by Zoe Chant
A note from Zoe Chant
Thank you for buying my book! I hope you enjoyed it. If you’d like to be emailed when I release my next book, please click here to be added to my mailing list. You can also visit my webpage, or follow me on Facebook or Twitter.
Please consider reviewing The Bear Comes Home For Christmas, even if you only write a line or two. I appreciate all reviews, whether positive or negative.
Page down to read a special sneak preview of The Dragon’s Christmas Mate.
The cover of The Bear Comes Home For Christmas was designed by Isabelle Arden.
More Paranormal Romance by Zoe Chant
Lawman Lion. (Cedar Hill Lions #1). A sexy lion shifter sheriff + an independent BBW who runs a diner + trouble with a local gang = one red-hot romance that will leave you breathless!
Guardian Lion. (Cedar Hill Lions #2). A curvy, confident accountant + a sexy lion shifter bodyguard sworn to protect her + a terrifying kidnap attempt = one roaring romance!
The Lion’s Hunt. A curvy woman who longs for adventure + a daring lion shifter on a dangerous mission + evil experiments in a secret lab = one action-packed romance!
The Snow Leopard’s Mate. A curvy waitress longing for a better life + a lonely lumberjack snow leopard shifter + a wild night that will change their lives = one sweet and steamy romance!
Firefighter Dragon. (Fire & Rescue Shifters # 1). A curvy archaeologist with the find of a lifetime + a firefighter dragon shifter battling his instincts + a priceless artifact coveted by a ruthless rival = one blazing hot adventure!
Firefighter Pegasus. (Fire & Rescue Shifters # 2). A curvy pilot wary of flighty men + a firefighter pegasus shifter determined to win her heart + a high speed air race with even higher stakes = one explosive romance!
The Jaguar’s Beach Bride. (Shifters of Coral Beach #1). A BBW shop owner in a bind + a sexy jaguar shifter returned to town + the threat of a ruthless loan shark = a love story that will be sure to make a wave!
Bear Cop. (Enforcer Bears #1). A BBW baker with a troubled past + a protective bear shifter cop with a secret of his own + an accident that leaves them stranded in the wilderness = one untamed romance!
Hunter Bear. (Enforcer Bears #2). A BBW artist who fears she's lost her muse + a scarred, reclusive bear shifter hunting danger + a mysterious treasure map = one adventurous romance!
The Easter Bunny's Bear. A BBW bunny shifter with a pony farm + a lonely bear shifter hunting a dangerous werewolf + a criminal werewolf pack causing trouble = one steamy springtime romance!
Alpha Bear Detective. A brave woman in deadly danger + a bear shifter police detective who will protect her with his life + a frightening foe = one thrilling romance!
Tropical Tiger Spy. (Shifting Sands Resort #1). A unique shifter in search of her past + a tiger shifter spy on an undercover mission + a shifters-only resort with secrets to hide = a dangerous and thrilling romantic adventure
Trusting the Tiger. A lonely BBW who can't shift, on vacation with her shifter family + a billionaire tiger shifter looking for a family + a kidnapping plot that threatens to rip them apart = one sexy and dangerous weekend getaway!
Bear With Me. A lonely bear shifter + a workaholic conservationist + a sudden storm = one wet and wild mountain adventure!
Sheriff Bear. (Bears of Pinerock County # 1). A small-town sheriff + a wrongly accused BBW on the run + deadly enemies and dangerous passions = a sizzling forbidden love!
Bad Boy Bear. (Bears of Pinerock County # 2). Biker bear on the open road + BBW runaway-bride hitchhiker + evil motorcycle gang = an unforgettable red-hot road trip!
Alpha Rancher Bear. (Bears of Pinerock County # 3). A take-charge alpha with commitment issues + a midwife who's not about to give up control of her well-ordered life + a roadside winter disaster = an explosive romance that's about to blow up everything they both thought they wanted!
The Saber Tooth Tiger's Mate. A BBW recovering from a bad break-up + a sexy saber tooth tiger shifter + a sinister stalker and a deadly duel = one heart-pounding romance!
The Billionaire Dragon Shifter’s Mate. (Gray’s Hollow Dragon Shifters # 1) A BBW in search of adventure + a dragon shifter in search of a mate + a mishap on a mountainside = one sparkling and sexy story!
Beauty and the Billionaire Dragon Shifter. (Gray’s Hollow Dragon Shifters # 2) A BBW who's new in town + a dragon shifter who's new to being human + a very confused dog named Mouse = one sexy fairy tale romance!
Choosing the Billionaire Dragon Shifters. (Gray’s Hollow Dragon Shifters # 3) A BBW in a small town + twin dragon shifters in need of a mate to share + the most hotly contested mayoral election Gray's Hollow has ever seen = one sexy story that's a win/win/win!
The Billionaire Dragon Shifter's Baby. (Gray’s Hollow Dragon Shifters # 4) A curvy social worker in need of a break + a carefree dragon shifter + a baby dragon who needs her father = one hot and heartwarming romance!
Rescued by the Jaguar. A curvy Mexican billionaire whose money can't buy her love + a powerfully masculine American jaguar shifter firefighter + a world trying to tear these fated mates apart = one fiery romance!
Dancing Bearfoot. A single dad from the city + his daughter's BBW teacher + a surprise snow storm = a steamy story that will melt your heart.
Target: BillionBear. (Upson Downs # 1) A BBW artist + an amnesiac bear shifter + a mysterious murder plot = an explosive blockbuster romance!
A Werewolf’s Valentine. (Upson Downs # 2) A BBW cat shifter who's turned her back on love + a handsome werewolf stranger who comes to town + a very special Valentine's Day = a hot and heart-warming romance!
The Bear’s Christmas Bride. A BBW who's alone at Christmas + a lonely bear shifter searching for his mate + a crowded house full of relatives = a snowy yet sizzling holiday romance!
Alpha Lion. A frightened but determined BBW + a sexy lion shifter martial artist + a dangerous enemy = one unforgettable romance!
Hollywood Bear. (Hollywood Shifters # 1) A BBW stuntwoman + a movie director bear shifter + Hollywood hijinks = one blockbuster romance!
Hollywood Dragon. (Hollywood Shifters # 2) A BBW singer + a billionaire music mogul dragon shifter + shifter battles and sizzling passion = one blockbuster romance!
Hollywood Tiger. (Hollywood Shifters # 3) An investigator BBW + a hot maverick photojournalist tiger shifter + a sinister Hollywood studio = an explosive blockbuster romance!
Hollywood Shifters’ Christmas. (Hollywood Shifters # 4) Three hot Hollywood shifters+ three curvy mates = three holiday romances in one sizzling story!
Guarding His Honey. A BBW in danger + the hot bear shifter who'll do anything to protect her + a dangerous fight with the mafia = one thrilling romance!
Hero Bear. A wounded Marine who lost his bear + a BBW physical therapist with a secret + a small town full of gossips = a hot and healing romance!
In the Billionbear’s Den. A stressed-out BBW in need of a break + a sexy billionaire bear shifter in need of a mate to share his home + the remote woodland house he built himself = one steamy romance!
The Bear With No Name. A BBW park ranger + a sexy bear shifter with amnesia + a town that needs their help = one unforgettable romance!
Bearing Your Soul. A shy BBW who’s been burned by love + a sexy veteran bear shifter + a family code of silence = one sizzling hot romance that defies all odds!
The Billionaire Wolf Needs a Wife. A shy BBW teacher + a sexy billionaire wolf shifter + a mail-order bride company = a white-hot wedding!
Country Star Bear. BBW + country star bear shifter + a slippery night in New England = hot nights under the covers!
Honey for the Billionbear. BBW with a broken heart + mysterious billionaire bear shifter + an unexpected storm = one sweet and sexy story!
Loved by the Lion. BBW looking for a family + hot alpha lion shifter protecting his pride + a dangerous stalker = one sweet and steamy story!
And many more!
Zoe on Audio
Kodiak Moment – Audiobook - W
orkaholic wildlife photographer + loner bear shifter + Alaskan wilderness = one warming and sensual story.
Hero Bear - Audiobook - A wounded Marine who lost his bear + a BBW physical therapist with a secret + a small town full of gossips = a hot and healing romance!
If you love Zoe Chant, you’ll also love these books!
Laura’s Wolf (Werewolf Marines # 1), by Lia Silver. Werewolf Marine Roy Farrell, scarred in body and mind, thinks he has no future. Curvy con artist Laura Kaplan, running from danger and her own guilt, is desperate to escape her past. Together, they have all that they need to heal. A full-length novel.
Prisoner (Werewolf Marines # 2), by Lia Silver. Werewolf Marine DJ Torres is a born rebel. Genetically engineered assassin Echo was created to be a weapon. When DJ is captured by the agency that made Echo, the two misfits find that they fit together perfectly. A full-length novel.
Partner (Werewolf Marines # 3), by Lia Silver. DJ and Echo’s relationship grows stronger under fire… until they are confronted by a terrible choice. A full-length novel.
Mated to the Meerkat, by Lia Silver. Jasmine Jones, a curvy tabloid reporter, meets her match in notorious paparazzi and secret meerkat Chance Marcotte. A romantic comedy novelette.
The Christmas Tree Bear, by Rosie Lynne. Bear shifter Willis Barnett meets his fated match in Charlotte Caldwell when she hopes to earn extra money as Santa Helper’s on Willis’ family farm turned Christmas Tree Town for the holidays. A romantic comedy novella.
The Strength of the Pack, by Jorrie Spencer. Seth Kolski, a werewolf, hides his heritage and passes for normal. Until he meets Jamie. A full-length novel.
Taming the Beast, by Honey Dover. Beauty is a paranormal investigator hired to deal with a man cursed to become a monstrous beast. Helping him recover his humanity will change her life. A novelette.
Claimed by the Wolf, by Candi Jackson. Zenobia Jones ends up pregnant after a night with a billionaire—and lands herself in a war between werewolf packs. A full-length novel.
The Right Bear's Arms, by Nora Eli. After a sizzling one night stand with bear shifter Jake, curvy Katie realizes her perfect man is everything she's tried to avoid. If they can both stop running from their pasts, they may find a destined future together. A novelette.
Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, by Lauren Esker. Curvy farm girl Julie Capshaw was warned away from the wolf shifters next door, but Damon Wolfe is the motorcycle-riding, smoking hot alpha of her dreams. Can the big bad wolf and his sheep shifter find their own happy ending? A full-length novel.
Handcuffed to the Bear (Shifter Agents # 1), by Lauren Esker. A bear-shifter ex-mercenary and a curvy lynx shifter searching for her best friend's killer are handcuffed together and hunted in the wilderness. Can they learn to rely on each other before their pasts, and their pursuers, catch up with them? A full-length novel.
Guard Wolf (Shifter Agents # 2), by Lauren Esker. Avery is a lone werewolf with no pack; Nicole is a social worker trying to put her life back together. When he comes to her door with a box of orphan werewolf puppies and danger in pursuit, can two lonely people find the family they've been missing? A full-length novel.
Dragon’s Luck (Shifter Agents # 3) by Lauren Esker. Gecko shifter and infiltration expert Jen Cho teams up with sexy dragon-shifter gambler "Lucky" Lucado to win a high-stakes poker game. Now they're trapped on a cruise ship full of mobsters, mysterious enemy agents, and evil dragons! A full-length novel.
Discovering the Dragon, by Sofia Stone. When reporter Chloe Martin investigates Lancaster Gold, she finds herself tangled up with the oldest son—Isaac Lancaster, billionaire dragon shifter. A novelette.
The Dragon’s Christmas Mate
by Zoe Chant
Special Sneak Preview
Henrik had put on some Christmas carols and dragged huge boxes of Christmas decorations from the attic. Dara had clapped her hands in glee the first time she opened a box. She felt like a little child on Christmas morning all over again. Henrik’s family owned enough Christmas ornaments to decorate ten trees—or an entire castle.
And the ornaments were like nothing she’d ever seen before. The baubles sparkled and shone in the light. There were red balls and blue balls, bells in silver and gold, tiny figurines of spun glass, and wooden figures that looked hand-carved and painted. There was angel hair in all the colors of the rainbow, and enough lights to illuminate an entire forest.
“How about you choose a color scheme for this year, and I go and deal with… this?” Henrik gave her a rueful look from the tangle of cables that surrounded him. “Every time I tell myself I’ll be more careful when putting the lights away, and yet when winter arrives and I open the boxes, it’s turned into… this.”
Dara could barely hold back her laughter when she saw him wrangle a giant knot, loops of cables already encircling his body. “Careful, or we might just end up having to decorate you as our tree instead!”
Leaving Henrik to his task, she lifted another ornament from a box. This one was glass as well, carefully spun into the form of a small bird. Its translucent wings sparkled in the light. When she held it up, the pale colors of the glass intensified, its breast gleaming red, its feathers changing between blue and green and yellow.
“These are beautiful,” she said with admiration, and then carefully slipped the small loop of string over a branch of the tree.
The box held six birds, each as beautiful as the first, and all in slightly different colors. She put them all onto the tree while Henrik was still struggling with his tangled lights. Pleased, she watched the little birds sparkle.
“I know!” she then declared as she suddenly had a vision of the finished tree. “Where did you put the silver baubles?”
“Over there,” Henrik said, pointing to a box with hands illuminated by the gleaming fairy lights.
With new energy, Dara set to work.
“I came up with a perfect color scheme,” she declared, biting back a small smile as she sneaked glances at Henrik and his struggle. “Let’s see if you can guess the source of my inspiration when I’m done!”
“Knock yourself out,” Henrik called back, grimacing when he pulled on the lights and a new tangle formed immediately. “It hasn’t seen much use in years—and this is what it was meant for. It’ll be good to see it all out around the house again!”
Happily, Dara hummed along to the carols as she went through box after box, setting several of them aside. Silver baubles, gold baubles, gleaming crystal and translucent blues—soon she’d amassed an entire pile of boxes, and then she truly set to work.
Henrik had meanwhile untangled enough of the lights to decorate the tree with them. It was a large tree; Henrik had been forced to bring in a ladder so that they could decorate the highest branches as well. It filled the room with the comforting scent of fir needles while the fire crackled in the fireplace.
Dara breathed in deeply. They’d never had a real tree at home; it was too much work and too expensive, and there hadn’t been any space anyway. But now as she worked side by side with Henrik, the room filled by the scent of the forest and the warmth of the fire, she felt perfectly content. More than that: she felt at home.
She’d always dreamed of the perfect Christmas. And by all accounts, this was perfect: the cozy room, the giant tree, the hundreds of boxes of decorations at her disposal.
But that wasn’t actually what filled her with such quiet happiness.
She turned her head to watch Henrik begin to put up a string of lights by the fireplace. He wasn’t even looking at her—he was completely focused on his work. There was a small smile on his face, and he was softly humming along to the carols as well, his voice comforting and deep.
This was what made it all feel right. She didn’t feel like an outsider in a stranger’s place. They were working together, side by side, and it was as if with every move she made, every bauble she hung from the tree, the connection between them deepened.
And it wasn’t just the irresistible attraction she’d felt sin
ce she’d first seen Henrik. This went much deeper than the sex—even though that had been great.
When was the last time she’d felt such an instant understanding with someone?
“Do you need help with the sapphire ones?” Henrik asked from the fireplace.
Dara instinctively shook her head, then froze as his words registered. Doubtfully, she looked at the bauble in her hand. It was blue, studded with little bits of colored glass that broke the light, gleaming and sparkling whenever she turned it.
“What did you call these?” she asked, frowning a little as she ran the pad of her thumb along the sparkly glass.
“Those are sapphire—my grandmother’s favorites,” Henrik said, coming up to stand behind her. “I think they came from the hoard of a suitor of hers, a French duke. She rejected him in the end, but he had remarkably good taste.”
Dara made a non-committal sound, her knees suddenly weak. “You mean sapphire as in—the blue gems?”
Henrik nodded and took the bauble from her, holding it up to turn it critically, as though he was looking for flaws. “Nineteenth century. Really very beautiful. My grandmother would have been so pleased to see you choose these.”
“Oh,” Dara breathed, her eyes going to the large stash of boxes at her feet. With trembling hands, she picked up one of the gold baubles.
They’d felt strangely heavy when she hung them, but she’d thought the reason was that these were old—probably made from glass instead of plastic.
But she hadn’t thought—
“Now these are firmly twentieth century,” Henrik said promptly. “My dad’s favorite. He was quite old-fashioned in his ways—at least for a dragon. These are twenty-two karat gold. He always used to say that’s all a dragon needs to be happy.”
“Oh,” Dara said tonelessly, her eyes wide as she stared at the gleaming bauble in her hand.
If this was real gold, and the other baubles she’d hung were real, actual sapphires—then these were probably worth more than she’d earned in her life.