The Tender Vine

Through all the turmoils in this journey, the answer is clear. FORGIVENESS is the key that opens our hearts ♥️

Quillan has agreed to take Carina back to her beloved Sonoma and family. Their journey is nothing compared to what awaits them when they finally do arrive.... Here is your typical Italian family who demands that protocol be followed, a very handsome (and faithless) ex-lover for whom we have been waiting 3 whole books to find out about, and then there is Papa. All of them will surprise and alternately anger and please the reader. This last book of the series is probably my favorite. The real, deep and eternal love between Carina and Quillan shows so clearly I just wanted to SHAKE the whole family for their negativity, but, in the process I learned to respect and love Quillan and Carina all the more. Total love is being willing to let go if necessary, however painful. Filled with lots of action and suspense, obviously, the author could not allow this to be a "happily ever after" without a firey trial of pain, raw emotions and near death for some of the main characters.....without revealing anything, I will just say, buy all three books at one time and you will never have to wait for the sequel.. A very excellent historical, Christian fiction love story and one that older teens should definitely read. Thank you Kristen!

Whoah! I haven't read very many books where you felt like you knew the characters...in this one, I wanted to cry for Carina and Quillan! Anyway, this book takes place during the time that Carina and Quillan have finally admitted their love for eachother(heart flutter!). When they decide to visit Carina's family in Sonoma, California, the DiGratia family is in for a surprise that will turn them all against the couple. With her first love, Flavio, trying to get rid of Quillan and forcefully get Carina back, the husband and wife go through a lot of hard times. Questions flash through your mind - does anyone ever come to their senses? Can't they just accept Quillan? Will he and Carina ever be together again? My heart ached, and rejoiced while I read this book. Though, I must say, the author did a splendid job at making one get extremely involved with the lives of the characters. For example, I just wanted to hate Flavio with ever fiber of my being, yet Carina and Quillan showed me how to forgive him. I loved how the characters influenced how I felt about what was going on in this book. Anyway, before I tell you to much, READ!

I had just finished the 2nd book and search for it the only copy i could find was 35 miles away. I rush out and got it read it and love it i can't wait for what is next. I just found these book i bought the 1st nd 2nd and read the 3rd and i ran out please write 100 more. It would make a great Movie

This book is full of passion that's expressed in poetry and Carina's and Quillan's love for each other. Carina DiGratia Shepard wants to leave Crystal, Colorado to have a fresh start in Sonoma, California where she grew up. Quillan is eager to prove his devotion and love for Carina and so they set off to begin a new life in California. Their journey was exciting and adventurous. When they finally arrived at the DiGratia estate things were not the same as when Carina left them. Surprise and anger over Carina's marriage has taken hold of the DiGratias and Quillan faces yet more rejection in his life. What would it take for him to accepted into Carina's Italian family who still want her to marry her first love, Flavio? DIAMOND OF THE ROCKIES is a great series and deserves an award. Great story and a great ending. This trilogy was great. I heartily recommend this for anyone who likes romance and adventures in 1880s situated in the lovely Colorado Rockies and California's extravagant vineyards. I can't wait to see what Kristen Heitzmann has for us in store!

This is by far her best book. I couldn't put it down. There was a constant worry for what was to come next. I hope another book will be coming to follow this one because I'm anxious to see through the rest of the story.