What do you think?
Rate this book
Chintz 'n China Mystery #6
Holiday Spirits
When Kip gets himself in serious trouble, a strange spirit enters the house—one that at first poses as Santa Claus. But beneath that jolly exterior, lies a dark creature from legend and lore. Join Emerald O’Brien for the holidays, as she battles both psychic turbulence as well as the demons every mother faces when her child lands in trouble with the law.
92 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2016
140 people are currently reading
381 people want to read
About the author
Yasmine Galenorn
218 books3,464 followersNOTE: I SELDOM visit Goodreads and do very little here. Please see my website for more information on my work: https://galenorn.com
New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance, and is the author of over 80 books & numerous series, including the Wild Hunt Series, the Moonshadow Bay Series, the Fury Unbound Series, the Otherworld Series, the Bewitching Bedlam Series, and more. She wrote for trad publishers for 20 years until she went indie in 2016.
She’s also written nonfiction metaphysical books. She is the 2011 Career Achievement Award Winner in Urban Fantasy, given by RT Magazine. Yasmine has been in the Craft since 1980, is a shamanic witch and High Priestess. She describes her life as a blend of teacups and tattoos. She lives in Kirkland, WA, with her husband Samwise and their cats. Yasmine can be reached via her web site at Galenorn.com. Sign up for her newsletter at: http://galenorn.com/newsletter/
NOTE: ALWAYS check the website and blog, and please sign up for her newsletter there to keep current with new and upcoming releases. Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter are NOT viable places to find out all this information.
New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance, and is the author of over 80 books & numerous series, including the Wild Hunt Series, the Moonshadow Bay Series, the Fury Unbound Series, the Otherworld Series, the Bewitching Bedlam Series, and more. She wrote for trad publishers for 20 years until she went indie in 2016.
She’s also written nonfiction metaphysical books. She is the 2011 Career Achievement Award Winner in Urban Fantasy, given by RT Magazine. Yasmine has been in the Craft since 1980, is a shamanic witch and High Priestess. She describes her life as a blend of teacups and tattoos. She lives in Kirkland, WA, with her husband Samwise and their cats. Yasmine can be reached via her web site at Galenorn.com. Sign up for her newsletter at: http://galenorn.com/newsletter/
NOTE: ALWAYS check the website and blog, and please sign up for her newsletter there to keep current with new and upcoming releases. Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter are NOT viable places to find out all this information.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
September 21, 2017
Read: September 2017
It has been several years since the end of Yasmine Galenorn's wonderful Chintz 'n' China paranormal mystery series, and I remember how adamant Galenorn was for a long time that the series was finished and there would be no more new books. I am so pleased that she relented and wrote another instalment; albeit as a novella rather than a full length novel. Holiday Spirits is a Christmas themed story, centering around a festive yet sinister spirit lurking in the basement of Emerald's house. As well as having to cope with this development, Emerald is also struggling with her feelings about her two children growing up and worries for their futures.
Holiday Spirits was a lovely little read on a rainy afternoon, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Rating: 4/5 stars
It has been several years since the end of Yasmine Galenorn's wonderful Chintz 'n' China paranormal mystery series, and I remember how adamant Galenorn was for a long time that the series was finished and there would be no more new books. I am so pleased that she relented and wrote another instalment; albeit as a novella rather than a full length novel. Holiday Spirits is a Christmas themed story, centering around a festive yet sinister spirit lurking in the basement of Emerald's house. As well as having to cope with this development, Emerald is also struggling with her feelings about her two children growing up and worries for their futures.
Holiday Spirits was a lovely little read on a rainy afternoon, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Rating: 4/5 stars
December 17, 2018
It's been years since I read this series, but was glad this story had enough information to get back into the characters without it taking over the story. Definitely enjoyable. I like how for a paranormal mystery series, there is still a lot of normal life to deal with.
January 6, 2018
5 🌟
Nice to see Emerald and the gang again. Yay!!! Krampus!!! Hope Kip will get his act together. Also hope Randa will do good in college. Glad Roy is doing better. Congratulations to Murray and Jimbo.
Nice to see Emerald and the gang again. Yay!!! Krampus!!! Hope Kip will get his act together. Also hope Randa will do good in college. Glad Roy is doing better. Congratulations to Murray and Jimbo.
February 17, 2021
A nice holiday story with a nice Santa Claus, or is he?
This story is a good example of motherly love and motherly worry, mixed with touches of folklore and magic. I liked it.
This story is a good example of motherly love and motherly worry, mixed with touches of folklore and magic. I liked it.
August 3, 2018
A holiday spirit
I loved the addition of the holiday spirit. I won't spoil the surprise by mentioning the name. I thought the story had good potential but seemed rushed. So much more could have been added to fill out the story. I like the characters and I like that Nana drops by to help. Please give us a full story next time!
I loved the addition of the holiday spirit. I won't spoil the surprise by mentioning the name. I thought the story had good potential but seemed rushed. So much more could have been added to fill out the story. I like the characters and I like that Nana drops by to help. Please give us a full story next time!
December 3, 2021
𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒔, A Chintz 'n China novella
by Yasmine Galenorn
Quick and fun read from Galenorn. It was nice to see Emerald and her gang again.
This installment had Krampus making an unwelcome appearance, as Emerald's family is gearing up for the holiday season. While it was far too short -- I finished it in one sitting -- it still had good flow and pacing, the characters were relatable, and there was no cliffhanger ending. There was one proofing error, but just one, so I didn't take any stars off for it (at location 755 on my Kindle: "...But until then, I all the shots." I'm sure that should have read '...I call the shots.' My star off came from the rushed feeling of the novella and maybe from me wishing it was a full length novel so the character of Krampus could have been more fully examined.
BTW, every December I read only Christmas themed books. This was my first for 2021.
by Yasmine Galenorn
Quick and fun read from Galenorn. It was nice to see Emerald and her gang again.
This installment had Krampus making an unwelcome appearance, as Emerald's family is gearing up for the holiday season. While it was far too short -- I finished it in one sitting -- it still had good flow and pacing, the characters were relatable, and there was no cliffhanger ending. There was one proofing error, but just one, so I didn't take any stars off for it (at location 755 on my Kindle: "...But until then, I all the shots." I'm sure that should have read '...I call the shots.' My star off came from the rushed feeling of the novella and maybe from me wishing it was a full length novel so the character of Krampus could have been more fully examined.
BTW, every December I read only Christmas themed books. This was my first for 2021.
January 20, 2025
Sixth in the Chintz 'n China cozy paranormal mystery series and revolving around the psychic Em. It’s three weeks until Christmas and about six month since
One Hex of a Wedding
, 5.
My Take
It's a surprisingly complete story for its 92 pages . . .
Em is so very appreciative of being married, now, to someone who actually wants to be there, to participate. We know this through Galenorn’s use of first person protagonist point-of-view from Em’s perspective.
Holiday Spirits is all about Em’s fears of losing her children. Their interactions with others now, when they go away to college, and her too-soon-to-be empty future, even though Joe is there!
It does make life interesting with Kip being easily swayed into the stupid, lol. I do pity parents dealing with this sort of behavior. I really pity those who have to deal with disinterested parents — or those who believe their child can do no wrong. Not a good way to prepare them to succeed in life!
Annnd, yeahhh, turns out there’s good reason for Sly to be heading down the tubes. Oh, boy.
However, Em is good with her kids. They have rules and chores, and Em knows it’s important for them to rebel — a little, but they’re comfortable approaching her and teasing with her. The tricky bit now is fitting Joe in with his role as stepfather.
Ick, some of those legends about evil spirits that surround Christmas . . . scary. They also provide a good bit of scary action!
The Story
Christmas is coming and Joe isn’t sure it’s a good thing. Not since a neighbor boy told that horrible story about bad little boys when he was young.
A tale that turns true when Kip gets sucked into vandalism with some dangerous possibilities.
The Characters
Emerald “Em” O’Brien, the village witch who does readings at her shop, the Chintz ’n China Tea Room, has just married Joe Files, a fireman with an ability to sense the paranormal and is ten years younger than Em. Eleven-year-old Kip is blossoming and working on his newly revealed psychic abilities. Miranda “Randa” is more interested in astronomy or being an astronaut. Samantha is their cat with her grown kittens: Nigel, Nebula, and Noël. Roy is their alcoholic birth father, who has gone in to rehab.
Nanna is Em’s maternal grandmother who had taught her magic. Grandma McGrady, a lace-curtain Catholic, is her father’s grandmother who went to war with Nanna — the War of the Grandmothers. Rose is Em’s sister.
Lana is Em’s only employee at the Tea Room. Horvald Ledbetter is a neighbor and retired security guard who currently is a champion flower grower. Horvald is dating Ida Trask, a retired schoolteacher. Mrs Trundle is a librarian. The Irish Maeve Elliston, a natural-born kitchen witch with a lot of booklearning, had given her mother’s crystal ball to Em. Myrna Stander is a neighbor. Dr Arnold treats Joe for that ankle. The Bellingham Examiner is a newspaper. Miranda is tutoring Jameson in math. Mrs Mendoza is Miranda’s encouraging teacher.
Chiqetaw is . . .
. . . the town where Em and her family live. Anna Murray, a Native American, is Em’s best friend and head detective on the police force. Jimbo, a rough and tumble biker, is Murray’s boyfriend. Beatrice is the force’s dispatcher and receptionist. Officer Ron is Murray’s second-in-command.
Todd Givens is a lawyer and friend of Murray’s. Judge Weathers will preside. The Bridle Inn Shelter will be getting extra help.
Harlow is Em’s other best friend.
Sly Chase is Kip’s best friend, but not a good choice what with his interest in juvenile delinquency. Katherine is his disinterested mother. His father ran off a few years ago.
A protective elf (who looks like Hermey from Rudolph) fends off the demented Santa Ghost. Krampus is an evil wight and had been a servant to the Holly King. The neighbor boy with the Santa story grew up to be a successful horror writer.
The Cover and Title
The background of the cover has a brownish black (top) and black (bottom) borders fading into the large graphic. It begins with a hazy background of a yellowish figure on the left and a snow-laden tree on the right. A red window frame is the barrier to the inside with its holly-laden windowsill with the black-and-white Samantha sitting on the left slightly behind the red and black teapot, a greenish lit candle on the right, and the three gingerbread Christmas cookies propped up against the teapot spout. At the very top is the author’s name in white with an info blurb between first and last. In the upper right is the publisher’s colophon. Below the windowsill is the title in white while a green banner that fades out on the ends provides the series info in black.
The title is too true about the Holiday Spirits, but they are not merry spirits.
My Take
It's a surprisingly complete story for its 92 pages . . .
Em is so very appreciative of being married, now, to someone who actually wants to be there, to participate. We know this through Galenorn’s use of first person protagonist point-of-view from Em’s perspective.
Holiday Spirits is all about Em’s fears of losing her children. Their interactions with others now, when they go away to college, and her too-soon-to-be empty future, even though Joe is there!
It does make life interesting with Kip being easily swayed into the stupid, lol. I do pity parents dealing with this sort of behavior. I really pity those who have to deal with disinterested parents — or those who believe their child can do no wrong. Not a good way to prepare them to succeed in life!
Annnd, yeahhh, turns out there’s good reason for Sly to be heading down the tubes. Oh, boy.
However, Em is good with her kids. They have rules and chores, and Em knows it’s important for them to rebel — a little, but they’re comfortable approaching her and teasing with her. The tricky bit now is fitting Joe in with his role as stepfather.
Ick, some of those legends about evil spirits that surround Christmas . . . scary. They also provide a good bit of scary action!
The Story
Christmas is coming and Joe isn’t sure it’s a good thing. Not since a neighbor boy told that horrible story about bad little boys when he was young.
A tale that turns true when Kip gets sucked into vandalism with some dangerous possibilities.
The Characters
Emerald “Em” O’Brien, the village witch who does readings at her shop, the Chintz ’n China Tea Room, has just married Joe Files, a fireman with an ability to sense the paranormal and is ten years younger than Em. Eleven-year-old Kip is blossoming and working on his newly revealed psychic abilities. Miranda “Randa” is more interested in astronomy or being an astronaut. Samantha is their cat with her grown kittens: Nigel, Nebula, and Noël. Roy is their alcoholic birth father, who has gone in to rehab.
Nanna is Em’s maternal grandmother who had taught her magic. Grandma McGrady, a lace-curtain Catholic, is her father’s grandmother who went to war with Nanna — the War of the Grandmothers. Rose is Em’s sister.
Lana is Em’s only employee at the Tea Room. Horvald Ledbetter is a neighbor and retired security guard who currently is a champion flower grower. Horvald is dating Ida Trask, a retired schoolteacher. Mrs Trundle is a librarian. The Irish Maeve Elliston, a natural-born kitchen witch with a lot of booklearning, had given her mother’s crystal ball to Em. Myrna Stander is a neighbor. Dr Arnold treats Joe for that ankle. The Bellingham Examiner is a newspaper. Miranda is tutoring Jameson in math. Mrs Mendoza is Miranda’s encouraging teacher.
Chiqetaw is . . .
. . . the town where Em and her family live. Anna Murray, a Native American, is Em’s best friend and head detective on the police force. Jimbo, a rough and tumble biker, is Murray’s boyfriend. Beatrice is the force’s dispatcher and receptionist. Officer Ron is Murray’s second-in-command.
Todd Givens is a lawyer and friend of Murray’s. Judge Weathers will preside. The Bridle Inn Shelter will be getting extra help.
Harlow is Em’s other best friend.
Sly Chase is Kip’s best friend, but not a good choice what with his interest in juvenile delinquency. Katherine is his disinterested mother. His father ran off a few years ago.
A protective elf (who looks like Hermey from Rudolph) fends off the demented Santa Ghost. Krampus is an evil wight and had been a servant to the Holly King. The neighbor boy with the Santa story grew up to be a successful horror writer.
The Cover and Title
The background of the cover has a brownish black (top) and black (bottom) borders fading into the large graphic. It begins with a hazy background of a yellowish figure on the left and a snow-laden tree on the right. A red window frame is the barrier to the inside with its holly-laden windowsill with the black-and-white Samantha sitting on the left slightly behind the red and black teapot, a greenish lit candle on the right, and the three gingerbread Christmas cookies propped up against the teapot spout. At the very top is the author’s name in white with an info blurb between first and last. In the upper right is the publisher’s colophon. Below the windowsill is the title in white while a green banner that fades out on the ends provides the series info in black.
The title is too true about the Holiday Spirits, but they are not merry spirits.
May 4, 2018
This one was not my favorite of the series. It was too short to give the characters much time to develop. the spirit was an ugly Christmas spirit, and that sort of made me feel sad about the holidays. Joe got injured again- I know the characters spend alot of time at the ER but I felt that the plot was had been mostly done before. I still like the characters, and thought Emerald did a great job of parenting Kip in this one- but the book lacked something for me.
November 1, 2020
There is a very mean ghost in Em and Joe's basement who looks like Santa Claus, and a ghostly elf who looks like Hermey, the dentist elf from Rudolph. It's not the ghost of Santa, it's a Krampus. And it's evil, dangerous, and after Kipling to punish him. Emerald has her hands full with several disasters in addition to the Krampus and solving the mystery of why the Krampus is targeting them. It's a delightful Christmas story, infused with love, friendship, compassion, and empathy.
May 19, 2017
You'd Better Be Good For Goodness Sake
When Kip gets into trouble he attracts the attention of a dangerous spirit. It is up to Emerald and her friends to not only save Kip from the spirit, but to also turn his life around. This is a good story for parents with preteens and teens. It might help show how to help a child who has gone astray but is basically a good kid.
When Kip gets into trouble he attracts the attention of a dangerous spirit. It is up to Emerald and her friends to not only save Kip from the spirit, but to also turn his life around. This is a good story for parents with preteens and teens. It might help show how to help a child who has gone astray but is basically a good kid.
July 7, 2017
Can't wait for the next book
Yasmin's must be one of my all time favorite authors I've loved all her books so far but I absolutely love this series! It has everything magic mayhem,family, friends and lot's of love read last three books in three days gutted I have to wait for the next one now!!
Yasmin's must be one of my all time favorite authors I've loved all her books so far but I absolutely love this series! It has everything magic mayhem,family, friends and lot's of love read last three books in three days gutted I have to wait for the next one now!!
December 6, 2020
Krampus enters Emeralds home and causes her husband Joe to break his foot. Son Kip gets caught destroying lawn decorations, breaking and entering and vandalism. His friend Sly pulls a gun, and is found to be addicted to meth. They get rid of Krampus and Kip has a lot to learn about restitution. Dumb story.
September 3, 2017
This one was very entering and a quick read. Excellent story. I recommend it to everyone.
Excellent read. I recommend it to everyone. Yasmine does a great job of drawing readers into her stories. Love them all.
Excellent read. I recommend it to everyone. Yasmine does a great job of drawing readers into her stories. Love them all.
August 24, 2019
Good read! The story is short, but well worth reading. Very entertaining; I have read and enjoyed all the books in this series. I came to feel as though Emerald, Joe, Murray, Jimbo, Randa, Kip, and the rest were good friends, almost family. I highly recommend!
June 19, 2021
Oh kip! You just can’t seem to help yourself my boy. Thank goodness mommy is here to make it better and make sure you learn your lesson though. She is back and at it again and this time, the ghost is really creepy.
June 25, 2021
I loved the Chintz n China books. I read them all so fast. I wish there were more to the series. I also would have liked a few books between 6 and 7. I will have to look and pick what next series of hers I want to read. She has definitely become one of my favorite authors.
December 12, 2023
A Different Kind of Christmas Spirit
Galenom I'm tells a cute tale of holiday myth that entertains well. It involves naughty boys and their exploits, good parenting, and moral behavior but isn't preachy.
Galenom I'm tells a cute tale of holiday myth that entertains well. It involves naughty boys and their exploits, good parenting, and moral behavior but isn't preachy.
April 13, 2018
I'm dad I have finished this series and will miss the characters. I have this book 4* only because it was a novella.
June 5, 2018
Series
Having read the fill series I enjoyed all of it and look forward The r next series knowing that there so I not be a dull moment in it.
Having read the fill series I enjoyed all of it and look forward The r next series knowing that there so I not be a dull moment in it.
June 11, 2018
Always fun to revisit this awesome and interesting world.
November 3, 2018
Short and sweet
A really nice holiday story. I love all the books in this series. I especially like that the magical aspects are treated with respect and with knowledge. Bravo!!
A really nice holiday story. I love all the books in this series. I especially like that the magical aspects are treated with respect and with knowledge. Bravo!!
January 4, 2019
A wonderful set of books!
Read the set cover to cover and thoroughly enjoyed them. So, what now do I read next? Beautifully captured detail!
Read the set cover to cover and thoroughly enjoyed them. So, what now do I read next? Beautifully captured detail!
December 30, 2020
As a fan of the series, I am saddened to find out this is the last book in the series. I liked reading it, but also disappointed since the story is short and takes place a couple of years after the couple’s wedding instead of a couple of decades later, as I expected.
January 18, 2021
Wish there was more!
These books have been so fun. I'm sad this isn't as long as some of the other series this author ha done. Maybe down the line she will do more. One can hope.
These books have been so fun. I'm sad this isn't as long as some of the other series this author ha done. Maybe down the line she will do more. One can hope.
February 1, 2021
Quick easy read
Love Yasmine's world. she creates easy reads with adventure and mystery leaving you craving for more and more! Many good series
Love Yasmine's world. she creates easy reads with adventure and mystery leaving you craving for more and more! Many good series
February 1, 2021
Awesome easy reader!
April 17, 2021
This finishes off the series nicely. #1294.
June 12, 2021
Not I get Yasmine's intrest with Krampus awhile back. Great story.
November 22, 2022
A nice tidy ending to a delightful series.
March 13, 2023
Loving this series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews