Operation Reindeer Retrieval Series by Viola Grace

Dasher gains life as a human, but she is missing a connection. She wants a mate and is willing to do whatever it takes to find one. One of nine reindeer that pulls Santa’s sleigh, Dasher wants nothing more than to find a partner, a mate, someone to be with. With the restrictions in the workshop, she has only one choice—she goes to the human world and starts trying men on for size. The down side to mating with a human is that they don’t remember her the following day... moreDasher gains life as a human, but she is missing a connection. She wants a mate and is willing to do whatever it takes to find one. One of nine reindeer that pulls Santa’s sleigh, Dasher wants nothing more than to find a partner, a mate, someone to be with. With the restrictions in the workshop, she has only one choice—she goes to the human world and starts trying men on for size. The down side to mating with a human is that they don’t remember her the following day. The depressing point is that none of them have the stamina to keep up with her and there are no second chances. Every time is the first time with a human. When she is assigned to a shop that needs an emergency audit, she enjoys the thrill of digging through the messy paperwork, and she has plans for the proprietor. One time might be enough if it was with him. Argus has been sent to bring back a reindeer, but the woman with smouldering dark eyes is more than he was banking on. She seems nice, but he wants her naughty. Excerpt: Ru calmly walked another stack of files to the cabinet and slowly sorted through it as she sought the alphabetical corollary. Her band and the bands of her siblings rattled on her arms under her sleeves. It made it hard to concentrate. For the last two months, she had managed to keep management at bay while her sisters were out in the human world. It was her job to be the decoy, as she was the only one who was bound to Santa’s sleigh. With the way the bands were buzzing, it was likely that someone wanted to do a briefing regarding this year’s path through the changing global weather patterns. Ru promised herself that she would ignore them until it wasn’t possible. Unfortunately, she knew that that particular moment was here. She could hear footsteps in the archive. There were never footsteps that didn’t belong to a reindeer in the nice and naughty list archive. There was only one reason for someone to make their way into the territory of the team—Santa wanted an audience. “Hello? Where is everyone?” Ru whistled sharply. The footfalls headed her way. She kept filing. It was what the reindeer did during the off-season. They were confined to the archive and did all the paperwork for the previous season. It was terminally boring and the reason for the visit today. She could feel the presence of the elf behind her. “Where are the others?” Ru continued to file the verifications of the fulfillment of the nice or naughty requirements. “Rudolph. Where are the others?” Administrator Rin wasn’t shrill, but he wasn’t completely calm. She turned when she finished her batch and looked at him with her hands folded in front of her. “What others?” He lifted his monitor—the flat display that told him where the reindeer were at any given time. Rudolph’s glow was red; the others were gold. She shrugged. “He is going to hear about this.” She shrugged again. “Come with me.” That was surprising. “Leave the archive?” “And the stables. Santa needs to know about this.” Ru walked with him to the upper level and through the crystalline gateway that normally blocked her progress. With Rin’s hand on her shoulder, she slid through the gateway and into the main hall. Santa was sitting with his mail and flipping through the letters that the elves had selected for special consideration. Rin cleared his throat. “Boss, I have Rudolph for you.” Santa looked up, his pretty elven features glowing brightly in the reflected light of his crystal palace. less

Dancer craves social interaction, so when she takes the chance to run, she heads to the mall. Dancer joined the exodus from the workshop in a chance to experience life and possibly love. She focuses on life and finds herself working in a mall as a security guard. Watching humans in their preparations for Christmas gives her a feeling of purpose and renews her energy for the holiday. A new photographer at Santa’s Grotto gains a crowd and Dancer’s admiration... moreDancer craves social interaction, so when she takes the chance to run, she heads to the mall. Dancer joined the exodus from the workshop in a chance to experience life and possibly love. She focuses on life and finds herself working in a mall as a security guard. Watching humans in their preparations for Christmas gives her a feeling of purpose and renews her energy for the holiday. A new photographer at Santa’s Grotto gains a crowd and Dancer’s admiration. He handles children with skill and coaxes smiles out of the most recalcitrant little ones. Dancer catches his eye, and she acknowledges the mutual attraction. A bit of light flirting and fending off attackers creates a bond that definitely embodies the spirit of giving. less

Prancer loves big machines, and what gets a person in the mood for Christmas like a snow plow? Prancer has no problem with her place on the team, but she wants to experience some of the wonderful new vehicles she has been seeing every Christmas Eve. When she enters the human world, she assigns herself to drive a snow plow. It is everything she wants at a safe distance from any and all human interference. She wants to watch them, not be among them... morePrancer loves big machines, and what gets a person in the mood for Christmas like a snow plow? Prancer has no problem with her place on the team, but she wants to experience some of the wonderful new vehicles she has been seeing every Christmas Eve. When she enters the human world, she assigns herself to drive a snow plow. It is everything she wants at a safe distance from any and all human interference. She wants to watch them, not be among them. It worked out well for her until the night she hit the snowman on the side of the road, and it was occupied. Merkoss thought he was on his way to intercepting one of the reindeer with a few weeks to go. He leaves the workshop and ends up encased in a snowman, moving through time as well as space. After being struck by the snow plow, he finds himself facing his target, but he only has twenty-four hours to convince her that she should return to the workshop. Time is of the essence. Excerpt: Prancer opened the small box and took out the snowflake. “So, what do I do with it?” Ru smiled. “It is how the elves meld with the human world. I am pretty sure you can manage it, Prancer.” “Penny. Call me Penny.” Ru nodded. “Righto. Penny it is.” “How much time do I have?” “Well, it is eight weeks until Christmas, so keep track of the day, and on the twenty-third, head home.” Penny nodded. “I can hardly wait to feel what it is like to be alone in the human world.” Ru grinned. “Then, stop talking and get going. The sooner you are on your way, the sooner you can begin your new experiences.” Penny nodded and pressed the concentrated magical snowflake between her breasts. In a moment, she went from the workshop to the human world, and she was standing in front of a huge machine. Her eyes went wide and someone called out, “Rancer! Get your ass in that machine. The highways aren’t going to clear themselves.” With a grin, she climbed the ladder and situated herself in the cab, the magic of the snowflake told her what she needed to do and her spirit of adventure started up the monster under her. When it warmed up, she checked her maps and rumbled forward, out of the yard and into the sea of white. Between her map, her compass and her GPS, she got on the highway, put the blade down and started plowing. less

Teaching the visitors about the holiday stars is fun until a man who burns brighter than the sun enters Vixen’s orbit. Vixen chooses life with astronomy, and she ends up as an educator and a researcher for a tiny observatory struggling to make ends meet. When Vi arrives, she makes an impression and takes over most of the day-to-day operations, which is fine until an elf comes calling... moreTeaching the visitors about the holiday stars is fun until a man who burns brighter than the sun enters Vixen’s orbit. Vixen chooses life with astronomy, and she ends up as an educator and a researcher for a tiny observatory struggling to make ends meet. When Vi arrives, she makes an impression and takes over most of the day-to-day operations, which is fine until an elf comes calling. Xander has been sent to bring Vixen home, but he doesn’t know how he will go about convincing her that it is a good idea, until he asks her out and she tells him what she wants. Magic and wonder are the hallmarks of Christmas, and these two have it in spades. less

Comet is content to relive the past, but meeting Salk gives her a glimpse into the future, and she might just let go of regrets. Comet is five hundred years old by human standards of linear time, but in her mind, she is the same young woman taken out of the Middle Ages by Santa. Being pulled out of her time to become one of the Christmas reindeer had been harsh but better than being stoned or hung as a witch. Her foray away from the workshop takes her to a modern past, a Ren Faire... moreComet is content to relive the past, but meeting Salk gives her a glimpse into the future, and she might just let go of regrets. Comet is five hundred years old by human standards of linear time, but in her mind, she is the same young woman taken out of the Middle Ages by Santa. Being pulled out of her time to become one of the Christmas reindeer had been harsh but better than being stoned or hung as a witch. Her foray away from the workshop takes her to a modern past, a Ren Faire. The clothing and traditions are familiar, and she spends time grieving for a family lost many Christmases ago. Salk is a coal elf of the naughty-or-nice department. His job has been to find those who are definitely naughty and punish them. He never imagined that he would find a reindeer who needs his nice side more than anything else. less

Cupid takes a position managing a stressed-out crew at Christmas, and she finds a lawyer with an interest in her stockings. Cupid launched herself into organizing a branch of Legal Aid only to meet a handsome lawyer who sends her senses into disarray. Watching the families who needed help and those who were paid to help them was an education. No one stayed unless they had a feel for the job and all of those working with her want nothing more than relief of stress for their clients... moreCupid takes a position managing a stressed-out crew at Christmas, and she finds a lawyer with an interest in her stockings. Cupid launched herself into organizing a branch of Legal Aid only to meet a handsome lawyer who sends her senses into disarray. Watching the families who needed help and those who were paid to help them was an education. No one stayed unless they had a feel for the job and all of those working with her want nothing more than relief of stress for their clients. When Tyr arrives as holiday relief, he sweeps through their caseload like magic. His interest in late-night takeout and casual chatter are enough to catch and keep her attention, but when she realizes who and what he is, her holiday season goes from snowbound to hot. less

Donder is a holiday designer asked to spruce up a pleasure club, and the Master is interested in more than her designs. Doni is having fun during the weeks before the holidays. She has never enjoyed herself more. After a variety of successful jobs, her boss sheepishly asks her to take on one more client before the holidays strike. The private club caters to those with an adventurous bent and the money to ensure their privacy... moreDonder is a holiday designer asked to spruce up a pleasure club, and the Master is interested in more than her designs. Doni is having fun during the weeks before the holidays. She has never enjoyed herself more. After a variety of successful jobs, her boss sheepishly asks her to take on one more client before the holidays strike. The private club caters to those with an adventurous bent and the money to ensure their privacy. Doni needs to bring a little joy and sparkle to their themed rooms, and she dives into the project with enthusiasm. Bern has been watching for the reindeer to cross his path, but he never expected it to come in such an amazing form. Christmas has never looked more perfect. less

Blitzen enjoys fixing things, and the machines that make Christmas sweeter need attention, too. As Belinda Litzen, she is a one-woman repair shop catering to all the overworked bakeries in town. When a candy shop has a rolling machine down, she shows up to save the day and meets a candy maker who gives her a visual sugar rush. Rex has been waiting for his reindeer to show up, but the repairwoman was not what he had imagined... moreBlitzen enjoys fixing things, and the machines that make Christmas sweeter need attention, too. As Belinda Litzen, she is a one-woman repair shop catering to all the overworked bakeries in town. When a candy shop has a rolling machine down, she shows up to save the day and meets a candy maker who gives her a visual sugar rush. Rex has been waiting for his reindeer to show up, but the repairwoman was not what he had imagined. Instead of brown, she was golden, and instead of shy, she met his gaze head-on. She is his first reindeer, and he is her first wolf. less

With Rudolph facing off against Santa, Christmas is on the line, along with her freedom. Ru was born in a forest and soon recruited by Santa. He wanted her to help harness the remains of long-dead deities. Christmas is coming into fashion in the human world and that is a lot of energy to take advantage of. He moves her back in time, and together, they build the workshop. Ru has one problem. Santa tricked her and locked the collar around her neck... moreWith Rudolph facing off against Santa, Christmas is on the line, along with her freedom. Ru was born in a forest and soon recruited by Santa. He wanted her to help harness the remains of long-dead deities. Christmas is coming into fashion in the human world and that is a lot of energy to take advantage of. He moves her back in time, and together, they build the workshop. Ru has one problem. Santa tricked her and locked the collar around her neck. Her other forms are no longer hers to command, and without them, she can’t be whole. It has taken her over a thousand years, but she finally has a way to claim her freedom, and if Santa cooperates, Christmas won’t be hurt. less