A Demon's Gift

by L.S. O'Dea

Iatee the Punishment Spirit is powerful, deadly and currently, a stuffed teddy bear.

He and the gods haven’t seen eye-to-eye on punishment, justice and killing for a long, long time.

The gods want a kinder, gentler demon but Iatee will not change, so the gods have punished him.

For decades his spirit has been confined to one toy after another but the gods are finally giving him a chance. All he has to do is make one child love him and he’ll live again.

His dreams are shattered when he’s gifted to a child as payment for a vile act. Can he make her love him and save her from the horror of her life without sacrificing his freedom?

Genres: Horror

70 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 28, 2019

About the author

Enter for a chance to win a Kindle Paperwhite - delivered right to you door!

http://lsodea.com/giveaways/lake-sins...

This contest will be going on from today (4/10) through 5/5 and it's a viral contest so the more you share with friends who enter the more chances to win YOU get!

Get your FREE copy of Lake of Sins: Escape and Lake of Sins: Secrets in Blood.

You can get Lake of Sins: Escape FREE on any of the major ebook retailers (amazon, barnes and noble, itunes, etc).

Amazon: http://myBook.to/LOS_Escape
Other: https://books2read.com/u/4Xgn21

You can get your copy of Lake of Sins: Secrets In Blood here http://lsodea.com/download-secrets-in...

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cool prequel?

A Demon's Gift by L. S. O'Dea has spirits that out in various bodies by how their behavior is in the last body. This is about a demon of punishment but slowly has been placed in lower and lower animals then to object until he is a stuffed toy. Pretty exciting really.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing. A demon that doesn’t listen and gets punished by living in a toy. Once you start, you definitely won’t stop.

[Rhonda Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rumor had it that Vengeance, Warrior, and Punishment Spirits were strong and fierce. Dangerous but never cruel. Iatee was a Punishment Spirit. Born when the earth was fresh and the Gods were hungry. He'd been created to hunt and to punish. He'd been celebrated, feared and revered. His victories were legends remembered through songs. He'd done the Gods bidding: Punishment, Plague, Slaughter without complaint or resentment. Until the humans stopped worshipping what they feared and he'd lost value. That's when the Gods had ordered him to change, to stop killing and hunting, but that was what Iatee was created for and he refused to change. That's when the punishments started. After I started reading this, I kept asking myself what I'd gotten myself into! The horror of what L. S. O'Dea has written was enough to put knots in my stomach but rest assured, it's Christmastime, the best time for miracles. What a great read with a whole lot of love, self-discovery, and acknowledgment. I was given a copy of this book and while giving my voluntary review, I heartily recommend this book.

[Andra Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Demon'a gift takes Christmas to the realm of suspense and horror. The story was engaging as Iatee reaches a level of love and maturity in his being that not even he thought possible. Having a Savior and someone who loves you enough to address all that is wrong makes a mark. Candace will never forget what her beloved Brownie, aka Iataee, did for her, and neither will the reader. The story is filled with drama, suspense, and a beautiful twist that makes all the horror you experience worthwhile.

Candace is a wonderful little girl who has to endure more than any child should. You have to ask yourself if the punishments doled out are appropriate for that crime. For me, your response speaks volumes as to where we are a society. I embrace her and want to bring her perpetrator to justice for us all! Iantee's redemption is a large part of this story. You decide if he is redeemed or if he has more work to do. Keep your humanity in mind as you judge him.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Latee is a punishment demon who the God's themselves created but when the God's did not like the way Latee was doling out punishment and killing randomly and selfishly they took action and removed his powers sending him back as a stuffed toy, an inanimate creature. Latee was stubborn and would not relent or change his ways after all he had only done the job he was created for but the God's were giving him another chance to prove himself, could he make a child love him? Latee was picked out as a gift for a child whose father's actions made Latee think on his own past actions and for the first time in his long life he started to care for someone other than himself and he was out to wreck vengeance through the punishment only he knew how to dole out! I absolutely loved this book, was surprised at the depth that went into it and the introspection through which Latee finally saw his own failures. The way such a difficult topic is handled is brilliant. He did give the child a gift but I think he gave himself an even bigger one in the end!! Wow, what a brilliant read!

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iatee the Punishment Spirit is powerful, deadly and currently, a stuffed teddy bear.
He and the gods haven’t seen eye-to-eye on punishment, justice and killing for a long, long time.
The gods want a kinder, gentler demon but Iatee won't change, so the gods have punished him.
For decades his spirit has been confined to one toy after another but the gods are finally giving him a chance. All he has to do is make one child love him and he’ll be free.
His dreams are shattered when he’s gifted to a child as payment for a vile act. Can he make her love him and save her from the horror of her life without sacrificing his freedom?

What a brilliant read this was!!!
I loved the plot and story line so much and found it so engaging from the start.
Wonderful well fleshed out characters that I enjoyed reading about.
Great world building that enhances the story.
This is just an all around brilliant read and I loved it.
Recommend reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Grogan Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the absolute BEST horror story I have ever read, and I have read more than a few. It's about a demon named Iatee (pronounced Ee-ah-tay), and like most demons, Iatee is evil. In fact, I would venture to say he is perhaps more evil than many other demons and that's why Iatee is being punished by the Gods. This isn't your usual, run of the mill, horror story. There aren't any good people out chasing down the bad demon and saving the world. In this story good and evil, aren't. What do I mean by that? You will have to read it to understand. My attention became focused on the first page and I was hooked. I couldn't put it down. There were times I laughed and other times I cried. And other times where, well...maybe it wouldn't be so bad to be Iatee for 5 minutes. I loved this book. It made me fear. It made me laugh, it made me cry. It made me angry. And, at the end it made me smile, as it will do every Christmas when I read it.

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iatee is the Punishment Spirit and being punished having a life as a stuffed teddy bear because the Gods are not into his brand of powerful punishment anymore and so he needs to learn how to stop being that way. All he has to do is make one child love him and he’ll live again. His dreams are shattered when he’s gifted to a child as payment for a vile act. Can he make her love him and save her from the horror of her life without sacrificing his freedom?

This is a clever little story where we experience his frustration at his current fate and the events he discovers and witnesses going forward. It really doesn't agree with the Gods view on life now, but I think I would have done exactly the same as Iatee. A well-written and clever story.

[Saundra Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read A Demon’s Gift, a story you won’t forget! This promises to be the most ominous Christmas tale you have ever come across. Can a demon find redemption? Is anything at all entirely good or evil?

Iatee is a demon. He has been around for eons. For much too long, at least according to him, he has lived under a punishment. He inhabits whatever the gods put him into. For too long to count it has been in a toy of some sort. Board games were awful but then again so were all the other toys Iatee has been.

This incarnation he has been slipped into a stuffed animal. At last he may have a chance at redemption or at least freedom. All he has to do is get a child to truly love him! Can a demon of punishment become an object of love? Meet Iatee and you will never look at toys the same.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

L. S. O'Dea has struck a nerve with this story. Even though the story revolves around a monster, you quickly realize that maybe their are worse monsters in reality more so than in imagination. And maybe, just maybe, this is why teddy bears have comforted so many children over the years. I can only hope that this is a start to another series by her talented and brilliant (possibly slightly warped, lol) imagination. Bravo for another great story, a must read even if you haven't read anything else she has written.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Annemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long after finishing A Demon's Gift, all I could think about was what Alice had allowed her scum of a boyfriend do to her young daughter, Candace. Too cowardly to confront him and put a stop to it, she would rather call her daughter a liar than admit to her own failure as a parent. They deserved everything and more, that Iatee did to them.

Iatee wasn't made to love. He was the God's killing machine. But Candace, her love and need of him, opened his heart. He promised to find a way to keep her safe and he fulfilled that promise. Her grandmother will give her the love she never received from her drunkard mother.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very different take on horror, one thing I like is her books are always original and have fresh views on things that really make them genre crossers (or maybe genre mutations?...... Maybe level sixes). This story illustrates well that sometimes the monsters aren't really the monsters after all. Actually that is a pretty common thread in Odeaworld but this time shows more directly or blatantly, for those of us that sometimes don't catch subtlety

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ilene G> · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of a powerful spirit who finally faces the terrible wrongs he did in the past.

Iatee is a terrible and powerful spirit in a Teddy Bear's body. The gods out him in the toy to teach him a lesson. He is given to Candace as an early Christmas. Iatee watched helplessly as he watches her get abused. He desperately wants to save her. This is a quick read, but it shows how Iatee realizes what horrible things he did years ago. I like how it ended. I did not see it coming.

[James Frederick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fantasy elements in this were very interesting. The more everyday "real life" parts were horrifying and just awful. The ending was satisfying, even if I am not sure how the rules in the world created by the author work. I am not sure if this book is part of a larger series by the author, but it stands alone, if need be.

I would give it 4.5 stars, if I could.

This was a novella and relatively short, at that. I read it in two sittings. It would be interesting as part of a larger story. It would be interesting to know what happened, next.

[Pat Eroh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author! This book is an example of why. This is the most awesome horror story I have ever read and it is because this author is such an awesome writer, such a great storyteller, she can write this story and make us love it! If that does not make sense, try this: Excellently written short read that is perfectly told and will make you smile.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story grabbed me from the beginning and didn't let go until the end. Needless to say, I finished it in one sitting albeit it's a novella. Of course, there are lessons to be learned from this tale, but if you're squeamish about abuse (I'm trying to be vague so no spoilers), then skip this. If you think it's another "Chuckie" storyline then you'll be pleasantly surprised. I received a copy of this book from the author via BookBub for my honest review.

[Scarolet Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Demon's Gift by L. S. O'Dea is such a great to story that I have read. I really enjoyed reading it cause I like reading about horror stories and can not wait to see what this author writes next. I recommend this story to everyone who likes reading about horror , humor and fantasy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG oh Em Gee… Get this book OMG!

Who knew I would fall in love with the demon, God forgive me. I left and cried and then cried while I laughed this book is so good. I’m here where are the reviews will tell you a summary of the story but just know OMG this book is so good so sweet. I freaking loved it and recommend it to everyone.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG its a fantastic read that I couldnt put down it just kept getting better and better. Gripping storyline that had you hooked from the beginning and great characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book by this Author that I have read, the way it ends leaves me to believe there is going to be more to come, I will be looking to see if I am correct. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vicky Voelkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! The author has tackled a difficult subject in a novel way and it was entirely fresh. I couldn't put it down and finished it all at once. I will never look at a stuffed animal in the same way again. . . .

It might be watching.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great holiday horror short.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really well written, emotional scary story! Brilliant! I like this writer's work a lot!

[Lori Henrich · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure why I read this. Kind of wish I hadn’t. It was okay until the little girl. Think this should have a disclaimer on it. I could see it being very disturbing for a great many people.

[Daniel Nobles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

I don’t know what it is about L.S. Odea, but her books are dark and well put together, but then reel back and really pull at your heart.

[Charles NA. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella is really well done. I really enjoyed reading it. It is a dark story with a happy ending.

[CDWB · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Demon's Gift

This was a nice novella about a demon trapped inside a toy teddy bear. It was a good storyline and an interesting ending

[Tracey Higginbottom · Rating 5 out of 5]

ace read

But way too short!!!!!!. NEED MORE PLEASE!. There’s a chance of redemption for everyone?. Great idea’s?. And will be very easy to expand on.

[Suze Prescot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iatee is a Punishment Spirit who is being punished for being what he is. Times have changed, but Iatee has not, so he is now trapped inside/as a teddy bear. All he has to do to be free is make one child love him.
There is fun and humour in this story, but the underlying tale - which leads to whether or not Iatee is redeemed - is unpleasant and may leave a bad aftertaste for some. An excellent writer, an interesting story, but a little too near the knuckle for a few.

[Jackie Neen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my! I was not expecting this! This is a terrific book, I could not put it down! Read whole thing in my lunch hour! Perfect Christmas horror story.