Among the shortest in the White Hot Holidays quickie collection, Full Moon Xmas by Sherri L King makes up in pure heat between the characters what it lacks in length. This werewolf paranormal is not what I am used to in this genre; there is less focus on the werewolf aspect than I have become accustomed to. Having said that, Ms King puts her own spin on what it is to be a werewolf, making this short story anything but typical.

It is whilst Terra is driving home to her cabin in the woods that she comes across an injured man who appears to have been hit by a car. Wanting to get home following a shopping trip that lasted much longer than expected she had been driving faster than she should have been considering the weather conditions. Her haste almost results in her running over the unconscious man lying in the middle of the road. Unable to get him medical aid, partly due to a dead phone battery but also his demand not to be taken to a hospital, she has no choice but to take him to her cabin to recuperate. Terra is stunned in the morning when she discovers that her guest’s injuries have mostly healed. She is further shocked by her attraction to the handsome man. But who is he? Or maybe a better question would be what is he – and what was he doing out in the middle of a snow storm on foot – and barefoot, at that? Just what can Terra expect from this stranger?

Full Moon Xmas is light on the Christmas theme though slightly heavier on winter. The only reference to Christmas is Terra’s shopping, whereas the cold and snow play a greater part in this short story. Thus it need not be at Christmas that you read this tale. It is well suited to warming up a winter’s day, or any time throughout the year when an unexpected cold snap is in the air. Sex between the characters is fairly detailed and anal play is included in their lovemaking.

This is not your usual werewolf erotica, for lesser attention is paid to the werewolf’s nature than I have come to expect. Both of the characters are likeable, if not fully developed, and this novella is a charming addition to the White Hot Holidays series. If you have been following this line or if you are a fan of Ms King, you should be sure to pick up Full Moon Xmas. If this is to be your first foray into this genre, best not to start with this particular story, for it is not a typical representation of what you can expect from other tales of this field.

Reviewed By Elizabeth
© February 2006