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Autumn in the Vineyard (St. Helena Vineyard #3) by Marina Adair Interview & Signed Paperback Giveaway!

 We're so excited to have Marina Adair stop by today for an interview. She also has a signed paperback of her latest release to give away!
  
Interview

What do you think readers will like about the main couple, Frankie and Nate?
First, thanks for having me here today!
As for Frankie and Nate, I think what made them so much fun to write is that this isn’t just an opposites attract story, they also have a secret and heated past, which allows for so much steamy conflict.
The heart of Frankie’s struggle is that she has experienced enough betrayal and disappointment in her lifetime to understand that it is just easier to go it alone. The idea of leaning on someone—especially a man—is terrifying. And I knew that the only way to get her to give into the chemistry and give Nate a chance to earn her trust was to force them to share space, because it’s hard to hide the real you from someone who shares your shower. So if Frankie wants to save her vineyard, she has to cohabitate with the one guy who broke her heart and her trust.

What was your favorite scene to write in this book?
Most women are scared of spiders or burglars or things that go bump in the night… not Frankie. Nope, she is terrified of babies. So I had to write a scene where she is forced to face her biggest fear, so of course I made Baby Sophie a fussy, screaming, poop-machine who, like most vicious predators, can sense fear on their enemy. And. no brainer, her awkward moment had to be witnessed by Nate, St. Helena’s most perfect human being.
What made this scene my favorite is the way Nate is there for her, and how Frankie, for the first time in years, allows herself to be vulnerable to the man who, at one time, had crushed her world. That was the turning point in the book for me, the moment where I really knew who they were and how their story was going to play out.

Can you share with us a little of what you're currently working on? 
I just finished the final edits on Book #4 in the St. Helena Vineyard series, BE MINE FOREVER, which comes out January 21, 2014 and follows the baby of the family, Trey DeLuca. After watching each of his brothers trade in their man-card for a minivan, Trey develops a severe allergic reaction to commitment, compromise, and kids. So of course I paired him up with the sexy single-mom next door who isn’t in the market for a man—so much as a Manny to watch her son. It was fun to witness the commitment-phobe playboy fall hard, especially when the woman he is falling for comes stock-ready with a kid, white picket fence, and a life that screams commitment.

I am also in the middle of writing Book #5, FROM THE MOMENT WE MET, which releases Summer 2014 and follows the only sister of the family. Abby DeLuca and Jack Tanner’s story will wrap up the DeLuca siblings, but don’t worry, the St. Helena Vineyard series isn’t over. Frankie Baudoiun has three sexy, older brothers who all have stories coming out in 2015 … so stay tuned.

Quickie questions:
Current favorite song or band?
Play it Again by Luke Bryan

Sweet or Savory?
Oh easy, sweet!

Read anything good lately?
Finding the time to read has been difficult lately, but I did just buy Long Shot by Hanna Martine. I'm only a few chapters in, but I am loving it!

Thank you, Marina Adair, for chatting with us today about your latest St. Helena Vineyard release! It was a pleasure having you!
  
Frankie Baudouin has a hundred reasons not to trust Nate DeLuca. First, he’s a DeLuca. Second, he kissed her—in front of the entire town—and then never called. Oh, and he’s after her land. Sorrento Ranch is Frankie’s last chance to prove to her family—and to herself—that she has what it takes to be an award-winning winemaker. And she will stop at nothing to ensure her success—even if it means playing nice with the starched, sophisticated, and oh-so-sexy Italian.

For Nate, Sorrento Ranch is more than just soil and grape vines; it was his father’s dream—a dream Nate is determined to make a reality. So when he finds himself forced to cohabitate with a hot-headed, irrational, and incredibly gorgeous Baudouin, Nate is surprised to discover that chaos could be so much fun—especially when she sleeps in nothing but lace.

4.5 - 5 Stars

Marina Adair returns with another great pairing! The third book in the St. Helena Vineyard series showcases two long-time bitter rivals, a family feud and lots of tension and romance! Oh, and the most adorable alpaca named Mittens!

Disowned by her grandfather, Francesca “Frankie” Baudouin takes all that she has and buys one of the most sought after properties in wine country, Sorrento Ranch. She has big dreams for her winery! The only problem is that her long-time rival, Nate DeLuca, bought the same property too. Uh-oh! Tensions flare and heads butt as the two are forced to make things work.

Can I just say that I adored this story and love this couple?! Ms. Adair continues to pair the DeLuca brothers with strong female leads. Frankie is stubborn and has a mean temper, but she's also loyal to the bone, a risk-taker and has this unbelievable drive to prove that she can succeed on her own. She also wears leather and gets around on a motorcycle, which I think Nate finds sexy. Frankie and Nate have known each other since they were little growing up in the same town. Both come from well-respected families with a long history in St. Helena. Nate is one charming and hard-working winemaker! I just loved how he notices the little things about Frankie that no one else does and makes her see things in a different perspective. He completely gets her. I think it's cute that he likes to shut her up with kisses! Awww!

Ms. Adair seems to highlight some sort of local competition in each St. Helena Vineyard book. This time it's the annual Cork Crawl. The way she writes about the townspeople gearing up for annual events is fun, festive and fits well with the plot. It never ceases to amaze me that every time I read a book in this series, I have this urge to visit wine country again and again.

A smart, sexy, tension-filled romance story that will make you laugh, cry and perhaps pop open that bottle of Syrah you've been saving. Salute!

*A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.*


 Book Links: AmazonB&NGoodreads

About the Author
Marina Adair is a National bestselling author of romance novels. Along with the St. Helena Vineyard series, she is also the author of Tucker's Crossing, part of the Sweet Plains series. She currently lives in a hundred-year-old log cabin, nestled in the majestic redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains, with her husband and daughter.

As a writer, Marina is devoted to giving her readers contemporary romance where the towns are small, the personalities large, and the romance explosive.
 
Giveaway!!!
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2 comments:

  1. gosh I keep seeing so many wonderful reviews of this book <3 I love romance books set in vineyards.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Me too! The vineyard is a big part of this story. Thanks for stopping by, Lily! Good Luck!

    ReplyDelete