Merrie Axemas: A Killer Holiday Tale Read online



  A SPECIAL AGENT CONSTANCE MANDALAY NOVELLA

  Supernatural Thriller

  TEASER NOVELLA FOR

  IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER

  By

  M. R. Sellars

  E.M.A. Mysteries

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  MERRIE AXEMAS: A Killer Holiday Tale

  An E.M.A. Mysteries Book

  E.M.A. Mysteries is an imprint of WillowTree Press

  First E-book Edition December 2010

  Reformatted E-book Edition February 2012

  Epub Edition ISBN-13: 9780979453373

  Copyright © 2010 by M. R. Sellars

  All Rights Reserved

  Cover Design #1 Copyright © 2010 – On The Edge Graphics: A Division of WillowTree Press

  Cover Design #2 Copyright © 2012 – On The Edge Graphics: A Division of WillowTree Press

  Cover Model – “E.K.”

  This free e-book special edition is licensed for your personal enjoyment only and is not intended for resale. It may be shared freely, without modification, at no charge.

  For information contact: WillowTree Press on the World Wide Web

  https://www.willowtreepress.com

  WillowTree Press E-Book

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  Special thanks go out to the following folks:

  Anastasia “Missus Loota-Chack” Luettecke, for obtaining a “Deluxe Santa Suit” for us on such incredibly short notice, and delivering it to our doorstep.

  Scott “The Chunk Man” McCoy for wearing the aforementioned Santa suit, posing with EK, and not complaining when she pretended to do truly horrible things to him with high heels and an axe, especially when you consider that she pretends pretty hard.

  The folks at On The Edge for liking the cover concept photos enough to use them.

  EK for looking so damn good, even when she's threatening Santa Claus with the aforementioned stilettos and ax.

  And finally, hot Earl Grey GREEN Tea, NyQuil, Bourbon, and Egg Nog – not necessarily in that order…

  For my loyal readers...

  You are the reason I write.

  AUTHOR’S NOTE:

  This novella was first conceived sometime around 2008. It was the germ of an idea, without form or substance, and no light to speak of. Therefore, as ideas go, it sat in the dark awaiting the surge of inspiration that would bring eventual illumination. When I finally took it out of the box and screwed it into the metaphorical socket – that is, pitched it to my publisher – I actually received an OOH and an AHH from my editor. Then, like a damned crazy fool, I convinced both her and those folks who make the decisions that I could make this happen in a matter of two weeks, instead of leisurely poking away at it, and then waiting an entire year for the release.

  At first, it didn't seem to be an issue. After all, it was intended to be a “long short story” of sorts – perhaps even a novelette, which would still be short enough. Of course, my nightmares being what they are, it grew...and grew...until it started becoming a short novella. Unfortunately, time didn't grow. It shrank. Even so, I pulled it off.

  And this is where I must add a caveat...

  If you find a typo, feel free to report it, but please don't complain. My editor took time out of her busy schedule for this piece, but because of the rush she was unable to spend as much time with it as she normally would have – my fault entirely, because I pushed for this to be released so quickly.

  Besides, this is coming to you free. A gift for the holidays, from WillowTree Press and me to you...

  Happy Holidays, whichever of them you celebrate or observe.

  M. R. “Murv” Sellars – December 2010