The Vineyard

The Vineyard
Karen Aldous

Will Lizzie find love amongst the fields of France?It’s been five years, and Lizzie Lambert has decided it’s time to try to make things right with her estranged mother. She’s made a success of things in Cannes, she’s bringing up a lovely little boy on her own, and she’s ready to put the past behind her.But it seems Lizzie’s mother has moved on as well. She’s moved her toyboy – a muscle-bound vintner named Cal – into the family home, and given him the run of the land that was meant to be Lizzie’s inheritance!Cal’s wine business frequently takes him to France, and suddenly wherever Lizzie goes, he’s already there – meddling, giving unsolicited advice, saving her little boy’s life and stealing her heart. But none of this changes the fact that he’s her mother’s lover…Praise for Karen Aldous'…you must read this wonderful debut from Karen, absolutely great.' - Cometbabesbooks'Not since Peter Mayle has anyone captured the essence of Provence and Karen Aldous does it vividly. Settle back with a glass of wine and experience the Vineyard for yourself.' - Elder Park Book Reviews'A delightful romantic comedy that tales place amidst the beauty of France, with plenty of wine and laughter.' - cayocosta72

It’s been five years, and Lizzie Lambert has decided it’s time to try to make things right with her estranged mother. She’s made a success of things in Cannes, she’s bringing up a lovely little boy on her own, and she’s ready to put the past behind her.

But it seems Lizzie’s mother has moved on as well. She’s moved her toy boy – a muscle-bound vintner named Cal – into the family home, and given him the run of the land that was meant to be Lizzie’s inheritance!

Cal’s wine business frequently takes him to France, and suddenly wherever Lizzie goes, he’s already there – meddling, giving unsolicited advice, saving her little boy’s life and stealing her heart. But none of this changes the fact that he’s her mother’s lover…

The Vineyard

Karen Aldous

Copyright (#ulink_656905bb-38d1-5563-ad8d-048bf4b67224)

HQ

An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd.

1 London Bridge Street

London SE1 9GF

First published in Great Britain by HQ in 2014

Copyright © Karen Aldous 2014

Karen Aldous asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.

E-book Edition © May 2014 ISBN: 9781472096265

Version date: 2018-09-19

KAREN ALDOUS

Inspired by novelists such as Jilly Cooper and Barbara Taylor-Bradford, many moons ago, Karen never lost her passion for writing. It always got put on the back burner though with stories and articles fuelling the Aga rather than popped in the mail box. Gaining life experience and confidence has been crucial though so, she feels raising her three children along with being in the property and travel industries have not only brought material for her writing but have allowed her to indulge in her favourite pastimes.

Karen currently lives on the edge of the North Downs in Kent and owns a website design business so is able to use her skills and creativity but she craves nothing other than earning a living from writing romance. Her dream! Her friends call it Karen’s world and, why not? Her teachers always said she had an overactive imagination so it makes sense to put it to good use!

She still gets a kick from travelling and seeking that property bargain but her husband and family, particularly, her three grandchildren continue to steal her affections – along with ‘Bertie’ her golden lab. There’s barely enough time to go round, she admits, but their love and support never wavers and without them and, that from fellow writers at ‘The Write Place’ and the RNA, her aspirations may never have flourished!

To the MacMillan Cancer Support and all those involved in helping support and fight the disease. And to my Editor Lucy Gilmour and her team at HQ Digital, including Carly Byrne, who all believed in my writing.

To Glyn, Byron, Greg and Gemma... for believing and putting up with me over the years and, to my Mum (Connie) and, Colin…still in all our hearts

Contents

Cover (#u504b3fa6-5a12-5b73-81b2-083d712588a9)

Blurb (#u65bb6f05-5b99-504c-af21-872ae71a7264)

Title Page (#u9e9cfc42-7ef1-5705-8c8c-009aa2b7684e)

Copyright (#uc5e16d74-a97e-5c62-945d-87bd700ad88e)

Author Bio (#uc9b15b76-75eb-5e04-903c-768a88fccc6e)

Acknowledgements (#u43f91c6c-820b-55d5-9d05-ad7add39efd9)

Dedication (#u77cdc3fe-d87a-5341-888f-278f0419d7f2)

Chapter 1 (#u3e008843-4adc-5e5b-871d-a8d85a72c1d3)

Chapter 2 (#u56b7a4ce-cf22-53fc-9f5a-b0348b72ea6c)

Chapter 3 (#ua51c895d-79eb-54df-a4c4-8289993d0537)

Chapter 4 (#uc20ca77e-56fe-5231-bf47-d640878903c1)

Chapter 5 (#u5a82418a-8996-54fe-a0a5-90d48fadfc1a)

Chapter 6 (#u3df1ad48-2913-55e9-ada8-5c05d6554187)

Chapter 7 (#u0ec63437-1d57-51f4-ad7d-ca6826f3a815)

Chapter 8 (#uad45078f-efe6-5ab6-8536-d0d877bf27ad)

Chapter 9 (#u41bdea3e-1430-5632-ad1b-8b32ecf4b663)

Chapter 10 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 11 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 12 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 13 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 14 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 15 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 16 (#litres_trial_promo)