Jake Stone arrives on a secluded island, drawn by whispers of a magical spring—his desperate, singular hope. As a vampire, he craves just one thing: mortality. Eons of unfulfilling, lonely existence have left him weary, yearning for the simple release of an end.

But the island holds another soul on the brink: Claire Culver. Her journey to this mystical place is a final, desperate gamble, a plea for a miracle to cure a terminal illness. For Claire, this Christmas might be her last.

As their paths collide, two desperate wishes hang in the balance. Will the spring grant Claire the miracle she so desperately needs, or will this holiday season mark her final farewell? And can Jake, in his pursuit of mortality, find a reason to truly live again, even as a forbidden connection sparks between them?

Where does this novella fit into the Scanguards timeline?

It takes place several years before Samson's story kicks off the Scanguards Vampires series in San Francisco with Samson's Lovely Mortal. Well-loved Scanguards characters—Gabriel, Zane, and Amaury—will make an appearance in this short novella.

"I'm addicted to Tina Folsom's books! The Scanguards series is one of the hottest things to happen to vampire romance. If you love scorching, fast-paced reads, don't miss this thrilling series!" —- Lara Adrian, New York Times Bestselling Author of the Midnight Breed series

ABOUT THE SERIES
The Scanguards Vampires series is full of fast-paced action, scorching love scenes, witty dialogue, and strong heroes and heroines. Vampire Samson Woodford lives in San Francisco and owns a security/bodyguard company, Scanguards, which employs both vampires and humans. And eventually some witches. Throw in a few immortal guardians and demons later in the series, and you'll get the drift! Each book can be read as a standalone and always centers around a new couple finding love, but the series is more enjoyable when read in order. And of course, there are always a few running jokes - you'll understand when you meet Wesley, a wannabe witch. Enjoy!

Scanguards Vampires
Samson's Lovely Mortal (#1)
Amaury's Hellion (#2)
Gabriel's Mate (#3)
Yvette's Haven (#4)
Zane's Redemption (#5)
Quinn's Undying Rose (#6)
Oliver's Hunger (#7)
Thomas's Choice (#8)
Silent Bite (#8 ½)
Cain's Identity (#9)
Luther's Return (#10)
Novella: Mortal Wish
Blake's Pursuit (#11)
Fateful Reunion (#11 ½)
John's Yearning (#12)
Ryder's Storm (#13)
Damian's Conquest (#14)
Grayson's Challenge (#15)
Isabelle's Forbidden Love (#16)
Cooper's Passion (#17)
Vanessa's Bravery (#18)
Patrick's Seduction (#19)

Stealth Guardians
Lover Uncloaked (#1)
Master Unchained (#2)
Warrior Unraveled (#3)
Guardian Undone (#4)
Immortal Unveiled (#5)
Protector Unmatched (#6)
Demon Unleashed (#7)

Code Name Stargate
Ace on the Run (#1)
Fox in plain Sight (#2)
Yankee in the Wind (#3)
Tiger on the Prowl (#4)

Venice Vampyr
Venice Vampyr (#1): Wicked Lover
Venice Vampyr (#2): Final Affair
Venice Vampyr (#3): Sinful Treasure
Venice Vampyr (#4): Sensual Danger

Other Series:
Code Name Stargate
Out of Olympus
The Hamptons Bachelor Club
Time Quest
Thriller Eyewitness

The Scanguards Vampires series has it all: love at first sight, enemies to lovers, meet cute, instalove, alpha hero, fated mates, bodyguard, band of brothers, damsel in distress, woman in peril,...