Gift Wrap Optional

T.J. Michaels
Ellora’s Cave (2006)
ISBN 1419908324
Reviewed by Anne Boling for Reader Views (12/06)


The dreams of Melaniece Matthews are erotic; the central character is a man from her past. His name is Michael and in her dreams he’s a vampire.  In her dreams they make exquisite love and she begs him to bite; long fangs would come out of his mouth but he would tell her “not yet.”  The man of her dreams is a former friend, a man that she not only loved but also truly liked.  She was shocked when he married someone else.  She’d heard that the marriage was an unhappy one. She was sorry to hear that but she knew she still desired him, the dreams proved that.

Melaniece is meeting her children at a cabin to celebrate Christmas. They’ve both been out of the country studying.  She has missed them so much and she is eager to see them.  Denise and Melvin are glad to see their mother; they have the tree ready and presents wrapped and under the tree. Melaniece is lying comfortably on a sheepskin rug, relaxing, when the doorbell rings.  Standing at the door with suitcases is the man of her dreams, Michael.  At first Melaniece is shocked at Michael’s presence but soon desire to make love to him overrides all shock. As they passionately make love, she keeps remembering his fangs. Is he really a vampire?

“Gift Wrap Optional,” by T.J. Michaels, is a scorcher.  The plot is interesting and well written.  This would make a great series, a continuation of their love and life together. Who wouldn’t like to find Michael under their tree?  I must admit that I don’t normally read vampire books, erotic or otherwise, they just aren’t my favorite form of romance.  However, having said that, I like this book.  The characters are well developed and likeable.  There is a connection between Melaniece and Michael from the beginning.  I was curious to know whether her children knew that he was a vampire.  The love scenes are sensuous and gentle.  This is a hot book!  I recommend “Gift Wrap Optional” to all who enjoy vampire, erotic romance.

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