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The Treasure of Granzella Ranch
Sometimes we find a treasure. Sometimes a treasure finds us.
The Granzella family ranch is in trouble and the family members are propelled into romance, danger, and adventure by the hope of treasure.
Four generations of acquiring land and forging the Granzella Ranch olive oil business were in jeopardy. Could Sherre Granzella, an accomplished woman known professionally as “The Fixer,” choreograph a plan that would bring them through the next olive oil harvest and back to financial health?
It was comforting for Sherre to return to the family estate after professional victory and personal defeat.
After her failed marriage, Sherre finds solace when she moves into her Grandpa Bob’s one hundred year-old farmhouse. She feels securely surrounded by love. Her mother’s house is just up the hill. Her sister’s, family is only an olive orchard away.
In the California Gold Country, Sherre reinstates Sunday family dinners and reconnects with old friends, some of whom were in love with her before she left, and with whom she may have a second chance at love.
But, the consolation of Sherre’s homecoming is disrupted when she meets Darian, a man of questionable character, who is courting her recently widowed mother.
Joan Bannan has crafted an intriguing story that lures readers into a tale of renewed family relationships, second chances, and treasure.
A taste of The Treasure of Granzella Ranch:
“So, Sherre, you’ve met Darian?”
“Um sort of. Hello, Darian?” In spite of a disturbing energy she felt from Darian, Sherre was pleased to see her mother more radiant than she could remember. She was certainly happier than the last time they were together at her father’s funeral nine months ago. The sadness on Francesca’s face had lifted. Sherre was pleased that her mom could find happiness, but leery of this man who was closer in age to her own age than to her mother’s. He was, reportedly, only four years older than Deidre. She knew, of course, that these negative feelings were predictable. It was challenging to accept anyone replacing her father in her mother’s affections, but she felt more mistrustful than resentful.
“So you are the accomplished Sherre, the fixer maven.” He gave her a skeptical, yet flirty stare, “Coming home to save the family ranch.”
The Granzella family ranch is in trouble and the family members are propelled into romance, danger, and adventure by the hope of treasure.
Four generations of acquiring land and forging the Granzella Ranch olive oil business were in jeopardy. Could Sherre Granzella, an accomplished woman known professionally as “The Fixer,” choreograph a plan that would bring them through the next olive oil harvest and back to financial health?
It was comforting for Sherre to return to the family estate after professional victory and personal defeat.
After her failed marriage, Sherre finds solace when she moves into her Grandpa Bob’s one hundred year-old farmhouse. She feels securely surrounded by love. Her mother’s house is just up the hill. Her sister’s, family is only an olive orchard away.
In the California Gold Country, Sherre reinstates Sunday family dinners and reconnects with old friends, some of whom were in love with her before she left, and with whom she may have a second chance at love.
But, the consolation of Sherre’s homecoming is disrupted when she meets Darian, a man of questionable character, who is courting her recently widowed mother.
Joan Bannan has crafted an intriguing story that lures readers into a tale of renewed family relationships, second chances, and treasure.
A taste of The Treasure of Granzella Ranch:
“So, Sherre, you’ve met Darian?”
“Um sort of. Hello, Darian?” In spite of a disturbing energy she felt from Darian, Sherre was pleased to see her mother more radiant than she could remember. She was certainly happier than the last time they were together at her father’s funeral nine months ago. The sadness on Francesca’s face had lifted. Sherre was pleased that her mom could find happiness, but leery of this man who was closer in age to her own age than to her mother’s. He was, reportedly, only four years older than Deidre. She knew, of course, that these negative feelings were predictable. It was challenging to accept anyone replacing her father in her mother’s affections, but she felt more mistrustful than resentful.
“So you are the accomplished Sherre, the fixer maven.” He gave her a skeptical, yet flirty stare, “Coming home to save the family ranch.”
141 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 22, 2017
1 person is currently reading
1292 people want to read
About the author
Joan Bannan
9 books93 followers“Great stories don’t require profanity”
It’s hard to do, but it’s a priority for me to write stories without content and language that I don’t want to replay in my head.
Many of us who prefer not to hear profanity are surrounded by it. Some of us love to read, but hesitate to escape into the stress-relieving, lifelong enjoyment of books, knowing that the writing may paint pictures onto our inner screen that we will be unable to unsee.
My goal as an author is to listen to the still, small voice that inspires me to write with savory salt for the soul as I sing to myself, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.”
I am the student of Ted Dekker’s Creative Way Course in Transformational Fiction and numerous other storytelling and novel-writing tomes.
My parakeet, and two box turtles keep me company in my home in a small city in Northern California.
I now have four novels on Goodreads:
Gypsy Grace
The Treasure of Granzella Ranch
Twintuition
Halfa Moon
Someday the editors and I will complete the forthcoming romantic suspense novel:
Eleven Eighty-five Lincoln Avenue
I love to hear from my readers. Please engage with me here on Goodreads. Please also visit my Just Joan Bannan Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/justjoanbann... or my website at http://bannan.com.
It’s hard to do, but it’s a priority for me to write stories without content and language that I don’t want to replay in my head.
Many of us who prefer not to hear profanity are surrounded by it. Some of us love to read, but hesitate to escape into the stress-relieving, lifelong enjoyment of books, knowing that the writing may paint pictures onto our inner screen that we will be unable to unsee.
My goal as an author is to listen to the still, small voice that inspires me to write with savory salt for the soul as I sing to myself, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.”
I am the student of Ted Dekker’s Creative Way Course in Transformational Fiction and numerous other storytelling and novel-writing tomes.
My parakeet, and two box turtles keep me company in my home in a small city in Northern California.
I now have four novels on Goodreads:
Gypsy Grace
The Treasure of Granzella Ranch
Twintuition
Halfa Moon
Someday the editors and I will complete the forthcoming romantic suspense novel:
Eleven Eighty-five Lincoln Avenue
I love to hear from my readers. Please engage with me here on Goodreads. Please also visit my Just Joan Bannan Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/justjoanbann... or my website at http://bannan.com.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 30, 2019
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I was able to read this book for free through the Amazon Kindle Unlimited program. I found this a compelling read, but it was rather short based on the number of secondary characters and relationships sprouting up within the family. There is a lack of character building, holes in the plot, and the uncertainty of the conclusion.
The Granzella family ranch, producing a famous olive oil product, has been in the family for four generations. The heroine must make some tough choices to help restore her family's business and her personal life that she considered to be a failure. All combined, they experience anxiety, faith, and hope when faced with multiple trials and tribulations.
When she finally turns to God in prayer, she obviously misinterprets his answer and accepts defeat. Just when you dare to dream that miracles do happen, you are presented with the light at the end of the tunnel.
But then it ceased without a concrete conclusion. When I read the last page, I was sure there had to be more because there were many unanswered questions.
June 6, 2017
Fast-moving, easy-to-read novel of family values, romance, and a hint of danger
Sherre Granzella is a fixer, known in the business world for taking failing businesses and turning them around. When she returns to the family ranch in the golden hills of California, her family expects her to figure out how to shore up the Granzella olive oil business, which is faltering under a mountain of debt and seasons of drought after the recent death of Sherre’s father. But Sherre’s own life is in disarray; she’s facing divorce after finding her husband emeshed in an affair. She’s also walking into a host of a family problems – her mother is dating a slick younger man in a whirlwind, rebound romance; her sister is having an emotional affair with her children’s teacher; and her brother-in-law, who is functioning as the foreman on the ranch, is obviously sliding back into alcoholism. What’s more, Sheree’s past is waiting for her when she moves into her grandfather’s old home on the ranch in the form of a male childhood friend who’d like to be something more and an old boyfriend who has the means and interest to buy the ranch outright.
But Sheree’s past is also the means to her salvation. Her family welcomes her back with open arms, and she quickly settles into the loving relationships she had with her mom and sister, as well as her friends and neighbors in the area. Family traditions, including the running of the ranch, and new friendships also are a balm to her troubled soul, as is her strong faith in God. It doesn’t hurt that her mother is an excellent cook of Italian dishes.
As the novel unfold, Sheree navigates the shoals of family and personal problems as she searches for the answer of how to save the ranch. Legends of treasure and gold on the ranch offer tantalizing glimpses of quick fixes, as does the shady past of Sheree’s mother’s new boyfriend, who seems to have money of his own, and Sheree’s ex-boyfriend, who might not have Sheree’s family’s best interests at heart. And in the process of working through it all, Sheree finds the true treasure of the Granzella Ranch.
Sherre Granzella is a fixer, known in the business world for taking failing businesses and turning them around. When she returns to the family ranch in the golden hills of California, her family expects her to figure out how to shore up the Granzella olive oil business, which is faltering under a mountain of debt and seasons of drought after the recent death of Sherre’s father. But Sherre’s own life is in disarray; she’s facing divorce after finding her husband emeshed in an affair. She’s also walking into a host of a family problems – her mother is dating a slick younger man in a whirlwind, rebound romance; her sister is having an emotional affair with her children’s teacher; and her brother-in-law, who is functioning as the foreman on the ranch, is obviously sliding back into alcoholism. What’s more, Sheree’s past is waiting for her when she moves into her grandfather’s old home on the ranch in the form of a male childhood friend who’d like to be something more and an old boyfriend who has the means and interest to buy the ranch outright.
But Sheree’s past is also the means to her salvation. Her family welcomes her back with open arms, and she quickly settles into the loving relationships she had with her mom and sister, as well as her friends and neighbors in the area. Family traditions, including the running of the ranch, and new friendships also are a balm to her troubled soul, as is her strong faith in God. It doesn’t hurt that her mother is an excellent cook of Italian dishes.
As the novel unfold, Sheree navigates the shoals of family and personal problems as she searches for the answer of how to save the ranch. Legends of treasure and gold on the ranch offer tantalizing glimpses of quick fixes, as does the shady past of Sheree’s mother’s new boyfriend, who seems to have money of his own, and Sheree’s ex-boyfriend, who might not have Sheree’s family’s best interests at heart. And in the process of working through it all, Sheree finds the true treasure of the Granzella Ranch.
October 9, 2017
The Treasure of Granzella Ranch is a great story by Joan Bannan. Sherre Granzella has come home to visit. She is taking time off from her job to try to save her family’s olive oil farm. Sherre takes failing businesses and helps them become profitable again. After the death of her father, the family ranch has not been doing well. She comes home to a mother that is dating a much younger man. Her brother-in-law that is running the ranch has turned to alcohol. And her sister has more than just a friendship with one of her child’s teachers. Sherre is also going through a divorce and her soon to be ex is trying to get all he can from her. Sherre has an unexpected visitor that asks to spend time at the ranch to learn about the olive oil business. What this visitor does not tell Sherre is that she suspects Sherre’s mother’s boyfriend is a murder.
I really enjoyed this story. It is a great story of family relationships. It also contains a lot of adventure and suspense. I especially enjoyed the parts in the book where the family would get together for dinners. Sherre’s niece and nephew brought a lot of humor to the story. The story is so descriptive, it was easy to visualize the family sitting around the table and the children teasing each other. It was also easy to feel the fear of the children as they fall into a hole on their walk. As well as feel the struggle Sherre’s brother-in-law was going through. And every time Sherre tried to open the drawer in her grandfather’s desk, I just wanted her to finally get it open so see what was stopping it. I think anyone who enjoys contemporary family stories will enjoy this book. It is a good clean story that would be enjoyed by teen as well as adults.
I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.
I really enjoyed this story. It is a great story of family relationships. It also contains a lot of adventure and suspense. I especially enjoyed the parts in the book where the family would get together for dinners. Sherre’s niece and nephew brought a lot of humor to the story. The story is so descriptive, it was easy to visualize the family sitting around the table and the children teasing each other. It was also easy to feel the fear of the children as they fall into a hole on their walk. As well as feel the struggle Sherre’s brother-in-law was going through. And every time Sherre tried to open the drawer in her grandfather’s desk, I just wanted her to finally get it open so see what was stopping it. I think anyone who enjoys contemporary family stories will enjoy this book. It is a good clean story that would be enjoyed by teen as well as adults.
I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.
October 23, 2018
The Granzella family ranch has been in the family for four generation. Recently, the ranch has been struggling financially. Sherre Granzella is professionally known as "The Fixer". She hopes to return the farm to its former glory. She is happy to be surrounded by friends and family after her marriage failed. Surrounded by loved ones, she tries to formulate a plan to help save the family farm. Will she succeed?
The novel was a fun cozy read. The story was a bit predictable but, it was still a good read. The characters were relatable but, I found myself annoyed a bit with Sherre's character. When reading this novel, I was going through a similar romantic situation, and I know how hard it is to let go but. I was very disappointed when she went back to him. I felt like she is supposed to be a strong female lead but, they make her look weak. Overall, it is a good read.
The novel was a fun cozy read. The story was a bit predictable but, it was still a good read. The characters were relatable but, I found myself annoyed a bit with Sherre's character. When reading this novel, I was going through a similar romantic situation, and I know how hard it is to let go but. I was very disappointed when she went back to him. I felt like she is supposed to be a strong female lead but, they make her look weak. Overall, it is a good read.
May 23, 2018
Joan Bannans “The Treasure of Granzella Ranch,” is a fascinating tale of family, friends and old loves. One mystery after another unfolds into adventure and suspense. I remember family dinners, with all the cousins, uncles granny and me. They were the best times of my life. This story takes you to family dinners and teases you with hopes of treasure. I would suggest this book for birthday or Christmas gifts for the family.
A review by nature seems to denote some criticism, but I have none. I like the story and this book is full of treasures you can share with family. The recipes at the end of the book sound delicious and I can’t wait to reinstate our own family dinners.
A review by nature seems to denote some criticism, but I have none. I like the story and this book is full of treasures you can share with family. The recipes at the end of the book sound delicious and I can’t wait to reinstate our own family dinners.
August 19, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. It had all the components of a good book. A family trying to same their business, suspense and a woman starting over.
April 12, 2018
This is the first book I have read by the author Joan Bannan. This is a very interesting storyline. I enjoyed the book in general.
June 6, 2018
This was a good book too.
May 8, 2019
I so wish this book would have been fuller. The story was great. Needed more depth. Nice, quick, easy read, though.
September 5, 2017
I loved this book. Well written and a twist I didn't expect.
July 6, 2018
Fast-paced, easy-to-read writing style. Some family troubles, mystery and a little romance. Enjoyed it!
I received an e-version of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
I received an e-version of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
September 29, 2020
This is the first book in a 4 book series. There is a little bit of everything in the book. There were some twists and turns in the book. It also has family drama, a family centered on their own family business and all the things they go through in family life and business life. Like I said there is a little bit of everything in the book. It's also a clean book too. If you like a good clean book series then this book is for you
January 15, 2023
Sherre Granzella, her family, and the family olive oil ranch need help in so many ways, and then they face near disaster.
I realized as I was writing this novel that unless I added other tangents or explored other components, this book would be short. I chose to appreciate the story’s brevity and totality. There’s a true story (unmentionable here as a spoiler) within the story of The Treasure of Granzella Ranch that is the proverbial “icing on the cake” to convey the theme of this novel, “The Lord will provide.”
I realized as I was writing this novel that unless I added other tangents or explored other components, this book would be short. I chose to appreciate the story’s brevity and totality. There’s a true story (unmentionable here as a spoiler) within the story of The Treasure of Granzella Ranch that is the proverbial “icing on the cake” to convey the theme of this novel, “The Lord will provide.”
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews