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Touchstone Series ##2, #5
Christmas Magic: A Christmas Fling / A Cupcake Christmas
Book 1:
About A CHRISTMAS FLING
What if falling in love put the life you cherished in jeopardy?
Dahlia, a Santa’s Elf, has 21 days left before Christmas to create the best toy in the world without using magic or revealing her true identity. Stuck on how to complete the prototype, and working as a temp in San Francisco’s financial district with no time for love, will her Christmas fling get her unstuck, or will she turn her back on her beloved career for her heart?
Liam, an up-and-coming financial analyst, swore off women after getting dumped by the love of his life. He just found out his ex is going to the company Christmas party with his rival Michael Hendricks. Up for promotion against Hendricks, Liam has to win the favor of his boss. His best bet is to invite the vivacious secretary Dahlia to the party. Will Dahlia be a welcome distraction, or will she turn his life upside down?
Book 2:
About A CUPCAKE CHRISTMAS
What if you risked losing your baking legacy by cooking up a love truly special?Florian MacMillian needs a final job to complete his baking resume—preferably a job where he’s unlikely to blow things up with his unruly magic—before returning to the North Pole and taking his rightful place as Master Baker to all the elves.Kate Delore desperately needs help in her fast-growing cupcake business. Florian is a perfect fit, so she brings him on as baker. Florian is happily up to his elbows in batter, and Kate’s business is booming.But when things heat up between them, Florian wonders if he should risk his legacy to cook up something truly special.
In The TOUCHSTONE SERIES
Touchstone of Love (A Time Travel Romance) (Touchstone, #1)
A Christmas Fling (A Christmas Elf Romance) (Touchstone, #2)
Parisian Amour (A Fairy Tale Romance) (Touchstone, #3)
A Labyrinth of Love and Roses (A Fairy Tale Romance) (Touchstone, #4)
A Cupcake Christmas (A Christmas Elf Romance) (Touchstone, #5)
About A CHRISTMAS FLING
What if falling in love put the life you cherished in jeopardy?
Dahlia, a Santa’s Elf, has 21 days left before Christmas to create the best toy in the world without using magic or revealing her true identity. Stuck on how to complete the prototype, and working as a temp in San Francisco’s financial district with no time for love, will her Christmas fling get her unstuck, or will she turn her back on her beloved career for her heart?
Liam, an up-and-coming financial analyst, swore off women after getting dumped by the love of his life. He just found out his ex is going to the company Christmas party with his rival Michael Hendricks. Up for promotion against Hendricks, Liam has to win the favor of his boss. His best bet is to invite the vivacious secretary Dahlia to the party. Will Dahlia be a welcome distraction, or will she turn his life upside down?
Book 2:
About A CUPCAKE CHRISTMAS
What if you risked losing your baking legacy by cooking up a love truly special?Florian MacMillian needs a final job to complete his baking resume—preferably a job where he’s unlikely to blow things up with his unruly magic—before returning to the North Pole and taking his rightful place as Master Baker to all the elves.Kate Delore desperately needs help in her fast-growing cupcake business. Florian is a perfect fit, so she brings him on as baker. Florian is happily up to his elbows in batter, and Kate’s business is booming.But when things heat up between them, Florian wonders if he should risk his legacy to cook up something truly special.
In The TOUCHSTONE SERIES
Touchstone of Love (A Time Travel Romance) (Touchstone, #1)
A Christmas Fling (A Christmas Elf Romance) (Touchstone, #2)
Parisian Amour (A Fairy Tale Romance) (Touchstone, #3)
A Labyrinth of Love and Roses (A Fairy Tale Romance) (Touchstone, #4)
A Cupcake Christmas (A Christmas Elf Romance) (Touchstone, #5)
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 29, 2016
5 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Beth Barany
29 books548 followersAward winning author, Beth Barany writes in several genres including young adult adventure fantasy, paranormal romance, and science fiction mysteries.
Inspired by living abroad in France and Quebec, she loves creating magical tales of romance, mystery, and adventure that empower women and girls to be the heroes of their own lives.
For fun, Beth enjoys walking her neighborhood, gardening on her patio, and watching movies and traveling with her husband, author Ezra Barany.
They live in Oakland, California with a piano, cats, and over 1,000 books.
Beth is also the author of bestselling nonfiction books for authors and aspiring authors and helps novelists through her courses and programs at Barany School of Fiction.
Inspired by living abroad in France and Quebec, she loves creating magical tales of romance, mystery, and adventure that empower women and girls to be the heroes of their own lives.
For fun, Beth enjoys walking her neighborhood, gardening on her patio, and watching movies and traveling with her husband, author Ezra Barany.
They live in Oakland, California with a piano, cats, and over 1,000 books.
Beth is also the author of bestselling nonfiction books for authors and aspiring authors and helps novelists through her courses and programs at Barany School of Fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 31, 2016
Two wonderful, magical stories for Christmas!
A Christmas Fling tells Dahlia's story of creating a toy to become the Master Elf back at the North Pole. Her year of living in the Human world brings her into contact with Liam who she falls in love with. This is a magical and entertaining Christmas story full of interesting characters.
A Cupcake Christmas tells Dahlia's brother Florian's story of learning to become a Master Baker while working in businesses around the world. His latest job brings him into a job with Kate Delore, a cupcake baker who he quickly falls in love with. The characters are colorful and heartwarming.
I wholeheartedly recommend these stories if you would like to get into the Christmas spirit or get that Christmas feeling.
A Christmas Fling tells Dahlia's story of creating a toy to become the Master Elf back at the North Pole. Her year of living in the Human world brings her into contact with Liam who she falls in love with. This is a magical and entertaining Christmas story full of interesting characters.
A Cupcake Christmas tells Dahlia's brother Florian's story of learning to become a Master Baker while working in businesses around the world. His latest job brings him into a job with Kate Delore, a cupcake baker who he quickly falls in love with. The characters are colorful and heartwarming.
I wholeheartedly recommend these stories if you would like to get into the Christmas spirit or get that Christmas feeling.
December 3, 2016
Touchstone Series: Book One: A Christmas Fling - Dahlia, a Santa's Elf, has 21 days left before Christmas to create the best toy in the world without using magic or revealing her true identity. Liam, an up and coming financial analyst, swore off women after getting dumped by the love of his life. Up for a promotion he needs to win the favor of his boss. His best bet is to invite the vivacious temp secretary Dahlia to the party.
A Cupcake Christmas - Florian MacMillian needs a final job to complete his baking resume-before returning to the North Pole and taking his rightful place as Master Baker to all the elves. Kate Delore desperately needs help in her fast-growing cupcake business.
These creatively written & developed novels have no plot holes. A nonpareil writing style that is delightful. With enchanting characters that are realistic with real emotions and flaws.The premise is unrivaled & settings are well described. Each novel is a sweet & sexy spicy read perfect fireside read with tea during the holidays. These highly entertaining & decadently delicious reads offer twists & turns to keep you captivated. I highly recommend reading both of these novels as they are totally worth it. Although I love both books A Cupcake Christmas was my favorite as my dream job is to open a online bakery. I Voluntarily reviewed and advanced reading copy of this book set.
A Cupcake Christmas - Florian MacMillian needs a final job to complete his baking resume-before returning to the North Pole and taking his rightful place as Master Baker to all the elves. Kate Delore desperately needs help in her fast-growing cupcake business.
These creatively written & developed novels have no plot holes. A nonpareil writing style that is delightful. With enchanting characters that are realistic with real emotions and flaws.The premise is unrivaled & settings are well described. Each novel is a sweet & sexy spicy read perfect fireside read with tea during the holidays. These highly entertaining & decadently delicious reads offer twists & turns to keep you captivated. I highly recommend reading both of these novels as they are totally worth it. Although I love both books A Cupcake Christmas was my favorite as my dream job is to open a online bakery. I Voluntarily reviewed and advanced reading copy of this book set.
December 31, 2016
I was enchanted with this magically sweet romance.
The female lead is strong and determined and keeps in mind what she wants and needs to make her dreams come true. She has a deadline and does not ignore that when her heart gets whisked away.
She plays by the rules and although she hesitates to ask for help when she needs it, she gives her options full consideration. And when all is said and done, she is true to herself.
Can this Elf get a total happy ending?
I was also very happy about the family support both Dahlia and Liam receive.
Their families love them enough to give both space and support
Endearing and delicious!
A Cupcake Christmas
Every relationship has both baggage and secrets. No matter what happens, a relationship will change the people in it.
What happens when one of the people involved has magic that gets more uncontrollable with strong emotions? "...fluttering and trowing wayward magic."
And he can't tell the woman he loves about his magic or the truth about his past?
I connected to the main characters and empathized with their reality vs emotions.
"...her heart urged her not to think. To just feel..."
Both felt committed to an endgame but don't want to miss out on what could be the best life has to offer. A touching story about living in the moment.
"Maybe it was okay that for one night she didn't have her whole life figured out."
The writing flows and the descriptive phrasing made me smile.
"More delicate than a souffle cupcake."
I loved the term for Florian's "year away." What a clever concept!
December 19, 2025
Christmas Magic is a two-novella collection featuring A Christmas Fling and A Cupcake Christmas, both part of Beth Barany’s Touchstone series. These stories are cozy, romantic, and lightly fantastical, making them ideal for curling up with a cup of cocoa during the holiday season. A Christmas Fling: Dahlia is a secret elf on a mission to create the perfect toy without revealing her magical identity. Dahlia meets Liam an analyst with a bruised heart while working undercover in San Francisco’s financial district. Their connection sparks a romance that challenges both their priorities and their secrets. A Cupcake Christmas: Kate is a pastry chef who’s determined to make her bakery a success. Kate meets Matthew, a single dad with a sweet tooth and a daughter who adores cupcakes, then their romance blossoms. But both have past wounds to heal before they can embrace the magic of love. The stories incorporate light fantasy with elves on a mission and a sprinkle of holiday. A charming holiday duet with a sprinkle of magic and a whole lot of heart. These two Christmas novellas blend romance, whimsy, and light paranormal touches. I really enjoyed these heartwarming holiday romance novellas.
July 20, 2017
These are two wonderful stories; full of Love, Romance, Christmas Magic, Santa and his Elves. In the first story, Dahlia one of Santa's Elves is trying to design a toy so she can become a Master Toy Maker at Santa's Workshop. She falls in love with Liam, a human and she leaves him behind to return to Alaska to her home, because she will lose her magic and her home if she stays with him. But Liam follows her to Alaska because he truly loves her and something Magical happens.
In the second story, Florian; Dahlia's younger brother has been traveling around the world for one year learning about baking in different countries so he can become a Master Baker at home with Santa and all his family. He takes a job with Kate to learn about baking all kinds of cupcakes and falls in love with her. His magic gets uncontrollable and causes some difficulties, but he decides to stay with Kate even though it will cost him his magic, and again something Magical happens and Florian and Kate can be together.
I was gifted a copy of this book by the author and am freely and voluntarily writing this review.
In the second story, Florian; Dahlia's younger brother has been traveling around the world for one year learning about baking in different countries so he can become a Master Baker at home with Santa and all his family. He takes a job with Kate to learn about baking all kinds of cupcakes and falls in love with her. His magic gets uncontrollable and causes some difficulties, but he decides to stay with Kate even though it will cost him his magic, and again something Magical happens and Florian and Kate can be together.
I was gifted a copy of this book by the author and am freely and voluntarily writing this review.
October 25, 2017
Double the Holiday Magic Fun
I love reading Holiday books.... add in magic and Romance and make the book a two book collection and you have a winner.
This set are two books that are not only fun to read but are very well written. Both books could easily be made into holiday movies that could be enjoyed year after year. Love the idea of elves coming to the human land to "perfect their crafts.... of course they do have time limits here and magic performed while here...well let's just say it tends to go weirdly. Great 2 book read and I definitely need to grab the other books as well.
Merged review:
I love reading Holiday books.... add in magic and Romance and make the book a two book collection and you have a winner.
This set are two books that are not only fun to read but are very well written. Both books could easily be made into holiday movies that could be enjoyed year after year. Love the idea of elves coming to the human land to "perfect their crafts.... of course they do have time limits here and magic performed while here...well let's just say it tends to go weirdly. Great 2 book read and I definitely need to grab the other books as well.
I love reading Holiday books.... add in magic and Romance and make the book a two book collection and you have a winner.
This set are two books that are not only fun to read but are very well written. Both books could easily be made into holiday movies that could be enjoyed year after year. Love the idea of elves coming to the human land to "perfect their crafts.... of course they do have time limits here and magic performed while here...well let's just say it tends to go weirdly. Great 2 book read and I definitely need to grab the other books as well.
Merged review:
I love reading Holiday books.... add in magic and Romance and make the book a two book collection and you have a winner.
This set are two books that are not only fun to read but are very well written. Both books could easily be made into holiday movies that could be enjoyed year after year. Love the idea of elves coming to the human land to "perfect their crafts.... of course they do have time limits here and magic performed while here...well let's just say it tends to go weirdly. Great 2 book read and I definitely need to grab the other books as well.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews