"Vineyard" books. You are probably wondering, "What in the world is she talking about!?!", well it is the romance novels that take place in the dreamy setting of vineyards. Whether it be in Europe or the United States, there has been a huge rise in books set around or in a vineyard/wine making. Even Hallmark has gotten into the mix and I am sure Great American Family will soon be there as well. Seriously, what isn't romantic about being amongst the vines of these beautiful plants the produce an intoxicating elixir that has been around since Ancient times?
The gently rolling hills. The first sip of that cold, buttery, oak aged Chardonnay or the spicy, warmth of a Zinfandel, what could be better? As it touches your tongue you can taste and smell all the complexities of these wines that are crafted by Master Vintners. It truly is so amazing. Having lived in Northern California and Southern California, I can speak first hand on how picturesque being amongst the vineyards really is and the relaxation. I enjoyed my time and soaked up all I could by going to the wineries that in Southern California were literally 5 minutes from our home. Napa or Sonoma took a bit more of a drive, but was worth the 20 to 30 minute drive when I lived outside of San Francisco. Not to mention my lovely time in Italy that took me to the Tuscany line and I could see for miles the beauty of these beautiful rows that striped the landscape.
This seemed like another life, but at least I can relive these moments through books. Each vineyard is different and unique, the wines in of themselves varied from Vintner to Vintner, just like these authors who have taken on the task of giving readers these beautifully composed works of literature. Each book is different, written in the style of the respected author, so how do we choose which "vineyard" book to read? It truly is hard. However, if you know the author and like the author, you can generally tell in which direction they take the story.
We as humans have a unique want for escapism when it comes to reading. I will say, these "vineyard" books provide. It even gets one to think, "Wow! I wish I could be a Vintner or a Sommelier". I know I have had these thoughts, each time I read books based around wineries. So, I will say I am so thankful to have books like these to read. They are entertaining, filled with intrigue, and joy.
Today, I am comparing, or better yet giving the difference between two "vineyard" books that I absolutely enjoy. I would not say that one is better than the other, they have their own positives and negatives. Again, these authors are vastly different. Even their audiences will vary. The first book is by Juliet Blackwell, The Vineyards of Champagne and the second book is by Susan Mallery, The Vineyards at Painted Moon. They take place in two different countries, but the main characters in both are female protagonists who must see the self worth in themselves and overcome problems they face.
Juliet Blackwell has a more innocent way of discussing relations, whereas I found within the first few pages, Susan Mallery is more explicit with the sexual relations and the relations between couples. If you want to stay away from the more graphic then I would recommend Juliet Blackwell over Susan Mallery. Now, Susan Mallery isn't anymore graphic in her literary descriptions than some of the Debbie Macomber books, but I would not recommend the book to teens, but Juliet Blackwell's book, yes.
The Vineyards of Champagne is about a young woman named, Rosalyn. She is a wine buyer for a Napa, California supplier. Wine and the like is not her passion, but it is a job that provides her with stability and keeps her mind off of her husband who had untimely passed away. Rosalyn has deep anger and sadness deep within her that nothing seems to bring her joy now that she is widow. Everyone else in her eyes have great easy lives, but what she doesn't get is that life is meant to be enjoyed and others have been struck with life turning events and heartache. She starts to see that she is not alone, her negativity towards life quickly changes when she is sent to experience the champagne festival in a small village in the Champagne Region of France in order to pick certain champagnes for her boss. Her vision changes as she uncovers the history of the region through letters and from a young woman who recounted her love story and heartache during WWI. The tunnels that abound the region, where champagne is now stored, comes to life with history and strife. Stories of their lives in these tunnels for protection become real for Rosalyn. It helps her to realize the blessings she has, all the while helping an older woman, Doris from Australia trace her lineage back to the town and her biological family. The love that was lost by Lucie hits Rosalyn like a brick. Her depression turns to empathy. She realizes that she is not alone in her grief and she will not be the last.
The Vineyard at Painted Moon, is a curious novel with some lively characters -- a family who owns a winery in the state of Washington in the United States. Mackenzie is the main protagonist in this novel, she seems to have hit the jackpot. Marries her best friend's brother (Rhys) and becomes the vintner for the family winery that has had some hardships business wise, but is back on top due to Mackenzie's knowledge and diligence to the vines and grapes. It is even joked by her sister-in-laws that she is their mother's favorite "child". Or is she the favorite? As the book moves forward, Mackenzie realizes a lot about herself and her life. It has revolved around Rhys' family and the vineyard. She was defined not by whom she was, but what she did. Let's not forget the ever so hated, mother-in-law, Barbara. Many who review this book, compare the relationship to a Cinderella type. She is the evil "stepmother". Where I believe this is a good comparison, I will offer a different view. Yes, she is high strung. Yes, she is truly narcissistic and she will not accept fault of any kind, no matter how bad the situation becomes. I see her as a woman who cannot allow failure of any kind and her work had become her only refuge. Her pride and joy, yet she doesn't see what are her true blessings. She will forever fault everyone else until she is left in the dust. I think she has lost her husband, thus losing herself. She is a truly horrid person, but in the end does Mackenzie a huge favor, which allows Mackenzie to thrive. The relationships offered up by Mallery is sheer master work, even though some characters could have used a bit more depth, the intermingling is divine and full of intrigue. If you want something that provides you a sense of "yaass girl, get it!" and a book that instills the confidence of knowing who you are, then this book is it. Mackenzie is a strong woman who knows what she wants, yet she questions herself, but in the end realizes she's had it all along. The fortitude that Mackenzie possesses gives hope to readers. It allows us to root for a character to lift herself up and believe that she is good enough and is defined by whom she is and not by whom she's associated.
What I find interesting about this book, was the nature in which the narrative is presented. You don't only get Mackenzie's voice, but you also get Stephanie's (her best friend and Rhys' sister), and even Barbara's. It is truly interesting to get their stories from their perspective. The struggles, the joys, and even the hatred are there in plain text. It is completely amazing and a unique style of literature. It tells a story of strife, the unknown, difficult decisions, and hardships through the eyes of 3 strong women who need to find who they are and accept life as it is unfolding. Find the blessings, and I will say at least 2 of the 3 come to see how special their lives have become.
The mystery, the intrigue, and romance make these two books definite summer reads. Juliet Blackwell's novel is a 4.5 out of 5 and Susan Mallery's 4 out 5. I read both within a couple of days, but I will have to say I prefer Ms. Blackwell's novel more. She was able to end the novel in a more natural form. Ms. Mallery's is more abrupt and honestly, the more explicit descriptions is a bit out of place and I mean that because it truly is not necessary for the book to be successful. Some books it adds to the book, it does not add anything. To me, it seems more out of place and random. Plus, the book name is curious and hard to figure out until you get further along in the book by Mallery. Overall, these novels are both fantastic, well written, the covers are beautiful and eye catching. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did, so happy reading my fellow book lovers!