The Winemakers, Book One
Historical Romance
Date Published April 25, 2022
"A headstrong Portuguese meets her match in the arrogant Englishman who threatens her beloved vineyards. Dive deep into Portugal's rich culture in this intoxicating story about wine and love."
Portugal, 1870
A winemaker desperate to save her vineyards...
Julia Costa is the best winemaker in the Douro. When a greedy tradesman threatens the land her family has held for generations, Julia prepares to defend her legacy and independence by any means necessary.
The Englishman sent to uncover her secrets...
The last thing Griffin Maxwell wants is to waste time mired in a Portuguese backwater. Still, to guarantee a partnership with Oporto's largest trading firm, he agrees to travel up the Douro river and chase some reluctant debtor.
A meeting of two cultures...
Nothing prepared Griffin for the headstrong winemaker. Alluring, she tempts him into enjoying Portugal's vibrant tastes and is a threat to his carefully constructed plans. The arrogant Englishman arrived at Julia's lands, believing himself entitled to everything, including her heart. But how can she resist an attraction headier than a vintage?
An enemy too powerful to fight alone...
When a mysterious plague decimates Europe's vineyards, Griffin and Julia put differences aside to find a cure, blind-tasting their way into an intoxicating passion. But reality demands an answer: will they choose their ambitions or the love of a lifetime?
Griffin lowered the paper a few inches and
raised a brow. Charles Whitaker eyed him expectantly, his hair in disarray,
sporting a bright yellow vest that clashed with his striped trousers. No doubt
he had sailed from a night of debauchery straight into the Factory House.
Griffin lowered the paper. “Another race?
After last time—”
“No, no! Not that. Your blacks put to shame
any horseflesh in Oporto, and I mean to impress—”
“The baroneza’s husband
will kill you if the races won’t.”
Charles’ affair had ended in a very public and
embarrassing duel. Griffin abhorred expressions of passionate liaisons, be it
drunken serenades or pistols at dawn. His mistresses needed to be desirable,
but discreet. Let the Portuguese rant and rave about love. His life would never
be ruled by such animal instincts.
Charles extracted a cigar from his pocket.
“This isn’t about Carmen. I promised Anita an outing to Sintra. You know her.
The ballet dancer. Come with me tonight.” He brightened. “She has this blonde
roommate that does a marvelous rond de jamb.” He
licked his lips as if he meant a dessert and not a dance step.
Griffin grimaced at the alcohol fumes his
friend exhaled, strong enough to burn his nose. “I’m taking Anne to the opera.”
His little sister had pestered him all week to see the reopening of Nabucco. The brat had a way of sweet-talking him into doing
her bidding. “Why don’t you try a respectable outing for a change? You may even
like it.”
“You sound like my father. But I must warn
you, I have a hell of a time understanding his speeches when I’m soused.”
Charles perked up and spoke in a plummy imitation of Mr. Whitaker, the senior.
“What a man does in private, he repents in private, but what he does in public,
he regrets in his privates.”
About the Author
Giovanna Siniscalchi chased narrative arcs and climax points in the Nasdaq for twelve long years working as an economist. Still, her romantic imagination was wasted in the financial markets, so she decided to put it to better use: write fiction. She is married and has two great kids. Her passions are eclectic, including reading, traveling, surfing, wine, and of course, historical romance.).
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