Take a bite out of the Holiday Season with these three Zombie Short Stories. Now in one complete collection!
A Zombie Thanksgiving: One woman risks life and limb in a Zombie Apocalypse to prepare a grand Thanksgiving feast.
A Zombie Christmas: In a Zombie Apocalypse, three men risk life and limb to bring happiness to surviving kids on Christmas morning.
A Zombie New Year: Separated in a Zombie Apocalypse, Becky and Joe risk life and limb in order to reunite on New Year's Eve.
As a bonus for picking up the paperback - a Christmas gift for you.
I have included the short story "A Vampire at Christmas." This short story is not available on the EBook. It has been exclusively added to the print version only.
A Vampire at Christmas:
Are you a Jimmy Buffett fan? Do you like Vampires? Do you like Christmas?
This short story is about a Parrothead Vampire who uses his riches and Vampiric skills to bring joy to those in need during the holiday season.
Anthony lives in Apex, North Carolina. He is a reader, writer, runner, husband, father, and stay at home dad - one of the toughest jobs anyone could ever do.
The city of Raleigh stood dark and lifeless behind a small single-story home where a thriving family once lived. Sleet was falling hard, and bouncing off the silent objects of this now-broken world.
Zombie Thanksgiving The parking lot looked like a war zone– cars burned to metal bodies, cars crashed together, cars turned over, shopping carts everywhere and in all kinds of positions, (food and supplies in these carts long since looted), and bodies, lots and lots of dead bodies.
3 stars.. Admired Dawn's idea but wanted to smack her sometimes. Wish the ending had been a bit longer."
Bonus Short Story: The Dead of Winter Eric surveyed the road ahead and behind him. The world was filled with death. The highway was littered with silent, rusting cars sitting on rotting tires, waiting on drivers who were never going to drive them again. Ripped apart, torn open and partially eaten corpses littered the ground in various forms of decay.
4 stars
Bonus story: The Lot Ernie Holsten sat in his office. It was hard for him to believe that Gavin was the main suspect in the murder investigation. He still refused to believe it even after they drained the swamp behind The Lot.
2.5 stars.. would have been better as a novella or full length book
Bonus story: Vampire at Christmas Skipped, not interested.
Bit uneven but overall not a bad read... nice collection of Spooky reads for different times of the year.
I reviewed each of these stories on the holidays they took place on. I've now compiled my reviews for the trilogy.
A Zombie Thanksgiving
They say the holidays are no longer celebrated because of the zombie apocalypse.
Try telling that to Dawn. All she wants is to bring a little bit of normalcy into their lives. To remind them they are human, that they are still alive, that there is hope.
Guns and knife in hand, Dawn sets off to the grocery store to see if she can find a turkey. I know, this sounds nuts. But people get desperate for the old days, the easy days.
As Dawn stumbles over dead bodies and crashed, abandoned vehicles, she inevitably runs across some shufflers. She takes care of them coldly, efficiently. This is the new way of life.
Meanwhile, back at the safe place, George is handed a note by another survivor in their group. It appears Dawn has left to get food. Fool girl. Doesn’t she know there are zombies out there. What is so important she’d risk this by herself?
I can’t quite put my finger on it, but somehow the author had me feeling the warmth of Thanksgiving. Even As Dawn and George fought off the ravenous zombies that want them for dinner.
Dawn’s fierce determination has me adding her to my list of top female protagonists. She’s not going to stop until she finds that bird!
And George is just as determined. Determined to find Dawn and get her safely back where she belongs. All limbs attached. I liked how his initial frustration turned to alpha male, to lover, as he set out to find her.
I had my fingers and toes crossed for these two. The ending was not set in stone just because it’s Thanksgiving. Maybe the zombies got a nice dinner. Nobody told them they don’t celebrate the holiday.
A Zombie Christmas
He waited until the zombie messed with Rudolph to take him out. No one messed with his Christmas display. The loud crack of his gun brought more and he took care of them too. Then all was quiet again.
Relaxing in his living room, enjoying the lighted Christmas tree, the silence is shattered by the doorbell. Mike can’t believe his eyes. It’s four zombie carolers, singing songs. Or grunting them. Once he quits laughing he quickly dispatches them too. Their noise would bring others.
The loud knocking on his door is welcome. He’s been waiting for Jim and Fred. He needs them if his plan is to succeed.
The plan. Fight a way through the zombies to reach the mall. There, they will grab goodies for the kids in their neighborhood. Everyone is struggling to make it through the apocalypse and the winter is brutal. A little something on Christmas morning for each child would bring smiles to their sweet faces. Would help them forget, for a time, what was happening outside.
Fred and Jim had taken some convincing, but when Mike explained his plan and they realized he’d do it alone if he had to, they were in one hundred percent.
As gruesome as this story got, it also cracked me up. Those zombie carolers were too funny. And the zombie shoppers, shuffling in and out of the mall with their packages, I could just imagine that scene, and laughed out loud. Nobody told the zombies they couldn’t have a Christmas.
I really liked Mike. He didn’t hesitate to take out the zombies yet kept his sense of humor. And by selecting the only other single men in the neighborhood, he didn’t risk leaving a family without a father and provider.
I think these three gents got as much joy as the children from their plan. It must have brought a small measure of hope and joy to them, playing Santa when the world was falling apart.
While I was writing my review, I happened to glance up at my Christmas tree, and what I saw cracked me up again. Sitting nestled on a branch was a little zombie mummy I had been given. I swear it winked at me.
A Zombie New Year
This short story is also offered in the authors collection, A Zombie Holiday Trilogy.
It is the longer of the stories and really hit home. Just how important is tradition when an apocalypse has occurred? How far would you go to keep a promise? Is there time for love when the world has crumbled?
Becky and Joe become separated during the zombie apocalypse. Both find themselves in dangerous situations as they strive to get to Acorn Drop, the place they first met, and share their promised New Years kiss.
Becky awakens surrounded by men in fatigues. A rough lot. They make their wants known and she tries to stall while making up a plan of escape.
You now that saying, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend?” Sometimes it’s true. These guys should have thoroughly cleared the house before letting their minds listen to their lower parts.
Zombies stumble out of one of the bedrooms and in the tussle, Becky makes her escape, only to have to fight her way through the ones outside.
Some of the men, still pumped up on testosterone, pursue her and she must find a way to lose them. She doubts when they finish with her they’ll just let her go. And she has some place to be. Someone to meet. Something to do. Acorn Drop. Joe. Kiss.
Meanwhile, Joe is out in the open and vulnerable. The zombies are everywhere and he’s been spotted. Searching, he finally sees a house that looks safe and dashes inside.
First things first, he searches the house finding no immediate threat of zombies. Next, he checks the garage and finds a car. Could the keys be in the house? He reenters to search for them. There’s not much time as the zombies will eventually find a way in.
Joe soon discovers he’s not alone in the house. But it’s not zombies and it’s not people. Of all the houses, of all the streets, he had to choose this one. This is one battle he wasn’t prepared for.
He keeps his mind on his goals. Get to Acorn Drop. Find Becky. Kiss her like it’s the end of the world. But New Years is almost here and he’s got a long way to go.
I believe love is all we have when the world falls apart. Even if it doesn’t. Who will mourn you when you die? Who will fight for you, with you? What will keep you going when all seems hopeless?
The dynamics of people when faced with the thinkable has always fascinated me. Sometimes, the threat by man is every bit as deadly as the threat outside.
I’ve read many zombie books and I know there isn’t always a happy ending, but I have hope for Becky and Joe.
A Vampire At Christmas
The story opens in a tomb. All is calm. All is bright. The little Christmas tree in the corner casts a dazzling display reflecting off of the large coffin.
If you put your ear right up against the coffin, you might hear Jimmy Buffet singing Margaritaville. This handsome vampire loves being a vampire, loves Christmas, and is a fan of the southern artist and has been to many of his concerts. His powers enable him to fly to any location and blend into the shadows to enjoy the the shows.
He’s been waiting 364 days for this night and he grabs his bag of goodies and heads out. But first he must feed.
When he was a new vampire he killed at random. But after many years and witnessing the miracle of Christmas, the warmth and cheer of it, he became more selective. Only killing those who deserved it.
I am amazed at the power of this character with the story being just over 20 pages.
He coldly stalks and consumes his prey, yet he’s also gleeful and excited, like a child. He really gets into the Christmas spirit and spreads hope and joy. Not to his prey, of course, but to those who are in need.
I live in the south and have seen Jimmy Buffet in concert. Been to his restaurant. Met him a few times. While I was reading this story, I hummed Margaritaville and thought, this vampire would like it here.
I loved all of these stories and you can bet I’ll be reading anything everything I can get my hands on by this author.
Each story got 5 Stars from me which added up to 20 Stars. Since I can’t give it that, I give this collection a resounding 5 Stars.
Dawn went to the market, shopping for her holiday feast. She had to walk over the dead bodies and kill a couple zombies to get to the "goodies". The blood, guts and nauseating smells didn't even phase her. She missed the simple things, like a run through Raleigh on a cool crisp fall day, but those days were done.I was so hoping she would find the turkey to finish off the feast for the small band of survivors. She risked her life to try and have one "normal" day. What would you risk? 4 Stars for this short and wonderful feel good story for a thankful time of year.
A Zombie Christmas by Anthony Renfro
The zombie tried to take off with Rudolf and he wasn't going to allow it. It's the little things that keep us sane and we all have a point in our lives, where enough is enough. A Zombie Christmas is comical and horrible at the same time. Can you picture zombie carolers singing Silent Night and Frosty? In times of trouble, there are those who stand up and give of themselves, expecting nothing in return. 4 Stars for this short and heartwarming Christmas story.
A Zombie New Year by Anthony Renfro
A girl on her own, trying to survive not only zombies, but men of the human (?) kind and a ghost too. Could you do it? At times I felt sorry for Joe, other times I felt he deserves whatever he gets. Joe and Becky had gotten separated during the zombie attack. They had shouted to meet where the acorn dropped on New Year's Eve. Who would show? Or would either make it? 4 Stars for this horribly sweet short story of love and hope.
A Vampire Christmas by Anthony Renfro
How about a bonus story. We don't want to forget about the vampires at holiday time, do we? Ever meet a Parrothead vampire? How about a vampire who's favorite time of year is Christmas? Do they decorate trees with lots of blinking, sparkling lights? He decorated his casket with tinsel. He looked 25, dressed in jeans and work boots. He would have played music if he felt no one would hear. His favorite song is Margaritaville. Discovering Christmas had changed his feeding pattern. Now he chose mostly those who deserved it. He should have met up with the thugs who intended to rape Becky in A Zombie New Year. He even listened to music in his coffin with an mp3 player. I love him and the humorous writing of Anthony Renfro. 5 Star for this fun vampire short story.
This is a wonderful collection of short stories for the holidays, or any time, that I would love to buy for all my friends and family.
I received the book from Anthony Renfro in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year, all encapsulating the holiday feeling in the middle of the apocalypse. All sweet stories in their way that show what can be achieved if you have the spirit. There are also bonus holiday stories with a paranormal twist that add a special something to the collection.
It's definitely not your Hallmark Christmas/Thanksgiving story. I enjoyed reading these short stories. The New Year Eve story had a couple of parts I'm not used to reading and I was a little uncomfortable. I wouldn't let it stop me from reading it though.
Three short stories in this trilogy covers the zombie apocalypse with 3 different groups of people as they experience the end of the world as they know it during Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year's. A Zombie Christmas is about a man trying to make Christmas happen by being something like Santa. A Zombie Thanksgiving is about a woman's quest to make a Thanksgiving feast and to find an edible turkey. Whereas A Zombie New Year is about a couple who tries at all costs to reunite.
Zombie apocalypse (or any apocalypse) is something scary and horrific, except although it can get a little tense and horror to keep the story interesting to read. Each group also shows that life is in our hands and we can always try our best to make it hopeful. Some times thats what makes all the difference.
This is what makes these stories great. Its a different twist to the zombie stories that we usually see. Sure, its still zombie apocalypse but thats what makes these characters enjoyable to read.
I had no idea that I'd be buying a chunk of seasonal zombie lit for the holidays, but the idea was irresistible. "A Zombie Holiday Trilogy" turned out to be more than just a clever idea: amid the blood and guts, guns and ammo, and post-human rot, there throbs the spirit of the winter holidays. No matter what chaos or horror is out there, we all crave family, tradition, and hope for a better year to come. Anthony Renfro's prose is spare, with enough cinematic pacing to let readers see everything they need. And for dessert, the print edition includes the cool short story "A Vampire at Christmas." Sounds like a good stocking stuffer to me/