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Mischief in Moonstone #1
When Rudolph was Kidnapped
When her pet reindeer, Rudolph, is stolen from the live animal holiday display, first-grade teacher Crystal Hagan has a big problem on her hands. Her students fear that Christmas will be canceled. Ironically, the prime suspect is a man who lives in a mansion known as the "North Pole". And to her shock, Peter LeBarron admits to kidnapping Rudolph and he won't give him back without some romantic "negotiations".
- GenresChristmas
100 pages, Paperback
Published December 2, 2022
About the author
Christine DeSmet
39 books75 followersChristine is a novelist, screenwriter, short story writer, and playwright.
She teaches writing in the Continuing Studies division of University of Wisconsin-Madison. She’s the director of the annual June “Write-by-the-Lake Writer’s Workshop & Retreat” and the fall “Weekend with Your Novel.”
She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Romance Writers of America, and Jewels of the Quill. She is a past Golden Heart winner and finalist (three times) in the contests sponsored by RWA. Her romantic suspense novel, Spirit Lake, won RWA’s Golden Pen Contest before the book was published by Hard Shell Word Factory/Mundania Press.
Christine also belongs to the Writers Guild of America. A screenplay written with Peggy Williams and Bob Shill, “Chinaware-Fragile,” earned first place in a Slamdance Film Festival writing contest and was optioned by New Line Cinema once upon a time. She has optioned other projects as well and continues to write scripts and stage plays.
Christine was raised on a dairy and hog farm in Wisconsin where she learned the value and joy of hard work in the out-of-doors, then graduated valedictorian in a high school class of 29 students. She went on to get her academic degrees in journalism from UW-Madison.
She teaches writing in the Continuing Studies division of University of Wisconsin-Madison. She’s the director of the annual June “Write-by-the-Lake Writer’s Workshop & Retreat” and the fall “Weekend with Your Novel.”
She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Romance Writers of America, and Jewels of the Quill. She is a past Golden Heart winner and finalist (three times) in the contests sponsored by RWA. Her romantic suspense novel, Spirit Lake, won RWA’s Golden Pen Contest before the book was published by Hard Shell Word Factory/Mundania Press.
Christine also belongs to the Writers Guild of America. A screenplay written with Peggy Williams and Bob Shill, “Chinaware-Fragile,” earned first place in a Slamdance Film Festival writing contest and was optioned by New Line Cinema once upon a time. She has optioned other projects as well and continues to write scripts and stage plays.
Christine was raised on a dairy and hog farm in Wisconsin where she learned the value and joy of hard work in the out-of-doors, then graduated valedictorian in a high school class of 29 students. She went on to get her academic degrees in journalism from UW-Madison.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 23, 2017
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Superior, Wisconsin may feel like the North Pole, so the residents of this little town led my first-grade teacher, Crystal Hagan, do all they can to celebrate Christmas in a big way. It starts with a live nativity featuring Crystal’s own reindeer named Rudolph. It takes place in front of a huge mansion, which the children believe is the “North Pole”. But this year Rudolph is stolen from its spot in the manger. The children are upset because Santa can’t come without Rudolph. Crystal believes the owner of the mansion has stolen her pet, and his son admits it! He promises the reindeer will be returned if his father’s demands are met. This leads to some interesting negotiations and activities including Crystal’s first graders.
This story is perfect for a Hallmark holiday movie.
Mayhem and toe-curling romance abound in this little town on chilly Lake Superior.
The characters span all generations. Crystal meets Peter while looking for her missing reindeer. She can’t believe his father, a man who used to dress up as Santa, would take her reindeer, but the man has changed over the years, and even more just over the past few weeks. Peter has left the warmth of his Arizona home to try to figure out why his dad is selling his home and his business. All the characters are realistic and with being a novella we need to get to know them fast. The author does a wonderful job of bringing them to life.
A missing reindeer is a cute little mystery. The mayhem that takes place leading up to getting him back is heartwarming and at times really funny.
The romance, again because of the length of the story also happens quickly but not easily.
Ms. DeSmet has crafted a wonderful Christmas story. It helped to get me into the Christmas spirit and may become an annual read. Seriously Hallmark…movie, I am just saying. 🙂
Superior, Wisconsin may feel like the North Pole, so the residents of this little town led my first-grade teacher, Crystal Hagan, do all they can to celebrate Christmas in a big way. It starts with a live nativity featuring Crystal’s own reindeer named Rudolph. It takes place in front of a huge mansion, which the children believe is the “North Pole”. But this year Rudolph is stolen from its spot in the manger. The children are upset because Santa can’t come without Rudolph. Crystal believes the owner of the mansion has stolen her pet, and his son admits it! He promises the reindeer will be returned if his father’s demands are met. This leads to some interesting negotiations and activities including Crystal’s first graders.
This story is perfect for a Hallmark holiday movie.
Mayhem and toe-curling romance abound in this little town on chilly Lake Superior.
The characters span all generations. Crystal meets Peter while looking for her missing reindeer. She can’t believe his father, a man who used to dress up as Santa, would take her reindeer, but the man has changed over the years, and even more just over the past few weeks. Peter has left the warmth of his Arizona home to try to figure out why his dad is selling his home and his business. All the characters are realistic and with being a novella we need to get to know them fast. The author does a wonderful job of bringing them to life.
A missing reindeer is a cute little mystery. The mayhem that takes place leading up to getting him back is heartwarming and at times really funny.
The romance, again because of the length of the story also happens quickly but not easily.
Ms. DeSmet has crafted a wonderful Christmas story. It helped to get me into the Christmas spirit and may become an annual read. Seriously Hallmark…movie, I am just saying. 🙂
December 16, 2016
WHEN RUDOLPH WAS KIDNAPPED is better than a hot cup of cocoa topped with whipped cream and a peppermint stick! Author Christine DeSmet dishes up the best of both worlds as her characters—Crystal Hagan and Peter LeBarron—make you laugh one minute, then your toes wiggle in your snow boots the next. Book 1 in the Mischief in Moonstone Series, I'm looking forward to the next!
January 1, 2023
A fun read. Hope there is more to come!!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews