Magic and Mint Martinis

by Emily Michel

A globetrotting do-gooder home for the holidays walks into his bar and walks out with his heart.

Dash Nichols is more jaded than jolly this Christmas. Surprisingly so, considering he's Santa's son. Against his better judgment, he volunteers to work the Friday shift at the bar. Just when Dash can’t handle the onslaught of holiday cheer anymore, in strolls an impossible-to-ignore woman wearing a delightfully absurd hat.

Lina Schultz is nobody’s girl, footloose and fancy-free. Her merry flirtation with the bartender at her sister’s bachelorette party sparks the tempting idea of a naughty fling. But their meet cute takes a wrong turn, leaving Lina red-faced and too embarrassed to take the next step.

Dash resolves to show her that their initial mishap is a minor setback to a romance written in the stars. Lina hesitates to embrace the magic of the season, torn between the allure of a second chance and her impending departure after New Year’s.

Can Dash convince Lina to believe in fate, or will their shot at love vanish with the old year?

Magic and Mint Martinis is a standalone sweet-with-heat contemporary fantasy holiday romcom. Experience the warmth of the season, the joy of taking chances, and the transformative power of love with Emily Michel’s enchanting story.

Get on the naughty list and buy Magic and Mint Martinis today!

Genres: Christmas, Romance

207 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 30, 2023

About the author

Emily Michel read her first fairy tale before kindergarten and has been fascinated with speculative fiction of all kinds ever since. She’s traveled the world as a military family member, calling many places in the US and Europe home. She settled in Arizona a few years ago with her husband and kids.

When not writing, Emily reads, walks, crochets, and pets her feline overlords. Emily has volunteered her time to community organizations for the past twenty years and looks forward to taking a break in 2022 to concentrate on her writing and editing, which is a nice way of saying she’s tired and needs some “me time.”

Socially awkward and extremely introverted, she nevertheless participates in social media. Check out EmiMiWriter on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and even, dear God, TikTok. If you want to be the first to know release dates, cover reveals, and sales, sign up for her newsletter.

Reviews

[Mary Beth *reading is in my blood* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spicy romance about a (semi-insecure) woman who starts seeing Santa's (hot) son, unbeknownst to her, while she's home for her sister's wedding. Dual POV, insta-love; magical happenings (North Pole, reindeer and all.) Interestingly, Santa can be quite grumpy. An independent FMC who is all-in on her job at a world aid agency, and isn't looking for a man to complete her. [She does overreact to some situations towards the end, which takes away from her character a bit.] Some cute side characters (sister & her fiancé, particularly) and a bit about how she cherishes her ugly winter hat from her now deceased grandmother. Hometown is Boston, which I loved: the T, 'wicked,' North End Italian, and a love of Dunkin' coffee! Very enjoyable, fast Christmas read.

[Carl H Spitzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could hardly believe that there was a fairy tale that had not received a treatment of modernization. Emily Michel not only found a well known fairy tale, so well known that we do not even consider it to be a fairy tale, and wrote a delightful, funny, and adult story. It is a fast read. I was tempted a few times to read the 'last few pages' before I got there, but the twists and turns were so good I keep deciding to wait to see how they turned out. There are three sets of parents and one wedding. There are two younger sisters, who each play a key role in the success of a 'fated' romance. There is a reindeer with a red nose. There is a bartender and liquor. There is a woman who works for a World Relief Organizantion and people whu are environmentally concious. And it is a fun book to read.

I received a paperback edition of this book by backing the project through Kickstarter.

[J.A. Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of getting a very early read of this book, and in true Emily Michel style, the final book doesn't disappoint. This Christmas tale with a sexy son of Santa is hilarious. Christmas metaphors much? How can you go wrong with a sassy, humanitarian woman and a hot bartender with magical powers? Oh yes, and don't forget Rudolph and a Martini recipe at the end (which had I known, I would have made and drank while reading...hint hint). Definitely some adult content and language in here, so keep it from the kiddos. Save it for when you're tired of wrapping presents late at night. 😉

[Yvonne Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this story ...

The way that this author was able to reimagine a well known story was 🤌🏽 *I noticed that, as far as I know, no has done it.

I loved Dash and Lina 😍 The way in which they met I knew was the beginning to an amazing story.

I loved the dual setting ... that portal to the North Pole was exquisite 👌🏽

I definitely loved the magic, the fun, the hotness ...

The only thing I have to say I could not get behind, was the way that Lina reacted to some of the situations which were not warranted in the way she did. My opinion ...

[Casey Raines · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very cute Christmas read with some unexpected fantasy elements with Dash an elf and the son of Santa. The beginning was genuinely funny, and I loved the flirtatious banter between Dash and Lina. The story included a bit of spice, with fun and creative descriptions that leaned into holiday-themed jargon. While the ending became a little too cheesy for my taste and relied on predictable romance tropes like miscommunication, I still enjoyed the overall experience.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas Magic Romantacy

I picked this book based on vibes from the cover and I lived it. LOVED!
Is it adorably cheesy, yes!
Is it full of Christmas magic and elves, Yes!
Is there spice? Just enough!
A short read for Christmas just in time to curl up with a book on Christmas eve!

[Lilylou426 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect holiday feel good book!! Who thought coming to hangout with your sister before she gets married would introduce you to Santa's mchottie son?! I loved the twists and turns i didn't see coming!

[Kalista · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Super cute magicy Christmas novel. I really enjoyed this it was a simple fast paced read I definitely recommend. Was torn between 3.5 or 4 star because I just wanted more but overall was a good book

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this Christmas Eve morning and then got too busy with the family, but I kept wishing I had time to read more of this book. I loved the story. It was so cute, funny, and hot! I highly recommend this holiday book. Very well written.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute Christmas rom-com.. Steamy, sweet, and lots of fun!

[Emily Henderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a silly take on Santa and a love story! I liked it, it was a good buffer between intense books. An easy read and a cute premise!

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Christmas short

Finishing this book up in the days leading up to Christmas was a perfect little magical read. Light mint refreshment.

[Liliana · Rating 3 out of 5]

The more I read romance books like this, the more I dislike them. I try to get into them, but they just make me cringe… the ending was so simple. The story was decent.

[Kelsye Kurtiak-Cannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute Christmas read!! Who doesn’t want a little Elfish magic to start their holiday off right?