Superstitious, type-A executive, Catherine “Kitty” Taylor, is about to celebrate the greatest achievement of her career with her brilliant lover-lawyer, Nick Dylan, at her side. But when bad news hits the office, Nick races to New York to salvage the deal of a lifetime, forcing their personal lives to take a back seat, yet again. With life in limbo, an omen compels Kitty to follow a chain of … events, luring her to the wine country to celebrate her mother’s 70th birthday. But as she steps foot in the door, she witnesses an event which proves that magic doesn’t really exist after all. Stuck in a crumbling old church that her mother calls home, Kitty is faced with a vineyard bursting with ripe fruit, and must learn to nurture her feminine side, one grape at a time. Luckily, her mother’s rock-solid handyman, Daine Shepherd, who lives on the property, is just the one to help her do it. As Kitty resists, he gently persists, and their attraction grows by the day. She is not only forced to reconsider her relationship with Nick, but her urban lifestyle with all its fringe benefits. Dwelling in the luscious and slow wine country, she finds herself looking in all kinds of surprising places for the love she didn’t even realize she needed. This wine country romance goes best with a glass of Chardonnay, so kick back, relax, and follow Kitty on a soulful journey where she learns to trust her instincts and discover what she most wants out of life.
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What an impressive story! I had a great time reading this book, I love romance novels, and especially funny ones. Kitty was definitely my favorite character, she had way too much going on with those men in her life! I also love her go getter personality, she is determined to make it and won’t let anything get in her way. However, I could not stand Nick, he seemed like he was more into himself than he was into Kitty. I was like, can’t you see that this man is not feeling you?! I can’t stand it when high powered women settle! Anyway, this was a great read, highly recommended!
Very enjoyable, sweet read. Also about family and what happens when their gone. I love how Kitty is such a strong woman except when it comes to her boyfriend Nick, ugh!!! But fate has a way of making things right!!! Love that this story is based in the Bay Area where I’m from, and beautiful Sonoma, which if you’ve never visited, you need to. A wonderful contemporary romance!!
4 out of 5 stars
What would you do if you are a the best ad ex out there and work hard to prove it . When your company is up for sale and the last min the plans change. That is what happens to Kitty and her love Nick . When Nick goes back to New York to salvage the deal . Kitty is a trying not to panic but when a plane delay sends her to her moms house for her 70th birthday . She witnesses the worst thing any child wants to see. Her mother hitting the floor . When the worst happens Kitty is set on a path that will have her rethinking her life in the city and her relationship with Nick and the new relationship with Daine , the sweet handyman living in Grace’s barn. Will Kitty’s life burn up around her or will she rise from the flames like the phoenix she is .
I was loving the characters in this book from the first moment I started reading . Kitty is well lets just say she is a type A personality . She is on the go all the time and will bust your balls as soon as looking at you . But she is also very confused . she has fought hard to get where she is taking over her fathers company . When she gets to Sonoma you get to see a side of her that is more her then the cooperate woman. She finally finds the woman she hides deep inside her . The truly happy relaxed woman with good friends and a man who loves her for her .
Nick is the love interest and he is well lets just say what can I say he is arrogant ladies man . To me I felt that he really wasn’t that interested in Kitty , he was wanting her and other woman . He is a cad and I really didn’t like him , to me he just let out a I am better then everyone else vibe . And he proved me right lol .Now Daine well Daine is tall dark and oh so sweet. He is deep and sexy and really does push Kitty to be what he and everyone knows she is . I fell for him he is the man that will do anything for the people he loves . You will love him too .
Now Grace and Wyatt are so cute , they are a pivotal force in Kitty’s transformation and her finally settling down . Even though we only have Grace for a short time she does a lot for the story and is the glue that keeps everyone together.
I sat down and read this book in an evening . I was sucked in by chapter 2 the characters are well written and you. will fall in love with them. The authors take us on a heart breaking ride . Trust me your heart will break but they do repair it . Also you will laugh so hard . There are a couple of scenes where chickens are involved . Egg throwing and a rooster in a sack trust me on this you will laugh until your cheeks hurt . The book is a fun read but also about slowing down and taking your time with your life cause you only have one and you should make it the best life you have . So grab a glass of wine and your favourite blanket and curl up for a fun read that will have you cheering for love
Author Georgia James earned her degree in Spanish literature, worked as a senior executive in the entertainment industry, and now is committed to writing, making her literary debut by joining her co-author Deborah. She splits her time between Sonoma, California, and Chicago, Illinois. California author Deborah Parrish is a lifestyle photographer, having completed a career as a financial executive. With Georgia she makes her literary debut with this first volume of a trilogy they have titled Sweet Home Trilogy. HOME SWEET SONOMA is Book 1.
These authors have a keen sense of small town life – in this initial outing that town is Sonoma, California – and have scribed a story that is a fine comedy that explores romance in a new light. They set the airy tone of this story with the opening paragraph: ‘Catherine “Kitty” Taylor was convinced she owed her good fortune to the purple-haired troll she won at a carnival years ago. Not one big decision was made without consulting that doll with its smug grin and an amethyst stone stuck in its belly button. She named it Prince after the iconic pop artist who reminded her anything was possible, even when the odds were stacked against her. If it wasn’t for her purple-haired friend, she wouldn’t be living the dream with a corner office on the Embarcadero, a penthouse view of the San Francisco Bay, and a closet full of designer shoes. Everyone poked fun at Kitty’s silly superstitions, but she paid them no mind and stuck to her trusted rituals to avoid any sudden twist of fate. Today of all days, she wasn’t about to forget her trusted mascot and plopped Prince into her tote bag, gently brushing the tuft of frizzy purple hair straight up into the air. Feeling reassured, she marveled at the Bay Bridge as endless streams of traffic cast shards of light and shattered the sapphire sky. The city was teeming with energy and soon she would be too, but not without her morning mojo.’
The ladies offer a fine synopsis of what lies in store: ‘Superstitious, type-A executive, Catherine “Kitty” Taylor, is about to celebrate the greatest achievement of her career with her brilliant lover-lawyer, Nick Dylan, at her side. But when bad news hits the office, Nick races to New York to salvage the deal of a lifetime, forcing their personal lives to take a back seat, yet again. With life in limbo, an omen compels Kitty to follow a chain of events, luring her to the wine country to celebrate her mother’s 70th birthday. But as she steps foot in the door, she witnesses an event which proves that magic doesn’t really exist after all. Stuck in a crumbling old church that her mother calls home, Kitty is faced with a vineyard bursting with ripe fruit, and must learn to nurture her feminine side, one grape at a time. Luckily, her mother’s rock-solid handyman, Daine Shepherd, who lives on the property, is just the one to help her do it. As Kitty resists, he gently persists, and their attraction grows by the day. She is not only forced to reconsider her relationship with Nick, but her urban lifestyle with all its fringe benefits. Dwelling in the luscious and slow wine country, she finds herself looking in all kinds of surprising places for the love she didn’t even realize she needed. This wine country romance goes best with a glass of Chardonnay, so kick back, relax, and follow Kitty on a soulful journey where she learns to trust her instincts and discover what she most wants out of life.’
Pure delight, especially for a fine summer read – Georgia and Deborah are a welcome fresh duo on the literary scene!
Catherine “Kitty” Taylor is one successful executive businesswoman who is the runner of her deceased father’s business titled Taylor Brands. She has the backup of her witty, brilliant boyfriend-lawyer Nick Dylan who tries to give her the world with his own self-made luxuries. They are both in their thirties and Kitty has begun to think of marriage and having kids to which Nick is not very fond of because he does not want to be tied down just yet let alone be taking care of children that may come about from that. Kitty’s company, Taylor Brands, is in talks of being up for sale and one high profile player by the name of Charlie Palmer has his eyes set on it that is if Kitty is part of the package. When Kitty goes back to her hometown, Sonoma, California to be with her mother, upon arrival, she witnesses her mother Gracie having a birthday party with her close friends to which Gracie suffers a stroke and dies on the spot. She leaves behind a vineyard, a church (she brought and turned into her home), and a handyman by the name of Daine Shepherd who builds and fixes furnitures as well as taking care of her barn and the animals in it. Kitty and Daine soon start to have feelings for each other and this jeopardizes Kitty’s relationship with Nick.
This book was an easy and quick read. That does not mean that I found it to be dull. Nope. This book was sweet, soothing, and entertaining. I found the story to be familiar but then again the charm of it was the business world that it embodies. I love a great story about those people who are the runners of their own companies even though they may be small developments. I was tickled by Kitty’s mother’s small shop where she sold herbs and soaps and potions of all sorts that she makes from ingredients found in her own garden. It made me think of those people who sell such things on websites like Etsy for example and how committed and passionate they are about their whimsical products. It also got me thinking of turning what you love into a moneymaking business. That if there is no job suitable for you out there, why don’t you start your own little biz and put into it all your energy and talent so that it will bring some cash in, right?
I think this book was made for women (and men) who live simple lives. Those who love the country and a good book that reflects that easygoing environment. I think the usual storyline of woman falling in love with a sexy, masculine farmhand will be appreciated greatly by readers who have long dreamed of a Levi jeans-wearing, muscular cowboy-ish man (think Marlboro Man, hahaha) to come sweep them off their feet and cover their lips with long, enduring, sensual kisses. It’s a great escape from the harshness of reality I think. Anyway, you enjoy the remainder of your July 4th now and let this book turn you into a firework bursting with bliss and romance! It’s definitely a must-have!
Home Sweet Sonoma is a relevant, character-driven story. Georgia James and Deborah Parrish make their characters come to life as relatable people with rich descriptions of their setting, everyday life, and thoughts and emotions. They very quickly seem like real people. For me, that was the highlight of the book, not the actual plot of the book, though you can’t have one without the other, of course.
Still, the dialog between characters and the inner thought processes are what really move the story along, and it all seems very natural. It’s also easy to read. The story flows well and though there isn’t much “action,” it never feels stagnant.
I also enjoy reading women authors writing women characters. It gives us guys an insight into another type of thinking and feeling.
I enjoyed reading this. It’s a wonderful story that kept me reading and enjoying it till the very end. I couldn’t put it down till the last word. The characters are likable, and the story is realistic. After the lose of her mother, Kitty must take a closer look at her life before finding what she really wants and who she wants in it.