Mistletoe Promise

Mistletoe Promise

In the picturesque New England town of Holly Creek, Christmas cheer is a commodity Ben Carter can no longer afford. Two years after losing his wife, Amelia, Ben is barely holding his life together, haunted by grief and the specter of bankruptcy. The bank has given him until January 1st to save The Daily Crumb, the beloved family bakery and his daughter's only sanctuary. Ben has one shot at a miracle: a massive town event that needs his space, but it requires a guaranteed payment he can't depend on.

Enter Clara Kincaid, the town's new, relentlessly optimistic Winter Jubilee coordinator. Clara is a whirlwind of color, energy, and relentless holiday spirit, a direct contrast to Ben's gray, cynical world. She sees the bakery not as an "authentic disaster," but as the heart of the community. As Ben and Clara reluctantly partner, their forced proximity-long, flour-dusted nights, shared cups of cocoa, and the chaos of edible glitter-sparks an undeniable connection that challenges Ben's belief in anything good.

But when budget cuts and town politics threaten to collapse Clara's event and Ben's lifeline, Ben pushes her away, convinced that hope is just a setup for disappointment. Facing a lonely Christmas and a final eviction notice, Ben must confront his own frozen heart.

To save the bakery and the woman who taught him how to hope again, Ben must trade his cynicism for a grand, public gesture that proves that sometimes, the most unexpected miracles happen right when you need them most-under a simple mistletoe arch, where a promise is made and a second chance at love begins.

Ethan Ross is a versatile and prolific author who refuses to be confined to a single genre. While he is acclaimed for his bone-chilling holiday horror, such as the terrifying Santa's Slay List and the short story collections like The December Dark, he demonstrates mastery across the literary spectrum.

In addition to crafting relentless tales of winter dread and forgotten folklore, Ross also writes romance that explores the complexities of human connection, high-stakes thrillers that keep readers on the edge of their seats, and many other genres, proving his capacity to engage audiences with a wide array of narrative styles and emotional depths. His diverse body of work showcases a broad storytelling range that promises something for every type of reader.