Nice Until Proven Naughty
Find the magic of the season under the mistletoe.
Spice up your reading with this collection of heartwarming and steamy Christmas romances featuring everything from sweet, snow-covered second chances to fiery nights by the fireplace. This collection of holiday romances delivers the charm and the magic of the holiday season.
Whether you prefer the nice or the naughty side of romance, there’s a story here to warm your heart or spice up your winter night. Are you ready to be naughty or nice this Christmas?
Including stories by:
Sharon Wray – USA Today bestselling author
Colleen Key
Holly Winters
Ella Braeme
Maya Black
Buy link: https://books2read.com/u/bpAavW
My contribution to this anthology:
An army veteran turned firefighter finds his life turned upside down by two surprise sons and an unexpected love.
As two little boys upend a Christmas-loathing firefighter’s life, Stick never imagined he’d find hope and love amidst the chaos.
Stick has never had a family, didn’t even have a proper name. But when he’s gifted with two boys and a beautiful nanny who happens to be his best friend’s daughter, his world changes forever. Just when he begins to hope for his own HEA, danger strikes. Can he save Abigail and win her heart?
Dive into the heartwarming and suspenseful tale of “Christmas Newbie,” where love, family, and Christmas miracles collide. Join Stick on his journey to find the family he never knew he needed.
♥ suspense romance ♥ firefighter hero ♥ army veteran ♥ protector ♥ single dad ♥ small town ♥ forbidden love ♥ found family ♥ age gap ♥ father’s best friend ♥ curvy woman ♥ BWWM ♥
Review quotes
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Excerpt of Christmas Newbie
Stick had never known how excited a bunch of guys could get about new shoes. The fire station buzzed with delight as everybody tried on their new work boots. Some unknown benefactor had gifted the entire Elken Grove Fire and Rescue brand-new footwear. That donation would never make the headlines, but for the volunteer firefighters it made a big difference. The boots were sturdy, comfortable, and designed to withstand the rigors of their demanding job. Each pair represented a gesture of appreciation and support for the sacrifices these men and women made daily.
As a mechanic it was one of Stick’s duties to upkeep their equipment. The jaws of life had been acting up, and he was trying to figure out how to fix it. The hydraulic tool seemed to be jammed, and he suspected a minor blockage or misalignment in the mechanism. Stick was meticulous and methodical in his approach, traits that had served him well throughout his career. He laid out his tools with precision on the table, ensuring everything was within reach as he began disassembling the jaws of life.
While he worked, the station was filled with the usual banter and camaraderie that he had come to appreciate. The guys engaged in a lively discussion that ranged from Santa’s boots to weird Christmas traditions. Trent regaled everyone with a story about a family he knew that hung their Christmas tree upside down from the ceiling. The room erupted in laughter, the image of an inverted tree causing widespread amusement.
Brandon, the newest recruit, eagerly joined the conversation, describing his family’s tradition of a Christmas Eve costume party. “This year, I’m going as a cod,” he announced, eliciting a mixture of groans and chuckles from his colleagues.
Stick couldn’t help but scoff at the idea, drawing everyone’s attention. “Eh, don’t mind me,” he said, not wanting to dampen their spirits.
Brandon, however, was not deterred. “What weird Christmas traditions do you have?” he asked, his youthful curiosity evident.
Stick decided to let it slide. The kid was new, after all. “None,” he replied curtly, hoping that would be the end of it.
But Brandon persisted, “Come on! I’m sure that’s not true.” Stick sighed, feeling the weight of the conversation pulling him away from his work. “Well, the weirdest thing about Christmas is that I don’t do it.”
“Huh?” Brandon seemed confused, his enthusiasm dampened by Stick’s unexpected response.
Stick found the source of the problem with the jaws of life—a small piece of debris had lodged itself in the hydraulic line. With careful precision, he removed the blockage and reassembled the tool, testing it to ensure it was working properly. Satisfied with the repair, he set the jaws of life aside and looked up. That was when he noticed that Brandon still was waiting for an explanation.
“I. Don’t. Celebrate. Christmas,” he said, each word deliberate and final.
“Oh, that’s cool,” Brandon said, oddly enthusiastic. “You’re the first Jew I ever met.”
Neil started choking, trying to hold back laughter. Stick felt his temper rising. “There are many reasons why one wouldn’t celebrate Christmas. You’re right, being Jewish is one of them. But I am not Jewish. Another is having grown up in the system. And that system is not kind. Do you know my name?”
Brandon stuttered, “John?”
“Yes. John Doe. Cool name to give a foundling, eh? I never was wanted, always pushed around. I never got to believe in some benign old man who’d bring presents. The few years I got presents, it was socks and pajamas. So let’s just assume I missed that critical phase for imprinting the Christmas spirit in me.”
Stick stomped off, feeling like an ass. Here he was, a forty-two-year-old man, berating a newbie on the team for ignorance. Granted, Brandon was twenty-seven and should know better than to get on people’s nerves, but Stick was senior to him both in age and experience. Plus, Brandon wasn’t just a fellow firefighter, he was Stick’s employee, and step-son of Cornelius Washington, the chief of Elken Grove Fire & Rescue and a dear friend. Stick had no reason to feel good about the encounter.
When he passed the chief’s office, Neil beckoned him in.
“Hey,” Stick said, “That was not kind of me, and I will apologize. Is it okay if I do that tomorrow? Right now, my apology would be rougher than he deserves.”
“How come he’s had you all rattled?” Neil asked.
“Too much Christmas going on. I don’t like it.”
“Hmm.” Neil hesitated. “I had meant to invite you to our Christmas dinner.”
Stick jerked a little.
Neil explained, “I didn’t realize you hate Christmas all that much. It’s the first holiday since Lisa moved in and we will celebrate with her children. Abigail again probably won’t make it, and I could do with someone on my side.”
“Neil, I’m sure Grace and Meghan will bring their husbands and kids. Your table is full and—” Stick’s phone rang. He took it from his pocket and continued, “you don’t need me around.” The caller was unidentified. Stick waved goodbye as he left Neil’s office and answered the phone.
He didn’t get far. He stopped in his tracks, blocking the doorway, with the phone to his ear. Matt Sunderland laughed goodnaturedly, “You’re so old, you’ve got to stop walking to hear better?”
Stick looked at him blandly. “My hearing’s just fine, but this woman keeps saying I’ve got a son.” Talking into the phone, he said, “Can you please say that again. Start at the beginning.”
The woman on the other end of the line chuckled. “This is Child Protective Services from Albuquerque. I’m afraid your son’s mother just had a fatal car accident. When are you able to get him?”
Stick laughed. “Lady, you’ve got the wrong number.”
“John Doe, of 112 Mill Street, Elken Grove, Georgia?”
Stick closed his eyes. “That in fact is me. Still, I don’t have a child, and I’ve never been to Albuquerque.”
“Micaela Rolle?”
“Doesn’t ring a—hang on. Tall, black woman with pink glasses? We met in Las Vegas and had, uh, a nice weekend together. She never told me she got pregnant.” He scruffed his hair. “I’m pretty sure I didn’t give her my address.”
“But you are on the birth certificate and in her last will.”
“Wow.”
“Look, I know this is a lot right now, but there is only the grandmother, and she’s got cancer and cannot take care of the children, even for a short time. I’ve got to find a place for the kid to—”
“I’m coming.” “You’re sure you want this?”
“Look, I’ve grown up in the system myself. I know that you probably do your darnedest to find good places for the kids, and that although there might be good places, I’ve never seen one. No child of mine will be handed from foster family to foster family. I’m already on my way.”
About the author
Ella writes sweet’n’steamy romances that are meant to provide short vacations from your everyday life. She loves to read, mostly romances, of course, and to putter around in her backyard, forever trying to turn it into a blooming garden. She’s got a dog who is helping greatly with all the garden work by supervising everything Ella does and—for the most part—not digging up her flowers.
Meet Ella
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Other books by Ella Braeme
Elken Grove Mountain Men
Butting Heads with Her Mountain Man
Her Rock Star Mountain Man
Knocked Up by the Mountain Man in the Love and Espresso anthology
Heroes of Elken Grove
Bivouacked With Clint in the Beyond Courage anthology
Way to Start the New Year in the Winter Wishes and Holiday Kisses anthology
Christmas Newbie in the Nice Until Proven Naughty anthology
Married in Windfall
Nice Enough
Anyone at Hand
Someone I Chose
Santa’s Proposal ← free with sign-up
Married in Windfall (the entire series available as paperback)