It's that glorious time of year when everyone whispers sweet nothings in Santa's ear, hoping for a little extra something in their Christmas stocking. Fictional characters are no different.
So this is what I posed to my writer friends:
One of your characters is sitting on Santa's lap, and whispers something in Santa's ear. Who is it, and what did they say to ole Saint Nick?
I bet you can't wait to hear what they said!
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Angela Quarles -- Lord Montagu, from Must Love Breeches: "My new wife has been naughty, and I couldn't be happier."
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Patricia Preston -- Good morning, Santa. My name is Rafe Cochrane, privateer and adventurer at your service. I think I’ve been very good this year. I showed up in To Save A Lady just in time to help my old friend, Captain Jesse Cross, be a hero. However, at the end of To Save A Lady, I am stuck in jail thanks to a haughty French redhead, Simone d’Clairmont, who thinks I’m wretched. I want her to grovel at my feet. I want her to beg for my forgiveness. I want her period. No, wait, strike all that. I need to get out of jail first. I want a get-out-of-jail free card. Yes! A get-out-of-jail free card from Santa. We’ll see what Madame d’Clairmont says about that!
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Samantha Hunter -- If pastry-chef Calla Michaels ("Holiday Rush" in the Harlequin Blaze Wild Holiday Nights Anthology), was sitting on Santa's lap, I bet she'd ask for a hot hero to come along and distract her from all of her holiday stress... hey, wait, that's exactly what she gets!
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Kayelle Allen -- My character is four-year-old Christine, from A Romance for Christmas. She whispers into Santa's ear, "Can you bring my mommy something to make her not so sad? My daddy went to heaven last year right 'fore Chribmas, and she misses him. It's okay if it's not a big present. We don't has a real tree. It's a paper one taped to the wall, but you can leave it in the kitchen. She'll find it. She's in there a lot. It's okay if you don't bring me toys. I just want momma to be happy again. But, if you have room for one thing, I'd like a Barbie."
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A. S. Fenichel -- Lady Belinda Clayton from Ascension (The Demon Hunters #1):
"Demons are taking over London and I'm here to protect you."
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S. J. Maylee -- Jane Shavers from In the Blind sat down on Santa’s lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Santa, I’ve already received the perfect present this year, but there is one more thing I’d love and it’s a silky black blindfold. I still love how Rob ties me up, but I have a hankering for some sexy blind fun.” She kissed his blushing cheek and giggled as she left.
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Silver James -- Okay, Abhean, the Fae Harper, in Faerie Fate, who refuses to sit in Santa's lap because two magical beings getting friendly like that is just...well, Abhean won't do it, not even to get his wish. But he will stand beside Santa's chair, lean over to whisper in Santa's ear, and in his lovely Irish brogue says, "From one magical being to another, Santa, I have but one wish this Christmas--that the lovely Gwyn will leave that bloody shite of a fiance and marry me instead."
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Mariam Kobras -- Jon Stone, the world-famous singer-songwriter from The Stone Series. and he’d whisper, “Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas is a girl to love me and be true to me forever. And the best guitar anyone in the world can build. Since we’re at it though… I’d also like one of the meatloaves my mom used to make for us when I was a kid.”
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Carrie Spencer -- Marian Sherwood, from Stolen Kisses: "Your disguise is perfect, Rhys. No one will ever guess you're hiding from the cops in that outfit." Slap. "Unless you keep putting your hands on my ass - then you will get on the naughty list!"
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Katherine Bone -- Lady Constance, Duchess of Blendingham, sits before Santa on a settee. "Dearest Santa, while I adore celebrating the yule, it would be highly improper for me to sit on your lap." She leans forward and whispers, "Percy simply wouldn't allow it."
Santa looks around for Percy. "The duke isn't here, is he?"
"I'm afraid so. We'll have to be fast because I do have one Christmas wish I dearly want to share with you."
"Just one?" Santa smiles, nods, and accepts a cup of tea while eyeing the delicious looking tarts cook prepared. He then urges one of his elves to keep a watchful eye on the door.
"Well... that is to say... I realize he's been on your naughty list, but Captain Henry Guffald has a hoyden aboard the Dragon."
Santa crinkles his brow. "A hoyden? Are you sure?" he asks, pulling out his list and checking it twice.
"Yes. Quite serious. You see, Henry saved my life and it's only fitting that I look out for his well-being. With that said, I should like it very much if you could intervene on his behalf ~ help him catch his prize, if you will."
"Where is he now?" Footsteps click on the marble foyer. Santa rises and whispers to his elf to grab a few tartlettes. "Quickly. How shall I find him?" He heads to the chimney.
"He's on a mission to the Celtic Sea. Do hurry, Santa, before Henry becomes The Rogue's Prize!"
Santa shares a conspiratorial wink and heads up the chimney.
Percy strides into the parlor and searches the room. "Why do I smell reindeer, my gel?"
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Me -- Luke, from the Seasons of Love series: "Okay, Santa, here's the story. I told Mia what I asked you for this Christmas, and she's convinced it made you faint. *checks Santa's vitals again* But I said you asked me to repeat it. So that's what we're going with, okay, buddy? Here's a treat--oh, wait. Those are the ones I give Hellboy."
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Lorraine Paton -- Annie Bingley (from Annie's Christmas Plan) would adjust her red felt hat, bite her bottom lip, and then lean over to whisper in Santa's ear, "I hope your wife doesn't mind too much when people call me by her name."
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I ho ho hope you found these as fun as I did. In fact, it's been so much fun, I'm planning on doing this every month, with different holidays. Heck, even if there isn't a holiday, we'll find one, so even more characters will have a chance to share the spotlight.
Thanks for stopping by, and hope Santa makes all your wishes come true this year!