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CyberWitch Press Short Fiction Anthology #1
Jingle Spells
JINGLE SPELLS: A CyberWitch Press Short Fiction Anthology
Jingle Spells is a feel-good holiday collection of witch-themed tales, from a witch hunt at the winter solstice, to a Christmas dinner in danger of being ruined by an imp. Here you will find a sparkly pair of shoes holding one woman’s destiny, and a magical, mystery-solving cup of latte. Meet a broken young woman unaware of the powers she possesses, and a teenage boy with the fate of the world on his shoulders.
Featuring short stories from veteran authors J. Laslie, Sidonia Rose, and Heather Marie Adkins, and introducing Sammi Cox, Brittany White, and K. Laslie. Sit back with a steaming mug, light up the fireplace, and enjoy these six tales of magic, mayhem, and love.
Solstice Flames by J. Laslie
A Midwinter Manifestation by Sammi Cox
The Witch’s Shoes by Sidonia Rose
Molly by Brittany White
Holiday Dreams by K. Laslie
The Witch’s Brew by Heather Marie Adkins
Jingle Spells is a feel-good holiday collection of witch-themed tales, from a witch hunt at the winter solstice, to a Christmas dinner in danger of being ruined by an imp. Here you will find a sparkly pair of shoes holding one woman’s destiny, and a magical, mystery-solving cup of latte. Meet a broken young woman unaware of the powers she possesses, and a teenage boy with the fate of the world on his shoulders.
Featuring short stories from veteran authors J. Laslie, Sidonia Rose, and Heather Marie Adkins, and introducing Sammi Cox, Brittany White, and K. Laslie. Sit back with a steaming mug, light up the fireplace, and enjoy these six tales of magic, mayhem, and love.
Solstice Flames by J. Laslie
A Midwinter Manifestation by Sammi Cox
The Witch’s Shoes by Sidonia Rose
Molly by Brittany White
Holiday Dreams by K. Laslie
The Witch’s Brew by Heather Marie Adkins
212 pages, Paperback
Published January 28, 2016
77 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Heather Marie Adkins
95 books590 followersHEATHER MARIE ADKINS writes too much but still too little. She also has too many cats, not enough tequila, and a torrid love affair with procrastination.
With a penchant for the paranormal, Heather spends her days fueled by coffee, Ancient Aliens, and true crime podcasts. She resides in an unfortunately-not-haunted Queen Anne in southern Indiana with a sarcastic husband who is entirely too dependent on puns.
When she’s not plotting her next book or herding felines, she's researching the spookier aspects of history for her podcast, Historically Weird. Find out more about her at heathermarieadkins.com.
With a penchant for the paranormal, Heather spends her days fueled by coffee, Ancient Aliens, and true crime podcasts. She resides in an unfortunately-not-haunted Queen Anne in southern Indiana with a sarcastic husband who is entirely too dependent on puns.
When she’s not plotting her next book or herding felines, she's researching the spookier aspects of history for her podcast, Historically Weird. Find out more about her at heathermarieadkins.com.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 29, 2023
I pretty much picked this one due to the cover & the holiday/magic crossover theme. If you're looking for half a dozen short stories which bring a touch of whimsy to the holiday period, look somewhere else. The six stories here are rather weird:
Solstice Flames by Jennifer Laslie - arguably the best story, this one sees a teenager facing execution for being a witch in modern-day Massachusetts. 2.5/5
A Midwinter Manifestation by Sammi Cox - Maeve's boyfriend died recently but he's still around in ghost form, but this interesting opening is jettisoned for the havoc wreaked by an imp conjured by a novice witch. 2/5
The Witch’s Shoes by Sidonia Rose - one night stand between a witch & a wizard leads to more. 1/5
Molly by Brittany White - can't even remember what this one was about. 1/5
Holiday Dreams by K. Laslie - dead twin helps live twin get life back on track. 2/5
The Witch’s Brew by Heather Marie Adkins - I speedread this one as I was fed up with the book. 2/5
Overall, 2 star rating as I wasn't impressed with most of these & the holiday theme was flimsy at best. I must stop reading short story compilations as I rarely like them.
Solstice Flames by Jennifer Laslie - arguably the best story, this one sees a teenager facing execution for being a witch in modern-day Massachusetts. 2.5/5
A Midwinter Manifestation by Sammi Cox - Maeve's boyfriend died recently but he's still around in ghost form, but this interesting opening is jettisoned for the havoc wreaked by an imp conjured by a novice witch. 2/5
The Witch’s Shoes by Sidonia Rose - one night stand between a witch & a wizard leads to more. 1/5
Molly by Brittany White - can't even remember what this one was about. 1/5
Holiday Dreams by K. Laslie - dead twin helps live twin get life back on track. 2/5
The Witch’s Brew by Heather Marie Adkins - I speedread this one as I was fed up with the book. 2/5
Overall, 2 star rating as I wasn't impressed with most of these & the holiday theme was flimsy at best. I must stop reading short story compilations as I rarely like them.
August 10, 2016
I have only read
Solstice Flames by J. Laslie
A fun little about a modern day teen witch and set a town with VERY old school laws! Would love to see this in a full length very intrigued with the rest of the story....
The Witches Brew by Heather Marie Adkins
A mystery with a bit of magic! Daiya is a good witch helping all her town through her magical coffee. A long standing crush on police lieutenant Cole gets her mixed up in a crime mystery. I really hope we see a full length book to see where Daiya & Coles friendship leads them.
Solstice Flames by J. Laslie
A fun little about a modern day teen witch and set a town with VERY old school laws! Would love to see this in a full length very intrigued with the rest of the story....
The Witches Brew by Heather Marie Adkins
A mystery with a bit of magic! Daiya is a good witch helping all her town through her magical coffee. A long standing crush on police lieutenant Cole gets her mixed up in a crime mystery. I really hope we see a full length book to see where Daiya & Coles friendship leads them.
October 10, 2017
Jingle spells
Solstice Flames By J Laslie
The author painted a good description of the first scene down to how cold and damp it was without droning on and it made me want to read more to find out what led to this turn of events, as I read more I started to understand a little more about the teenage Anya and although a very short story this seemed to focus only on the lead up to the dance and that was about it. I liked her, she didn't seem anything out of the ordinary at first until the strange scenes started happening more and more often. I like how this had a cliffhanger ending and not a definitive one.
A Midwinter Manifestaton By Sammi Cox
Well I want to pretend I understand this but I really didn't follow the story at first until the ending, I think there was a hidden message in there somewhere but the imp and sorceress and the clutzy witch who tries and fails at magic and made a mistake to invite an imp into the house to clean which had the opposite effect.
The Witches Shoes By Sidonia Rose
I thought this one was going to be confusing and leave me wondering what was happening but actually it didn't, it was a sweet almost love story of the paranormal kind with few little fairy tales and myths from the characters past within and I loved the warm pleasant feeling they gave me.
Molly By Brittany White
The first character I was introduced to was Molly and hearing the snippets of the beginning of her life I thought this was going to be a story of abuse and include a witch somewhere within it, this one didn't have a witch but did have another paranormal aspect and I think it really fitted the story well and get characters were gentle but represented the circle of people they came from well, although I don't think I would have been as understanding as Molly waking up in an unusual house and staying there I would be out of there before giving the stranger time to talk. I do like the way the story developed and the characters within definitely made me want to continue reading and find out what happened at the ending.
Holiday Dreams By K Laslie
I have to say this was the weirdest story of this book so far, there wasn't any witches but there was paranormal powers although at the beginning I thought the story was about bullying and how to overcome it, there was more to it than that and although pretty short was actually a pretty good story filled with affection, love, hurt pain and even action and guilt.
The Witches Brew By Heather Marie Adkins
I think this was my favourite out of the whole book, it was almost like a good heartwarming story well kind of with a smidge of murder dropped in there. The main character was warm, friendly kind but yes she was a witch although a good one and as you read more and more about her you felt a kinship for her softness, her nature. When it became a bit dramatic with the murder and suspects she kept her head and decided to try and help sort it out even putting herself in danger. I enjoyed the ending of this story too which always helps make a short story good.
Solstice Flames By J Laslie
The author painted a good description of the first scene down to how cold and damp it was without droning on and it made me want to read more to find out what led to this turn of events, as I read more I started to understand a little more about the teenage Anya and although a very short story this seemed to focus only on the lead up to the dance and that was about it. I liked her, she didn't seem anything out of the ordinary at first until the strange scenes started happening more and more often. I like how this had a cliffhanger ending and not a definitive one.
A Midwinter Manifestaton By Sammi Cox
Well I want to pretend I understand this but I really didn't follow the story at first until the ending, I think there was a hidden message in there somewhere but the imp and sorceress and the clutzy witch who tries and fails at magic and made a mistake to invite an imp into the house to clean which had the opposite effect.
The Witches Shoes By Sidonia Rose
I thought this one was going to be confusing and leave me wondering what was happening but actually it didn't, it was a sweet almost love story of the paranormal kind with few little fairy tales and myths from the characters past within and I loved the warm pleasant feeling they gave me.
Molly By Brittany White
The first character I was introduced to was Molly and hearing the snippets of the beginning of her life I thought this was going to be a story of abuse and include a witch somewhere within it, this one didn't have a witch but did have another paranormal aspect and I think it really fitted the story well and get characters were gentle but represented the circle of people they came from well, although I don't think I would have been as understanding as Molly waking up in an unusual house and staying there I would be out of there before giving the stranger time to talk. I do like the way the story developed and the characters within definitely made me want to continue reading and find out what happened at the ending.
Holiday Dreams By K Laslie
I have to say this was the weirdest story of this book so far, there wasn't any witches but there was paranormal powers although at the beginning I thought the story was about bullying and how to overcome it, there was more to it than that and although pretty short was actually a pretty good story filled with affection, love, hurt pain and even action and guilt.
The Witches Brew By Heather Marie Adkins
I think this was my favourite out of the whole book, it was almost like a good heartwarming story well kind of with a smidge of murder dropped in there. The main character was warm, friendly kind but yes she was a witch although a good one and as you read more and more about her you felt a kinship for her softness, her nature. When it became a bit dramatic with the murder and suspects she kept her head and decided to try and help sort it out even putting herself in danger. I enjoyed the ending of this story too which always helps make a short story good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2022
I don't think I was the target audience for this. There was plenty of insta love (some I found really creepy, not romantic), insta friendships, insta trust, and basically everything felt artificially forced, not like a smooth transition.
A good short story manages to add the character development in just a few paragraphs, but here it just didn't feel right.
People who like paranormal romance, and are looking for something easy to read might have a way better reaction to this than I did. I sadly only only liked one of the stories in here (Witches Brew), didn't especially like the rest and one I was hard pressed to even finish...
A good short story manages to add the character development in just a few paragraphs, but here it just didn't feel right.
People who like paranormal romance, and are looking for something easy to read might have a way better reaction to this than I did. I sadly only only liked one of the stories in here (Witches Brew), didn't especially like the rest and one I was hard pressed to even finish...
February 14, 2018
Awesome book
March 20, 2016
I am not a big fan of anthologies, but I one-clicked because Sidonia Rose has a story in it. Also, let's be honest it is free on kindle. I really enjoyed the stories. Sidonia Rose's story sucked me in and I had to sneak read it at work. I would love to read more about Arwen and Brogan and the magic shoes. Definitely a story worth diving into and Brogan is HOT!! You just can't go wrong with this anthology.
September 23, 2020
Solstice Flames by J. Laslie is the first short story of the book. A bit disappointing to have the old witch laws still applicable in today's world. No due process, just a fire.
A Midwinter Manifestation is second in line. A much more intriguing tale of magic practice gone wrong. We all know someone who is that incompetent, but incompetent with magic is an entirely different level.
The Witch's Shoes by Sidonia Rose is next. The story brings together a witch and a wizard through the power of special shoes. An interesting story of fate and love?
Next up - Molly by Brittany White. Molly is a witch who just discovers she is an elemental after a very difficult early life. The transitions happen real quickly so there is not much development of the characters or plot.
Followed by Holiday Dreams by K. Laslie. This is a short happy but sad story. Characters and plot were a bit disjoint. A young man is entrusted with way too many good deeds to do. He is resolved to do the best, but encounters evil along the way.
Then the Witch's Brew by Heather Marie Adkins. This was the best story of the collection. A witch helps solve a murder, but really didn't need much magic. An enjoyable read about a small town and it's people.
A Midwinter Manifestation is second in line. A much more intriguing tale of magic practice gone wrong. We all know someone who is that incompetent, but incompetent with magic is an entirely different level.
The Witch's Shoes by Sidonia Rose is next. The story brings together a witch and a wizard through the power of special shoes. An interesting story of fate and love?
Next up - Molly by Brittany White. Molly is a witch who just discovers she is an elemental after a very difficult early life. The transitions happen real quickly so there is not much development of the characters or plot.
Followed by Holiday Dreams by K. Laslie. This is a short happy but sad story. Characters and plot were a bit disjoint. A young man is entrusted with way too many good deeds to do. He is resolved to do the best, but encounters evil along the way.
Then the Witch's Brew by Heather Marie Adkins. This was the best story of the collection. A witch helps solve a murder, but really didn't need much magic. An enjoyable read about a small town and it's people.
December 14, 2023
This is a great Christmas Anthology with a twist on Christmas Magic. Cole left college and Taryn without an explanation. It has been 10 years and she hasn’t gotten over it. She wants to know why and will do whatever is necessary to find the answer. She is sneaky as can be and manages to find out what is going on and causes a lot of trouble. I loved seeing this from both points of view and watching them get tangled up in a situation that seemed impossible. I knew there had to b e a happy ending in a Christmas story and wasn’t disappointed.Loved all the characters and enjoyed the magic.
December 25, 2018
Sorry to say I didn't think much of most of these stories - a lot of them felt like nothing much happened, or else were just a bit dull and only very loosely Christmas-related. Characters were often melodramatic or illogically annoying.
I did enjoy Heather Marie Adkins' witchy second-chance romance/murder-mystery, even if the Christmas link was tenuous.
I did enjoy Heather Marie Adkins' witchy second-chance romance/murder-mystery, even if the Christmas link was tenuous.
March 5, 2022
Absolutely good reads!
Each author comes at telling a tale in a different way. I enjoy this so much. Think of things this way: if everyone thought, acted, & did everything the same; life would be extremely boring & dull. I liked each story for it's unique point of view. More people need to read anthologies to find different authors to check out.
Each author comes at telling a tale in a different way. I enjoy this so much. Think of things this way: if everyone thought, acted, & did everything the same; life would be extremely boring & dull. I liked each story for it's unique point of view. More people need to read anthologies to find different authors to check out.
December 15, 2019
Interesting
I thought this was a unique take on Christmas short stories. Although I would have liked the first one to have ended more definitively rather than appearing to lead to another story.
I thought this was a unique take on Christmas short stories. Although I would have liked the first one to have ended more definitively rather than appearing to lead to another story.
January 15, 2021
Interesting mix
On the whole, I enjoyed these tales although I did find some a little juvenile for my taste! They also left me wanting a bit more but then that is usually the intended outcome of an anthology and I will definitely be looking for more from some of these authors
On the whole, I enjoyed these tales although I did find some a little juvenile for my taste! They also left me wanting a bit more but then that is usually the intended outcome of an anthology and I will definitely be looking for more from some of these authors
November 12, 2023
Not what I expected.
It was a good anthology, but geared more toward young adult readers. Even maybe a teen novel anthology. Worded well and thought out, most of these are good stories, I just couldn’t relate.
It was a good anthology, but geared more toward young adult readers. Even maybe a teen novel anthology. Worded well and thought out, most of these are good stories, I just couldn’t relate.
May 20, 2018
Great book!
Couldn't put it down. This is one of several anthologies this group has put together. I've read them all, and they are wonderful!
Couldn't put it down. This is one of several anthologies this group has put together. I've read them all, and they are wonderful!
June 11, 2018
Love the cute stories about different witches and faeries.
I wish some stories were longer. There is something in reading about the magic that makes the heart go la-la-la. (lol)
I wish some stories were longer. There is something in reading about the magic that makes the heart go la-la-la. (lol)
September 20, 2019
Not quite Christmas
Cute stories but every one of them leaves you wanting more. Anxious to see if any of them become full length novels
Cute stories but every one of them leaves you wanting more. Anxious to see if any of them become full length novels
June 10, 2024
Love the stories.
These are great short stories that would great as full length novels. All are exciting and page turners. Well done authors!
These are great short stories that would great as full length novels. All are exciting and page turners. Well done authors!
September 28, 2016
What’s not to love about 6 short reads about the Yule Season. Most of these were new to me authors and I can’t wait to read more by them. At only 182 pages, it’s a quick enjoyable read. If you love reading about magick, witches, elementals, etc. you will enjoy these stories and hopefully become fans of these authors. Check this anthology out today!
November 19, 2017
Very short
As with most collections there is a great deal of dross and a few gems. I kept reading to find a gem and was sorely disappointed. Some were too short to make any impact and others were pointless drivel.
As with most collections there is a great deal of dross and a few gems. I kept reading to find a gem and was sorely disappointed. Some were too short to make any impact and others were pointless drivel.
January 8, 2017
overall was good short stories. Was disappointed that my nook copy was missing the first few letter of each chapter.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews