Jingle Bells and Krampus Spells: A Scarlett Cantrell Christmas Novella

By Penny Burwell Ewing

Heaven's first rule to becoming a guardian angel: Earn your wings.

Seriously. Harder than I anticipated. Being the Southern ghost that I am, I've followed all the rules strictly by the book. Well, almost. Some things don't count. Like kissing the lead sword-fighting instructor behind headquarters for the Council of Noble Purposes. And now, because someone snitched, I'm being dispatched on a solo mission to close a demonic portal opened by a bunch of trouble-making teenagers fooling around with a spirit board.

An innocent Christmas party trick gone bad. Sure, it sounds harmless, but Saint Peter isn't laughing. Santa's unlikely sidekick, Krampus is loose and stirring up big trouble in Whiskey Creek, Georgia. With the countdown to Christmas ticking away, my only authorized equipment is one winged horse and a slick new pair of white leather chaps and bullwhip. Yay! Tis the season to be jolly. Now, where's my sleigh?

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Nov 26, 2018
• ISBN: 9781509223558

Penny Burwell Ewing

Penny Burwell Ewing was born and raised in Fort Pierce, Florida. Growing up in a southern coastal town gave her the best of small town living where the residents look out for one another. Her interest in writing began in the 1970s when she consumed every bodice-ripper published and decided to try her hand at entertaining herself. It worked and she is now working on her sixth novel. Once a professional Cosmetologist, Penny draws on her humorous experiences behind the chair to add spice to her Haunted Salon series. She now resides in Tifton, Georgia. Her favorite pastime is counted cross stitch and fine needlework.

Book preview

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From my hidden position in the tree line, I watched as the moon’s pale light showcased the shadowy figure. I recognized him from the photos in Saint Peter’s office.

Krampus. Santa’s horned helper. Keeper and enforcer of the naughty or nice list.

Half-goat, half-demon. Hairy. Cloven hooves. Long curled horns. And a long, pointed tongue. Jagged fangs. Yes, I know I’ve already described him, but man is he ugly.

Great.

I have the worst luck.

The whip hummed to life, vibrating the saddle, and I reached for it, cradling it in my hand. Tingles raced up my arm as I held the lash, ready to strike at the precise moment of opportunity.

Skywalker sensed my intensity and posed. He stood statue-like, stone-solid, but explosive energy built beneath me. He was ready for action.

The atmosphere droned with electricity. Lightning flashed far off in the distance. After several seconds of tense silence, thunder rumbled. Clouds obscured the moon, plunging the street into darkness. All remained still. Like the moments before a tornado strike.

Prickles of life sprang through the coiled lash, and I nudged Skywalker with my heels. His wings spread out, and he swooped down from our perch among the treetops, moving in close. The target came into view.

Whoosh. The lash sang out, entangling itself around the target’s throat. A scream of agony split the night air. From the branches, birds scattered, squawking their fury, but I had snared Krampus. He was done for like a Thanksgiving turkey.

Praise for Penny Burwell Ewing and…

DIXIELAND DEAD

From the very first page, Ms. Ewing captured me within her web of writing. I was held spellbound by the antics of all the characters and fell in love with Jolene, her sisters and mom. And don’t get me started on Scarlett Cantrell—I was either laughing or shouting out loud. She’s one of those characters I hope to see in future books. This story had everything I enjoy—a great mystery, humor, a dash of romance, and a sassy ghost. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author. Bravo, Ms. Ewing!

~Mary Morgan, Award-Winning

Celtic Paranormal Romance Author

~*~

UTTERLY DEADLY SOUTHERN PECAN PIE

This is a good book in a great series! Penny does a great job bringing her characters to life and describing their world. If you like a mystery with a little comedy mixed in, give this series a try.

~Darlene Hancock, Published Author

Jingle Bells and Krampus Spells

by

Penny Burwell Ewing

A Scarlett Cantrell Christmas Novella

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

Jingle Bells and Krampus Spells

COPYRIGHT © 2018 by Penny Burwell Ewing

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by Debbie Taylor

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Fantasy Rose Edition, 2018

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-2355-8

A Scarlett Cantrell Christmas Novella

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

For my editor, Amanda Barnett.

Jolene, Scarlett, and the gang

in Whiskey Creek, Georgia,

thank you for coming along on each journey.

Without you, there wouldn’t be a Haunted Salon Series.

You’re the best, and this one’s for you.

Cast of Characters

Scarlett Cantrell – Heaven’s sassiest Southern girl is dead set on earning her angel wings—whatever the cost—but it’ll take more than her grit and determination on her first solo mission back to Earth to close an opened demonic portal. She’s never dealt with teenagers before now.

Saint Peter – Heaven’s gatekeeper is doing his best to keep Scarlett on the straight and narrow as she trains for a new position as a guardian angel. However, his latest recruit isn’t like the other celestial citizens. She’s a natural-born rebel rouser.

Jolene Claiborne Bradford – Since her marriage to Sam, she’s been settling into married life without any ghostly interruptions. Until now.

Billie Jo Hazard – Her daughter Lynette is hanging out with the wrong crowd.

Krampus – This pagan spirit of Germanic folklore is checking Santa’s list for the naughty and the nice. ’Tis the season to stir up trouble and strife.

Chapter One

Blue Christmas

I seized the opportunity with gusto. Hazell shifted those glorious baby blues off me for one millisecond, and I arched my glittering sword of light high above my head and swung with all my kick-ass feminine might. My attack caught him by surprise, and his sword dislodged from his firm grip and tumbled to the ground where it stretched out on the grass like a lazy silver python taking a long summer nap.

I win. I breathed in the sweet scent of victory. My first of many to come, I hoped.

My fencing instructor gave a crooked grin. You had an unfair advantage, Scarlett. I warned you several times, and you have ignored my concerns regarding your choice of wardrobe. I was distracted.

I sheathed my sword and delivered a catty smile. A guardian angel must be prepared for the unexpected. Your words, I added at his frown. And, in my defense, I’m clothed in the approved apprenticeship uniform. It just happens to be a mite tight, that’s all.

The blond giant towered over me, his brilliant eyes shining with mirth, and a forbidden thrill shot through my veins, and for the thousandth time since my death, I hungered for life and the pleasures it promised. Call me sinful, but I hadn’t mastered my desire for the virtuous Hazell. He reminded me of one of those hunky Viking lords displayed on the covers of romance novels so trendy on Earth right now. Long, flowing locks of golden hair, sizzling eyes of righteous purpose, and yummy buns of steel.

Deena had those type of books sprinkled all over her office at Dixieland Salon. I had salivated over them until I’d met Hazell. In my eyes, he was the embodiment of masculinity. Lose the wings and virtuous nature, and boy-oh-boy what I could do with him. But it would not happen no matter how much I fantasized. We were celestial citizens of the Heavenly sort. He, an Archangel in the Order of the Guardsmen, and I, a Southern girl trying to earn