Review: Bonfire (Hours of the Night, #1.5) by Irene Preston & Liv Rancourt

Silent night, holy hell. 

Thaddeus and Sarasija are spending the holidays on the bayou, and while the vampire’s idea of Christmas cheer doesn't quite match his assistant’s, they’re working on a compromise. Before they can get the tree trimmed, they’re interrupted by the appearance of the feu follet. The ghostly lights appear in the swamp at random and lead even the locals astray.

When the townsfolk link the phenomenon to the return of their most reclusive neighbor, suspicion falls on Thaddeus. These lights aren't bringing glad tidings, and if Thad and Sara can't find their source, the feu follet might herald a holiday tragedy for the whole town.

Christmas on the Bayou, cher, with gators and some weird lights!

This little novella is set during the holidays but it's not too Christmasy for those averse like myself. It's the continuation of Sara and Thad's story and how they're growing closer. They are still a work in progress but they're getting there and this story only endeared the two of them further to me. 

"I think, Sara, you could ask me to hang the Christmas star in the heavens, and I would find a way to accomplish the task."

There is an old legend on the bayou about the feu follet but when some strange things begin to happen with regularity the problem lands right on Thad's doorstep. Literally. Sara being Sara he insists that they get involved and figure out what's behind these freaky lights once and for all.

This one is set entirely at the bayou house which I liked. A lot. Lots of skiffs and pirogues and that accent. There's something about that setting that makes ordinarily bizarre and outlandish events seem possible, sinister even, or at least in my head it is. Mostly because of gators and swamps.

Not to worry. It isn't scary and Bonfire had a whole lot less religious overtones than what I would've imagined in comparison to Vespers. The message is a simple but powerful one and I really liked it. The authors struck a perfect balance between the mystery, some sexy times that were more romantic than kindle melting and the spirit of Christmas. The only thing that I'm still confused about is why the feu follet had no effect on Sara. Weird.

I wouldn't recommend Bonfire to anyone who hasn't already read Vespers. If you've not read Vespers, what are you waiting for? A gator to deliver it?

Actually a croc but I bet a gator could do it too!

A review copy was provided by the authors.

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