Deadly Night

by Stacy Jones, K.B. Everly, Angelique Armae

DEADLY NIGHT: A TWISTED CHRISTMAS ANTHOLOGY

Not in the mood for your run-of-the-mill holiday romance?
Maybe you don’t want a Christmas story with a happy ending?
Or maybe you just like things to be a little darker?

Look no further!

Grab your hot cocoa, crawl under the blankets, and switch on your flashlight as you dive into 25 holiday themed short stories and poems that will give you a taste for the darker side of Christmas.

Some might be scary.
Some might be sexy.
But one things for sure, they’re all definitely twisted...

Featuring:
Stacy Jones
K.B. Everly
Shae Banks
Jenee Robinson & Evelyn Belle
K.B. Wheelock
C.A. Storm
Nova Blake
Tabitha Barret
CB Morrigan
LA Kirk
Lyn Forester
Rinna Ford
Joely Sue Burkhart
Jaliza A. Burwell
Richard Amos
TL Reeve
Michele Ryan
Sharon Stevenson
Lacey Carter Anderson
Petra J. Knox
M.E. Turnbaugh
Debbie Cassidy- USA Today Bestselling Author
Cece Rose- International Bestselling Author
E.M. Moore- USA Today Bestselling Author
Angelique Armae- National Bestselling Author

Genres: Anthologies

512 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 6, 2018

About the author

Stacy Jones is an award-winning romance author living in beautiful Hot Springs, Arkansas. She can usually be found at her desk, with an oversized coffee cup, bringing the fantastical worlds and captivating characters in her imagination to life.

Reviews

[Toma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I was disappointed with this anthology. Although quite a number of stories got 4 stars, mostly this was relative to other stories than a show of great quality. A lot of this is due to me not being a big fan of horror, murder etc. stories. Most of the complaints I had could be remedied by expanding them.

Within the Wardrobe by Jenee Robinson & Evelyn Belle 2 stars
This was one of the rare cases when the different POVs did not work for me. The characters were not distinct enough to validate different POVs. The story did not flow naturally and the only reason I finished it was because it was short.
The sisters also needed a better background as current world building simply implies one is good the other is bad but interms of their impact on the lands they rule it is not confirmed. Also why the huntsmen? What is so special about them?
This story still needs quite a lot of work but it definitely has potential.

Murder before Christmas by E.M.Moore 3 stars
I liked the format and the idea itself but after reading it I have a question: So? It seemed unfinished and without a proper background. Was this couple random? Were they specifically chosen? Was this a one off or a regular thing?

An Unexpected Gift by Nova Blake 2 stars
It was too short for me to take interest. I am not even sure if Never and Bran are the main couple, let alone if I want them to be.

Discarded by Shae Banks 3 stars
I really liked this one but I was left confused whether this is a prequel or not. If yes, then to what?

Hello, Delilah by Petra J. Knox 4 stars
A (twisted) retelling of A Christmas Carol.

True Magic by Jaliza A. Burwell 4 stars
This could have had 5 stars if not for the lack of back story. I needed more details about Maykn and their one day a year. While it was beautifully written and very interesting, it just wasn't enough. I could not justify her choosing Maykn over Wes.

Darkly Dreaming by Sharon Stevenson 2 stars
I missed the purpose of this story. Was this a prequel? I did not relate to the heroine and was indifferent towards Shawn. There was no romantic story there and the 'action' part was also not detailed enough. Who are they? And why should I care?

Reindeer Games by K.B. Wheelock 2 stars
It was original, I can give the author that. However, lack of backstory made it difficult to understand who were siblings and who was attracted to whom. Also for me the whole sex thing was too close to being non consensual.

Nessie's Secret by Lacey Carter Andersen 2 stars
It was okay. Original but not convincing enough. Maybe it should have been longer, I do not know, just not good enough.

The Heart of Christmas by Richard Amos & Debbie Cassidy 4 stars
Now that was a twist in the end!! I added a star solely for that. However, I needed more of a background story, at least for the guys.

Frankie's Christmas Bride by Angelique Armae 4 stars
An interesting perspective and a HEA of sorts. Quite nice.

Unholy Temptations by Stacy Jones & K.B. Everly 4 stars
I am not a fan of instalove or instalust, also Krampus was unconvincingly kindhearted in this situation. However, properly expanded this could be a great story.

Roses in the Snow by Rinna Ford 4 stars
I liked the heroine and the plot but not the ending. Characters' (both heroine's and her relatives') actions did not seem justified. Such being out of characted really messed up quite a good ending.

A Christmas Temptation by Tabitha Barret 4 stars
And one more retelling of A Christmas Carol.

Mistidings by LA Kirk & Lyn Forester 3 stars
A very good idea but not so good execution. As usual there was a lack of background story that would help to relate to the twins.

Frostbite by M.E. Turnbaugh 3 stars
I do not like this type of heroines that lack spine. For me the choice in the end should have been clear, and yet...

A Horror Harem Christmas by Joely Sue Burkhart 3 stars
Definitely a horror story. For me it was difficult to get interested as I have not read the first part in the first anthology.

Elf Omegas: 01 The Knotty List by Chris "C.A." Storm 3 stars
Gay erotica sci-fi. Too much in one story. I think simplification would help a lot.

Twisted Solstice by TL Reeve & Michele Ryan 4 stars
Probably the best out of all stories in the anthology. It got me interested and then abruptly ended, I am a bit angry about that. Still it has set good grounds for a follow up story.

[Courtney Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Within the Wardrobe by Jenee Robinson & Evelyn Belle:

Wow, this is like The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe meets Snow White and I loved it. I'm curious to see what comes next in this world.


Murder Before Christmas by E.M. Moore:

I'm never getting an Elf on a shelf. Never!


An Unexpected Gift by Nova Blake:

This was a bit of a horror story. It was well written.

Discarded by Shae Banks:

Holy Christmas I need more of this story!!! This was great. I was so excited for it and it was getting so good and BAM it was over! I need more!!!

Hello, Delilah by Petra J. Knox:

This story was very good. I liked it a lot and I would definitely read more!

True Magic by Jaliza A. Burwell:

Well... That's one way to end a night!!

Darkly Dreaming by Sharon Stevenson:

This was an interesting and good story to read. I liked it.

Reindeer Games by K.B. Wheelock:

How the heck did I miss the fact her name was RUDY and what all it meant until the end?! I mean... she even glows!!! Hahaha score one for the blondes of the world. This was a great story. I'd love to read more!!

Nessie's Secret by Lacey Carter Anderson:

This was kindy a cute story. Her little guilty pleasure snacks! Haha

The Heart of Christmas by Richard Amos & Debbie Cassidy:

That was cruel.

Frankie's Christmas Bride by Angelique Armae:

This was something very different.

Unholy Temptations by Stacy Jones & K.B Everly:

Do you know what I love about K.B and Stacy writing as a duo? They make even the most monstrous beings lovable. They made me want to be Holly, a demon, a collector of souls for Krampus. I was firmly on the side of the demons in this story.

Roses in the Snow by Rinna Ford:

That was a sad story.

A Christmas Temptation by Tabitha Barret:

An interesting story that I'd be willing to read more of.

Mistindings by LA Kirk & Lyn Forester:

This story wasn't my cup of tea but it was still a good read.

Frostbite by M.E. Turnbaugh:

Dang Jack!

A Horror Harem Christmas by Joely Sue Burkhart:

Joely Sue Burkhart has a way with words that is fascinating and horrifying. I love it. I love everything she writes and it seems I just can't get enough!

Elf Omegas: 01 by Chris "C.A." Storm:

Holy hell that was hot!

Twisted Solstice by TL Reeve & Michele Ryan:

That was creepy

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

F***ed Up, In a Good Way

Another book of Twisted Anthologies and I am not disappointed. As per my normal reviewing of anthologies, I only wrote reviews for some of the stories, even though I read them all. While some of the stories didn't quite do it for me, most were wickedly wonderful. A few made it into my nightmares, as I was reading before bed. If you enjoy your stories a little haunting, your romances a bit dark, and the twists that come with not having a hero, you're going to enjoy this collection.

Murder Before Christmas- This poem was delightful! A wicked take on the classic Christmas tale "Twas the Night Before Christmas", it certainly was dark enough to fit into this anthology. The reveal at the end made me glad I don't do that tradition or keep those things in my house.

Hello, Delilah- What seems to be a take on A Christmas Story actually has an.... evil twist. I did love the start of thus and I want more.

The Heart of Christmas- Holy moly.... You know those rides that you sit in the seat, enjoying the anticipation and giddiness of what's going to happen, and then you are flung into the air at a crazy speed? That is what this short story just did to my emotions. The authors did a good job in explaining what was going on without detracting from the limited word count, too. Loved it, even if it made me feel queasy at the end.

Unholy Temptations- I love this so much. This main character is not a heroine. She is not sweet. She is not a good person... er.. demon. Even so, she finds love. Steamy, brutal, violent love. What else can you ask for?

A Horror Harem Christmas- I was intrigued by this story in the Scream anthology, but the continuation of this story, from the male perspective, is gold. It's macabre, brutal, and slightly vigilante..

Elf Omega- I love a good omegaverse. They're dark, seedy, and brimming with hot alphas that dominate omegas. Bonus points when the omega has opinions and isn't completely mindless (except while in heat), like Victory in this story. This is a gay harem tale, so if m/m isn't your thing, you won't enjoy it. However, you'd be missing out, because The Knotty List is hot.

[Myriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review only refers to Within the Wardrobe by Jenee Robinson and Evelyn Belle. I will probably go back later for some of the other amazing authors here.
This was a weird, beautiful, unexpected, and somewhat sad story. Absolutely loved it. The authors have created this beautiful nostalgic atmosphere which makes the reader feel the same lack of something inexplicable as the characters are feeling. The story's point of view alternates among the six main characters, which beautifully rounds up the plot and gives the reader the opportunity to experience each of the characters.
Donovan, Slade, Nick and Colt are the beginning of the story, four friends leading four different lives, all living in anticipation of the next holiday together. The story starts with the last of those group holidays when inexplicable and somewhat strange things started happening. I do not want to reveal more, but whatever happens is unexpected.
The story concludes with a shocking cliffhanger which I am hoping means that the authors are planning to continue this into a series. I would love that, as I loved the plot and the characters and the strange world the authors have created here. 

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

*WARNING* for adult readers
I enjoyed this collection of short stories. These story are a lot like most romance that I read...at first, and then they turn a bit sinister. I want to say they aren't Christmas-y, but that's not true, they just aren't the Christmas we're all used to. I think maybe some are going to start new books or series because they end with "The end....or isit?" That leaves me a bit excited because I would like to see more from a few or these. To talk of a couple, there's one where you will get a whole new feel for Santa after reading it and I would like to her more about Victor. Krampus makes an appearance in one and I'd like to know more about what happens after Holly takes her 2 back to Krampus's home. There are several great stories to read. You don't want to miss out on this collection of authors.

[Stephanie Meadath · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am loving these Twisted anthologies!!! This book had a little something for everyone. I loved the Murder before Christmas By E.M Moore and I couldn't help but read it just like I would for Twas the night before Christmas! Then there is another amazing colabe between Stacy Jones & K.B Everly called Unholy Temptations which in this story the heroine is not sweet or innocent. I am so in love with these dark twisted tales and they were the perfect read for the holidays!

[Bec · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice collection of short stories. Definitely something different and I've now found some new authors I would like to read full length stories from. The Christmas theme was great. I've decided I prefer longer stories rather than anthologies hence my 3 star rating. But that's no fault of the stories or authors! Worth the read if you like short stories.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great compilation of stories

I picked this up to read because it had a new Gallows short in it. Darkly Dreaming by Sharon Stevenson features the twin demon hunter's on a mission to take on a vampire. I always love these shorts because they provide a little more insight into one of my favorite series. The rest of the stories were pretty good too.

[Linda Knoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful book that has a lot of wonderful and great mini stories in it. I loved all of them. Great job too all of the authors who added stories too this book. Keep up the great work. I definitely would love more from some of the stories like rinna Ford's. I was like I would love too know and read more too her story. All in all a great read.

[Whitney Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice collection of short stories although definitely something different than what you may expect, in a good way! The Christmas theme was fun and the twists were interesting. I always end up finding some new authors I would like to read full length stories from. Worth the read, bc they’re short stories you can stop and come back later to start new stories.

[Jackie Blocker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of amazingly twisted Christmas short stories and poems. I loved this book. It is full of chilling stories. Found some great new to me authors within this collection. Although with this being short stories you can read. A few a come back I didn’t wanna put this down. I won’t lie some of these stories are pretty twisted but I really enjoyed all of them.

[Country Goose · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely "twisted" anthology, featuring amazingly talented authors. My favorite has to be Murder Before Christmas, an Elf on the Shelf twist, because we all know the bane of existence that creature can be to us parents. 😂

It's a great read.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf

[Hannah Loree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another anthology that has left me wanting more from start to finish an absolute must read! You won’t be disappointed when you do!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love anthologies. This one is full of great short stories. I read this for one of my favorite authors, K.B. Everly. I was not disappointed!

[Timi Kraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I loved the twists! I read "Unholy Temptation" by KB Everly and Stacy Jones. I LOVE the fact that they incorporate demons into the holiday, and love the ending so much. Oh and her demon form is awesome!!