Shelley Sommers’s visit to Temecula, California, inspired the Louisa’s Vineyard Series. She toured vineyards for several days, even learning about the fermenting process, seeing the grapes, and enjoying a few wine tastings. 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.
Four books are published, as both ebooks and paperbacks. They are all steamy, explicit love stories with “open doors.” There is NO BDSM or torture. The books include a deadly car accident, sexual harassment, and an angry spouse leading to an ugly divorce (but no violence). (Not in each book.) I offer these details so that readers can be alerted or avoid triggers.
Louisa’s Passion-Book 1 has a special secret. Louisa’s passion, at first, is her joy in growing things. SPOILER ALERT! Will is rude to Louisa when he first meets her. Passion for Will is an acquired taste, but he grows on her as he proves himself to her.
Book 2, Will’s Secret, allows readers to experience Will and Louisa planning life together, a wedding, and their honeymoon.
Book 3, A Vision of Home, continues with Louisa and Will’s honeymoon. They decide to find a home in Davis where Louisa plans to attend college. House hunting turns out to be a challenge, but knowing the right people helps things come together. Louisa’s “visions” come to light.
Prequel, Love at First Sight, introduces readers to Louisa’s parents when they first met, over twenty years before the other books. On the first day of college, John meets Shannon and they immediately fall deeply in love. Navigating the barriers to being together is hilarious and challenging. More fun, but no spoilers to share. Read the book!