Helpful Score: 3
Very good book. Twist at the end that you never see coming. Very romantically set in Italy and California wine vineyards. Would love to see this one made into a movie just to see the Italian Villa in real life!!
Helpful Score: 2
Sex, scandal, and the lives of the extremely wealthy make this romp through California's vineyards an unforgettable one! Lots of romance and suspense.
Helpful Score: 2
Roberts abandons her seemingly endless trilogy formula here for a stand-alone novel that deals with murder, betrayal, industrial espionage, and plenty of steamy sex set against the background of a wine-making empire that sprawls over two continents and three generations. Good read.
Helpful Score: 2
Really quick, fun read for such a large book. Great summer reading!
Helpful Score: 1
I have read this book several times. I really like the story. It is one of her books that invovles some suspense.
Helpful Score: 1
Since I now live in California, I was interested in reading about the state I reside, and I love Nora Roberts books. The story about the Giambelli family was extremely interesting and always kept you wanting to continue reading to find out what would happen next. I could hardly put it down. As always, Nora Roberts did NOT disappoint me! I highly recommend this book.
Another great book by Nora Roberts... don't know how I missed reading this one... but, I'm glad I added it to my list of books to read. I recommend it to anyone who's a NR fan.
Another novel rich in emotion and rife with conflict from the prolific Roberts, this sweeping saga of Northern California wine-making steeps the reader in a heady mix of sex, scandal and the excesses of the supremely wealthy.
As usual another well written book by one of my all time favorite authors.
Another winner from Nora Roberts ! This story is about a proud family's deadly secrets, a passionate tale of two rivals who, while toiling in the lush vineyards of the Napa Valley, discover that they have mush to learn - from each other, and about themselves.
I loved this book...I bought it two weeks ago....I was sorry it ended....Great Read.
#1 NYTimes bestselling author Nora Roberts exposes a proud family's deadly secrets in this passionate tale of two rivals who, while toiling in the lush vineyards of the Napa Valley, discover that they have much to learn - from each other, and about themselves...
I started this book, but it didn't hold my interest. One day I realized I'd just put it down, moved on to another book, and never picked it up again.
This is another one of those Nora Roberts books that you just can't put down.
another great book from Nora Roberts! I enjoyed the characters in this story. -Mirah W.
Romance, of course, but also a mystery and quite a bit about winemaking.
Wonderful story! Highly recommended!
Family saga set at wineries in Napa Valley and Italy. A very good read.
Set in beautiful Napa Valley, California, Nora Roberts's latest novel portrays a rich world of family-owned wineries, complete with enough romance, sophisticated business intrigue, betrayal, and murder to cow the Medicis of Florence. The Villa focuses on the merger of two prominent winemaking families, the Giambellis and MacMillans, and the incendiary combination of the two upcoming leaders of those dynasties, Sophia Giambelli and Tyler MacMillan. Tyler is the manager of the MacMillan vines and the distilling process, a job that suits his frank and no-frills personality. Creative and flashy, Sophia is head of Giambelli's public relations, and her job has been to put the best spin on whatever her family business produces--hard to do when the merger requires that she and Tyler switch jobs, and particularly hard to do when her own heart seems to spin out of control whenever they're together.
Soon after the merger goes through, Tyler and Sophia learn that they have bigger problems than their conflicting work styles. Tony Avano, a Giambelli executive and Sophia's father, is murdered, and threats surface against the Giambelli women. As a quiet woman, Sophia's mother, Pilar, has made few enemies, except for Tony's new wife, Rene. The matriarch of the family--known simply as La Signora--may have knocked some rivals aside as she clawed her way to the top, but few would have reason to threaten her now. When poison is discovered in Giambelli wine, Sophia and Tyler learn the killer is much closer than they thought.
Soon after the merger goes through, Tyler and Sophia learn that they have bigger problems than their conflicting work styles. Tony Avano, a Giambelli executive and Sophia's father, is murdered, and threats surface against the Giambelli women. As a quiet woman, Sophia's mother, Pilar, has made few enemies, except for Tony's new wife, Rene. The matriarch of the family--known simply as La Signora--may have knocked some rivals aside as she clawed her way to the top, but few would have reason to threaten her now. When poison is discovered in Giambelli wine, Sophia and Tyler learn the killer is much closer than they thought.
'The Villa' is 100% Nora. Brilliant, funny, romantic and suspenseful enough to keep you turning pages like crazy. One thing you can always depend on, is Nora Roberts talent for immersing her readers in the 'world' she creates on paper. 'The Villa' is set in the California wine country, and by the time you're savoring the last page, you'll realize that you have not only just finished a great book, but you now have an informed perspective of the practice of growing grapes and producing wine. Nora always manages to teach you just a little bit about the topics of her books. And who can afford to turn down the opportunity to learn a little something new every day ??? As is typical of Nora, her lead characters of Sophia and Tyler spend the better part of the first half of the book sniping at one another, all the while wondering how long they can avoid their mutual attraction. Pilar and David also provide a beautiful and touching love story, and only add to the mental picture being created in your mind of the grand Giambelli family. The bottom line is this. Nora Roberts has another winner here.
Nora Roberts exposes a proud family's deadly secrets in this passionate tale of two rivals who, while toiling in the lush vineyards of the Napa Valley, discover that they have much to learn-from each other, and about themselves...
Love my Nora
very enjoyable book
Nora Roberts is one of my favorite authors so I like all of her books. This is about a two families who have adjoining vineyards. The Grandmother of one and the Grandfather of the other are married. The Grandson and the Granddaughter are being groomed to take over and merge both vineyards. Great book..alot of mystery too.
The back drop of Napa Valley and the business of wine proves that more than grapes grow and die
This is about 2 families and there struggle with the vineyards they own.
This was a very good book. True Nora Roberts style. I really was swept up in this and kept guessing who the murderer was--only to be wrong each time.
Excellent!
Nice combination of mystery and romance!
nora roberts speaks for herself also i have not yet found one of her books that i have NOT liked
I love this author and I loved this book.
The fun is in the suspense, although Roberts, as usual, shines at portraying relationships, from the romantic to the antagonistic.
As always with Nora Roberts...a very good story right to the end. One you can't put down!
Nora Roberts exposes a proud family's deadly secrets in this passionate tale of two rivals who, while toiling in the lush vineyards of the Napa Valley, discover that they have much to learn-from each other, and about themselves...
"Nora Roberts is batting a thousand ! 'The Villa' is 100% Nora. Brilliant, funny, romantic and suspenseful enough to keep you turning pages like crazy. One thing you can always depend on, is Nora Roberts talent for immersing her readers in the 'world' she creates on paper.
'The Villa' is set in the California wine country, and by the time you're savoring the last page, you'll realize that you have not only just finished a great book, but you now have an informed perspective of the practice of growing grapes and producing wine.
As is typical of Nora, her lead characters of Sophia and Tyler spend the better part of the first half of the book sniping at one another, all the while wondering how long they can avoid their mutual attraction." amazon review
'The Villa' is set in the California wine country, and by the time you're savoring the last page, you'll realize that you have not only just finished a great book, but you now have an informed perspective of the practice of growing grapes and producing wine.
As is typical of Nora, her lead characters of Sophia and Tyler spend the better part of the first half of the book sniping at one another, all the while wondering how long they can avoid their mutual attraction." amazon review
I really enjoyed this book, it is a real page turner for sure. Full of family secrets, suspense, revenge, and romance. Reading this book is a wonderful way to spend the upcoming winter weekends.
A long good read.
I really enjoyed this book!
Great book! One of my Favorites
Another one of Nora Robert's wonderful novels. A great read!
Oh I enjoyed this book!! I thought the vineyard lifestyle setting, the scandals,murders its all great great great!! Was a wonderful read!
From the lush vinards of Napa valley to the ageless beauties of Venice Nora Roberts spins a riviting tale of family conflict in the deadly secrets that threaten a proud hetitage.
Nora Roberts is a great storyteller. She tells the story of 2 families merged together to protect their family from the villains who kill and try to destroy the wine industry of the two families together. A love story develops between the vintner and the business manager for the company. Both do their best to deny their feelings until another death brings them back together. Closer than ever. So interesting how the story and affair develops. Good read!!
Loved this book. Nora Roberts is the greatest!
Sophia Giambelli has never worried about competition. For three generations, the Giambelli wines have been renowned for their quality throughout the world. The pride of the Giambelli family and a top PR executive, Sophia loves her job - and excels at it.
But things are about to change at the Villa. A merger brings in Tyler MacMillan, where she must teach him about marketing and he must show Sophia how to coax the sweetest grapes from the vineyard.
A classic Nora Roberts book. Sabotage, family life, love...
But things are about to change at the Villa. A merger brings in Tyler MacMillan, where she must teach him about marketing and he must show Sophia how to coax the sweetest grapes from the vineyard.
A classic Nora Roberts book. Sabotage, family life, love...
One of Nora's best!
Great book! One of my Favorites. Surprise ending...love it.
I read this book in May of 2004 and found it very, very good!
One of my favorite of Nora Roberts' books. This one revolves around the vineyards in California and also takes on travels to Italy. Yummy & delicious!!
Northern California wine country, I found it slow at first, then the more I got into it the more I enjoyed it.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts exposes a proud family's deadly secrets in this passionate tale of two rivals who, while toiling in the lush vineyards of the Napa Valley, discover that they have much to learn -- from each other, and about themselves..
Secrets, passion in the lush vineyards of Napa Valley.
This is a good book. I t was about Sophia Giambelli and Tyler MacMillan
Learn about the growing of grapes as this family faces many problems,even a murder.
Set in northern California Napa Valley, this is a story about two rivals who discover they have alot to learn about each other. An abundance of murder, massage, embezzelment, power shopping and arson- it is sure to please any fan of Nora Roberts.
Another novel rich in emotion and rife with conflict from the prolific Roberts (From the Heart; Carolina Moon etc.), this sweeping saga of Northern California wine-making steeps the reader in a heady mix of sex, scandal and the excesses of the supremely wealthy. Forecast: Villains are easily discerned and susupense is at a minimum in this latest Roberts, but aggressive, savvy female protagonists should prove attractive to readers and enhance word of mouth. Overall, The Villa is vintage Roberts, a grand cru label for the bestseller lists
Set in the fineyards of napaValleey, story of two rivals and then love.
Great book with a little mystery and suprise ending.
Sophia Giambelli, sophisticated head of marketing for the family-run Napa Valley winery, is the heiress to the Giambelli empire. She's often compared to her grandmother Tereza, La Signora, who still runs the business. The Giambelli holdings include the 100-year-old Castello di Giambelli in Venice, Italy; Villa Giambelli, operating in the Napa Valley for 64 years; and nearby MacMillan, a 92-year-old firm added to the family holdings when La Signora married Eli MacMillan.
The wineries have always operated independently, but now La Signora announces that she wishes to merge all three, occasioning a major restructuring of responsibilities. She orders Sophia to replace Tyler MacMillan, Eli's grandson, and become the wine maker for both families' vineyards. The monosyllabic Tyler will spearhead marketing for the new joint venture. Laying the groundwork for heated fireworks, Sophia and Tyler fight not only each other but also a corporate saboteur who's being fed inside information.
Dramatic personal confrontations are exacerbated by La Signora's designation of a new CEO, David Cutter, the only non-Giambelli to hold a position of power. Cutter brings his two teenage children with him to live in the winery guesthouse and immediately falls in love with Sophia's newly divorced mother, Pilar.
The wineries have always operated independently, but now La Signora announces that she wishes to merge all three, occasioning a major restructuring of responsibilities. She orders Sophia to replace Tyler MacMillan, Eli's grandson, and become the wine maker for both families' vineyards. The monosyllabic Tyler will spearhead marketing for the new joint venture. Laying the groundwork for heated fireworks, Sophia and Tyler fight not only each other but also a corporate saboteur who's being fed inside information.
Dramatic personal confrontations are exacerbated by La Signora's designation of a new CEO, David Cutter, the only non-Giambelli to hold a position of power. Cutter brings his two teenage children with him to live in the winery guesthouse and immediately falls in love with Sophia's newly divorced mother, Pilar.
My first NORA!! I'm hooked!!!
Wonderful story about a family and their vineyard
Thrilling story with great characters!
Nora Roberts is not my favorite, this was given to me and I read it out of desperation that I needed something to read...and I surprized myself by actually enjoying it!
Tereza Giambelli is the matriarch of a family renowned for their wines. Her husband, Eli MacMillan, owns the neighboring winery. Tereza and Eli have decided to merge their companies together and want the next generation to take over the reins. Tereza's granddaughter, Sophia Giambelli Avano, and Eli's grandson, Tyler MacMillan, will now work together to learn every aspect of the business, so they can take over in the future. Some family members and employees are upset by the announcement. They believe they should be next in line to head the company. This leads to back-stabbing and murder.
I shouldn't have waited so long to read this romantic suspense book by Nora Roberts. Even though I thought it was a bit bloated with descriptions of the vineyards and the things that go into making wine, I loved watching how the news of the merger impacted the many family members who work for the company. When someone turns up dead, there were many suspects to weed through. On top of that, we had two very interesting romances in this story. My rating: 4 Stars.
I shouldn't have waited so long to read this romantic suspense book by Nora Roberts. Even though I thought it was a bit bloated with descriptions of the vineyards and the things that go into making wine, I loved watching how the news of the merger impacted the many family members who work for the company. When someone turns up dead, there were many suspects to weed through. On top of that, we had two very interesting romances in this story. My rating: 4 Stars.
very good romance - intrigue - thriller
Nora Poberts books have a bit of everything in them: mystery, romance, intrigue....that's why I like her books!
Just wanted to say the cover is gone but book in excellent shape.
The book was very good. Enjoyed the reading a lot.
. . . a proud family's deadly secrets in this passionate tale of two rivals who, while toilling in the lush vineyards of the Napa Valley, discover that they have much to learn -- from each other, and about themselves . . .
I picked this copy up at a yard sale to benefit the local humane society but I haven't read it.
From Publishers Weekly:
Another novel rich in emotion and rife with conflict from the prolific Roberts (From the Heart; Carolina Moon etc.), this sweeping saga of Northern California wine-making steeps the reader in a heady mix of sex, scandal and the excesses of the supremely wealthy. Forecast: Villains are easily discerned and susupense is at a minimum in this latest Roberts, but aggressive, savvy female protagonists should prove attractive to readers and enhance word of mouth. Overall, The Villa is vintage Roberts, a grand cru label for the bestseller lists
From Publishers Weekly:
Another novel rich in emotion and rife with conflict from the prolific Roberts (From the Heart; Carolina Moon etc.), this sweeping saga of Northern California wine-making steeps the reader in a heady mix of sex, scandal and the excesses of the supremely wealthy. Forecast: Villains are easily discerned and susupense is at a minimum in this latest Roberts, but aggressive, savvy female protagonists should prove attractive to readers and enhance word of mouth. Overall, The Villa is vintage Roberts, a grand cru label for the bestseller lists
