The Tender Vine

Diamond of the Rockies #3

by Kristen Heitzmann

Dit is het vervolg op De Erfenis van Rose en De zilvermijn. In De wijnrank verlaten Carina Shepard-diGratia en haar man Quillan de koude Rocky Mountains. Per trein doorkruisen ze Amerika, op weg naar Carina?s familie in de zonnige wijnstreek Californië. Wanneer het jonge stel arriveert wordt Carina warm onthaald door haar grote Italiaanse familie, maar haar kersverse echtgenoot Quillan zien ze aan voor de vrachtrijder. Als ze horen dat hij met haar getrouwd is, is de hele familie woedend. Dit tart de familietrots en Carina was al beloofd aan Flavio, een ?neef? van de familie. Papa diGratia, een trotse arts, doet er alles aan om het huwelijk van zijn dochter ongeldig te verklaren. Ook Mama diGratia heeft zo haar eigen manieren om Carina toch nog aan Flavio te binden. Zal het huwelijk van Carina en Quillan standhouden? Of bezwijkt Carina, onder de druk van haar familie, voor Flavio?s charmes?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Christian, Fiction, Historical, Historical Romance

349 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2002

About the author

Kristen Heitzmann is the award winning author of contemporary romantic suspense, psychological suspense, and historical series. An artist and musician, she'll also be found hiking the Rocky Mountain trails.

Reviews

[Lovely Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

This couple simply cannot catch a break! It’s just a constant stream of unfortunate events.

Now that Carina and her husband have started to grow closer, they must travel quite the distance with many incidents along the way to her family’s vineyard in California. Her family proves to be a lot more disapproving of her spontaneous, secret marriage to such a rogue than she had expected. Now, not only is the validity of their marriage in question, but hostile threats against her husband have a horrific consequence.

I didn’t like this book as much as the first two, but it was still very solid.

A favourite quote from this book is: “He no longer prayed to know God’s will but to be worthy of it”

[Sarita · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tender vine continues where Sweet Boundless ended so it is best to read the story in order.

This book took me through ups and downs. I loved the start of the book, which still took place in Crystal. The relationship between Carina and Quillan was sweet and fresh.

However, the part of the story at Carina's family home was frustrating to read. Bad plot or good writing? I think in this case it was the writing. I didn't agree with Carina's choice and my heart ached for Quillan. A lot happened during these pages. It did frustrate me to a point where I lost interest in the book, however, Quillan's journey and growth in God is what pulled me through and kept me reading. By the end of the story I did feel that satisfying 'ahh' which is why I rated it 4 stars.

I would recommend the series to fans of historical fiction.

[(Katie) Paperbacks · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐
A really good ending to the series. I kind of wish there was just one more chapter to see the reunion between all of the family members, but overall I enjoyed this series.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a while it was hard to want to finish this book. I have a bad habit of "surfing" forthcoming chapters, and by what I read I wasn't at all sure I liked where she was taking the characters and how things looked like they might end up. Hardest part was getting through the middle. It felt like a conglomeration of ideas just providing a shaky connection between the beginning and end of the book.

I must admit, I would have preferred to see them go back to Crystal after meeting family members on both sides. However, the way it finally ended was ok. Not my favorite, but acceptable.

[joy *the clean-reader extraordinaire*]

halfway through for several weeks now... i just lost steam and interest.

[Tamara Tilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final book in the Diamond of the Rockies series, THE TENDER VINE picks up where SWEET BOUNDLESS left off. Wanting to leave behind the pain and hurt the town of Crystal has brought her, Carina asks Quillian to take her home. Trying to salvage the remains of their marriage and repair the emotional hurt they have caused each other, Carina and Quillian look at this as a new start. Unfortunately, all the hurt and pain is not behind them. When Carina's family shuns Quillian and refuses to acknowledge their marriage, Carina is forced to live with her family while Quillian sets out to prove his worth to the DeGratia family. Angered by Carina's broken commitment to him, Flavio, the man she was once engaged to sets out to destroy Quillian and prove to Carina that he is the man for her.

THE TENDER VINE is a wonderful ending to a long and difficult journey for both Carina and Quillian. I thoroughly enjoyed the series, just as I have all of Kristen Heitzmann's books. A great series for readers who enjoy the west.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, this is book #3 in a trilogy that I absolutely loved. I couldn't put it down and fell in love with the characters. I found myself thinking about them all the time! Carina is a hot blooded Italian and it is fun to watch her get into trouble. She is so full of fire and yet so fragile and broken at the same time. Quillans journey is a sad one in which I could never tell if I loved him or hated him...I couldn't believe the ending to this first book and rushed right out to get the second. I'd actually like to buy all three books as I definitely am going to have to read them again. It was soooo nice to read a book without all the raunchy talk and sex scenes which I'm so over. Just great story telling and compelling plot. It was a bit slow in the very beginning but then I was up all night with every book, not able to put them down! All three books are a must read!

[Jen Harvell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't usually do reviews, but I had to for this one! I am a sucker for Christian westerns, so I've read my fair share but this series really stood out. Mostly, because as Carina and Quillian struggle with their faith, you see them facing the same struggles and questions throughout the entire series. I found it so much more realistic than other books where people struggle with something and then find peace and the book just ends or it never comes up again. However, I find that life doesn't work that way (especially my own) and it just helped me really relate to the characters more. Definitely a good read!

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last book in a 3 book series that was more like one humongous book. I loved the other two books and enjoyed this one. What impressed me most was that the underlying message remained strong, with the characters growing from each crisis. Submission to God, the freedom of forgiveness, there are many good lessons! I love fiction that has meaning and can be applicable to my own life! Reading this series makes me want to read more from this author. Good job Mrs. Heitzmann!!

[Leanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series so much! I never knew what to expect and the characters were lovable and realistic. I also loved the quotes from their diaries at the beginning of each chapter. And of course, after reading about Carina making all the Italian food, I will have to try making my own ravioli, gnocchi, and soft white bread drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with basil.

Sometimes when an author is writing about a culture other than their own, they make it feel fake by overdoing it. I can't put my finger on exactly what they do wrong, but it irritates me tremendously. With Carina and her Italian family, I never felt this way, so the author did a great job with that too. I will be adding this series to my favorite shelf:)

[LeAnne Kilman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed in the direction the story went.
The only way her family accepted him was from an impossible and horrible situation.
Forgiving someone doesn’t mean letting them get away with abusing you (Favio).
Good writing underneath. Just not a story line I enjoyed very much.

[Sherry Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Series

This series captures very well how the Lord gently woos us unto Himself even as we run away, then we grow into what He has created us to be.. The first book started slow, but was necessary to set the background and stage. I greatly enjoyed these stories.

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Carina is married to Quillan and is living in Colorado and is wanting to go home to Sonoma, California to see her family. The only problem is while Quillan is away some men attacked her, beating her and causing her to lose the baby that is growing inside of her. Now she must heal first before the trip on wagon and train.

[Tracie Mcconnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it’s funny that this book talks about love and forgiveness, and I don’t think I’ve hated any character more than I’ve hated Flavio. He told Carina that she was special because he was saving her for marriage. Apparently there were “others.” And then he says to himself that he just should have seduced her, he shouldn’t have saved her because obviously that’s what his mistake was. THAT’S how to correct what was wrong. Then, knowing she was married, he forced himself on her. And every single member of Carina’s family made excuses for him. He had to have had a reputation for Divina to approach him. Shouldn’t Carina’s brothers have been mad that this guy was stepping out on their little sister? Carina should be thanking Divina for saving her from this man. She really dodged a bullet, and it was thanks to Divina. (But here’s the thing about Divina- she slept with Flavio and then laughed- LAUGHED- when Carina discovered them. WTH is wrong with her?) Her mamma goes, he’s young, he would have settled down once the kids come. In my experience, it does not work like that. Besides, he HAS a kid on the way. Is he settled? Did he do right by the kid? And WHY would Carina be ok with having children with the same father as her sister’s child? She would have had to watch another woman raise a child who was a product of her husband’s affair. Like why is her whole family ok with this??? And the thing that eventually alienates her family from Flavio is the fact that he tried to kill Quillan. Not the fact that he’s been betraying Carina since he was 14.

Her family didn’t accept Quillan partly because they wanted to respect Flavio’s claim. She moved 1000 miles away. I feel like that should qualify as her breaking off their engagement. That’s a pretty significant break up move.

Another thing I didn’t understand- Carina says she’s getting too old and should have been married by now. Why wasn’t she??? She had a fiancé. Not that I’m mad she wasn’t, since he was a d-bag, but I don’t understand it.

This boy would not know real love if it bit him in the armpit.

And at the end, no one acknowledges the fact that being unfaithful to Carina was wrong. Except sort of Divina.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tender Vine is book three of the Diamond of the Rockies series by Kristen Heitzmann. It is a wonderful ending to the series. I do wish she would continue their story. This book takes place in California.
Quillan and Carina Shepherd leave Crystal to go back to California so Carina can see her family and introduce Quillan to them. She hasn’t written them to tell them of her marriage and finds this is a mistake when they arrive. Papa is angry for her getting married without his consent and breaking the marriage betrothal with Flavio. This doesn’t bode well for Quillan and Carina.
Quillan knows what it is like to be rejected. On the way here, they stopped to visit his grandparents, the DeMorney’s. His grandfather rejected him as someone trying to get money from them. His grandmother rejected him only because her husband did. He refused to let her even talk to him. However, she gets around that by talking to Carina and giving her a locket with Quillan’s mother’s picture in it. She can’t break the rules her husband has set. Carina hopes someday they will accept Quillan.
Flavio tries to get Carina to love him again and doesn’t accept her marriage to Quillan. He is used to getting his way and will this time too. Quillan goes to work for a quarry and carried nitroglycerine with him. Flavio sets off a stick of dynamite under Quillan’s wagon and traps him beneath it while it burns. Flavio comes to his senses long enough to help Quillan out and to cut the horses loose. The men at the quarry take Quillan to Dr. DiGratia for help. He cannot let Quillan die and does the best for him. However, they have no way of knowing if he will ever walk again or will walk with a limp. He was hurt quite dreadfully.
What will happen to Flavio? Will this be a way to get Carina back or not? Will Carina’s family accept Quillan now? Will he allow them to accept him before knowing what the outcome of his injuries will be?

[Alina Radchuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quotes:
He had a father who loved him. And his purpose was to do his Father’s will, whatever it was, to accept his lot and be content because God willed it. Nothing mattered more. Christ was the vine, and he the branch. Only abiding in God would bring him peace and make him fruitful. Now, on his knees, he didn’t pray for God to show him His will; he prayed to be made worthy of it.

‘The family is a country of the heart. There is an angel in the family who, by the mysterious influence of grace, of sweetness, and of love, renders the fulfillment of duties less wearisome, sorrows less bitter. The only pure joys unmixed with sadness which it is given to man to taste upon earth are, thanks to this angel, the joys of the family.’

Poems:

I look on her whom life has bruised
in heart and mind and soul.
Though other hands have broken her,
now mine must make her whole.

To claim I am a man betrayed and rant against my plight,
I must admit I should have stayed and kept her in my sight. What fool to flee her sweet embrace,
to tear her love apart, and let another take my place within her weeping heart.

As a snowflake, icy edged, unique in shape and kind, so a soul traversing life, alone until it finds, one to which it cleaves and forms, a new and wondrous thing. God in perfect wisdom makes the human heart to sing.

Oh sweet and painful love, thou needle in my heart; should I draw you forth and let the bleeding start?

To be submitted, flesh and soul, that is my desire. To give myself, my all, my whole, and ne’er in that to tire.

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an amazing end to this series. Struggling with the heartbreak she has experienced in Crystal, Colorado, the mining town she hoped to call home—Carina is reading to return to the safety and familiarity of her family home in Sonoma, California. Despite the friends she has made and the business she has built for herself, Carina can think of nothing but returning to her family. What will she find when she gets there—a proud father and the welcoming arms of her mother?

In the midst of their journey from Crystal to Sonoma, Quillan and Carina have the opportunity to meet Rose’s parents Mr. and Mrs. DeMornay. Is Quillan able to reconcile with his family? How the story shapes around the complexities of each relationship is stunning and fills me with suspense each time I re-read it. By the time Carina and Quillan reach California I would have expected some relief from the trials besetting their young marriage, yet it is not to be so. Overall, Heitzmann’s portrayal of each character’s humanity and the responses to life’s ever present struggle is fascinating.

I re-read these books every other year and I am captivated once again by the plot, the subtext of each character’s relationships, and the internal conflict both Carina and Quillan experience while reconciling themselves to the tragedies both must overcome. Each story has been a wonderful adventure that has finally ended in a culmination of reconciliation, redemption, and new beginnings.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Out of the 3 books in this trilogy, this one was my least favorite. I could not understand Carina choosing her family over her husband especially with the threat of them having her marriage annulled. Come on! Her character was already established as strong-willed and independent. It was a bit much to imagine her family allowed her to travel alone through a wild untamed country to do whatever she felt like and then assume such total control and chaperon her as though her virtue needed protecting from her own husband (ridiculous). The family based on nothing but extreme pride and superficial love and "godliness" showed their fickleness when they went from supporting Flavio's threats regardless of moral ethics to an overnight transfer of allegiance to Quillan simply because Flavio made good his threat. Or was it because Papa told Flavio privately not to hurt Quillan and Flavio dared to defy prideful Papa. And then I am supposed to like the family and want Quillan and Carina to stay there? The DiGratia's lived more like a gang of illegitimate children with a aristocratic ringleader than a God-fearing family. I found myself skim-reading through several parts not because of anticipation but because they dragged on which is always a sign the book could have been better.

[Georgianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this third book of the series, I am having mixed emotions.....

What I loved: When Quillan laid down his struggles with God, came back to woo and win back Carina's heart and her love. It was one of the most beautifully romantic love stories I ever remember reading. It was worth the price of the book for that alone! After them both being through so much, it was such a joy to watch the healing take place in their relationship with God and each other. But then.....

What I didn't like: After they packed up and left Crystal for Sonoma, the story took an ugly turn and I found all the pain, heartache and struggle Quillan had to face at the hands of Carina's family very heartbreaking and almost too much to bear. How much more can the poor man take????

I loved this series as a whole, and even much of this last book. If you are one who has a problem with reading stories of predictability (which is often a complaint of many reviewers), you certainly won't find that in this series. But it is a wonderful series and does (finally) have a happy ending!

[Janis Friedrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read!

I started with the first book in the trilogy of the story of Carina and Quillan and could not stop until I had savored each one. I rarely take the time to read anything in one sitting but with each of these books I hurried back to find out which direction Kristen was going to take the characters involved. Many authors can tend to get tedious to stretch the book out but I didn't find that at all here. Kristen was able to pull me into the lives of these wonderful and complicated stars of her story aided by the intriguing cast of supporting characters that you either love or hate. Kristen then tops all this off with the struggle and victory that we each face as growing children of a gracious heavenly Father leading us by His love and care to walk in His ways and truths. Kristen kept me reading to see where the characters were going and now sad to have the written story ended.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I love this series! Kristen Heitzmann is one of my favorite authors as she's an incredible storyteller and her books have tremendous depth! I always feel like I can't wait to get back into her stories when I have to step away from her books and then I think about her characters while I'm working. I love Carina and Quillan and enjoy seeing how they seek to find emotional wellbeing through a variety of circumstances, even when the right way is the hard way. Finding peace isn't always easy, often it requires extreme patience and a trip down a rough path. But I like that Heitzmann doesn't short cut the process. Her stories are applicable to real life and encourages us to cherish our relationships!

[Orangetails · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, so I really did love this book. Seeing Carina and Quillan grow in their faith was inspiring and beautiful; and yes, I loved seeing their relationship grow, too. (Finally, they've both acknowledged their love for each other!) There were moments, however, where this book dragged. (Mostly because I was excited for them to get to Sonoma.) Also, I feel that if both parties in the big argument had laid aside their pride, then the whole issue would have been resolved faster. That being said, I feel that the ending was good (if predictable), and I enjoyed seeing how Carina and Quillan grew.
On a side note: Flavio was a pacifist? Seriously?! That totally came out of nowhere and was just said to highlight the moments when he was angry. Not a great move.

[Jaclynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was kind of one of those Christian Fiction books, I picked up at a yard sale because I had nothing else to read at the moment. It is the 3rd in a series, so some of the content was lost on me. But overall an interesting read. Carina and her new husband, Quillan return to her people (Italian family) to share their joy of marriage, but are met with disdain instead. Quillan is strengthened even more to prove his love to Carina and to her family. And they both must make tough choices that could put their lives in danger. In the end, their love is strengthened and renewed to something stronger and with a firm foundation this time.

[sue ann vanderpool · Rating 5 out of 5]

: This crowns the 3 Diamond of the Rockies books.

This is an amazing set of a story with well developed characters and plots. The characters are so real they grow into what feels like friends. The twists and turns of the plot are so good that I thought I could smell the pine trees and Carina's cooking. At the heart of these 3 books is faith. Carina and Quillan's growing and deepening faith gives them guidance and strength to carry on. It is not a sappy religious book but faith grounds many of the characters. I highly recommend this series. It is in my opinion not to be missed. The Rose Legacy, Sweet Boundless are the first two.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Carina DiGratia Shephard longs to leave behind the painful memories represented by the town of Crystal, Colorado, and start anew in the California vineyards of her youth. With Quillan bent on proving his devotion, Carina dares to open her heart to this rogue husband who has brought both pain and passion--and together they attempt to resurrect the tattered remains of their relationship and create a marriage where love truly reigns.

My least favorite in the series- too much angst over hurting family members who are out and out nasty. Ever heard of boundaries? But that's okay, because everyone is all changed and wonderful by the end of the book.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book of this series I read in 2 days because I had to find out what the next chapter would bring for Carina. The second slowed down and I wasn't sure I would like the third based on the direction of the story. It's a satisfying conclusion, even though it dragged heavy into internal monologue doubts too often. The conflicts didn't grab my attention. Compared to fighting criminals and almost getting hanged, family drama isn't as exciting. I did not care for Sonoma and missed Crystal. Carina's family is hard to take and isn't developed well. We're supposed to love them just because they are Carina's family. I spent the whole book rooting for a trip back to Crystal.

[Jeni Enjaian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the perfect conclusion to Quillian and Carina's story. Heitzmann so beautifully portrays a very real love, a love that though flawed, jumps out off the page. I have to admit that I frequently skipped ahead to read the "good" parts so I lost a bit of the continuity of the story. However, I still absolutely love it and the entire series. I strongly recommend it.

**Update: I still absolutely love this book and am thankful that my memory had not obscured the quality of the writing.**

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

WONDROUS STORY TELLER WITH WONDEROUS STORY TO TELL

So long I have waited to find a book series that again spun me into characters that entrenched me in their lives that I could not wait to see what the next page or chapter could bring. This woman is an amazing story TELLER and I read all three books within one week. Her mastery of words and creation of story takes my breath away. YOU MUST BEGIN WITH BOOK ONE AND YOU WILL NOT PUT IT DOWN!!!!! I promise you.

Patricia LaDuke

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Lessons

Can a couple go through as much hardship as Carina and Quillan and not be changed? I think not. I like how Ms. Weitzman weaves God's Word through the storyline and teaches the characters lessons as they go through their trials. The strongest lesson in this book is to depend on God for everything from deliverance from troubles to how to earn enough to get you through each day. This book has entertained me and strengthened my faith at the same time. I recommend the series wholeheartedly.

[Linda Husvar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author did a superb job of completing the series with "The Rose Legacy" and "Sweet Boundless". Quillan and Carina's journey to her homeland wasca challenging part of the story. We saw how tightly this Italian family was knit. I loved the character-development as Carina and Quillan struggled for acceptance. I was amazed with how the author uses this totally different setting to resolve so many issues presented in all three books. Great reading for Christian novel fans who love a 1800's setting.