In this first volume of HORRIFIC HOLIDAYS, Merchant tells of cannibalistic grocery baggers, violently jealous lovers, pain-bringing cultists, and more. HORRIFIC HOLIDAYS features five short stories and promises to be a gruesome ride. ""I read this gripping collection in one sitting...sspecially thankful to see Merchant taking risks in publishing this horror-only collection which differs from his previous books."" (Cassandra Vella via Goodreads) ""...one the bloodiest, gory, cannibalistic set of stories I've ever read."" (Kim Napolitano via Goodreads) ""...these stories are truly gripping."" (Syeda Sumayya Tariq via Goodreads) ""...I was too immersed to stop...was it ever hard to put this book down!"" (Amanda Turner via Goodreads)

Alf's cousin Mert comes for Christmas and makes his life horrible.

The holiday season is here, and the kids in Room 3B are learning about all the different ways people celebrate. In addition to Christmas and Hanukkah, there's Kwanzaa, Three Kings Day, Korean New Year, and more. All the talk about holidays has everyone feeling festive. Everyone, that is, except Harry. He doesn't seem to care about the holidays, the class pet, or even the new student in class. It's clear that something is bugging Harry—but what could it be?

The only thing that makes the holidays better are holidays with lots of scary stories! "Holiday Haunts: Scary Short Stories of Halloween and Christmas" gives you twenty horrifying short stories of Halloween and twenty terrifying short stories of Christmas!

Does the thought of mistletoe give you hives? Does the sound of jingling bells instill fear in your heart? Do you hide under the covers from the day after Thanksgiving till New Year's Day? And even if you love Christmas, do the hyperconsumerism, overindulgence, and tinsel-covered everything make you crazy? If you said yes to any of these questions, this is the book for you. You are not alone. Everyone has a Christmas-nightmare story to tell. Some of the best writers around have gone through some of the worst Christmases ever. Their tales of holly-draped horror are gathered here for your amusement, from NEAL POLLACK's Christmas-ham disaster to the accidental Santahood of JONI RODGERS to BINNIE KIRSHENBAUM's receiving what may be the worst gift ever given. And Stanley Bing gives us a peek at the lonely guy's Xmas feast. All this, plus many more recollections of Worst Noels past. So pour yourself a glass of eggnog, chisel off a piece of rock-hard fruitcake, and curl up in the big comfy chair by the fireplace where the stockings have been hung with such care -- and settle in to read The Worst Noel.

[Content includes foul language, brutal violence, and sexuality - Recommended for mature audiences]In this first volume of 'Horrific Holidays, ' Merchant tackles cultists, cannibalistic grocery baggers, jealous lovers, hungry children, praise-seeking teenagers, and neo-traditionalist murderers. Whether it's someone being sacrificed or being prepared for display, there's blood and gore that awaits in these six shorts of terror."Fresh Start, Fresh Blood" - New Year's Eve"Love You Like Hell" - Valentine's Day"House of Eggs" - Easter"Nummy Fingers" - Halloween"Stuff the Turkey" - Thanksgiving"Awful Gifts" - ChristmasAiden Merchant is the author of two other (non-themed) collections, as well as a variety of short stories and novelettes. You can visit him at www.aidenmerchant.com for free stories and reviews of his latest recommended reading. Merchant lives in the Appalachian Mountains with his wife and two children, and has been said to make friends with monsters of the woods.

Trick-or-Treating and Stockings by the fire...everyone's favorite holidays are around the corner. Thirteen O'Clock authors present their own unique takes on these holiday celebrations. The first half of the anthology is dedicated to All Hallow's Eve and all the candy collecting and ghostly shenanigans one would expect on such an evening. The second half is full of carols and carnage. This isn't your typical Merry Christmas. Santa's been really naughty... Happy Halloween and Merry Christmas from Thirteen O'Clock. Join our celebrations-if you dare.