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Light Me Up
Ruth has been a vampire for sixty-five years after being assaulted by a vampire during World War II while her family hid from the Nazis. One night, she is drawn to a house where they are celebrating Hanukkah and the candles are burning in the window. There, she meets a man, Benjamin Fox, who is immune to her vampire charms. Ben is thirty-five years old and dying of a heart problem he's had since he was a child.
Together, they will form a friendship that could be so much more if either could allow it. But when Ben is about to succumb to his illness, Ruth must decide whether to give in to his wishes and make him a vampire too. She is, he's decided, his ultimate Hanukkah gift.
Together, they will form a friendship that could be so much more if either could allow it. But when Ben is about to succumb to his illness, Ruth must decide whether to give in to his wishes and make him a vampire too. She is, he's decided, his ultimate Hanukkah gift.
100 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 5, 2010
About the author
Rebecca Royce
192 books1,428 followersAuthor of science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 13, 2010
I Loved this. A really sweet vampire Hanukkah story.
December 2, 2018
Hanukkah is also celebrated this month. In fact it starts at sundown tonight. So light your menorah, and begin the festival of lights with this fun tale.
Ruth was turned in to a vampire during WWII, she was being transported most likely to a concentration camp when everything went to hell. She doesn't remember the how, and really it doesn't matter anymore. She is what she is. On this particular night she is drawn to a window where children are lighting the menorah.
Benjamin has come to his family for Hanukkah, it is most certainly his last. His heart is failing and he wants to enjoy this holiday with his parents, sister, her husband and their children, but most of all his grandmother.
Now usually when Ruth approaches someone, they fall into thrall, not so with Benjamin and hearing his struggling heart she knows she can't feed from him. Instead they have a conversation, that begins a very interesting relationship developing into an unusual love story.
Of course the whole thing can't go smoothly so throw in a Vampire hunter for an interesting plot twist.
Truly a delightful read with just enough heat.
Ruth was turned in to a vampire during WWII, she was being transported most likely to a concentration camp when everything went to hell. She doesn't remember the how, and really it doesn't matter anymore. She is what she is. On this particular night she is drawn to a window where children are lighting the menorah.
Benjamin has come to his family for Hanukkah, it is most certainly his last. His heart is failing and he wants to enjoy this holiday with his parents, sister, her husband and their children, but most of all his grandmother.
Now usually when Ruth approaches someone, they fall into thrall, not so with Benjamin and hearing his struggling heart she knows she can't feed from him. Instead they have a conversation, that begins a very interesting relationship developing into an unusual love story.
Of course the whole thing can't go smoothly so throw in a Vampire hunter for an interesting plot twist.
Truly a delightful read with just enough heat.
January 4, 2023
Gret to see some Jewish representation (in a very short vampire story) but let down by the insta-love and the cringy sex scene at the end. Would have been a tad better even to have had one more chapter with the family dynamics included and how the kids dealt with the pending loss of their uncle.
December 9, 2010
LynnMarie's Review
This was an unusual short story. The hero of the book isn't your typical alpha male—he's dying from a heart condition and can barely walk down the street without needing to take a rest. He's visiting his family for his last Hanukkah because he has very little time left to live. Being unfamiliar with the Jewish culture, I enjoyed the intimate look into the traditions and history.
Ben was very likeable. Although he's dying, he keeps his humor and common sense. He's ready to face death—until he meets Ruth. Ruth is not your typical Jewish girl. She's a vampire that has been roaming the world alone for decades. When the two meet, sparks fly. An instant connection between the two ill-fated characters ignites and continues to grow. The lights from the Hanukkah candles play a touching role in this story for the characters and reader.
We get a glimpse into Ben and Ruth's history and emotional state, which only makes the reader root for them and eager for a happily ever after.
Rebecca Royce has a lyrical quality to her writing and manages to pack a punch with even a low word count. Light Me Up was a sweet, touching love story with a paranormal twist. It's the perfect holiday read for Christmas or Hanukkah and will leave you with a smile and warmed heart.
4 1/2 Tea Cups!
This was an unusual short story. The hero of the book isn't your typical alpha male—he's dying from a heart condition and can barely walk down the street without needing to take a rest. He's visiting his family for his last Hanukkah because he has very little time left to live. Being unfamiliar with the Jewish culture, I enjoyed the intimate look into the traditions and history.
Ben was very likeable. Although he's dying, he keeps his humor and common sense. He's ready to face death—until he meets Ruth. Ruth is not your typical Jewish girl. She's a vampire that has been roaming the world alone for decades. When the two meet, sparks fly. An instant connection between the two ill-fated characters ignites and continues to grow. The lights from the Hanukkah candles play a touching role in this story for the characters and reader.
We get a glimpse into Ben and Ruth's history and emotional state, which only makes the reader root for them and eager for a happily ever after.
Rebecca Royce has a lyrical quality to her writing and manages to pack a punch with even a low word count. Light Me Up was a sweet, touching love story with a paranormal twist. It's the perfect holiday read for Christmas or Hanukkah and will leave you with a smile and warmed heart.
4 1/2 Tea Cups!
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March 15, 2011Light Me Up is an endearing story about finding love when you least expect it. Ruth has been a vampire for many years. She has always been alone and happy to be that way. That is until she meets Ben but fate can be cruel. Ruth only has a few days with Ben as he is dieing from a bad heart.
The bond that Ben and Ruth form is a sweet read. Ben is a great character. He is a fighter till the end and he sees the good in Ruth even if she refuses to see it herself. Underneath her façade Ruth is a lonely woman. Watching her fall for Ben was a wonderful read. Ben endears himself not only to Ruth but also to the reader as he struggles to help her even to his dieing breath.
Rebecca Royce weaves a great story that pulls you in right from the start and keeps you entertained until the end. I have enjoyed many books from this author and this story does not disappoint. Light Me Up is a quick read that makes you believe in love and miracles.
*
Gabrielle
The bond that Ben and Ruth form is a sweet read. Ben is a great character. He is a fighter till the end and he sees the good in Ruth even if she refuses to see it herself. Underneath her façade Ruth is a lonely woman. Watching her fall for Ben was a wonderful read. Ben endears himself not only to Ruth but also to the reader as he struggles to help her even to his dieing breath.
Rebecca Royce weaves a great story that pulls you in right from the start and keeps you entertained until the end. I have enjoyed many books from this author and this story does not disappoint. Light Me Up is a quick read that makes you believe in love and miracles.
*
Gabrielle
March 23, 2015
A beautiful story well worth the read. Loved it.
November 30, 2016
Loved this story
Benja is coming to the end of his short life. He meets Ruth and they fall in love with each other. It is a sweet book.
Benja is coming to the end of his short life. He meets Ruth and they fall in love with each other. It is a sweet book.
September 7, 2020
One of my favourite vampire short stories
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews