Donner is a Rein Dear and Calder is Cupid’s Dockalfar brother. No one trusts a Dockalfar, and Donner is in that camp at the beginning of the book. Calder is a total sweetheart. He doesn’t want to be evil and tries to do good whenever he can. It was a great little story about falling into the belief of stereotypes and not giving people chances. Donner and Calder were adorable together. It was great to see Donner see the heart inside Calder and eventually stand up for him. Great story thread between the books with Gunne. Looking forward to the big Wedding and to see Dasher charm the pants off the King.

I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by LesCourt Author Services ( )

Each year I look forward to another visit to North Pole City and Winter Wonderland. It’s a fascinating world that Charlie Cochet has created from a mixture of winter legends and stories, yet she has given it her very own “magical” touch that makes it really special. The North Pole is run like a modern company, the Rein Dear are a group of nine elite pilots in charge of the annual Big Flight, Mayor Kringle (the spirit of Christmas) is in charge, and the Frost family (spirits of winter of various talents) provides a hint of royalty and mystery in the neighboring Winter Wonderland. I do recommend you read these stories in order – they not only all build on each other, but they are also wonderful adventures and fun romances.

Cupid’s revelation that he is half Dockalfar, a dark elf, has resulted in one of his full Dockalfar brothers, Calder, to be allowed to train him in the use of dark magic. This creates all kinds of issues, since Dockalfar are sworn enemies of the Christmas elves and even though there has been a peace treaty for many years, having an actual dark elf in their midst is not easy for anyone from Jack Frost on down the entire hierarchy. Donner, one of the most “orderly” Rein Dear, makes sure his reputation is flawless at all times, so to see him tempted by Calder of all elves made me anticipate some great relationship fireworks. And I have to say, while there have been some unexpected pairings in this series, in fact all of them have been opposites in some way, this newest is the most unusual one so far.

Donner is hilarious in his righteousness and initial disdain for Calder. He is usually very calm and collected, but Calder infuriates him from the first time they met, and that was a big fat hint that something was going on right there.

Calder has battled his “evil” heritage all his life, and has stayed away from the truly bad stuff as much as he can. He is unusual in that regard, and has caught a lot of flak from his brothers and fellow dark elves, but he just doesn’t want to be bad. He has honor and wants to help, and he hates being stereotyped. And when he meets Donner, his determination to woo the gorgeous Christmas elf makes Calder redouble his efforts to show that he is a good guy.

Donner and Calder don’t have it easy. Even when Donner’s heart begins to thaw, there are many others who judge Calder by who he seems to be. There are quite a few obstacles, scary moments, and a surprise appearance of an old villain – lots of danger Donner and Calder have to face before they can have their happy ending.

If you like this fantasy world of Christmas and other magic, if you believe that opposites can – and do – attract, and if you're looking for a read that contains danger, the fight against prejudice, romance, and comes with a few shocks and surprises, then you will probably like this latest novella in this magical series.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. ( )