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Vineyards of Calanetti #4
Soldier, Hero...Husband?
The tortured hero's happily-ever-after
Former navy SEAL Connor Benson is in beautiful Tuscany, but he can't forget his time on the frontline. Meeting beautiful Isabella Rossi reminds him of everything he once fought for…and everything he can't have.
Isabella understands what it's like to be stuck in the past—since becoming a widow she's been sleepwalking through life. But handsome Connor's delicious kisses are waking her up, and his courage inspires her: she must fight for the love they both deserve!The Vineyards of Calanetti
Saying "I do" under the Tuscan sun…
Former navy SEAL Connor Benson is in beautiful Tuscany, but he can't forget his time on the frontline. Meeting beautiful Isabella Rossi reminds him of everything he once fought for…and everything he can't have.
Isabella understands what it's like to be stuck in the past—since becoming a widow she's been sleepwalking through life. But handsome Connor's delicious kisses are waking her up, and his courage inspires her: she must fight for the love they both deserve!The Vineyards of Calanetti
Saying "I do" under the Tuscan sun…
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 10, 2015
5 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Cara Colter
533 books51 followersCara Colter was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, surrounded by ranches, but she was always a reluctant city girl. A journalism graduate, she has been making her living with words for her entire adult life. Before published her first romance novel in 1987, she wrote educational materials, newspaper stories, magazine articles and even sermons!
"I am living proof that dreams come true," Cara says. "I am an ordinary person leading an extraordinary life."
Now she lives on a small acreage in British Columbia. She shares her life with her personal hero, Rob, a cat and eight horses. She has three grown children, and already is a granmother.
"I am living proof that dreams come true," Cara says. "I am an ordinary person leading an extraordinary life."
Now she lives on a small acreage in British Columbia. She shares her life with her personal hero, Rob, a cat and eight horses. She has three grown children, and already is a granmother.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 18, 2016
Sweet and intensely emotional story. It all starts when Connor awakens in the dark, disoriented because he can't remember where he is. As a former SEAL he is used to life on the edge, and before he is fully awake he has catapulted through the door and grabbed the person he heard sneaking around. He's embarrassed when he realizes that he is in a house in Italy and has just accosted his landlady. After some heartfelt apologies, they part ways, both of them more affected by the encounter than they want to admit.
Connor left the SEALs after his actions during his last mission resulted in his best friend being badly injured and confined to a wheelchair. The memories of the things he has done have him convinced that love and family are something that will never be his.
Isabella has been a widow for six years. Her husband had been her best friend from the time they were children. He had always been ill and she had married him knowing that he was dying. She has been grieving for him and her dreams ever since, and has resigned herself to living her life alone.
From the moment they met, Connor and Isabella were drawn to each other. Isabella saw past the shell that Connor shows everyone else, to the lonely man inside. She wants to show him that he's a better man than he believes, and that he has much to offer a woman. At the same time, Connor can't stand to see Isabella locked away in her grief, never having experienced the joy possible in a relationship between a man and a woman.
I loved the way that Connor and Isabella's relationship developed. Each is wary of risking their heart, taking two steps forward, then one step back, as the intensity of feeling gets to be too much. I loved seeing each of them use what they know best to reach out to the other. My favorite part was the swimming lessons that Connor gave to Isabella. He thought he would be safe from his attraction to her by concentrating on the lessons, only to be confronted by her determination to get his attention the best way she knew - with very tiny bathing suits. Oh, the battles he fought with himself!
There were also walks, moonlit picnics, and dancing under the stars. Mixed in were also moments of pain shared. And just when it looks like Connor finally believes in a future with Isabella, his past rises up to ruin it all. Fortunately for him, Isabella has learned her lessons in living well, and refuses to let him go. I loved seeing the lengths she went to in order to find him and the effect that she had on him when she did.
"So love could be this, too. Not just gentle and sweet and quiet and compliant. But this: as strong as steel forged in a fire."
I loved the sense of wonder and healing as the two lonely and hurting people found their second chance at love.
The descriptions of the setting, from the river to the quality of the light to the recently discovered fresco were so vivid that I felt as though I was there.
Connor left the SEALs after his actions during his last mission resulted in his best friend being badly injured and confined to a wheelchair. The memories of the things he has done have him convinced that love and family are something that will never be his.
Isabella has been a widow for six years. Her husband had been her best friend from the time they were children. He had always been ill and she had married him knowing that he was dying. She has been grieving for him and her dreams ever since, and has resigned herself to living her life alone.
From the moment they met, Connor and Isabella were drawn to each other. Isabella saw past the shell that Connor shows everyone else, to the lonely man inside. She wants to show him that he's a better man than he believes, and that he has much to offer a woman. At the same time, Connor can't stand to see Isabella locked away in her grief, never having experienced the joy possible in a relationship between a man and a woman.
I loved the way that Connor and Isabella's relationship developed. Each is wary of risking their heart, taking two steps forward, then one step back, as the intensity of feeling gets to be too much. I loved seeing each of them use what they know best to reach out to the other. My favorite part was the swimming lessons that Connor gave to Isabella. He thought he would be safe from his attraction to her by concentrating on the lessons, only to be confronted by her determination to get his attention the best way she knew - with very tiny bathing suits. Oh, the battles he fought with himself!
There were also walks, moonlit picnics, and dancing under the stars. Mixed in were also moments of pain shared. And just when it looks like Connor finally believes in a future with Isabella, his past rises up to ruin it all. Fortunately for him, Isabella has learned her lessons in living well, and refuses to let him go. I loved seeing the lengths she went to in order to find him and the effect that she had on him when she did.
"So love could be this, too. Not just gentle and sweet and quiet and compliant. But this: as strong as steel forged in a fire."
I loved the sense of wonder and healing as the two lonely and hurting people found their second chance at love.
The descriptions of the setting, from the river to the quality of the light to the recently discovered fresco were so vivid that I felt as though I was there.
October 13, 2015
Beautiful, poetic love story, that is filled with light, joy, healing of heart, and love.
Both Connor and Isabella have wounds they try to hide from the rest of the world. Isabella has buried her dreams and hopes with her young husband, the love they had was always troubled and timed, since his illness was known from his childhood.
Connor had faced the unthinkable several times over during his service. He was weary, just wanted to leave love and romance for the rest.
That is until Isabella comes into his life.
Under the beautiful Tuscan sun, a Texan and Tuscan temperament and passion matches up, and takes it into a battle. The story is filled with romantic scenes, from swimming lessons, to picnic, and dancing under the stars. There's humor and laughter, there's pain and sorrow, but most of all, there's a love that heals the broken hearts, and brings these two lonely souls together.
This might be one of the most beautiful love stories I have read for a while, the cinematic scenery, the romance, the poetry of it all, put together in a lovely, adorable story
~ Five Spoons
Both Connor and Isabella have wounds they try to hide from the rest of the world. Isabella has buried her dreams and hopes with her young husband, the love they had was always troubled and timed, since his illness was known from his childhood.
Connor had faced the unthinkable several times over during his service. He was weary, just wanted to leave love and romance for the rest.
That is until Isabella comes into his life.
Under the beautiful Tuscan sun, a Texan and Tuscan temperament and passion matches up, and takes it into a battle. The story is filled with romantic scenes, from swimming lessons, to picnic, and dancing under the stars. There's humor and laughter, there's pain and sorrow, but most of all, there's a love that heals the broken hearts, and brings these two lonely souls together.
This might be one of the most beautiful love stories I have read for a while, the cinematic scenery, the romance, the poetry of it all, put together in a lovely, adorable story
~ Five Spoons
September 5, 2015
By first paragraph, instantly can visualize Connor Benson's first perfect image, a former navy SEAL woken up after a nightmare episode and for a moment he thought he was still in the war zone.
And it took a tussle with the shy, innocent, still broken hearted and afraid to see the world like a pretty butterfly just came out from its cocoon, Isabella Rossi, who was the host of the place where he stayed while staying at Monte Calanetti.
And just like that, Connor was drawn to help Isabella to come out and start embrace the world and assure her that even after 6 years losing her previous husband, Giorgio, due to terminal illness, from allowing her to take him to the river where he taught her to start putting her feet into the water.
Then Connor start teaching her to swim at the pool that was located at Nick's villa, that was so intriguing and sounded very romantic.
Although I have to be honest, the last part a little bit confusing, maybe I will re-read again since when I was reading this, I was watching the thrilling 5 set of US Open between Rafael Nadal and Fabio Fogini, usually not a big fan of Nadal since I am a fan of Novak Djokovic for the last few years since his ascent to the number one spot in the tennis world in 2011, I was feel a bit sad that he has to lose in such a heartbroken way. But Fabio was playing very well and he deserved the win.
But to be truthful, truly enjoy the book so much and will continue to read the rest of series...
And it took a tussle with the shy, innocent, still broken hearted and afraid to see the world like a pretty butterfly just came out from its cocoon, Isabella Rossi, who was the host of the place where he stayed while staying at Monte Calanetti.
And just like that, Connor was drawn to help Isabella to come out and start embrace the world and assure her that even after 6 years losing her previous husband, Giorgio, due to terminal illness, from allowing her to take him to the river where he taught her to start putting her feet into the water.
Then Connor start teaching her to swim at the pool that was located at Nick's villa, that was so intriguing and sounded very romantic.
Although I have to be honest, the last part a little bit confusing, maybe I will re-read again since when I was reading this, I was watching the thrilling 5 set of US Open between Rafael Nadal and Fabio Fogini, usually not a big fan of Nadal since I am a fan of Novak Djokovic for the last few years since his ascent to the number one spot in the tennis world in 2011, I was feel a bit sad that he has to lose in such a heartbroken way. But Fabio was playing very well and he deserved the win.
But to be truthful, truly enjoy the book so much and will continue to read the rest of series...
September 28, 2015
Connor is a former navy SEAL and is going through some issues he has experience that makes it hard for him to start over and have a new life. Isabella is the women he's starting to want want he can't get go of his former life. Then there's Isabella who still is a widow still missing her husband but starting to get some conflicting emotions for the man who is taking residence her house and life.
This was a short and sweet book on getting a second chance at life. Getting to do things the right way and to finally learn to be happy. It was interesting getting to know Connors experiences which shaped who he is and I liked getting to know a bit about Isabella. I loved how they were just right and fit together being what is good to help them get past what they had both gone through. I enjoyed the book, it was a good little escape when a had a few moments to spare.
This was a short and sweet book on getting a second chance at life. Getting to do things the right way and to finally learn to be happy. It was interesting getting to know Connors experiences which shaped who he is and I liked getting to know a bit about Isabella. I loved how they were just right and fit together being what is good to help them get past what they had both gone through. I enjoyed the book, it was a good little escape when a had a few moments to spare.
August 19, 2024
I liked that you get a sense of what Isabella and Connor bring out in each other, why they’d want more of that feeling in their lives, still, she’s coming into this from years of grieving her husband, of only ever having love himed and Connor’s coming into it with emotional scars from the Navy Seals and it just seemed like that was some pretty heavy duty stuff to move past over the course of a few meals and a little bit of working together. I guess I would have liked a little more passage of time indicated between the beginning and end of this one.
I also wanted to see more of Tuscany, so much of the story felt confined to a swimming pool whereas I really hoped the beautiful setting would play a larger role. And just in general, more variation to the plot would have been welcome, more happening beyond Isabella showing off her swimsuits, maybe show Isabella doing other things she missed out on due to her tragic marriage, or have a few more interractions with villagers rather than so much of this book being just the two of them, or a bit more exploration of Connor being triggered by his Navy Seal past, this just felt like it needed a little something more going on to give it a page-turning feel.
I also wanted to see more of Tuscany, so much of the story felt confined to a swimming pool whereas I really hoped the beautiful setting would play a larger role. And just in general, more variation to the plot would have been welcome, more happening beyond Isabella showing off her swimsuits, maybe show Isabella doing other things she missed out on due to her tragic marriage, or have a few more interractions with villagers rather than so much of this book being just the two of them, or a bit more exploration of Connor being triggered by his Navy Seal past, this just felt like it needed a little something more going on to give it a page-turning feel.
March 31, 2018
Could not seem to get into it. Ended up skipping most of the story to read the end, sorry!
January 4, 2017
Having previously mourned the dearth of old-fashioned romances in modern novels, I was stunned to read the contents of this one. Without dragging God or religion into it (which is what a lot of romances do when they want to sidestep the issue of sex before marriage) or keeping the heroine laughably virginal, this novel manages intimacy without sex and romance without tawdriness.
True, the novel gets off to a rocky start. Connor Benson’s first encounter with his female soul mate is when he assaults the widow Isabella Rossi after she leaves breakfast outside his door. Ouch! Not exactly what Hollywood would call a “meet cute” beginning. Fortunately, his training prevents him from hurting her—but it’s a sign of things to come.
With her clinging to her love for dead husband and his worry that he’s too psychologically damaged to contemplate loving anyone, the push-me-pull-you trope is well in play. He thinks she needs coaching in real romance (Hello? He’s in Italy; what does he think he can teach her?) and she believes that he needs to open himself to love. The novel has unexpected moments of humor as she teasingly provokes him and I read with glee about his nervousness and helpless desire before this knowing Italian beauty.
In between “lessons”, they draw closer together. There’s nothing like what you’d call real tragedy here; all of their sad moments occurred in the past before the events in the novel begin. But their unhappiness is a subtle current underlying their burgeoning emotions. Also, the loveliness of bella Italia provides an exquisite backdrop to this story, making me want to visit this eternally beautiful country.
Romance is not dead. Read Soldier, Hero…Husband? if you don’t believe me.
True, the novel gets off to a rocky start. Connor Benson’s first encounter with his female soul mate is when he assaults the widow Isabella Rossi after she leaves breakfast outside his door. Ouch! Not exactly what Hollywood would call a “meet cute” beginning. Fortunately, his training prevents him from hurting her—but it’s a sign of things to come.
With her clinging to her love for dead husband and his worry that he’s too psychologically damaged to contemplate loving anyone, the push-me-pull-you trope is well in play. He thinks she needs coaching in real romance (Hello? He’s in Italy; what does he think he can teach her?) and she believes that he needs to open himself to love. The novel has unexpected moments of humor as she teasingly provokes him and I read with glee about his nervousness and helpless desire before this knowing Italian beauty.
In between “lessons”, they draw closer together. There’s nothing like what you’d call real tragedy here; all of their sad moments occurred in the past before the events in the novel begin. But their unhappiness is a subtle current underlying their burgeoning emotions. Also, the loveliness of bella Italia provides an exquisite backdrop to this story, making me want to visit this eternally beautiful country.
Romance is not dead. Read Soldier, Hero…Husband? if you don’t believe me.
February 8, 2022
Book four of the vineyards of Calanetti is a heart warming romance of overcoming fears and second chances of love. Connor Benson Is a former US Navy Seals, along with his best friend and brother in arms Justin they created a security company named itus. Connor has come to the Tuscany village of Monte calanetti to do reconaissance for security for the upcoming royal wedding. Staying with a local for a month Connor is blindsided by the beautiful widowed Isabella Rossi, he is a cynical man when it comes to romance and happiness he doesn’t believe he deserves it because he made a mistake that left his friend Justin wheel chair bound even though Justin holds no grudge against him Connor cannot forgive himself. He tries to fight his attraction to Isabella who makes it harder on purpose and they grow closer he takes her on dates, teaches her how to swim shows her the newly discovered renaissance painting Fresno Madonna and child in the reconstruction of Louisa’s chapel for the royal wedding by Logan Cascini the project manager. Connor can’t help falling in love with Isabella and when he makes a mistake he flees and Isabella if she wants her dream of being with the love of her life and have his children she must find him and prove to him he’s worth happiness and love. Luckily she succeeds I do love a happy ending
October 25, 2015
I received an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review, and here it is.
First, let me state that this is the first novel I've read in The Vineyards of Calanetti series, and what a sweet and touching romance Cara Colter has written.
Connor is a former Navy SEAL who opted out of the service when one of his decisions left his closest friend in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. He is now on assignment for the private global security firm, Itus, checking out the small town of Monte Calanetti, Tuscany, where a royal wedding will soon take place. His landlord is Isabella Rossi, a widowed grade school teacher in whose home Connor is boarding. Both of these characters are emotionally wounded, both of them need a second chance at love, and how they help to heal each other makes for a wonderful, introspective love story that I wish had been a longer read.
First, let me state that this is the first novel I've read in The Vineyards of Calanetti series, and what a sweet and touching romance Cara Colter has written.
Connor is a former Navy SEAL who opted out of the service when one of his decisions left his closest friend in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. He is now on assignment for the private global security firm, Itus, checking out the small town of Monte Calanetti, Tuscany, where a royal wedding will soon take place. His landlord is Isabella Rossi, a widowed grade school teacher in whose home Connor is boarding. Both of these characters are emotionally wounded, both of them need a second chance at love, and how they help to heal each other makes for a wonderful, introspective love story that I wish had been a longer read.
August 1, 2015
I saw former SEAL and Tuscany and thought what a great idea. I wish it lived up to my imagination.
I prefer a book with more action and dialog - less musings in the characters heads. They spent very little actual "time" together and I doubted their strong feelings at the end.
Readers who prefer less steam will like that this couple only share kisses and their isn't any implied steamy scene behind closed doors.
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest review.
I prefer a book with more action and dialog - less musings in the characters heads. They spent very little actual "time" together and I doubted their strong feelings at the end.
Readers who prefer less steam will like that this couple only share kisses and their isn't any implied steamy scene behind closed doors.
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest review.
October 18, 2015
I really enjoyed this book, it is the 4th book in the series and probably my favorite out of the series so far :) The flirting and romance part was really cute. ****Spoiler**** The part about the little kids being trapped in the burning building was so sad, but thankfully he was able to save them. The ending was good but very predictable and was a cliché ending. But for the most part it was a very good , easy and quick read. :) I'll be looking for more of this authors books and I can't wait until the next book in the series comes out. :)
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January 12, 2016"This romance is a fantastic addition to The Vineyards of Calanetti series. Readers will really feel the tug on their heartstrings as they immerse themselves in Connor and Isabella’s unforgettable story" (RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 stars).
Miniseries: The Vineyards of Calanetti
Miniseries: The Vineyards of Calanetti
January 8, 2016
A lovely and emotional read -- a fab addition to the Vineyards of Calanetti continuity.
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December 6, 2019Baca edisi Indonesia (tentu saja).
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