Christmas isn't always Jingle Bells and "Ho, ho, ho." In these Twelve Tales of Christmas, Santa has to deal with unexpected German shepherds and reindeer who suddenly want to learn the tango. A dryad works feverishly with a teenage boy to save her tree, now in a stand in his living room, and everyone begs Death to hold off for just one more day.And no one knows what to do with an the fire-breathing dragon. He's not going on the Christmas card list anytime soon.Come enter wo...

Being different can be dangerous.Falada is a kelpie, hated and feared because she can change shape.Only Jentelle has looked past Falada's outward appearance to see the person within. And now Jentelle must marry the prince of the neighboring kingdom to forge an alliance against invasion from the south.But no one in their new home can find out that Jentelle is part siren. In horse shape, Falada accompanies her friend because if anyone discovers the truth about either ...

By 1918, Europe had spent over four years embroiled in the Great War. This terrible war to end all wars had consumed an endless stream of men—all shot, gassed, or obliterated by artillery in the trenches. Dieter, a German farmer, has no idea how his sons met their fate. He knows only that they are dead, and his wife, Gerda, refuses to accept it.After he brings home a golden bird, still miraculously alive after being rescued from an iron box, Gerda declares she will go find the trut...

Explore twelve tales of Faerie…and discover its paradox--both close and inaccessible--peopled with heroes, rogues, and ciphers.• A modern dragon who desires more than mere gold,• A troll who longs for the kiss of sunlight on his skin,• Pixies who won't let breaking-and-entering deter them from their just revenge,• A gargoyle who yearns to safeguard not only a church but a young girl as well,• And a woman who bargains for Faerie help—only to be conf...

Blabbermouth the gnome has the very bad habit to talk when it would have been wiser to keep his mouth shut and that will cost him his most prized possession, his well groomed, carefully combed, long beard.He will get into all sorts of trouble to get it back and finally… but what am I thinking? After all, to tell you would mean spoiling all your fun.An entertaining and educating tale about how much must a gnome cope with to finally have his decency, his pride and some hair on ...

"The Desecrator" is an original short story from the Draegaran Empire, by bestselling author Stephen Brust. This is a tale of the Hawklord Daymar, and of a particular Morganti blade. Vlad Taltos fans will enjoy new insight into Stephen Brust's fantasy series.At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

A bonus short story featuring Silhara and Martise from Master of Crows.In The Light Within, Silhara of Neith, now known as "the god-smiter," travels as the guest of honor to the winter festival of his father's people.The crow mage who destroyed one god must ignite sacred fires in honor of another. Yet the winter festival only reminds Silhara that the brightest light within him isn't the fire of a deity but the devotion of one woman.A tale of hope and celebration.

Marlie Waters's Christmas List:Get a roommate so she can afford her mortgage after broken engagement.Check! Her old family friend Tyler Burton needs a room. So what if he's been her longtime crush?Ramp up her home-business success.Oops. She works so much that Ty presents her with a 12 Days of Christmas charity auction dating package–just to get her out of his hair!Okay, get a move...

The New York Times bestselling author of The Rules of Magic is at her haunting, thought-provoking best with these interconnected stories about a Long Island family.Alice Hoffman casts her spell over a neighborhood filled with dreamers and dreams as she evokes the world of the Samuelsons, a family torn apart by tragedy and bound together by devotion. As Gretel grows up, she is witness to the breakup of her parents' marriage, the ups and downs of he...

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Winner's Trilogy comes Marie Rutkoski's Tor.Com Original short story, "The Bridge of Snow."Here readers are introduced to Arin during more innocent times. In his childhood, before the war, there was still time to tell stories.This story is set in the same world of the author's stunning YA trilogy, which begins with book one, The Winner's Curse.At the Publisher's request, this title ...

This second volume of The Best of Marion Zimmer Bradley's Fantasy Magazine serves up a smorgasbord of magic and adventure. Encompassing a range of fantasy from classical to modern settings, this collection begins with an introduction by Bradley herself, in addition to her introductions to each individual story.

Darweena must choose to fight for the Forest Folk in an epic battle against the beasts. Will she choose love over her home? A short story of 3700 words.