Christmas Short Stories Anthology

From the authors of Cozy Mystery Magazine - a collection of cozy Christmas-themed travel mysteries and scrumptious holiday recipes for our mystery fans. A short and sweet treat.

Betsy Seymour finds she isn’t quite up to gay chatter and a staff full of holiday cheer as Christmas approaches, but duty calls at the cemetery where she works. Then she experiences a strange sighting amongst the fog-shrouded graves, and a few minutes later, she lies injured upon the ground, alone and unsure, only a few feet away from her husband’s grave. This time, though, can love save her?

A stay-at-home mom, Ruth has been busy steering her family toward Christmas. All of this comes to a screeching halt, though, when she hears words she would never have thought possible coming over her phone.

The following tale is one of Christmas. Santiago has lived for years far away from his birth homeland. He knew what he was called to do. He was determined to accomplish his undertaking, no matter who it was that stood in his way. In the end, his task was completed, and he could rest easily as he returned into his long-departed mother's arms...and the home that he had been gone from for so many years. Find out what Santiago came to the tropics to do, what his obstacles were, and how his saga related to Christmas.

When Torah Blake retreats to a backcountry mountain hut on Christmas Eve, she doesn't expect to reunite with her old boyfriend, Cale Jamison. Cale, a world-traveling photographer for a snowboarding magazine, appears in the midst of a wicked snowstorm, taking Torah's breath away. Old feelings rekindle and Torah finds herself in a whirlwind of risky emotions. Will Torah decide to give love another chance? Or will Cale leave her on Christmas, breaking her heart again?

Born on Christmas Day, Gander the Elf wants to work in Santa's Workshop. But, he breaks toys, spills paint everywhere, and makes a mess of the glue among other things. Isn't there any job that he can do without being so clumsy?

This is the story of a Kiwi elf named Yvette (her friends call her Yve) who lives on Rakiura/Stewart Island - the third largest island in New Zealand. And this little elf has a very big dream. The great wish of her heart, of her mind, of her soul Was to join St. Nick's team at the frosty North Pole. But how does an elfish lass follow her dream?

Down at the Front, on a cold winter's night in 1914, amidst the worst war the world had ever seen, an inexplicable silence spread from man to man. Belief was in the air. Then the soldiers ceased fire and the magic of Christmas took hold....

Revel in the in the magic of the holiday season with three classic Christmas tales. From the birth of Christ to a visit from Santa Claus, these family favorites will be enjoyed over and over again. Titles include: The Christmas Story; Twas the Night Before Christmas; and Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus.

Fourteen-year-old Vicki Gray loves Christmas, and this year's will be special indeed. Still, she has a dilemma. Her long-distance friendship with Chase is great, but she enjoys being with her classmate and friend Danny as well. On winter break with her BFF, Jess, by her side, Vicki tries to balance the two. Will she ever feel as comfortable around Danny as she does around Chase? Join Vicki for a fun-filled school holiday as she and her friends discover that Christmas holds many surprises!

This is a Dickens Christmas story of remembrance, in the tradition of people remembering their past. In this case, the poor relation at a holiday feast given by a rich relation tells the story of his life, dominated by his being his own worst enemy through being soft and credulous as opposed to hard and sharp. The rich relation funds him in a meager amount and Michael, the poor relation, thinks he should not go first in anything, including telling stories around the Christmas fire, but is encouraged to do so.

Tempers run high, and patience stretches thin as personalities clash over the current year's Christmas pageant. A new director, a conflicted pastor, and a star who can't remember her lines all conspire to make a successful production more difficult, until an unexpected participant offers a solution that showcases for all those involved the true meaning of Christmas.

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.

It's a typical Christmas Eve. All except for the hot weather. And the head.

Out on the prairie, the Joseph family is all astir with concealing their Christmas gifts for one another. But will Santa come this year? After all, the crops had failed this summer and they were on short commons. When their town neighbors, the Ralstons ask to take refuge overnight at the Joseph's on Christmas Eve, they make a shakedown bed in front of the fire. But what will become of the big bundle of gifts they carried in with them?

Annie Dixon’s love for nature and her hometown of Glenville has her driven to find a way to keep the tree farm from outsiders. When the bank grants sixty days before the tree farm is listed for public sale, Annie and her friends devise a plan to finance the buy. The death of Annie’s childhood friend brings Detective Ryder Harris back to Glenville. A child in his eyes, he always called her 'Sweet Annie'. Now he sees her differently. Annie never admitted she had a big crush for Ryder. Now that familiar flutter in her heart is back.

When an 83-year-old woman dies, she is not transported straight to heaven. She is taken on an unexpected detour back to her life shortly before she died. Only this time, she is seeing the world from a different point of view. This is the first time she has ever experienced a detour being the best part of a journey.

Eleventh story in a collection of interlinked tales of crime and retribution laced with dark humour, set around the festive season. What could be more festive than a trip to see Santa at the local shopping centre? Depends on who’s gunning for Santa…

The final story in a collection of interlinked tales of crime and retribution laced with dark humour, set around the festive season. It’s Christmas Eve, but the criminals never stop working, so neither do the police. The raid is on... but things don’t go entirely to plan.

Tenth story in a collection of interlinked tales of crime and retribution laced with dark humour, set around the festive season. Lord Peter Forsyth-Leven, MSP, is about to discover that having it all just means you’ve got more to lose….