One Short Harvest by Nell Harding-a new release review
One Short Harvest by Nell Harding
ONE SHORT HARVEST is the second installment (May 2012 release) of Harding World of Romance, a series of short romantic stories from around the world. This exciting tale takes us to Burgundy, France.
Alexandre “Alex” Larousse is an arrogant, over confident, controlling Frenchman who has inherited the family business of winemaking. On his first season of taking over the winery, he offered Nadia a proposition to pose as his fiancée for the duration of two weeks during the vendanges or the grape harvest season; at the same time managing to avoid any unwanted match-making from his meddling enthusiastic family.
Nadia Fischer has found joy and freedom in her mini travel adventures. She is an intelligent, stubborn, and a fiercely loyal Canadian woman. She had arrived in France believing to work for Alex as grape-picker for the harvest. Little did she know that she will also be playing an important role in his private life.
In this short funny adventure, Nadia, who is always up for new experiences, thought that if she immersed herself with her new French associates, she will expand her knowledge of the French language. In addition to being in Burgundy and working for the Larousse, are the added benefits of learning its history, inspiring generations of family traditions…and the abundance of wine and delicious French cuisine (though she has an aversion to frog legs). When Alex offered her to stand as his fiancée in return for a fortnight stay in his family’s chateau and a vendanges experience, she agreed reluctantly. Recovering from a previous relationship that ended in disaster, Nadia is not looking for something serious that will tie her town. Though what will she do when her heart starts to pull her to Alex’s direction?
Alex is harboring a tiny secret of his own. Torn between freedom and duty, it has already cost him one beautiful lady. For that reason he now avoids any serious relationships preferring short-term-no-strings-attached to make their parting easier. So when his attraction for Nadia started to grow he felt threatened and he started to become distant.
Will Alex have a change of heart before the vendange season is over? Will Nadia have what it takes to transform a heart-harden Frenchman who has an out dated view of women and relationships? Will a ONE SHORT HARVEST be enough time to learn about compromising when dealing with matters of the heart?
I enjoyed reading this story. I also love that the author included how the French conducted their family dinners. Because in this reality, to have a true family dinner, comes only occasionally (for some of us at least). I also appreciate the hard work that’s been put into a traditional winery business. Make you think: ‘Right, so that explains it…’ Meaning the extravagant prices for some selected wines. So if you are finding yourself wanting a quick read. Pour yourself a red or white bubbly (juice if you prefer non-alcoholic) and lose yourself in this short adventure. The characters will keep you laughing and tenderly pulls your heart when you least expect it.
A rising contemporary author, Nell Harding, has already written her first book, FIRE AND ICE, in the Harding World of Romance series. She mainly writes light romantic stories that set in different places around the world. For the moment though her writing is slightly slowed down “now as another dream comes together in the form of a growing baby…”
Nell Harding: “My romance series, “Harding’s World of Romance”, hopes to bring readers to various romantic destinations to share some of my passion for new places and for happy endings.”
reviewed by Neni
