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The Hamiltons #9
Vodka and Violets
Xander Jacobs, former military man with a heart of gold, has had a soft spot for the vivacious and talented Tori DuPont for as long as he can remember.
They’ve known each other since they were kids growing up in Napa. They might come from big name wine families, and be considered ‘wine-country royalty’, but neither of them was comfortable in that world.
Even though they’ve barely seen each other in decades, Xander made it his mission to keep Tori safe when danger crept into her world. And when her life in Nashville dissolves around her, he’s determined to stay by her side for whatever comes next – even if neither of them know what that might be.
A visit to Tori's mom in the charming town of Summer Lake opens up new possibilities – and offers an opportunity that might suit them both.
Tori can be unsure of herself at times, but she’s always had a heart full of dreams, and she’s always known that she can count on Xander to have her back.
She’ll just have to hope that he’ll have her back when she reclaims her childhood dreams. She used to dream about having her own wine bar – and she used to dream about being loved by Xander Jacobs.
As they find their feet in Summer Lake, every sunlit moment and moonlit dance brings them closer, and the laughter they share becomes the soundtrack to their blossoming future.
The Hamiltons Serie s
This series follows the Hamilton family in California wine country. If you recognize the name Hamilton from the Summer Lake Series it’s because this is Smoke’s family who own one of the largest wine growing and distribution businesses in the country. In this set of connected stand-alone books you will meet Smoke’s brother and sister as well as a couple of cousins.
Book 1: Red Wine and Roses
Book 2: Champagne and Daisies
Book 3: Marsala and Magnolias
Book 4: Prosecco and Peonies
Book 5: Milkshakes and Mistletoe
Book 6: Cognac and Cornflowers
Book 7: Bourbon and Bluebells
Book 8: Whiskey and Willow
Book 9: Vodka and Violets
Summer Lake Romance Series
Each Summer Lake Romance can be read as a stand alone book – no cliff hangers here! Each book contains one couple's story. However, they are best read in order to get full enjoyment of the underlying story and friendships.
Book 1: Love Like You've Never Been Hurt - Emma and Jack
Book 2: Work Like You Don't Need the Money - Pete and Holly
Book 3: Dance Like Nobody's Watching - Missy and Dan
Book 4: Fly Like You've Never Been Grounded - Smoke and Laura
Book 5: Laugh Like You've Never Cried - Michael and Megan
Book 6: Sing Like Nobody's Listening - Kenzie and Chase
Book 7: Smile Like You Mean It - Gabe and Renée
Book 8: The Wedding Dance - Missy and Dan's Wedding
Book 9: Chasing Tomorrow - Ben's backstory with Charlotte
Book 10: Dream Like Nothing's Impossible - April and Eddie
Book 11: Ride Like You've Never Fallen - Nate and Lily
Book 12: Live Like There's No Tomorrow - Ben's story
Book 13: The Wedding Flight – Smoke and Laura’s Wedding
Book 14: Fight Like You’ve Never Lost – Ryan and Leanne
They’ve known each other since they were kids growing up in Napa. They might come from big name wine families, and be considered ‘wine-country royalty’, but neither of them was comfortable in that world.
Even though they’ve barely seen each other in decades, Xander made it his mission to keep Tori safe when danger crept into her world. And when her life in Nashville dissolves around her, he’s determined to stay by her side for whatever comes next – even if neither of them know what that might be.
A visit to Tori's mom in the charming town of Summer Lake opens up new possibilities – and offers an opportunity that might suit them both.
Tori can be unsure of herself at times, but she’s always had a heart full of dreams, and she’s always known that she can count on Xander to have her back.
She’ll just have to hope that he’ll have her back when she reclaims her childhood dreams. She used to dream about having her own wine bar – and she used to dream about being loved by Xander Jacobs.
As they find their feet in Summer Lake, every sunlit moment and moonlit dance brings them closer, and the laughter they share becomes the soundtrack to their blossoming future.
The Hamiltons Serie s
This series follows the Hamilton family in California wine country. If you recognize the name Hamilton from the Summer Lake Series it’s because this is Smoke’s family who own one of the largest wine growing and distribution businesses in the country. In this set of connected stand-alone books you will meet Smoke’s brother and sister as well as a couple of cousins.
Book 1: Red Wine and Roses
Book 2: Champagne and Daisies
Book 3: Marsala and Magnolias
Book 4: Prosecco and Peonies
Book 5: Milkshakes and Mistletoe
Book 6: Cognac and Cornflowers
Book 7: Bourbon and Bluebells
Book 8: Whiskey and Willow
Book 9: Vodka and Violets
Summer Lake Romance Series
Each Summer Lake Romance can be read as a stand alone book – no cliff hangers here! Each book contains one couple's story. However, they are best read in order to get full enjoyment of the underlying story and friendships.
Book 1: Love Like You've Never Been Hurt - Emma and Jack
Book 2: Work Like You Don't Need the Money - Pete and Holly
Book 3: Dance Like Nobody's Watching - Missy and Dan
Book 4: Fly Like You've Never Been Grounded - Smoke and Laura
Book 5: Laugh Like You've Never Cried - Michael and Megan
Book 6: Sing Like Nobody's Listening - Kenzie and Chase
Book 7: Smile Like You Mean It - Gabe and Renée
Book 8: The Wedding Dance - Missy and Dan's Wedding
Book 9: Chasing Tomorrow - Ben's backstory with Charlotte
Book 10: Dream Like Nothing's Impossible - April and Eddie
Book 11: Ride Like You've Never Fallen - Nate and Lily
Book 12: Live Like There's No Tomorrow - Ben's story
Book 13: The Wedding Flight – Smoke and Laura’s Wedding
Book 14: Fight Like You’ve Never Lost – Ryan and Leanne
- GenresRomance
375 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 24, 2023
49 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
S.J. McCoy
77 books1,057 followersHi, I'm SJ. A coffee addict, lover of chocolate and drinker of good red wines. I'm a lost soul and a hopeless romantic. Reading and writing are necessary parts of who I am. Though perhaps not as necessary as coffee! I can drink coffee without writing, but I can't write without coffee.
I grew up loving romance novels, my first boyfriends were book boyfriends, but life intervened, as it tends to do, and I wandered down the paths of non fiction for many years. My life changed completely a couple of years ago and I returned to Romance to find my escape.
I write 'Sweet N Steamy' stories because to me there is enough angst and darkness in real life. My favorite romances are happy escapes with a focus on fun, friendships and happily-ever-afters, just like the ones I write.
These days I live in beautiful Montana, the last best place. If I'm not reading or writing you'll find me just down the road in the park - Yellowstone. I have deer, eagles and the occasional bear for company, and I like it that way :0)
I grew up loving romance novels, my first boyfriends were book boyfriends, but life intervened, as it tends to do, and I wandered down the paths of non fiction for many years. My life changed completely a couple of years ago and I returned to Romance to find my escape.
I write 'Sweet N Steamy' stories because to me there is enough angst and darkness in real life. My favorite romances are happy escapes with a focus on fun, friendships and happily-ever-afters, just like the ones I write.
These days I live in beautiful Montana, the last best place. If I'm not reading or writing you'll find me just down the road in the park - Yellowstone. I have deer, eagles and the occasional bear for company, and I like it that way :0)
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 1, 2023
This story made me happy from the beginning to the end. I’ve been eagerly waiting to read Tori and Xander’s story and their story is great. If anyone deserves to be together, it’s these two. I felt for Tori that she feels like she’s an after thought in her own family, but I was excited for the time she was able to spend with her mom and I feel like they healed a lot of misunderstandings between them. I loved the road trip and the time Tori and Xander got to spend together, and I was a little surprised by how the trajectory of their lives changed by getting lost on the way to Smoke and Laura’s house as well as jumping on a chance to start something new together. I also loved knowing that they were friends and really liked each other as far back as when they were five years old and most everyone didn’t seem surprised by their being together and seeing where things went. I liked how we definitely see Damon and the group from Nashville (Love in Nashville Series) having a huge presence in this story, so I have a feeling we’ll definitely be seeing Damon’s book soon and hopefully something from our Nashville friends. There is a line in this story that I definitely connected with - - ‘she didn’t think of herself as shy, but she was more of a listener than a talker’. I’m sad that this series is ending for now, my fingers are crossed we’ll see our friends in this series again. I truly love all of the series by this author, but I definitely connected more to this series. Wonderful book and perfect ending to this series, for now (fingers crossed for something more or another visit with The Hamilton’s at some point).
December 1, 2023
Vodka and Violets is the latest instalment in the Hamilton's Series. It has good inks across SJ's other series, both characters have popped up across multiple books and indeed their interest in each other has been no secret either. They have known each other for most of their lives, growing up as part of the 'wine families' in Napa, but neither wanted to join their family businesses so both had left Napa long ago.
Tori had been singing as a back up for one of the biggest country stars and was happy with that role. She is offered her own contract but that doesn't feel right. She is at a point in life where she can change direction completely, she just has to figure out what she wants. Other than Xander. Tori has such a thing for her childhood friend but doesn't see how he could be attracted to her. He's joked about it often enough but she doesn't see his attraction.
Xander is frustrated having returned from his time in the Navy, served as security for Tori during a dangerous time with her friend and lead singer Callie, he has exhausted all his ways to make her finally see him as anything other than her friend. He calls her up one day to invite her out for a drive and to his surprise, she declares her interest in him!
They end up on a huge road trip and work together to find a new life together, away from the valley that has never felt like home. They find home together.
Tori had been singing as a back up for one of the biggest country stars and was happy with that role. She is offered her own contract but that doesn't feel right. She is at a point in life where she can change direction completely, she just has to figure out what she wants. Other than Xander. Tori has such a thing for her childhood friend but doesn't see how he could be attracted to her. He's joked about it often enough but she doesn't see his attraction.
Xander is frustrated having returned from his time in the Navy, served as security for Tori during a dangerous time with her friend and lead singer Callie, he has exhausted all his ways to make her finally see him as anything other than her friend. He calls her up one day to invite her out for a drive and to his surprise, she declares her interest in him!
They end up on a huge road trip and work together to find a new life together, away from the valley that has never felt like home. They find home together.
November 20, 2023
Such a sweet love story! I always thought it would have been so wonderful to grow up with your sole mate. Xander and Tori have know each other all their lives. It made my heart happy to know that Xander had always been a protector all his life, especially where Tori was concerned. Tori was the youngest of her brothers and sisters. She had always felt that her home in Napa was not where she was meant to be. Xander never felt comfortable in Napa either. I was so glad that the two finally admitted that they had feelings for each other. I think every one of their friends and family knew they should be together except those two! Luckily they decided to go to Nashville where Tori had a home to decide where they wanted to go. It was even better when Autumn asked them to take Clay’s old truck to Summer Lake. I loved reading about all the little adventures they went on to get to Summer Lake. They never dreamed that Summer Lake may be the perfect place for the two of them, and were determined to only stay a short time. I was glad that was not the plans the universe had for them. I loved the story and strongly encourage you to read the book. I was given a copy and voluntarily wrote a review.
November 24, 2023
Childhood friends to lovers is my absolute favorite trope so I was absolutely thrilled when this book was released. Xander and Tori are polar opposites in most ways, but the same in all the ways that count. I loved every second of their love story and I cannot recommend it enough!
But most of all, I love that SJ doesn't conform to the typical romance book layout where the couple has a dark moment and breaks up towards the end just to add suspense to the book. I love that we were just able to happily follow along with their love story. It was never dull or boring, and made me want to keep reading the whole way through without the dark moment nonsense that I hate so much.
But most of all, I love that SJ doesn't conform to the typical romance book layout where the couple has a dark moment and breaks up towards the end just to add suspense to the book. I love that we were just able to happily follow along with their love story. It was never dull or boring, and made me want to keep reading the whole way through without the dark moment nonsense that I hate so much.
November 26, 2023
This is the 9th book in this amazing series, and this is Xander and Tori’s story.
Xander and Tori grew up together from childhood, and he is now ex-military, while her career in Nashville collapses. Xander has a huge heart, and he will do whatever he must to keep Tori safe and protected. These two are best friends who become more.
This is a well written story which is easy to read, with engaging and relatable characters, humor, witty banter, family, friendships, romance, suspense, intrigue, and love, which leads to an entertaining and steamy addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
Xander and Tori grew up together from childhood, and he is now ex-military, while her career in Nashville collapses. Xander has a huge heart, and he will do whatever he must to keep Tori safe and protected. These two are best friends who become more.
This is a well written story which is easy to read, with engaging and relatable characters, humor, witty banter, family, friendships, romance, suspense, intrigue, and love, which leads to an entertaining and steamy addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
December 11, 2023
Tori and Xander are made for each other. Although they have known each other since they were young, they have a love that is true and growing every day. This story is unique for SJ because they are together from the very beginning of the book. As you read, you see their love grow and develop with each new day. Tori and Xander are both free spirits that find where they belong, together in Summer Lake.
SJ has written another hit. Each book better than the last. It is also great to get to see how couples from past books are getting along and play apart in each new love story.
SJ has written another hit. Each book better than the last. It is also great to get to see how couples from past books are getting along and play apart in each new love story.
November 21, 2023
Xander and Tori’s story has officially become my favourite
Of the Hamilton series. They’ve know each other since childhood and have loved each other silently for years. I couldn’t put this book down and hated leaving the lake at the end. SJMcCoy always leaves me wanting more. Beautiful love story and I enjoy how all the characters I know and love appear throughout her books and new stories. As ever, I am looking forward to SJ’s next book.
Of the Hamilton series. They’ve know each other since childhood and have loved each other silently for years. I couldn’t put this book down and hated leaving the lake at the end. SJMcCoy always leaves me wanting more. Beautiful love story and I enjoy how all the characters I know and love appear throughout her books and new stories. As ever, I am looking forward to SJ’s next book.
November 26, 2023
Another excellent instalment in the Hamilton series. This is Xander and Tori’s love story. And what a love story it is! We get to join them on their journey to true love as well as get to visit with old friends who show up along the way. Truly enjoyed this story, sad to see the Hamilton series possibly come to an end but look forward to some anticipated wedding novellas perhaps ❤️. Highly recommend this book, the author and the series, as well as all of SJ McCoy’s other offerings.
November 28, 2023
This is book 9 in the Hamilton series where we meet childhood friends Tori and Xander. These two have been slowly building towards their own book in the past few books in the series. The phrase opposites attract is perfect for sweet Xander and wild woman Tori. The Hamilton series is definitely my favourite series by SJ. There is just something special about the Napa gang. This is an easy enjoyable read by a great author.
January 2, 2024
I liked it, but…
I liked this book, however I felt it dragged a little and was a bit repetitive. I feel that there was something missing. Normally when I read one of SJ’s books I read it straight through if I can, and if not I can’t wait to get back into the book. With this one I found myself putting it down to take a break quite a few times. First one of her books that I had to do this with.
I liked this book, however I felt it dragged a little and was a bit repetitive. I feel that there was something missing. Normally when I read one of SJ’s books I read it straight through if I can, and if not I can’t wait to get back into the book. With this one I found myself putting it down to take a break quite a few times. First one of her books that I had to do this with.
November 25, 2023
I have been waiting for Xander and Tori’s book and SJ did not disappoint. I love they were childhood friends who lived their life with fulfilling careers that came to an end. They decided to road trip together and finally admitted they loved each other. They begin their new life together with the support of family and friends.
November 28, 2023
Tori and Xander have known each other since they were little. When Tori was touring with Callie he became her bodyguard. But when they go home and Xander seeks Tori out. Can they keep how they feel a secret from each other? How about when they decide what they want to do with their life’s and they will be working together? It was also great to catch up with some of the others.
December 5, 2023
Love
SJ McCoy, another great book. I love Xander and Tori's story. Love the fact that their feelings started when they were young and love the fact they were given a chance. I was rooting for them when they were first introduced. Cannot wait for the next books. Your books are amazing.
SJ McCoy, another great book. I love Xander and Tori's story. Love the fact that their feelings started when they were young and love the fact they were given a chance. I was rooting for them when they were first introduced. Cannot wait for the next books. Your books are amazing.
December 5, 2023
I knew this one was gonna be great just from the book's leading up to it. just a little teasing here and there. And it did not disappoint. Both from good families, that have wineries. Both very humble and low key. This is a great story I'm so happy about the ending. It was great to catch up with the other couples from Napa and Summer Lake. Recommend this series 100%. Loved it.
November 21, 2023
Xander and Tori have known each other their entire lives. Reading their story and watching their lives change was been an incredible story, once you start reading this book, you wont be able to put it down. Another wonderful book in the Hamilton Series!
November 22, 2023
Xander and Tori’s story is another great edition to the Hamilton series. Although it’s always fun catching up with everyone in Napa, I love when SJMcCoy heads back to Summer Lake. I couldn’t put this book down and I am looking forward to SJ’s next book.
November 24, 2023
I absolutely loved Xander and Tori’s story. These two are two are so perfect for each other. This is a best friends to more story. I so enjoyed watching their story unfold and seeing them slowly become more to each other. A captivating read, that I didn't want to put down.
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November 27, 2023****1/2
November 29, 2023
Loved it
Great storyline 👏 and what a way to find love. Really enjoyed this series and the others as well. Can't wait for the next one.
Great storyline 👏 and what a way to find love. Really enjoyed this series and the others as well. Can't wait for the next one.
November 30, 2023
Omg
I loved this book. The love he has for her is insane. The love she has for him is insane. They are perfect for each other. The fit together. Great book
I loved this book. The love he has for her is insane. The love she has for him is insane. They are perfect for each other. The fit together. Great book
December 9, 2023
I absolutely love this whole series. It is sad to see it come to an end. I would love to read about Carson, Brock, and Jade. I enjoy all the characters in this book from past books. I love the mix of young and older couple in love. Fabulous read, as all of them are!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews