Shelley Sommers is the author of the Louisa’s Vineyard Series, steamy contemporary romances, as well as non-fiction books. An award-winning screenwriter and journalist, she has also served as a ghostwriter, copywriter, content writer, writing educator, consultant, book coach, and film festival founder and director.
Louisa’s Vineyard Series was inspired by Shelley’s visit to Temecula, California, where she toured vineyards for several days, even walking out in the vineyard to see the grapes. The people at Wilson Creek Winery were especially helpful. They spent time with her in the middle of their busy harvest season!
The second day of her trip, she woke up and had a full cast of characters and most of the plot in her head for her first book! As she slept, her brain was very busy creating the series from her experiences. None of the people she writes about are real people, although it feels like she would recognize Louisa and Will if she saw them.
Shelley enjoys cooking and baking, so the recipes included at the back of each book are ones she loves. When she’s not writing her books, cooking, or baking, she enjoys traveling with her husband, hiking, reading–of course!, and inventing ideas for new books. Theater, movies, and Impressionist art are favorites. On her first trip to Paris in 2024, she spent time at Monet’s home and didn’t want to leave. His kitchen, except for the lack of modern appliances, was inspiring!