Christmas Short Stories Anthology

While some are nestled cozy in their traditions, others are lost in darkness. An unkindness of ravens lurk like a warning above them while they try to escape their inner demons and fight the dragons they've been trying to avoid. There's no enjoying fatal amounts of pie because their minds are slipping, slipping into a twisted delusion. They are the murderers, the disturbed, the unfortunate, and the misunderstood. These outliers are imprisoned by their circumstances until they slowly fade into the icy landscape, smothered by the forged façade of a perfect Christmas.

The Sawyer family puts up an elaborate Christmas light display every year, and people from all over the area come to admire the lights. Humans, however, aren't the only ones who come to view the display.

It's Christmas in the windy city of Chicago with two award-winning stories to warm your heart for the holiday season, "Dante’s Gift" and "Merry Christmas, Henry"....

The scent of balsam pine fills the air. The snow falls gently outside. A fire blazes merrily in the hearth. Grab a plate of Christmas cookies and a steaming cup of cocoa and sit down to enjoy this collection of cozy Christmas tales. In this audiobook, you'll find a magical Christmas tree that appears of its own accord every year, angels, ghosts, and a century-old hotel that miraculously reappears during the holiday season.

This collection follows on from Australian Christmas Yarns Volume I and consists of 10 stories by notable Australian author Mary Grant Bruce (1878-1958). These stories sketch challenges of landscape, relationship, loss and hope.

A reminiscence of the Christmas tree tradition and the stories told around them. Maybe some of the tales will sound familiar. 'A Christmas Tree' is taken from the Victorian Anthologies series featuring short stories by classic writers of the spooky, the scary and the supernatural. Guaranteed to give you the shivers, each collection includes familiar and loved creepy tales as well as those less well-known.

It was Christmas Eve night just like all the other Christmas Eve's night before it, but this Christmas Eve night things were about to become ugly for Santa Claus. As Santa was climbing down the chimney he climbed down one he should have passed by. This chimney happened to be Castle Drac Von Stoller's and the Count was in no mood for any visitors, but Santa had no idea he was climbing down the chimney of a blood sucking vampire. Just as Santa was dusting off the ash from the chimney from his suit Count Drac Von Stoller's eyes were blazing red staring right at Santa.

In this collection are found stories of gay romantic love, the love between a father and his gay son, and old lovers returning from the beyond. There are stories within this book about a magical Christmas tree that appears of its own accord every year, angels, ghosts, and a century-old hotel that miraculously reappears during the holiday season. Most of the stories are written for gay listeners, but some are just cozy Christmas tales. There are stories in this volume for all true lovers of Christmas.

Attorney Desiree Contando can think of only one word to describe her very first home: disaster. The vintage Queen Anne is beautiful - or will be, in about 1,000 years. Certainly not in time to host the family Christmas gathering. “Disaster” also describes the bad breakup that left her picket-fence vision in tatters. Even the carpenter she’s hired is a reminder of lost dreams - the high school crush who never spared her a passing glance. But she’s a grown-up now, perfectly capable of keeping things professional.

Steal a glimpse at the past lives and loves of your favourite villagers in this captivating Burracombe short story. Autumn 1918 has brought young Alice Whiddon to the Tozer's farm to work as a maid. Alice soon falls in love with the little village and with life on the farm. But that's not all she's falling for. Youngest son, Ted Tozer is half promised to young Ivy Prowse, daughter of a neighbouring farmer, yet Alice and Ted feel a powerful bond forming.

Christmas Tales are a variety of short stories, with a Christmas theme, for those who enjoy a short listen as opposed to a full length novel, and is suitable for all ages from one to 92

In separate vignettes, we meet Katherine, who is taking care of her ailing husband; Julianna, juggling with construction paper, scissors, and rubber cement in a room full of high-spirited four-year-olds; Adrianna, struggling with the difficulties of marriage; Cassandra, tending her toddlers; Victoria, searching for a love to call her own; Alexandra, waiting for word from her doctor about an uncertain diagnosis; and Isabella, discovering the gift of motherhood.

A hot holiday toy that brings terror to a department store. A man caught in a blizzard as he searches for help for a dying friend. A girl who wakes up to surprise visitors on Día de los Muertos. A man who recounts a sick and twisted Thanksgiving. A boy who becomes intrigued by a mysterious house and the girl who resides there during fall break. A family man who struggles with a dilemma that may cost him his soul.

Sylvia Moore returns to the small town of Dickens during the annual Christmas in July festival, hoping to land the New England location for a new Christmas romance movie. She knows the town will award only one filming permit a year but she's confident the deal’s in Santa’s bag.

Reminisce over holiday movies watched every year and the unavoidable bout of overeating. Watch generations gather as one, but also see the birth of young holiday love. Visit the Yule traditions of other countries or hear about the comfort of home. Christmas Briefs includes sarcasm, love, family togetherness, and good friends. Everyone can relate to these stories, for they are about everyone.

With her Beach Café closed for the winter, Evie should be looking forward to lazy days and a happy Christmas… But her sister Ruth is coming to stay, following her marriage breakdown and her boyfriend Ed breaks the news that he's going to spend Christmas in London, for family reasons. There are still a few surprises in store for Evie though, that look set to make this Beach Café Christmas the most memorable one yet....

No one wants to celebrate Christmas this year. Not Ella McKendrick, who, on the cusp of success as a potter, is tasked with her husband's company party on too-short notice. She gives up her first pottery sale to pitch in, but the joy of the season is diminished. Not Gertie Wycliffe, Ella's mom, a new widow who is doing everything she can to avoid her first Christmas alone. No one understands the grief and terror she feels - maybe because the craziness of a 74-year-old woman signing up for skydiving lessons is all she lets them see....

This yuletide celebration includes: The Nativity, "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" by Clement Moore, "The Birds' Christmas Carol" by Kate Wiggin, "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry, "Christmas Everywhere" by Phillips Brooks, and excerpts from: A Christmas Carol and The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens, The Peterkin Papers by Lucretia P. Hale, The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy, Bracebridge Hall by Washington Irving, and The Wonder Clock by Howard Pyle.

After a hectic summer running her beach café in Cornwall, Evie Flynn is looking forward to her first Christmas with new boyfriend Ed. But when Ed’s ex suddenly gets in touch again, and some unexpected guests arrive: Ed’s surly brother Jake and Evie’s heartbroken best friend Amber, Evie’s Christmas starts to look as if it’ll be a total turkey. Will any of her festive wishes come true?

Sour and stingy Ebenezer Scrooge's emotional transformation after the supernatural visits of Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. The novella met with instant success and critical acclaim. A Christmas Carol has never been out of print and has been adapted to film, opera, and other media.