Life is a Cabernet: A Companion Wine Novella to The Winemakers

by Jan Moran

From USA Today bestselling author Jan Moran comes a riveting novella that’s as rich and irresistible as a fine cabernet wine.

Napa Valley, 1956: Years ago, after Juliana Cardona’s fiancé was killed in an army ambush, she didn’t know if she could ever find the strength to risk love again. Now Juliana, who has a passion for winemaking, is determined to build her own business as a wine publicist and create an independent life.

But when Juliana holds a press event in San Francisco, she meets a mysterious winemaker, Henri Laurent, who is everything she never thought she’d find again. However, Juliana is shocked to discover that Henri is hiding a long-buried secret that threatens to devastate their budding relationship.

In order to find happiness and the life she’d once thought was gone forever, she must find the strength to uncover tragedies and face the troubled past with the man she loves—but only if her heart can risk the chance of love once more.

This is a companion novella to The Winemakers, a full-length historical romance novel.

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Fiction, Novella

84 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2020

About the author

Hi there, and welcome! If you like fun beach reads or romantic sagas that whisk you off to places like sunny beaches or Italy, Paris, and Napa Valley, then come on in. I write clean and wholesome feel-good novels.

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Here's where you can find all my books: https://viewauthor.at/JanMoranBooks.

So what's new? Look for the new SEABREEZE GALA, which earned a spot (thanks to readers!) on the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists, so we've been celebrating. Besides my women's fiction beach series (Summer Beach, Coral Cottage, and Crown Island series), I also write 20th-century historical sagas with a touch of romance. THE WINEMAKERS is my latest re-launch, and HEPBURN'S NECKLACE, set against the Audrey Hepburn film, ROMAN HOLIDAY, is my latest dual timeline historical.

If you enjoy Mary Kay Andrews, Elin Hilderbrand, Brenda Novak, and Mary Alice Monroe's beach reads, then you'll want to start with SEABREEZE INN. If you like to escape to another time with Danielle Steel, Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, or Fiona Davis, then check out THE CHOCOLATIER, a sweet read set on the shores of Amalfi, Italy, HEPBURN'S NECKLACE iN Lake Como, Italy, or THE WINEMAKERS, which will whisk you to 1950s Napa Valley and Tuscany.

If you're an audiobook aficionado, you're in luck! Most of my books are available in audio on my store: https://store.janmoran.com/collection..., and on Audible, Apple, and Amazon, read by the super-talented Erin Bennett (Elin Hilderbrand, Debbie Macomber, etc), an award-winning narrator.

My SUNSHINE & SECOND CHANCES series (aka LOVE CALIFORNIA) is also a lot of fun. It's a linked series of six best friends that I based on some of my favorite travel destinations. Each book is a mini-vacay, starting with Paris in FLAWLESS, Spain in BEAUTY MARK, Malibu and Ireland in RUNWAY, and three more fun locales. These are also widely available on audio Audible, Apple, and Amazon, as well as Kobo, and Barnes & Noble.

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If you're a library patron and prefer to borrow from a library, simply ask your local library to order copies for you and other patrons. Library ebooks are also available through Libby, Overdrive, and CloudLibrary, so your librarian can purchase ebooks through these services to make them accessible to you. Just ask; many of my books are there.

My books have also been translated into German, Polish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Turkish, Russian, Lithuanian, and other languages. Most titles are also available in audiobook and large print formats.

Thank you all for your support on this amazing writing journey. I love to hear from readers--that's how your beloved Seabreeze Inn has kept growing new books. And thank you for sharing my books with your friends. If you have book club meetings and would like to connect with me by Zoom, please reach out through my website at https://www.janmoran.com/contact.

Happy reading!

Reviews

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seriously have a new favorite author here.
Even though this story is novella length it really packs a punch.
This richly detailed historical takes place in the Napa Valley in 1956.
Juliana Cardona has a passion for wine making and is just starting to feel alive again after the army ambush of her fiancee.
While on a business trip to San Francisco she meets a mysterious man, Henri Laurent, a European winemaker.
The budding romance, will she risk her heart again and what will happen when discovers he has a tragic secret and will they be able to work through it?
Things are not as everyone assumes with Henri and Juliana makes the same mistaken assumption.
I really enjoyed Henri's character, he is a manly man along with being respectful,polite and so charming.
Will Juliana be able to help Henri through his troubled past into a brighter future for them together?
I loved this and can't wait to read more by this author!!!
This is a companion novella to The Winemakers, a full-length historical romance novel from St. Martin's Press.

Kindle Edition, 108 pages
Published October 14th 2016 by Sunny Palms Press.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juliana has loved and lost and has no intention of trying again. When she meets and gets to know the elusive and reclusive Henri that all may change. But since they both have a past and Henri has deep secrets and scars that may not be as easy as it seems. A deeply emotional read to enjoy with a glass of vino as the two do the dance of interest and try to deal with the walls they have both erected to protect themselves. This author combines love, mystery, intrigue and wine unlike any other for a great read.

[Srivalli (Semi-Hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

A short and sweet companion novella, as the title says. Somehow, it didn't seem much like set in 1956 but I don't belong to the region so it could be my lack of detailed knowledge about the place.

[Leonide Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in Napa and Sonoma wine country in the 1950s, this story is enhanced by a deep knowledge of wine and wine-making. Two people involved in the wine industry, both having suffered serious losses and guarding their hearts, meet and are drawn into an edgy relationship. Secrets and misunderstandings contribute to their difficulties; some of their inabilities to hear each other seemed contrived. Images of wine events in San Francisco hotels and at wineries were richly drawn; I found the wine lore more appealing than the relationships, although there were lovely moments and heartfelt connections. A nice, enjoyable book especially for wine lovers.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wine maker is not selling his wine even though it is the best around. Why is he not selling it? Will he ever sell it? She meets him but a long buried secret may just destroy their budding relationship. What is this secret? Will it break them apart? See if she finds out

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

He inherits a winery but PR don't know a lot about him. They think of him as a widower and 2 small girls. She is trying to promote the vineyards of Napa Valley. She lost her fiancée just before he was suppose to come home from Korea. She's afraid of giving her heart again, and he is trying to find his.

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short novella set in Napa Valley in 1956. The main character is Juliana Cardona who lost her fiancé a week before he was due to return from the Korean War. It has been some five years since that happened, but she still hasn’t managed to get past her heartbreak, or open herself up to anyone else. She is concentrating on her career, building up her own business as a wine publicist and has organised an event in San Francisco, with lots of press and wine aficionados. She has managed to get a reclusive wine maker, Henri Laurent, to come to the event, but when the press want to talk to him, he is rather reticent and definitely camera shy! He lost his wife after a long battle against illness just two years ago and has two eleven year olds daughters to care for. But his true story is much more interesting and hidden from most!

Juliana wants an independent life, in a time where women are still chaperoned and supposed to live at home until they marry. She stays in a women only boarding house, run by a fierce landlady, who has very strict rules for those women who stay under her roof! Henri and Juliana have an almost immediate spark and while she tries to remain professional only, the attraction is hard to resist. His French accent keeps poking through as he speaks and that is the pull for her. When she meets his two girls who look nothing alike, but take to her immediately, her heart starts to open up again. Whether she can trust him enough, to open up her heart to love once more, will be a difficult road. She must overcome Henri’s dark secrets and his reluctance to speak of them to anyone.

A lovely story of a much quainter time, with love and wine as the stars of the story, giving employment to many after the war and bringing people together. Juliana may have thought she would never find love again, but it can happen at the moment you least expect it to turn up. A shared love of wine and past tragedies will bring the two together. It is up to them to see if it will become permanent or not. A quick, easy read, with a happy ending and telling the history of a time gone past. Loving reading books by this author and I can’t wait for more. I received and ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[SOS · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars

This is a companion novel to Jan Moran’s The Winemakers. It’s sweet and a quick, enjoyable read. I loved Juliana and Henri. They were a perfect match. But as in The Winemakers, there are secrets, and those secrets can tear a budding romance apart.

Henri is relatively new to the vineyards of Napa, and he hasn’t reached out to the community to make friends. When he’s pressed to discuss his wines at a press and wine tasting party for Northern California wineries, he gives a great presentation, but then he attempts to slip away without speaking with the journalists. When Juliana approaches him, something sparks between them.

Juliana is eager to help winemakers with publicity and support functions. She’s beautiful and smart. Having grown up in a vineyard and winery because her mother worked for the owners, she’s highly knowledgeable about most aspects of winemaking, promotion, and sales. She offers her assistance to Henri. He doesn’t turn her down, but he’s not the most open person. His secrets keep him hidden on his estate most of the time, with his two young children.

Can Juliana discover what keeps Henri in seclusion? Can she help him build his brand? Will that spark between them turn into a flame?

While this book is a spinoff of The Winemakers, it stands on it’s own very well. It’s a fun and romantic read.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the author through Booksprout. I thank her for her generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life is a Cabernet: A Wine Country Novella (Heartwarming Family Sagas - Stand-Alone Fiction) by Jan Moran
This story starts with Julianna and she's organized the gala from the list of local owners of wineries. She has hopes to not only get more work for herself as advertising is her career, but to also get donations for a children's hospital effort.
Story also follow Henri and he owns a vineyard but is very recluse, stays out of the limelight.
She knew that he had lost his wife and she had lost her spouse to be also just days before he returned from the war.
She gets along jsut fine with Henri and his children but knows nothing about him as a man. He's misunderstood and she runs back to the hotel for the night . Next day she finds out a lot more about him from the local prist and she needs to hear things from him.
What I love about this book is the knowledge of vineyards and wines they produce and the important aspects of smell, taste, swirl, legs, etc. Also like how she handles his fears, nighttime terrors and how she can help him.
Love dancing, food, sights, down time and future as she now understands about his marriage and the girls....
Super descriptive words and love Irish Fisherman Sweater, I make them and know how startling one looks wearing them. Patterns speak about who they really are.
Can't wait to read more from this author. Book has acknowledgments and authors other works. beach series sounds SO fun.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

[Jennifer Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life is a Cabernet by Jan Moran is a companion novella to The Winemakers, a part of the Heartwarming Family Saga series. It is 1956 Napa Valley, Juliana Cardona is passionate about winemaking and wants to build her career as a wine publicist. She is also struggling with the death of her fiance killed in an army ambush during the Korean War. Juliana isn’t sure she has the strength or courage to risk love again. Until she holds a press event in San Francisco and meets the elusive Henri Laurent, a local winemaker. Their budding friendship turns romantic, Juliana learns Henri is hiding a secret that could devastate any future they may have together. Can she find the strength to face the troubled past of Henri and risk her heart once again?
I’m not much of a wine drinker and I do not know the ins and outs of winemaking; however, the discussions about the wine and its process only added to the richness of this romance. Juliana is trying to avoid love and Henri is avoiding people all together. The two together have a chemistry that is as rich as the wine they are so passionate about. Together they find healing they didn’t think was possible. Life is a Cabernet is a fun read for an afternoon. I am looking forward to reading the companion novel, The Winemakers, which features Juliana’s friend Caterina Rosetta. Will Juliana and Henri make an appearance? If you enjoy second chance romance with the romantic backdrop of Napa Valley wine country, I recommend Life is a Cabernet.

Life is a Cabernet is available in paperback and eBook

[Linda (The Arizona Bookstagrammer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Life is a Cabernet” (companion novella to The Winemakers) by Jan Moran ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Genre: Historical Romance Novella. Location: Napa Valley, California, USA. Time: Summer 1956.

This novella is a companion story to The Winemakers, an historical novel set in 1950s Napa, California and Tuscany, Italy, which tells the story of winemaker Caterina Rosetta.

Gutsy and determined Juliana Cardona loves everything about winemaking. She works hard to build her wine publicist career in the 1950s male-dominated field. Her personal life has been on hold since her fiancé died in the Korean War- one week before returning home. When she meets reclusive Calistoga winemaker Henri Laurent, she realizes he has secrets in his past. As she becomes increasingly drawn to him, she must fight her own stubbornness to find the strength to face Henri’s troubled past.

Author Moran delves deeply into the 1950s era, describing clothing and cars, boarding houses with rules, pay phones and clip on earrings, food and wine. Her descriptions of wine country and San Francisco will draw you in with references to real landmarks such as the St. Francis Hotel on Union Square and iconic Kan’s Restaurant in Chinatown (now closed). This romance novella’s rich prose is a lovely introduction to Moran’s historical novel “The Winemakers”, and it’s 4 stars from me! 🌵📚💁🏼‍♀️ Thank you to Jan Moran and Sunny Palms Press for this copy.

[Gail Raes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jan Moran is one of my favorite authors and I have read and/or listened in audio nearly every Jan Moran book she’s published. I love her style of writing and I enjoyed the narration by Erin Bennett in the audio books also.

I had listened to the Winemakers which is a wonderful story about the wine country of Napa Valley in the 1950’s. Having lived in the Napa Valley I felt an immediate connection to the people and places that Jan wrote about.

When I found Life is a Cabernet was available on audio and with my favorite narrator, Erin Bennett I immediately purchased it from Jan Moran’s online store. This book is a continuing story from the Winemakers and involves the character Juliana Cardona and a romance with vineyard owner, Henri Laurent.

I enjoyed the direction Life is a Cabernet takes Juliana, it was wonderfully romantic and satisfying with hopes she would find her happily ever after. I adored the two little girls who wrote her a letter asking her to be their mother. That was so sweet! I loved this book as much as the Winemakers. Excellent storytelling, I could envision being in the place and time of the story as I listened.

I hope the author, Jan Moran, will consider writing more from the Winemakers, perhaps in current time where she left off in that book. I’ll be first in line to read it if she does. I highly recommend both the Winemakers and Life is a Cabernet.

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chapters 11-12

Wow these two chapters were amazing and I loved it.
It was a perfect ending to an amazing book


Chapters 6-10

Oh my I am almost done with this book,it is sooo good.
We have a heart rate rising moment,but
there is a huge misunderstanding between Julianna and Henri.
You are going to think one thing and plot twist.
Henry's story that he tells is so heart breaking but he does
have two amazing sunshines.

I CAN'T WAIT to see what happens



This is my first time reading any book by Jan Moran.
If this is your first time reading my reviews,
I like to read 5 chapters and review and repeat the process
until the book is done.a
I also like to also have a picture in my head of the characters,
with my actors/actress, singer,Broadway actor/actress or wrestler.

Chapters 1-5

This story automatically gives me Brighiton or
When Calls The Heart vibes.
Juliana I am picturing
Erin Krakcow(When Calls the Heart)
Henri I am picturing
Daniel Lissing(When Calls The Heart )
Caterina I am picturing
Kayla Wallace (When Calls The Heart)
Ms.Morales I picture
Julie Andrews(The Sound of Music,Mary Poppins)


As I said this story gives Brighton and
When Calls the Heart vibes.
I am loving this story so far,it's keeping my attention.
Who doesn't love wine and how it is made as well.
Juliana and Henri's back story is so sad and I
can't wait to see what happens between them.
Do we see feeling being caught and by whom,
I know two little people in the story who
already had plans for Julianna and Henri.

I can't wait to read more

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juliana Cardona is still mourning the loss of her fiancé and trying to get her publicity firm off the ground. She hosts a press event for vineyards and Henri Laurent, the elusive winemaker is slated to make an appearance. When Juliana meets Henri, sparks fly and she invites herself to his vineyard to help him market his wine. Can she open her heart again to another man?

Henri Laurent has kept out of the press and leads a quiet and secluded life with his two young girls on his vineyard. When he goes to the press event, he is intrigued by Juliana and is excited yet leery to invite her to his home. He has secrets he wishes to keep hidden and if he opens his heart to another woman, he will have to also share his past. Is he ready to love again?

What a beautifully written story by Jan Moran. This is a companion novella to “The Winemakers” and can be read either before or after the main story. I absolutely loved the story of Juliana and Henri along with his two young girls. It is a story of love and second chances, and it warm your heart as you journey along with the characters. Thank you so much to the author Jan Moran for an advanced copy of the book to review. It was fabulous! All opinions expressed for this review are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henri had a mysterious past behind him. An American with a vaguely French accent, he is a strangely reclusive vintner.

The death of his Solange after a long series of illness leaves Henri even more alone, except for the two girls they were raising together

More than nightmares haunt Henri. Solange had the roots of her ling illness in the camp life she survived. There really are some things far worse than death.

Juliana suffered the loss of her long time beau and fiancé Alfonso due to the Korean War.

Misunderstandings and miscommunication nearly ruin their second chance romance

Sweet and sad life, death and romance

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story draws you in from the very beginning. Although a novella, the story has as a lot of depth to it. Ms. Moran does an excellent job with describing the locations and scenes I could easily picture the beauty and lushness of Napa Valley. The characters of Henri and Juliana were wonderful and endearing and I enjoyed getting to know them. They have a great connection with each other and are a wonderful couple, but Henri has a secret that just may jeopardize their blossoming relationship. A touching and emotional story you do not want to miss!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Juliana and Henri are both recovering from loss. Not the same kind of loss it turns out, and that causes most of the friction in the story. Juliana is getting over the loss of her fiance and she assumes what is going on in Henri's life. Of course he could have just explained that right away, because honestly everyone would assume what she did.

Anyone who is bothered by instalove should stay far from this story because wow! It was a little sudden even for me.

A lot of this book is Henri explaining about his horrific past fighting the Nazis. The fact that these two things go together makes me very curious about it's companion novel.

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juliana wears her heart on her sleeve and tells you like it is while Henri keeps this close to his chest and doesn't like to talk of his past however they are both drawn to each other and we see that attraction grow, however Henri's closeness could jeopardize a beautiful friendship and relationship. I totally agreed with Anne and Beatrice on what should happen so kept my fingers crossed their letter to Juliana came to fruition!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Doni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed reading this book!
Having already read The Winemakers,
(which I recommend reading after this)
I was excited to read Juliana & Henri's
story. With the added bonus of the
adorable Beatrice & Anne.
It takes place in 1956. Juliana grew
up on a vineyard. Now is promotes
winemakers. She finally is able to
meet, Henri, a local winemaker.
Juliana, is quite taken with him
& Henri, with her.
I loved it from page one to the last!!

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written story you'll be glad you added to your reading list. It's an enjoyable read that's hard to put down once you start reading. The characters are endearing, realistic and you'll easily fall in love with them. A quick, beautiful read that deals with two people overcoming loss in their loves as they find their way to happiness.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several books written by Jan Moran; she has done a great job at writing a good book; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of books her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good-natured and charming look at the prosperity and lifestyle of wineries in the Napa Valley in the 1950s. A European-American man has bought a winery to manage with his family, and a business agent decides she could provide him with publicity for the wines. They turn out each to have lost a loved one to war. Some serious notes shade the story, evoking the era. The romance is gentle, and tastefully written.
I downloaded a free copy from the author. This is an unbiased review.

[Barbara Waloven · Rating 5 out of 5]

1956 San Francisco Napa Valley. The war is over but PTSD is just beginning to hit survivors. Those affected by the war from experience and those who suffered loss of loved ones. Two such people meet over a wine event. She…the marketer….he the maker. She is pursuing a career in marketing aspects of the wine industry. A career that is male dominated. He is raising 2 little girls and starting a winery. Can the two help each others careers take off? A sweet read.

[Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet read about two complex characters set in the late 50’s affected by life and war.

Fascinating setting in Napa Calistoga and San Francisco, a favorite region of mine. I shared some of this world 30 years after the characters birth so I was a child in the time but have fond memories of the details tge author mentioned.

As a widower, I now share lost and rediscovered loves.
Highly recommend this book.

[Anne Whiting · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a bit different for me but I enjoyed it and will read the Winemakers by Jan.

I liked the main characters who got together because of wine what a lovely thought! They had a mutual interest in the production and marketing of only the best Cabernet wine.

I look forward to the next chapter in their lives.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivating from the first page. I couldn’t read this novel fast enough, and yet the beautiful writing compelled me to slow down and experience every line. This is a story of healing, letting your guard down and finding love again. I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super Sweet Story!

The writing draws you in and keeps you involved throughout the whole story, I found myself in love with not only the characters but also the world that was created.

The descriptions of the characters and their feelings are so involved, you can truly picture it in your mind.

This review has been voluntarily submitted for your consideration.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Light Read

This novella has ups and downs, but the ups edge out the downs. The main characters are well developed, but the girls behavior is more typical of younger children. The description of the wine country is vivid as is the sailing scene. Overall, I enjoyed the story and would read more by this author.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novella...sweet romance by Jan Moran. Overall, I'm not a fan of novellas since they are so short that the plot and characters don't have a chance to develop. Since this was written by one of my favorite authors, I had to read it. I thought it was enjoyable despite the lack of time in the novella for plot and character development.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wined and Dined

What a sweet story. Juliana wants her business of PR to do well and by having this wine meeting, she is introduced and intrigued by Henri Laurent. She wants to get to know him more and bring his winery to everyone. This will only be the beginning of maybe a good harvest for them both.