plumbing, and smartphones with a camera in every human’s hand.
Cole is a bear shifter, and is Jayce’s partner. Lover. Whatever. Cole is a physics professor and doesn’t have time for silly labels — nor is he thrilled with the prospect of having a seven hundred year old former Queen of England living in their home. If she thinks he’s bowing to her, she’ll be sorely disappointed.
Sergei was abducted from foster care by an evil vampire as a child, and turned into a werewolf. Abbott rescued him when he took over Maryland, and he’s living with Jayce and Cole, employed as their house manager, but he wants to be so much more to them.
Two vampires, a grizzly bear, and a werewolf. It sounds like the beginning of a joke, but these four living under one roof is serious business. Follow them through an extraordinary Christmas season as they each find ways to offer Unexpected Gifts.
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This scorching hot and emotionally gripping holiday romance captures hearts and makes readers wish for three sexy partners to be put in their Christmas stockings. All the characters are strong, captivating and draw readers to them with their vulnerabilities, personalities and intense passion. The relationship between this foursome is complicated and slowly develops over time as they Jayce and Cole open their hearts and their relationship to Sergei and Polly and accepting them as part of their family. The passion is abundant throughout the story and the intimate scenes range from hot to scorching and include – mm, mmm, and mmmf scenes. The story also gives readers the emotional perspective of all four characters throughout which ensures that readers fall in love with them all.
The story is fast paced and has an unexpected seamless flow which makes it easy for readers to become completely caught up in the story. The author does a great job of integrating the various perspectives, present lives and future hopes into this story so that while Polly is learning how to adapt to this time period, it doesn’t interrupt the flow of the story or how the present progresses. Also, the Abbott holds the foursomes happiness in his hands and the characters are uncertain of building a relationship that could be broken apart which adds an intriguing bit of suspense that further enhances this heartwarming holiday romance.
For once, Candace wrote the blurb that said it all – “Two vampires, a grizzly bear and a werewolf. It sounds like the beginning of a joke.” 🙂 this is exactly how you feel reading the first couple a chapters and you are swooning soooo hard from 4 different characters: egos, attitudes, different centuries under one roof. I would ran away screaming !!!!
But Candace is not a novice in such a plot twist (this is THE plot twist of the century, among others… lets face it, Candace lives for these).
Polly (later Moira) is a vampire that awakens after a loooong recovery, but thank God, Concilio has a curriculum to bring their sleeping vampires back up to speed. that part had me giggling and thinking about taking all the accomplishments for granted. Jayce is a smart(ass) vampire that is charged with teaching Polly about the modern times and also to host her into his home he shares with Cole who is a very smart grizzly bear and Sergei (I have a colleague named Sergei and I keep picturing him in this role ROFL !! soooooo not what Candace envisioned) a werewolf with a troubled past that has yet to blossom.
This story has many hidden stories and underlines, its a delight – the perfect novella for this time of pre-Christmas time. One of Candace readers called the “the ideal Hallmark moment, except this one is whit claws and fangs” and I have to agree.
this is the perfect book to spend time on, while the wait for the next book is on !!!
Candace Blevins nails it again, I just loved everything about her newest release. Unexpected Gifts. Just because you have the means to throw your weight around it doesn’t mean you have to.
I loved the history that Candace included perfectly detailed and just enough that it didn’t have your eyes rolling in your head. It was a great mix of detail and story. More so if you actually know the history. *smiles* nope not telling. Read it
Polly woke up and her world has changed, cars, planes and automobiles oh my. Jace is smarter than your average supernatural, but its like he’s so calm and smooth in his personality. I automatically fell in love with him. The Abbot thought he’d be the perfect teacher for Polly. Sergie was so amazing! his personality shined through, just wanted to grab him up and hug him. Cole I absolutely adored his gruffness and his need to hold back, the way his personality was written was dead on.
The varied emotions came through in each of their personalities that was a huge sale for me, the rest just fell in place. The teachings, using movies was a great tool. the introduction to the family was smooth and so like Abbot. and and the cameo by Razor! loved it! Love, passion and strength. How each of them melded together and complimented well deserved the 5 star review. Enjoy
While the start of the book seems to be a love story of the ages with a vampire taking care of another one for more than 150 years even moving her body with him everytime he does, waiting until she’s healed enough to awaken, it isn’t.
Instead the central characters are an ancient vampire and his bearshifter lover. I found myself invested in the strong, intense relationship between Jayce and Cole both supernatuals having very similiar scientific geeky brains but exuding sexuality that’s burning hot. Yet they’re secure enough in their love that they sometimes bring in others for a night or so that it has them thinking of adding a third to their passionate duo.
Sergei, a werewolf who is employed to take care of them and their home, wants desperately to be that one as he’s already crazy in love with Cole and delights in pampering both of them.
Polly now known as Moira is not just a guest but is their student needing to be brought into the modern world. I found some of the discussions of history and morality were fascinating. Their use of media, movies and television to aid in her education was intriguing.
As Moira becomes more familiar with the other three and feelings develop and she wonders is there room for her and could it become a romance of four?
It’s a stand alone story but still filled with lots of familiar Chattanooga Supernaturals. After all it is the holidays a time for family and friends to gather and these are some of the ones closest to Master Abbott who hosts some of these get-togethers.
While not quite her usual style Ms Blevins has written an intriguing story filled with compelling characters and profound ideas that I believe will keep me thinking about them for quite some time.
And yes once again as with her previous books I have already read it a second time.
I received an ARC in return for an honest review not necessarily a positive one.
Happy Supernatural Holidays!
An established pair of lovers and their housekeeper, living quietly together in their mountain aerie. And here comes Abbott and sets them the task to educate a former princess-queen-queen mother with a wonky reputation.
What could become a total disaster Ms Blevins turns into a colorful tapestry of musings about economics and politics, and luscious menage scenes. She lets us watch an uncommon bond develop. Lets us watch a person grow into a better, more rounded version of herself and find, and celebrate, humanity.
But for me it’s the little werewolf, well, little compared to the other three, larger than life personalities, who is the glue that binds them together.
He encompasses the concept of devotion to, and love of family in its purest form. Despite, or rather because of, his horrific upbringing.
This is a celebration of giving thanks for the good things in life without drowning in Hallmark sweetness.
Well, it’s Blevins style!
Holiday seasons, specifically Christmas is the time people bring their loved ones together and celebrate. What happens when two additional people show up to the party of two and make it four? For Cole and Jayce, they are happily together. Cole’s bear shifter is a partner to Jayce’s vampire desires. Their dynamic is super hot and when they hit the sheets, there is fire. With Jayce getting reading to start his next “life” and coming out of the shadows, Cole is eagerly looking forward to their compatible love of physics research together. Never did they think they would need more than each other.
In comes Polly… a former Queen of a realm and now Master Vampire. Polly is woman who is used to running the show and knowing the most. Being asleep for 150 years – through industrial revolution as well as our digital age is going to be tough. Lucky for her, the vampire world is ready for such challenges as they have a curriculum to bring their sleeping vampires back up to speed.
I’m mixed about this story. Here’s why. I loved the tough topics tackled in this story. From the very beginning, there are discussions on social economic viewpoints that appeal to me. In addition, we see the counterpoints between experience and youth. I can see the perspective of both Cole and Jayce. I understand it because once, I was Cole and I would have been as outraged as he is with Jayce. Now, I lean more towards Jayce’s beliefs and it is hard to be as gracious as Jayce. I’m not saying that older and richer people know better. I am saying that with experience, some people with knowledge will turn it into wisdom. And in a country which is so very young compared to others, it is easy to lose sight of the long view. This is what I love about Ms. Blevins. She cleverly sneaks in these concepts and discussion points that make me want to chat with her up into the wee hours of the night. This intellectual stimulation is so appealing. She keeps slipping in these points to ponder throughout the entire story. This is what makes the story work so well for me.
From a character perspective, this is one of the few books in her large repertoire where I just did not connect with the characters. I admire them. I thought each one of them were unique and interesting. I just didn’t connect with them and there was no chemistry between me and the four. Even if I liked Sergei and thought he was the most adorable service bottom and pet, I just did not feel vested in him or the other three. This is why I’m mixed on this holiday treat. I loved the subject mattered studied and would love to read more about it and yet, the characters were meh.
Seeing a more relaxed interaction of Abbott with his people and his tentative interaction with shifters is a nice abet worrisome insight. Full confession – I love Abbott. It distresses me to no end how he and the shifters have a strained relationship. I think a lot of it has to do with the Vampire logic versus Shifter emotions. For me, Ms. Blevins does an amazing job of showing how the long lived see life and make decisions different than those who are short lived. Yes, the shifters live longer, and yet they are still children in experience. Whilst some are better at control of their emotions, they tend to act based on feelings and emotions instead of looking at the long game. This is not to say the vampires are always right. Cold logic equates to a very lonely and cold bed if not tempered with emotion. This blend of logic and emotion is done so well in Ms. Blevin’s books. I love it.
Whilst this review is getting a bit dry, the erotic scenes in this story are not. They are so sexy and panty moistening goodness. Good lord, Ms. Blevins cranks up the sexy kink with this foursome. There is zero intense BDSM. Instead, there are sexy shenanigans with threesomes and foursomes. They are explosively hawt and not to be missed. When it comes to sex scenes, Ms. Blevins is one of the few authors I will read every word and revel in the sex scenes.
This erotic romance is highly recommended to paranormal readers who enjoy multiple partners.
* I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Ms Blevins certainly knows how to draw you in with her writing. This is not your typical romance story with a happy ever after. There are so many undercurrents between the four characters and the story line has hidden depths. A story of growth, of understanding, love and respect while overcoming ones past and fears. Beautiful and brilliant book, take the time and savour it. Fall in love with them as they go on their journey if discovery.
Unexpected Gifts is a fresh, unique new story in the Chattanooga Supernatural series and I LOVED it!!
Jayce, Cole, Moira and Sergei are amazing together. I loved them and their story.
Honestly, straight up, I am reading this book and wondering “what’s up with the title?” I mean, I completely and utterly lapped up the story like a cat at a cream convention, but I couldn’t figure out the title. Then I hit the very end of the book, and had an “awwww” moment, which, if you read this authour, doesn’t happen often, and it was completely unexpected, and I didn’t see it coming. Still, the cockles of my heart were warmed by this instance and the title, the holiday theme, and the character dynamic all crystalized for me like snowflake it the atmosphere!
Personal musings aside, this story was a super sexy, I mean super sexy, story between Jayce and Cole, then add another, then add another. Polly comes to live with them to learn about the world, Dimitri is already living with them and wants more. From the very beginning of the story, the journey for each character begins. How do they fit in the world, in the many faceted relationships taking place, the dynamics within the household, and is any of that aligning with what they want; Do they know what they want? How do they get what they want?
The story can easily be read as a stand alone, but if you have read any of the preceding books in the worlds, you get to visit the coterie house and the inhabitants, and Razor and Matty are in for a bit. In the end though, Jayce, Cole, Polly, and Dimitri find out about themselves, each other, and what they want, to be happy, and it starts and concludes, over the holidays 🙂
Unexpected Gifts takes us on a journey of discovery. A slave learning to make good decisions when he’s never had to make them before. A vampire just out of a 150 year healing stasis has to decide who she is going to be in this modern world. And 2 long time lovers have to figure out if their love can stand an addition or two. This is not a light fluffy romance. This goes deeper and will leave you thinking long past the last page about the nature of family and freedom. Well done Ms. Blevins.
What a lovely treat for upcoming holidays. This is a story about love and second chances and fits perfectly in this time of year.
Cole – a bear shifter and Jayce – a powerful vampire complete each other in their partnership. They are in love and happy together. They are sort of equal partners and their sex is smoking hot. It seems they don’t need nobody else, until Polly comes around. She is strong, independent vampire who has some bad reputation due to her past. As she was asleep for 150 years, she is now forced to learn all the history, social etiquette and technology in modern time. Let’s not forget Sergei – a werewolf and their house manager, wanting to be more. He was such a sweet albeit strong pet and so desperately in need of unconditional love and trust.
I was fond of hard topics they discussed and how they confronted past vs. Present. The history, economics, social class and relationships it was all covered. The character development is evident through the plot, even though there is a clear difference between mature and foolish behaviour and how age really means wisdom. I loved the dynamics between the main characters. Their relationship between each other was special and when they all came together, it was on fire.
Unexpected gifts are all about family and friends and treats moments in Christmas time and it warmed my heart. There is some sexy time, but it is not the main point. The best moment for me was when Polly finally understands what Christmas all is about. For me that was when she finally finds her humanity and it warmed my heart. It was also great to see Abbott in other perspective too.
Ms Blevins knows how to write a good romance, with great details, enough steamy sex, intelligent and funny dialogue with heart-warming moments. It is not easy to combine but she managed it again.
If you are looking for a feel-good Christmas story, then you need to snap up Candace Blevins “Unexpected Gifts” right now. While it’s part of the Chattanooga Supernaturals universe, it is a standalone story that will give you all those warm and fuzzy feelings that comes with drinking just enough hot chocolate and not eating too many warm, delicious Christmas cookies.
Likes: As with Ms Blevins other stories, she has a flare for the details that comes out in the storytelling making you feel as though you’re a part of the story and not simply reading it. Her characters are warm (or cool) flesh and blood with very real thoughts, concerns, desires, and fears. And it’s a Christmas story! Which, I loved. So many times I’ve ready holiday stories that could have taken place at any time, but this is a not-so-Hallmark-heart-warming story of finding love from unlikely allies and realizing that happily ever after is possible.
This was an amazing holiday book between 4 people trying to work together under 1 house. This is a paranormal romance with spicy scene such as mm, mmm, mmmf . These characters faces some challenges and develop feelings for each other was awesome to read. I really enjoyed the journey each character took in they end to find the home and love that was unexpected for these 4some. I couldn’t put this book down I really enjoyed this book.