Stories That Will Warm Cold Winter Nights
587539
CHARLES DICKENS A CHRISTMAS CAROL AND OTHER CHRISTMAS WRITINGS is a wonderful collection of Christmas renderings previously published in various Charles Dickens collections.  Always the holiday favorite during the Christmas season, old Ebenezer Scrooge and his cast of spirits set the stage for A CHRISTMAS CAROL, which is the highlight of the book.  However, the other stories included in this volume are a delight to read and show blueprints to the CAROL as well as after thoughts, such as 'The Story of the Goblins who Stole a Sexton' and THE HAUNTED MAN AND THE GHOST'S BARGAIN.

Beyond the holly and the ivy, Charles Dickens' writings show readers his references to societal issues in nineteenth century England that revolve around Christmas.  Dickens explores issues, which relate to class and memory in order to achieve deeper meaning and human qualities for the characters he creates.  In an era where industry and consumption began to overtake the true meaning of Christmas, Dickens uses his craft to show readers to compassion still exists during hard times.  The latter stories in the book exemplify his intentions, "A Christmas Tree", "What Christmas Is, As We Grow Older", and "The Seven Poor Travellers."

Dickens charming stories have a timeless quality that have been revered through time regardless of what century or season they have been read.  For those already familiar with the Carol, the other stories will offer more insight to Dickens' writings.  Overall, this is a great collection that may be read like campfire stories on a cold winter's night, or simply cozily by the fireplace.
1291110
my 7 year old loves the stories. It brings the characters to life. We read a chapter a night before bed. Book is 10 chapters. The stories let you see a glimpse of life outside of Arendelle
4789264
This compilation of short stories is perfect for a Friday evening spent huddled under a blanket with a flashlight to give you some sense of peace. The stories in this collection aren't all scary. In fact, some of them are just brainteasers. Normally short stories don't appeal to me because I don't feel like I get to know the characters very well. In this case, however, the stories are very well-rounded so that I felt like I had enough information to enjoy the plot of each tale.  The one thing I didn't like in this collection was the story entitled "The Road Home." While the story itself was wonderful, there were some obscenities thrown in that were completely unnecessary. For this reason, I wouldn't recommend the book to young children. Without those words, this would be a perfect book for middle schoolers and up.
I received this book for review purposes. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.
2248698
Readers are going to find some interesting short stories in this collection. With a winter them, including a Christmasy feel in 13 shorts by a variety of authors including Twelve Days to Christmas by L.A. Starkey, Christmas Seasoning by DB Nielsen,  Merry Chris Witch by CK Dawn, Wrapped in the Past by Chess Desalls , Butterflies in the Snow by D.E.L. Connor, The Darkest Night of the Year by Tim Hemlin, Cold Hearth by Kelly Hall  Code X by W.J. May, Good Saint Nick by Lu J Whitley, Soaring by K.K. Allen, A Spirits Last Gift by Kathy-Lynn Cross, Winter Trials by K.S. Marsden  and The Edge by Fleur Camacho. each author brought something special to this collection.
545
Great short stories that remind you of love, romance, the power of Christmas and are sure to melt your heart.
543170
Very good stories.  They were all stories that kept my interest but not totally page turners.  Just easy reading and heart warming.
4613451
This is a wonderful collection of short stories.  Each story is unique and I find that they do not always go in the direction I expected.  This is the perfect book for curling up with a glass of wine, or hot tea, or even just laying in bed.
398908
A close friend and expert knitter gifted me this book with the recommendation that I read it on a snowy day. And I did.
It is a collection of short stories about how knitting has figured into the joys and vicissitudes of people's lives. Some
knitting patterns are included as well. I've already ordered another copy for a friend.
1585183
Short Christmas themed stories.  Some are part of a series and some are new characters.  All are full of loving couples enjoying the holidays.  My favorite is by Kelsey Kingsley, it's a slight take off of her new series.  Something for everyone from firefighters to military to regular joes.  I received my copy from the authors.
1038041
I really love anthologies because you get a chance to get experience a lot of stories by different authors all with their very own flair and voice. Getting to submerge myself in the dark like a blanket on a cold night is a gift and like a great gift- their book delivers. Creeptastic
4775174
Definitely a nice read for curling up by the fire on a cold Winter's night, this is a collection of 3 stories:
Broken Voices.
This was actually my favorite of the 3, perhaps because we think of Gothic stories as belonging to a particular era and this was the only one of the 3 set in the past.  The atmosphere was suitably eerie. I wouldn't want to read this one alone in a dark place!
The Leper House
This one started off well.  The early descriptions of the protagonist's car breaking down and him having to go off into the dark in the middle of nowhere to find help got my heart palpitating. Unfortunately it kind of veered off course for me towards the end.
The Scratch
Another strange tale. Although the writing was good an suspenseful the ending was a bit open for my liking.  Some people may having questions left hanging for their own interpretations. but I'm not one of them.
Despite the fact that I wasn't overly keen on the endings of the latter 2 stories, I really enjoyed the author's writing style.  It was spot on for this kind of collection and really left you with a sense of trepidation.
3325189
Lots of fun, light holiday stories great to read on a snowy night!
2142476
****A gifted copy was provided by the author for an honest review****

This is a great novella of short stories that range from a business woman having a really hot night of love with a total stranger in a hotel with another businessman in part thanks to Santa Claus to military men and their woman to everyday men and woman
My fav short story is the SEAL wrapped with a bow..all I can say is HOT HOT HOT.

These short stories are really good and totally worth reading on a cold winter night or to be honest, on any night. A very fantastic read. 

My rating: 4.5 stars
634409
This is a short story about a couple living a fantasy and realizing it is one they will do again.  It is short, but hot.  A good story to keep you warm on the now cold nights.
144514
You will get four stories by four well known authors in this Christmas  collection and its free .Lady Lucy Frost  the Countess Winterson  with the help of her butler Philbert gave a Christmas Ball every year. No 3 Grodveron  Place had some couple finding true love each year. The  book gives you four different romances. I liked The Late First Kiss by Kate Noble the best. Susannah Westforth and Sebastian Beckett had been childhood friends but he thought of her still as little Susie. He comes back the night of the ball from a Grand Tour and sees she has grown up not a child any longer. The other three stories are good also.  The book has a twist at the end about some of the characters. A keeper to read each Christmas.
4905103
A collection of wholesome, Christian, romance,  short stories set in the pioneer days. Each story is no more than 15 chapters. Very quick, easy read but great to cozy up with next to a fire on a cold winters day!
2998700
Eight totally delightful "cozy mystery" short stories! (Well, actually, one is more a romance.) by 6 well-known authors make this book a winner for cuddling up with a cozy blanket and maybe a glass of warm, mulled wine or cider on the cold and nasty winter nights ahead. Each author does a fairly good job developing the characters as the story line itself is developing. This means you get characters you can care about, and a story that keeps you reading, in the short-story format. Now THAT is what I call a "winning combination"! Bet you will too.