Sundown Crossing

by Lynne Wilding

A winemaking dynasty, family secrets - and revenge ...When Carla Hunter inherits her father's vineyard, little does she realise the trouble she's about to harvest ...the sudden death of her father, Rolfe, sends Carla Hunter to South Australia's Barossa Valley to claim her birthright. And to begin a search for the truth about her heritage that will change her life ...Rolfe's journal tells a tale of disinheritance and disgrace, and Carla knows that her grandfather, Carl Stenmark, will not accept her or her son. In fact, the Stenmark family seem more likely to destroy her and her fledgling business than to welcome her with open arms. Carla must use every ounce of courage - and every friend and ally she can find - to keep her vineyard and make a go of her new life. Even her heart is at risk, as her growing friendship with one man, and the determined attentions of another, awaken the kinds of joy and fear she had never expected to experience again.

436 pages, Paperback

First published April 26, 2006

About the author

Lynne Wilding was an Australian author of romance fiction, and a founding member and first president of the Romance Writers of Australia.

Having come to writing after working in numerous other jobs, she published twelve novels over the course of her life, the most famous being Heart of the Outback

She passed away in June 2007.

Reviews

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars
After her father’s death in New Zealand Carla Hunter inherits a vineyard in South Australia’s Barossa Valley. At the same time she learns about family she does not know, since her father was estranged from them. They own a large vineyard in the Barossa. The book starts in 1993. Carla and her young son Sam and their friend Angie set off for the Barossa with no firm plans, except to meet the rest of the family and then decide. Carl Stenmark is appalled to think Carla and her young son are contemplating staying. He just wants them to sell him that land and for them to leave. But Carla is one very determined, stubborn you might say, young woman.
The characters were well drawn, especially Carla and Angie. Carl Stenmark is a bitter old man used to getting what he wants as is his youngest daughter Lisel. Lisel is a nasty piece of work. Greta the older daughter is more ready to accept Carla even though reconciliation with Carla could affect her adopted son Luke’s inheritance. Paul is another well-defined character who becomes a friend and helper to Carla and Angie and the Vietnamese family consisting of Kim, Tran and Su Lee add another interesting story to the mix. I particularly liked the information included at the end of the book about the Barossa Valley, its inhabitants and wine making activities even though some of the information is obviously out of date these days.
I enjoyed this novel. It’s good to see a strong woman portrayed in fiction and it was easy to care about Cara, and Sam and their plight. Anyone who likes a rural story with good setting and characters and a romance should enjoy this one. Maybe a couple of things come a bit too easily but it is fiction after all. A good light read.

[Joanne Osborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick easy read, set in the Barossa Valley-

[Nina Sollorz-Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

In " Im Tal der roten Sonne (Große Liebe, rotes Land 1) " erfährt die Neuseeland lebende Carla erst beim Tod ihres Vaters Rolfes, das sie in südlichen Australien im Barossa Valley Familie und das sie dort ein kleines Weingut geerbt hat.
Winzersohn Rolfe war als junger Mann von seinem Vater enterbt und verbannt worden und sprach zu seinen Lebzeiten nie darüber.
Nun liegt es an Carla ob sie dieses schwere Erbe antritt, den sie und ihr kleiner Sohn Sam werden von der Familie nicht mit offenen Armen empfangen. Im Gegenteil, ihr schlägt ein Hass entgegen, den Carla nichts entgegenzusetzen hat.
Aber gleichzeitig entbrennt ihr Kampfgeist und sie entschließt sich dazu, das alte brach liegende Weingut wieder aufzubauen. Mit Hilfe ihrer besten Freundin und Winzerin Angie macht sie sich ans Werk.
Weitere Hilfe erfährt sie von dem Architekten Paul, der ihr mit Rat und Tat zur Seite steht. Dabei entwickeln sich erste zarte Gefühle und dies, obwohl Carla gar keine neue Beziehung möchte.
Wird Carla die ihr in den Weg gelegten Steine mit harte Arbeit und sturem Willen aus dem Weg räumen können und hat sie am Ende Erfolg und dazu eine neue Liebe?
Die Story hat mich von Anfang an in ihren Bann gezogen, dabei bleibt sie spannungsgeladen sowie abwechslungsreich. Man darf mit Carla mitfiebern und die verschiedesten Emotionen erleben. Es gibt einiges zum schmunzeln ebenso herzhaft zu lachen, wird das ein oder andere Tränchen vergießen, aber auch über die Ungerechtigkeiten staunen.
Ich konnte das Buch kaum aus der Hand legen, da ich erfahren wollte, ob es Carla gelungen war ihre Familie von sich zu überzeugen und das alte Weingut wieder florierte.
Das Buch bekommt von mir eine Lese / Kaufempfehlung und 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sterne.

[Sianne Morrison · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have decided, after 2 books, I don't like this author, however my dad loves her. I found this book very slow and lacked any strength in storyline, characters or writing style. not my cup of tea at all.

[Joanne Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book I read by this author. A quick, easy read that is difficult to put down.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. Absolutely loved the characters and the story line. Well done Lynne.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

very enjoyable

[Alison Hydes]

A good read . Another enjoyable book from Lynne Wilding