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Claus #0.5

Christmas Presence: A Prequel to the Claus Universe

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An introduction to the Claus Universe, a series of original retellings of holiday legends.

Worst Christmas ever.
Christmas was about traditions. Currently, Zay and her mom had about five traditions, things like gingerbread cookies and tree decorating. Not going to work.
Zay has to stay home. On Christmas. Alone.
Mom said her boss felt real bad about the whole thing so he was sending a nanny. It just keeps getting worse. She's fourteen years old. She doesn't need a nanny. But then the nanny shows up. She's not really a she. Or a he.
More of an it.
The nanny shows her that it's not really magic that makes Christmas special. It's the adventure. And when it's all over, she'll never forget.
The best Christmas ever.

21 pages, ebook

Published October 31, 2019

121 people are currently reading
223 people want to read

About the author

Tony Bertauski

75 books767 followers
Get my books FREE. Tell me where to send them at http://bertauski.com

He grew up in the Midwest where the land is flat and the corn is tall. The winters are bleak and cold. He hated winters.

He always wanted to write. But writing was hard. And he wasn’t very disciplined. The cold had nothing to do with that, but it didn’t help. That changed in grad school.

After several attempts at a proposal, his major advisor was losing money on red ink and advised him to figure it out. Somehow, he did.

After grad school, he and his wife and two very little children moved to the South in Charleston, South Carolina where the winters are spring and the summers are a sauna (cliche but dead on accurate). That’s when he started teaching and writing articles for trade magazines. He eventually published two textbooks on landscape design. He then transitioned to writing a column for the Post and Courier. They were all great gigs, but they weren’t fiction.

That was a few years later.

His daughter started reading before she could read, pretending she knew the words in books she propped on her lap. His son was a different story. In an attempt to change that, he began writing a story with him. They made up a character, gave him a name, and something to do. As with much of parenting, it did not go as planned. But the character got stuck in his head.

He wanted out.

A few years later, Socket Greeny was born. It was a science fiction trilogy that was gritty and thoughtful. That was 2005.

He has been practicing Zen since he was 23 years old. A daily meditator, he wants to instill something meaningful in his stories that appeals to a young adult crowd as well as adult. Think Hunger Games. He hadn’t planned to write fiction, didn’t even know if he had anymore stories in him after Socket Greeny.

Turns out he did.

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5 stars
119 (52%)
4 stars
69 (30%)
3 stars
31 (13%)
2 stars
6 (2%)
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3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
Profile Image for Daniel.
808 reviews157 followers
December 9, 2022
Well ... that's 20 minutes of my life I'd like to have back. 🤷‍♂️
Profile Image for Ken W.
453 reviews1 follower
November 24, 2022
Cute story!

Nice introduction to several characters in the Claus Universe of Christmas stories! If you love the series, make sure to read this!
Profile Image for David Wright.
393 reviews4 followers
November 26, 2019
At first glance, this is like one of those sickeningly nice Christmas 24 films - Corporation means mum can't be at home with her daughter etc...Having read on however things soon became more interesting. Zay Zay is a 14 year old, fed up with the holidays and looking for something more. During the course of this short story, she certainly finds it. Larger than life creatures, insane rides, and songs and dancing, are just a few things along the way in this fun introduction to the Claus universe. One for fans of SCI FI, Christmas and oddball comedy.
Profile Image for Teri.
765 reviews95 followers
December 11, 2023
Fourteen-year-old Zay was stuck home alone on Christmas eve while her mom was called into work by Mr. Scrooge. A nanny was sent to watch Zay...a magical robot that introduced Zay to the magical world of the North Pole and Claus. Surely Zay was dreaming...or was she?

This short story introduces a fantasy/sci-fi version of the story of Santa and many of the characters we know and love from the classic Santa Claus movie and its spin-offs. It seems delightful, and I will be reading more in the series.
1 review
December 17, 2022
Short, but a good read!

This seems to be an introduction into the Claus Universe. I enjoyed the short story. I haven't read any of the books yet in the Claus Universe, but I want to read them now.
Profile Image for David Caldwell.
1,673 reviews35 followers
December 3, 2019
Just a little different around the corner

These stories are Christmas stories with a little difference with a touch of sci-fi thrown in for good measure. This is a short introduction to the series. The story is okay but doesn't give you much of a feel for how it will play out. I am guessing that the full length stories will be better.
Profile Image for Lydia Schoch.
Author 5 books38 followers
November 18, 2021
Teenagers don’t believe in magic, right?

Fourteen is a tough age. Zay was too old to truly get into many of the Christmas traditions she enjoyed as a little kid, but she was also a bit too young to understand why some adults get so excited to keep them going. Mr. Bertauski did a wonderful job of capturing this confusing stage of life and how it can affect not only the teenagers going through it but also everyone around them as well. I had compassion for Zay as she decided how to respond to her mother’s love of the Christmas holidays.

This short story was marketed as an introduction to a new series about retelling of classic holiday legends. Even though it was the first instalment of this series so far as I could tell, I still struggled to understand what was going on at times. There was never quite enough information about the nanny who showed up to entertain Zay or why he was so different from what she was expecting. While I did understand some parts of this universe, other portions were never quite clear to me. I would have happily gone with a much higher rating if these things had either been explained in greater detail or if the blurb had been clear that this wasn’t necessarily something that was supposed to be a standalone read.

I was a huge fan of the author’s reinterpretation of Santa Claus as an individual as well as a mythical figure. This was where the science fiction elements of the storyline shone the brightest. They made me perk up and wonder how everything worked, especially once Santa began to reveal a little bit more about himself. There was so much creativity in these passages. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for what the author comes up with next based on how much effort he put into rethinking this classic character.

Christmas Presence was a lighthearted read that I’d recommend to anyone who is either currently a teenager or who has a teenaged loved one in their life.
Profile Image for S. Policar.
Author 24 books135 followers
November 20, 2025
This is an entire reboot of the prequel for the Claus Universe (it's like 12 books and amazing btw). I have the original prequel, and read and reviewed it three years ago. I'm super excited about this new revamped, longer, prequel though! I only have two other Claus books to read after this until I'm done with the series until Mr. Bertauski decides to grace us with another one. So this year is kinda bittersweet for me since I'll be saying goodbye to a world I've been living in every December for the last few years.

If you've read this series before, you'll see a ton of old friends from the series within these pages. If you're new to the series, you'll get a glimpse of some of the amazing characters and places you'll visit as you navigate the Claus Universe.

This book, like the others, is packed full of Christmas magic (just don't let the rivers hear you say the "M" word, you'll just end up being lectured on how it's science not magic). Honestly, even as an adult, maybe especially as an adult, I can relate to Van and Charli a lot. After a certain age, the magic of Christmas just doesn't feel the same. But that's one of the reasons I love this series so much. It's a reminder that Christmas magic is all around us every December, and being nice isn't just a thing to get on Santa's Nice list. It's also a reminder that no one is perfect. We are all a bit naughty and a bit nice, and that's okay.
If you love the feeling the holiday season brings, read this book. Then read the other twelve. You won't regret it.
Profile Image for Michael Heidle.
346 reviews2 followers
January 12, 2026
A Worthwhile Prequel that's a Fun Story on its own right!!!

Truth be told: I often skip prequels because they seem simplistic add-ons to the series that don't add significantly to the series. That is NOT the case here!! This is a worthwhile prequel that is actually a FUN read on its own!!
I have to say when I read the jacket description on this prequel that it introduces the great characters of the main series, I underestimated what the author would accomplish in this prequel!! I expected 12 simplistic chapters that were a shallow snapshot of those characters. Wow, was I wrong!! Way wrong!! This is an interesting story that could in no way be called simplistic! Characters swim through this story in new and exciting ways that enhance their scope for the series itself! I wish this prequel had been available before I read the main series as I feel the prequel would have given the magic of the series a good foundation while expanding the particular of the characters and scope of the main series!!
I could really relate to the lead character, young Van Holloway, and his awkward ,rush on Charli, the girl out of his league. Technology (science) plays a huge role just as it does in the main series. New, secretive technology sweeps Van and Charlie into an alternate reality, where reality mixes with fantasy, but brings real trouble and troubling questions!
Its an exciting and engaging read from the first page to the very last!! Highly recommended!!
Profile Image for Billie.
5,783 reviews72 followers
November 26, 2019
An introduction to the Claus Universe, a series of original retellings of holiday legends.
Worst Christmas ever.
Christmas was about traditions. Currently, Zay and her mom had about five traditions, things like gingerbread cookies and tree decorating. Not going to work.
Zay has to stay home. On Christmas. Alone.
Mom said her boss felt real bad about the whole thing so he was sending a nanny. It just keeps getting worse. She's fourteen years old. She doesn't need a nanny. But then the nanny shows up. She's not really a she. Or a he.
More of an it.
The nanny shows her that it's not really magic that makes Christmas special. It's the adventure. And when it's all over, she'll never forget.
The best Christmas ever.

What a great introduction to this wonderful sci-fi world of Claus Universe.
Some great funny and oddball characters along the way are met.
Wonderful intriguing plot and story line.
Definitely am going to be reading the rest of these now as I enjoyed this so much!
Recommend reading.




Profile Image for S. Policar.
Author 24 books135 followers
December 5, 2023
This is a beautiful, magical start to the Claus Universe book series. I'd wanted to hold off on starting this series until book 12 released so I could just get the fourth boxed set, but the randomizer decided I need to start it now, so here we are reviewing the prequel short to this series.
At 28 pages, this story catches you from the first line and doesn't let go. Zaylene is your typical 14 year old, too old to believe in Santa; that is until Santa's lead reindeer Ronin shows up on her back porch. Now she isn't sure if everything she's gifted to see was just a dream, especially the odd nanny that shows up to keep her company when her mom gets called into work on Christmas Eve.
Honestly, if you love the magic of Christmas I implore you to check out this short and the series its connected to.
I give this book 5 of 5 Paws.
443 reviews1 follower
December 7, 2022
What do you get when you mix fantasy, science fiction and Christmas? You get the Claus Universe. Although all the stories in the series are stand-alone books this short story is sort of a prequel or introduction to the CU.
Zaylene (Zay) is fourteen years old and her mom is called in to work at the last minute on Christmas Eve and not sure when she will be back. Mom works for a big tech company that has an avocado as a logo. The boss is sending a nanny although Zay would rather be alone if she cannot be with her mom.
Zay tries to follow their family traditions, although in a fourteen year old diva sort of way. Shortly, the nanny shows up. Not a traditional nanny but a cutting-edge android. From that point on the night, and Zay, go in a direction she never expected.
2 reviews
October 15, 2025
Outstanding

This was a masterpiece! A prequel! A memory of the whole wonderful series. All was touched on, even played with. The characters we know and love from the series we get to see just before we met them before. We get a peek behind the curtain to tease if we have already read the books. Or to spark curiosity if we have yet to read them. Each year I look forward to the new novel of "not quite the Christmas stories" we have always heard. Brilliance by Tony. This was the best yet in the series! To all the years of enjoyment for those who have the series and those who have yet to experience the joy and fun.
Merry Merry!
Profile Image for D. Thrush.
Author 14 books160 followers
December 11, 2025
Introverted teenager Van finds himself at a Christmas party with his crush Charli. She persuades him to try experimental virtual glasses that whisk them away to a crazy hidden Christmas world that may or may not be real. And may or may not be dangerous. They meet many strange characters as they try to find their way home. The Naughty or Nice court makes them confront their good and bad actions, which is a nice lesson, but devolves into silliness. Otherwise, this was an enjoyable Christmas story and is a prequel to a Christmas series I haven’t read.
Profile Image for Joy.
603 reviews33 followers
December 9, 2021
Sweet short story about a young girl left alone on Christmas when her mom has to work. Mom's company isn't totally heartless, so they send over...a very interesting nanny, who takes her on a magical journey.

The story is fun and cute, and the fantasy elements are wonderful. To say more would involve spoilers.

This is a prequel to a sci-fi/fantasy series about various Christmas legends, and a great taste of what's to come.
Profile Image for Helga Cohen.
666 reviews
December 28, 2023
This is a magical story and the first of the Claus Universe book series. Zaylene is 14 years old, too old to believe in Santa until her mom leaves her at night to go to work. Her Mom has traditions as Christmas is about traditions, like gingerbread cookies, tree decorating and not working but she must work. A nanny is supposed to watch Zay but a droid appears at her door. The droid shows her a magical world, a sleigh ride to Santa and his reindeer. She doesn’t know if they are real or in a dream. The droid shows her that it is not magic that makes Christmas special.

This was a fun magical story, and I will read the book series.
Profile Image for Wendy.
838 reviews14 followers
December 11, 2025
Two teens get caught up in what seems to be a virtual experience.

* Will they get caught inside or make it out alive?
* Will it bring them closer or tear them apart?
* Will they even believe their eyes?

Prequel to the Claus series, this is a very enjoyable short story. Many characters here will eventually come to star in their own story in the series. Nice to recognize so many in one story. Especially the ever-snarky and always rude Jack, the one we love to hate.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Ami.
2,407 reviews14 followers
January 4, 2020
A beautiful introduction to the Claus series of which I have read the first two books and a a couple of other stand-alones. Tony Bertauski is a very talented and imaginative wordsmith and I love his work. I highly recommend this series and hope you enjoy it as much as did.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ebook from the author and this is my honest and freely given opinion.
2,872 reviews11 followers
January 30, 2022
A great, little Christmas story. Things aren't going like Zay would like on Christmas Eve. But, just maybe, they go as she needs. A charming tale. Unexpected sights and sounds. A magical story.

Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Great world building. Haunting. Page-turner. Tear-jerker. Twisted. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.
Profile Image for Samanta  .
194 reviews50 followers
December 13, 2023
A fast-paced short story on about a 14-year-old Zay, who is all of a sudden spending Christmas Eve on her own because her mother has to go to work. While she is alone, a droid who claims to be her nanny comes to the house and takes her to the North Pole.

This is definitely a different take on the legend of Santa Claus and I am looking forward to read the first novel in the series.
Profile Image for Shana.
20 reviews6 followers
January 15, 2024
This is a novella of a Christmas tale,, that is, part of a series known as the clause universe! This is certainly something that could be read by children and enjoyable for adults! I would definitely add this as a Christmas tradition! I also would like to read the rest of the series. Best part about this particular story is that it is free through the authors website.
1,717 reviews11 followers
September 19, 2025
Let's start with a fact, Tony Bertauski is a genius. A genius wordsmith, a weaver of mystical words and the author of an incredible universe. This prequel will be the first step on an incredible journey if you haven't experienced the magic that Mr. Bertauski has unleashed. Don't hesitate, the world of Claus awaits.
Profile Image for Clifford Schulze.
100 reviews1 follower
December 8, 2025
Christmas Story

I've never read a book like this but I was pleasantly surprised. The story revolves around two teenagers who get caught up in a virtual world that seems both too real and too fantastic. Ultimately the two are forced to consider the good and bad they've done in order to return to reality. A novel story that keeps a good pacing, well worth the read.
124 reviews
November 23, 2019
Jump in any time!

This is a great series! Retelling of all of our favorite Christmas characters makes for very interesting reading and wild adventures. And since they all are stand alone stories, you can start reading with any of them.
319 reviews2 followers
December 3, 2019
An ok start to the Claus universe. There is some interesting clues in the story but I think his other books are better, maybe because this is only a short story. That being said I think the concept and execution of the Claus Universe is great.
170 reviews1 follower
December 5, 2019
Beautiful Heart-warming Story

This will bring a smile to your heart and a sense of wonder. Sweet short story about Christmas, family traditions and a glimpse into her past, or future? You decide.
Profile Image for Phthon.
2,317 reviews7 followers
December 6, 2019
This is a great intro into the Claus series. I love how it references all the characters from the books. It was a poignant story from the perspective of a young girl who had recently lost her belief in Santa. I loved it!
25 reviews
February 7, 2020
Tony packs a lot of crossover history and adventure into one short story.

Fourteen year old Zay's Mom is called into work on Christmas Eve, leaving Zay alone until the Nanny sent by the boss arrives. She falls asleep and has a realistic feeling Christmas dream adventure...or was it.
27 reviews
September 25, 2020
Excellent

Love all of the books in the Clause universe. I excitedly wait for each new addition. This short story just makes me want the newest even more.....

Mr. Bertauski, keep writing!
63 reviews
April 8, 2023
New twist on a legend.

A single mom and her teenage daughter are preparing for Christmas. Mom is called in to work on Christmas Eve and the rest of the story unfolds in a novel new way. This is a great short story with new and interesting players.

JHB
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews

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