Holiday Furever

By Sedona Venez

When Claudia meets Dolan, a rugged hot wolf shifter with the kindest heart she's ever known, they are pulled together by one shared spark that ignites the snow-covered resort with Christmas cheer!

 

Holiday Furever is a standalone holiday romance with passion, love, and the warmth of the joyful season!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sedona Venez
• Release date: Dec 12, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393056416

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

CLAUDIA

The morning sun broke over the horizon just as my car crested a hill. The snow-colored slope, which had been an enigmatic blue-white, blushed prettily as the light touched down on them, taking on the warm glow of the breathtaking sunrise. This time of day was magical, and I smiled at the memory of my childhood in this area. I watched the sparkling light continue to spread over the treetops and the blankets of snow on the ground, casting it in what looked like a shimmer of diamonds. The view took my breath away.

I couldn’t help but compare my current surroundings in the Adirondacks of New York to my life in the city. This was far more tranquil and picturesque than Manhattan, and it was times like these that I regretted giving up the sights and sounds of nature in favor of the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. But as I slowly coasted down the hill, my car skidded on a patch of black ice, and I remembered why I’d been willing to give it all up—and get the hell out of dodge when I turned eighteen. My parents had died on this very hill at Christmas.

Fear shot through me like a bullet, and I instinctively slammed on the brakes before remembering what my grandpa—Benjamin Lovewell—had once told me. Struggling against the panic and confusion, I focused on the road, easing my foot off the accelerator, and waited until the car gained traction before gently speeding up again.

Keeping both hands firmly on the steering wheel, I rounded a corner and smiled when the sign Snow Drift Resort, my grandpa’s ski lodge, came into view. The nostalgia that had been creeping up on me on the ride over here came back in full force. Memories of building forts and snowmen with my cousins and chucking snowy missiles at each other and stomping inside afterward, soaked and covered in snow, and receiving a huge mug of hot chocolate from Grandma, thick with marshmallows and topped with whipped cream. I really shouldn’t have stayed away from Grandpa and Grandma for so long, but my childhood memories of this place had been tainted after Mom and Dad died. Though, now, I needed to see for myself what was happening here, especially since Grandma told me they were in big financial trouble and that Grandpa was thinking about closing the lodge after the holiday season.

The winding road continued for a while farther, but eventually, the thickets of trees surrounding the path gave way to the sprawling resort. Cabins dotted the snowy landscape on either side of the road, available for people who wanted a more private experience.

Ahead, the lodge loomed, looking like a rambling gingerbread house, with its frosted windows and snow-covered rooftops. Flickering Christmas lights dangled from the eaves and along the railing that wrapped around the porch, and I made out two gigantic wreaths hanging from the double doors.

Beyond the dwelling and farther up the hill, I could see the ski slopes were empty, which was not a good sign. Maybe what this resort needed was advertising to get more potential customers. As a former advertising executive, I was in the best position to help my grandparents get more eyes on the lodge. My mind started buzzing with ideas as I parked my car and made my way up to the front porch, finding Grandma Cora already standing outside waiting for me.

Claudia, my baby girl. It’s so good to see you. It’s been too long. Cora’s face was wreathed in smiles as she embraced me, the scent of cinnamon enveloping me.

Yes. I agree. Twelve years is too long. I wrapped my arms around her, before pulling back and kissing her on the cheek.

I was getting worried when you didn’t arrive yesterday as expected.

I’m sorry, Grandma. I ended up stuck tying up the paperwork for the tenants I’m renting my condo to. After being laid off and fighting for months to get another job to no avail, I could find no way to continue to pay my high mortgage.

Grandma clucked her tongue. You can stay here for as long as you want, baby.

Damn right, she can, Grandpa’s rich baritone interjected.

The wooden stairs behind me creaked, and I turned to see Grandpa walking up the steps to the front porch, dressed in a heavy flannel coat, snow pants, and a fleece hat with earflaps. His dark eyes sparkled as I flew into his arms, and he wrapped me up in his embrace, still as strong and comforting as when I was a child.

Oh, I missed you so much, I murmured into the red-and-black plaid of his coat. He smelled of woodsmoke, tobacco, and clean snow. "You’ve already been