Magic and Mistletoe

by Brittany Eden, A.J. Skelly, Amber Kirkpatrick

With all the nostalgic charm that fairy tales and sugar plums bring, Quill & Flame presents a Nutcracker-themed anthology. Ranging from the fantastical to contemporary, and a liberal dash of whimsy and romance, Magic and Mistletoe is a beautiful collection of stories that focus on the magic of the holiday season.

Genres: Christmas, Fantasy, Anthologies

254 pages, Paperback

Published December 12, 2023

About the author

The bedside pile is getting out of hand; I don't have time to read it all.

Reviews

[Morgan Giesbrecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

A magical Christmas collection filled with heart, holiday cheer, romance, and so.many.nutcrackers! Each selection was a delight. Anthologies can sometimes be a hit or miss, but this line up of authors was absolutely solid! A hearty well done to all! 💛

[Brittany Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Christmas anthology is perfect for fans of the Nutcracker, fans of romance, fans of fantasy... And many more! A lovely collection of short stories (and a poem by yours truly) will be sure to delight! I love the wintery vibes and variety of stories from all my author sisters at Quill & Flame!

[Amy Shaw]

I enjoyed the opening poem and my top three stories were: (1) Kadence of Christmas, (2) The Last Dance and (3) Christmas Cheer.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably the first anthology I’ve actually read all the way through! Some of my favorites in it are:
Once Upon a Christmas Eve by Ashley Schaller, Clocks, Cogs, and Christmas by V Romas Burton, Kadence of Christmas by AJ Skelly, A Very Fen Christmas by Amber Kirkpatrick and A Nutcracker Come True by Crystal Grant!

[Stephany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Christmas read for Nutcracker fans

Once long ago, I danced in the nutcracker. This book brought back strong feelings of nostalgia. I loved every bit of it. The fantasy, the romance, the strange, and the sweet. Each story brought its own twist to the popular Nutcracker tale. It also seemed as if each took their inspiration from different adaptations as well.
I’m not usually a holiday reader, but I’m so glad I grabbed this anthology.
I highly recommend it.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cute, cozy little anthology to read during the holiday season. All the short stories are themed around The Nutcracker, some a bit better than others, but overall, I really enjoyed the majority of the short stories.

My favorites were "Clocks, Cogs, and Christmas" by V. Romas Burton, "A Nutcracker Come True" by Crystal D. Grant, "Kadence of Christmas" by AJ Skelly and "Happily Ever After" by Lacey Scott.

[V. Romas Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and fun collection of short stories to enjoy through the Christmas season!

[Crystal Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun assortment of stories with Nutcracker themes! Perfect for readers looking for something quick and easy to read during this busy time of year.

[KELLI DANIELS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magic and Mistletoe is a delightful anthology that captures the warmth, whimsy, and enchantment of the holiday season. From Nutcracker-inspired tales to modern, romantic twists, each story sparkles with festive charm and imaginative storytelling. The collection offers a perfect balance of magic, humor, and heart, making it ideal for readers looking to get swept away in the joy and wonder of Christmas.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet anthology is full of sugar plum dreams and dirty rat schemes. Each story has its own flavor, but each also ties in to the classic Nutcracker tale, whether a reimagining or simply giving a slight nod to a character or two. Some tug hard at your heartstrings and some leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside and some just leave you smiling at the whimsy. I thoroughly enjoyed each story and will definitely add it to my reading list for next Christmas!

[Ashley Schaller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had so much fun crafting Jude and Everly’s story and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing. Cozy up with a warm mug of your favorite winter beverage and get in the holiday mood with this stunning Christmas collection.