Court of the Yuletide Fae, Book Three
Lord Snow, better known as the Krampus, doesn’t have time for distractions. With his best friend, the Yule Cat, banished to the mortal realm and coming dangerously close to exile himself, he needs to get back in the Winter Queen’s good graces and return to his duties as the Lord of Endless Snow. Exile soon becomes the least of Snow’s worries after he meets Spring.
Spring Broeker loves a challenge, and the enormous man in the extremely fine suit that she meets on Valentine’s Day has whetted her appetite for more than the sweets offered at the Yuletide Bakery. After too many disappointments looking for a life partner, she’s only hoping for some fun, but the more she digs through Snow’s cold exterior to his warm heart, the more her own is on the line.
Torn between his desire for power and control and the warmth of Spring’s love threatening to melt the coldest of Yuletide hearts, Snow has to decide whether he is willing to fight against the threat of Jack Frost taking his place or surrender to Spring’s gentle touch. Can the love of a human woman melt the heart of the fierce Krampus, or will this Valentine’s Day become just another disappointment for a woman with a big heart?
Main Content: Approximately 31,340 words, 155 (5.5 x 8.5) pages
Series Trailer:
Excerpt:
“Everybody’s so in love with spring,” Snow murmured. “I don’t get it. It’s just a season. Has a lot of flowers. So what?”
“Wow, were you born that cynical, or has life just been too hard on you?”
Spring made sure that she was standing in the perfect pose to catch his attention when he turned. Arms crossed over her chest to plump her breasts, one hip stuck out at a cocky, yet alluring angle. She plastered her best ‘I know a secret you don’t know’ smirk on her face and waited to assess his reaction. This one wouldn’t be an easy conquest.
“Excuse me?” he said, looming over her.
The shirt beneath his jacket and vest was such a dark blue, it was nearly black. His midnight blue tie caught the light and sparkled almost like there were diamonds or stars woven into the fabric.
“Do you think you intimidate me just because you’re huge?” She shook her head, stepping closer. “The bigger they are, the harder they fall.” Her smirk deepened as she leaned close, daring to run a fingertip over the lapel of his suit. “Besides, I’m a size queen.”
“What does that even…” He shook his head, but she noticed him intently studying her again. He didn’t seem to know what to make of her. Finally he took in a deep breath and said, “It’s bad manners to listen in on other people’s conversations.”
Running to the rules for a rescue? She could work with that. She lifted his tie, delighting in the silken texture and mesmerized by the starlike pattern that seemed to dance and weave among the fibers. Looking up at him, she gave it a bit of a tug, then let the fabric slip through her fingers.
“Well, if you think I’ve been naughty, you’re welcome to spank me,” she said.
His eyebrows shot up and his mouth dropped open. It wasn’t quite the reaction she had expected or hoped for, but it was definitely entertaining. The way she figured it, either he would take her up on her offer, and they would have a grand time together, or he’d be intrigued enough to ask her out maybe.
Of course, there was the chance he’d be offended and storm off. That would be a helpful reaction, too. If he couldn’t laugh at himself or let loose and have a little fun, there was no way she would want to start something with him. Deep down, she had a feeling he was a softy, though. And the idea of unraveling that tightly wound exterior was an irresistible challenge.
“But you’re the one being rude and badmouthing spring,” she said.
“What the hell do you care what I think of it?” he said.
“Well, for one, it’s a glorious season, full of hope and promise.”
He crossed his arms over his truly massive chest. “And allergens.”
“And bunnies.”
“Aha,” he said, pointing a finger at her as he towered over her. “Winter has bunnies, too.”
“But those are cold bunnies.” She stepped closer, and pushed her mouth into just enough of a pout to draw his attention to her lips. “Don’t you want the bunnies to be warm?”
“I don’t…” He blinked a few times, his voice trailing off as he stared at her mouth. “Wait, what?”
He was even cuter when he was flustered. His glance actually dropped to her cleavage briefly, his eyebrows pulling more tightly together over his eyes.
Oh, this guy would be really fun. That much passion crammed into such an amazing package. She wanted to be the one to loosen the hinges and watch it fly everywhere.
“I don’t care if spring ever comes.” He said each word forcefully, again stepping closer. The lapels of his very expensive suit brushed against her chest.
She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. In a low voice that had him leaning closer to hear her, she said, “Then you are never taking me to dinner.”
“Why would I want too?” he said, his voice exasperated.
She arched an eyebrow at him and cocked her head to the side, pouting her lips. A muscle in his jaw started to twitch as she let the silence stretch on.
“And why can’t I?” he finally demanded.
She ran her fingertips under the lapels of his suit, smoothing them, then brushed her hand down along his tie with just enough pressure to tantalize him.
“Well, that’s the other reason I care what you think of this particular season,” she said. She lifted his tie, then used it to pull him closer as she rose on her tip-toes. With her lips a breath away from his ear, she whispered, “Because my name is Spring.”