Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
“Yes, you do.” I shift my grips to his wrists and tug him up to his feet. “You deserve all the happiness in the world. Only good things, husband, only good things.” I don’t promise that everything’s going to be okay. Life is life, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned is that there are no guarantees. But that doesn’t mean we have to live in fear. We have right now. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Persephone. Every time I think I can’t love you more, you go and prove me wrong.” He kisses me, long and sweet. “Now, let’s get ready for guests. They should be here soon.”
Thank you so much for reading First Holiday! If you enjoyed this little slice of life novella and want to spend more time in Olympus, please be sure to check out Neon Gods, which is the story of how Hades and Persephone fell in love.
Amazon
iTunes
B&N
Kobo
Google Play
Once upon a time, John and Daphne Sawyer moved to northern Michigan—the Leelanau peninsula to be exact—and purchased a rambling old farmhouse set amid acres of neglected vineyards, hilly fruit orchards, and peaceful pasture. Together, they worked hard to transform the place into a working farm and winery as well as a small but elegant inn and wedding venue. They also raised five daughters, whose love stories are told in the Cloverleigh Farms Series:
Sylvia Sawyer, 40, married to Henry DeSantis
Her children Whitney (16) and Keaton (13), from a previous marriage
Their son Steffan (2)
Her book: UNBREAKABLE, (Cloverleigh Farms #4)
April Sawyer, 38, married to Tyler Shaw
Their daughter Frankie (4 months)
Her book: UNFORGETTABLE, (Cloverleigh Farms #5)
Meg Sawyer, 37, married to Noah McCormick
Their baby boy (1 week overdue)
Her book: INSATIABLE, (Cloverleigh Farms #3)
Chloe Sawyer, 35, married to Oliver Pemberton
Their son Sawyer (6 months)
Her book: UNDENIABLE, (Cloverleigh Farms #2)
Frannie Sawyer, 31, married to Declan “Mack” MacAllister
Mack’s daughters Millie (15), Felicity (11), Winnie (8) from previous marriage
Their twins, Audrey and Emmeline (7 months)
Her book: IRRESISTIBLE, (Cloverleigh Farms #1)
If you’re a Cloverleigh Farms fanatic already (welcome back!), you’ve probably read the next generation series, starring Mack’s daughters. This holiday story takes place well BEFORE that series begins. I have no idea what year it is—best I can tell, it is about 3 years AFTER the original series concluded, and I’ve listed everyone’s ages for you above.
I beg you not to do any math.
For those of you new to this world, welcome!
Our current story begins on a snowy Christmas Eve in northern Michigan as the Sawyer clan gathers at the Cloverleigh Farms Inn for their annual holiday party.
It is December 24th, and the clock has just struck six…
MEG SAWYER MCCORMICK
“I can’t go.” I gave up trying to get off the couch and relaxed back into the cushions, although “relaxed” was not really a thing for someone as pregnant as I was. Forty-one weeks, to be exact.
“Sawyer, it’s Christmas.” Noah still called me Sawyer just like he always had when we were friends, despite the fact that we’d been married for a year. “Your family is expecting us. And you need to get out of the house.”
“Then I hope you have a forklift, because without one, I don’t see how I’m going to get on my feet. I can’t even see my feet. Am I wearing shoes?”
Noah chuckled. “No. You have to wear snow boots outside because there’s already a ton of snow on the ground, but we can pack your shoes. I’ll get them.”
“Thank you. Just bring my slippers. The fuzzy pink ones.”
He looked confused. “With your nice outfit, you want fuzzy pink slippers?”
“Yes.” I looked down at the black maternity dress I wore. “This isn’t exactly a nice outfit. It’s more like a tent.”
“Only you could make a tent look so good.” Smiling, he glanced at my bare legs. “It’s cold outside. Do you want some socks or something?”
“No. I was going to attempt tights but lost interest. And I’m always hot anyway.” I sighed and put two hands on my stomach, trying to jiggle it. “Why are you still in there? You were supposed to be out by now! We could be enjoying our first Christmas Eve here at home if you’d understood the assignment.”
Laughing as he headed for the stairs, Noah said, “I don’t think shaming him is the right strategy.”
“Then you try, Officer McCormick. I’m sure you have some sort of fancy hostage negotiation tactics.” I glanced over at Noah’s K-9, who was lying on the floor watching me. “It’s not fair, Renzo. I’m a very punctual person. I meet my deadlines. I am a go-getter. Why did the universe give me a lackadaisical baby?”
Renzo cocked his head, like he was considering the question. Then he got up and came over to me, placing one paw on my leg. I pet his head. “You’re a good boy, Renzo. Always do what you’re told. Unlike some people,” I said, aiming the last part at my stomach. In response, the baby gave me a hard kick to the pancreas or some other internal organ. “See? It’s crowded in there! If you just came out, you could stretch those legs all the way.”