A Holly Hills Christmas Series by C.M. Steele – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read

A Holly Hills Christmas Series by C.M. Steele – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.ilovenovels.com Sun, 14 Jan 2024 20:20:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 http://www.ilovenovels.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/favicon.png A Holly Hills Christmas Series by C.M. Steele – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.ilovenovels.com 32 32 Bethany’s Crush (A Holly Hills Christmas #3) Read Online C.M. Steele http://www.ilovenovels.com/bethanys-crush-a-holly-hills-christmas-3-read-online-c-m-steele Sun, 14 Jan 2024 20:20:29 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/bethanys-crush-a-holly-hills-christmas-3-read-online-c-m-steele Genre: Alpha Male, Erotic, Virgin Authors: C.M. Steele Series: A Holly Hills Christmas Series by C.M. Steele
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Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22339 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)

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I made a big mistake. There’s no taking it back, but I wish I could.I kissed Colter North, my crush, my former friend, and he pushed me away. Then he sent me home while he returned to his date, breaking my heart, and I don’t know if I’ll ever recover. Then he had to come back into my life, refusing to leave and taking charge like we were still friends.She ruined my plans for us. One kiss and my future went out the window.That girl couldn’t even behave for one night. Still, I wanted to carry her out of the Christmas party over my shoulder and teach her what I wanted to do with that mouth of hers. Unfortunately, I had responsibilities, goals, and a lot to accomplish in a short time if we were to have a real future together.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Prologue

Bethany

One more glass of champagne. I know I’ve had too much, but I can’t stand seeing Colter with that pretty woman. Who the hell is she, and why is he here with her? He’s never brought anyone to the Christmas parties before. He’s never brought any woman anywhere and yet she’s here with him and not me.

Colter and I were never a couple or anything, but I always hoped that he’d see me that way. We were friends, we laughed together, we teased each other when he would stop by the bakery and now, my chest hurts.

Then he dared to come up to me like I wanted to speak to him after that. What a jerk.

“Hi, Beth.”

“Hi, Mack,” I say.

His eyes rake over my outfit, which screams sexy Christmas vixen. Of course I shouldn’t dress like this here, but hell, I’m trying to drive Colter nuts. He acts like an older brother while I fight a long-standing crush on the bastard. “You want to dance?”

“Sure.” Mack’s my age and we see each other around town a lot. He’s cute and I should really be into him, but I’ve had a stupid crush on a guy three years older than me who is on his way to becoming a doctor.

He takes my drink and sets it down before leading me onto the dance floor. “Come on, pretty lady.” I beamed brightly and genuinely for the first time since I saw Colter walk in with that girl. “There you go.” He slides his arm around my waist and then takes my hand with his and we start dancing to a nice slow Christmas tune.

Mack starts singing, and it’s way off-key. I giggle. “No prize winner there?”

I shake my head, sending some of my hair in my face. “Sorry, no.”

“But are you having fun?” he asks, pushing it behind my ear.

Smiling up at him, I answer, “Now, I am. Thank you.”

“I don’t like seeing you so sad. It doesn’t suit your personality at all. You need to smile more.”

“I do, don’t I?”

“Yes. You have a beautiful smile.” He’s charming, but I don’t feel any butterflies in my stomach. My eyes are starting to blur, but I swear I can see Colter coming up behind Mack with a stormy look on his face. His light eyes darkening as he glares in our direction.

“Excuse me, I’m cutting in.” He nudges Mack out of the way with ease. Colter stands at six-four and could easily be a fitness model not a doctor. I wonder if it’s because he spends all day picking up and delivering heavy boxes. Mack doesn’t quite leave, waiting for my approval. “The excuse me was me being polite. The next time it won’t be.”

Colter takes me in his arms, dancing me toward the outside edge of the dance floor. Goodness, I’m in Colter’s arms, swaying. Still, he isn’t saying anything with his teeth clenched and his eyes focused on something in the distance.

“Why are you dancing with me?” I ask; my feelings were mixed. His body is warm and strong. Although Mack was similar in build, there was something different and powerful about Colter that made me ache. Still, he wasn’t here with me. He brought another woman to the party.

“Because I want to,” he whispers, making my heart dance and hurt simultaneously. There’s no way to fight the emotions he invoked in me, yet he’s the only one who can fix them.

“You have a date. Dance with her.” I pull out of his grip and walk away toward the hallway, where it’s quiet, but the big brute follows me.

He stops me with his hand on my waist. The flat of his palm does something to me that causes me to freeze, lost in his touch for just a moment. “You’re drunk, Bethany Faith,” he whispers.

“You can just call me Beth,” I return the barely audible reply, turning slowly around in his arms.

He shakes his head and cups my chin, forcefully lifting it so I look into his pretty blue eyes. “No, you’re my BF and you will always be. Besides, you’re shitfaced. I can’t let fucking Mack try his moves on you when I he knows you’re three sheets to the wind.” Wow, he really know how to piss me off.

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Celeste’s Secret (A Holly Hills Christmas #2) Read Online C.M. Steele http://www.ilovenovels.com/celestes-secret-a-holly-hills-christmas-2-read-online-c-m-steele Mon, 01 Jan 2024 09:40:41 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/celestes-secret-a-holly-hills-christmas-2-read-online-c-m-steele Genre: Alpha Male, Insta-Love, Novella, Virgin Authors: C.M. Steele Series: A Holly Hills Christmas Series by C.M. Steele
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Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 25003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)

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Life has been one cruel letdown after another, but I refuse to let it break my spirit.
This time, this little bean and I will make a life for ourselves and forget all our troubles. Despite losing my job to the jerk who knocked me up, I managed to turn my passion into a career by going independent. My grandfather’s house was finally sold, giving me the padded cushion that I needed to secure a great living for this little one.

Ms. Hoffman…you’re not having one little boy…you’re having two.

The best night of my life ended with the sun coming up and the sheets cold. She ran away, and I knew I should have bolted the doors before we even hit the mattress somehow. I wish we’d have exchanged numbers or something. Now, there was no way to find this woman in a city of millions where I wasn’t even familiar with anyone or had any connections. Still, there was no way I’d give up because she was mine.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Life has been one cruel letdown after another, but I refuse to let it break my spirit.

This time, this little bean and I will make a life for ourselves and forget all our troubles. Despite losing my job to the jerk who knocked me up, I managed to turn my passion into a career by going independent. My grandfather’s house was finally sold, giving me the padded cushion I needed to secure a great living for this little one.

Ms. Hoffman…you’re not having one little boy…you’re having two.

The best night of my life ended with the sun coming up and the sheets cold. She ran away, and I knew I should have bolted the doors before we even hit the mattress somehow. I wish we’d have exchanged numbers or something. Now, there was no way to find this woman in a city of millions where I wasn’t even familiar with anyone or had any connections. Still, there was no way I’d give up because she was mine.

Chapter One

Celeste

This can’t be happening right now. I pull the phone from my ear to check the number and then bring it back to my ear. “Ms. Hoffman. Are you there?” the voice on the line asks.

I clear my throat while I look around the office to see if anyone else is nearby. “Yes. Sorry, did you say my grandfather passed away?”

“Yes, Mr. Manchester died and left you his home in his will.” In his will? Why are they bringing this up right now? Shouldn’t I be in the middle of making arrangements and leaving that crap for later?

“When did he die?” I ask, suspicion clouding my mind and icing over my heart.

He pauses much longer than he should for a simple answer. “A week ago.”

“And you’re just contacting me now?” I screamed into the phone, letting my temper get the better of me, which I shouldn’t have because I’d let my grandfather win well before I knew he was my grandfather.

“He asked that you not be contacted until the will was read.” My first thought is to tell him to shove the property up his ass. It’s what I should have said because there’s nothing I want from the man who spent his life avoiding me, dodging all care and responsibility for me since my father died.

“Send over the documentation to my office or apartment. I don’t have time to take off from work at the moment.”

“Would you be able to meet this weekend?”

“Sure. Please email me the information, and I’ll get back to you on the time.”

“Yes, Ms. Hoffman. I’m sorry for your loss.”

“It wasn’t my loss. It was his.” I ended the call and fought back the tears. Right now isn’t the time for this because we have a staff meeting this morning, and it’s not looking good. There has been talk of a merger after several quarters with consecutive losses.

I set my cell phone down and set the ringer to silent before gathering my things for the meeting. My coworker, Jason, approaches with a sheepish frown. “It’s not going to be a good one today. The big bosses aren’t going to be in there, but we’re getting bad news.”

“Yeah, I have a feeling. It’s getting to that time of year. Layoff central. Any plans just in case our department gets the boot?”

“Yes, but at least you’ll still have a job. You’re one of the most valuable employees in our department.” He’s been with the company a year longer than me, but we’re in the same position for digital advertising and marketing.

“Hardly. A monkey could do my job, and soon they’ll see that,” I say, thinking he does it, and they actually think his work is quality. Frankly, I find it lacking, but that’s my personal taste.

“I wouldn’t go spreading the word,” he says, pressing his finger to his lips. Something about his smug expression makes me uneasy. Does he know something I don’t know?

“Well, let’s get this show on the road.”

“I’m right behind you.” I stand, and immediately I know why Jason’s behind me, so I peek at the glass door’s reflection to see him ogling my ass.

I pause with my elbow pointed back, sending him right into it. He grunts and says, “Shit.”

“Sorry, forgot something at my desk. Go on ahead of me.” Fucking prick. I’m so glad I never gave into the pressure to sleep with him over the years. We have worked alongside one another for three years, and he married the girl in the copy room last year, and yet he’s still a pig.

“I’ll wait.”

“No, go on. You don’t want to miss getting a good seat.”

“I’ll save you one.” I nod, but I go back and pretend to dig for something in my drawer. Stalling until I had two minutes left before it started, I hustled to the meeting room, where the thirty other employees were huddled around the large conference room table. My seat has been taken by his wife, so I stand in the corner and hide as we wait for the HR director and President of Operations to speak.

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Holiday’s Cookies (A Holly Hills Christmas #1) Read Online C.M. Steele http://www.ilovenovels.com/holidays-cookies-a-holly-hills-christmas-1-read-online-c-m-steele Thu, 07 Dec 2023 05:55:34 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/holidays-cookies-a-holly-hills-christmas-1-read-online-c-m-steele Genre: Alpha Male, Insta-Love, Virgin Authors: C.M. Steele Series: A Holly Hills Christmas Series by C.M. Steele
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Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20786 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)

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James Snow just came to get some peace and quiet in a small town away from New York City so he could finish his latest novel and make his deadline. What he didn’t expect to find was Christmas Town, USA. Holly Hills should have given it away, but it’s like the North Pole’s twin sister, and he just doesn’t have time for it.

At least, that is, until he opens the ever-chiming door to find a special greeting.

Holiday Belle just loves Christmas and cookies. It’s why she owns the town’s only bakery. Holiday’s new neighbor has just moved in, and according to the word around town, he’s grumpy. She just wanted to spread her Christmas cheer with some of her famous cookies. To her surprise, Mr. Crankypants was cranky, but he wasn’t wearing pants…just a towel…a small towel…that she couldn’t stop staring at until he took the cookies and slammed the door in her face.

Wanting the ground to swallow her up from embarrassment, she hopes to never see him again, but how can she be that lucky? They’re neighbors.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

James Snow just came to get some peace and quiet in a small town away from New York City so he could finish his latest novel and make his deadline. What he didn’t expect to find was Christmas Town, USA. Holly Hills should have given it away, but it’s like the North Pole’s twin sister, and he just doesn’t have time for it.

At least, that is, until he opens the ever-chiming door to find a special greeting.

Holiday Belle just loves Christmas and cookies. It’s why she owns the town’s only bakery. Holiday’s new neighbor has just moved in, and according to the word around town, he’s grumpy. She just wanted to spread her Christmas cheer with some of her famous cookies. To her surprise, Mr. Crankypants was cranky, but he wasn’t wearing pants…just a towel…a small towel…that she couldn’t stop staring at until he took the cookies and slammed the door in her face.

Wanting the ground to swallow her up from embarrassment, she hopes to never see him again, but how can she be that lucky? They’re neighbors.

Chapter One

Holiday

It’s the perfect weather to start baking, but then again, it’s always perfect up north where the snow starts just before October and continues until early spring. I love it here, and I can’t wait for Christmas to come.

I stretch while getting into my favorite yoga pose early in the morning. The sun isn’t up and won’t be for another two hours, but I have to get a move on soon or I won’t be able to open on time. One more good stretch with a sun salutation, and then a deep breath before wrapping up and hitting the shower.

It's going to be a long day, but I’ll finally get to put up my Christmas decorations. I’m practically giddy with excitement at the prospect of doing it. If I could leave them up all year without looking like an absolute weirdo, I would, but then again, I love other holidays too. I suppose my name is quite fitting: Holiday Belle. My parents thought it was adorable, and so does everyone that meets me. My bubbly personality and blonde curls don’t help with the cuteness overload either, but I don’t mind since I love the business it brings to the bakery.

I have cookies for every holiday, but my favorite are Christmas cookies. We have so many to choose from, and the lines never seem to end as everyone waits for my goodies. I’m nearly out the door when I see a car pull up next door.

The house has been for sale for about three months. Most people don’t want to buy it because it belonged to a grumpy old man who hated everyone in town. His granddaughter is a total sweetheart, and she spent a great deal of effort getting the house ready for sale. After grabbing my things, including my snowbrush from the front door, I walk out and make it to my car in time to see the realtor putting up a sticker on the old Manchester property.

I can’t help but smile. Today is going to be a fabulous day.

“Hi, Mr. Sanders, how’s it going?” I asked him as I remove last night’s snowfall off my car.

He smiles widely. “Great, pretty lady. Aren’t you ever going to call me Andrew?”

“Sorry. You are my former math teacher. Force of habit,” I say with a shrug.

“You’re all grown up now,” he says in a way that’s too intimate for my liking and the reason I’ve always kept the formality. Smiling politely, I create a greater distance between us, tuck my snowbrush in my backseat, and open my driver’s side door.

“That I am, and I’m running late to my business. Excuse me.”

“I can’t wait to get some of your delicious cookies.” Goodness—something tells me he’s not talking about my baked food. I pull out of the driveway in a slight rush and completely forget to ask about the new neighbor. It’s not worth it at this point. The small family will probably be here within the next week or two.

My shop isn’t far from home, so I arrive in fifteen minutes and park in the back. I have four employees, and we’re only open from seven to six Monday through Saturday. I’m the first to get in and unlock the back entrance. Turning on the kitchen lights, it’s nice to see a clean shop. We have a lot to bake today.

Twenty-five dozen chocolate cookies for special orders are up first. Then, we have to fill the slots full of gingerbread cookies, iced cookies, Almond cookies, and several varieties of brownies in Christmas shapes.

Turning on the ovens and the machines, I pull out my things and get to work. My team will be here within the next half hour, so we’ll be in full swing soon. The next thing to get flipped on is the Christmas music. Dancing around the room, I mix my ingredients and enjoy my morning.

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