Frost and Fate

by Elisa D. Daniels

After leaving a work Christmas party, Lainey and Brian’s car breaks down in a brutal snowstorm. A stranger offers shelter in his secluded cabin until morning--an offer they feel forced to accept as the roads disappear beneath the storm.

But once inside, the night shifts from inconvenient to terrifying. Their host isn’t what he seems, the cabin holds unsettling secrets, and the storm outside may be the least of their problems.

What begins as kindness quickly becomes a nightmare, and survival becomes their only goal.

Genres: Christmas

62 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2025

About the author

Elisa D. Daniels is from a small town in Oklahoma. Married to the love of her life and a proud mother of three children, she also loves being called Mimi by her handsome grandsons. She loves spending time with family. Since childhood, Elisa has been fascinated by true crime stories and had developed a deep passion for reading mystery books. Motivated by a steady determination, Elisa is now following her lifelong dream of becoming a writer.

Reviews

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Talking about “a plan” going haywire!! That’s exactly how I would describe this short Christmas thriller about some good ole-fashioned payback. I enjoyed the alternating timelines between present and this past mysterious Christmas party that kicked off a whole chain of events that had deadly consequences! Overall an enjoyable read.

[Mama Of 2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Elisa always delivers and this short story is no different. If you love a good Christmas thriller with twists you won't see coming, then this is the book for you. Because it is a short story a summary of any sort I feel would be hard to do without giving anything away. So i will just say it is definitely worth the read. Anything by her, is.

[Nicole Milazzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story had me hooked from the start! Lainey and Brian's car breaks down in a blizzard, and they accept a stranger's offer to take shelter at his place. The twists and turns had me guessing until the very end. I was completely invested and couldn't put this book down. A gripping, page-turner of a short story!

[Hayley Bernard-Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖤❄️ Hold your breath before this icy plunge! I was not prepared for the twists in this story. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, Elisa throws another thing at you that you would not see coming! Great characters in this story and some frosty suspense! Be sure to check this one out, perfect read for winter! 🖤❄️

[🐷Shay loves books🐷 · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great twisty Christmas thriller that will leave you speechless

Wow! What a story! My jaw dropped several times! I wasn’t expecting and totally did not see the twists and turns in this book.

You know what they say about the best laid plans. Sometimes it all backfires on you and you won’t even see it coming!

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Frost and Fate” is a white-knuckle winter nightmare—tense, claustrophobic, and chilling to the bone. Elisa D. Daniels turns a simple act of hospitality into a trap that tightens with every chapter. This is the kind of story that makes you eye every “kind stranger” with suspicion and double-check your doors before bed. Perfect for thrill-seekers who love their snowstorms deadly!

[Jolene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chilly weather? Check. Creepy cabin? Check. Stranger with secrets? Triple check. Frost and Fate is the perfect blend of chills and thrills. Perfect for anyone who likes their suspense with a side of “nope, not staying the night anywhere!”

[Rachel Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Frost and Fate” delivers a gripping burst of holiday suspense. This short story blends wintry atmosphere with rising tension as danger closes in fast. Elisa D. Daniels packs in sharp twists and an icy sense of dread that keeps the pages turning. A quick, chilling read perfect for fans of dark holiday thrillers.

[Char · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haha oh my goooodnesssss. For such a short book this had so much packed into it and done so perfectly it doesn't feel like anything was rushed or missed. I do think this could be turned into a full size novel if the author really wanted to but its also perfect as is for a quick little read.

[Kayla Wiklanski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas parties have a new meaning now. You never know who you can truly trust.

[Jessica Sorensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this short story. It hooked me from the start and wouldn't let go. My mind was going all over the place wondering what was going on. It's a great short read that you definitely want to add to your xmas list. Way to go, Elisa.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great christmas novella packed with twists. So much unravels in the 62 pages.

[Jill E · Rating 4 out of 5]

You want a twisty read? Grab "Frost and Fate" by Elisa D. Daniels. This book has so many twists for a short read, and I didn't see the end coming. Fantastic book!

[Kari Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story was so packed full of twists and turns that it will keep you guessing right up to the end!

When Lainey and Brian have car trouble on a snowy night, a stranger offers them shelter for the night. Is it an act of kindness or something more sinister?

I buzzed right through this story. It had a lot going on and suspense that was through the roof!

A great addition to your holiday thriller reading!

[Crystal O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect mix of thrills and chills with lots of twists. Think you figured it out and then Elisa throws one more twist in there to shake things up. Murder, check. Holiday party, check. Revenge, check! Its all there.