The stars are peeking through the dark.  Trevor Stenwood, one of the Arnhem Knights, walks in the door. The tall vampire knight gazes down on me with a smile. I find his green eyes riveting. Many a woman would love to run her fingers through his soft brown hair. Okay, I’m imagining that it’s soft.

“Lily, the party looks great!”

“Thank you, Trev. And remember it’s Susan.”

As we walk over to the buffet table, he asks, “Susan, do you know a lot about human women?”

I laugh. “Being one, I know some. Why?”

“Well, there’s this woman who makes me nervous. I just can’t seem to talk to her. I’ve never had that happen before.”

“Oh, my. You’re just going to have to see where that leads you. I wouldn’t dare offer advice at this point. How did you meet this woman?”

“She’s been targeted by demons for death.”

I take a sip of my orange soda. “Wow.”

He nibbled on a piece of cake.

“Dessert first?” I ask.

Trevor smiled. “Always.

“Have you brought something to share with everyone?”

“I know it’s Halloween, but I’ve brought an excerpt from A Vampire for Christmas.” He grinned this time showing fangs.

*

Chapter 1

“No,” Georgia whimpered at the hand reaching into the window display, yanking out the coat she’d stared at every day for three weeks–the thick brown and black, faux fur coat with the black hood. None of the other coats compared to that one with its elegant lines and obvious warmth. Georgia’s own coat was shabby. She shivered.

If only her credit cards weren’t maxed out. A tear streamed down her cheek before freezing on her face.

Then she saw the reflection. Every time she stopped at this window, his reflection would be there staring back. He stood about two feet behind her, so the image was shadowed. At first, she reasoned that perhaps he lived in the neighborhood and it was a coincidence. Maybe he was looking at coats for his mother or girlfriend. Maybe he was a stalker. She turned to leave.

Someone tapped her on the shoulder. Georgia gripped her bag strap and turned, then looked up. He was tall, broad shouldered, and compassion made his face kind. Bright green eyes gazed into hers. His warm brown hair was cut conservatively, which matched the new, dark brown coat.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes. I’m fine. Thank you.”

“You’re not fine. Please, let me help you.”

Instantly, she burst into a run and didn’t stop until she reached the donut shop across from her apartment. Sitting at a table, Georgia peeked through the window. He hadn’t followed her. Snowflakes floated down obscuring her vision. Maybe she overreacted. Maybe not. You couldn’t be too careful in New York. She got up and went to the counter to order coffee and donuts to go.

When she stepped outside again, the lights had come on up and down the street. It was beginning to look like Christmas. It could be so magical if it wasn’t so sad. Georgia figured that she would run out of money by New Year’s. What a way to start the New Year. Jobless. Homeless. Broke.

Georgia looked up and down the street but saw no sign of the man from the reflection and decided it was safe to cross the street to her apartment.

As she unlocked the building door, her landlady with the iron gray hair stood there. “Good evening, Georgia.”

“Hi, Mrs. Polasky.”

“Do you have that rent money for me?”

Georgia shuffled in her purse and took out a check and held it out. “Here it is.”

The woman took it. “That’s good. Have a happy Christmas.” Then she went back into her apartment and slammed the door.

Last check, thought Georgia. She didn’t want to tell her. Maybe she could hold out again until halfway through the month to tell her landlady. Maybe something wonderful would happen. Maybe instead of snow, money would fall from the sky.

Georgia pressed the button for the elevator, when her landlady’s door opened. “Oh, Georgia, a courier came by with this package for you. I almost forgot.”

It was a large, rectangular box with a fancy bow. The tag on the box had her name. “Thank you.”

The elevator doors opened and Georgia walked in. As soon as the doors closed, she examined the box more closely. It was heavy, a woven white, but bore no markings other than the tag. The bow was a deep green. Before she could open it, the elevator had reached the fifth floor and she got out. Georgia hurried to her door, unlocked it, opened it, and locked it behind her just as fast.

A light came on automatically in the hall. She went into the living room and sat on the sofa. She turned on the closest lamp and put all her attention on the box. Who could have sent it? Georgia opened it and the sight made her tremble. It was the coat. Her coat. Excited, she tried it on. It fit perfectly and oh, it was so warm. Going through the paper in the box, she searched for any clue of its sender. Who could have done this for her?

*

What happens next? If you can’t wait for the contest, A Vampire for Christmas , Vampires in Manhattan, Book 3 is available in Kindle.

CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST!

Now for the Contest: To enter, say “I love vampires” and tell me why. Include your name and email. I will post at least once (sometimes twice) a day. Every post you comment on, increases your chances of winning. I will do a random drawing from the posts.

The winner gets their choice: one Kindle ebook from the list below, or a signed print copy of Vampire Princess of New York.

The contest ends when the party does! The Winner will be announced on Nov. 1st.

Good Luck and come on over to the buffet table. There’s so many people I’d love you to meet. David is waiting.

-Susan
Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance
www.susanhannifordcrowley.com
Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

NEW: Vampire Princess of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 2 available in Kindle! And in Amazon Print. Available now in Barnes and Noble Print
Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 available in Kindle and Print and  Barnes and Noble Print
Vampire in the Basement, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 4 available in Kindle.
Poseidon’s Catch (mythology romance) available in Kindle.
Mrs. Bright’s Tea Room (steampunk romance) available in Kindle.
A Vampire for Christmas,Vampires in Manhattan, Book 3 available in Kindle.
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