Battle for the Land of Sweets: Christmas Realm Chronicles, #1

By Kaitlyn King

Hidden in the back of an old nutcracker and sweets shop is a door…behind it is a magical land full of chocolate rivers, sugar flowers, and candy cane trees.

 

Christmas used to be the Tannon family's favorite holiday, but thirteen-year-old Oliver can't imagine celebrating after his dad deserted their family. Peace on Earth? Yeah right! Oliver doesn't believe it exists.

 

His younger sister Nadine is hopeful that this Christmas can still be a happy one now that she has been given a part in the famous Nutcracker ballet.

 

Fifteen-year-old Felicity will do anything to give her cousins the Merry Christmas they deserve. If only her older brother, Ethan, would get on board with her plans.

 

Ethan knows the true meaning of Christmas: money, money, money. He's determined to get a job for winter break, but when he wanders into Drosselmeyer's Christmas Emporium, he worries that his new boss has watched Nadine's ballet one too many times.

 

When masked figures kidnap the eccentric shop owner, the Tannon teenagers follow them through a mysterious back door into a land where fantasy becomes reality. Nutcracker soldiers, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and even Mother Ginger are there to help them on their journey. But where there are heroes, there are also villains. The mice aren't just a part of the fairytale; they're real, and they're tired of losing!

 

Can these adventurers save the land of sweets and make it back home before Christmas?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pen in Hand Publishing
• Release date: Oct 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223174943

Book preview

BATTLE FOR THE LAND OF SWEETS

Copyright © 2023 by Kaitlyn King.

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

This book is a work of fiction. It is inspired by a fictitious story in the public domain. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. Unless, of course, it reminds you of a very real omnipotent Being Who gives a special gift...that was on purpose. Cover Art and Interior Artwork was designed using a licensed version of Canva. All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version.

For information contact :

Pen in Hand Publishing

www.peninhandpublishing.com

First Edition: October 2023

10  9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1

Subjects : YA Christian Fiction, Fantasy, Biblical Allegory, Fairytale Retelling, Nutcracker Inspired, Christmas Story.

Dedication -

Dedicated to all the moms who wake up early to take their children to Nutcracker tryouts, who sit around outside in the cold for hours during their rehearsals, and who provide hugs and encouragement every step of the way. And to the dads who sit through an entire performance just to watch their kid run across the stage once, then lavish them with flowers and praise on the way home, only to come back the next night and do it all over again.

Especially to my own parents who did all this for me. This book is a love letter to them in thanks for the wonderful memories they gave me full of Christmas magic.

Prologue

Clara’s Tale

CLARA BOLTED UPRIGHT . A knitted throw slipped from her shoulders to the floor below as her bright eyes quickly roamed her surroundings. Her mind raced to make sense of where she was. A lavishly decorated Christmas tree stood prominently in front of a pair of windows. Silvery snowflakes danced delicately beyond the glass panes. With a start she realized, she was back home in her own living room.

Everything was as it had been that night following the party. After the guests left, Clara snuck down to see if her godfather, Drosselmeyer, had been able to repair her special nutcracker. The lights on the tree had been so peaceful that she had curled up on the sofa instead of returning to her room.

The memory seemed fuzzy after that. A battle between mice and toy soldiers? Her nutcracker came to life and whisked her away to a magical land of sweets? The inhabitants of that land had performed for her and presented her with gifts? Dancers from the East? Coffee from the North? Through it all, her handsome nutcracker had sat by her side. He asked her to stay with him, but she had reluctantly refused. She was not ready to leave her family. Not this Christmas at least. At the end of the night, Godfather Drosselmeyer had brought her back home.

And now, here she was. Could it all have been a dream? The fanciful thoughts of a silly girl? She swung her slippered feet off the sofa and spotted the nutcracker doll beneath the tree. She crossed to it and brushed her fingers over his wooden face. It was cool to the touch...almost like the snow drifts they had traveled through on their way home. Or maybe only like the ice crystals she could see framing the windows out of the corner of her eye. Either way, she pulled her robe tighter around her as a chill ran up her spine.

Clara shoved her hands deep into her pockets. They weren’t empty! Cautiously, she pulled out gingerbread cookies, candy canes, sugar plums, and hot chocolate balls. The gifts! It wasn’t a dream at all! The man she loved, her nutcracker prince, was back in the Land of Sweets waiting for her!

Giddily, she twirled around the tree fondly remembering their adventure. Other than the mice attack, it had been a wonderfully, whimsical ordeal. The mice! Clara stopped, her hand flying to her mouth. She had forgotten all about them. Fear knifed through her heart. She had to find a way back! Her nutcracker could be in danger, for though the mouse king was dead, the mouse prince was still alive and certain to seek his revenge.

Chapter 1

ASTREAM OF ICY water slid over his collar at the same time Ethan stepped into a slushy puddle. The chilly moisture trickled down his spine as his sock instantly became sopping wet. Meanwhile, carolers crooned on a nearby corner about dreaming of a white Christmas. Ha! That was the last thing he wanted. This time of year was hard enough without adding the hassle of snow.

Shaking his foot in a futile attempt to kick out the excess water, Ethan pulled out his phone to check the time. It was two o’clock. He had to pick up his little cousin from dance class in an hour. That didn’t leave him much time to cover the rest of the shops on this block. He was determined to get a job for Christmas. If only he hadn’t waited until Winter Break to start looking. So far, the tree lot, the grocery stores, and pretty much anywhere with tips were all full.

Ethan rounded a corner and crashed into someone going the opposite direction. He staggered backwards and glared at the elderly man that had gotten in his way.

Whoa! Watch where you’re going! Ethan snapped.

Well, now, see here! Don’t they teach you young people manners these days? the old man harrumphed.

Ethan rolled his eyes. He didn’t have time to listen to a lecture from a confused-looking grandpa. Seriously, why was he dressed like a Victorian pirate? Halloween was two months ago! Ethan snorted at the ridiculous attire and waved a dismissive hand. Will you just get out of the way? I need to apply for a job here, and I only have fifteen minutes to do it.

The eccentric man looked between Ethan and the shop they were standing in front of. He smirked, his gray eyebrow rising above the black eyepatch. Is that so?

Yeah, that’s so, Ethan replied, his tone dripping with obvious irritation. To his surprise, the nuisance stepped to the side with a half bow. Ethan brushed past him and stormed into the store, longing to put the whole encounter behind him. Annoyingly, the old man followed him through the door.

Just ignore him, he thought to himself. Ethan strode up to the counter, taking in the contents of the store as he went. It appeared to be some kind of Christmas shop. Gingerbread, candy canes, sugar plums, chocolate, and many more types of holiday treats lined all the shelves. Nutcracker figurines were interspersed amongst it all. However, there didn’t appear to be any workers. Ethan felt a knot forming in the pit of his stomach. He rang the silver bell, hoping an employee was just in the back, but none emerged.

A throat cleared behind him. Hesitantly, Ethan turned back to the elderly man who was removing his top hat and hanging it and his cane on the rack by the door. With a gleam in his eye he said, Welcome to Drosselmeyer’s Christmas Emporium.

Ethan sighed. Of course this guy was the owner. So much for finding a job here. Never mind, he grumbled, starting for the exit. What a waste of time!

Not so fast, the proprietor stopped him. I thought you were seeking employment?

Ethan scoffed. You’d actually consider hiring me? Suspicion rose within him. Or are you just messing with me because I was rude to you?

A cape-covered shoulder shrugged. "Perhaps. It is my busy season after all, and I...travel...a lot for...work. I often have to leave the store unattended. So, I could use someone young and spirited to keep an eye on the place while I’m away. You know, someone to dust the shelves, greet customers, and watch out for shoplifters or maybe even mice." He stroked his bearded chin with a mischievous glint in his eye.

The tinkling of the bell over the front door interrupted their conversation as a couple of customers came into the shop.

I told you it was open again, the woman declared, smacking her male companion on the arm.

He frowned in return. Well, I didn’t know that. It’s been closed since last Christmas.

Welcome, the shop owner greeted them. I am Mr. Drosselmeyer. Please let me know if I can help you find anything.

The pair waved in reply and began browsing the aisles.

Turning back to Ethan, he asked, Where were we?

Ethan shook his head at the gray-haired man. You’ve been closed for a year?! he exclaimed.

Mr. Drosselmeyer shrugged. It’s a seasonal store.

And you don’t have any staff yet? Christmas is less than two weeks away. Ethan’s tone was incredulous. How did the crazy old coot manage to stay in business? Look, Mister, I really need a job, but I don’t think you could afford me. It’s a miracle you’ve been able to keep your shop going as it is! He shoved his hand through his hair. You’re what my father calls, ‘a financial risk.’ Seriously, who comes to a little store that’s only open one month out of the year, especially when they could get all this... he looked around at the Christmassy tchotchkes with a disdainful sneer, stuff at a department store? He picked up a palm-sized nutcracker and scoffed before returning it to the shelf with contempt. Thanks, but no thanks. There’s absolutely no way you can afford to hire me, and I really need to make some money this year. Ethan turned on his heel and muttered under his breath as he pushed through the door, Good luck, Old Man.

Ethan’s little cousin twirled and danced as they walked home from her dance class. Her pale pink skirt fluttered as she spun. How she didn’t get dizzy, Ethan would never know.

"You’ll never guess what part I got in the Nutcracker!" Nadine exclaimed.

Probably not, he mumbled in reply.

Come on, Ethan, guess! she whined.

He sighed. I don’t know, the nutcracker?

Nadine’s blue eyes sparkled as she laughed. No way! He’s a man!

Ethan had a hard time suppressing a smile. Her giggles were infectious. The two turned onto their street, and Nadine ran ahead of him.

She burst through the front door, shouting at the top of her lungs, Mommy, Mommy, I’m home!

Ethan stopped at the threshold. He took a deep breath before following her inside.

Raised voices could be heard coming from the kitchen, but what else was new? In the living room, his aunt was stretching like a cat. Her hair was askew, and dark circles were under her eyes.

"I’m going to be a Christmas doll in the Nutcracker!" Nadine squealed, bouncing onto the couch next to her mother.

Ethan’s sister, Felicity, skipped down the stairs. Oh, Nadine, she admonished. You shouldn’t have woken up Aunt Leah. You know she only has an hour to nap between jobs.

Ethan rolled his eyes at his sister’s tone. Why did she have to act like everyone’s mother? Even the adults were subjugated to this behavior. Felicity started straightening the clutter in the living room and took Aunt Leah’s blanket to fold. Her long, dark hair was pulled into a low ponytail, without even a single hair out of place. Her glasses slipped down her freckled nose, and she used the movement of pushing them back in place to sneak a disappointed frown Nadine’s way.

The eight-year-old’s eyes fell, and her mother rushed to console her. No, no, it’s okay. I was about to get up anyway.

The shouting in the kitchen suddenly stopped, and Ethan’s parents came into the room. There was moisture in his mother’s eyes.

Where have you two been? his dad asked by way of greeting. Wasting time at the mall?

No, Ethan replied. He set his jaw stubbornly and his lips thinned into a straight line.

I was at dance class, Uncle Connor, Nadine answered innocently. "I’m going to be a Christmas doll in the Nutcracker."

Oh yeah, the dance classes I pay for.

Ethan stiffened as his dad’s glare swung to Aunt Leah. Her cheeks flushed and she pulled her threadbare sweater tighter around her shoulders. I’ll pay you back when I can, she whispered softly. I promise.

Ethan’s mom placed her manicured hands on her hips. Nonsense! You just worry about getting back on your feet. She scowled at her husband. We are happy to help.

The older man snorted and headed for the garage, where he frequently disappeared these days.

Ethan couldn’t bear to see the tears trickling down his aunt’s cheeks. He stormed up the stairs.

Oliver angrily punched his pillow. From the room he now shared with his cousin, he had heard every hurtful word that Uncle Connor had said to his mother. His eyes stung. He hated it here. He wished he had the power to take his mom and sister somewhere far away, someplace safe... someplace happy... ultimately, someplace peaceful...

Ethan slipped through the door, barely giving him a derisive glance. Oliver openly glared at his golden-haired cousin as he strutted around their room like the king of the castle. Ethan pulled open his top drawer, removed a few dollar bills from his pocket, and added them to the dwindling stack he had in there. With a frustrated grunt, he slammed the drawer shut.

No luck on the job hunt? Oliver needled.

Shut up, Ethan retorted. He spun, challenging the younger boy to say another word.

Oliver’s chin came up. He willed his mouth to move, to say something clever to make the teenager regret how he treated him. But the glint in Ethan’s eye was so like Uncle Connor’s, that Oliver didn’t dare find out if that’s where the similarities ended. Finally, he tore his gaze away, rolling over to face the wall. He wondered if his cousin cared that he looked like his father. Both of them were tall—or maybe Oliver just thought that because he was so short for his age. Seriously, even most of the girls in his class were taller than him now. The most