Jeff Belanger New Book Info

Christmas time is truly the darkest and creepiest time of the year filled
with devilish creatures lurking in the shadows waiting to get us. Best
known is the Krampus who has been the subject of films and songs. There was
a time in the late 1800s when people sent Krampus cards, not holiday
greetings. There are other violent and dangerous monsters from all over
northern climes who have been hunting naughty children for centuries. From
shapeshifters to mountain trolls, to elves, to heavy-handed cohorts of
Saint Nicholas, the Christmas holiday has been filled with ghosts and
monsters ready to dole out punishment to those who need it.

*The Fright Before Christmas* will delve into the folklore of Krampus and
his friends with the elf-like tomten and the goblinesque Karakoncolas. The
Belsnickel is ready to hit us with his switch of sticks and Gryla may drag
you back to her mountain lair. And watch out for the Yule Cat ready to
pounce! These are just a few of the yuletide beasties coming for us in *The
Fright Before Christmas* in the hope they can save us from ourselves.

The folklore roots of Christmas under its many other guises (Yule, the
Winter Solstice, Saturnalia) is examined in a different, darker light. The
Winter Solstice is a time to be afraid. It’s the shortest day of the year.
The longest night. In some parts of the world, the sun doesn’t rise at all.
It’s dark, and we have to wonder if the sun will ever come back at all.
Christmas has always been creepy and with *The Fright Before Christmas* you’ll
see the other side. This is a book for everyone who loves a little darkness
around the holidays.

Make this year a Creepy Christmas!

*Read the Digital Sampler of the book here:*
https://www.calameo.com/red-wheel_weiser-books/read/00557097441149598bd73

*Published:*
September 4, 2023
ISBN 978-1637480151
New Page Books
U.S. $22.00
200 pages
Hardcover / Full Color

*What They’re Saying About THE FRIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS:*

“For far too long my cohorts and helpers have been kept in the shadows of a
Christmas holiday that’s grown far too focused on consumerism for my taste.
Jeff Belanger’s *The Fright Before Christmas* tells the story of this
holiday like you’ve never heard it before. These are all the tales I wish I
could’ve told you while you were sitting on my knee at the mall spouting
off about all the expensive gizmos and gadgets you wanted for Christmas.
Forget coal and sticks in your stockings–this year I hope you get this
book–if you somehow manage to survive your encounters with Krampus,
Belsnickel, Grýla, Père Fouettard, and the myriad of other ghoulies and
beasties who are coming for you during this dark, cold, dangerous, and most
frightening time of the year. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good
*fright*!”
*-Santa Claus *

*FRIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS Reviews and Interviews:*
September 1, 2023 – Foreword Reviews by Jeana Jorgensen – The Fright Before
Christmas
https://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/the-fright-before-christmas/

*Upcoming Live FRIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS Events with Jeff Belanger:*

– The Fright Before Christmas with Jeff Belanger – Conway Public Library
– Conway, New Hampshire – November 16, 2023 6:00PM
https://jeffbelanger.com/event/the-fright-before-christmas-with-jeff-belanger-at-the-conway-public-library/

– The Fright Before Christmas with Jeff Belanger – Plainville Historical
Commission – Plainville, Massachusetts – November 17, 2023 6:30PM
https://jeffbelanger.com/event/the-fright-before-christmas-with-jeff-belanger-at-the-plainville-historical-commission/

– The Fright Before Christmas with Jeff Belanger – Derby Public Library
– Derby, Connecticut – November 27, 2023 6:00PM
https://jeffbelanger.com/event/the-fright-before-christmas-with-jeff-belanger-at-the-derby-public-library/

– The Fright Before Christmas with Jeff Belanger – Morse Institute
Library – Natick, Massachusetts – December 6, 2023 7:00PM
https://jeffbelanger.com/event/the-fright-before-christmas-with-jeff-belanger-at-the-morse-institute-library/

– The Fright Before Christmas with Jeff Belanger – Wallingford Public
Library – Wallingford, Connecticut – December 7, 2023 7:00PM
https://jeffbelanger.com/event/the-fright-before-christmas-with-jeff-belanger-at-the-wallingford-public-library/

– The Fright Before Christmas with Jeff Belanger – Seymour Public
Library – Seymour, Connecticut – December 8, 2023 7:00PM
https://jeffbelanger.com/event/the-fright-before-christmas-with-jeff-belanger-at-the-seymour-public-library/

– The Fright Before Christmas with Jeff Belanger – Lawrence Library –
Pepperell, Massachusetts – December 12, 2023 7:00PM
https://jeffbelanger.com/event/creepy-christmas-with-jeff-belanger-at-the-lawrence-library/

– The Fright Before Christmas with Jeff Belanger – Merriam-Gilbert
Public Library – West Brookfield, Massachusetts – December 14, 2023 6:30PM
https://jeffbelanger.com/event/creepy-christmas-with-jeff-belanger-at-the-lawrence-library/