"Fine Marcelli contemporary romance"

Brenna Marcelli knows the depths of her desperation when she visits Nicholas Giovanni, CEO of family rival Wild Sea Vineyards to borrow one million dollars to start her own wine label. Her beloved family patriarch and that of Nicholas have fought for decades. Still Brenna feels a need to go around her grandfather as she believes he will hand over the family winemaking company to a newly discovered stepbrother. The vines are in Brenna's heart, but so is Nic, who broke hers when she was a teen.

Nic lends the money to Brenna, but sees this as a different type of investment as he now feels he has the mechanism to avenge what he has heard the Marcelli's did to the Giovanni clan years ago. However, Nic feels Brenna's enthusiasm and acumen as if he was working every vine. Soon he falls in love with her, but may have destroyed his chance for happiness when his scheme begins to show fruit. Brenna knows that déjà vu means breaking your heart twice over the same rascal.

The third Marcelli contemporary romance is a fine one as readers follow the exploits of the only sister whose heart is entangled by the vines. The story line is fun to follow as Brenna battles with her grandfather and Nic. Both these stubborn men soon realize how strong a person she is. Readers will appreciate the latest entanglement of the heart as the Marcelli siblings remain strong characters that are fun to observe and the audience will want to toast at their upcoming nuptials.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted October 25, 2003

For the Marcelli sisters of California wine country, the season is ripe for romance!

Summary

Welcome to the Marcelli family, where wine making is a family tradition and weddings are serious business. Brenna Marcelli was born to run her family's winery. At least that's what she's hoped for all her life. But after returning to the family hacienda when her marriage breaks up, she realizes her grandfather will never leave the winery to her. He's always wanted a male heir for the family business, and when a stranger from the family's past appears, it seems like he just may get his wish after all.

Left with no alternative, Brenna turns to Nic Giovanni for a loan. As if borrowing a million dollars weren't a big enough deal, add the fact that Nic and Brenna had a secret relationship a decade ago, and she jilted him, choosing her family and her chance to run the winery over loving the son of her family's nemesis.

Nic is quick to loan Brenna the money, but she doesn't know the real reason why. It's not because they've picked up their long ago passionate love affair, or because he's forgiven her, it's because he's got designs of his own on Marcelli Winery, he's just not sure how far he's willing to go for them.