22 Comments

This makes me really reconsider all the holiday plans my family is cooking up.

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I love how you’ve contained the story in these awkward tense moments. It’s claustrophobic and constrained. And creepy. Never looking at marshmallows the same again.

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Thanks, Jon! I appreciate the comment. ❤️

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Holy smokes. I had to pause on the line: “where art goes to die.” That haunting sentence got to me for a moment. I appreciate the eerie mix of dark humor contrasting with a sense of trapped melancholic despair. Pretty accurate description of the festive x-mas season, from my pov. I enjoy the way your writing plays with words and imagery; the balance between sharp satire and skin-crawling foreboding is phenomenal. I guess that’s part of the reason why I like to read your surrealist, dream-like horror stories. Reading horror fiction is a good way to cope in the face of tragic circumstances; at the end of the narrative, knowing everything is alright helps to give the reader a sense of perspective. I liked reading this; it’s good.

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Thank you, Jessica! I appreciate that!

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this story reminds me of the power of the unexplained (at least, un-explicitly-explained). The tension / resentment between Joan and Matty totally distracted me from Emma's intentions until the very end! fantastic. And the cynical character descriptions are too fun.

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Thank you, Molly! You made my night. ❤️

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Exactly why we employ a food taster her at Chez Honeygloom…

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🤣 Smart!

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Good for Matty, getting out of that awful party 😉.

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Is this an "Irish Goodbye?" 🎄

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Cocoa Bomb was an excellent story. Matty's behavior kept me wondering what was going to happen with him. I had all sorts of idea involving yuletide horror. You also had some beautiful descriptive writing,"His bland face blended in with his vanilla words insomuch that they became like white clay, molded into some abstract statue, placed in a home where art goes to die."

The final reveal was a total surprise. A treat!

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Aww thanks, Sandy! ❤️ When is the next reading? The kids (and me) are looking forward to it!

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Hi. The next reading will be the last Saturday in December and the book will be "The Polar Express." It's a seasonal favorite. I'd love to see your wonderful family and you, my friend.

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As a resident of Amsterdam, I can confirm that Emma’s bomb was a very special one indeed.

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It seems like a euphoric way to go! Thanks for reading! ❤️

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Fantastic holiday tale! I love a cocoa bomb; I’m afraid I’d be an easy victim. I love this!

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I'm with you Liz. I'd be like, "Bottoms up!"

Thanks for reading! ❤️

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I’m gonna think twice about any cocoa bomb gift this year! And beware of anyone claiming “special ingredients” were necessary!

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Haha Same! Thanks for reading! ❤️

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yes, this is the ideal way to start off christmas season

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haha a little bitter and a little sweet.

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