The Santa Ceremony

In the town of Northern Pines, tucked into the forests of the Pacific Northwest, a tradition, commanded by the very gods and goddesses the town’s founders believed in, takes place each holiday season. An older man is chosen to play Santa in the Christmas parade, while a far younger woman becomes his Mrs. Claus. They ride through town on Santa’s sleigh before taking part in the far more secretive Santa Ceremony, one in which Santa will sire a child with his missus.

At fifty-seven, Seth McClintock has been happy enough to run his hardware store while healing his wounds from his wife’s death. When he’s asked to play Santa, it’s obligation that has him considering it. But when he finds out the beautiful Elena Barnes is being offered up as Mrs. Claus, desire takes over.

Elena, nineteen, in college, and still getting over her boyfriend’s betrayal, never expected to play Mrs. Claus in a tradition well over a hundred years old. It’s only because of the expectations of her parents and the town itself that she says yes, even if it means she’ll be carrying Seth’s child.

While the annual ceremony’s intention is simple, to birth a new citizen for Northern Pines and bring the town continued prosperity, Elena and Seth soon develop feelings for one another and yearn for a relationship they know is forbidden. Can they push beyond expectations? Or will they succumb to outdated beliefs and their massive age gap and give up on love?

The Santa Ceremony is a steamy, forbidden, holiday age-gap romance with pregnancy and a guaranteed HEA. It’s novella length, approximately 40k words.