A LOVE/HATE RELATIONSHIP ... ANOTHER REVIEW

MILLION-DOLLAR MARRIAGE MERGER - Charlene Sands

Miniseries: Napa Valley Vows
Silhouette Desire #2016
ISBN: 978-0-373-73029-2
May 2010


Contemporary Romance


Napa Valley, California - Present Day


Tony Carlino left home to race fast cars. He did, and now retired, he has returned to Napa Valley. The only girl for him was Rena Fairfield, who was left behind when Tony’s career took off. With the death of his father, Santo Carlino, Tony learns that to meet the terms of the will he and his brothers, Nick and Joe, must run Carlino Winery. Fate throws another wrench at Tony. His best friend, David Montgomery, dies in a freak crash while racing in a local road race. Before David passes, he makes Tony promise to take care of his wife and their unborn child.


Rena Fairfield-Montgomery hates Tony. He not only broke her heart years ago, but if he had not returned, David would still be alive. Expecting a baby, and with her winery, Purple Fields, on the verge of bankruptcy, Rena tries in vain to get a loan. The bank turns her down, and Rena realizes she will have to sell the winery. Her staff is down to two workers, Solano and Raymond, who are more like best friends. Dismayed, Rena returns home only to see Tony parked at her door, and he wants to marry her and save the winery. Rena is beyond angry. His father did everything he could to drive all the small wineries out of business, and Tony wants to step in and make a wrong right.


MILLION-DOLLAR MARRIAGE MERGER is a fast paced read. The beautiful wine county of Napa sets the stage for family, love, second chances and forgiveness. Tony is a fine tuned sexy hero who knows what he wants and goes for it. Tony has always loved Rena, and he doesn’t want to marry her as a business deal. He wants a family. As vulnerable as she is, Rena agrees to marry Tony. That’s the easy part. Vulnerable because of her loss, Rena is no shrinking violet. Her resolve to save her family winery is inspiring. But will she give Tony a second chance?


What I enjoyed about MILLION-DOLLAR MARRIAGE MERGER was not just the romance, but also the excellent story line that weaves the characters together. This is the first installment of the Napa Valley trilogy; I look forward to the next chapter.


Enjoy, ladies.
Deborah C Jackson
Romance Reviews Today