Candles

by Selah Janel

Christmas is a season of hope, but also brings the dark of midwinter. The holidays are stressful at the best of times, but when the zombie apocalypse comes out of nowhere, Jamie and her makeshift family struggle to find hope during the season. Unable to forget the mistakes of her past, she struggles to be grateful for the good things that are left in the strange new world she and her sons struggle to survive in. Little moments make for bright spots, though, and with the help of a fellow survivor, maybe she can find just enough light to cling to.

15 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 17, 2020

About the author

Selah Janel has been blessed with a giant imagination since she was little when she wondered if fairies lived in the nearby state park and worried that vampires hid in the old barns outside of town. Her appreciation for a good story was enhanced by a love of reading, the many talented storytellers that surrounded her, and a healthy curiosity for everything. A talent for warping everything she learned didn’t hurt, either.

She gravitates to writing fantasy and horror but has a deep love of children’s and YA literature and can be convinced to pursue any genre if the idea is good enough. Often her stories feature the unknown creeping into the “real” world and she loves to find the magical in the mundane.

Her first title ‘Mooner’ is a historical, vampire-centric horror story from No Boundaries Press. She will have stories included in upcoming issues of 'The MacGuffin,' 'The Realm Beyond,' and the 2012 Wicked East Press Anthology 'Bedtime Stories for Girls.' She also writes about women's roles and perceptions in genre fiction and film for the Fandom Fest blog Fandom Scene.

Reviews

[Anthony Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers a reflective and emotional take on the zombie apocalypse, set against the contrast of the Christmas season. Jamie’s story is less about fighting monsters and more about surviving loss, regret, and responsibility while holding onto hope for her children. The focus on gratitude, memory, and small moments of light makes the story feel intimate and human.

What stood out most was the balance between darkness and warmth. Even in a collapsing world, the story finds room for connection and quiet kindness. A strong choice for readers who prefer character-driven post-apocalyptic fiction over pure action.