Joy to the Worlds bookcover

Joy to the Worlds

Mysterious Speculative Fiction for the Holidays

Raven Oak 

(Author)

Maia Chance 

(Author)

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Description

What do you get when you mix mystery and speculative fiction, then toss in the holidays for good measure? A mobster Santa, genetic hanky-panky, Victorian villages, time-travelling detectives, Krampus, eerie bell spirits, and more-this collection of short cross-genre fiction is the perfect counterpoint to traditional holiday reading!

This collection stars four authors, each with their own distinct voice. National bestselling author Maia Chance, who is famous for her cozy mysteries, dazzles with humor and folklore. IPPY award-winning science fiction author Janine A. Southard beguiles with unexpected time-travel science. Science fiction and fantasy bestseller Raven Oak offers a look into the gothic past. And for a whole new perspective, debut fiction author and art expert G. Clemans dives into the intersections of creativity and mystery.

Joy to the Worlds brings together eight short works that explore mysteries across time and space. Ranging from dark dystopian worlds to comedic retro-futures, four diverse writers find new ways to combine these disparate worlds into something everyone can enjoy!

Product Details

PublisherGrey Sun Press
Publish DateSeptember 08, 2015
Pages298
LanguageEnglish
TypeBook iconPaperback / softback
EAN/UPC9780990815761
Dimensions8.0 X 5.0 X 0.7 inches | 0.7 pounds

About the Author

National bestselling author Maia Chance writes historical mysteries that are rife with absurd predicaments and romantic adventure. She is the author of Snow White Red-Handed, Cinderella Six Feet Under, and Come Hell or Highball. 2016 titles include Beauty, Beast, and Belladonna and Teetotaled. Maia lives in Bellingham, WA, where she shakes a killer martini, grows a mean radish, and bakes mocha bundts to die for.
Janine A. Southard is the IPPY award-winning author of Queen & Commander (and other books in The Hive Queen Saga). She lives in Seattle, WA, where she writes speculative fiction novels, novellas, and short stories...and reads them aloud to her cat.
Multi-international award-winning speculative fiction author Raven Oak (they/them) is best known for their epic fantasy Boahim Trilogy (Amaskan's Blood, Amaskan's War, Amaskan's Honor) and their space opera, Class-M Exile. Also, they have almost two dozen short stories published in various anthologies. They're even published on the moon! Raven spent most of their K-12 education doodling and writing 500 page monstrosities that are forever locked away in a filing cabinet.Besides being a writer, they're a disabled, nonbinary artist who enjoys getting their game on with tabletop games, indulging in cartography and etymology, and staring at the ocean. They live in the Seattle area with their wife, and their three kitties who enjoy lounging across the keyboard when writing deadlines approach. Their hair color changes as often as their bio does, and you can find them at www.ravenoak.net.

Reviews

"Eight short stories by four authors glisten with holiday wonder, each one decorated in hues of legend, myth, SF, and quirky, joyful fun." -Publishers Weekly

"Joy to the Worlds is a wide-ranging mixture of SF, Fantasy and Horror that made me wish for snowy weather and a good hot drink. [It] reminded me of Connie Willis's collection Miracle and Other Christmas Stories." -SFFWorld

"...an imaginative ride into the 'what-if'. Drawing from traditional mythology and lore as well as time-travel and science fiction, each author presents a unique perspective on the traditional holiday tale." 4/5 stars -San Francisco Book Review

"...brain-bending, strange, and wonderful...perfect for taking your mind off holiday stresses...Grab a copy for yourself, and think about your book-obsessed friends as well." -Fan Girl Nation

"...a spunky alternative to traditional holiday fare...If you're a dystopian at heart, Joy to the Worlds may be the remedy for you." -Barbara McMichael, The Bellingham Herald

"...clever and evocative of the mystery and thrill of Christmas by turns creepy and sometimes amusing. Ranging from dark dystopian worlds to comedic retro-futures, four diverse writers find new ways to combine these disparate worlds into something anyone will enjoy." -Amy Brown, Geek Syndicate

"The holidays plus spec-fic... yes please! I was tempted to hold off reading this book until closer to Christmas, but I couldn't do it. I needed this book in my life. And the good news is... Joy to the Worlds did not disappoint! The bad news is, I want more! Way more. This book was unlike any other holiday collection out there, and that's why I loved it. Is it Christmas yet?" -Librarian Nerdette

"...good, well-paced and enjoyable anthology of speculative fiction/urban fantasy short stories set around Christmas time. It is an enjoyable read, suits to season for this urban fantasy junkie and all in all something I suggest you pop in your eBook stocking tomorrow!" 4 out of 5 stars -Janis Hill of Janis' Reviews

"...a solid collection of fantasy and sci-fi jaunts that will leave you with a strangely satisfying Christmassy feeling." 4 out of 5 stars -The Bookshelf Gargoyle

"...engaging collection...this [book] need not be limited to holiday season reading." 4.25 out of 5 stars -Martha's Bookshelf

"...well-written and enjoyable...a great holiday-time read!" -Tungsten Hippo

"...fantastical, dark and unique...All the stories are a completely different reading experience and will thrill mystery, science fiction, fantasy, and horror fans alike." -I Smell Sheep

"Great Holiday Spiced Speculative Fiction...delightful collection. [Ol' St. Nick]-Think Santa Claus vs the Martians crossed with Firefly and a dash of The Sopranos. [In The Ringers] Raven Oak really managed to turn holiday traditions on their heads." -Conrad Zero

"...a fascinating mixture of genres. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes mysteries that are heavily influence by science fiction." -Long & Short Reviews

"[Joy to the Worlds will] entertain in an unexpected way, giving the reader a slightly askew look at the holiday season. What better way to be introduced to authors you haven't tried before?" -Buried Under Books

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