Happy Dark Year

Dark Celebrations #6

by Calvin Demmer

Cody Wheeler wants to enjoy New Year’s Eve. He wants to catch up with friends he hasn’t seen since going off to college. But his girlfriend, Kendall, is back to throwing fits and nagging him, ruining his break at home. He decides she needs to be taught a lesson. Nothing serious, just a little reminder that she should act her age. Cody, however, gets carried away and doesn’t foresee the horror that awaits him at her favorite spot by the lake.

A short story.
(Collected in Dark Celebrations)

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Fiction

22 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

Calvin Demmer is a South African author of horror, dark fantasy, science fiction, and crime. His books include the flash fiction collection The Sea Was a Fair Master and the short story collections Dark Celebrations, Her Heart Beats for Ancient Beasts, Through the Ravenous Night We Ride, Duel the Darkness for Nightmare Rule, and The Town That Feared Dusk. When not writing, he is intrigued by that which goes bump in the night and the sciences of our universe.

You can find him online at calvindemmer.com or sign up for his newsletter to stay up to date with his latest projects.

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cody wants to go to a New Year party. He is quarreling with his girlfriend Kendall who wants him to go for a swim, meet her sister and mother instead. Cody drops her at a motel. At the party he becomes familiar with an alluring girl, Hannah. A more mature wife is offering him a shot. When he goes with his new flame for a swim things turn strange. What about the true nature of his girlfriend? Will Cody see the new year alive? Haunting story with some eerie things from the see. Really recommended!

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What are your plans for New Year’s Eve? Cody was planning on chilling out, getting together with friends he hasn’t seen in a while, destressing. It seems his girlfriend isn’t sharing his same enthusiasm and is making some “silly” demands in that whining, ticked off girlfriend way. In a burst of a clearly brainless action, he is determined to teach her a lesson and just so you know, that single action, combined with another at the party will come back to haunt him in a Tsunami of Karma.

Ahhh, gotta love Calvin Demmer and his twisted little tales of darkness. This time out, he twists New Year’s into a tale called HAPPY DARK YEAR as one young man learns the error of his ways when it comes to having a girlfriend with needs. As always, Mr. Demmer can pack a punch of quirky entertainment into just a few pages, but the lesson is clear and somebody is NOT going to have a happy new year!

I received an ARC edition from Calvin Demmer in exchange for my honest review.

Publication Date: January 1, 2017
Publisher: Calvin Demmer
Genre: Paranormal
Print Length: 15 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Sydney’s Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this one! The dark turn was even better then expected. 5 stars definitely!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love these little holiday shorts that have a bit of a kick even if they do not pack a big punch. The characters are fairly interesting as well as the situations that they find themselves in on a holiday day or night. In this instance, it happens to be New Year's, and the kid just wants to have fun. No major character building or even a location other than a state.

Cody Wheeler wanted to enjoy New Year Eve with his friend after being away at college. His girlfriend, Kendall, is not cooperating and is throwing a bit of a tantrum because he did not do what she wanted that day. He decides that she needs to be taught a lesson as they are on their way to the party to remind her to act better. But Cody cannot see what is coming for him for his bad behavior towards Kendall.

Nice, quick read. This may not scare you but it gives a small bit of a thrill.

[Nikki / Tinyavenger · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun short story. It was easy to get into, took a different turn than I expected and left me wanting more while still having a satisfying ending.
My first read by this author and definitely not my last!

[Sunshine Somerville · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ha - I feel like this is a cautionary tale for college guys about how to treat women. But I liked how you start inside this guy's head and see very quickly what type of guy he really is. From reading this author's other work, I figured there'd be some monster/paranormal entity that would catch up with him, but I REALLY liked the surprise here. It felt like part of a bigger story, but this was a great little glimpse.

[Cal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short story read a lot like a Goosebumps book to me. Well written, fun little story to follow. Super dope ending too. I have grown to really appreciate Demmer's short stories. They're great for what they are--a short story.

[Ashnicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m keeping this little review short but sweet 🤗 This was a great short story absolutely loved it, ended perfectly but also had me hooked and wanting more! (In a good way lol)

[Sarah Budd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cody Wheeler has had one stressful year and wants nothing more than to relax, forget about his problems, meet up with his buddies for a beer or two. He can't wait to wave out the old year and welcome in the new.

However all his problems seem to be following him, such as his long term girlfriend Kendall Simpson, things haven't been right lately, he just can't put his finger on where it's all going wrong. He tries his best to be the perfect boyfriend but everything he does winds her up. He's beginning to question whether she's worth all the effort and against his better judgement after one argument too many he decides to leave her at the roadside and go to the party alone...

This tale by Calvin Demmer is a great dark story guaranteed to counter-act the sweetness of the festive season for all you horror fans out there. In this, Calvin Demmer takes something very old and makes it new for the 21st century.

If you love this tale and eager for more, this is the sixth short story to be released by him and the great news is that they're all available on Amazon for mere pennies! Brilliant for when your wallet needs a break after Christmas. He's previously published Hungry Ghosts, Labor Day Hunt, Thanks Sinning, Trick or Death and Three Dead Men.

[Siobhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy Dark Year was a story that took the known and made it into the unknown. As always with Calvin Demmer, it’s a short and gripping read you’ll be happy to devour.

Although I could easily imagine this as part of a much larger story, I really enjoyed it as a short tale. It sucked me right in, and I happily devoured it. Even when you know where things are starting to head with this one, the grip it has on you does not loosen.

Happy Dark Year is perfect for someone looking for a gripping short read.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this was a nice surprise! From the master of flash fiction comes another great story! Calvin Demmer does it again! He brings to us great characters, plot development and a horrifying situation all within 13 minutes! Really enjoyed this, it’s well worth picking this one up!!

[Amy Schmid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes yes yes! I quite enjoy Demmer’s short stories and this one I devoured like the rest. While this story works perfectly as it is, it could also be expanded on which is part of its allure.

[Alex | | findingmontauk1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and fun! I could read a full-length novel or novella on this one for sure. I liked the twist/surprise and it's a topic in horror I am always drawn toward reading.

[Sheilah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recently, another set of short stories by Demmer graced my desk. What I find most interesting about Demmer is the variation in his little stories. Each time I receive a new one, I find they become more original and intriguing than the last.

Happy Dark Year was my favorite of this set. Demmer enjoys creating unfavorable male characters and watching them burn. I have to say I enjoy when these characters get what I feel is coming to them. A surprising twist to this tail. A fantastical, dark story that shows the power of a woman scorned. Definitely, worth the read. A creepy story to send you off to bed.

https://cellardoorbooks.wordpress.com...

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the things I love, love about Calvin Demmer’s short stories is knowing that once you start reading, the tale can take you in so many different directions! Will we meet vampires or ghosts? Maybe it will be about werewolves, zombies, or the devil. That’s the fun of his stories. But I was not prepared with where this story took me! What a surprise! What an ending!

Very suspenseful and eerie, with a touch of horror, fantasy, and mystery. It’s a story that will leave you wanting to read more from this author!

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooooh this short story was so strange and creepy! I’m not quite sure where I thought this was going at the beginning, but it’s certainly not where it ended up. Exactly what I expect from Calvin Demmer; can’t wait to get my hands on more stories!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever twist on a classic Siren's Song situation crossed with just a touch of Lovecraft - modern, relatable and intriguing.

Well done sir. :)

[Susana Mora · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fun! It was dark and I enjoyed the twists in it.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

Think I wanted more about New Year's. I like stories with a revenge plot especially with women. Super quick short story. 😁

[Aryanna Tunstall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Calvin Demmer is turning out to be an amazing horror author. He takes every monster imaginable and makes a beautiful short story featuring them.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short but satisfying horror tale set at New Year's. Nothing very surprising, but fun nonetheless! I'm going to check out the rest of Demmer's holiday series Dark Celebrations - something that should be helpful to horror fans doing the 2023 Popsugar challenge!

[Theresa Braun · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another easily digestible story of Demmer's that reads quickly. One of the things this author does really well is he plants details along the way that are important to the grand finale. You don’t necessarily realize it at the time you are reading, but if you look back there are some very interesting tidbits. Sometimes those details are weird and you’re scratching your head, but they’re there for a reason. It’s refreshing that Demmer trusts the reader enough to get those clues and to give him a chance to unfold the plot, which involves two romantically involved college students home on vacation.

The couple seems mismatched as they bicker, prompting Cody to act like a jerk and go off to a holiday costume party without his girlfriend, Kendall. As he sets his sights on another girl, we don’t mind that he’s about to pay a serious price for his betrayal. Demmer seems to like putting the power in the hands of a supernatural female character, which often comes to a grisly conclusion.

I feel like this story could have been expanded a bit. I would have liked to know more about the family dynamic. Demmer introduces a set of parents, but doesn’t really delve into their role in the lives of Kendall and her sister. And, I don’t want to give anything away, but I would have liked to have seen some more description at the end--which was unexpected. The end is one of the reasons I recommend this tale for horror fans.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cody and Kendall are on their way to a New Year’s Eve party but they can’t seem to stop bickering at each other.  Cody ends up going to the party alone, and becomes transfixed by mesmorizing woman there.  Now he must decide whether to make a move, or be faithful to Kendall. 

While this story had a very interesting concept revealed toward the end, I found this to be stuck in the main character’s head a little too much for my taste.  I like a little more action.  I was also annoyed by both Cody and Kendall. But nevertheless, they were both realistic characters so a reader can easily sympathize with either character.

Without giving anything away in the plot, the concept of the story was very intriguing and unique.

Thanks to Calvin for sending me this in exchange for an honest review :)

[Angel Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

After abandoning his girlfriend, Cody decides to indulge a selfish desire and in the process gets his comeuppance. Nice cover.

I received this story from the author in exhange for an honest review.

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting a bit more of a horror story but definitely a fun short story with an old fashion morality lesson twist.

[Alyssa Theile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creeped out right from the beginning. I knew this was going to be awful as soon as his mysterious girlfriend was left behind on the way to the party. He forgets all his troubles and starts taking shots and letting loose while she is left behind? THEN HE LEAVES WITH ANOTHER WOMAN WITH HAUNTINGLY BLUE EYES? Come on... this screamed trouble for him. I loved the mermaid premise though and how it ended with her first sacrifice.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really would love this one to be made into a full length story. This was good and fascinating. I didn’t like Cody much but Kendall intrigued me. Great story. These are short stories so easy 10-20 mins read depending on your reading speed.

Kindle unlimited read so free to read if you subscribe to the service. 4 stars.

[DecayingPumpkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

95

[Tasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

water fun

Guess it shows you that you should listen more and fight less. That and stay true no matter what. Poor fool did none of that.

[Zoë Damacela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m begging for full length versions of these!

I think Happy Dark Year might be my favorite of this series because it features one of my favorite creatures. Just bummed it’s not longer!