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The Twelve Children Of Christmas: A Baihu Short Story
When Jonathan's Christmas good deed goes awry, Baihu comes to his rescue. Can she get to Jonathan in time and will she be able to save the children?
“The Twelve Children Of Christmas” is a short story (6,600 words) set in a shared fictional universe with author James Chalk’s “Jonathan Harkon Adventure” series. At the author's request, this title is sold without DRM (DRM Rights Management).
“The Twelve Children Of Christmas” is a short story (6,600 words) set in a shared fictional universe with author James Chalk’s “Jonathan Harkon Adventure” series. At the author's request, this title is sold without DRM (DRM Rights Management).
54 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 2, 2013
1 person is currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
James Chalk
5 books127 followersJames Chalk spent thirty years working for the USA defense and intelligence communities as an engineer, software developer, and artificial intelligence research scientist. He is also a lifelong martial artist and a certified whitewater kayaking instructor. The universe gifted James with the perfect soulmate and two amazing grown daughters; his cup runneth over.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 13, 2014
This is a short endearing Christmas tale. If anyone can create a dystopian Christmas, it has to be James Chalk. There are three facets to this story which come together at the end. Elsie, a nun initiate is coming back to the orphanage after taking the children out for the day. She is having doubts about the path she has chosen and wonders if God is testing her. The Reverend Mother at the orphanage muses over the way the world is changing, making the line between right and wrong, thinner.
And then there is Baihu, the majestic Bengal tiger, ferocious one minute and gentle the next, who is the ultimate hero of this Christmas tale. This book is a milder offshoot of The Meat Market, with some of the well known characters like Jonathan and Baihu, but it feels like a teaser for bigger things to come. I love the settings, the promise of suspense and maybe of romance, a future to be explored. Children will love Baihu and his adventures! I hope there are more Baihu tales in store for us, James Chalk!
And then there is Baihu, the majestic Bengal tiger, ferocious one minute and gentle the next, who is the ultimate hero of this Christmas tale. This book is a milder offshoot of The Meat Market, with some of the well known characters like Jonathan and Baihu, but it feels like a teaser for bigger things to come. I love the settings, the promise of suspense and maybe of romance, a future to be explored. Children will love Baihu and his adventures! I hope there are more Baihu tales in store for us, James Chalk!
February 19, 2014
THIS IS A STAND ALONE SHORT STORY OF BAIHU ONE OF THE CHARACTERS (sort of) FIRST INTRODUCED IN THE JONATHAN HARKON ADVENTURES (MEAT MARKET). I FELL IN LOVE WITH BAIHU IN THAT STORY, I COULDN'T HELP IT I AM A CAT LOVER. I WISH I HAD A CAT LIKE BAIHU. NOT ONLY AM I A CAT LOVER I LOVE A FAIRY TALES. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS PART OF A SCI-FI SERIES, IT HAS A FAIRY TALE FEEL TO IT. THIS IS A VERY SHORT READ AND I LOVED IT, CAN'T WAIT TO READ MORE OF THIS SERIES. SO GLAD I READ THIS SERIES (started with Meat Market) SCI-FI IS WAY OFF FROM MY USUAL READING TASTE. ONE THING I KNOW NOW IF IT'S A WELL WRITTEN SCI-FI I REALLY ENJOY READING IT. WHO KNEW!!! ;D
February 21, 2014
I love Baihu!!
Having read his other two works, "The Meat Market" and "Cyborg Spell Shop," I am now a HUGE fan of author James Chalk. While "The Meat Market" was dark and gritty and depraved and sinister, and "Cyborg Spell Shop" was zany and entertaining while still gritty, "The Twelve Children of Christmas" proves that Mr. Chalk is adept at writing many different genres -- all within the same fictional universe! "The Twelve Children of Christmas" is a heartwarming fairytale about a mountaineering expedition gone wrong, and the lengths that Baihu, a genetically engineered tiger, will go to to save the children of that expedition. The scifi is very believable. The characters feel real. And the story itself has a heartwarming parable feel to it, sort of like a Saturday morning cartoon kicked up several notches. Mr. Chalk has himself one hell of an amazing fictional universe. Just the fact that his universe feels so alive in its diversity -- not only diversity of culture within the universe, but diversity of types of stories that Mr. Chalk can comfortably tell within that universe -- is a testament to the strength of that universe. I can see Mr. Chalk's franchise universe continuing forever. It's so real that you could tell a thousand different stories in it and not get tired. Just like George Lucas and Gene Roddenberry created amazing universes to play in, Mr. Chalk has done likewise. A great talent and a great writer -- I sincerely hope Mr. Chalk keeps up the good work. What interesting corner of your universe will you explore next? I am eager to find out!
Having read his other two works, "The Meat Market" and "Cyborg Spell Shop," I am now a HUGE fan of author James Chalk. While "The Meat Market" was dark and gritty and depraved and sinister, and "Cyborg Spell Shop" was zany and entertaining while still gritty, "The Twelve Children of Christmas" proves that Mr. Chalk is adept at writing many different genres -- all within the same fictional universe! "The Twelve Children of Christmas" is a heartwarming fairytale about a mountaineering expedition gone wrong, and the lengths that Baihu, a genetically engineered tiger, will go to to save the children of that expedition. The scifi is very believable. The characters feel real. And the story itself has a heartwarming parable feel to it, sort of like a Saturday morning cartoon kicked up several notches. Mr. Chalk has himself one hell of an amazing fictional universe. Just the fact that his universe feels so alive in its diversity -- not only diversity of culture within the universe, but diversity of types of stories that Mr. Chalk can comfortably tell within that universe -- is a testament to the strength of that universe. I can see Mr. Chalk's franchise universe continuing forever. It's so real that you could tell a thousand different stories in it and not get tired. Just like George Lucas and Gene Roddenberry created amazing universes to play in, Mr. Chalk has done likewise. A great talent and a great writer -- I sincerely hope Mr. Chalk keeps up the good work. What interesting corner of your universe will you explore next? I am eager to find out!
April 27, 2014
The Twelve Children Of Christmas: A Baihu Short Story is an adorable and heart warming fairy tail that is filled with action and suspense, making this a very easy story to get emotionally involved in the plot-line and moved by the likable life-like characters.
Transported through time and space from Earth's past, James Chalk has a unique way of telling a tale that comes to life.
Baihu, is a gentle giant yet there is something very special about this tiger. How could one not fall in love with this animal?
This touching story was written about the goodness of people and in this case a tiger. It’s a sweet Christmas story of faith, bravery, survival and even miracles.
"The Reverend Mother gathered her heavy winter cloak about her as she stared out the broken window. Wind swirled in the hall, lifting up the dusting of snow that had covered the floor. Worry creased the brow of her aging face. Smile crinkles about her eyes and mouth had turned down, forming a resigned frown. The children were many hours overdo, and if that wasn't enough to convince her that something bad had happened, the tiger's precipitous departure surely did! What could it be?" she wondered fearing the worst."
Transported through time and space from Earth's past, James Chalk has a unique way of telling a tale that comes to life.
Baihu, is a gentle giant yet there is something very special about this tiger. How could one not fall in love with this animal?
This touching story was written about the goodness of people and in this case a tiger. It’s a sweet Christmas story of faith, bravery, survival and even miracles.
"The Reverend Mother gathered her heavy winter cloak about her as she stared out the broken window. Wind swirled in the hall, lifting up the dusting of snow that had covered the floor. Worry creased the brow of her aging face. Smile crinkles about her eyes and mouth had turned down, forming a resigned frown. The children were many hours overdo, and if that wasn't enough to convince her that something bad had happened, the tiger's precipitous departure surely did! What could it be?" she wondered fearing the worst."
May 17, 2014
I LOVE Baihu! I'm a big fan of creature heroes in stories and animal sidekicks. Reading this made me squeal and handclap quite a bit since this is Baihu's starring role! The style of this short story was a little unorthodox, but it grew on me as I continued to read. With each page, we saw a piece of the story from the POV of another character in the tale.
I had formerly thought that Jonathon was a bit anti-religion, or at the least, anti-Christian, but you see that's far from the truth. I love his character a little bit more now.
The fast-paced action reads smooth, and the character-building plot made me read this swiftly in a single sitting.
I had formerly thought that Jonathon was a bit anti-religion, or at the least, anti-Christian, but you see that's far from the truth. I love his character a little bit more now.
The fast-paced action reads smooth, and the character-building plot made me read this swiftly in a single sitting.
May 17, 2014
The Twelve Children of Christmas has all the beguiling elements of a fairy tale. Equally important and like all great fairy tales, the story has an underlay of age old philosophical and spiritual concepts such as hope, faith, love.
In just a few pages, I was transported to the North Sphere, Care for All Colony where I experienced a unique and refreshing Christmas Eve with a mystical like white tiger named Baihu that saves Christmas!
I highly recommend this entertaining short story that also makes for a great read for children at Christmas and look forward to reading Mr. Chalk's recently published novel, The Meat Market.
In just a few pages, I was transported to the North Sphere, Care for All Colony where I experienced a unique and refreshing Christmas Eve with a mystical like white tiger named Baihu that saves Christmas!
I highly recommend this entertaining short story that also makes for a great read for children at Christmas and look forward to reading Mr. Chalk's recently published novel, The Meat Market.
October 7, 2014
Enchanting Tale!
The hero in this tale is a white tiger named Baihu. She is telepathically connected to Jonathan, who in this story is only known as the transport driver. If you’ve read any of James Chalk’s other works, you’ll know Jonathan is much more. This is gentler part of a universe built by the author.
Mini sections switching from scene to scene set the pace of this story. This method of writing enhanced the tension, driving the reader to keep turning pages in this heart pounding yet enchanting tale. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and hope the author continues to release more Baihu stories.
The hero in this tale is a white tiger named Baihu. She is telepathically connected to Jonathan, who in this story is only known as the transport driver. If you’ve read any of James Chalk’s other works, you’ll know Jonathan is much more. This is gentler part of a universe built by the author.
Mini sections switching from scene to scene set the pace of this story. This method of writing enhanced the tension, driving the reader to keep turning pages in this heart pounding yet enchanting tale. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and hope the author continues to release more Baihu stories.
November 28, 2014
Charming, fast-paced, fun Christmas read! Suitable for children if memory serves. Give it a once-over first, though. The plot is simple. A group of children (and their caretaker) are derailed in the snow on their way home. Baihu, a freakishly smart and sweet big cat attempts to save the day. If you've read "The Meat Market," you'll identify with the writing style, but, otherwise, the only other similarity is Baihu, and it's a cute, adventurous way to learn more about the lovable feline! Unique read!
*At the moment, it's free through Kindle Unlimited and $0.99 without it. It's worth the dollar!*
*At the moment, it's free through Kindle Unlimited and $0.99 without it. It's worth the dollar!*
August 29, 2014
This Christmas tale can be read at any time of the year. Elsie, a nun initiate, Jonathan, and his white tiger, and twelve children come together to make this a story of hope, faith, and yes, charity. It's not a long story but could be in the future. It is endearing and charming. Saving Christmas, self discovery, and a hero are great topics in any story. I am a fan of James Chalk's dystopian style and he does not disappoint here.
May 7, 2014
You are sure to enjoy this fairy tale along with your children. The biggest thing that I have noticed when reading to a child is keeping their attention span, this book is sure to do just that.
It will be enjoyed for years to come and also provide a life time of memories.
It will be enjoyed for years to come and also provide a life time of memories.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews