A Bad Girl's Rules For A Beary Merry Christmas

by Heather K. Carson

As if coming home for Christmas—jobless and broke—wasn’t bad enough, I’m still a magic-less human in a small mountain town full of paranormal creatures, without even a tail to tuck between my legs.

I can’t let anyone know about my bad luck.
My family is great, but I hate being treated like I’m made of glass.
If they find out, I’ll have an army of dragons and witches coming to save the day.

That’s just my relatives.
Don’t even get me started on the bear shifters.
On him.

Dakota. The bear who stole my heart when I was young, and crushed it before I escaped this town. He’s handsome. Obnoxious. Grumpy. And just as possessive as every other shifter I know.

I’m grown enough to see him without stirring up these old feelings...

So why does the sight of him rushing to help in a snowstorm bring me right back to the girl who wished she was good enough to stay?

You know what?
Screw it.

I’m not the same woman that left here years ago, and I’m tired of always being the good little human.
It’s one Christmas.
No strings.
No tinsel to tie me down.
One week of frolicking in the past, and then I'll be on my way.

After everything I went through, maybe it won’t hurt to be a little naughty this year.

I did it once. I'm sure I'll be able to leave this small, supernatural town again.
This time, I plan to keep my fragile human heart intact when I go.

Unless fate has other plans…




Author’s
Harper, our FMC, is a side character from the Sulfur & Spice series. If you’ve read that trilogy, you’ll know that Harper needed her own HEA. But this book is a complete spicy standalone novella of rom-com PNR festive holiday fun, and you don't need to read anything else to enjoy it.


Spicy M/FHoliday RomanceSecond ChanceFated MatesGrumpy Bear Goes Cinnamon Roll for HerBig Family ChaosChristmas & Yule MagicBite-sized Novella

154 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 6, 2026

About the author

Heather K. Carson is the mother of two feral little boys by day and published author by night. When she isn't working on a new book or refereeing a wrestling match, she's covered in mud from playing in the garden or dancing around the kitchen and whipping up enough food to feed the monsters she created.

In her paranormal romance books, you'll find world building twists, lovable side characters, beastly males, and strong female leads who like to shake things up.

Heather currently resides in the Pacific Northwest and spends whatever free time she gets by running away to the mountains with her equally exhausted husband and the best chocolate lab in the whole world.

Find out more and sign up for her mailing list to get some bonus content @ www.heatherkcarson.com

Reviews

[Shyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎄Advanced readers review 🐻

First off you just can’t go wrong with any of Heathers books she always gives her all to the characters she’s writing. Even with this one being a short story giving us a HEA to a sweet young girl in the Sulfur and Spice Trilogy.

Heather brings Harper back home for Christmas after being away at school and trying to make it on her own. Back to low and behold her mate, one of the sweetest fun loving twins Dakota.

Dakota is all grown up, but so is Nora and these two are going to have to over come their past to get to their future. This one is short but full of surprises and nothing but best kind of push and pull between the characters.

Now I’m normally not a fan of holiday books. BUT I loved this sweet 2nd chance story. Plus I got to read about characters from some of my favorites and meet some new characters that I absolutely loved and truly hope Heather brings their story to life next. Whether it’s short or long I just want more. 🖤

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect quick read. Things I loved - holiday setting, second chance, shifters, and fate. Next generation is not usually my favorite but this hit all the spots and felt fresh and exciting. The tension between Harper and Dakota was a page turner. She’s a human amongst supernaturals and it’s taken a long time for her to find her place. He’s grumpy and I love it.

Overall, I loved this book and it made me want to read more of Heather’s work.