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Book Review: Sonoma Rose by Jennifer Chiaverini & Giveaway

February 13, 2012 by Darlene

Sonoma Rose by Jennifer Chiaverini is a story that takes place in the Prohibition-era which was back in the 1920-1930’s when times were tough. Rosa starts out as a young girl in love but people change and life changes and her life takes a path decidedly different from what she had wanted as that young girl who believed in love and happily ever after. Sonoma Rose is a story of survival, hope, but most of all love.

Rosa and Lars are in love but as time goes on Rosa sees that Lars has a serious problem with alchohol and after being disappointed and let down by him several times she begins to date John who her parents approve of. When she finds out she is pregnant and Lars is nothing but a drunk she agrees to marry John without ever telling him the truth. Secrets have a way of coming out and eventually John realizes when the baby is born early but clearly full term that it isn’t his child. However he still remains with Rosa and takes care of her child because that is what the church says he has to do.

Over the years Rosa has eight children but only four are living. Her children keep passing away from a wasting disease except for two of them and both of those children happen to belong to Lars. When John who has been extremely volatile for a good many years of their marriage learns of yet another betrayal on Rosa’s part he goes crazy and beats her even more serverely than usual. If not for her friend Elizabeth being there he likely would have killed her. Rosa takes off with her children to the mesa where she knows John won’t venture and she stays in a cave with them until Lars shows up to rescue them and take them away from John forever. She knows to keep her children safe she can never go back to him.

Rosa’s first stop is to try and find help for her two sick children and she finds a leading specialist willing to help her. With his help both Lars and Rosa find work and a home on a vineyard. Lars being a farmer blends right in as does Rosa. With the ban on producing any alcohol though life is tough on people making their living off making wine unless of course they are bootleggers and when those bootleggers are being watched then things get really bad. As time goes on Lars and Rosa, with the children, build a new life but is the past ever far behind? Can Rosa ever really escape John?

This is the first of Jennifer’s books that I have read but it won’t be the last. I really liked Sonoma Rose and although some parts dragged a bit for me, for the most part I just really enjoyed the story being told and all the historical detail really enriched this novel for me as well. I felt emotionally invested in the lives of Lars, Rosa, and the kids and I was anxious and hopeful that their lives would turn out for the best and that they would all thrive together. I would recommend this book for those who like stories that take place in the 1930’s and especially people who love stories about vineyards as there is a lot of talk about them. Sonoma Rose is one of those comfy stories that will leave you feeling satisfied and happy.

I read Sonoma Rose by Jennifer Chiaverini for her book tour with TLC Book Tours. As mine is the first stop on the tour be sure to pop in to all the other tour stops coming up to see what they all thought of the book as well. You can find Jennifer on her website, Facebook, and Twitter. You can pre-order your own copy of Sonoma Rose here in the US and here in Canada.

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have one copy of Sonoma Rose by Jennifer Chiaverini to share with my readers.  To enter…

  • For 1 entry simply leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog.  If you already do, thank you, and please let me know so I can pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, March 3/12.  Good luck to all!

Source:  Review copy provided by TLC Book Tours and Dutton Adult via NetGalley.  No compensation was received for this review and all opinions are solely my own.

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Filed Under: 2012 - 100+ Books, 2012 ARC's, 2012 Book Reviews, 2012 eBooks, TLC Tours

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. wall-to-wall books-wendy says

    February 13, 2012 at 4:28 am

    So this is not part of a series?
    Gorgeous cover!

    Forvereading at gmail dot com
    I am a follower
    posted on my sidebar

  2. Lisa Garrett says

    February 13, 2012 at 4:48 am

    This book has several elements that I like. I have never read any of Jennifer’s books. I would love to read this one.

  3. Lisa Garrett says

    February 13, 2012 at 4:48 am

    I follow via GFC and email.

  4. Lisa Garrett says

    February 13, 2012 at 4:49 am

    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/lag32583/status/169024728902811648

  5. bermudaonion (Kathy) says

    February 13, 2012 at 7:12 am

    I don’t read a lot of historical fiction, but I do enjoy reading about that time period.

  6. Ellie says

    February 13, 2012 at 7:20 am

    This book sounds fascinating. Many thanks.

  7. Ellie says

    February 13, 2012 at 7:20 am

    I am an e-mail subscriber.

  8. mamabunny13 says

    February 13, 2012 at 10:29 am

    I think I will enjoy reading this book a lot because my gradfather was a “moonshiner” back in those days! lol
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  9. mamabunny13 says

    February 13, 2012 at 10:30 am

    I follow you via gfc – mamabunny13
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  10. mamabunny13 says

    February 13, 2012 at 10:30 am

    tweet https://twitter.com/#!/mamabunny13/status/169110197099442177
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  11. Marjorie says

    February 13, 2012 at 10:31 am

    Sounds like a great storyline and I would like to read this book.

  12. Marjorie says

    February 13, 2012 at 10:32 am

    I follow by google reader as Marjorie/cenya2

  13. Serena says

    February 13, 2012 at 10:33 am

    Looks like another good book about the 20s. I just finished Great Gatsby…so this is kind of up my alley at the moment. Thanks for the giveaway. I follow

  14. rhonda says

    February 13, 2012 at 10:38 am

    book sounds wonderful.

  15. rhonda says

    February 13, 2012 at 10:39 am

    i am a email subscriber lomazowr@gmail.com

  16. rhonda says

    February 13, 2012 at 10:40 am

    i will tweet at rhonda reads.

  17. Muzette says

    February 13, 2012 at 10:42 am

    Big fan of this author! I follow your blog.

  18. scottsgal says

    February 13, 2012 at 11:03 am

    What a pretty cover!
    Sounds like a book I’d enjoy
    msboatgal at aol.com

  19. scottsgal says

    February 13, 2012 at 11:03 am

    already a follower on gfc
    msboatgal at aol.com

  20. Karen B says

    February 13, 2012 at 11:18 am

    Oh, the stories my mother told me of college goings-on during prohibition – and my grandmother was a president of WCTU! Beautiful cover.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

  21. Karen B says

    February 13, 2012 at 11:19 am

    GFC follower, email subscriber.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

  22. Sherri says

    February 13, 2012 at 12:27 pm

    Darlene,

    That books sounds great! I love that time period!

  23. Sherri says

    February 13, 2012 at 12:27 pm

    I am a follower!

  24. Kitty says

    February 13, 2012 at 12:54 pm

    Sounds good. Great time period too.

  25. zibilee says

    February 13, 2012 at 1:16 pm

    Oh, this one sounds excellent and like something that I would really enjoy. Please do include me in your giveaway, and thanks so much for the great review that helped me make up my mind!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

  26. Margaret says

    February 13, 2012 at 4:38 pm

    Oh I would love to read this!

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

  27. Margaret says

    February 13, 2012 at 4:39 pm

    I’m a follower

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

  28. Margaret says

    February 13, 2012 at 4:39 pm

    Tweeted

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

  29. Susanna P says

    February 13, 2012 at 6:18 pm

    Thanks for the review and giveaway! I saw this book a couple weeks ago and thought it looked really interesting.

    old GFC follower – SusieBookworm

    susanna DOT pyatt AT student DOT rcsnc DOT org

  30. Jenners says

    February 13, 2012 at 6:18 pm

    No need to enter me but I had to say that I haven’t read many books set during that time period.

  31. kimba88 says

    February 13, 2012 at 7:46 pm

    this looks interesting. I am an old follower on gfc and new network blogs kimba88. I goggle+ this.

  32. Staci@LifeintheThumb says

    February 13, 2012 at 7:52 pm

    I really enjoy this author and of course, I love historical fiction. Sounds like one I could see myself reading!

  33. Sandra K321 says

    February 14, 2012 at 11:31 am

    Please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks.

  34. Sandra K321 says

    February 14, 2012 at 11:31 am

    I follow your blog with GFC as Sandra K321.

  35. Linda Kish says

    February 14, 2012 at 5:42 pm

    I would love to read this book.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  36. Linda Kish says

    February 14, 2012 at 5:42 pm

    I am a GFC follower

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  37. bookworm says

    February 15, 2012 at 9:39 am

    This sounds really good, I like the setting and time it takes place in.

  38. Anita Yancey says

    February 16, 2012 at 5:13 pm

    I have always found this period in history very interesting. I would really enjoy reading this book. Please enter me. Thanks!

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  39. Anita Yancey says

    February 16, 2012 at 5:14 pm

    Follow on GFC as Anita Yancey.

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  40. Anita Yancey says

    February 16, 2012 at 5:17 pm

    Tweeted this giveaway.
    Twitter Name:@Anita Yancey

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  41. Susan Cates says

    February 17, 2012 at 10:39 am

    I would love to read this book. Please enter me.

  42. karenk says

    February 18, 2012 at 11:37 am

    thanks for the chance to read htis novel 🙂

  43. karenk says

    February 18, 2012 at 11:38 am

    i’m a follower & an email subscriber, too 🙂

  44. bn100 says

    February 18, 2012 at 3:57 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway. The book sounds interesting.

  45. bn100 says

    February 18, 2012 at 3:58 pm

    I follow your blog.

  46. Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours says

    February 19, 2012 at 2:10 pm

    It’s amazing and heartbreaking when I’m reminded of how many children didn’t make it to adulthood in years past. I can’t imagine being a parent back then!

    I’m glad you enjoyed this one – the story sounds intriguing for sure. Thanks for being on the tour.

  47. Maureen says

    February 21, 2012 at 2:44 pm

    It looks like a very interesting story.

  48. Maureen says

    February 21, 2012 at 2:44 pm

    I follow on GFC

  49. carla says

    February 22, 2012 at 9:22 pm

    I have heard this author on Wisconsin Public radio and always enjoy her interviews.
    I would love to be entered in this giveaway.
    I follow you on email.
    Thanks Darlene!

  50. Bonnie says

    February 25, 2012 at 12:11 pm

    I love the Elm Creek quilts series! I need to catch up and am behind several books in the series. They are the kind of books that are so hard to put down. I am glad that you enjoyed this one and had not read any of the other books in the series.

    I would love a chance to win a copy!

    I am a longtime follower!

    redladysreadingroomATgmailDOTcom

  51. Kathleen says

    March 3, 2012 at 10:06 am

    I’ve been waiting for Sonoma Rose to come out for like forever. I love Jennifer Chiaverini’s books and would love to win a copy of this lovely book. Thanks for a great giveaway! 🙂

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