The first time I visited a vineyard was as a child with my mother and grandparents. Driving to San Francisco from Oregon, we stopped to tour a Sonoma vineyard and winery there. Later, as a young adult touring Western Europe, I became intrigued by the vineyards there. Something about the beauty of gently rolling slopes of green vines tugged on me. And I found the science and art of winemaking fascinating. Even the history of wine-making is noteworthy. And I love that Jesus’ first miracle was transforming ordinary water into extraordinary wine. So using the setting of a vineyard for my novel just felt right. And it was a fun adventure!
I wrote...
Looking for Leroy
By
Melody Carlson
What is my book about?
Brynna Philips is ready to give up on love. But when her fellow teacher invites her on a camping trip through Sonoma wine country, she’s reminded of her first crush, a young man named Leroy, whose family owned a vineyard down there. Is there any chance she can find him...and one last chance for love?
“No one writes clean, contemporary romance like Carlson, who delivers another winner with this novel...Hallmark will be salivating over this script. With plenty of humorous encounters, delightful misunderstandings, and realistic characters, this is one to hand to readers looking for a fun read with a hint of faith.” Library Journal
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The Books I Picked & Why
Under the Tuscan Sun
By
Frances Mayes
Why this book?
I love how Frances, after heartbreak, leaves everything behind to reinvent her life in beautiful Tuscany Italy. Doesn’t that sound dreamy? Although she faces challenges and hardships—language barrier, renovating an old house, making friends—it’s a lovely worthwhile journey. And her descriptions of grand old homes, glorious vineyards, delicious foods... are all scrumptious. I visited Italy ages ago and being transported back there in this delightful autobiographical story was pure delight.
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A Good Year
By
Peter Mayle
Why this book?
This story, primarily set in France, is about a guy who loses his job in Great Britain and inherits his uncle’s vineyard in Provence. There are quirky scenes in this book that make you laugh out loud, and scenes that tug at your heartstrings. Years ago, I spent a little time in France and remember looking longingly at French wine country—from the windows of a train, and wishing I could hop off and visit some of those beautiful places. Isn’t that why we love books? We can travel vicariously!
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A Walk in the Clouds
By
Deborah Chiel
Why this book?
This is a beautiful story set in Post WW 2 era about a young woman on her way home from college. She is ‘in trouble’ and in need of a good friend. Her family of Spanish/Mexican heritage owns a vineyard in California and is very traditional. She meets up with a young soldier, also on his way home. He offers to help her... and the magic, as well as the trouble, begins. This is a lovely romantic story... a celebration of fate and true love.
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A Year in Provence
By
Peter Mayle
Why this book?
Okay, this is another Peter Mayle book, but there are only so many vineyard books that I can recall at the moment. And this is an excellent one! I think it’s the first ‘vineyard’ book that I ever read. Similar to Under the Tuscan Sun, it’s a true story about how Peter and his wife relocated to Provence France for an amazing year. And it’s an amazingly well-written story that transports you straight into French wine country. I particularly love his description of the ancient farmhouse they occupy during their year. This is a real ‘take you away’ tale.
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The Tuscan Sun Cookbook: Recipes from Our Italian Kitchen
By
Frances Mayes,
Edward Mayes,
Steven Rothfeld
Why this book?
What better way to transport ourselves to a different place than by food. I love how Frances and Edward share simple traditional Tuscan recipes in this cookbook. Things you can actually concoct in your own kitchen, and you know they’re tried and true. These recipes make me want to drag a long table outside, set lanterns and flowers upon it, invite some friends and neighbors, then bring out generous platters of pasta and ragu and chewy bread and... a fine bottle of wine... and just enjoy!
