The California Wife
by Kristen Harnisch
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app
1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date May 10 2016 | Archive Date Feb 28 2016
Description
It is 1897, and Sara and Philippe Lemieux, newly married and full of hope for the future, are determined to make Eagle’s Run, their Napa vineyard, into a world-renowned winemaking operation. But the swift arrival of the 20th century brings a host of obstacles they never dreamed of: price wars and the twin threats of phylloxera and Prohibition endanger the success of their business, and the fiercely independent Sara is reluctant to leave the fields behind for the new and strange role of wife and mother.
An invitation to the World’s Fair in 1900 comes just in time to revive the vineyard’s prospects, and amid the jewel-colored wonders of Belle Époque Paris, Sara and Philippe’s passion is rekindled as well. But then family tragedy strikes, and, upon their return to California, a secret from Philippe’s past threatens to derail their hard-won happiness in one stroke.
Sara gains an ally when Marie Chevreau, her dear friend, arrives in San Francisco as the first female surgery student to be admitted to prestigious Cooper Medical College. Through Marie, Sara gets a glimpse of the glittering world of San Francisco’s high society, and she also forges friendships with local women’s rights advocates, inciting new tensions in her marriage. Philippe issues Sara an ultimatum: will she abandon the struggle for freedom to protect her family’s winemaking business, or will she ignore Philippe and campaign for a woman’s right to vote and earn a fair wage?
Fate has other plans in store in the spring of 1906, which brings with it a challenge unlike any other that the Lemieux family or their fellow Northern Californians have ever faced. Will the shadow of history overwhelm Sara and Philippe’s future, despite their love for each other? In The California Wife, Kristen Harnisch delivers a rich, romantic tale of wine, love, new beginnings, and a family’s determination to fight for what really matters—sure to captivate fans of The Vintner’s Daughter and new readers alike.
A Note From the Publisher
Advance Praise
“The Vintner’s Daughter was an enjoyable romantic saga, and this new entry, which spans 1897 to 1906, is even more involving. Harnisch has hit her stride as a writer . . . The story brings readers deeply into the economics of the wine industry – a unique historical fiction subject . . . Readers will enjoy being whisked back in time to Napa’s beginnings as a major wine-producing region, and the stage is set for future adventures with these warm-hearted, ambitious characters.”—Historical Novels Review
“Kristen Harnisch’s follow-up to her wine-soaked debut, The Vintner’s Daughter, is just as sumptuous as her first offering. . . . This vital, sweeping story is delivered in Harnisch’s silky, upscale prose. Much like a fine glass of wine, The California Wife is a highbrow indulgence that is tasteful, captivating and heady.”—The Globe & Mail
“It was easy to get lost in the pages of The California Wife, Harnisch’s compelling new novel. Harnisch is adept at creating determined, complex characters, whose combination of strength and vulnerability make them irresistible. Her admirable ability to bring forth a strong sense of place made every glorious detail of the Napa Valley sparkle: I wanted to reach for a glass of wine as I read. This sweeping tale is a true delight!”—Linda Holeman, International Bestselling author of The Linnet Bird and The Lost Souls of Angelkov
“The California Wife is not only an accurate and nostalgic account of the early history of our wine industry in California, it's a lovely novel with characters you want join in a harvest, a meal, and a glass of wine. I recommend this book to wine lovers and historical fiction fans alike!”—Tina Vierra, Associate Publisher, Wines & Vines
"… a vivid, fine-tuned novel about two fiercely ambitious and determined people who face obstacles that would bring most of us to our knees. Harnisch’s skillful blend of 19th-century societal norms and details about wine-making practices never overwhelm the characters but enrich them, captivating the heart. You'll long remember this beautiful story about redemption, forgiveness, love, and family bonds." —Ann Weisgarber, author of The Promise and The Personal History of Rachel DuPree
"A passionate novel set in the beautiful Napa Valley in the early 1900s. You'll cheer for Sarah Lemieux as she tries to balance, love, family, and independence in a time when women were expected to obey. Rich in history, passion, and community, The California Wife is a novel that continues to surprise until the very end."—Marci Nault, author of The Lake House
“Fans of historical fiction, heart-pounding romance, and remarkable women look no further. Kristen Harnisch does more than craft a rollicking good tale in intriguing locales; she transports you back in time through engaging dialogue, complex characters, and vivid description. Sara is no shrinking violet, and as she travels from France to the Napa Valley she learns how to channel her passions to build the life she’s always dreamed of. An exquisite read from start to finish.”—Alexandria Brown, Napa County Historical Society Research Librarian
“As seasoned wine country travelers, we see the present-day struggles of small, family-owned wineries and know how difficult it is to become successful. Winemakers are constantly at the mercy of unpredictable weather and must work long hours to ensure a good product and profitable wine sales. Kristen Harnisch does a remarkable job of transporting us back 100 years and gives us an authentic feel for what it was like to make wine at that time without the benefit of enology and viticulture programs or the advances of modern-day science. Sara and Philippe’s love for each other helps them face hidden family secrets, threats from a rival winemaker and a tragedy that could destroy everything they have.”--Joe and Janella Becerra, Winecountrygetaways.com
“Rich with setting and story, Kristen Harnisch pulled me deep into the Napa Valley vineyards and through the streets of San Francisco in her lovely turn-of-the-twentieth century story, The California Wife. Harnisch weaves history and family passion together so seamlessly that I had to remind myself I was reading fiction. This is a simply stunning follow-up to The Vintner’s Daughter. Both enlightening and delightful. Bravo!”--Carla Stewart, Award-winning author of Stardust and A Flying Affair
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781631520877 |
| PRICE | $17.95 (USD) |
Average rating from 12 members
Featured Reviews
kATHLEEN G, Reviewer
What joy to read more of the story of Sara and Philippe- and Marie is a great new character. I enjoyed the Vintner's Daughter and was very happy to read more. The San Francisco earthquake looms large in this installment and, as before you'll learn some things you might not have otherwise. Harnisch has a nice writing style; it flows easily and draws you into the plot and the lives of her characters, who you will really care about. I think you could read this as a standalone. You'll like it if you enjoy historical romance. ! I'm looking forward to more from Harnisch.
Polly K, Reviewer
Continuing with the life and love of Sara and Philippe Lemieux (as introduced in The Vintner's Daughter, Kristen Harnisch does not disappoint in this sequel. Fighting against disease and price controlling, and prohibition, the newly married couple are determined to continue with the success of their new vineyard, Eagle's Run. Time are changing and Sara fights, not only for the cause of women's rights, but for her marriage itself. Recommended.
Connie F, Reviewer
Vouvray France - 1897
Sara Thibault has just agreed to marry Philippe Lemieux, the owner and respected vigneron of Eagle’s Run, a very large vineyard in Napa California. Sara grew up in Vouvray France on a vineyard in Saint Martin. Although rather small, it produced lovely chenin blanc grapes. But, two years ago, the vines were destroyed by the phylloxera louse and her family is anxious to replant the vineyard with American rootstock. She and her family don’t want to waste more time before replanting because they know it will take 3-5 years before the vines produce good grapes. Sara had left Napa some weeks before where she had lived and worked with Philippe. It appears that her sister, Lydia, passed away after giving birth to Luc. His father, Bastian, Philippe’s brother, erupted into a night of violence attempting to attack her. Sara accidentally killed him to save herself. Bastian also burned down her family’s home.
A note here: “The California Wife" is a sequel to “The Vintner’s Daughter” and evidently takes up where it leaves off. Since I did not read “The Vintner’s Daughter,” I had a difficult time trying to piece together the first part of this book. So, my first paragraph is what I gleaned happened in the first book.
Philippe’s father was an abusive man who used to beat he and Bastian. He is still alive but is an angry, hateful man and Philippe avoids him.
Napa California
After Sara and Philippe marry, they settle at Eagle’s Run in Napa. They are faced with how all of the wineries are seeing price cuts making it very difficult to make a profit. When word comes of the upcoming World’s Fair in Paris, they decide to enter their California wines against the French wines.
Linnette Cross is a harlot working at a Napa brothel. Philippe had taken her on as his mistress when he was single. When he fell in love with Sara, he ended his relationship with Linnette. Soon after, she discovered she was pregnant with his child. Recently she has given birth to their daughter, Phillippa Mary, Pippa for short. Sadly, Pippa was born with a cleft lip. Now, Linnette wonders if she should tell Philippe about their daughter. When Linnette becomes ill and dies, Philippe learns about Pippa and adopts her.
Vintner jealousy has reared its ugly head and a devastating fire breaks out at Eagle’s Run which nearly destroys everything. But they persevere.
The story continues with different family members who join them and all of the difficulties that they face with the winery and in their own personal lives. The book is chock full of actual historical events of that time period woven into the book which makes it even more interesting. I know that readers will enjoy following this hard-working family.
Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley
Cozy Book R, Reviewer
This is the beautifully written sweeping novel of the life and love of Sara and Philippe Lemieux (as introduced in "The Vintner's Daughter",) Kristen Harnisch has written a perfect sequel in The California Wife. This book is set in the early 1900's in Napa with the continuation of the saga of a vintner family and a independent woman working in a mans world. I highly recommend both novels. They are beautifully written, heartfelt stories of a strong person ahead of her time, the beautiful time of early Napa and the people that forged the wine industry. Its a wonderful rendition of family, commitment to their vineyards and the hard work that created Napa Valley. . I was unable to put it down from page one. As one who has family that settled in early 1900's in Napa I can attest that the author has gone to great lengths to perfect early Napa in all its glory as well as create for her readers a outstanding sweeping saga of early California wine industry written to perfection. . This is a wonderful novel and I hope for more in the series. Thank you for the advance reading copy She Writes Press with gratitude. I highly recommend the series for your reading enjoyment.
Readers who liked this book also liked:
