A Beginner's Guide to Christmas Miracles

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures #3.3

by Shannon Mae

Nachielus (not Nicholas) may have gotten into a bit of trouble over unsanctioned miracles, ending up on the upstairs’ naughty list. Sure, maybe he’d gotten a little carried away with the whole Christmas thing, but he hadn’t meant to become a part of folklore, and surely that wasn’t a reason to bury him in centuries of paperwork. Banned from topside and missing his favorite holiday, he gets a push from a certain demon to pop up and have a look around. When he meets Beckett, a Christmas-loving elf enthusiast who mistakes him for the Santa hired for a fundraiser, how can he say no? Next thing he knows, Nach is in over his head again, because this is one human he can’t resist.

Beck's Christmas is merry and bright, especially after he encounters Nach, the hottie in questionable Santa attire. Nach's kindness, generosity, and charm have Beck falling faster than a snowflake. With no place to stay, obviously Beck needs to bring Nach home with him. Beck never believed in love at first sight before, but there’s just something about Nach that calls to him, and it isn’t long before he’s trying to figure out how to keep this sexy Santa all to himself.

Beck is living his own Christmas rom-com, complete with a meet cute and lots of Christmas kisses; Nach never means to cause trouble—it just seems to find him (and the reindeer thing was definitely not his fault); Nach has a very loose definition of what constitutes a miracle; corporate Scrooges try to suck the fun out of Christmas (but don’t worry, they don’t succeed); Nach is an angel of joy of fulfillment, so expect plenty of joy… and fulfillment (wink, wink).

A Beginner’s Guide to Christmas Miracles is a 30k novella bursting with laughs, holiday spirit, and a Happily Ever After that even the Grinch would approve of. Get ready for festive chaos, Christmas kisses, and a love story weirder than Grandma's fruitcake.

Genres: Paranormal, M M Romance, Fantasy, Romance, Angels, Christmas, Holiday

118 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 27, 2023

Reviews

[Guardian.angel54 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes Beck, there really is a Santa Claus

This was the perfect holiday story centering around a certain angel of joy and fulfillment, who might have inadvertently started the whole Christmas/Santa Claus tradition. Pairing him with a sweet, elfin-like twink, Beck, and then throw in a few Christmas miracles (really, they're just tiny things, hardly miracles at all) and this was just the right amount of sweet and sassy and 🔥🔥 I'm definitely a fan of this series and I look forward to more books and more soulmates and more fun!

[Thomas Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable

I have to say that I have fallen in love with the characters that Shannon Mae has created. And this little outing involved Santa! I know that I would gladly read anything Shannon has written or will write.

[Tasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main character resembling Santa totally took out of the plot. I couldn’t hahaha. Otherwise, this was sweet. I think that Nach and Beck were very cute

[Xi Rai · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well... I didn't need that addition to the storyline...
Maybe I'm just a Grinch, but this...was weird.
Like I also wouldn't watch Santa Claus porn.....

[isthisakink · Rating 3 out of 5]

So did anyone else notice the character on the cover doesn’t have feet? Just me?

[Barbara➰ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet holiday mate story with a different take on Santa.

[Abigail Beckwith · Rating 5 out of 5]

old post reposted


Another day, another paranormal read (because why the hell not?). Here's Shannon Mae's "A Beginner's Guide to Christmas Miracles." It's a part of her Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures series.
["Nachielus (not Nicholas) may have gotten into a bit of trouble over unsanctioned miracles, ending up on the upstairs’ naughty list. Sure, maybe he’d gotten a little carried away with the whole Christmas thing, but he hadn’t meant to become a part of folklore, and surely that wasn’t a reason to bury him in centuries of paperwork. Banned from topside and missing his favorite holiday, he gets a push from a certain demon to pop up and have a look around. When he meets Beckett, a Christmas-loving elf enthusiast who mistakes him for the Santa hired for a fundraiser, how can he say no? Next thing he knows, Nach is in over his head again, because this is one human he can’t resist.

Beck's Christmas is merry and bright, especially after he encounters Nach, the hottie in questionable Santa attire. Nach's kindness, generosity, and charm have Beck falling faster than a snowflake. With no place to stay, obviously Beck needs to bring Nach home with him. Beck never believed in love at first sight before, but there’s just something about Nach that calls to him, and it isn’t long before he’s trying to figure out to keep this sexy Santa all to himself."]

Oh Nach. Constantly performing miracles but mentally justifying it so it might not count as an official miracle? Too. Damn. Adorable.

This was the perfect little Christmas hallmark movie of Beck’s dreams. I love that for him. That and Nach. ;)

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[Katy Cordell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Comment / Summary
To be honest, not a lot really happens in this book and it was kind of boring as a result. Beck runs into Nach on the street before a santa event the community center. Nach isn’t actually supposed to be in the overworld because he was banned after accidentally creating Christmas, but he decided to come for a visit anyway. He is Santa, so of course he’s cool with being Santa for some kids. When they’re done volunteering, Beck wants to give him a ride home but since he doesn’t have one, Beck offers for him to stay with him and Alan. For some reason (cough, soulmates, cough), Beck and Nach are immediately enamored with each other. They spend the next day doing Christmas shopping and then go home and get super frisky. They spend a lot of time in this book being frisky and Nach (who is not supposed to being doing miracles) does a lot of tiny miracles. However, the one that gets him in trouble is when he cures Alan’s mother of cancer. The leadership team sends him a notice telling him he's banned from earth and he needs to come home. Instead, he calls his buddy Minos and his partner / soulmate Adam from book 1 in the series. Minos observes that they’re soulmates so the leadership team isn’t allowed to split them up, but Nach has lost his magic. On Christmas morning, Alan, Beck, and Nach are all opening presents and there’s a letter from the leadership team telling him he has his magic back. HEA.

Likes - The story was very Christmassy and sweet. The food sounded amazing and I kind of wanted to eat all of it. Between this and the last book I read before it, it got me all geared up for Christmas cookies.

Dislikes - Frankly it was boring. The characters were so sweet and kind all the time that there was no conflict at all between them or anyone else. Al the major issues were solved of screen without the characters present. It just was blah.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

an absolute blast and ho ho ho happy romance

Rating: 4.5🌈

It’s the holidays and time for Shannon Mae’s Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures to go all things Christmas! What an absolute blast and ho ho ho happy romance this is!

Mae gives us her version of the Santa origin story this time around with a touch of chaotic demonic energy and angelic joy combined to create happiness and love for children at a certain time of year. That had serious ramifications for one Nachielus (not Nicholas).

I absolutely loved seeing Nach return to the human realm. Mae’s ability to make the reader see the joy and wonder of the season, the warmth and happiness he’s able to bring, is a marvel of its own.

That carries over to the other characters, Beckett, a human, whose love for Christmas is deep and abiding as well as his roommate, who adds to the holiday spirit.

Together, we get a portrait of two beings who are soulmates, completely compatible in every sense of their being. It’s sexy, fun, but also filled with the joy and excitement of the Christmas spirit.

Happily, we get appearances from another important couple too. That’s the frosting or maybe tree topper on the Christmas tree here. As well as hints for a new book and identity of a character that’s been around in the background of the preceding stories.

All in all, a fabulous time was had back in this universe and I have another Christmas story to recommend.

Great cover again!


Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures: (Paranormal Romance) :
- [x] A Beginner’s Guide to Death, Demons, and Other Afterlife Disasters
- [x] A Beginner’s Guide to Mistakenly Summoned Demons and Other Misadventures
- [x] A Beginner’s Guide to Revenge, Chaos, and Other Absurd Escapades
- [ ] A Beginner’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Demons (A Novella)

[The Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the Attention of ALL Christmas Elves

It has come to the attention of the Leadership Team that certain mortal souls currently fulfilling the function of ‘Christmas Elf’ are lacking in inspiration with regard to how they can spread joy & fulfilment throughout the year.

We appreciate the hard work that you make every year, and wish to remind your have now been transitioned into functioning in the capacity of a ‘Joy & Fulfilment Elf’ (Seriously, we are not the one who originated the job title, that was probably all Joe, and possibly A…)

This ‘recommended reading’ has been authorised by Joe’s Department …

(The less said about the reshuffle the better, I have never seen a more disorganised entity (excepting the individuals currently residing topside (Keep that bit quiet okay, this is a private communication as the mortals should not be aware of the term topside.))) (Where was I again, yes the recommend reading, ahem)

Please studiously enjoy this ‘recommended reading’ during this ‘transition phase’ as you work towards your new goals & quotas as set out in your personal ‘Joy & Fulfilment’ plans. (I do not need to remind you that some overzealous toss pot will undoubtedly have begun gathering statistics on the new role already.)

May the ‘recommended reading’ bring you much personal ‘Joy & Fulfilment’ and it is our sincere wish that you use this as motivation to spread your own personal brand of joy throughout the year. (We could seriously do with spreading it out just a bit more evenly to everyone equally.)

Please remember this is an equality & inclusivity first organisation, and any transgression from this policy will be brought to the attention of Minos & Adam.

Have a blessed mortal existence,

The Leadership Team

[Omi Salavea · Rating 5 out of 5]

a cup of Christmas cheer in book form

This novella was sooo sweet it stuck to the roof of my kindle, lol. But for real, this was a well written short story with an adorable Christmas couple (and I normally don’t do sappy Xmas stuff). But I loved the Nach character, and it warmed my heart that he’s friends with a previously introduced character that I really like from this series. The relationship was smoothly written and the interactions were easy to read, which is something you really want during the holidays. Spice-wise this was a 3.5 but it was a fun read and made me laugh a few times. I’d like to applaud the author for making a Christmas story for this series, and quickly!

[audiobook_chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoy your Elf!

Nachielus was the angel of Joy but one miracle he performed centuries ago started a tradition and he became known as Santa by humans. When the leadership team who are total jobsworths tell him he’s on reprimand for performing unsanctioned miracles and he dare too topside he’s unhappy . When Adam and Minos tell him to go topside and have fun that’s what he does and he meets Beck who’s dressed as and Elf for a charity and he’s waiting for the volunteer Santa. When Beck sees Nach he thinks he’s the volunteer Santa and he also thinks he’s hot and they hit it off immediately. As with the rest of the series this is insta love which I’m not really keen on but as the books are funny and quirky I’m ok with it.

[Becky A · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Beginner’s Guide to Christmas Miracles" received FOUR stars.

Cute story. Wished it had been longer. I also missed visiting our favorite coffee shop owner.

The novel gained *stars* for these items:

* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."

* gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."

* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."

* gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"

The novel failed to gain stars for this item:

NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything she/he/they writes."

[Laina Gruver · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

Beck is a HUGE fan of Christmas. He and his roommate volunteer at the community center and a case of mistaken identity leads Beck to drag Nach into ‘playing Santa’.

Nach is trying to keep a low profile since he’s not supposed to be topside but, how can he refuse such a sexy elf who is so obviously full of holiday joy? Nach has so much fun. When the day is over, due to a series of misunderstandings, Nach ends up at Beck’s house.

While the story is a novella, it takes Nach a while to be revealed as ‘Santa’

*****
POV… third person

Standalone or series… novella in a series

Hangover… slight

Recommend… yes

Reread… sure

[Frank Swilling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute Christmas story

I personally find the whole 'fated mates' trope tiresome, but Shannon and other genre writers keep penning them and I keep reading them, so I must be connecting to them at some level. Anyway, this is a warm, cheerful take on the Santa Claus myth, and except for the continual misspelling of Santa Claus as Santa Clause (yeah, like the movies,) is an enjoyable way to spend a night or two before bed. Although, with my husbear snoring in bed beside me as I read, I am a little peeved that he has never revealed himself to be either demon or angel.

[Elizabeth D · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 This was a wonderfully sweet, low-angst Christmas novella. I loved how both Nach and Beck loved the holidays with unrepentant joy, how they were so very kind, and how they matched together so well. Nach’s “not” miracles were entertaining, and it was awesome how the Santa lore was sprinkled in there. (Yes, he really loves cookies that much, thank you very much, lol.) I’m looking forward to (eventually) learning more about Joe and hopefully Alan and however many more soulmates are out there.

[NightOwlz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was like an early Christmas present! Nach and Beck were perfect together and the relationship was so sweet as it developed! Characters from other books also make an appearance or are mentioned which is always fun to see! If you’re looking for a low angst feel good Christmas read then look no further! If you’ve read any of the other books in the series and enjoyed them then this should already be in your library 😂

[SophiaH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different Christmas take for sure. I also seemed to somehow make sense. I mean, borrowing the cape from the demon Minos because it would keep him toasty in the cold winter, wanting to cheer children in times where food and vitamin D from the sun was scarce. Not going from door to door himself anymore because he was caught out and chastised. Totally plausible. Very sweet and full of cookies and cheer in a compact short story.

[Demetra Roussakis · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so good. Beck loves Christmas and is playing an elf at the mall. When the Santa they hired was late, Beck went outside and found who they thought they hired. Nach is an angel of joy who got into trouble for performing some Christmas miracles. He happily went along with Beck and all the kids and staff were happy with Nach being Santa. The story started from there where Nach and Beck get closer and falling in love. Great world building, high heat and chemistry between them.

[Preluxe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute and christmas-y! 🎄🎅🦌

I can't get enough of this series, and this little novella was adorably festive and cute! I would love if Alan got his own holiday novella and a demon or angel fated mate of his own. Also, it was great to see Adam and Minos and get a little tidbit update from the messenger demon about changes that Adam has been making to the leadership team.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really loving this series.
Here we meet Beck who whilst walking down the street looking for his Santa for the center meets Nach. Nach is dragged to help out and the two start the formation of a relationship.
Beck is an adorable twink and we even see Adam and Minos. Hoping there is more to come.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, but this one doesn’t feel like it fits in the timeline with the other books. Beckett was sweet and I loved the idea of his soulmate being “Santa” with his love for all things Christmas. I hope Alan comes back as an MC of his own book. It was fun to see Minos and Adam again…it just felt very separate from the rest of the series.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mistake to read in October now I just want christmas to happen

Ugh now all I want to do is decorate for christmas and buy gifts and have it snow, which is not feasible when it's a hundred outside. Should have waited till the end of November to start reading. But it was so good I couldn't resist, love this author and love this world building.

[Wayne Blood · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the bones of the plot are charming, I found this one rushed to get to an ending.

Also to the author: THERE IS NO “E” in the name Santa Claus. How did no beta reader or editor catch this? It happens at least a dozen times in a single chapter. Ripped my right out of the story every time it happened.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmas Hallmark movie novella. Cute, but ONE DAY is a bit much. The others had at least a week.

Ok, this was adorable, but there was no need to not have condoms and to have Beck just trust a perfect stranger whose full name he didn't even know. It went from adorable to creepy with one sentence. Sighs.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one! The Santa legend started by the Angel of Joy! And gets together with a human who loves Christmas so much that he dresses as an elf when volunteering at the shelter during Christmas. And would celebrate Christmas all year if people let him! I love it!! And fate and soul mates! And smexy to boot!!
Highly recommend!

[Dee H · Rating 5 out of 5]

You have to love this story of Santa finding his soul mate. I loved Minos' story too and can't wait to read the next one. Nachielus and Beck are so sweet and their short journey of instant love is full of joy and miracles. Alan, Beck's room mate adds a small extra of quiet sanity to Beck's overriding love Christmas.
Well written and completely full of happiness.

[BrittReadsALot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whooop finally an angel

Hopefully the first of many many angels to find their happiness. We need more angels to be happy and loved up! I love Shannon's writing and this world she has created is just amazing! J can't wait for more

[Lynn A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun addition to the series/world!

Funny, sweet, and lots of fun! I loved this lighthearted addition to the series. No real angst to speak of, this is a great read if you’re looking for something quick to lift your mood!

[Liz Prosser · Rating 5 out of 5]

angelic Christmas!

Another amazing and wonderful book in this series. A creative and angelic story for the myth of santa . I am so glad the author decided to do Christmas story and added to this fantastic series. Can’t wait for the next book!