From Jan Moran, the author of The Winemakers from St. Martin’s Press, comes a riveting novella that’s as rich and irresistible as a fine cabernet wine.Napa Valley, 1956: Years ago, after Juliana Cardona’s fiancé was killed in an army ambush, she didn’t know if she could ever find the strength to risk love again. Now Juliana, who has a passion for winemaking, is determined to build her own … own business as a wine publicist and create an independent life.
But when Juliana holds a press event in San Francisco, she meets a mysterious winemaker, Henri Laurent, who is everything she never thought she’d find again. However, Juliana is shocked to discover that Henri is hiding a long-buried secret that threatens to devastate their budding relationship.
In order to find happiness and the life she’d once thought was gone forever, she must find the strength to uncover tragedies and face the troubled past with the man she loves—but only if her heart can risk the chance of love once more.
This is a companion novella to The Winemakers, a full-length historical romance novel from St. Martin’s Press.
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Entertaining and witty read. Good dialogue and situations to keep you turning to the next page. Great characters and story that keeps you hooked until the last page! Love history! Real page turner. Good read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Juliana wears her heart on her sleeve and tells you like it is while Henri keeps this close to his chest and doesn’t like to talk of his past however they are both drawn to each other and we see that attraction grow, however Henri’s closeness could jeopardize a beautiful friendship and relationship. I totally agreed with Anne and Beatrice on what should happen so kept my fingers crossed their letter to Juliana came to fruition!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a short novella set in Napa Valley in 1956. The main character is Juliana Cardona who lost her fiancé a week before he was due to return from the Korean War. It has been some five years since that happened, but she still hasn’t managed to get past her heartbreak, or open herself up to anyone else. She is concentrating on her career, building up her own business as a wine publicist and has organised an event in San Francisco, with lots of press and wine aficionados. She has managed to get a reclusive wine maker, Henri Laurent, to come to the event, but when the press want to talk to him, he is rather reticent and definitely camera shy! He lost his wife after a long battle against illness just two years ago and has two eleven year olds daughters to care for. But his true story is much more interesting and hidden from most!
Juliana wants an independent life, in a time where women are still chaperoned and supposed to live at home until they marry. She stays in a women only boarding house, run by a fierce landlady, who has very strict rules for those women who stay under her roof! Henri and Juliana have an almost immediate spark and while she tries to remain professional only, the attraction is hard to resist. His French accent keeps poking through as he speaks and that is the pull for her. When she meets his two girls who look nothing alike, but take to her immediately, her heart starts to open up again. Whether she can trust him enough, to open up her heart to love once more, will be a difficult road. She must overcome Henri’s dark secrets and his reluctance to speak of them to anyone.
A lovely story of a much quainter time, with love and wine as the stars of the story, giving employment to many after the war and bringing people together. Juliana may have thought she would never find love again, but it can happen at the moment you least expect it to turn up. A shared love of wine and past tragedies will bring the two together. It is up to them to see if it will become permanent or not. A quick, easy read, with a happy ending and telling the history of a time gone past. Loving reading books by this author and I can’t wait for more. I received and ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
“Life is a Cabernet” is a light, quick read.
Having once lived near Napa Valley (and frequently visited the wineries) I especially loved the setting. The book is beautifully written with luscious descriptions of the Napa region and the wonderful wines produced there. I really enjoyed the sweet romance that blossomed between Henri and Juliana. But Henri harbors a secret that he is afraid may destroy this new romance.
Another lovely story by one of my favorite authors.
I’ve read several books written by Jan Moran; she has done a great job at writing a good book; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of books her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
A well written story you’ll be glad you added to your reading list. It’s an enjoyable read that’s hard to put down once you start reading. The characters are endearing, realistic and you’ll easily fall in love with them. A quick, beautiful read that deals with two people overcoming loss in their loves as they find their way to happiness.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wine maker is not selling his wine even though it is the best around. Why is he not selling it? Will he ever sell it? She meets him but a long buried secret may just destroy their budding relationship. What is this secret? Will it break them apart? See if she finds out
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A Companion Wine Novella to The Winemakers a well written story that I was not putting down until I was finished reading. Juliana Cardona, Henri Laurent, and the two girls in his life’s story which I enjoyed reading.
4 1/2 stars
This is a companion novel to Jan Moran’s The Winemakers. It’s sweet and a quick, enjoyable read. I loved Juliana and Henri. They were a perfect match. But as in The Winemakers, there are secrets, and those secrets can tear a budding romance apart.
Henri is relatively new to the vineyards of Napa, and he hasn’t reached out to the community to make friends. When he’s pressed to discuss his wines at a press and wine tasting party for Northern California wineries, he gives a great presentation, but then he attempts to slip away without speaking with the journalists. When Juliana approaches him, something sparks between them.
Juliana is eager to help winemakers with publicity and support functions. She’s beautiful and smart. Having grown up in a vineyard and winery because her mother worked for the owners, she’s highly knowledgeable about most aspects of winemaking, promotion, and sales. She offers her assistance to Henri. He doesn’t turn her down, but he’s not the most open person. His secrets keep him hidden on his estate most of the time, with his two young children.
Can Juliana discover what keeps Henri in seclusion? Can she help him build his brand? Will that spark between them turn into a flame?
While this book is a spinoff of The Winemakers, it stands on it’s own very well. It’s a fun and romantic read.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the author through Booksprout. I thank her for her generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.
This is the story of Juliana and Henri. They’ve both suffered the loss of love. Can they find the strength to love again? I enjoyed this love story.
Henri had a mysterious past behind him. An American with a vaguely French accent, he is a strangely reclusive vintner.
The death of his Solange after a long series of illness leaves Henri even more alone, except for the two girls they were raising together
More than nightmares haunt Henri. Solange had the roots of her ling illness in the camp life she survived. There really are some things far worse than death.
Juliana suffered the loss of her long time beau and fiancé Alfonso due to the Korean War.
Misunderstandings and miscommunication nearly ruin their second chance romance
Sweet and sad life, death and romance
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Captivating from the first page. I couldn’t read this novel fast enough, and yet the beautiful writing compelled me to slow down and experience every line. This is a story of healing, letting your guard down and finding love again. I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I seriously have a new favorite author here.
Even though this story is novella length it really packs a punch.
This richly detailed historical takes place in the Napa Valley in 1956.
Juliana Cardona has a passion for wine making and is just starting to feel alive again after the army ambush of her fiancee.
While on a business trip to San Francisco she meets a mysterious man, Henri Laurent, a European winemaker.
The budding romance, will she risk her heart again and what will happen when discovers he has a tragic secret and will they be able to work through it?
Things are not as everyone assumes with Henri and Juliana makes the same mistaken assumption.
I really enjoyed Henri’s character, he is a manly man along with being respectful,polite and so charming.
Will Juliana be able to help Henri through his troubled past into a brighter future for them together?
I loved this and can’t wait to read more by this author!!!
This is a companion novella to The Winemakers, a full-length historical romance novel from St. Martin’s Press.
Kindle Edition, 108 pages
Published October 14th 2016 by Sunny Palms Press.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
I truly enjoyed reading this book!
Having already read The Winemakers,
(which I recommend reading after this)
I was excited to read Juliana & Henri’s
story. With the added bonus of the
adorable Beatrice & Anne.
It takes place in 1956. Juliana grew
up on a vineyard. Now is promotes
winemakers. She finally is able to
meet, Henri, a local winemaker.
Juliana, is quite taken with him
& Henri, with her.
I loved it from page one to the last!!
Loved, loved, loved this story!!! Juliana has had heartbreak in the past when her fiance died during the war. Henri has had his own heartbreak and tragedies. Anne and Beatrice were a hoot. Great story!!
Beautiful
He inherits a winery but PR don’t know a lot about him. They think of him as a widower and 2 small girls. She is trying to promote the vineyards of Napa Valley. She lost her fiancée just before he was suppose to come home from Korea. She’s afraid of giving her heart again, and he is trying to find his.
The main characters are well developed. Its easy to read. Its well written. Has a good storyline. I trully enjoyed reading this story.
I read and reviewed advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This story draws you in from the very beginning. Although a novella, the story has as a lot of depth to it. Ms. Moran does an excellent job with describing the locations and scenes I could easily picture the beauty and lushness of Napa Valley. The characters of Henri and Juliana were wonderful and endearing and I enjoyed getting to know them. They have a great connection with each other and are a wonderful couple, but Henri has a secret that just may jeopardize their blossoming relationship. A touching and emotional story you do not want to miss!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed this novella about characters from The Winemakers, however, I just felt that the story was rushed. The setting and the storyline about winemaking always draw my attention and I enjoyed getting to know these characters. I understand that this is not a fully developed novel, but the relationship between Julilana and Henri happened too fast. It just didn’t seem realistic.
The novella takes place in the 1950s and it’s interesting to see how attitudes societal expectations were so different from today. Although it was a simpler time, it was also a time of change with the after effects of war and women with their own careers.
This is an intriguing storyline by Jan Moran and it really draws you in.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.