A Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestseller.“Cleverly crafted… France.
For centuries, the vineyards at Château Renard have depended on the talent of their vine witches, whose spells help create the world-renowned wine of the Chanceaux Valley. Then the skill of divining harvests fell into ruin when sorcière Elena Boureanu was blindsided by a curse. Now, after breaking the spell that confined her to the shallows of a marshland and weakened her magic, Elena is struggling to return to her former life. And the vineyard she was destined to inherit is now in the possession of a handsome stranger.
Vigneron Jean-Paul Martel naively favors science over superstition, and he certainly doesn’t endorse the locals’ belief in witches. But Elena knows a hex when she sees one, and the vineyard is covered in them. To stay on and help the vines recover, she’ll have to hide her true identity, along with her plans for revenge against whoever stole seven winters of her life. And she won’t rest until she can defy the evil powers that are still a threat to herself, Jean-Paul, and the ancient vine-witch legacy in the rolling hills of the Chanceaux Valley.
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I absolutely loved this book, from it’s first page to the very last. It was a fun, easy read with well-drawn characters, a twisty plot, a great love story, and who doesn’t like wine! There are two more books in this series and I will probably check them out one day but I have a huge long list of books already on my Kindle to read and I need to get back to that.
I read this on a hot day at the beach, but I wish I’d read it on a cool day in the fall–I loved the atmosphere created by the magic and how it was woven into the world-building. It was the perfect length and pace for a quick read.
A nice fantasy coupled with a love of wine, entertaining.
This book was wonderfully charming with an awesome beginning and a great ending. Magic, murder, and mystery in between. I loved this book.
I loved this book. I’m currently reading the second book right now and so far it is just as good. The Vine Witch was fun and held my attention all the second book picks up right where the first leaves off and answers those questions you wanted the answer to in the first book. I really loved this book.
An atmospheric witch mystery – plus wine!
The Vine Witch is a great story told by a great storyteller. It opens with a powerful scene of transformation and closes the same way. The book makes you think about life: can you ever go backward and how perceptions of the past affect current actions. The book is filled with magic as the Vine Witch uses magic to nurture the vines. A good fireplace read.
Since ‘vine witches’ are not that far out of the realm of possibility—good read.
Amazing, original. Can’t wait for the next one.
Very cool story. Look forward to more from this author
I found this book to be hard to put down. The characters were well written. The storyline drew me so deeply that once I was more than halfway done, I had to finish it.
I enjoyed The Vine Witch, especially since I wasn’t quite sure what to expect going in. Dealing with wine, witches and the technological revolution, the story was an interesting mix of concepts and ideas.
And honestly, when the story starts out with the witch having been turned into a frog, I needed to know more.
I liked the magic world she created!
This book held me under its spell and didn’t let go. The first chapter was a little, “Wait… what’s going on?” but then the secrets are revealed and it is one heck of a delicious, romantic, fantasy filled ride. I binge read it in a day, and when I had to get up to do something, I found myself wondering what the characters were up to while I was gone. And I loved how original it was. Never read anything like it. Do yourself a favor and grab it!
What a delightful read! The Vine Witch puts a unique spin on what magical books typically are. While you still get a dose of the good vs evil trope, I appreciated that the book was not limited to magic against manipulating humans. Instead, magic is primarily used in cultivating wine! I’m sure you’re thinking of your favorite wine right now and it’s different tones. You never know, maybe it had a little help!
The love story was also a lovely subtle touch that contributed to how the story itself bloomed. Wine and romance definitely go hand in hand!
I also really enjoyed the pacing and changes in scenery throughout the book. The prison portion is actually my favorite! Some really entertaining characters in there. Plus the characters have completely normal reactions to discovering magic exists, or that harm has been done to someone. It brought a realness to the story.
If you like a bit of wine, romance and witchery, you definitely want to add The Vine Witch to your TBR list!
Thank you so much to Wunderkind PR for the opportunity to read and share this lovely book! I have voluntarily read the book and the opinions expressed are my own.
This could have the makings of a really good story, but alas, most of it is trite. The concept of fermentation by specially gifted people (e.g.; witches) could have created a very fun tale. It’s ruined by the cardboard cutout characters of the dark and brooding master, a young witch beginning to access her powers, old boyfriend turned dark, suspicious townspeople, etc. I only read all the way through because I thought it would get better.
Fun, and if you equate the capabilities of the mind with ‘magic’ you will have some thought-provoking times.
Elena Boureanu has broken the curse that held her in thrall for years. Now, she trudges down the country lane dressed in stolen clothes that smell of the goatherd she ensorcelled and goat dung. Once, she had been the most accomplished Vine Witch in the Chanceaux Valley before someone took everything from her. Thinking on that treachery, Elena’s blood sizzles with the need for revenge on whoever had her transformed. That would have been her former fiancé, Bastien, or so she believes. Death by poison would be just payment for his betrayal, the herbs to make it almost spring into her hands.
“Mud and silk, blood and milk,
Never the twain should meet,
For if they do,
Bad luck to you,
‘Tis the Devil you’ll greet.”*
Will you meet the Devil in this book’s pages? No, but near enough . . .
“The Vine Witch” is one of those books that is pure pleasure to read. The writing is first-rate, the characters unforgettable, and the story alive with wit, mystery, action, and beautiful imagery. Thank you, Luanne G. Smith, I am forever in your debt.
I highly recommend this novel to lovers of Fairy Tales, whether you are a connoisseur of wine or not.
*Luanne G. Smith; the first chapter of “The Vine Witch.”
The Vine Witch is an interesting and intriguing take on witches. I liked the world and thoroughly enjoyed the story despite it being slow at times. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more of this author’s work.
Copy provided by publisher through Net Galley
An enchanting, magical book pairing witches and wine. An original fairytale complete with love, revenge and a curse.