During WWII, Avelino Carrillo spent four harrowing years in the South Pacific with one thought driving his survival: to return to his beloved home in Napa Valley.The Carrillos have a history in the valley that stretches deep, like grapevine roots in the soil. For a century, they worked the vineyard at their family home, la Casa de los Sueños, until they lost the property to a wealthy land baron. … land baron. Now, Avelino is determined to reclaim the land and home he loves so much. When he meets Amelia, a young woman who lives at the vineyard with her grandfather, he finds that regaining his birthright isn’t his only struggle—he battles the longing of his heart as well.
Can Avelino overcome the local bigotry and personal demons that face him to create the life he desires?
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The author has surprised me once again with her ability to write in different genres. Not just write in different ones, but write well in each one. I would say she has a gift for taking readers into the story and make them feel as though they are part of it. I love dual time stories and this one held my interest most of the time.
One of the best lines in the story is, “When you have lost almost everything Amelia, sometimes pride is all you have left.” Amelia’s response is, “And it’s all you’ll ever have if you don’t learn to get over it.” Oh yes our hero Avelino definitely had a pride issue. He didn’t want anyone to help him and was stubborn to the point that he may loose the love of his life. I liked how the author explored racism and examined how it becomes a problem for Avelino. He seems to have faced this issue when he served in the war and it has carried into his civilian life. It is important to know that not everyone in the town feels this way though. There are a few that outright beat him, say horrible things to him all because of the color of his skin.
What I liked about Avelino is his loyalty to family. He keeps his word and family is everything to him. Trying to repay a debt due to a family member finds Avelino working long hours and dreaming of getting the vineyard back. Oh how I loved reading about vineyards and how they operate. During this time period there wasn’t fancy machinery to help, only hard labor from workers who worked til they couldn’t go on. In the story readers will find out that not everyone is truthful and try to take advantage of Avelino.
Amelia and her granddad are a delight and both bring a breath of fresh air to the story. They are intrigued by Avelino’s family history and the author does a great job of tying the two time periods together in a sweeping story that spans years where war ravaged and work was hard to come by. When we travel to the past in the story, I was excited to read how the vineyard came to be in Avelino’s family. Amelia is a very strong willed woman and is determined to wait forever if she has to in order to marry Avelino. I do want to warn readers that there is the subject of PTSD in the story. It may trigger some, so be cautious as you read those parts.
Overall I liked the story, but at times Avelino is a little too prideful and I wanted him to get over himself. He was not very fair to Amelia at times and I thought perhaps he didn’t understand how devoted she was to him. When we travel to the past I treasured the moments we spent there. There is faith in the story but it is light. I did like the story and I’m hoping the author writes more historical fiction.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Whenever I pick up a book by Chautona Havig, I expect to fall in love with the characters and storyline. This book lived up to my expectations With a split-time storyline, it examines the life of Avelino Carrillio and Amelia. Chautona Havig masterfully weaves together the lives of two strangers into one cohesive book.
I love how Avelino seeks to recover the family home that was lost from their possessions. His determination and strength of character help bring this book to life. This book illustrates the American dream of owning landing and becoming prosperous. The characters come to life through the pages of this book. So check it out for yourself.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
Avellino Carrillo comes back from serving in World War II to work hard in order to save his family home. Imagine his surprise when a family is living in his family home. One would expect they could not become friends, but the Kearns listen to his stories of how his family came to California and the friendship begins. Avellino must work out some prejudices he faced as a soldier that might cost him the best thing that could have happened to him. Will he be able to work through it and save his family home?
Embedded in the story, is the story of how the Carrillo family came to be at their family home and vineyard in Napa Valley. The story was intriguing and as the reader I wanted to know how it all came out. The bits and pieces that were fed a little at a time kept the reader wanting to know more.
Avellino faced a lot of obstacles when he came home. One of the biggest obstacles he had to face is the lies and perceptions he chose to believe. He had to work out and discover the lies he was choosing to believe.
I will admit this book took a while for me to get into the storyline. The storyline got slow in a few places then picked up towards the end. This is book #1 in a series and I am intrigued to see where the next book will take the characters and stories.
I would recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a positive review.
Okay, so this is another book by Chautona Havig. I love her. I’ve read all her books. In fact, I binge-read most of them after I found her. So below you’ll find my initial review from when I read this book on Kindle Unlimited. It’s a wonderful book and I can’t recommend it enough.
I am so excited to hear that a sequel is in the works!!
I loved the story within the story and also all of the history that was in this one. You do get suspense and action but also some love and romance. Wonderful!
This was an amazing read steeped in history with some good ol suspense thrown in. I love this author and have yet to find a book by her I did not enjoy. I don’t think I’ll find one anytime soon.
I loved getting to know the girls with the hair of roses and would love to find another book to continue the series.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
This novel is quite involved with the events from the past entangling with those in the “present” in this book, which is set after World War II, along with suspense and a love story that may never come to be. The history of the Carrillo family in Napa Valley, California, slowly unfolds as we hear their story, but it does seem a bit confusing being so drug out and switching back and forth in time periods and with the characters sharing their thoughts and perceptions rather than just told chronologically. Readers do get a powerful feel for life in the situations portrayed, especially from the Mexican American perspective. But I didn’t feel I could connect deeply even though the characters seemed quite real and I did root for Avelino and Amelia. I’ve read many of the author’s books but this tale seems quite different from her usual style. It could make a good book club choice with discussion about prejudice against other cultures. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.
The depth, the richness of this story leaves an indelible imprint on the reader’s heart. If news headlines are black and white, Ms. Havig’s story is the paintbrush that puts color to the story.
I love a good dual timeline story, and especially appreciate the way Ms. Havig weaves history into the present.
The attraction between Avelino and Amelia sparked from their first moments and smoldered till they had no fight against it left.
Avelino’s history is poignant and bittersweet, and defines who he is. Amelia’s past is less prominent in the story, but leaves no less impact on her.
I read eagerly, anxious to [SPOILER] brought to justice. I hoped for the happy ending the story promised.
It seemed to this reader that the story ended abruptly. While it came to its natural conclusion, I had questions still when I reached the final pages.
Still, this is a beautiful story of human character and resiliency, a story of love that truly conquers all.
ROBIN’S FEATHERS
FOUR FEATHERS
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.
#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, Deepest Roots of the Heart, Chautona Havig, Legacy of the Vines, Celebrate Lit Publicity
Deepest Roots of the Heart by Chautona Havig is book one in the Legacy of the Vines series. This is a dual timeline novel that tells the story of Avelino following WWII and his ancestors that started the vineyard he is working so hard to regain.
This is a wonderful story that deals with different races and different religions and how they were look upon in the 1940’s. The is a well written book with not a lot of characters to keep straight. The characters are good strong characters that hold true to their faith and convictions. The things that stand out to me in this story is the strong tie Avelino has to his family heritage as well as the love between Amelia and her grandfather. I especially enjoyed Avelino’s story telling of how the vineyard came to his family.
I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this story. This is my honest review.
Listened on Amazon Prime Read & Listen. The cross-cultural aspect was very interesting and I enjoyed it. The narration helped w/pronunciation of certain words. I like historical fiction/romance and this was just different enough to keep me reading when the story dragged. The storytelling within the story was an interesting device initially, but wore thin about the 60% mark of the book. I figured out the mystery even before that point. Storytelling within the story just made it drag for me once I figured it out. If I hadn’t been engaged in other activity while listening, I probably would’ve fast-forwarded the story quite a bit when those bits came around. Ray’s character was a loose end that was left unresolved. I’m not sure why Helen was even a necessary character. The book is about what is dear to one’s heart, yet the story didn’t reach my heart the way it could have.
Very much enjoying the lovely writing of this author, I was blessed again with a novel that took me back to earlier times. Walking with the characters through the vineyards, enduring many trials with them, learning new historical facts and cultural information, I was engaged throughout the book. It is beautifully written, highly recommended!
Excellent historical background and cultural relevance