Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Unavailable
    Vintner's Daughter: A Novel
    Unavailable
    Vintner's Daughter: A Novel
    Unavailable
    Vintner's Daughter: A Novel
    Ebook341 pages7 hours

    Vintner's Daughter: A Novel

    By Kristen Harnisch

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    Loire Valley, 1895. When seventeen-year-old Sara Thibault's father is killed in a mudslide, her mother sells their vineyard to a rival family whose eldest son marries Sara's sister, Lydia. But a violent tragedy compels Sara and her sister to flee to New York, forcing Sara to put aside her dream to follow in her father's footsteps as a master winemaker.







    Meanwhile, Philippe Lemieux has arrived in California with the ambition of owning the largest vineyard in Napa by 1900. When he receives word of his brother's death in France, he resolves to bring the killer to justice. Sara has travelled to California in hopes of making her own way in the winemaking world. When she encounters Philippe in a Napa vineyard, they are instantly drawn to one another, but Sara knows he is the one man who could return her family's vineyard to her, or send her straight to the guillotine.







    This riveting tale of betrayal, retribution, love, and redemption, Kristen Harnisch’s debut novel immerses readers in the rich vineyard culture of both the Old and New Worlds, the burgeoning cities of late nineteenth-century America and a spirited heroine’s fight to determine her destiny.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherShe Writes Press
    Release dateJun 17, 2014
    ISBN9781631529252
    Unavailable
    Vintner's Daughter: A Novel
    Author

    Kristen Harnisch

    KRISTEN HARNISCH is the internationally bestselling author of the novels The Vintner’s Daughter and The California Wife. She is also an avid blogger and mother of three children. While she is directly descended from one of the first colonists of New France, she calls Connecticut home. Web: KristenHarnisch.com Twitter: @KristenHarnisch

    Related to Vintner's Daughter

    Related ebooks

    United States History For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Legacies of Grace

      Mar 21, 2023

      Love is the source of inspiration, energy, creativity, and motivation for living graciously. Theearliest experiences most prominent in my memory were with my grandmother, who, being Ukrainian, was instinctively inclined to generous hospitality with s

      6 min read

    • Article

      Country Strong

      Mar 16, 2020

      Country Strong
      4 min read

    • Article

      10 Quick Questions

      Jan 10, 2021

      1. Which movie begins with the words: “People do not give it credence that a young girl could leave home and go off in the wintertime to avenge her father’s blood, but it did happen”? ❑ Old Yeller ❑ True Grit ❑ The Call of the Wild ❑ Little Women 2.

      1 min read

    • Article

      A Favorite Combination

      Dec 7, 2021

      A Favorite Combination
      1 min read

    • Article

      Fancy Garden Fête

      May 23, 2023

      Fancy Garden Fête
      9 min read

    • Article

      Harvest Delights

      Aug 9, 2023

      Harvest Delights
      2 min read

    • Article

      Anthony ‘A.J.’ Johnson, ‘Friday’ And ‘House Party’ Actor, Dies At 55

      Sep 20, 2021

      Anthony “A.J.” Johnson, a comedian and actor known for performances in the 1990s movies “Friday,” “Menace II Society” and “House Party,” has died. He was 55. Confirmation of Johnson’s death came Monday from his agent, LyNea Bell. “The world of Comedy

      1 min read

    • Article

      Quick Tips

      Aug 11, 2020

      Quick Tips
      3 min read

    • Article

      Going Native

      Nov 11, 2020

      Going Native
      5 min read

    • Article

      Baltic Easter Basket Cover

      Feb 1, 2022

      Baltic Easter Basket Cover
      3 min read

    • Article

      Year in Reading: Hannah Gersen

      Dec 12, 2020

      There was a moment when I was convinced that I was going to spend the rest of 2020 reading Ripley novels. The post Year in Reading: Hannah Gersen appeared first on The Millions.

      5 min read

    • Article

      Everything You Need For CHRISTMAS!

      Nov 12, 2022

      Maddie, the fabulously efficient dish Deputy Editor, has just poked her nose into my office to give me the gentlest of hurry ups for my overdue Editor’s letter… so here we go. I’m feeling just a whisper dusty due to fulsome celebrations at the Websta

      2 min read

    • Article

      New Chapters Unfolding

      Nov 22, 2022

      When first I saw the vast English house that would become my home, I was overawed. An elegant redbrick Victorian vicarage in Oxford, tucked away next to a lake, with a rambling garden and an ancient willow. We toured the property as part of my husban

      6 min read

    • Article

      Steeped in Tradition

      Mar 21, 2023

      Steeped in Tradition
      5 min read

    • Article

      The Thread Of History

      Feb 16, 2023

      The Dress Diary of Mrs Anne Sykes: Secrets from a Victorian Woman's Wardrobe by Kate Strasdin Chatto & Windus 320 pages, £22 If ever I were looking for a historical detective with whom to team up, Kate Strasdin would be top of my list. In 2016, she

      1 min read

    • Article

      The Joys Of Coastal Living

      Jul 7, 2022

      The Joys Of Coastal Living
      2 min read

    • Article

      We Love

      Feb 15, 2023

      We Love
      3 min read

    • Article

      Starter for 10

      Jun 24, 2020

      Starter for 10
      4 min read

    • Article

      Home to ROOST

      Jan 11, 2022

      Home to ROOST
      11 min read

    • Article

      The Skirted Soldier

      Sep 27, 2022

      The Skirted Soldier
      4 min read

    • Article

      In The Novel ‘Emily’s House,’ The Dickinsons’ Irish Maid Speaks Her Mind

      Oct 27, 2021

      Amy Belding Brown’s historic novel “Emily’s House” sheds light on Emily Dickinson and her family, through the observations of their Irish maid.

      3 min read

    • Article

      Teatime in Bloom

      May 23, 2023

      Teatime in Bloom
      1 min read

    • Article

      The real James Herriot

      Aug 12, 2022

      The real James Herriot
      4 min read

    • Article

      MY ENGLISH HOME Jilly Cooper

      May 1, 2019

      MY ENGLISH HOME Jilly Cooper
      4 min read

    Reviews for Vintner's Daughter

    4/5

    6 ratings8 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      The Vintner’s Daughter by Kristen Harnisch is the story of Sara, a young French woman who overcomes adversity to fulfill her dreams. She and her sister are forced to run away from their home in the Loire Valley to America after her sister’s brutal husband beats his pregnant wife and then tries to rape her. Sara had always been interesting in her father’s chosen career as a vintner, and after coming to America she realizes that California, in particular, the Napa Valley would be the ideal place to allow her to work and grow in the wine business.Almost penniless, Sara arrives in the Napa Valley and starts by working with the Chinese in the vineyards. She is taken under another woman’s wing and eventually gets offered a job at one of the largest wineries in the Valley. This could be perfect except that this winery is owned by the brother of her sister’s husband.The Vintner’s Daughter is rich in period detail and the two locations of the Loire Valley in France and Napa Valley in California help to enhance the story. There is a lot of detail about the growing of grapes and the making of wine but this does not detract in any way from the story of Sara and how she comes to be a vintner in her own right and find a love that will protect, sustain and partner her. This was a great book to read while sipping on a glass (or two) of wine.
    • 3/5
      [The Vintner's Daughter] by [Kristen Harnisch] begins in France's Loire Valley in 1896. Sara Thibault and her sister Lydia decide to flee France after an act of violence against them. Their father had recently died and the family vineyard had been sold to pay debts. After arriving in New York Sara learns about Napa Valley and it's suitability for growing grapes. She is determined to become a vintner herself, though women are not welcome in that profession. Soon she is on her way across the country with very little money, but with a wealth of knowledge about growing grapes and making wine. She begins her new life by living in a tent on a river with Chinese vineyard workers. Working alongside them in a large vineyard she is surprised to learn the vineyard is being temporarily managed by a women with a name she recognizes. Aurora Thierry is a well known agriculturist, one that Sara has read and admired. She and Aurora become friends and Aurora's contacts give Sara the opportunity to live her dreams. In addition to Sarah's professional struggles the plotalso includes a murder and a romance. This is a first novel with some rough spots though it isn't a bad read. One of my pet peeves in historical novels is for the characters to use expressions or vocabulary that wouldn't have been used at that time and there are a few of those here. Another problem for me is that too much of the plot rests on unlikely circumstances. Still the overall concept is interesting and I learned things I didn't know about vineyards and growing.
    • 4/5
      The Vintner's Daughter begins in France just at the end of the 19th century on a vineyard in the Loire Valley in France. Sara Thibault loves following her father around as he cares for the vines and learning all he knows about growing grapes and making wine. Her sister Lydia is only concerned about her upcoming wedding - to a man Sara does not like - and her mother feels that Sara should be more concerned about womanly pursuits. Her father has some concerns about the harvest in this year because he expenses are tight and there is disease in some vines. Crisis strikes and it turns out that only Lydia's marriage can save the family but the vineyard will now belong to her husband's family. Sara is distraught and it only gets worse when her new brother in law turns out to be a violent and abusive man.Circumstances lead to Sara ending up in America and seeking a new life in the Napa Valley where her love of and knowledge for growing grapes helps her establish herself and she thrives. Until her past comes back to remind her that she left France with secrets that are threatening to ruin all she has come to love.I enjoyed this novel; in fact I read it in one sitting. It wasn't perfect - some plot points were just too facile and some of the more difficult passages were too lightly treated and easily left to move on to the next plot point. The explanations about growing grapes in the beginning chapters were also a bit dry - that got better later in the book. That being written I found the story to be otherwise well developed and the history included quite interesting. The Suffragettes so all fired to get to vote to bring in prohibition had no clue of what they would bring down, did they?If you are looking for a fascinating look into the world of wine making with a look back to its start in California with a bit of romance and intrigue then I recommend this book to you.
    • 4/5
      Wow. I didn't think I would finish this book so quickly but I was so eager to find out what happened next that I couldn't resist. When I finished the book, a thought came to me....I should have had a glass of wine to sip on while reading. Hahaha.

      The book started off with Sara confessing to killing a man. Bam! That caught my attention, I was eager to find out what happened that lead Sara and Lydia to flee France and go all the way across the ocean to the United States.

      I rather liked reading about Sara, she is such an intelligent and feisty young lady, who unfortunately came under some unfortunate circumstances. She inspires loyalty from friends that she makes along the way, who do wonders and help her enormously (Marie, Aurora, Jacques). Sara shows her determination and long term thinking over and over again throughout the book. Especially in raising Luc and working hard in the vineyard.

      Naturally the focus is on Sara, but I would have liked a few more scenes where the story is told from Philippe's point of view. We aren't really given too much chances to really get to know him at a deeper level. I thought we were in the beginning of the book where he is trying to get Lamont on board with his plan of expanding their wine sales across the states. That scene helped give him credibility as an intelligent person, with potential and compassion.

      While parts of the story was cliched and predictable it was still enjoyable and pleasant to read. well minus the attack on Sara and Lydia's death

      Overall, it was a good read. Definitely gave some good insight into what vintners do with their vineyard and the process necessary to produce the wine we drink. Plus Sara and Philippe's story was quite lovely to read.
    • 5/5
      The Vintner's Daughter is a Historical Fiction novel that starts out in France, the Loire Valley, and the main character, Sara Thibault, who still lives at home with her family and spending her days helping her sister prepare for her wedding and working in the family vineyard. Her passion is assisting her father tending the grapes in their winery. She is very proficient and loves what she does. Her sister marries into the Lemieux but not is all it is supposed to be. Lydia's becomes a punching bag for her husband and a terrible tragedy happens that causes Lydia and Sara to flee to America.They arrive and end up in a convent in New York awaiting the birth of Lydia's baby. Another tragedy occurs that forces Sara to flee to Napa Valley where her plans are to purchase some land and start a winery of her own. Unbeknownst to her, she ends up on the vineyard of Phillipe Lemieux, Lydia's brother in law. The story continues from there with an instant attraction to Phillipe. Should she stay? If she does her whole world could fall apart. This is a story of betrayal, ambition and love that will definitely have you rooting for Sara as she comes to terms with her life.I found this novel to be very readable, enough suspense and romance to keep me turning the pages. A plot that is believable and the subject matter very well researched by the author. I read it in a few sittings and thoroughly enjoyed it.
    • 4/5
      The Vintner's Daughter is Kristen Harnisch's debut novel. The beautiful cover and a blurb by one of my favourite historical authors, Roberta Rich, convinced me to pick up the book. Seventeen year old Sara Thibault's father is a vintner in the Loire Valley, France in 1895. With no sons, he has passed on his knowledge to Sara, who hopes to continue the family legacy. But when her father dies, and her sister marries badly, Sara's vision of the future quickly changes. The sisters run to America where Sara eventually wends her way to the Napa Valley wineries. Historical fiction fans are going to enjoy this one. Harnish has chosen a different and quite interesting platform for her novel. The descriptions of wine making techniques were all new to me. The vineyard settings and methods were richly drawn and well researched. Part of the novel takes place in New York City and this setting is also well portrayed. This is a time period and place I enjoy, so the US setting was my favourite. Harnisch touches on social issues of the time as well - the Suffragette movement and Prohibition. But at it's heart, The Vintner's Daughter is a character driven novel. Sara is a protagonist that the reader can't help but root for. She's facing insurmountable odds, but her loyalty, drive and feisty spirit carry her forward. Oh, and did I mention the romantic elements? Uh huh. In addition to the dastardly brother in law, there's another brother who is the opposite side of the coin. And he just happens to be a vintner....Harnisch has taken a familiar story of family loyalty, loss, love and redemption and given it her own stamp with the wine element. Fans of historical romantic fiction will enjoy The Vintner's Daughter - best enjoyed with a glass of wine
    • 4/5
      The Vintner's Daughter begins in France just at the end of the 19th century on a vineyard in the Loire Valley in France. Sara Thibault loves following her father around as he cares for the vines and learning all he knows about growing grapes and making wine. Her sister Lydia is only concerned about her upcoming wedding - to a man Sara does not like - and her mother feels that Sara should be more concerned about womanly pursuits. Her father has some concerns about the harvest in this year because he expenses are tight and there is disease in some vines. Crisis strikes and it turns out that only Lydia's marriage can save the family but the vineyard will now belong to her husband's family. Sara is distraught and it only gets worse when her new brother in law turns out to be a violent and abusive man.Circumstances lead to Sara ending up in America and seeking a new life in the Napa Valley where her love of and knowledge for growing grapes helps her establish herself and she thrives. Until her past comes back to remind her that she left France with secrets that are threatening to ruin all she has come to love.I enjoyed this novel; in fact I read it in one sitting. It wasn't perfect - some plot points were just too facile and some of the more difficult passages were too lightly treated and easily left to move on to the next plot point. The explanations about growing grapes in the beginning chapters were also a bit dry - that got better later in the book. That being written I found the story to be otherwise well developed and the history included quite interesting. The Suffragettes so all fired to get to vote to bring in prohibition had no clue of what they would bring down, did they?If you are looking for a fascinating look into the world of wine making with a look back to its start in California with a bit of romance and intrigue then I recommend this book to you.
    • 4/5
      It took me a couple of chapters to get into The Vintner's Daughter by Kristen Harnisch. This is a historical that starts off in late 1800's in France. At seventeen, Sara Thibault is the youngest of two daughters, and she lives in her family's vineyard. Her father runs the family business and when he finds himself desperate to sell or go bankrupt, he leaves the vineyard with cargo for sale but he dies in a mudslide. He leaves his wife and two daughters in debt. The eldest daughter, Lydia then marries for money but finds herself in an abusive relationship.The two sisters end up running off to America to start anew after a tragic event occurs that threatens everything. Involved in the storyline is Philippe Lemieux, who is looking to avenge his brothers untimely death and Marie Chevreau, a midwife who befriends the sisters. By a twist of fate, Philippe and Sara's paths cross and she fears this man could be the key to her undoing.After the slow start, the story picked up its pace.Sarah was strong from the start and even though she was the younger sister, she was the wiser one. The story takes us through France, New York and California as Sara struggles to make a living. Although most women in her predicament find worked as maids or seamstresses, in her heart she was a vintner's daughter and only wanted to continue her father's legacy.The story takes some complicated twists and turns and I wanted to know what would become of Sara. I found it interesting reading about how she came to America, changed her name and tried to find work in a place where she was left to fend for herself. It made me think of the struggles people go through when coming to this country, especially back in those days. I also enjoyed reading the details about wine making and the vineyards.Marie Chevreau was another character who I found intriguing, she is a midwife who dreams of becoming a doctor. The sights she sees in the story are particularly sad and difficult to imagine. "Old-school" midwifery has always interested me and I like seeing this topic in historicals especially. Prohibition and women's suffrage are also woven into the plot.I enjoyed this one overall. The Vintner's Daughter is first in a series and I am interested in seeing where the author takes these characters next.disclaimer: This review is my honest opinion. I did not receive any type of compensation for reading and reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers and authors, such as this one, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. I received a free review copy of The Vintner's Daughter by Kristen Harnisch via caitlinhamiltonmarketing.com