SAUVIGNON BLANC TO SIGH FOR by Pamela Gibson: Feb 14

They’re best friends until a wine and food pairing competition 
throws them together in an intimate, tension-filled setting. 

SAUVIGNON BLANC TO SIGH FOR

Love in Wine Country #4

Pamela Gibson

Releasing Feb 13th, 2017

Sarah James has always wanted to be part of a family. Her divorced parents are estranged and she has no siblings. But she does have friends, especially Sam, who’s always underfoot…eating her food, fixing stuff in her house, and seeking advice about his love life.

Aspiring winemaker Sam Reynoso has taken care of Sarah since the sixth grade. She’s smart, comfortable, and indulgent. They’re best friends until a wine and food pairing competition throws them together in an intimate, tension-filled setting.

As feelings neither of them expected start to emerge, each will have to decide if their relationship will evolve, or if their newfound love will be nipped in the bud by a crushing secret.

Pamela Gibson grew up loving books, history, and small towns. Her first career was a newspaper reporter, but when she returned to college to get a master’s degree, it was in public administration which eventually led to jobs running cities…not as an elected official, but as a city manager, the chief appointed one.

Writing was still her passion and in her spare time—between meetings and raising two active kids—she was contracted to write several books on local history. Taking an early retirement at the urging of her very supportive husband, she turned to fiction and began writing the happy ending novels she loves to read.

She now spends half her time on land and the other half cruising coastal or inland waters in her 32-foot boat. She speed-eats chocolates when she’s nervous, squeals when she sees a spider, and loves to relax with a good read with a mellow glass of wine.  

Link to Rafflecopter Page:  http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c81222/? 

Pamela Gibson’s novel Sauvignon Blanc to Sigh For tells the story of wine maker Sam Reynoso and his childhood friend Sarah James and their special bond.

Sam is a handsome, charming flirt who falls in and out of love all the time. Women are drawn to him but he can’t seem to keep a steady girlfriend. At the beginning of the novel, he seeks out his childhood friend Sarah after a particularly bad breakup. Sam invites himself over to Sarah’s for dinner the next night and they talk about her upcoming two- week vacation. Sam loves Sarah’s cooking and mentions that she should open a restaurant; she fires back that he should open a winery.

During dessert, Sam confesses to Sarah that he’s signed both of them up to participate in an invitational couple’s wine and food competition. He has given her four days to select, shop and prepare food pairing for the wines. And to make add insult to injury, Sam suggests that Sarah do something with her hair and clothes because “neither of us looks like someone the other would date.’

Fueled by Sam’s comments, Sarah changes her appearance from the girl next door to the woman of Sam’s dreams! She has cut and colored her hair, wears contacts and buys a few sexy outfits to show Sam up. I loved the laugh out loud back and forth banter between Sarah and Sam throughout the novel.

‘Do you think people will believe we’re a couple now, Mr. Hot Guy?’ Her voice was low and sexy, her soft mouth curved into a secret smile.
‘Geez, Sarah. You didn’t have to change your appearance.”
‘Sure, I did. We’re supposed to be a couple in a committed relationship. I have to look like the girls you date. I have to be warm and affectionate and look at you like you’re my dessert course.”

Loved Sam’s reaction to the ‘new’ Sarah and the romance that sizzles between them as they work together during the contest. After the first day of the competition, Sam realizes that he needs to up his marking and presentation skills for the judges because he receives more positive feedback about Sarah’s appetizers than his wine! Sarah supports him throughout each phase of the contest as the risk of elimination intensifies each day. The conclusion to the novel holds a few surprises and a major set -back for the couple. Their friendship is put to the test. Kudos to Pamela Gibson for a heart- warming story about wine, fabulous food, friendship and forgiveness!

If you enjoy reading authors Sherryl Woods, Samantha Chase and Melanie Shawn, pick up this novel—you will love it!

Review by Susan 

 

Sarah hopped off the couch, fists clenched. “Are you out of your freakin’ mind? I’m not doing this. I’m going to Sea Ranch or Morro Bay or Santa Barbara…somewhere with a beach.”

“But this is a great opportunity, Sarah. The judges are enologists and wine and food raters from the big magazines. Even if we don’t win, we can get our talents in front of people who can make things happen for us.”

“We? I don’t want to be a chef. I’m a planner. A damn good one.”

He swiped his fingers over his hair. “You hate the politics. You know you’re a gourmet cook. This is a great chance for you as well as me.”

She planted her hands on her hips and glared. “No. No. No.”

“Why are you being like this?”

She raised her voice. “We’re not a couple. You said this is for couples. To me that means married or engaged. Now eat your cobbler, and I’ll go in the kitchen and make coffee.”

“How can you say that? We’ve been a couple since we were kids. Our friendship is probably stronger than most marriages.”

“But this implies a committed relationship. It would be dishonest.” She stood her ground, but he had a point. If it didn’t specifically say engaged or married, they’d technically qualify.

He hung his head and looked up at her through those lashes most women would kill for. “Uh, Sarah? I already signed us up.”

“What?” she shrieked. “Sam, I can’t believe you did this. I could just…just…this is exactly what you do, every time. Take over and do what you want, and don’t even bother to think about the person you‘re going to rope into your latest scheme. No.”

“It’s only a week. You can have the second week all to yourself.” He got up and stood in front of her, so close she had to look up at him. “Can’t you pretend that we’re more than friends for a week? I know you love me.”

“Yes…like a brother…a big, overgrown, aggravating, controlling, nuisance of a brother.”

“But you’ll do it.”

“No.” She looked up at him and knew instantly why women fell at his feet. His shoulders were immense, and the light stubble on his face made him look dangerous. But the heat in his eyes could melt rocks in an iceberg.

He put his hands on her shoulders and pulled her toward him. It was a brotherly hug, one they’d shared often. “Think about it. I’ve paid the fee, but I can stand to lose it.”

“How much was it?” She murmured against his chest.

“Two grand.”

Two thousand dollars? She pushed him away and faced the kitchen.