Seduced by Fate

Mitchell Winery #1

by Laura A. Barnes

Whoever said seduction was easy?

He was her boss.

She was his sister’s best friend.

Grayson Mitchell wondered when he had reached the point where he took dating advice from his mother and sister.

Woo her, they said.

Didn’t they realize what century they lived in?

Eve Collins was doomed to fall for his seduction once he kissed her.

Who was she kidding?

She had been doomed since she first met him.

Fast forward from her girlhood crush on her best friend’s brother to her position as a personal assistant who fantasized about her boss.

Sharing Grayson’s bed was inevitable.

Loving Eve was fate’s calling.

An ex-lover’s blackmail left them blindsided.

Would Eve and Grayson fall victim to a vengeful enemy? Or would fate prevail?

Seduced by Fate is the first book in Laura A. Barnes’s Mitchell Winery Series. If you love a steamy office romance mixed with interfering siblings and a jealous ex-lover out for revenge, then you’ll love this contemporary romance.

197 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2023

About the author

International bestselling author Laura A. Barnes fell in love with writing in the second grade. After her first creative writing assignment, she dreamt of becoming an author. Many years went by with Laura filling her head full of story ideas and some funny fish songs she wrote while fishing with her family. In 2017, she made her dreams a reality. With her debut novel Rescued By the Captain, she has set out on the path of a published author.​

When not writing, Laura can be found devouring her favorite romance books. Laura is married to her own Prince Charming (who for some reason or another thinks the heroes in her books are about him) who she enjoys traveling with and binging shows on streaming services. You can usually find her spending time with her children and grandchildren. Besides her love of reading and writing, Laura loves to travel. With her passport stamped in England, Scotland, and Ireland; she hopes to add more countries to her list soon.​

While Laura isn’t very good on the social media front, she loves to hear from her readers. You can find her on the following platforms:​

Website: http://www.lauraabarnes.com

Amazon: https://amazon.com/author/lauraabarnes ​

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...​

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLauraA...​

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/labarnesaut...​

TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@labarnesauthor​

Twitter: https://twitter.com/labarnesauthor

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/laura...

Reviews

[Susan Liberty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seduced by Fate by Laura A. Barnes is a captivating love story. The twists and turns kept me pinned to the pages. The only thing that would have made it better is a glass of wine from the family’s winery while reading!

In the beginning, we are led to believe that Grayson is a playboy and Eve is a mouse. But there is a twist. Grayson’s heart belongs to Eve. And Eve, well, she’s an intelligent red-hot firecracker, at least where Grayson is concerned.

I enjoyed the supporting characters, Cabe, Addison, and Becca. Samantha makes the perfect villainess—a conniving witch of a woman who will do anything to get her way! The intrigue (who-done-it) makes Seduced by Fate one of my favorite romance novels.

Needless to say, the plot, characters, and scenes are excellently crafted. In addition, the many romantic scenes are sizzling—four out of five on the spice meter! I can’t wait for more of the Mitchells. Five stars.

[Jayne Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this is such a yummy story with lots of heat! Eve and Grayson have known each other for years, since he is her best friend’s brother. While Eve harbored a crush on him, he was acting the playboy. Now she is his assistant in the family run Mitchell Winery, and reeling after their impromptu kiss during a business trip. Samantha, a recently dumped girlfriend of Grayson’s, is the villian of the story. Calculating, ego-centric and condescending, her plans require her to keep her hooks in Grayson, whether he has moved on or not. So this story has conflict, a scheming ex, familial bonds and duties, long-standing friendships, sexual tension and a whole lot of fantasy fulfillment. It is a juicy story with lots of sweet and romantic moments, all while Eve, Grayson, Addison, Cade and Becca fight to save the family business.

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

[Mika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the premise… and got caught by the charming personality of our main characters.
Grayson made me swoon a lot of times 💖 I loved how he made sure Eve knew she’s the woman of his dreams. We love a man that doesn’t stutter when it comes to those he deems important.
Eve was fantastic! She has to be one of the cutest FMC I’ve ever read! However, that doesn’t mean she’s a doormat, not at all. She has a personality and is not afraid to use it.
I was totally immersed in this story, the conflict was great and the tension, desire, love was on top! Plus, who doesn’t like some interactions that show the family bond. I tell you, this book has everything to make it an enjoyable read.

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

[Happyscribe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grab a glass of Pinot and settle in for this read - it's a rich treat indeed. Playboy winemaker Grayson Mitchell is a perfect character - all Boss, all grump, all trying to find a way to overcome his inability to break his reputation-mold and be with the woman he secretly desires. Meanwhile, aforementioned woman has been crushing on Grayson - now her boss - since she was a kid. Cue the threat that brings them together to fight a common foe and also realise what's right in front of them.
This is SUCH a gorgeous read. I was smiling and cheering for these two from early on - and the pay off is PERFECT! Not my usual dark romance read - but a delight to divert into the HEA light!.

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

[Sandra Lail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short

This was odd. Only a few editing issues, but really short. Could have used a longer length to explain and build the story more. I felt like the story started in the middle. Several things happened before the story started. Eve was a little annoying. Grayson was likeable. The start of the story he was portrayed differently than he actually was during the book. Some things like the ex-girlfriend part of the story was not plausible with how his history with women was conveyed in the beginning.

[CATHERINE BURHANS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grayson and Eve’s romance sizzles off the pages. It took them years to get together. She crushed on him, her best friend’s brother, since she was a teen. She watched him parade his latest fling around while working as his assistant at the family winery. Well, now it’s finally her turn, and even if he breaks her heart, she won’t miss this opportunity! An absolutely delightful romance , with some evil doers, subterfuge, and blackmail going on at the same time.

[Hart's Reader Group · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was sexy fun that I didn't take seriously. The intensity was almost there, but it missed the mark. I enjoyed the story, the push-pull between the main characters, and I would certainly read the next book in the series. I enjoyed it.

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

[Sara K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the Author's historical romances perviously and really enjoyed them. I was excited to read a contemporary romance by her as that is what I have primarily reading lately. I really liked this one too! I'm a sucker for a siblings best friend trope so this one was right up my alley! There were plenty sweet and spicy moments. I look forward to continuing the series.

[Tracy H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seduced by Fate
Book 1 of Mitchell Winery
Laura A. Barnes

The story and characters, Eve and Grayson, are well written. I loved the secondary characters, the laughter, chemistry, romance, and betrayal- all in all awesome book. About 90% done, I wanted the book to slow down because I wasn't ready to let these characters go. Great read.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eve and Grayson make a great couple. Even though it took years for Grayson to start a relationship with Eve, she goes into it thinking it is temporary. But Grayson has more permanent ideas and has to work to prove that he wants forever.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seduced by Fate is the first book in the Mitchell Winery series by Laura A. Barnes. It's a spicy, drama filled book that'll leave you craving more.

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

[Kesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving

I tremendously enjoyed this book, I tried to put it down so that I could get ready for work but found myself picking it up immediately. This is a wonderful book and can't wait to read the rest of the books

[VoraciousReader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Harlequin shlock with sex added.