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The 12 Terrors of Christmas
by Claudette Melanson
Genre: Horror Short Stories
Award-winning author Claudette Melanson offers eleven new and original stories to
make your skin crawl at any time of the year. This horror anthology
also includes an original short by Amazon International Best-Selling
Author, Lynn Lamb, titled “Bring Me Flesh and Bring Me Wine.”
A special bonus story is also included by Melanson, “Mislead,”
previously published only on the Halloweenpalooza blog. Grab a cup of
cocoa and make sure the windows and doors are locked tight as you
settle in by the fire to enjoy these tales of terror, but be
warned…locks have never succeeded at keeping Santa from gaining
entry. If you enjoy a slice of horror with your holiday cheer, this
collection of Christmas horror shorts will satisfy all your dark
cravings during the holidays…and beyond.
make your skin crawl at any time of the year. This horror anthology
also includes an original short by Amazon International Best-Selling
Author, Lynn Lamb, titled “Bring Me Flesh and Bring Me Wine.”
A special bonus story is also included by Melanson, “Mislead,”
previously published only on the Halloweenpalooza blog. Grab a cup of
cocoa and make sure the windows and doors are locked tight as you
settle in by the fire to enjoy these tales of terror, but be
warned…locks have never succeeded at keeping Santa from gaining
entry. If you enjoy a slice of horror with your holiday cheer, this
collection of Christmas horror shorts will satisfy all your dark
cravings during the holidays…and beyond.
Terror One:
Who is Santa really? Does something sinister lurk beneath the red suit
and apple-cheeked visage? More importantly, what does Santa want for
Christmas?
and apple-cheeked visage? More importantly, what does Santa want for
Christmas?
Terror Two:
It is said that every wish bears a cost…even a wish of good intent.
What do Detective Talbot and his son, Mallory, stand to lose when the
pair seek to right a wrong on Christmas Eve?
What do Detective Talbot and his son, Mallory, stand to lose when the
pair seek to right a wrong on Christmas Eve?
Terror Three:
Christmas can be a time for great joy…but also for heart-wrenching regret.
Can the magic of Christmas Eve turn back the clock before time runs
out for Morana and her family?
Can the magic of Christmas Eve turn back the clock before time runs
out for Morana and her family?
Terror Four:
Snow falls white and clean, seeming to purify the small town of Moon,
Pennsylvania, but the woods behind Vaughn’s home have taken on a
sinister cast. The snow keeps falling in record-breaking depths, but
does evil lay hidden beneath its seemingly-innocent luster?
Pennsylvania, but the woods behind Vaughn’s home have taken on a
sinister cast. The snow keeps falling in record-breaking depths, but
does evil lay hidden beneath its seemingly-innocent luster?
Terror Five:
As his elves scurry to fill the toy orders for the busy season, unknown
terror creeps toward the workshop intent on releasing an evil meant
to cancel Santa’s yearly deliveries forever.
terror creeps toward the workshop intent on releasing an evil meant
to cancel Santa’s yearly deliveries forever.
Terror Six:
A well-meaning elf casts a spell which could inadvertently reveal the
dark truth about Santa’s workshop and its inhabitants. The world’s
children may end up paying a terrifying price, proving that the path
of good intention oftentimes does indeed lead to hell.
dark truth about Santa’s workshop and its inhabitants. The world’s
children may end up paying a terrifying price, proving that the path
of good intention oftentimes does indeed lead to hell.
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Terror Seven:
A scary twist on a classic Christmas poem
Terror Eight:
Santa’s sleigh plummets to the ground, tearing all hope of a merry Christmas
to bits and pieces. Will the elves be able to employ enough magic to
stitch together some sort of solution? Or will their efforts only
deliver greater horror and loss?
to bits and pieces. Will the elves be able to employ enough magic to
stitch together some sort of solution? Or will their efforts only
deliver greater horror and loss?
Terror Nine:
Trinette is preparing to celebrate her first Christmas in love. Her boyfriend
says he found the perfect gift for her, but beneath the shiny red
paper and ribbon lies a secret he’s kept hidden during all the months
of their courtship…
says he found the perfect gift for her, but beneath the shiny red
paper and ribbon lies a secret he’s kept hidden during all the months
of their courtship…
Terror Ten:
The world’s population explosion means business is booming at Santa’s
workshop, with the need to expand making a difficult excavation below
the permafrost necessary. But the elves should use caution lest they
dig up an evil best left buried.
workshop, with the need to expand making a difficult excavation below
the permafrost necessary. But the elves should use caution lest they
dig up an evil best left buried.
Terror Eleven:
A special holiday treat for Maura DeLuca fans! Riptide ended on a happy
note, but how did Maura’s extended family celebrate Christmas? Could
it be that the holiday didn’t quite play out the way the vampires planned?
note, but how did Maura’s extended family celebrate Christmas? Could
it be that the holiday didn’t quite play out the way the vampires planned?
Terror Twelve:
It’s a dangerous time to call oneself a non-believer. Those who scoff at
Santa’s existence are melting all over the world. But could the
benevolent head elf turn out to be the murderer?
Santa’s existence are melting all over the world. But could the
benevolent head elf turn out to be the murderer?
Vampires, ghosts, demons, elves, werewolves, serial killers and a rampaging
Krampus are just a few of the monsters creeping amongst the pages
of The 12 Terrors of Christmas.
Are you brave enough to venture inside to experience the flip side of
the typical Hallmark-themed Christmas?
Krampus are just a few of the monsters creeping amongst the pages
of The 12 Terrors of Christmas.
Are you brave enough to venture inside to experience the flip side of
the typical Hallmark-themed Christmas?
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My Review
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A Christmas stocking stuffed with chilling tales or were-deer, zombie elves, all manner of scary beings and a Santa like no other. It sure puts a new light on the holiday and being naughty or nice.
I enjoyed all of these. And I also liked how some of them connected to each other. While they didn’t particularly scare me, the author sure put a wicked fun spin on some legends. I’d like to see several of these as full length stories. Especially one on how Santa came to be what he was.
If you’re a fan of short stories and holiday horror, these would be some tasty nibbles for you. Be careful though. It’s not all sugarplums and gaily wrapped presents. Some of these bite back.
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Claudette Melanson writes dark fantasy, horror and children’s books in
Kitchener, Ontario with seven bun babies at her side: Tegan, Pepper,
Butters, Beckett, Sansa, Daenerys & Caramel. She graduated from
Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a BA in English, BS in
English Education and an MA in Literature. Harboring a deep
admiration of vampires since the age of five left her with the desire
to eventually become one, and now fuels the creation of her favorite
paranormal characters. She hopes to one day work full time as an
author, since there are many, many stories playing out inside her head.
Kitchener, Ontario with seven bun babies at her side: Tegan, Pepper,
Butters, Beckett, Sansa, Daenerys & Caramel. She graduated from
Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a BA in English, BS in
English Education and an MA in Literature. Harboring a deep
admiration of vampires since the age of five left her with the desire
to eventually become one, and now fuels the creation of her favorite
paranormal characters. She hopes to one day work full time as an
author, since there are many, many stories playing out inside her head.
Inher very scant spare time, she enjoys watching Japanese Anime and
reading vampire stories…along with other genres of great fiction,
as well as riding every roller coaster she encounters in both her
hometown and away at signings. An advocate for good health and
ketogenic eating, her favorite foods are bulletproof coffee,
cashew-flour crust pizza and treats made with xylitol and almond,
coconut or cashew flours.
reading vampire stories…along with other genres of great fiction,
as well as riding every roller coaster she encounters in both her
hometown and away at signings. An advocate for good health and
ketogenic eating, her favorite foods are bulletproof coffee,
cashew-flour crust pizza and treats made with xylitol and almond,
coconut or cashew flours.
Future dreams include a cabin boasting a roaring fire, isolated inside a
snow-filled wood in the Yukon—the perfect writing spot—and the
completion of dozens of future novels and stories. A Rabbit Rescue
fanatic and loving bunmom, she also hopes to help rescues all over
the world save many innocent lives.
snow-filled wood in the Yukon—the perfect writing spot—and the
completion of dozens of future novels and stories. A Rabbit Rescue
fanatic and loving bunmom, she also hopes to help rescues all over
the world save many innocent lives.
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for exclusive content and a giveaway!
for exclusive content and a giveaway!
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I’ll never think of Christmas the same way again.
Okay, now that is an awesome comment to get from a reader! Thank you so much, Mary!!
OMG! This looks great lol 🙂 A zombe shark at Christmas? It’s a must-read !!!
Thank you so much, Sassy Brit! I REALLY hope you enjoy it. So many people have asked how I could incorporate a zombie shark at Christmas. I just grin wickedly and tell them they have to read the story 😉 A must-read! Authors pray for a comment like that. Honored!
Arrgghh, not the ‘C’ word!!! It’s too early to think about that…unless there are psycho killers and other horrors of course!
Hey! It’s Christmas in July! And yes, there are psycho killers and many other horrors inside, hehehe
Laura, thank you ever so much for this beautiful feature and the wonderful review! It made my day to hear that you enjoyed the book. xoxo
You’re welcome. I was hard pressed to choose a favorite so I didn’t mention one in my review. I had a blast reading these!
I appreciate getting to read about another book my family have not known about previously. Thanks so much for the book description and giveaway also.
Glad you stopped by, James:)
This takes Christmas in July to a whole new level! Eep!
LOL I guess we better be getting nice now!
I couldn’t resist this one. Loved it. Claudette writes some great stuff.
I’m always ready for her books too, Sherry:)
On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to mAIEEEEEEEEEEE!
I hope your true love doesn’t give you some of the stuff in this book. LOL
oh ok I’m torn here! Part of me is not sure I want to read horror stories about dear Santa but part of me is YEAH that man has always been kind of creepy! LOL I’m hopeless 🙂
How many kids do you see crying when getting a photo taken with Santa? Maybe they sense something we don’t! LOL
Christmas in July. 🎅
And a creepy one! LOL