Magic & Mistletoe: 15 Paranormal Stories for the Holidays

by Aimee Easterling, A. Blythe, Demelza Carlton

Christmas is magical...but sometimes that magic is cursed.

Dive into the holiday spirit this season with fifteen bite-sized paranormal shorts full of mystery, danger, humor, and romance. Experience the wonder as you journey alongside werewolves, vampires, djinn, monsters, fae, hellhounds, witches, druids, and one seriously pissed-off fairy godmother.

From New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestselling authors, every selection in this rare, limited edition set will keep you spellbound from page one. But make sure you've been good and your stockings are hung with care, because this Christmas there's no telling what's coming down the chimney.

Including:

Yule Moon by Aimee Easterling

Miami Twist by A. Blythe

Fall by Demelza Carlton

Frost Bitten by Katie Salidas

The Angel and the Beast by C.N. Crawford

Santa Meets Mrs. Claus by J.L. Hendricks

The Witch of Christmas Present by Katerina Martinez

A Stone's Throw Christmas by Hailey Edwards

Simon Says by Rachel McClellan

Frost by K.N. Lee

Druid Spirit by Amy Hopkins

Matchsticks by May Sage

Bloody Jolly Christmas by Rick Gualtieri

Heart of Ice by Erin Bedford

Kris Kringle Rides Again by P. Joseph Cherubino

Grab Magic & Mistletoe today and enjoy the holidays with not just one good story, but fifteen!

Genres: Paranormal, Anthologies, Christmas, Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Ebooks

301 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 9, 2016

About the author

Aimee Easterling is a USA Today Bestselling author writing on the boundary between urban fantasy and paranormal romance. She specializes in spunky shifters and invites you to dive into her werewolf world in the Wolf Rampant trilogy, the spinoff Bloodling serial, and her new Alpha Underground series.

Studying biology and working as a naturalist have both informed Aimee's writing, but she's quite willing to let reality slide in favor of a good story. When not writing, she loves to read and always keeps books by Robin McKinley, Patricia Briggs, and Elizabeth Peters on her shelf. You can learn more at www.aimeeeasterling.com.

Reviews

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

My feelings about box sets are somewhat mixed. Not too long ago, I couldn't stand them. Now I like them but am leery because I am never sure what's going to be offered. I have read a few of the authors, Erin Bedford, Aimee Easterling, and K.N. Lee, so I went ahead and took a chance on this set as there were also authors I have wanted to read (not mentioning those as I don't want to slight those I hadn't wanted to read!). I'm happy to report this box set is well-worth the less than a dollar it costs. I really enjoyed the look into the authors' minds with these wonderful additions to the Christmas genre. And, yes, my TBR pile is has reached heights so unattainable I will die long before reaching the end. I will make the valiant effort to finish it, though. Back to the set, I believe there is something here for many readers of different genres including light horror, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and a mixture of those. Not every story was perfect, but every story was perfectly entertaining. Do yourself a favor and get this set, if only to discover new authors. Highly recommend!

Thanks to one the authors for the e-book which I read voluntarily. This exact review will be posted on both Amazon and Goodreads.

[Damian Southam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magic & Mistletoe is a collection of 15 Paranormal Stories for the Holidays by Aimee Easterling, A. Blythe, Demelza Carlton, Katie Salidas, C.N. Crawford, J.L. Hendricks, Katerina Martinez, Hailey Edwards, Rachel McClellan, K.N. Lee, Amy Hopkins, May Sage, Rick Gualtieri, Erin Bedford, and P. Joseph Cherubino. As you can tell by the name of the anthology the stories are centred around the festive season and sentiments. They vary in length considerably and predominantly include characters from books, series, and/or universes created by the respective authors. Some are naughty and some are nice, not all that unlike the intended recipients of Christmas presents. Some give some additional perspective to series or books you may already know, and others do make you want to jump into reading the full length storylines they're derived from. As anthologies go it has the benefit of not inherently requiring any foreknowledge, whilst also being rewarding in the occasions when you do have it. I tend to do an introduction in my reviews followed by the more evaluative components, but for these stories which are quite short I've opted for a functional review. Below are the listings and a synopsis.
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⊙ Aimee Easterling (Polar Bear Challenge): Four flash fiction quirky tales. The supernatural tales in the polar bear challenge stem from the Alpha Underground series. You could say that the werewolves in these snapshots are wolves first and humans second. The werewolves and the humans in these flash fiction Christmas events aren't your garden variety type.

⊙ A. Blythe (Miami Twist - A Magic Bullet Short Story): The two Djinn, Alyse and Flinn, find it particularly easy to commit infractions as seen by the Paranormal Agency Network, or PAN. Hoping to hide any possible infraction they've come to a different city to indulge. Flinn sets off a chain of events when he buys Alyse a magical gift he had no idea it was spelled to trap weary Christmas shoppers with. Given their proclusions the mated duo are well practiced at getting out of tight fixes. But they needed to keep their escapades under the radar and this has all the trademarks of coming to the attention of the Paranormal Task Force, or PTF; the authority they hope their PAN training will lead to. When the street urchins responsible turn out to have Christmas wishes they never dreamt of voicing, these Djinni pranksters just might be the perfect agents to do what their mythical cousins, the Genies in bottles are incapable of. Even if these urchins aren't actually making Christmas wishes with a Miami Twist. As to the perps they might find out why it's best not to pee-off these Djinn.

⊙ Demelza Carlton (Fall - Scheherazade Retold; the prequel to a retelling of Beauty and the Beast called Enchant): When common sense and brains went AWOL on the day Zoraida's godson George was born, her Fairy Godmother obligations moved from tedious and tiresome to outright laborious and dangerous. Playing bait as target practice for an enraged dragon your ward wished to slay, so his cowardice running arse isn't burnt to a cinder can make opening a portal with your skirts still burning a hazardous problem. When the new Baron inherited the job of restoring his father's castle with little money to do so, he's caught out on a freezing festive season night. Now he's trying to cut enough wood to get the fire of a old hunter's lodge alight, so he doesn't freeze to death before the night is through. When he makes a wish on a shooting star in a Fall, it turns out that an poor baron and a burning fairy godmother might get things neither knew they were after.

⊙ Katie Salidas (Frost Bitten - Olde Town Pack Series Prequel; also with characters from the Immortalis Series): Being a pure shifter with genetics that mark her wolf coat as a rare unblemished white, Rachel's DNA gave her the chance to escape a small town future she might otherwise have failed to reach. But that eventuates in the worst way a girl could achieve it when her father forces her to mate the great alpha's son. Seeing her as less than a respected brood mare, Craig's abuse and desire to break her spirit begins the night of their mating. Having spent a year preparing and enacting her escape, he sends an assassin wolf from his hunting party, one of the wolves regularly used in bullying her, to chase her down with the command to finish the troubles she's caused him. Run to the point of Frost Bitten and blistered paws, so breathless she can barely hold up her head, she decides to go out fighting.

⊙ C.N. Crawford (The Angel and the Beast: a short story featuring Kester and Zee from Infernal Magic - Demons of Fire and Night Book 1 that's set several decades before Ursula arrives on the scene): Zee knew the moment she was being tailed by the sensation tingling between her shoulder blades. In threadbare clothing, surrounded by the stench of too many shoppers and their metal monstrosities replacing the natural and graceful horse drawn carriages, she wore all her worldly possessions on her body, trying to just find somewhere to keep warm. Using her strong glamour she alters her look hoping to lose her tail. She soon after awakens collared, although thankfully less frozen, staring at an enraged hellhound and listening to an insane kidnapper speaking riddles about The Angel and the Beast. This festive season is either going to be her very worst, or the start of something new and exciting if she can just get past her lust for a strange man called Kester.

⊙ J.L. Hendricks (Santa Meets Mrs. Claus - A Shifter Christmas Romance Story): Pack Kringle has had alphas for generations who're empowered by Christmas magic to lead the strongest pack in the alliance to ensure that Christmas magic is kept alive by the kids of the world wishing for their christmas visit from Santa. The magic stipulates that when a heir has turned twenty he must select from the eligible she-wolves his mate during the mating celebration on new years day. That is, Christmas magic transfers when the new Santa Meets Mrs. Claus. Not all wolves are happy that Christmas magic makes Santa and his pack more powerful than the rest. Indeed, they plan to do the unthinkable and they're planning to enact a prophecy nearly lost to time.

⊙ Katerina Martinez (The Witch of Christmas Present): The current festive season had finally seen Madison's work plans falling into place after having spent her preceding years making sacrifices to ensure that her boyfriend's work goals were achieved. But when it comes time to stand by her at her first book launch he once again considers his own work as more important, leaving her disillusioned and unable to enjoy the night undertaken by her publicist and agent. So when this witch gets a visit by a stranger offering three wishes like her own personal messenger, like The Witch of Christmas Present instead of a ghost from Christmas past, she brazenly decides to take up his challenge in a manner so very out of character. Like a Genie in a bottle Frank might help her to find what Dan had kept her from finding, and Madison has the chance to boldly drive her own future if she has the courage to do it.

⊙ Hailey Edwards (A Stone’s Throw Christmas): As an Enclave Special Agent and overseer for a warg pack led by the Alpha Graeson, Ellis had combined work and pleasure by mate bonding him. Considering she's an outcast of her Fae Court and that there's a cautionary warning about addictions that come from mating between wargs and fae, it's her lack of past innocence that meant she hadn't given two hoots about what nobility thought of her. Graeson sees the world as turning for her and that's all she'd needed. But in the past few months leading up to this festive season celebration things have changed for them both, even if they weren't aware of each other's changes. They both have secrets the other would never expect and which will be considered as gifts, they hope. If the pack's in agreement this year's festival might show the unexpected could be just A Stone's Throw Christmas away.

⊙ Rachel McClellan (Simon Says, a short story with ties to The Devil’s Fool - the popular first book of The Devil Series): Not all festive season undertakings are in the spirit of Christmas. Some can be downright fatal. In Michael's family dating from the 1700s there's a bi-annual visit that falls on Christmas eve. A putrid visitor stinking of rotten bodies and sulphur and going by the name Simon visits whilst they must remain kneeling and blindfolded. He lives in a family of blackmailed killers keeping the tradition of carrying out 'The List' as Simon Says. Until this Christmas he's just been a scared and tortured spectator. Now that he's turned sixteen this visit will mark the beginning of his participation in what should remain an age old children's game, or even an intriguing bedroom game between lovers. In his investigations aimed at preventing his participation he discovered what he hopes is an unknown truth and he's willing to stake his life on it; come hell or highwater, his conscience won't permit him to do what Simon Says.

⊙ K.N. Lee (Frost - a short retelling unrelated to a larger series examining Beauty and the Beast, which begins with Academia of the Beauty): Dublin bathes in frigid white Christmas temperatures and Ella's two layers of clothing plus the warmth radiating from her lover, Jack, still isn't enough to keep the southern girl from getting the start of frost bite when outdoors. After a year of dating, twelve months that put her travel tour on hold when she fell in love with Jack, who has always seemed magical to her. As she gets more spent from the shivering and chattering of waiting for some as yet unknown event to take place in St. Stephen’s Green Park, Ella might learn new ways to associate the Frost with her beloved Jack.

⊙ Amy Hopkins (Druid Spirit - a short look at the Druid Finn, with Amy's Druid Laws series set for release in the near future): Finn O’Donaghue isn't a lover of Christmas, not when stores are overrun by obnoxious shoppers, and blaring Christmas carols. But a call from his beloved, Sarah, brought a smile to his face until he caught the edge in her voice when she asked if he'd seen Billie. He knows that if he's to help in time he'll have to use Druid Spirit to aid him in locating his lover's missing younger brother. Billie's at the shifter age when they can start getting into trouble, and Billie's accomplice young vamp friend seems to do so as easily. Still, you never know what might come along that'll change your views and make you look at things in a new way.

⊙ May Sage (Matchsticks - A Not Quite the Fairy Tale Short Story that's a side story to the 4th book The Snow Queen): When Quinn's gut instincts called him to Mer to find something missing, he and his phoenix set about getting their as fast as they could. When a young woman who'd be pretty under her vagrant and starved exterior stops to offer assistance he's taken aback by the impression she needs more help than she could give. With a pure heart and gentle nature, Lidia's the type of person who even though she has barely enough to buy one piece of bread to eat per day, she still drops a few coins in the hands of kids who may be as bad off as her. Quinn's yet to determine what drew him to Mer, but he knows that if he's tohelp people then he must rest first. Later that day when the snow of a white Christmas starts to fall, Lidia knows if she can't get a fire going then her life will be in jeopardy. Struggling with wet wood and frozen fumbling fingers she's dropped half of her Matchsticks but still hadn't got her fire alight. With frostbite already setting she'll not see the week of her eighteenth birthday out; until, that is, a fiery bird appears to keep her warm. When Quinn awakens he knows straight away that he's slept too long. As his frantic phoenix tries to alert him to what she's been wanting to show him for days, he'll have to hope he's not too late, now that he knows why he's been drawn to Mer.

⊙ Rick Gualtieri (Bloody Jolly Christmas - A Tome of Bill Series Companion, where events fall just after the 3rd book The Mourning Woods; the only inclusion where not having read the series is noticeable): Bill's a newly minted vamp and already has the pressure of being a coven leader. Still reeling from recent events he just wants some downtime to drown out his thoughts; even if his new constitution makes it near impossible to do. When he returns to his apartment where he lives with two cattle roomies, the broken doorjam alerts him to the fact that he's probably going to now have more to drown out. Finding one occupant is an insane Mongolian vamp elder under the impression he's her beloved, his cattle throw him under the bus in suggesting he show her what Christmas is about. With his heckles raised, Bill bites the proverbial bullet in trying to do just that. But having a vamp around who was raised in a Mongolian desert, is hardwork trying to explain Christmas whilst keeping a massacre of innocents to a minimum. In an endless path of from bad to worse Bill's having a Bloody Jolly Christmas.

⊙ Erin Bedford (Heart of Ice - An Underground Christmas Story, a short story of the birth of Princess Lynne of Erin's Chasing Rabbits novel): Fae fertility isn't very high so it should come as no surprise that the first royal infant born in twenty-one years draws a momentous celebration. In Underground the Light Princess is celebrated whilst mortals are enjoying their Yule celebration. Rarer still, it's been a century since a fae event has been open to any fae at all: noble or commoner, light or dark, all are welcomed in a public rejoicing. Seer visits to call on his magic to give a snapshot of any possible futures. When he uncomfortably reveals only part of a possible future, the words might mean a Heart of Ice.

⊙ P. Joseph Cherubino (Kris Kringle Rides Again): The broken heater of Sergeant Truckee and Constable Jamal's cruiser meant cupping their coffee mug in numb hands and breathing in the warmth of their drinks. Jamal will soon meet up with an enigmatic visitor who goes by the name Kris. When a faint and still far off sound arouses his partner's conditioned hearing, he does what he can to distract his senior from doing what is his habit: at Christmas Truckee has a tendency for every sight and sound to be a crime waiting to happen. When an amazing sight follows the sound of a Harley impossibly taking an ice bound corner, Jamal's, Truckee's, and some naughty local youth's might look at Christmas differently as they witness how Kris Kringle Rides Again.

[Pufflekitteh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going into this, I’d only read a few of the authors involved. This book introduced me to a few authors which I had not yet had the pleasure to read and I will now be keeping an eye out for some of their other works.

I have to talk about the cover. It’s gorgeous and clearly shows that you’re in for a Paranormal read.The colours are all such great choices, so striking next to the others, the font too was a good choice.

The stories inside were all unique, whilst flowing so well together. One of my favourite stories in there had to be Miama Twist by A. Blythe. It quickly established who was who, what was going on and pulled you in. Many of the stories in here, follow the same kind of thing, each pulling on your heartstrings, whilst others making you laugh out loud. There is definitely something for each reader in this collection. If you like reading about Paranormal, but want it to feel Christmassey, I highly recommend this book.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

[Marina Finlayson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an entertaining way to spend a lazy Boxing Day afternoon, with stories to suit every taste. Featuring everything from the familiar werewolves and vampires to the more exotic djinn and fairy godmothers, all the stories had a Christmas theme, and it was fun seeing how the different authors worked the paranormal into Christmas.

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some were good, others OK. But, it's annoying as all get out, to read a story that's supposed to be a 'short' story, that turns out to be more or less a chapter or two, from one of the authors book series. Doesn't anyone know how to, or cares enough about writing, to write a standalone story? That's pretty much why I only gave this 2 stars.

[Lynn Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this collection of Christmas short stories. Some of them are sweet and tender and some are down right belly busters. I think I may have found some new authors I want to start to read. I recommend getting this and enjoying this fast read.

I volunteered to read these books!!

[Kerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love short story collections. I always find a few new authors to follow. This was a fun collection of stories surrounding Christmas.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewing 2 stories as a representative sample of the wonderful Christmas collection:
>>> Reviewing “A Stone’s Throw Christmas” by Hailey Edwards <<<
Agent Camille Ellis of the Earthen Conclave sat at her mate’s desk. Cord Graeson stood in the doorway with a red blindfold hanging out of his pocket. He invited her to go on a run – part of the game they played. She was fae and he was a warg, a wolf. She put on the blindfold and used her headstart to move into the woods. She felt like she was being watched, and she smelled gasoline. She sensed others around her hidden in the trees and, disoriented, took off the blindfold.

Graeson grabbed her; she asked why the rest of the pack was here. They wanted to be part of “the surprise”. She felt panic, not understanding what was happening. Then suddenly two electrical wires were shoved together and a brilliant flash of light appeared. A fir tree was draped in lights, garland, and ornaments, with gifts wrapped underneath. Graeson knelt down and opened a small box with a diamond inside. Wargs mated by instinct, but Fae had a marriage ceremony when two people joined, and he wanted that for her and her family. So she gave him her present – the announcement that she was pregnant and having twins! What would the future hold? How will their lives be enriched?

This was a cute story. The author shares with the reader the closeness of not only this alpha couple, but of the entire pack. It’s a joyful Christmas celebration for everyone!

>>> Reviewing “Frost” by K N Lee <<<
It was freezing cold at night while Ella and Jack waited in the park. Snow was falling heavily. A light came out of the forest and headed toward them, startling her. Jack’s hands began to glow and his body became translucent. Then he knelt down and pulled out a small box. The light circled them and suddenly they were surrounded by smiling but silent people. Jack explained that they were his family, friends, and subjects! Ella was ready to run away in fear!

Jack told her he had been waiting for hundreds of years to find his queen. He put a diamond ring on her finger and asked if she would rule in his ice palace with him – he was the real “Jack Frost”! She had only a short time to decide – the ring was ticking like a clock. She loved Jack; but she would no longer be able to see her family. How would she choose? What would she do?

This was another good story in this box set of goodies! I definitely recommend the book. The reader will have 15 wonderful stories to read for the Christmas season. What more could anyone wish for?

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I may have enjoyed this book more knowing what I was getting myself into before starting to read it. So here are some helpful hints about what you'll find inside this book:

1. The term "paranormal" in the title refers mostly to "paranormal romance", which I am not a huge fan of. While the stories weren't erotic, most of them center around a romantic relationship or incorporate romantic elements, which I usually don't enjoy reading.

2. By "paranormal", the title also means mostly werewolves/wolf shifters. Again, not all of the stories rely on this, but over half of them have wolf characters. This in itself isn't a problem, but I was expecting more diversity going into it.

3. By "stories", the title really means "prequels" or otherwise part of an existing series. This is what irked me the most, because in general, unless I have read a book in the series, I don't really enjoy prequels. So only having read one of the series whose prequel was included, it just felt like people trying to advertise their paranormal series (which I completely understand, but doesn't really make for great stories in my opinion). This may have been fine if I knew about it in advance, but I was really let down by how few stand alone stories there were.

Having said all of that, this book was not bad in itself. It had a few very good stories it in. I averaged all of my ratings for each story and got 2.5 stars, but bumped it up solely for "Simon Says" by Rachel McClellan. This was by far my favorite in the book. It was the perfect balance of creepy and intriguing. I highly recommend that story. If nothing else, get the book for that story. It is definitely worth it if you're a fan of the unsettling.

I also enjoyed "Potatoes and Gravy" by Aimee Easterling and "Miami Twist" by A. Blythe.

On the whole, the stories were well-written. There were really only one or two that I really did not like, not because there were poorly written; mostly just because they did not appeal to me plot-wise. There were definitely some interesting twists on the holiday theme and you can expect appearances from some well known Christmas-time characters.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed some of the stories in this book and have noted some new authors to pursue. Most of the stories are short, and some have no ties to Christmas at all except for the date. I am not going to go into all of them as that would be a long review.
Four short stories by Aimee Easterling. I love her stuff and there is one about Wolfie in here.
Fall: Scheherazade Retold by Demelza Carlton was about a fairy godmother who finds herself being saved by a baron when she steps through a portal that was a little too high off the ground and lands in the snow. Zoraida decides she quite likes Hans and when he offers her his hospitality, as meager as it happens to be, she pulls him to his home through a portal. A little warmer than the hut he was spending the night in since he couldn't make it home. She is pleasantly surprised to find his home is comfortable, at least the part he has managed to rebuild. Join Zoraida and Hans as they get to know each other. I hope to read more about this couple, or at least their daughter in Enchant.
Frost Bitten by Katie Salidas Rachel, a wolf shifter, is saved from her cruel mate by Brady. I hope to read more of this story in Mated.
I will let you read the rest for yourself.
I received a copy of this book from the authors. My review is voluntary and I always try to review.

[Stephanie Bolen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most are snippets not stories

Whoever was the editor should have made it clear to the authors that the purpose of an anthology is to entice new readers not go on some readers never-buy pile. There were three good stories most were wretched.

[Diane Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

All great books, just wish some of these were longer.

[Brenda Barber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good holiday read.

The stories are interesting and you never know where you will next. They are short stories but they show you things to think about.

[Bob Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding

This was a great collection of short stories that were so different and yet were so very very much enjoyed

[Vickie · Rating 2 out of 5]

15 Stories

This seemed to me like a choppy book with all the different stories, which did not seem to flow. The "stories" we're short and not particularly good just my opinion

[Susan Kite · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not finish. The stories seemed to be connected, but the connections were confusing.

[Maryann Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute fun

Short stories that make you want more. Each author is very talented and I hope the short stories expand n become longer

[Myra Wray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the stories good, but some smaller parts are a bit boring to me. I would not mind to read more.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great bunch of short stories...some shorter than others. I liked all but 1, maybe 2. I found some more authors to look into so well worth the read.

[Lorena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun collection of paranormal short stories for the winter holiday season. I enjoyed the diversity of stories, with different types of paranormal characters, from the more common werewolves, witches, and fae to the less common djinn, hellhound, and fairy godmother, plus Santa and Mrs. Claus. While all of the stories involved paranormal characters, some were more urban fantasy or horror, and some were more paranormal romance. If you enjoy paranormal short stories, odds are you will find at least a few new stories here to enjoy; I haven't seen many of these stories published anywhere else.

As often happens with anthologies, I loved some of the stories, and some I was not so fond of. Most of the stories were really well-written, drawing me into the action and emotion, although a couple had some minor issues with grammar and punctuation or dialog that seemed stilted and unnatural. I'm also not fond of horror stories in general, and particularly not at Christmas, but that's a matter of personal preference. My favorite story was probably Demelza Carlton's "Fall," a very sweet romance between a fairy godmother and a down-on-his-luck baron.

All of these stories are enjoyable on their own, but most tie in to other books written by the authors. Links are provided to help you join the authors' mailing lists or buy the subsequent books if you're interested. I certainly took advantage of some of those links, and I appreciated the opportunity to become acquainted with some authors who are new to me.

I volunteered to review an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Mary Kreisberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy Read

I read this book in one day. I enjoyed it very much!!! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was told I'd get to read some Christmas themes stories by some of my favorite authors and some more that are new to me, I really wasn't expecting the level of silliness I found here. But that was actually the best part for me. Every story in this collection has something that sneaks up on you from out in left field that leaves you going "wait! Did I really just read that?" There's a wide range of different styles and stories to chose from here; from sweet, to silly, to downright strange. And they all seem to tell us one thing: the paranormal are people too, and they deserve to celebrate the holidays just like the rest of us.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book.

[Diana Blick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good collection

This collection of the paranormal at the holidays is fun probably because of the dissonance between the two. Paranormal creatures are normally associated with Halloween so substituting Christmas/Yuletide is jarring. As with all story collections, I liked some better than others but the overall quality is good. This is a great way to find new authors whose writing appeals to you so I definitely recommend it.

[Tera Comer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every one of these stories. I have read many books from a few of the authors and there are a few that were new to me so I will be looking into more of their books at a later date. The stories were very well written and highly entertaining. I received a free copy of this book and volunteered to review it.

[Brian Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth Reading

An enjoyable collection of paranormal tales with a Christmas theme. Vampires, werewolves, djinn, fae and witches: name your paranormal and they're here. One of the things I particularly enjoyable o y with anthologies such as this is the opportunity to "taste test" various authors.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun paranormal Christmas read

I enjoyed many of these short stories and do believe they are a good sneak peek at the authors. Unfortunately a couple of the stories seemed to end too abruptly for my taste. Still, I am glad to have purchased it!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun

I checked this out because two authors I read wrote novellas in this. I found at least 4 other authors I want to read more about afterwards. Plus, who doesn't want to read about Christmas?

[Lyn Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different types of paranormal.

With 15 different stories from different authors the variety is vast and interesting. Fae, vampires and a a few types of Santas bring a good book together.

[Cally Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun

Seasonal group of Christmas short stories with a sampling of a lot of authors. A great way to try them all

[Denise Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth the read

This book is filled with stories about Christmas . some of the stories were a struggle to get through I was glad is did because they were all great stories.