A sudden death and a daughter’s return yield a bitter harvest.
Suspense Romance Novel
When Philip Claremont, the heir to the family vineyard in Northern California, is killed in an accident, his sister returns home for the funeral. A journalist in San Francisco, Marti finds her father reclusive, her estranged half-sister in residence, and a mysterious person skulking around the property. Learning more about her brother’s death, she grows suspicious of the accident, convinced there is more to the story.
At the funeral, she encounters her brother’s best friend, Lee Kellogg, and is reminded of how close her own friendship with him was while they were growing up. Lee also questions Philip’s death, knowing things about the accident that don’t sit well with him.
Determined to get to the truth, Marti decides to stay. As she begins trying to piece the information together, a story she never expected unfolds that could lead to her own death.
“Bitter Vintage” brings the suspense of treachery, greed, and ambition along with romance and betrayal as the story unfolds against the California vineyards of the Napa-Sonoma region and the migrant workers’ struggle for fair wages in 1964. This retro-styled story of intrigue is comparable to Mary Stewart’s suspense romance novels.
About the Book
Inspired by the beautiful scenery of the Northern California vineyards, I wanted to set a novel in this area. In the early 60s, fewer people crowded the wineries and it proved more of an adventure than it is now. Drake’s Bay was almost deserted when I visited, but now it’s a popular place for locals and tourists alike. During this time, the migrant workers struggled to make a fair wage and much civil unrest dominated the news. This is the backdrop for the story, but the tale remains a family drama.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rene Averett writes under Riona Kelly for her suspense romance and (soon) cozy mystery novels.
She hails from the southwestern United States, where she was raised until 21, then she migrated to California. She lived there for several years before moving back east all the way to Las Vegas, Nevada, and eventually relocated north to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. She enjoys painting, drawing, music, and living an uncomplicated life while serving the needs of her feline companions. She’s a fan of figure skating and has skated herself, although not in a professional capacity. Writing is a passion so like it or not, she will continue to produce more books.
Visit her Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/rionakellywrites