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Apple Orchard, Lemon Grove: A mouth-watering romance
When Gemma’s great aunt passes away, she leaves her a half share in a restaurant. Ready to escape her mundane life and recent breakup, Gemma heads for the restaurant in the apple orchard in Charworth.
Stefano is the other partner in Gemma’s new venture. Italian, moody, but an amazing chef, Gemma and Stefano are aghast to discover the clause in their joint they must both live at the restaurant while they work together. If either of them leaves, or if a profit is not made at the end of the six months they will have failed, and lost their inheritance.
The challenge is on, but Gemma and Stefano have another mystery on their hands. Stefano has no idea what he is doing there, and has never heard of Gemma's great aunt, Anna. And so it is up to them to unravel the family tale, and find out what links the Apple Orchard of England to the Lemon Grove of Italy...
Apple Orchard, Lemon Grove is a fast-paced novel with intriguing characters, atmospheric locations and mouth-watering food.
Sue Johnson is a poet, short-story writer and novelist. She is a Writing Magazine Creative Writing Tutor and also runs her own brand of writing classes. Further details of her work can be found at www.writers-toolkit.co.uk or follow her on Twitter @SueJohnson9
Stefano is the other partner in Gemma’s new venture. Italian, moody, but an amazing chef, Gemma and Stefano are aghast to discover the clause in their joint they must both live at the restaurant while they work together. If either of them leaves, or if a profit is not made at the end of the six months they will have failed, and lost their inheritance.
The challenge is on, but Gemma and Stefano have another mystery on their hands. Stefano has no idea what he is doing there, and has never heard of Gemma's great aunt, Anna. And so it is up to them to unravel the family tale, and find out what links the Apple Orchard of England to the Lemon Grove of Italy...
Apple Orchard, Lemon Grove is a fast-paced novel with intriguing characters, atmospheric locations and mouth-watering food.
Sue Johnson is a poet, short-story writer and novelist. She is a Writing Magazine Creative Writing Tutor and also runs her own brand of writing classes. Further details of her work can be found at www.writers-toolkit.co.uk or follow her on Twitter @SueJohnson9
195 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 14, 2017
1 person is currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Sue Johnson
23 books27 followersSue Johnson is published as a poet, short story writer and novelist. She derives much of her inspiration from the natural world and from myths and fairytales. She runs her own brand of writing classes and enjoys giving talks to local groups. She is a Writers' News Home Study Tutor. Her interests include yoga, reading, walking, music and exploring new places.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 2, 2018
Loved this book, a gentle, enchanting romance
March 27, 2018
http://www.jerasjamboree.co.uk/2018/0...
Opening with the scene of Gemma making one more major change to complete what started in the morning, it’s clear that although anxious, she needs to take control and shake off the shackles of mind control. Stefano’s suffered major changes himself back in Sorrento and feels the need to get away from the family business and his step-brothers. Neither Gemma or Stefano are in a good place when they initially meet at the restaurant … and so the conflict is set 🙂
I always enjoy stories that give me two perspectives and this works really well with Gemma and Stefano’s narrations. How they feel is very different to the face they present to each other and those around them. Both have scars from childhood which need healing … my heart felt heavy for both of them. I usually feel more connected to one character but in Apple Orchard, Lemon Grove the connection was there at the same level for Gemma and Stefano.
The time limit of 6 months gives the story a fast pace and I have to say I loved everything about getting the restaurant up and running and the creativity of what happens to move the restaurant forward. I was so caught up in this! and found myself thinking how this could be replicated for other situations. Very inspiring. This setting means we get to connect with some fabulous characters who become a part of everyday life either through living in the village or involved in the challenges. A great cast of characters that give the story a uniqueness as well as being a community (for both good and ill – giving plenty of conflict). One visiting character made my hackles rise and I was rooting for Gemma to find the strength to do what she needed to do.
Apple Orchard, Lemon Grove unites what are seemingly two opposing places (the drabness of winter in the UK with the sparkling energy of Sorrento) as well as two families with no apparent connection. It’s a great title for the story, however, I think the book cover doesn’t do the story justice at all. It’s contemporary and fizzes with both conflict and romance.
Inspiring, fast paced and written with what I’ve come to consider Sue Johnson’s engaging writing style (I mentioned figurative language earlier), one to add to your wish lists.
Opening with the scene of Gemma making one more major change to complete what started in the morning, it’s clear that although anxious, she needs to take control and shake off the shackles of mind control. Stefano’s suffered major changes himself back in Sorrento and feels the need to get away from the family business and his step-brothers. Neither Gemma or Stefano are in a good place when they initially meet at the restaurant … and so the conflict is set 🙂
I always enjoy stories that give me two perspectives and this works really well with Gemma and Stefano’s narrations. How they feel is very different to the face they present to each other and those around them. Both have scars from childhood which need healing … my heart felt heavy for both of them. I usually feel more connected to one character but in Apple Orchard, Lemon Grove the connection was there at the same level for Gemma and Stefano.
The time limit of 6 months gives the story a fast pace and I have to say I loved everything about getting the restaurant up and running and the creativity of what happens to move the restaurant forward. I was so caught up in this! and found myself thinking how this could be replicated for other situations. Very inspiring. This setting means we get to connect with some fabulous characters who become a part of everyday life either through living in the village or involved in the challenges. A great cast of characters that give the story a uniqueness as well as being a community (for both good and ill – giving plenty of conflict). One visiting character made my hackles rise and I was rooting for Gemma to find the strength to do what she needed to do.
Apple Orchard, Lemon Grove unites what are seemingly two opposing places (the drabness of winter in the UK with the sparkling energy of Sorrento) as well as two families with no apparent connection. It’s a great title for the story, however, I think the book cover doesn’t do the story justice at all. It’s contemporary and fizzes with both conflict and romance.
Inspiring, fast paced and written with what I’ve come to consider Sue Johnson’s engaging writing style (I mentioned figurative language earlier), one to add to your wish lists.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews