A Movie Magic Christmas

Christmas in St. Nicholas #2

by Caitlin McKenna

Christmas magic is in the air in this heartwarming and witty small-town reunion romance

Actress Catalina Jones has no intention of spreading Christmas cheer. She’s in St. Nicholas, Colorado, to save her career, not uncover the truth behind the famous “Scrooge Legend.” Besides, there isn’t enough magic in the world to fix the trust issues years in show business have given her.  

When Hollywood director turned wildlife photographer Jay Townsend hears Catalina is the lead in the production, he has no intention of lending a hand. She’d been his leading lady once…before she broke his heart.

But some things are just meant to be.

Together again in a winter wonderland filled with someone’s little helpers determined to spread Christmas cheer, Catalina and Jay find themselves on a journey of rediscovery and learn that love is the most powerful magic of all.

Christmas in St. Nicholas

Book 1: Colorado Christmas Magic
Book 2: A Movie Magic Christmas

Genres: Christmas, Holiday Romance, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Holiday

368 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2022

About the author

Ever since she can remember, Caitlin McKenna has always loved a good story. Naturally, she landed Hollywood where she embarked on an acting and screenwriting career.

Now she enjoys writing any story where love drives the narrative. Caitlin lives with her husband and two spoiled dachshunds in Southern California, and is working on her next novel.

Please visit her website at: https://www.caitlinmckenna.com

You can also connect with Caitlin at:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/caitmckenna
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorcaitl...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorcaitli...
Email: AuthorCaitlinMcKenna@gmail.com

Reviews

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wholesome with magic in the air. Catalina Jones is spending the holiday season in St. Nicholas, Colorado filming a new movie. She is bankable star but her ice-queen persona needs some image repair. The movie is based on the Scrooge Legend of the town. When Scrooges come to town they find their lives can be changed by love. The movie has its problems; a gotcha director, co-starring with her ex, a terrible script etc. But Catalina is surprised to find Jay Townsend is a fill in as a still photographer. He directed the film that turned her into a star. But he left Hollywood after being disillusioned.

The romance between Catalina and Jay is sweet. But the town is almost too magical. It gets hard to keep everyone straight as the magical influence is hitting many of the film crew. I did like the realistic details of filming and from assistants to the overseeing corporate suits. This is the second in the St. Nicholas series but I read easily as a stand alone. Not everything magical explained so I’m assuming the series will continue next Christmas.

I’d recommend this for people who enjoy clean, small town, Christmas romances with a bit of added fantasy. Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press & Carina Adores for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
(3.5 stars)

[erraticdemon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

So this book wasn't exactly bad but it was written as if the author left their term paper outline in it and filled it in with a ridiculous Christmas magic plot. And movie making. It made the whole thing kind of boring despite all the whacky Scrooge Legend plot and descriptions of festive Christmas drinks. It was kind of like Christmas was written by a robot who got all their information from Christmas movies and a wiki summary on film making. The central message of finding love at Christmas curing grumpy Christmas and Love haters (the Scrooges of the Scrooge legend) was a bit off and I wish it also had other kinds of non-romantic love especially since I didn't quite buy the two main characters' romance. There was plenty of Christmas all up in the book though! And no one actively died on page. My inner Christmas Scrooge has been healed through the power of zero Christmas deaths!

I received an ARC copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this follow-up to Colorado Christmas Magic!!

Catalina Jones is an actress in St. Nicholas, Colorado to film a movie about the Scrooge Legend. The Scrooge Legend states that any Scrooge who enters the town will end up loving Christmas as much as Santa. Catalina's name has been dropped into the Magic Mailbox, and she received her invitation to visit St. Nicholas from Santa. She assumed it was all part of making the movie, not realizing her name had been entered because someone thought she was a Scrooge. Following a high profile break-up with one of her co-stars, Catalina has become weary and distrusting of the people around her.

Jay Townsend is the man who directed one of her movies, and who she fell in love with years ago. They kissed and then were separated. Jay became disillusioned with the movie industry and became a freelance wildlife photographer. Jay and Catalina are reunited when he is hired to works as a stills photographer on the movie.

Lots of fun elements from the first book are at play again, like the Magic Mailbox and people trying to see the "person" who picks up the mail. It was a wonderful follow-up to the first book and I wish St. Nicholas, Colorado was a real place because I want to visit!! I highly recommend. ARC review

[Nichole Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every moment of this book. Catalina and Jay have such a sweet, tender romance. It truly felt like I was living out my own Christmas movie. Someone call Hallmark, right now. Plus, the whole behind the scenes of what its like to be in the film industry is spot on. (I can say that after the last four years. lol) The story and characters (oh, the side characters are so much fun!) meshes perfectly with the Christmas atmosphere of St. Nicholas, the imaginary town McKenna has created. This is a series, but you can read each book as a stand alone. Highly recommend to anyone that loves holiday romances. You won't be disappointed.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of, A Movie Magic Christmas, by Caitlin McKenna. This is a short and sweet Christmas story. Catalina and Jay are filming a movie, will their be sparks off screen too?

[Harlequin Books]

Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy, Holiday, Holiday Romance
Miniseries
Christmas in St. Nicholas (Book #2)

:) I've been waiting for this one for what seems like forever. It really hasn't been long but I'm not known for my patience. ~ Kim

[Katie Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Movie Magic Christmas by Caitlin McKenna
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🧼
Catalina is known in the film industry as the ice queen. She doesn’t let anyone close to her and her walls are built very high. Jay has gotten out of the film industry for a simpler way of life. He never thought he would be given the chance to work on a movie shot in his home town of St. Nicholas, Colorado. When Jay arrives on set and sees his old friend Catalina he is surprised and ecstatic. One kiss changed everything for their friendship years ago. Once reunited the friends quickly realize the spark has not dimmed between them. As they both try to navigate their relationship they are met with obstacles along the way! This book is so cute! I could definitely see this being a Hallmark Movie! Loved seeing the Scrooge Legend live on in book two! 🎅🏻

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our main characters Catalina and Jay were a good balance between the two and showed what had happened to get them back together in this little town after having not seen each other in several years.

Catalina has become shut off from most people due to not being able to trust anyway due to her fame and them wanting something from her. This has caused her to become 'ice queen' of sorts as a safety mechanism for her own heart. While she was supposed to finally be able to go home and see her family for the first time in several years, she is now instead working through the holidays on a Christmas movie. This movie though is proving to be rather difficult in its own ways and the town is even obsessed with the scrooge story and says that they can help people not be scrooges anymore. While this seems a little far-fetched as time goes on they just might be right, or maybe it's just the kindness that they show to everyone that helps bring back some of that goodwill towards all.

Jay has grown up in this small town where the movie is being shot and after years of not being in the movie business anymore and instead doing wildlife photography, he gets roped into being a part of this new Christmas movie as well. Jay and Catalina become friends again throughout all of this and we just might see them both start looking at life a little differently.

Overall this book was fun and a sweet read. The two main characters while doing different things in life now are both wanting more out of life and that shows in how they interact with each other and those around them as the book goes on. Catalina starts believing that there are good people in the world again, and Jay just might start doing what he loves again after having been burned. The two of them together were so nice to see as you could tell they balanced each other out and helped bring out the best in one another. The town itself is so nice and I loved the legend of the scrooges and how the town helped them.

I could definitely see this one becoming a Lifetime or Hallmark movie with how the story went and the Christmas vibes that were a part of it.

I probably will be going back and reading the first book in the companion story as I did love this little town and some of the side characters we got to see in this book.

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quirky, fun, sweet holiday romance set in a small Colorado town where a movie is being shot about the town’s Scrooge Legend. The hero and heroine had worked on a film years prior and were the best of friends, but then one kiss and a whole boatload of missed opportunities and connections, they haven’t seen or spoken to each other since. The heroine, Catalina, has gone on to star in many movies and had her heart broken by one of her co-stars and has transformed herself into the “Ice Queen.” The hero, Jay, dropped the Hollywood scene and has been working as a wildlife photographer, but has plans to return to get a movie he wrote in production. He is called in as he is local to become the still photographer for the movie and they are reunited.

I enjoyed these characters and the fact there were a lot of layers to them. At times the story was a bit convoluted, but it always moved the plot forward and focused on the relationship building between Catalina and Jay and the happiness of the other people involved with the film.

I will say if what went on with the making of this movie is how things go in normal film production it’s a wonder any movie ever makes it to the screen. And we still don’t know what was up with the elf shoes or the reindeer, but maybe next book?

If you want a magical, fun, small town holiday romance look no further than A Movie Magic Christmas.

Review copy provided for a voluntary review.

[Monae Doyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really did want to like this book but I just couldn’t get into the story.

This story is about a woman named Catalina Jones. She is an actress who has no intention of spreading Christmas cheer. She ends up in a place called St. Nicholas, Colorado to save her career. She isn’t looking to uncover the truth behind the famous “Scrooge legend”. She also has trust issues with the years show business has shown her.

Hollywood director turned wildlife photographer Jay Townsend hears Catalina is the lead in the production he has no intention of lending a hand. She was his leading lady once and she broke his heart.

Together again in a winter wonderland filled with helpers determined to spread Christmas cheer. They end up falling for each other. I didn’t feel any connection to the people in the story and I just wasn’t into the story as I hoped.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Colorado Christmas Magic so much that I knew I had to read A Movie Magic Christmas. This sequel introduces us to another grinch that is temporarily in St. Nicholas, Colorado this Christmas season.

The grinch is Catalina, an actress that is starring in a movie based on the St. Nicolas legend of the mailbox for Christmas wishes - including suggesting a grinch that needs their belief in Christmas magic restored. Catalina had her heart broken by another actor who was just using her to elevate his career. Devastated after their engagement was broken and he moved on to the next starlet, Catalina has protected her heart - losing her belief in love and her trust in others. She is now know as "The Ice Queen" in Hollywood.

Also in St. Nicholas is former movie director turned nature photographer Jay. Jay directed Catalina's first huge movie and they became good friends. Jay left Hollywood behind and Catalina skyrocketed to fame. Their friendship faded away, but now Jay is back home visiting his family for Christmas.

As Catalina's and Jay's paths cross again, will they pick up where they left off or is Catalina too closed off? And what about all the other grinches that are on set for the movie - will St. Nicolas be able to handle them all?

I really liked this book and am glad I read Colorado Christmas magic first, but I don't think it is necessary.

[Mandy Reads Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful, beautiful story revolving around one of St. Nicholas own townspeople. Piper’s story is finally being told on the big screen and one of Hollywood’s biggest names is portraying her, Catalina Jones. Catalina comes to St. Nicholas as the Ice Queen of Tinseltown but will she be able to thaw her heart in the quaint Christmas town when reunited with someone from her past and making a silly Christmas wish to find her soul mate?

Absolutely loved this book and the sweet romance it told. The whole town and the Scrooge legend gets a mighty workout with all that’s on the line this time. Lots of hearts to turn. Lots of minds to change. It was absolutely a fun, sweet read and just in time as Christmas draws near. 5 Stars!

[Slick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full review coming www.simplylovebooks.com

I enjoyed these characters and the fact there were a lot of layers to them. At times the story was a bit convoluted, but it always moved the plot forward and focused on the relationship building between Catalina and Jay and the happiness of the other people involved with the film.

If you want a magical, fun, small town holiday romance look no further than A Movie Magic Christmas.

[Lisa H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This time around...

Jay and Catalina had worked on an indy years ago, but it never developed beyond them liking each other.
Now, Catalina is a hard, brittle, jaded Hollywood starlet and Jay is an ex-drector trying to make a go at being a wildlife photographer. The actual film production stuff was better than most.

Catalina isn't in a good place, Hollywood has done a number on her, as it has done on Jay.
Will this time around work out?

[Kate Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actress Catalina Jones is unhappy until she reconnects with photographer and former movie director Jay Townsend in his hometown of St. Nicholas, CO, where she's starting a film. Although she distrusts her heart after a failed love affair in which her co-star did her wrong--publicly, Catlina comes to see that Christmas does have magical elements and that IDing different "scrooges" changes their lives, as well as hers and Jay's.

[Karissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once upon a time, I brought an elderly lady to a town supper. While she chatted with her friends, I perused a few shelves of free books. I wanted many but only took one. This one. As many do, I have a hard time with the holidays. My solution is to load up on feel-good stories. I enjoyed this one. The plot is predictable but a surprise twist is not the aim of this genre. It was comforting. Lovely cover art as well. Happy New Year!

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's three MCs: Catalina, Jay, and St.Nicholas. I would be happy to be in St. Nicholas now as it's a lovely and magic place.
The story is festive, full of hope, a second chance romance that made me root for the fleshed out characters.
An entertaining and sweet romance.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

[Lyn Faulkner · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘A Movie Magic Christmas’ by Caitlin McKenna was everything I could have hoped for in a holiday themed book. Most important was the theme of redemption, which after all is the reason for this season. It was full of warmth and whimsy and I’d highly recommend it for all.

I was given this book for review by the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[Ursula S · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the beginning and the premise. However, there was far too much dialogue where everyone sounded like a psychoanalyst. There wasn't much of a spark between the two main characters, so the romance was ho hum.

Since I liked the premise and the Christmas-focus, I finished the book. But it was a little painful.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the story. There were a few things I felt like we left unfinished at the end, but overall it’s a very clean book and the story will definitely keep you coming back for more.

[MK · Rating 3 out of 5]

Making a movie in a magical town that turns Scrooges around. Loved our leads and the town. A sweet story.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A winter wonderland and a movie magic Christmas. The characters are likeable and the plot is festive. Just like watching a hallmark movie

[Francette · Rating 2 out of 5]

This seems very sweet and well written; it’s just not my jam.

[Hsiau Wei · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catalina is in Colorado filming a new movie. This is an opportunity for her to run away from the controversial breakup with her ex-boyfriend. She is a star but her ice queen persona is causing her issue with the crew and fans. While everyone was at the set, she found out that Jay is also part of the crew as a Still photographer. Jay was on sabbatical leave as a director. He was the one who directed the film that turned Catalina into a star. The story then continue with both Catalina and Jay trying to rebuild their relationship and overcoming the obstacles along the way. This is fun and sweet holiday romance set in a small town of Colorado.

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

I confess I love a grumpy love interest… and when there are two grumps, well, I’m enjoying myself from the very first page! And what better location for grumpy people at Christmastime is St. Nicholas, Colorado where one secret mailbox stands all alone holding the letters that others have written to “Santa” because, well, quite frankly, those letters include the names of some serious Scrooge wannabe who need a little Christmas Magic in their lives.

A Movie Magic Christmas continues the magic in the Christmas in St. Nicholas series with one actress who has developed quite the reputation and is in town only to restart her career, and the man she loved before he up and disappeared on her leaving her with a completely broken heart and trust issues. Catalina and Jay definitely have some history when they begin working on this movie, she’s acting, and he’s providing still photography. His disillusion with the Hollywood scene came just as their former relationship might have proven to be the best thing that happened to them. Now, they’re having to face their past, those feelings that never really went away, and some serious Christmas magic.

I had such fun with this one. Catalina and Jay are a delight, grumpy, and hurt at first but slowly letting those old emotions fire back up again. I love a transforming romance, and it was an emotional journey watching these two fight the Christmas magic about the Mailbox while falling in love all over again — this time for keeps. A well-written, funny, emotional, Christmas magic-filled romance with a unique twist and a happy ever after future… what’s not to love about that?

I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*