Title: Link by Link: An Anthology of Haunted Holidays
Publication Date: December 2nd 2020
Genres: Holiday, Paranormal, Supernatural, Young Adult
Summary
“‘I wear the chain I forged in life, ’replied the Ghost. ‘I made it link by link…’”-Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
Link by Link is a collection of 9 stories of ghosts, spirits, and creatures unnamed, all come to teach lessons we won’t soon forget. From sweet Christmas tales to terrifying holiday hauntings, these stories take a dive into the past in the hopes of creating a better—or at least different—future.
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Dustin’s fingers slid up the guitar’s strings, eliciting a shriek from the amplifier. He grinned wildly at Koryn, who scrunched up her nose in response. He was trying to make her laugh, to break through the jitters coursing through her. Her voice shook as she sang her heart out into the microphone, eyes closed, hands clenched together. The haunting melody spilled from her lungs, even as Dustin’s guitar screamed in dismay.
In a few days it would be Thanksgiving, which meant there were only four weeks until their battle of the bands, where agents would be there to judge. For three years, this is what they’d been working so hard for. It was how Koryn had met Dustin, back before his pierced lip and eyebrow, long before deciding to dye his growing hair blue. Dustin, being Dustin, had posted in the school’s forum requesting a talented, self-motivated singer and guitarist. Koryn hadn’t taken the leap of faith. Her friend Caitlin took it for her, posting under her name and giving Dustin her number in private.
After that, Koryn had no choice but to meet him. It was awkward at first, but talking with him was easy. So was being around him.
Koryn fell in love with the gangly guitarist with a voice as smooth as silk and fingers as quick as lightning.
It was a mutual tumbling down the musical scale. At least that’s what he’d said. She was weird, and he liked weird things. Koryn was his “all things strange and beautiful” kind of girl.
“Kor, stop that.” Dustin crossed the distance, booping her nose. “Get out of your head and into my arms.”
Every time anxiety threatened to devour her, Dustin pulled her away from the darkness. She laughed at him, swatting his hand away. He caught her, pulling her to him so his lips could place a soft kiss against the corner of her mouth.
“I didn’t say ‘hit me.’” He laughed, slipping the guitar strap over his head. “I said, into my arms, girl.” Dustin tightened his grip on her, squeezing, then moved his hand to her sides. Before Koryn knew it, he was tickling her, assaulting her sides with quick pokes and strokes.
“Dus–ty!” she gasped, tumbling back onto her bed with him on top of her. His fingers jabbed, moved, danced all over her torso. Breathless and thrashing, Koryn’s worries drifted away until Dustin was the only thing she could think of.
He must have sensed it because his tickling relented.
“There she is,” he murmured, hovering over her. “My beautiful babe.” Dipping his head down, he placed soft kisses along Koryn’s lips, like he was savoring each one.
“Careful, dummy, I can’t breathe still,” Koryn panted, staring up at him through orange and red bangs.
“Now is my chance. You’re defenseless!” Winking, Dustin lowered his head for another kiss.
Koryn had other ideas. She pushed against his chest, and he willingly tumbled to the side, allowing her to climb on top of him and pin his arms down. “I don’t think so!”
He smirked at her, teasing his lip ring with his teeth. “Oh, dear… What ever shall I do.” His long lashes fluttered shut, fanning against his olive cheeks.
How could Koryn love
someone this much? So much her heart twisted in place. She wanted to
cling to him, to this very moment, and never let go.
GIVEAWAY!
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This was the perfect thing for me to take my mind off of serious matters. My two favorite holidays are Christmas and Halloween. This book set combines the feeling you get from celebrating both of those!
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