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Krewe of Hunters #14.2 (Santa's Mortuary)
A Fantastic Holiday Season: The Gift of Stories
’Tis the Season for 14 magical, macabre and merry tales to make your Holidays Fantastic.
Gingerbread houses, caroling carolers, brightly trimmed trees, big family dinners, pristine snowfalls-the familiar pleasures of the season.
But what better pleasure is there than a good holiday story? So open this winter solstice sampler and indulge in fully festive fantasies, nightmares before Christmas, and stunning space-age celebrations. These stories will warm hearts and minds like a blazing Yule log.
Fantastic Holiday Stories by Kevin J. Anderson, Mercedes Lackey, Mike Resnick, Kristine Rusch, Jonathan Maberry, Eric James Stone, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Quincy J. Allen, Ken Scholes, Sam Knight, David Boop, Heather Graham, Brad R. Torgersen, and Patricia Briggs.
Gingerbread houses, caroling carolers, brightly trimmed trees, big family dinners, pristine snowfalls-the familiar pleasures of the season.
But what better pleasure is there than a good holiday story? So open this winter solstice sampler and indulge in fully festive fantasies, nightmares before Christmas, and stunning space-age celebrations. These stories will warm hearts and minds like a blazing Yule log.
Fantastic Holiday Stories by Kevin J. Anderson, Mercedes Lackey, Mike Resnick, Kristine Rusch, Jonathan Maberry, Eric James Stone, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Quincy J. Allen, Ken Scholes, Sam Knight, David Boop, Heather Graham, Brad R. Torgersen, and Patricia Briggs.
315 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 8, 2014
374 people are currently reading
1772 people want to read
About the author
Kevin J. Anderson
1,036 books3,112 followersYes, I have a lot of books, and if this is your first visit to my amazon author page, it can be a little overwhelming. If you are new to my work, let me recommend a few titles as good places to start. I love my Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I. series, humorous horror/mysteries, which begin with DEATH WARMED OVER. My steampunk fantasy adventures, CLOCKWORK ANGELS and CLOCKWORK LIVES, written with Neil Peart, legendary drummer from Rush, are two of my very favorite novels ever. And my magnum opus, the science fiction epic The Saga of Seven Suns, begins with HIDDEN EMPIRE. After you've tried those, I hope you'll check out some of my other series.
I have written spin-off novels for Star Wars, StarCraft, Titan A.E., and The X-Files, and I'm the co-author of the Dune prequels. My original works include the Saga of Seven Suns series and the Nebula Award-nominated Assemblers of Infinity. I have also written several comic books including the Dark Horse Star Wars collection Tales of the Jedi written in collaboration with Tom Veitch, Predator titles (also for Dark Horse), and X-Files titles for Topps.
I serve as a judge in the Writers of the Future contest.
My wife is author Rebecca Moesta. We currently reside near Monument, Colorado.
I have written spin-off novels for Star Wars, StarCraft, Titan A.E., and The X-Files, and I'm the co-author of the Dune prequels. My original works include the Saga of Seven Suns series and the Nebula Award-nominated Assemblers of Infinity. I have also written several comic books including the Dark Horse Star Wars collection Tales of the Jedi written in collaboration with Tom Veitch, Predator titles (also for Dark Horse), and X-Files titles for Topps.
I serve as a judge in the Writers of the Future contest.
My wife is author Rebecca Moesta. We currently reside near Monument, Colorado.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 216 reviews
September 24, 2020
4 1/2 to 5 stars
Rating for Unappreciated Gifts (Alpha & Omega, #3.5, Mercy Thompson, #7.5) by Patricia Briggs ONLY.
[...] Some of the pack members think Asil should get out more, so they've challenged him to accept a series of blind dates . . .
http://patriciabriggs.com/books/
For those of you who haven't made his acquaintance:
Asil Moreno (also known as the Moor) is a fascinating individual, he can be volatile and incredibly dangerous, he has a unique perspective and sense of humor , and (to our good fortune) he's up for this particular adventure...
Dearest Children
Challenge accepted.
Asil
Of course, things don't go quite as expected or planned, which is why I had so much fun with this short story.
A successful date is one in which a) neither party runs screaming into the night b) there are no dead bodies at the end of it and c) lasts longer than two hours—at least an hour and a half of which is spent with your date—which is an hour and fifty minutes longer than we expect any date of yours to last.
Rating for Unappreciated Gifts (Alpha & Omega, #3.5, Mercy Thompson, #7.5) by Patricia Briggs ONLY.
[...] Some of the pack members think Asil should get out more, so they've challenged him to accept a series of blind dates . . .
http://patriciabriggs.com/books/
For those of you who haven't made his acquaintance:
Asil Moreno (also known as the Moor) is a fascinating individual, he can be volatile and incredibly dangerous, he has a unique perspective and sense of humor , and (to our good fortune) he's up for this particular adventure...
Dearest Children
Challenge accepted.
Asil
Of course, things don't go quite as expected or planned, which is why I had so much fun with this short story.
A successful date is one in which a) neither party runs screaming into the night b) there are no dead bodies at the end of it and c) lasts longer than two hours—at least an hour and a half of which is spent with your date—which is an hour and fifty minutes longer than we expect any date of yours to last.
December 28, 2017
Five Stars for Unappreciated Gifts by Patricia Briggs.
This shorty is about Asil, one of the most intriguing and entertaining characters in the Mercyverse, and I loved every second of it.
This shorty is about Asil, one of the most intriguing and entertaining characters in the Mercyverse, and I loved every second of it.
July 6, 2019
4 silly wolfy stars.
Juro que habia visto esto en forma independiente, pero tal vez fue que se echó para atrás la publicación. De todas maneras, odio que me hayan borrado mi pequeño comentario acerca de una historia corta en tono de broma acerca de Asil uno de mis personajes favoritos en el mundo de Alfa y Omega de Patricia Briggs. Tenia guardadas las citas, pero no el susodicho comentario.
Unappreciated Gifts by Patricia Briggs - Some members of Adam's pack think Asil should get out more, so they've challenged him to accept a series of blind dates . . . (uno tan sólo se pregunta quién es capaz de querer embromar al temible Moor...)
Todo comienza con un e-mail, y puede decirse que con un reto a enfrentar 5 citas a ciegas (hechas en sitios de citas en linea) con unas pequeñas especificaciones.
A successful date is one in which a) neither party runs screaming into the night b) there are no dead bodies at the end of it and c) lasts longer than two hours—at least an hour and a half of which is spent with your date—which is an hour and fifty minutes longer than we expect any date of yours to last.
He approved of the photo. If he had to have a photo posted on a website called biteme, he supposed that it was good to have one in which it was possible to discern just how handsome he was.
Asil no tomandose en serio y demostrando su lado vanidoso, es genial y divertido.
Beside him, Kelly straightened a little. “She did throw herself in front of the bus, didn’t she? Even if the bus was already stopped.”
“I am not a bus,” murmured Asil as someone stepped up to a microphone and chatted some canned welcome speech. “A chariot. A Porsche. But not a bus.”
“See,” said Kelly to no one Asil could discern. “He’s funny.”
Y ni hablar del TANGO. porque Asil+Tango=donde compro los boletos.
Pero es demasiado corto, y te quedan ganas de saber como le va con las otras citas.
Juro que habia visto esto en forma independiente, pero tal vez fue que se echó para atrás la publicación. De todas maneras, odio que me hayan borrado mi pequeño comentario acerca de una historia corta en tono de broma acerca de Asil uno de mis personajes favoritos en el mundo de Alfa y Omega de Patricia Briggs. Tenia guardadas las citas, pero no el susodicho comentario.
Unappreciated Gifts by Patricia Briggs - Some members of Adam's pack think Asil should get out more, so they've challenged him to accept a series of blind dates . . . (uno tan sólo se pregunta quién es capaz de querer embromar al temible Moor...)
Todo comienza con un e-mail, y puede decirse que con un reto a enfrentar 5 citas a ciegas (hechas en sitios de citas en linea) con unas pequeñas especificaciones.
A successful date is one in which a) neither party runs screaming into the night b) there are no dead bodies at the end of it and c) lasts longer than two hours—at least an hour and a half of which is spent with your date—which is an hour and fifty minutes longer than we expect any date of yours to last.
He approved of the photo. If he had to have a photo posted on a website called biteme, he supposed that it was good to have one in which it was possible to discern just how handsome he was.
Asil no tomandose en serio y demostrando su lado vanidoso, es genial y divertido.
Beside him, Kelly straightened a little. “She did throw herself in front of the bus, didn’t she? Even if the bus was already stopped.”
“I am not a bus,” murmured Asil as someone stepped up to a microphone and chatted some canned welcome speech. “A chariot. A Porsche. But not a bus.”
“See,” said Kelly to no one Asil could discern. “He’s funny.”
Y ni hablar del TANGO. porque Asil+Tango=donde compro los boletos.
Pero es demasiado corto, y te quedan ganas de saber como le va con las otras citas.
December 3, 2022
So I admit that I bought this anthology expressly for the Patricia Briggs short story, the first of the dates that unknown pranksters have set up for the ancient and tetchy Asil Moreno. But it's the final story in the volume. This is an interesting assortment of holiday fiction. Some are ghost stories in good Victorian tradition. The darkest days of the year are appropriate for tales of the supernatural, so I was not too surprised to find zombies and other creatures in these pages. Some science fiction, some stories with a Western flavour, all with holiday details: caroling, gingerbread, lights, and Christmas trees.
Like most collections, there were some tales that I enjoyed more than others. I liked them all but preferred the sci fi offerings. The print on the pages was awfully close to the edges of each page, plus there were a few odd spelling mistakes (mind instead of mine, for example). A little bit of googling revealed that WordFire Press is partially owned by one of the editors of this book, Kevin J. Anderson. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it did make me wonder if a more traditional publisher would have looked twice at it. (I encountered Mr. Anderson at a conference here one summer and he is brimming with self-confidence. Rachel Caine was there too, and I was nearby as they discussed something. KJA strode off, pleased as punch with himself, and Ms. Caine met my gaze and rolled her eyes. It is one of my favourite book conference memories).
The Patricia Briggs short story was not as good as the subsequent offerings on this theme to my way of thinking, although I read it a second time and came to appreciate it more. But I have a weakness for Asil. He is a great character, capable of many outrageous things. Briggs obviously feels the same way. Maybe it's just that I read the first dating story after the second and third that coloured my opinion. If I'd read them in order, I might feel entirely differently
Like most collections, there were some tales that I enjoyed more than others. I liked them all but preferred the sci fi offerings. The print on the pages was awfully close to the edges of each page, plus there were a few odd spelling mistakes (mind instead of mine, for example). A little bit of googling revealed that WordFire Press is partially owned by one of the editors of this book, Kevin J. Anderson. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it did make me wonder if a more traditional publisher would have looked twice at it. (I encountered Mr. Anderson at a conference here one summer and he is brimming with self-confidence. Rachel Caine was there too, and I was nearby as they discussed something. KJA strode off, pleased as punch with himself, and Ms. Caine met my gaze and rolled her eyes. It is one of my favourite book conference memories).
The Patricia Briggs short story was not as good as the subsequent offerings on this theme to my way of thinking, although I read it a second time and came to appreciate it more. But I have a weakness for Asil. He is a great character, capable of many outrageous things. Briggs obviously feels the same way. Maybe it's just that I read the first dating story after the second and third that coloured my opinion. If I'd read them in order, I might feel entirely differently
September 22, 2019
Unappreciated Gifts - Patricia Briggs:
Asil gets dared to go on five dates that some concerned packmates of his have arranged, and he is determined to win.
This story focuses on the first date of his that is a lot more fun than Asil thought it would be, for very unexpected reasons - .
A light and fun story that shows a whole different side of the dangerous Asil that made me like him even more.
The series continues with an Alpha and Omega story next, Dead Heat.
Previous book reviews:
✦ Frost Burned (Mercy Thompson, #7) ~ ★★★★★ (22/03/2013, 22/09/2019)
✦ Fair Game (Alpha & Omega, #3) ~ ★★★★ (17/08/2013, 22/09/2019)
✦ River Marked (Mercy Thompson, #6) ~ ★★★★★ (22/03/2013, 22/09/2019)
✦ Silver Borne (Mercy Thompson, #5) ~ ★★★★★ (12/04/2012, 10/03/2014, 22/09/2019)
Asil gets dared to go on five dates that some concerned packmates of his have arranged, and he is determined to win.
This story focuses on the first date of his that is a lot more fun than Asil thought it would be, for very unexpected reasons - .
A light and fun story that shows a whole different side of the dangerous Asil that made me like him even more.
The series continues with an Alpha and Omega story next, Dead Heat.
Previous book reviews:
✦ Frost Burned (Mercy Thompson, #7) ~ ★★★★★ (22/03/2013, 22/09/2019)
✦ Fair Game (Alpha & Omega, #3) ~ ★★★★ (17/08/2013, 22/09/2019)
✦ River Marked (Mercy Thompson, #6) ~ ★★★★★ (22/03/2013, 22/09/2019)
✦ Silver Borne (Mercy Thompson, #5) ~ ★★★★★ (12/04/2012, 10/03/2014, 22/09/2019)
February 13, 2017
Only read the short: Mercy Thompson World 10.5 (Alpha & Omega 3.5): Unappreciated Gifts
I loved this story with Asil. And it makes me hopeful that we're going to get a lot more of these "dates" of his in future stories. *crossing fingers*
Review to come.
I loved this story with Asil. And it makes me hopeful that we're going to get a lot more of these "dates" of his in future stories. *crossing fingers*
Review to come.
March 1, 2020
I only read "Unappreciated Gifts" by Patricia Briggs thus far. I enjoyed it and wish we would have seen more (or all 5) dates. Lol
I will read the rest of the stories someday.
I will read the rest of the stories someday.
March 5, 2017
I've only read one of the stories in this anthology so I'm not marking it as read or giving it a star rating yet. I do plan to come back to it at some point though so I'll update this when I read the rest.
Unappreciated Gifts by Patricia Briggs - 4 stars
(Alpha & Omega 3.5 / Mercy Thompson World 10.5)
Some of Bran's pack are worried about Asil, they think he needs to get out more so they've decided to take matters into their own hands. Once Asil is informed of the bet that they have made (that he won't last though 5 different dates they set him up on) he is stubborn enough to want to prove them wrong - even if the idea of dating 5 random strangers is enough to give him hives!
This is the story of the first of Asil's dates and it was absolutely hilarious. His first date is definitely not the person he was expecting but I loved the way Asil handled things and how he was happy to make the best of what could have been an awkward situation for both of them.
I really hope that Patricia Briggs is planning on writing about Asil's other 4 dates, if they're as funny as this one then they're going to be brilliant!
Unappreciated Gifts by Patricia Briggs - 4 stars
(Alpha & Omega 3.5 / Mercy Thompson World 10.5)
Some of Bran's pack are worried about Asil, they think he needs to get out more so they've decided to take matters into their own hands. Once Asil is informed of the bet that they have made (that he won't last though 5 different dates they set him up on) he is stubborn enough to want to prove them wrong - even if the idea of dating 5 random strangers is enough to give him hives!
This is the story of the first of Asil's dates and it was absolutely hilarious. His first date is definitely not the person he was expecting but I loved the way Asil handled things and how he was happy to make the best of what could have been an awkward situation for both of them.
I really hope that Patricia Briggs is planning on writing about Asil's other 4 dates, if they're as funny as this one then they're going to be brilliant!
May 4, 2023
This rating is for only the Patricia Briggs short story, book 3.5 of the
Alpha & Omega
series.
In Unappreciated Gifts , anonymous friends of Asil (aka, the Moor) challenge him to go on five blind dates that were set up for him by his friends via online dating websites. His first such date is full of surprises for everyone involved. If you are a fan of the Alpha & Omega series, you will likely enjoy this humorous tale.
In Unappreciated Gifts , anonymous friends of Asil (aka, the Moor) challenge him to go on five blind dates that were set up for him by his friends via online dating websites. His first such date is full of surprises for everyone involved. If you are a fan of the Alpha & Omega series, you will likely enjoy this humorous tale.
June 1, 2021
Patricia Briggs', Unappreciated Gifts
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
........................
Since Asil Moreno was first introduced in the Alpha & Omega series, I've been low-key hung up him.
He became that character, the enigmatic one, the impossibly handsome and elusive one, the one who can talk shit without anyone realising because he's an actual wizard of words.
And in my head he looks like the beautiful love child of Marwan Kenzari and Oscar Isaac.
Yeah... let that ruminate for a while.
And then imagine that filthy, angelic package with a weirdly charming arrogance, a healthy dose of intimidating intelligence, an unexpected sense of humour, and a whole lifetime of pent-up lupine crazy just waiting to fuzzball out at any given moment.
...
Go on, ruminate, I'll wait.
...
Understand now why this guy's been on my mind?
I'm not normally drawn to characters, especially male characters, who exude this much confidence; they often come across as more arrogant douchebag than self-assured king-of-my-own-kingdom, and arrogance is a major turn off for me.
But somehow Asil manages to skirt the line between "so damn old that he knows he's hot shit" and being a cocksure prick about it.
Somehow he makes it obscenely attractive, he makes you want to lean a little closer to hear what unexpected wonder will roll off his beautifully accented tongue next.
He's that guy.
Throw in his tender love of rose growing, the same tenderness and patience he shows to a newly turned werewolf in need of guidance (see: Roses in Winter in the Shifting Shadows collection - such a beautiful short story), his general amusement at the behaviour of werewolves far junior to him, and he's just... so readable.
Unappreciated Gifts is the second short story I've read featuring Asil and this one is far more lighthearted than the previous.
In this we're not focusing so much on how old Asil is or his struggle to maintain his humanity and not let the wolf take over.
Instead, a prank is played on him by, as he refers to them, the children.
Younger members of his pack show "concern" for his lack of social life and set him up on a series of dates they've orchestrated by pretending to be him.
(I know, catfishing, not cool, but this is fiction so just shut it, morality police and trust me, this is adorable)
But there's a catch:
There's a strong part of me that thinks our eponymous Omega in the Alpha & Omega series might be the driving force in this particular game of Get Asil Socialised.
A very strong part of me.
So, we have Anna to thank for this delightful little Winterfest tale.
We have Anna to thank for Asil showing the manners of a true gentleman who never balks in the face of the unexpected.
We have Anna to thank for the visual of the above-mentioned Moreno/Isaac love-child in authentic Renaissance clothing, all floral brocade and richly coloured fabrics.
We have Anna to thank for the general delight of being around a seasoned werewolf who could charm the undies off the most devout of nuns simply by existing in their direction.
And then he has the audacity to smile, or god forbid, open his mouth and speak...
...
Yeah... I could do with a lot more Asil in my reading life.
Hopefully Patricia Briggs will give it to me.
But for now, there's this lovely story.
There's a little mischief.
A little flirting.
A lot of respect.
A dash of dancing.
And a routine beheading.
...
Now, the challenge included five dates in total... where can I get my paws on the other four? Hmm?
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
........................
Dearest Children,
Challenge accepted.
Asil
Since Asil Moreno was first introduced in the Alpha & Omega series, I've been low-key hung up him.
He became that character, the enigmatic one, the impossibly handsome and elusive one, the one who can talk shit without anyone realising because he's an actual wizard of words.
And in my head he looks like the beautiful love child of Marwan Kenzari and Oscar Isaac.
Yeah... let that ruminate for a while.
And then imagine that filthy, angelic package with a weirdly charming arrogance, a healthy dose of intimidating intelligence, an unexpected sense of humour, and a whole lifetime of pent-up lupine crazy just waiting to fuzzball out at any given moment.
...
Go on, ruminate, I'll wait.
...
Understand now why this guy's been on my mind?
I'm not normally drawn to characters, especially male characters, who exude this much confidence; they often come across as more arrogant douchebag than self-assured king-of-my-own-kingdom, and arrogance is a major turn off for me.
But somehow Asil manages to skirt the line between "so damn old that he knows he's hot shit" and being a cocksure prick about it.
Somehow he makes it obscenely attractive, he makes you want to lean a little closer to hear what unexpected wonder will roll off his beautifully accented tongue next.
He's that guy.
Throw in his tender love of rose growing, the same tenderness and patience he shows to a newly turned werewolf in need of guidance (see: Roses in Winter in the Shifting Shadows collection - such a beautiful short story), his general amusement at the behaviour of werewolves far junior to him, and he's just... so readable.
Unappreciated Gifts is the second short story I've read featuring Asil and this one is far more lighthearted than the previous.
In this we're not focusing so much on how old Asil is or his struggle to maintain his humanity and not let the wolf take over.
Instead, a prank is played on him by, as he refers to them, the children.
Younger members of his pack show "concern" for his lack of social life and set him up on a series of dates they've orchestrated by pretending to be him.
(I know, catfishing, not cool, but this is fiction so just shut it, morality police and trust me, this is adorable)
But there's a catch:
A successful date is one in which a) neither party runs screaming into the nightb) there are no dead bodies at the end of it and c) lasts longer than two hours—at least an hour and a half of which is spent with your date—which is an hour and fifty minutes longer than we expect any date of yours to last.
There's a strong part of me that thinks our eponymous Omega in the Alpha & Omega series might be the driving force in this particular game of Get Asil Socialised.
A very strong part of me.
So, we have Anna to thank for this delightful little Winterfest tale.
We have Anna to thank for Asil showing the manners of a true gentleman who never balks in the face of the unexpected.
We have Anna to thank for the visual of the above-mentioned Moreno/Isaac love-child in authentic Renaissance clothing, all floral brocade and richly coloured fabrics.
We have Anna to thank for the general delight of being around a seasoned werewolf who could charm the undies off the most devout of nuns simply by existing in their direction.
And then he has the audacity to smile, or god forbid, open his mouth and speak...
...
Yeah... I could do with a lot more Asil in my reading life.
Hopefully Patricia Briggs will give it to me.
But for now, there's this lovely story.
There's a little mischief.
A little flirting.
A lot of respect.
A dash of dancing.
And a routine beheading.
...
Now, the challenge included five dates in total... where can I get my paws on the other four? Hmm?
June 10, 2017
Review of Unappreciated Gifts by Patricia Briggs
I've already said it, but I have to repeat myself once again - I love Asil. However, I can't see anyone brave (and stupid enough) to mess with Asil like this, except for Bran. We, readers, see Asil as someone sweet, but other wolves are scared to death of him. So I really think it was Bran who set him up.
As for the story itself, it was cute. I didn't expect Asil to end up on a date with guy, but I'm really glad Briggs didn't try to push them together, because even though I'm very open minded and in no way do I mind homosexual couples, after reading October Daye short stories not so long ago, I really feel like UF authors are trying to push homosexual agenda too much.
However, I'm glad Asil had - kind of - fun on his date. I would still like to read about his other dates and about who set him up as well, but maybe that's story for another time. And I'm still having my fingers crossed for Assil and Sage in the future.
I've already said it, but I have to repeat myself once again - I love Asil. However, I can't see anyone brave (and stupid enough) to mess with Asil like this, except for Bran. We, readers, see Asil as someone sweet, but other wolves are scared to death of him. So I really think it was Bran who set him up.
As for the story itself, it was cute. I didn't expect Asil to end up on a date with guy, but I'm really glad Briggs didn't try to push them together, because even though I'm very open minded and in no way do I mind homosexual couples, after reading October Daye short stories not so long ago, I really feel like UF authors are trying to push homosexual agenda too much.
However, I'm glad Asil had - kind of - fun on his date. I would still like to read about his other dates and about who set him up as well, but maybe that's story for another time. And I'm still having my fingers crossed for Assil and Sage in the future.
July 3, 2025
Needed a little Christmas in July vibes, while keeping with the Summerween trend too 🎄🎅🎃👻
April 22, 2023
Decided to read the Patricia Briggs Asil story again. This is the first date he goes on. I’m left wondering whether he wins and who set up the whole thing. Great, cute story about Asil being set up on a blind date through a dating site. Things definitely don’t go as planned. Wonder how the next ones go.
reread Asil's date April 15, 2023
Fantastic Hope has the next date, Heroic Hearts has another and maybe last date.
________________________________
Reread- Not quite as I'm reading some of the other stories for the first time.
Naughty & Nice by Kevin J Anderson
Someone has stolen Santa's naughty list. A zombie PI with his ghost assistant get on the case, is it Elvis the naughty elf that is trying to capitalise on the holiday and take over Santa's business. How about the missing children? Then a werewolf couple comes to say that their adoptive child is missing. Could it be something to do with it.
Pretty quick and straight forward, 3 1/2 stars
Close Knit
Family magic, a movie and dinner, then talking to his kids on everything he missed. His son who is gay, how he is overbearing for his daughter. First year as a separated dad, arrives for Christmas morning too. He discovers what went wrong. 3
Astronaut Nick by Brad R Torgerson
Futuristic Martian holiday- Talk about the old Saint Nick story from Earth. Could he bring to the children that believe in him. Kid just wants to go home but doesn't yet understand that home is where the heart is. 3 1/2
The Longest Night
Drags at first
Jimmy Krinklepot
Midnight Trains
A Christmas Feast
A World Done In
Santa's Mortuary
Yes Virginia
Christmas Eve at Harvey
The Atmosphere for Miracles
A Sufficiently Advanced Christmas
Unappreciated Gifts
I love this short about a date Asil goes on because someone from the pack is setting him up on dating sites and challenging him to "complete" the dates, with qualifiers. This date starts wrong from the beginning as "Kelly" is not female and Asil prefers women but... he also prefers to win the challenge so... what could go wrong, it is dinner then a masquerade 'vampire' ball where humans pose as vampires with no knowledge of what is around them. Asil likes to dance so of to the ball they go.
_________________________
I don't know why I rated it and never reviewed or even change the shelf to read, since I'm not going to read the other shorts but I fell down on the job.
I read only Unappreciated Gifts- a short story in the Mercy/Alpha& Omega world involving Asil. Asil is talked into going on a number of "dates", they don't turn out as anyone had hoped or planned and one has consequences.
I loved how things played out with the last date. I'm not saying anything as there is a twist, and others players are involved. It is short, read it for yourself. But every short I read of Asil makes me like him more.
Ooo, one I missed. Has an Asil story from Mercy Thompson world that I missed.
reread Asil's date April 15, 2023
Fantastic Hope has the next date, Heroic Hearts has another and maybe last date.
________________________________
Reread- Not quite as I'm reading some of the other stories for the first time.
Naughty & Nice by Kevin J Anderson
Someone has stolen Santa's naughty list. A zombie PI with his ghost assistant get on the case, is it Elvis the naughty elf that is trying to capitalise on the holiday and take over Santa's business. How about the missing children? Then a werewolf couple comes to say that their adoptive child is missing. Could it be something to do with it.
Pretty quick and straight forward, 3 1/2 stars
Close Knit
Family magic, a movie and dinner, then talking to his kids on everything he missed. His son who is gay, how he is overbearing for his daughter. First year as a separated dad, arrives for Christmas morning too. He discovers what went wrong. 3
Astronaut Nick by Brad R Torgerson
Futuristic Martian holiday- Talk about the old Saint Nick story from Earth. Could he bring to the children that believe in him. Kid just wants to go home but doesn't yet understand that home is where the heart is. 3 1/2
The Longest Night
Drags at first
Jimmy Krinklepot
Midnight Trains
A Christmas Feast
A World Done In
Santa's Mortuary
Yes Virginia
Christmas Eve at Harvey
The Atmosphere for Miracles
A Sufficiently Advanced Christmas
Unappreciated Gifts
I love this short about a date Asil goes on because someone from the pack is setting him up on dating sites and challenging him to "complete" the dates, with qualifiers. This date starts wrong from the beginning as "Kelly" is not female and Asil prefers women but... he also prefers to win the challenge so... what could go wrong, it is dinner then a masquerade 'vampire' ball where humans pose as vampires with no knowledge of what is around them. Asil likes to dance so of to the ball they go.
_________________________
I don't know why I rated it and never reviewed or even change the shelf to read, since I'm not going to read the other shorts but I fell down on the job.
I read only Unappreciated Gifts- a short story in the Mercy/Alpha& Omega world involving Asil. Asil is talked into going on a number of "dates", they don't turn out as anyone had hoped or planned and one has consequences.
I loved how things played out with the last date. I'm not saying anything as there is a twist, and others players are involved. It is short, read it for yourself. But every short I read of Asil makes me like him more.
Ooo, one I missed. Has an Asil story from Mercy Thompson world that I missed.
November 21, 2014
I bought this for the Patricia Briggs and Mercedes Lackey stories but tried them all. Some were unreadable and some were pretty good. As always in an anthology, it's a mixed bag.
Naughty & Nice
This was a clever and enjoyable mystery concerning Santa's missing list. The zombie detective discovers another mystery and the two converge. Violence ensues, but Santa swoops to the rescue. It's by Kevin Anderson who wrote an amazing series which I read previously, the Saga of Seven Suns.
Close Knit
This concerns some strange magic, and it was only mildly interesting to me. It's about a guy who's missing his wife and three kids. It turns out he's coming on too strong.
Astronaut Nick
This one made me cry. It's about a young boy who's homesick, but he learns with Santa's help what's really important.
The Longest Night
Whenever I read a short story in Lackey's Secret World, I enjoy it, but I couldn't get into the novels. This story is about a teen girl left alone for Christmas, and she plays big sister to a younger girl. It was pretty good.
Jimmy Krinklepot...
A young inventor in a small town during the Civil War but seeming set in more modern times gets into trouble but ends up saving the day. Enjoyable. I think poured should have been pored in "...his gray matter poured over this new obstacle...."
Midnight Trains
A bit like Woody Allen's film Midnight in Paris. A lonely American in Paris encounters a spirit. Well written.
A Christmas Feast
This is a sad dystopian story with a happy ending. Moving.
A World Done In...
Very humorous family dinner and adventure in a trailer park with a rabid zombie pig poisoned by a pie.
Santa's Mortuary
I couldn't get into this story.
Yes Virginia...
A young girl in a futuristic society challenges authority and seemingly starts a revolution to throw off the corporate overlords who control everyone by computer implants.
Christmas Eve at Harvey...
I couldn't get into this story.
The Atmosphere for Miracles
I couldn't get into this story.
A Sufficiently Advanced Christmas
I couldn't get into this story.
Unappreciated Gifts
This was the reason for my purchase. I love Asil. This story started out very promisingly. Asil the werewolf is set up on some blind dates and accepts it as a dare. There are complications but he handles it well. This was a great story but I didn't particularly care for the ending. I wish it had gone in a different direction. I also thought we were reminded too often that his wolf does not like to be challenged by lesser beings (that is, everyone but Bran, who does not appear here). I did see one editing error where an extra word appears in this sentence: "A young man Asil had not seen anyone who looked to be over twenty-five came up to them swaggering a little." The only way this makes sense to me is to remove "anyone."
Naughty & Nice
This was a clever and enjoyable mystery concerning Santa's missing list. The zombie detective discovers another mystery and the two converge. Violence ensues, but Santa swoops to the rescue. It's by Kevin Anderson who wrote an amazing series which I read previously, the Saga of Seven Suns.
Close Knit
This concerns some strange magic, and it was only mildly interesting to me. It's about a guy who's missing his wife and three kids. It turns out he's coming on too strong.
Astronaut Nick
This one made me cry. It's about a young boy who's homesick, but he learns with Santa's help what's really important.
The Longest Night
Whenever I read a short story in Lackey's Secret World, I enjoy it, but I couldn't get into the novels. This story is about a teen girl left alone for Christmas, and she plays big sister to a younger girl. It was pretty good.
Jimmy Krinklepot...
A young inventor in a small town during the Civil War but seeming set in more modern times gets into trouble but ends up saving the day. Enjoyable. I think poured should have been pored in "...his gray matter poured over this new obstacle...."
Midnight Trains
A bit like Woody Allen's film Midnight in Paris. A lonely American in Paris encounters a spirit. Well written.
A Christmas Feast
This is a sad dystopian story with a happy ending. Moving.
A World Done In...
Very humorous family dinner and adventure in a trailer park with a rabid zombie pig poisoned by a pie.
Santa's Mortuary
I couldn't get into this story.
Yes Virginia...
A young girl in a futuristic society challenges authority and seemingly starts a revolution to throw off the corporate overlords who control everyone by computer implants.
Christmas Eve at Harvey...
I couldn't get into this story.
The Atmosphere for Miracles
I couldn't get into this story.
A Sufficiently Advanced Christmas
I couldn't get into this story.
Unappreciated Gifts
This was the reason for my purchase. I love Asil. This story started out very promisingly. Asil the werewolf is set up on some blind dates and accepts it as a dare. There are complications but he handles it well. This was a great story but I didn't particularly care for the ending. I wish it had gone in a different direction. I also thought we were reminded too often that his wolf does not like to be challenged by lesser beings (that is, everyone but Bran, who does not appear here). I did see one editing error where an extra word appears in this sentence: "A young man Asil had not seen anyone who looked to be over twenty-five came up to them swaggering a little." The only way this makes sense to me is to remove "anyone."
October 26, 2025
Fabulous short story by Patricia Briggs
I checked out a copy of this collection of urban fantasy stories from Hoopla in order to read the short story, "Unappreciated Gifts" by Patricia Briggs. It stars Asil, "the Moor," a powerful, ancient werewolf who lives in Bran's pack in Aspen Creek, Montana.
An anonymous group of werewolves from Asil's pack challenge him, via email, to go on five blind dates, that they will set up for him. Mainly because he's bored, and this sounds like it might be interesting, Asil accepts the challenge. In order to win the challenge, all five dates must be successful, as defined by the following parameters:
1. Neither party runs screaming into the night.
2. There are no dead bodies at the end of it.
3. It lasts longer than 2 hours, and at least 1.5 hours of that time is spent with his date.
This story is the first of the five dates. It's absolutely fantastic. It's got action and lots of wry humor. I adore Asil, and it's a joy to get his point of view.
There are currently published short stories about three of Asil’s blind dates, which have appeared in collections of urban fantasy short stories. They include:
"Unappreciated Gifts" (from this collection, A Fantastic Holiday Season, 2014)
"Asil and the Not-Date" (from Fantastic Hope, 2020)
"Dating Terrors" (from Heroic Hearts, 2022)
These three, along with two brand-new stories, will be collected in the upcoming October, 2025 release, "Blind Date with a Werewolf," which will include all five of Asil’s blind date adventures. I am very much looking forward to this. I hope it's released as an audiobook as well as in ebook format, because I will definitely want to get both.
By the way, an additional Asil short story from 2014, which is not related to the blind date trope, is included in the "Shifting Shadows" collection. Its title is "Roses in Winter." It features Asil interacting with Kara Beckworth, a 13-year-old female werewolf, who was changed at the age of 10 and miraculously survived.
I checked out a copy of this collection of urban fantasy stories from Hoopla in order to read the short story, "Unappreciated Gifts" by Patricia Briggs. It stars Asil, "the Moor," a powerful, ancient werewolf who lives in Bran's pack in Aspen Creek, Montana.
An anonymous group of werewolves from Asil's pack challenge him, via email, to go on five blind dates, that they will set up for him. Mainly because he's bored, and this sounds like it might be interesting, Asil accepts the challenge. In order to win the challenge, all five dates must be successful, as defined by the following parameters:
1. Neither party runs screaming into the night.
2. There are no dead bodies at the end of it.
3. It lasts longer than 2 hours, and at least 1.5 hours of that time is spent with his date.
This story is the first of the five dates. It's absolutely fantastic. It's got action and lots of wry humor. I adore Asil, and it's a joy to get his point of view.
There are currently published short stories about three of Asil’s blind dates, which have appeared in collections of urban fantasy short stories. They include:
"Unappreciated Gifts" (from this collection, A Fantastic Holiday Season, 2014)
"Asil and the Not-Date" (from Fantastic Hope, 2020)
"Dating Terrors" (from Heroic Hearts, 2022)
These three, along with two brand-new stories, will be collected in the upcoming October, 2025 release, "Blind Date with a Werewolf," which will include all five of Asil’s blind date adventures. I am very much looking forward to this. I hope it's released as an audiobook as well as in ebook format, because I will definitely want to get both.
By the way, an additional Asil short story from 2014, which is not related to the blind date trope, is included in the "Shifting Shadows" collection. Its title is "Roses in Winter." It features Asil interacting with Kara Beckworth, a 13-year-old female werewolf, who was changed at the age of 10 and miraculously survived.
March 21, 2015
This review is only based on the story by Patricia Briggs.
Asil is a favorite character in the Mercy Thompson/Alpha Omega world. I think I like him because he is not what he seems. I love how the characters of Aspen Creek try to pull one over on Asil. I loved how they phrases things to be a challenge, something Asil could not leave alone.
I'm not sure if there are any more ways that Asil's date could have gone more wrong. But I loved how Asil adjusted to all the screwball things that came his way. Kelly seemed more than up to the challenge of dealing with Kelly. I have a feeling that the events of the date will make them fast friends.
Asil is a favorite character in the Mercy Thompson/Alpha Omega world. I think I like him because he is not what he seems. I love how the characters of Aspen Creek try to pull one over on Asil. I loved how they phrases things to be a challenge, something Asil could not leave alone.
I'm not sure if there are any more ways that Asil's date could have gone more wrong. But I loved how Asil adjusted to all the screwball things that came his way. Kelly seemed more than up to the challenge of dealing with Kelly. I have a feeling that the events of the date will make them fast friends.
July 22, 2022
#1) Naughty & Nice by: Kevin J. Anderson:
If you enjoy stories dripping with clichés about every other line, this just might be your kind of story (but certainly not mine). I could have easily played holiday bingo with this story and won in the first few pages. 😑
The premise is that Santa lost his naughty or nice list so he seeks out the help of a zombie detective to solve the mystery. I found the culprit far to obvious, the clichés unbearable, and the world-building too inclusive (as in every kind of supernatural, story, and minder reference exists: Santa, Zombies, Elvis, Lord of the Rings… you name it.) If the goal was to create a story so cheesy and with such a ridiculous plot a middle school drama teacher would select it to have her students perform, this author nailed it.
⭐️ out of 5
#2) Close Knit by: Nina Kiriki Hoffman
I ended this story both fascinated and wishing it wasn’t so brief.
Leo is separated from his wife and longs to repair the bond between he and his family. While it was simple in plot, I loved the magical element as I felt it was unique and something I hadn’t come across before. I don’t know if this is a taste of one of the author’s series but if so I’d be interested in checking out more of her writing!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2 out of 5
#3) Astronaut Nick by: Brad R. Torgersen
To believe in Santa or not believe in Santa… this story follows a boy who hasn’t adjusted to his new life on Mars and just wants to go home. Tessa from school begins talking with him and telling him about astronaut Santa Claus and this begins this story.
It is a very cute story with a valuable lesson that fits into the plot of a typical Christmas story but with the setting of space. I really enjoyed this one and felt the author did well.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ out of 5
#4) The Longest Night by: Mercedes Lackey
Vickie must spend the holidays at her school of magic while her FBI parents are off hunting down a magical criminal.
This was story reminiscent of Harry Potter in a modern age set in America. It takes a bit for the story to begin as time is spent explaining her modern/antique room which in the scheme of things didn’t need so much focus for a short story like this one. While I appreciate the world building, I feel a bit more focus should have been given to the action of the story which seemed to wrap up a bit to fast in comparison. Otherwise, I was intrigued by this story and the world building to seek out this author’s other works.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2 out of 5
#5) Jimmy Krinklepot and the White Rebels of Hayberry by: Quincy J. Allen
A young inventor in 1800’s Missouri is taken to court when one of his inventions causes havoc. And then, union soldiers in Zeppelins arrive…
This was a very unique story that pulled together historical context and a steampunk angle. Overall it was interesting though I wasn’t necessarily satisfied with the resolution as I felt the kid did need some proper consequence for what he did to the judges chickens. That part just didn’t sit well with me and gave me the impression of a future serial killer when I believe the goal of the writer was to give us the impression of a mad scientist.
⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2 out of 5
#6) Midnight Trains by: Kristine Kathryn Rusch
A man alone in Paris on Christmas Eve meets a mysterious woman…
It was a simple story that did well reflecting the loneliness of the character and gave vivid imagery of Paris during Christmas.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ out of 5
#7) A Christmas Feast by: Jonathan Mayberry
Imagine the ending of The Giver, but place the setting in modern day during a zombie apocalypse and there you have the start of this short story. Two brothers seeking refuge from the apocalypse find a unusual refuge from the undead.
I enjoyed the mystery, horror, and hope all staked into this story and was left interested to read more after this story.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ out of 5
#8) A World Done in by Great Granny’s Greatful Pie by: Ken Scholes
Kay Ann is hosting Thanksgiving dinner at her new home. Her family is plotting to find her love with their plus ones but her Great Granny’s pie is going to be the true disaster of the night!
I feel like this is the start of a truly phenomenal story. As a short story the author does well to wet out appetite for an engaging series (hopefully there is one but I haven’t checked yet).
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ out of 5
#9) Santa’s Mortuary by: Heather Graham
A couple comes to help a friend on the investigation of her bed and breakfast after the visitation of a ghost.
It was a simple enough story that was good but didn’t stand out much compared to other stories in this anthology.
⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2 out of 5
#10) Yes, Virginia2097c, There is a Santa Claus by: Sam Knight
In the future where technology is bonded to people and Christmas is about commercialism, Virginia comes to learn the truth about Christmas.
This was a captivating futuristic story that was also a bit unnerving. I could see Knight’s warning to us about the capitalistic nature of holidays over what the real meaning is. Sadly I can picture this kind of future.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2 out of 5
#11) Christmas Eve at Harvey Wallbanger’s by: Mike Resnick
A disagreement on the names of Santa’s reindeer lead to a later bet to retrieve money owed.
I feel I was dropped into this world but missing pieces so it took effort to get into this story. The characters having mostly alliterative nameswas something I found boring and the cheating Santa Claus angle didn’t sit well with me either. Not my cup of tea.
⭐️ out of 5
#12) The Atmosphere for Miracles by: David Boop
A western with otherworldly creatures. In the town of Drowned Horse, supernatural events are the norm. Most people avoid it and the town itself is on its last leg. When several people end up in town, something supernatural begins.
I think this was my first supernatural western story I’ve ever read. They set up was good, I enjoyed the plot, and it wasn’t littered with the Clichés I expected from a western.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2 out of 5
#13) A Sufficiently Advanced Christmas by: Eric James Stone
A city waiting for its People to arrive, stashes its memory to preserve it. Flash forward to the planet and city being discovered by humans years in the future. Carlinda, her son Justin, and husband Will travel to the planet as the first phase of colonist. Unbeknownst to the parents, the city comes alive and chooses four your old Justin who has Christmas on his mind to observe and learn if these are the People it has been waiting for.
I love this story! The space exploration/archaeology angle was interesting and I was particularly drawn into the debate of three parts of the stored city mind. This is another author I plan to look into for more of their works!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ out of 5
Long ago a city was established on a new planet. The city stored away its mind to protect it until year later when colonists arrived to explore the ‘ruins’ of an alien city. The pieces of the citymind connected with four your old Justin
#14) Unappreciated Gifts by: Patricia Briggs
Asil, a powerful and dangerous werewolf, receives an e-mail challenging him to go on five dates from a mysterious group of ‘friends’. The date that takes place ends up being far from the expected.
I am an absolute fan of Patrica Briggs and came to this anthology for her story alone. This story lived up to my expectations and I can’t wait to read the others of Asil’s dates!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ out of 5
Overall I LOVED this anthology. I believe it is my favorite so far for all the anthologies I’ve read. The stories were mostly cheerful and were unique in the worlds created. I even found several authors I’m excited to seek out for more of their writing. Out of 5 stars, I would say this was a solid four.
If you enjoy stories dripping with clichés about every other line, this just might be your kind of story (but certainly not mine). I could have easily played holiday bingo with this story and won in the first few pages. 😑
The premise is that Santa lost his naughty or nice list so he seeks out the help of a zombie detective to solve the mystery. I found the culprit far to obvious, the clichés unbearable, and the world-building too inclusive (as in every kind of supernatural, story, and minder reference exists: Santa, Zombies, Elvis, Lord of the Rings… you name it.) If the goal was to create a story so cheesy and with such a ridiculous plot a middle school drama teacher would select it to have her students perform, this author nailed it.
⭐️ out of 5
#2) Close Knit by: Nina Kiriki Hoffman
I ended this story both fascinated and wishing it wasn’t so brief.
Leo is separated from his wife and longs to repair the bond between he and his family. While it was simple in plot, I loved the magical element as I felt it was unique and something I hadn’t come across before. I don’t know if this is a taste of one of the author’s series but if so I’d be interested in checking out more of her writing!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2 out of 5
#3) Astronaut Nick by: Brad R. Torgersen
To believe in Santa or not believe in Santa… this story follows a boy who hasn’t adjusted to his new life on Mars and just wants to go home. Tessa from school begins talking with him and telling him about astronaut Santa Claus and this begins this story.
It is a very cute story with a valuable lesson that fits into the plot of a typical Christmas story but with the setting of space. I really enjoyed this one and felt the author did well.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ out of 5
#4) The Longest Night by: Mercedes Lackey
Vickie must spend the holidays at her school of magic while her FBI parents are off hunting down a magical criminal.
This was story reminiscent of Harry Potter in a modern age set in America. It takes a bit for the story to begin as time is spent explaining her modern/antique room which in the scheme of things didn’t need so much focus for a short story like this one. While I appreciate the world building, I feel a bit more focus should have been given to the action of the story which seemed to wrap up a bit to fast in comparison. Otherwise, I was intrigued by this story and the world building to seek out this author’s other works.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2 out of 5
#5) Jimmy Krinklepot and the White Rebels of Hayberry by: Quincy J. Allen
A young inventor in 1800’s Missouri is taken to court when one of his inventions causes havoc. And then, union soldiers in Zeppelins arrive…
This was a very unique story that pulled together historical context and a steampunk angle. Overall it was interesting though I wasn’t necessarily satisfied with the resolution as I felt the kid did need some proper consequence for what he did to the judges chickens. That part just didn’t sit well with me and gave me the impression of a future serial killer when I believe the goal of the writer was to give us the impression of a mad scientist.
⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2 out of 5
#6) Midnight Trains by: Kristine Kathryn Rusch
A man alone in Paris on Christmas Eve meets a mysterious woman…
It was a simple story that did well reflecting the loneliness of the character and gave vivid imagery of Paris during Christmas.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ out of 5
#7) A Christmas Feast by: Jonathan Mayberry
Imagine the ending of The Giver, but place the setting in modern day during a zombie apocalypse and there you have the start of this short story. Two brothers seeking refuge from the apocalypse find a unusual refuge from the undead.
I enjoyed the mystery, horror, and hope all staked into this story and was left interested to read more after this story.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ out of 5
#8) A World Done in by Great Granny’s Greatful Pie by: Ken Scholes
Kay Ann is hosting Thanksgiving dinner at her new home. Her family is plotting to find her love with their plus ones but her Great Granny’s pie is going to be the true disaster of the night!
I feel like this is the start of a truly phenomenal story. As a short story the author does well to wet out appetite for an engaging series (hopefully there is one but I haven’t checked yet).
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ out of 5
#9) Santa’s Mortuary by: Heather Graham
A couple comes to help a friend on the investigation of her bed and breakfast after the visitation of a ghost.
It was a simple enough story that was good but didn’t stand out much compared to other stories in this anthology.
⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2 out of 5
#10) Yes, Virginia2097c, There is a Santa Claus by: Sam Knight
In the future where technology is bonded to people and Christmas is about commercialism, Virginia comes to learn the truth about Christmas.
This was a captivating futuristic story that was also a bit unnerving. I could see Knight’s warning to us about the capitalistic nature of holidays over what the real meaning is. Sadly I can picture this kind of future.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2 out of 5
#11) Christmas Eve at Harvey Wallbanger’s by: Mike Resnick
A disagreement on the names of Santa’s reindeer lead to a later bet to retrieve money owed.
I feel I was dropped into this world but missing pieces so it took effort to get into this story. The characters having mostly alliterative nameswas something I found boring and the cheating Santa Claus angle didn’t sit well with me either. Not my cup of tea.
⭐️ out of 5
#12) The Atmosphere for Miracles by: David Boop
A western with otherworldly creatures. In the town of Drowned Horse, supernatural events are the norm. Most people avoid it and the town itself is on its last leg. When several people end up in town, something supernatural begins.
I think this was my first supernatural western story I’ve ever read. They set up was good, I enjoyed the plot, and it wasn’t littered with the Clichés I expected from a western.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2 out of 5
#13) A Sufficiently Advanced Christmas by: Eric James Stone
A city waiting for its People to arrive, stashes its memory to preserve it. Flash forward to the planet and city being discovered by humans years in the future. Carlinda, her son Justin, and husband Will travel to the planet as the first phase of colonist. Unbeknownst to the parents, the city comes alive and chooses four your old Justin who has Christmas on his mind to observe and learn if these are the People it has been waiting for.
I love this story! The space exploration/archaeology angle was interesting and I was particularly drawn into the debate of three parts of the stored city mind. This is another author I plan to look into for more of their works!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ out of 5
Long ago a city was established on a new planet. The city stored away its mind to protect it until year later when colonists arrived to explore the ‘ruins’ of an alien city. The pieces of the citymind connected with four your old Justin
#14) Unappreciated Gifts by: Patricia Briggs
Asil, a powerful and dangerous werewolf, receives an e-mail challenging him to go on five dates from a mysterious group of ‘friends’. The date that takes place ends up being far from the expected.
I am an absolute fan of Patrica Briggs and came to this anthology for her story alone. This story lived up to my expectations and I can’t wait to read the others of Asil’s dates!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ out of 5
Overall I LOVED this anthology. I believe it is my favorite so far for all the anthologies I’ve read. The stories were mostly cheerful and were unique in the worlds created. I even found several authors I’m excited to seek out for more of their writing. Out of 5 stars, I would say this was a solid four.
January 18, 2018
Cheating, again. Skimmed most of the stories, because I really grabbed this for "Unappreciated Gifts", a short story in Patricia Briggs' Alpha and Omega series. It explores sometime in the life of my favorite supporting character, Asil, as a few mysterious packmates set him up on a series of blind dates. This story covers the first date: dinner and masquerade ball. His date Kelly and he immediately get off on the wrong foot, mostly because Kelly is a man. I love Asil.
"... They didn’t give me your email address or any way to contact you—just the restaurant inform—”I was hoping that he and this young man, who had been tricked into this farce as well, would come to an understanding of the more intimate nature, but Asil proclaims his heterosexuality. Alas! Still, a good friendship blossoms. Kelly is very cute, I would love to see him in the background the next time we meet Asil in the main series.
He looked up. His mouth stayed where it was and noise quit coming out of it.
Yes, Asil thought, the other’s awe soothing the feathers that had been ruffled by the wait, I am beautiful.
March 12, 2020
I only read Unexpected Gifts by Patricia Briggs but like every other book in this world, I truly enjoyed it. Asil has always been such a fascinating character and this was a fun story.
July 3, 2022
* I only read "Underappreciated Gifts" by Patricia Briggs
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June 20, 2023
Rating this whole book solely on the one story I read, which was by Patricia Briggs.
As there are a lot of authors I like and have heard of in this anthology, I expect I'll go back and read the rest eventually... but I'm currently re-obsessed with the Mercy Thompson series, and can't be bothered to read anything but that, alas.
As there are a lot of authors I like and have heard of in this anthology, I expect I'll go back and read the rest eventually... but I'm currently re-obsessed with the Mercy Thompson series, and can't be bothered to read anything but that, alas.
September 14, 2021
I only read 'Underappreciated Gifts' by Patricia Briggs because who can resist Asil on a date? Maybe at some point I'll read the rest but I highly doubt that.
The story is utterly hilarious and gives a bit more insight into the enigmatic ancient wolf known as The Moor. I can't wait for the next installment in this 'game' they're playing.
The story is utterly hilarious and gives a bit more insight into the enigmatic ancient wolf known as The Moor. I can't wait for the next installment in this 'game' they're playing.
December 3, 2014
I got a copy of The Gift of Stories from my library because I wanted to read Briggs's Unappreciated Gifts. I ended up reading all the stories. I did not expect horror in a Christmas/holiday story anthology, but at least two of the stories (A Christmas Feast, A World Done In By Great Granny's Grateful Pie) are definitely horror. Several stories are science fiction and several are urban fantasy.
I am a rabid Asil fan, and Unappreciated Gifts is a wonderful story of acceptance and standing up to a bully, actually to several bullies. Briggs's story easily earns the book 5 stars, but Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Brad Torgerson, Sam Knight, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, and Eric James Stone also wrote 5 star stories. Even the horror stories are worthy of 4 stars. You may get this book to read Unappreciated Gifts, but I strongly recommend trying the other titles.
I am a rabid Asil fan, and Unappreciated Gifts is a wonderful story of acceptance and standing up to a bully, actually to several bullies. Briggs's story easily earns the book 5 stars, but Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Brad Torgerson, Sam Knight, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, and Eric James Stone also wrote 5 star stories. Even the horror stories are worthy of 4 stars. You may get this book to read Unappreciated Gifts, but I strongly recommend trying the other titles.
January 13, 2016
Note: rating is for Santa's Mortuary by Heather Graham - a novella from the Krewe of Hunters series.
These hunters really don't know how to enjoy their vacations... this time it's Logan and Kelsey visiting a haunted house during Christmas! A very short story.
Merged review:
3.5 stars. Rating is for Unappreciated Gifts from Patricia Briggs - a story in her Alpha & Omega series.
This was quite funny...it's about someone from the pack setting up blind dates for Asil on dating sites....
These hunters really don't know how to enjoy their vacations... this time it's Logan and Kelsey visiting a haunted house during Christmas! A very short story.
Merged review:
3.5 stars. Rating is for Unappreciated Gifts from Patricia Briggs - a story in her Alpha & Omega series.
This was quite funny...it's about someone from the pack setting up blind dates for Asil on dating sites....
July 20, 2015
Not going to lie, just read the Patricia Briggs short story... and I hope that she adds to this in her next book. Fun!
August 17, 2021
French & English reviews
Unappreciated Gifts par Patricia Briggs SEULEMENT
J'en reviens pas que je n'ai pas su que cette nouvelle existait ! J'avais lu l'autre qui existe sur les rendez-vous d'Asil il y a longtemps mais en apprenant qu'une autre allait bientôt sortir (dans l'anthologie Heroic Hearts) et que c'était la troisième, j'étais FOLLE !!
Et bien sûr, je l'ai lu immédiatement ><
Et évidemment, elle était géniale =D
Moi qui adore Asil, j'ai adoré suivre son rendez-vous avec Kelly qui m'a beaucoup fait rire (déjà parce que Kelly était , ensuite parce que Asil est suffisamment confiant pour et bien s'amuser sans se sentir menacer dans sa masculinité (et c'est rare malheureusement !) et enfin parce que j'adore voir Asil jouer les chevaliers plus ou moins blancs =) )
Bref, pour les fans de l'univers de Mercy Thompson, une nouvelle incontournable tout comme les autres nouvelles avec Asil ! J'ai hâte de lire la suite (et d'apprendre qui est à l'origine de ce pari ><)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unappreciated Gifts by Patricia Briggs ONLY
I can't believe I didn't know this short-story existed ! I had read the other one that exists on Asil's dates a long time ago but learning that another was coming soon (in the Heroic Hearts anthology) and that it was the third, I was CRAZY !!
And of course I read it immediately ><
And obviously she was awesome =D
As I adore Asil, I adored following his date with Kelly who made me laugh a lot (first because Kelly was a , then because Asil is confident enough to and having fun without feeling threatened in his masculinity (and that's rare unfortunately !) and finally because I love to see Asil playing the more or less white knight =))
In short, for fans of the Mercy Thompson universe, a must-read short-story just like the other short-story with Asil ! I can't wait to read more (and learn who is behind this bet ><)
Unappreciated Gifts par Patricia Briggs SEULEMENT
J'en reviens pas que je n'ai pas su que cette nouvelle existait ! J'avais lu l'autre qui existe sur les rendez-vous d'Asil il y a longtemps mais en apprenant qu'une autre allait bientôt sortir (dans l'anthologie Heroic Hearts) et que c'était la troisième, j'étais FOLLE !!
Et bien sûr, je l'ai lu immédiatement ><
Et évidemment, elle était géniale =D
Moi qui adore Asil, j'ai adoré suivre son rendez-vous avec Kelly qui m'a beaucoup fait rire (déjà parce que Kelly était , ensuite parce que Asil est suffisamment confiant pour et bien s'amuser sans se sentir menacer dans sa masculinité (et c'est rare malheureusement !) et enfin parce que j'adore voir Asil jouer les chevaliers plus ou moins blancs =) )
Bref, pour les fans de l'univers de Mercy Thompson, une nouvelle incontournable tout comme les autres nouvelles avec Asil ! J'ai hâte de lire la suite (et d'apprendre qui est à l'origine de ce pari ><)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unappreciated Gifts by Patricia Briggs ONLY
I can't believe I didn't know this short-story existed ! I had read the other one that exists on Asil's dates a long time ago but learning that another was coming soon (in the Heroic Hearts anthology) and that it was the third, I was CRAZY !!
And of course I read it immediately ><
And obviously she was awesome =D
As I adore Asil, I adored following his date with Kelly who made me laugh a lot (first because Kelly was a , then because Asil is confident enough to and having fun without feeling threatened in his masculinity (and that's rare unfortunately !) and finally because I love to see Asil playing the more or less white knight =))
In short, for fans of the Mercy Thompson universe, a must-read short-story just like the other short-story with Asil ! I can't wait to read more (and learn who is behind this bet ><)
October 30, 2017
I only read Patricia Briggs' novella, Unappreciated Gifts, because I had zero interest in anything else in the anthology. If it wasn't for the fact that I am doing a complete Mercy Thompson World reread and went to Ms. Briggs' website to get the proper reading order, chances are I wouldn't have known anything about this particular short, which would have been a shame because I adore Asil.
Unappreciated Gifts is technically a Christmas story and as I mentioned in the opening paragraph, it features one of my favorite werewolves from the Aspen Creek territory, Asil AKA The Moor. Since Asil was introduced in Alpha & Omega book one, Cry Wolf, I have wanted more of him. Thankfully he has been in several different novels and shorts within Alpha & Omega as well as finding his way into the Mercy Thompson series. After all, he's the frakkin Moor and if you ever need to scare the crap out of an enemy and one of the Cornick boys can't assist you, Asil is pretty much guaranteed to frak shit up.
Unappreciated Gifts started with a note to Asil from his "Concerned Friends" within the pack. Those concerned friends have decided to give him a challenge; five dates picked by them in two weeks. If those dates are successful, they will confess who they are and submit themselves to Asil's reckoning. Just setting Asil up on dates using various dating sites was amusing. Not knowing for sure who he was actually being set up with? Priceless.
I have to say that as much as I loved Asil before reading Unappreciated Gifts, I love him even more now. Considering the situation his so-called concerned friends put him in, he had every right to be pissed off and simply blow off the entire thing. Asil had a lot to prove and because he truly is a great guy beneath that tough exterior, he wasn't going to let them win; no matter how uncomfortable the scenario is that was picked for him.
Thank you, Ms. Briggs, for giving us something else from Asil's POV. I adore that crotchety old wolf and really hope to get more of him in the future. Please and thank you!!
Unappreciated Gifts is technically a Christmas story and as I mentioned in the opening paragraph, it features one of my favorite werewolves from the Aspen Creek territory, Asil AKA The Moor. Since Asil was introduced in Alpha & Omega book one, Cry Wolf, I have wanted more of him. Thankfully he has been in several different novels and shorts within Alpha & Omega as well as finding his way into the Mercy Thompson series. After all, he's the frakkin Moor and if you ever need to scare the crap out of an enemy and one of the Cornick boys can't assist you, Asil is pretty much guaranteed to frak shit up.
Unappreciated Gifts started with a note to Asil from his "Concerned Friends" within the pack. Those concerned friends have decided to give him a challenge; five dates picked by them in two weeks. If those dates are successful, they will confess who they are and submit themselves to Asil's reckoning. Just setting Asil up on dates using various dating sites was amusing. Not knowing for sure who he was actually being set up with? Priceless.
I have to say that as much as I loved Asil before reading Unappreciated Gifts, I love him even more now. Considering the situation his so-called concerned friends put him in, he had every right to be pissed off and simply blow off the entire thing. Asil had a lot to prove and because he truly is a great guy beneath that tough exterior, he wasn't going to let them win; no matter how uncomfortable the scenario is that was picked for him.
Thank you, Ms. Briggs, for giving us something else from Asil's POV. I adore that crotchety old wolf and really hope to get more of him in the future. Please and thank you!!
November 23, 2022
There's 14 stories in this anthology, some are fantasy, 2 are zombie apocalypse. there's a sci fi one & a civil war era steam punk. A little something for everyone! All have Christmas in common, some more so than others. There's some funny, poignant & festive treats here.
I actually bought this for Patricia Biggs' story - the first of 5 dates for Asil. I noticed a lot of reviewers only read this one story. I just want to say - try reading ALL the stories. I've found authors I've never heard of that turned into favorites by reading one of their short story offerings. Give it a chance!
I actually bought this for Patricia Biggs' story - the first of 5 dates for Asil. I noticed a lot of reviewers only read this one story. I just want to say - try reading ALL the stories. I've found authors I've never heard of that turned into favorites by reading one of their short story offerings. Give it a chance!
March 25, 2020
The only short story I read was the Patricia Briggs "Unexpected Gifts" story about Asil, also known as the Moor, a werewolf from the Mercy Thompson series.
It was hilarious. An amazing story about Asil getting set up on a blind date without his knowledge by pack members who are worried about him. Asil's point of view is so funny.
It was hilarious. An amazing story about Asil getting set up on a blind date without his knowledge by pack members who are worried about him. Asil's point of view is so funny.
April 20, 2020
I've read the majority of these series, so it was fun visiting old friends. Mostly picked it up for the Asil story, which was fun--he gets sent on a blind date to a role play as vampire ball.
Werewolves and vampires don't get along, and it turns out there's a real one among all the pretenders. Drama ensues.
Werewolves and vampires don't get along, and it turns out there's a real one among all the pretenders. Drama ensues.
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