Happy Sunday all!
Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend! Excited to share an excerpt with you today of what looks like a great book!
Starting Over at the Vineyard in Alsace
It’s springtime at The Vineyard in Alsace, a new season and a new beginning
After being abandoned by her partner when she falls pregnant, Lottie Schell goes home to live on The Vineyard in Alsace, where she has started a new relationship with the estate’s winemaker, Thierry. Now about to give birth, Lottie’s determined to raise her child and to provide for them both on her own without having to depend on anyone else.
Thierry Bernard is still dealing with his grief and guilt following the death of his wife two years earlier, for which he blames himself. When he meets Lottie, the instant attraction he feels towards her gives him hope that he can move on from the tragedy of his past, as long as he can tell Lottie the truth of what happened.
When circumstances force Lottie and Thierry closer together, they both find it hard to compromise – she’s proudly independent and he’s fiercely protective – and they’re both wary about trusting someone new with their heart.
Can Lottie and Thierry take a chance on each other, move on from their pasts and start over?
Escape to The Vineyard in Alsace once again with this romantic read set in the heart of Alsace’s wine country.
Purchase Link – Amazon
Author Bio –
Julie Stock writes contemporary feel-good romance from around the world: novels, novellas and short stories. She published her debut novel, From Here to Nashville, in 2015, after starting to write as an escape from the demands of her day job as a teacher. Starting Over at the Vineyard in Alsace is her ninth book, and the second in the Domaine des Montagnes series set on a vineyard.
Julie is now a full-time author, and loves every minute of her writing life. When not writing, she can be found reading, her favourite past-time, running, a new hobby, or cooking up a storm in the kitchen, glass of wine in hand.
Julie is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and The Society of Authors. She is married and lives with her family in Bedfordshire in the UK.
Social Media Links –
Website
Excerpt
Extract 5 for Audio Killed the Bookmark
This extract comes towards the end of the second chapter when Lottie is chatting to her friend Ellie at the baby shower. She has managed to escape for a moment until her mum comes to find her. Then her close friend, Sylvie, who she has been staying with is taken ill.
‘How about you? Have you enjoyed the party?’
‘Sort of. It’s just that everyone keeps telling me they know best for me and the baby, and no-one seems to understand that it’s possible to raise a baby on your own.’
‘It won’t be easy, that’s for sure, but you can do it. You’ll need to be organised, I suppose. At least you can return to your job at the nursery in the longer term, and I’m sure Fran will help out with babysitting.’
‘Thanks for being so honest with me. That’s what I think, too.’
‘What are you two doing all the way over here?’ Lottie’s mum appeared in front of them, wagging her finger dramatically.
‘We’re catching up and I needed a sit-down,’ said Lottie.
Her mum pulled up a chair and looked from one to the other. ‘How’s everything with you and Henri?’ she asked Ellie.
‘Fine, thanks, Madame Schell.’
‘Oh, do call me Christine, no need to be so formal. It’s been a wonderful party, Lottie, hasn’t it?’ She went straight on, without waiting for Lottie’s reply. ‘You’ve had so many presents. People have been so kind, and all those things will come in very handy once the baby’s born and you can’t get out as much. Your dad and I would be so happy to have you at home again, you know, and I could help you, make life easier for you.’
‘I know, Mum, but I’ve told you I want to stay here. My life is here now, what with my job at the nursery, and with Thierry living here, too.’
Her mum leaned towards Lottie, a worried look on her face. ‘I wish you’d reconsider. I don’t think you’ll be able to manage everything on your own, especially when the baby is first born. And have you thought about money? You won’t be able to go back to work straight away, and babies are expensive.’
Lottie was saved from having to answer when a cry rang out from the other side of the Salle. All three women turned and her mum rushed away to see what had happened. Lottie struggled to her feet and slowly made her way over to the gathering crowd.
‘Should we call an ambulance?’
At the sound of her mum’s panicked voice, Lottie nudged her way through the guests to find her with Fran on either side of a distinctly pale-looking Sylvie, who was sitting on a chair with her eyes closed. Lottie’s heart sank at the thought that something terrible might be wrong with Sylvie, who’d been so good to her. She looked around for Chlöe, knowing she would be frightened to see her grandma like this, and spotted her hiding under a table.
‘It’s okay, Chlöe. Your dad will be here soon and he’ll take your grandma to the hospital for a check-up, and then everything will be fine.’
Chlöe crawled out and Lottie put her arm round her, trying to soothe away the child’s fears as much as her own.
‘Didier’s on his way, Sylvie,’ Fran said. She put her mobile away and took hold of the older woman’s hand. ‘Everything’s going to be all right.’ She glanced up at Lottie, with fear in her eyes, and the only thing Lottie was sure of was that everything in her life was about to change.
Berit Talks Books 
Great post 🐳
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