This was a holiday anthology with a big twist on Christmas. Each story is a different take on Mrs. Claus being the ringleader instead of Mr. Clause. Each story was great to put you in the holiday mood and each had likable characters. I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

A 'hit or miss' collection of stories in a mirade of different genres. More 'miss' than 'hit' to be honest though.

I you enjoy short stories and the Christmas theme, en this could be for you, just be prepared to go 'What the heck?' every now and then.

Several of the stories in the anthology were excellent; others I skimmed when they failed to capture my attention. There is definitely something for everyone here in this collection.

Mrs. Claus: Not the Fairy Tale They Say edited by Rhonda Parrish
World Weaver Press, 2017
Fantasy/Science Fiction; 215 pgs
Source: E-copy provided by publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

I could not pass up this anthology of short stories when I first came across it. Santa Claus is canon as is his wife, although she always gets the short straw when it comes to most stories about Christmas. In Mrs. Claus: Not the Fairy Tale They Say, readers are treated to fourteen stories featuring Mrs. Claus as you have never seen her before. As with any collection of short stories, some of the stories are stronger than others, but I enjoyed them all overall.

There were a few stories I wanted to like more--and I might have had there been just a bit more development. The one that immediately pops into my mind is Randi Perrin's "Moves Like Jagger", in which Mrs. Claus is a witch--and you know how I love stories about witches. I liked the world building and the hint of backstory provided, but, as I said, wish there had been more to flesh it all out for me. I had a similar feeling about "Good Morning" by Kristen Lee, which I was pulled into right away, but felt was too short.

"Miss 'Lil Toe Head" by Michael Leonberger was likely the most melancholy of the lot. I wasn't quite sure what to make of it, to be honest. Playing Mrs. Claus along with the woman she loves dressed as Santa Claus, the two make money during the holidays by acting like the jolly couple--hired by parents to be "caught" by children in their homes leaving behind presents. It takes a dark turn after that, with a few unexpected twists--medical experiments, a traumatic childhood, and a appearance by the real Miss Claus. Or one of them at least.

Among my favorites was "Wight Christmas" by Laura VanArendonk Baugh, her story featuring Mrs. Claus as a Valkyrie investigating the recent destruction of toys and the murder of elves. A mix of humor, well-imagined characters, and an intriguing premise, I was quite taken with this first story in the collection. It got the book off to a solid start. I also really enjoyed "Unexpected Guests" but Andrew Wilson, about a powerful fae version of Mrs. Claus and her human husband. While her husband is away, Elora discovers some unwelcome guests out to steal from her. I do love stories about the fae, and I liked the world building in this one quite a bit. Another really fun one, and perhaps my favorite of all of the stories was "Shouldering the Burden by M.L.D. Curelas, in which our heroine, Phaedra Claus, a bit of a pirate, returning a statue to her home in Greece.

There was a definite science fiction and fantasy slant to several of the stories, from aliens to monster hunters, to stories with a more steampunk feel to them. Or even stories with a more traditional feel despite Mrs. Claus being as nontraditional as they come. Mrs. Claus: Not the Fairy Tale They Say was the perfect way to finish up my holiday reading for the time being. A bit of romance, crime fighting, horror, comedy, action, and a whole lot of magic mixed mixed in.

What a delightful anthology that blends myth, magic and folklore with a healthy dose of reality. Each story is a good length for the busy holiday season. 14 tales, each with a unique perspective of what Mrs. Claus should be. All fourteen authors are new to me but they all write enjoyable stories. From aliens to witches there are many ideas to make any reader happy. A beautiful cover should make this a standout on the bookstore shelf. Featuring original short stories by Laura VanArendonk Baugh, C.B. Calsing, DJ Tyrer, Jennifer Lee Rossman, Kristen Lee, Randi Perrin, Michael Leonberger, Andrew Wilson, Ross Van Dusen, MLD Curelas, Maren Matthias, Anne Luebke, Jeff Kuykendall, and Hayley Stone.

Santa Claus' wife: she's the plump white lady who bakes cookies for the elves, right? Homebody. Mistress of the kitchen, the lady who spoils the reindeer.

Not in this book! In fourteen imaginative short stories, Mrs. Claus is a valkyrja, a goblin fighter, a being from another planet, a member of the Fae, a witch; she detects, can repel North Pole invaders, pilot an airship, visit alien worlds, stalk monsters who kill reindeer —and in one story she's even evil! I loved every one of the concepts except for one, and the whole idea of Mrs. Claus not conforming to the standard housekeeping stereotype and having a talent separate from Santa, who is also portrayed in various nontypical ways, including being a woman.

Some of my favorites in this volume: "Wight Christmas," the spooky "The Asylum Musicale," "Christmas Magic," "Unexpected Guests," "Shouldering the Burden," "Captain Lizzy and the Stranger in the Fog," and "Red to Hide the Blood."

If you love Christmas, fantasy stories, and strong women characters, this is just the book for you. You'll never see images of Mrs. Claus in her apron with her wooden spoon in the same way ever again.

After a lifetime of images of a woman who didn’t do much but fatten up her husband and herself (must be the plate of cookies I always see her with), it was refreshing to read this Mrs. Claus anthology. Editor Rhonda Parrish performed well, giving readers many different types of females Clauses. These women are not merely takeoffs on the one we have always heard about, but imaginative stories that transform Mrs. Claus into someone else.

As with any themed collection of stories, most are entertaining, some are downright awesome, and a couple could have been left out of the book. Ms. Parrish has done well, packaging the book in a manner that I felt started and finished with some of the stronger stories. “Wight Christmas” by Laura VanArendonk Baugh set the bar high for the rest of the anthology, but enough stories reached those heights for me to say that this is definitely a book to tuck away with the rest of the Christmas media. “The Asylum Musicale” is a dark tale, one not usually associated with the season (but I did say there fwere imaginative offerings here and C. B. Calsing does a great job with this one). “Agatha Sings to the Scorpions” by Jeff Kuykendall offers a space-age, sci-fi aspect, and Hayley Stone’s “Red to Hide the Blood” contained bits of humor, horror, and whimsy. There are also some gems throughout the book, such as Randi Perrin’s “Moves Like Jagger.”

I can’t finish this review without a positive comment about the incredible cover art, the layout and design credited to Sarena Ulibarri. Without seeing anything else about the book except the cover I immediately decided to read this book. Christmas is a magical time, and the artwork conveys that feeling. Four stars for this creative collection.

My thanks to NetGalley and Broad Universe for an advance copy of this book.

Fun collection of short stories where Mrs. Claus.... actually gets to do more than sit around and bake cookies! I was afraid that having this character branch out would just mean she also bakes cakes, but I was quite wrong. Sometimes Santa is around, sometimes not. Different genres are represented. Obey one story did not appeal and I had to skip it. Obviously some are more enjoyable than others. Great fun holiday read!

A nice collection of stories where the heroine is Mrs. Claus.
A fast read with different settings and and plots but with the constant of a strong woman.