Plight of the Lutzelfrau

In this quirky tale, an elderly lady in Odenwald, Victorian-era Germany, seeks her perfect match, and can't decide between her older, more stable beau, or the hot young guy. The streets are alive with the music and noise of Karneval, leading up to the Winter solstice and return of the light.

Meanwhile, half-Nyx Lora Ley is stalked by a destructive force, with Wolf desperate to find her. In a well deep in the south of Germany, an ancient goddess heads into the world of humans. What's the connection? Dive into mayhem and watch the magic unfold in a fast-paced tale leading to the very towers of Frankenstein's Castle.

A little-known Germanic entity, the Lutzelfrau or Christmas witch, appears on December 13 to dole out nuts, candy and gifts of light. Her tradition has long been replaced with that of St. Lucy. At one time, Dec 13 was celebrated as the shortest day of the year, or the solstice, which changed in the 16th century with use of the Gregorian calendar.

This wild ride is a standalone story from the collection Winter Tales.