When the Christmas
Heart Glows
by J.P. SHEERAN
There are two things Ben Schumacher can happily live without: sex and Christmas.
All Ben wants for Christmas is to be left alone (and maybe to snuggle by a fireplace with a cute guy). He is sick of the holiday season with its real Christmas trees, whimsical traditions, and overall cheer.
The Heart
Troubled by Ben's lack of Christmas cheer, a mysterious (and frankly creepy) old man gifts him with a glass heart that glows when the beholder is full of Christmas spirit. Its light extinguishes as it falls into Ben's hand. He's soon offered a challenge to make the heart glow before Christmas. A challenge he ignores. He has better things to do than save Christmas. Like snuggling with a cute prince.
The Prince
As the Christmas season begins, he's dragged to the quaint county of Mistelvia to visit his cousin, Julianna, who just happened to marry to a prince. On his first night at the palace, he run into Nikolas, a scruffy book nerd and Julianna's brother-in-law. Last Christmas, the two bonded at Julianna's wedding and became friends. Now both single, it seems like Ben will get his wish to snuggle with a cute guy; however, merry misfortunes throw a wrench into his plans as Christmas is attacked by a mysterious spirit known as Grumpus. And the only way to stop this malevolent force of Christmas mayhem is for Ben spread a little holiday cheer.
Because Grumpus only goes when the Christmas Heart glows.
Full Content Warning:
Explicit language, Open-door sex scenes (infrequent & awkward), Brief mention of past homophobic bullying, Aphobia, Ableism, Fatphobia, Internalized & unintentional bi-erasure, Brief mentions of sexual coercion and sexism, Alcohol use and alcohol consumption coercion, Partner lying about asexuality, Brief mentions of Catholicism, Mention of perceived poisoning, Mention of fighting wild animals for sport, Arranged marriage, Pedestrian-vehicle accident Injuries and hospital stay, Violence in self defense against mythical creature
Cover Illustration by J.P. Sheeran
Cover Typography by Michelle Foster