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Return of the Nutcracker Prince: A steamy historical holiday fantasy romance
What if the ballet was just the beginning?
The Nutcracker Prince is on a mission — to save the Land of Sweets from the power-hungry Mouse King. But when Prince Klaus turns to Clara, the mage from the Realm of Waking, he finds more than just a savior for his kingdom. He finds the girl from his past, all grown up — but she thinks that long-ago battle was all a dream.
Clara has been promised to a man she hates and can’t see a way out. When she comes face to face with the boy from her dreams, her world turns upside down. He's all grown up now, and he needs her help. She takes a leap of faith and joins Klaus in a daring adventure across the Realms. As they battle the Mouse King and his army, Klaus and Clara rekindle their connection and discover a love that might save them all.
Return to the Land of Sweets and Toys in this imaginative sequel to the Nutcracker Ballet!
Literary Titan Gold Award Winner, January 2024!
The Nutcracker Prince is on a mission — to save the Land of Sweets from the power-hungry Mouse King. But when Prince Klaus turns to Clara, the mage from the Realm of Waking, he finds more than just a savior for his kingdom. He finds the girl from his past, all grown up — but she thinks that long-ago battle was all a dream.
Clara has been promised to a man she hates and can’t see a way out. When she comes face to face with the boy from her dreams, her world turns upside down. He's all grown up now, and he needs her help. She takes a leap of faith and joins Klaus in a daring adventure across the Realms. As they battle the Mouse King and his army, Klaus and Clara rekindle their connection and discover a love that might save them all.
Return to the Land of Sweets and Toys in this imaginative sequel to the Nutcracker Ballet!
Literary Titan Gold Award Winner, January 2024!
- GenresChristmas
188 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 26, 2023
1 person is currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Jasmine C. Caldwell
14 books66 followersJasmine is a multi-award-winning author and a lover of all things romance. When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her baking or playing board games with her friends and family. She lives in Pennsylvania with her patient husband and too many books. Find her online at www.jasmineccaldwell.com
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 25, 2024
Return of the Nutcracker Prince by Jasmine C. Caldwell. 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄 Great story and spin on the classic Nutcracker story! Loved the story line. Finished it yesterday. Great way to spend Christmas Eve! Hoping y’all had a wonderful Christmas holiday! Merry Christmas! Hoping you are spending time with those you love and hold dear!
December 14, 2023
“Return of the Nutcracker Prince: A Steamy Historical Holiday Fantasy Romance” by Jasmine C. Caldwell is a magical holiday romance fairytale that begs the question, What if the ballet was just the beginning? We begin this finely-woven story with Clara waking from a dream she believes was sent by her magical godfather, Drosselmeyer, because it reminds her that he had sent her another dream when she was thirteen of a nutcracker falling from a magnificent tree in the ballroom.
In the dream, she was fighting her brother Fritz over the nutcracker, and its jaw became damaged. Dosselmeyer wrapped a bandage around it and it mysteriously healed, telling her the Nutcracker would never forget it. Another part of the dream, which is of great significance, is that Clara stands up to the human-size seven-head Mouse King, and then later, things begin to transform when she follows the nutcracker through a portal, and he becomes a flesh-and-blood prince named Klaus. But was this just a dream, or was it real life?
Caldwell has crafted an enchanting tale that will live in our imagination for a long time to come. She brings this cleverly conceived idea to life in much the same way a magician creates a good spell. The characters of Prince Klaus and Clara have such a compelling storyline that you are immersed from the start. He is determined to thwart the Mouse King’s plans and needs the mage Clara to do it, who is from the Realm of Waking. But besides rescuing his kingdom, he realizes she is the girl from his past, but she believes that battle was merely her dream.
The author’s style is reminiscent of the best fairytale adventures, and you find yourself rooting, nail-biting, and reading from the edge of your seat. The pacing is perfect, the dialogue advances the plot, and the ending is not to be missed. Some of this suspense, in addition to the battle, is character-driven, because Clara is supposed to be with Berengar, in a pre-arranged relationship, but she hates him and doesn’t think she can get out of it. But when Prince Klaus enters the picture, things begin to change. He isn’t a boy anymore, and she is the only one who can help him. Together they face the odds and take a chance on building a love with the power to save. They truly need each other to survive, but will they?
One thing I admire about this novel is the author’s skill in reminding you that you are reading a fairytale romance. It rings true to form from start to finish. The steam will be as satisfying as the storyline. For pure escapism and entertaining adventure, “Return of the Nutcracker Prince: A Steamy Historical Holiday Fantasy Romance” by Jasmine C. Caldwell should be at the top of your reading list.
In the dream, she was fighting her brother Fritz over the nutcracker, and its jaw became damaged. Dosselmeyer wrapped a bandage around it and it mysteriously healed, telling her the Nutcracker would never forget it. Another part of the dream, which is of great significance, is that Clara stands up to the human-size seven-head Mouse King, and then later, things begin to transform when she follows the nutcracker through a portal, and he becomes a flesh-and-blood prince named Klaus. But was this just a dream, or was it real life?
Caldwell has crafted an enchanting tale that will live in our imagination for a long time to come. She brings this cleverly conceived idea to life in much the same way a magician creates a good spell. The characters of Prince Klaus and Clara have such a compelling storyline that you are immersed from the start. He is determined to thwart the Mouse King’s plans and needs the mage Clara to do it, who is from the Realm of Waking. But besides rescuing his kingdom, he realizes she is the girl from his past, but she believes that battle was merely her dream.
The author’s style is reminiscent of the best fairytale adventures, and you find yourself rooting, nail-biting, and reading from the edge of your seat. The pacing is perfect, the dialogue advances the plot, and the ending is not to be missed. Some of this suspense, in addition to the battle, is character-driven, because Clara is supposed to be with Berengar, in a pre-arranged relationship, but she hates him and doesn’t think she can get out of it. But when Prince Klaus enters the picture, things begin to change. He isn’t a boy anymore, and she is the only one who can help him. Together they face the odds and take a chance on building a love with the power to save. They truly need each other to survive, but will they?
One thing I admire about this novel is the author’s skill in reminding you that you are reading a fairytale romance. It rings true to form from start to finish. The steam will be as satisfying as the storyline. For pure escapism and entertaining adventure, “Return of the Nutcracker Prince: A Steamy Historical Holiday Fantasy Romance” by Jasmine C. Caldwell should be at the top of your reading list.
August 13, 2024
I love all things Nutcrackers! While I started this during the holiday season, I had to put the last 20% down during the hectic time of year and have just finished this up during the summer! I loved Clara and Klaus!
December 1, 2023
Return of the Nutcracker Prince by Jasmine C. Caldwell presents a captivating continuation of the classic Nutcracker Ballet tale. Set a decade later, the narrative follows a grown-up Clara Stahlbaum as she grapples with her parents' plans for an arranged marriage to a disagreeable suitor. Her childhood memories of a magical Christmas Eve begin to blur with reality when she reunites with Prince Klaus, now confined to the form of a wooden nutcracker soldier. Together, they embark on a mission to save his realm, the Land of Sweets and Toys, from the menacing Mouse King.
Caldwell's novel stands as a testament to the enduring allure of holiday magic and fantasy. Readers need not be familiar with the original ballet to become immersed in this imaginative extension, making it an accessible read for those new to the story. The book skillfully weaves a tale of romance and enchantment between Clara and Klaus, set against a whimsically detailed Land of Sweets backdrop. The author's vivid descriptions of this fantastical world – complete with chocolate mines, cinnamon trees, a river of lemonade, and gingerbread houses – are particularly noteworthy, inviting readers to step into Clara's shoes and explore a world of wonder.
The narrative's exploration of fantasy is coupled with a well-crafted romance, appealing to adult readers with a penchant for magical holiday tales. Caldwell skillfully tailors the story to adult readers, imbuing it with a depth and complexity that resonates with a more mature audience. The nuanced interactions between Clara and Klaus add layers of sophistication. This mature approach offers a fresh perspective compared to the original ballet, which has a broader, family-friendly appeal. The narrative's pace, including detailed accounts of Clara's time in the Sugar Plum Palace, allows for a thorough exploration of Caldwell's enchanting world, inviting readers to savor every aspect of this magical realm.
Return of the Nutcracker Prince revives the spirit of a beloved classic through a modern lens, balancing the nostalgia of the original ballet with fresh, creative elements. Caldwell's narrative is an invitation to revisit a cherished fairy tale, offering a new perspective on the enchanting world of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince.
Caldwell's novel stands as a testament to the enduring allure of holiday magic and fantasy. Readers need not be familiar with the original ballet to become immersed in this imaginative extension, making it an accessible read for those new to the story. The book skillfully weaves a tale of romance and enchantment between Clara and Klaus, set against a whimsically detailed Land of Sweets backdrop. The author's vivid descriptions of this fantastical world – complete with chocolate mines, cinnamon trees, a river of lemonade, and gingerbread houses – are particularly noteworthy, inviting readers to step into Clara's shoes and explore a world of wonder.
The narrative's exploration of fantasy is coupled with a well-crafted romance, appealing to adult readers with a penchant for magical holiday tales. Caldwell skillfully tailors the story to adult readers, imbuing it with a depth and complexity that resonates with a more mature audience. The nuanced interactions between Clara and Klaus add layers of sophistication. This mature approach offers a fresh perspective compared to the original ballet, which has a broader, family-friendly appeal. The narrative's pace, including detailed accounts of Clara's time in the Sugar Plum Palace, allows for a thorough exploration of Caldwell's enchanting world, inviting readers to savor every aspect of this magical realm.
Return of the Nutcracker Prince revives the spirit of a beloved classic through a modern lens, balancing the nostalgia of the original ballet with fresh, creative elements. Caldwell's narrative is an invitation to revisit a cherished fairy tale, offering a new perspective on the enchanting world of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince.
December 4, 2024
That was cringy 😬
December 29, 2024
4⭐️ A fun, nostalgic almost, quick read.
January 5, 2025
what a fun spin on Nutcracker!
Grown up Clara and her nutcracker prince saving the realm and falling in love! This is a unique Christmas story that I definitely recommend!
Grown up Clara and her nutcracker prince saving the realm and falling in love! This is a unique Christmas story that I definitely recommend!
January 3, 2025
I swear I’ve tried to read this story two Christmases in a row now. I mean, I love the nutcracker, so I am completely in love with the idea of this. But in reality? I just CANNOT connect and give a damn about the characters. I need to feel some kind of interest or connection to want to keep reading a book, and this had none of that for me. Which is disappointing to say the least, but onwards to new amazing (and not so amazing I’m sure) books on my TBR.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews