Customer Reviews

The Winds of Sonoma (Regalo Grande Series #1)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'll be honest; I've never read a romance novel in my entire life. But I heard some good things about a new novel,The Winds of Sonoma, by author Nikki Arana, and thought I'd check it out. And I have to say, I wasn't disappointed in the least. The detailed characterizations and the smooth writing style were quite impressive for a first novel. Angelica Amante, a privileged young lawyer on the rise, finds her match in Antonio Perez, a dirt-poor Mexican immigrant working at her parent's ranch. It's a class-act story about class differences, and how true love can overcome any barrier - even prejudice. A spark of romance runs through a satisfying and very substantial story. Nikki Arana makes the unconventional possible, and the impossible, attainable. I truly look forward to reading the next novel by this talented new author.

I truly couldn't put the book down. Nikki Arana used her love for God to create a magical love story. I used to read romance novels but I got sick of all the lust, sex and smut. The Winds of Sonoma is a romance novel that reveals the love of God, faith and believing and a true love that exists between man and woman.

Thank you Nikki Arana!

The Winds of Sonoma is an encouraging story of God's faithfulness and love. This is an inspired story by the author, Nikki Arana's life. This book has challenged me to stop judging people based on the clothes they wear or how much worldly goods they have or don't have. I want to allow the Lord to show me the beauty He sees inside people. Winds of Sonoma is the 1st book in the Regalo Grande series and I look forward to reading the other books. ~Shelly of Chadron MOPS

This was an excellecent book. I would recommend this book to anyone. I loved it!

Angelica is a up and coming attorney working for a big firm in New York City. When she is fired and cannot find a new job due to her refusal to compromise her beliefs she heads home to California. While at home she faces the situation of illegal Mexican immigrants in the area. Her family ranch has hired a new immigrant worker, Antonio. Angelica decides to take him under her wing and try to help him out in every way she can. She also wants to try to get a job as a public defender because she wants give help to those who really are in need of it. As Angelica works with Antonio, she discovers that there may be more than just a charitable feeling shared between the two of them. The two have an uphill climb as they try to figure out their relationship.

I liked this book. It was easy to read and one could relate to the timeliness of the story. Illegal immigration is a hot topic in our country. Many politicians are debating constantly about how the nation should treat the situation. There are lots of people who are prejudiced against Mexican immigrants such as the foreman of the ranch or the people in the church who thought they were "helping" but really weren't. Angelica is a compassionate character who wants to help out Antonio. She also makes the difficult choice of choosing a harder life instead of one that would be easily handed to her. I admire people who can do that. I could also relate to Angelica's issue with not wanting to tell her parents what really happened to her in New York. It's hard to have to tell your parents that you've let them down after they think you've done so well. My parents were immigrants so the story is familiar about being alone and uncertain in a new country. They too were grateful for the people who took the time out to help them get settled in their new life. I'm looking forward to picking up the next two books in the series.

I began reading the book The Winds of Sonoma over the Holidays to offer a review. As I began reading the Epic tale of The Winds of Sonoma, I began to fall under its hypnotic spell. Nikki Arana tells a powerful story that is disguised with its easy readability and flowing rivers of words. Words that wash over you carrying with their tide waves of hope inspiration and love. As you follow the struggles of the young woman, Angelica, you are faced with a mirror that confronts you with the reflections and flaws of humanity that we all share. In The Winds of Sonoma, we also find an invitation to remember and become what on the outset of adulthood we envisioned our future to be. To stop and look at where we lost hold of our true selves that got lost in the shuffle of life becoming what we swore in youthful innocents to stand up against. This simple tale in inspiring and compelling in its comparisons of religious participation as opposed to true faith. In reading The Winds of Sonoma you find a cause to stop and examine your faith, your way of life and everything about you as you begin to understand how wonderful your life is and how much better you can make your life and the life of those around you. The tale speaks of love between and man and a woman in a way that takes you back to sweeter times. It lulls you with the way true relationships play out instead of following the overplayed version that is sold to us under the billing of reality. Supported by a stellar group of impeccably developed characters in the background, The Winds of Sonoma adds in simple layers the complex web which once woven by the master hands of Nikki Arana become complex and convicting to anyone who believes in love and God. I have seldom had a book that I have had to defend from other readers, but this book has such a sweet way of pulling you in with just a glance that I have a list of people lined up to read it. This is a book to share with your mother, your sister and your very best friends. I highly recommend The Winds of Sonoma written by Nikki Arana. The Winds of Sonoma has been a source of inspiration to me and a gift that I will be giving to my daughter, my mother, mother in law, my best friend and especially my daughter this Valentines Day. Including a box of Chocolates with this tale of true love on many levels and you will have given a gift that transcends the paper on which it is delivered. Nikki Arana, Bravo!

"The Winds of Sonoma", swept me off my feet and kept me captivated the whole time I was reading it. As most know, I have reviewed alot of books on Amazon; however, this one is truly the gem in the haystack. I would easily put it in my "Top Ten Books that Teresa Have Ever Read." The plot was excellent as well as the rich characters and vivid scenes. The heroine has landed a very successful job with a prominent law firm. All is looking on the upside for her until a case regarding migrant workers is tossed in front of her eyes. Being a strong Christian, she must chose to openly take the case or stand her ground. She stands... then she is fired. Standing at a crossroad, she realizes that the only way to leap is back... to Sonoma- her home, where things beat at a different pace. It is through this different pace that she encounters her hero who, much to her surprise, is an migrant worker on her father's farm. Her faith and honesty has led her back to the farm for a reason- only God knows why. Buy the book and find out why!
Sicily Yoder aka Teresa Phillips
Author of, "Leaving Lancaster County", "Amish Cooking with Sicily Yoder" and "The Amish Garden."

Angelica Amante has it all--beauty, a great job, loving parents, and a healthy trust fund. Not to mention the fatherly support of an old family employee; Poppy. So when Angelica leaves her job with a prestigious law firm to return to her family's ranch, it's no wonder things turn upside down. Now questioning her own beliefs about the plight of immigrants and the poor, she must look deep into her heart and trust God more than ever before. When Angelica meets Antonio (a Mexican worker on her father's ranch)her feelings for him only complicate matters. How can two people from such different worlds ever come together?

I loved the novel. Arana's treatment of immigration issues is certainly no dry "evening news" approach to discussing the subject. Antonio and Angelica come alive on the page. I found myself reading quickly, turning pages as fast as I could to find out what happened next. A satisfying romance that WILL make you cry, "The Winds of Sonoma" is a definite winner.

This is a beautifully written love story based on the real life romance of the author. Angelica Amante discovers happiness and peace by being faithful to God. Raised in the Sonoma Mountains of Northern California, Angelica was the only daughter of a successful surgeon. When her parents were away from home, she was cared for by her beloved Poppy. From his care, Angelica grew-up to know God. After graduating valedictorian of her Law School, Angelica easily landed a coveted position in a prestigious New York Law Firm. She was well on her way to being one of the youngest junior partners in the law firm's history, when one of her court cases collides with her moral judgment. Suddenly, her life is turned upside down. She is fired and has no hope of finding another position in New York, so she moves back home to regroup. The choices she makes in her career and later in love are neither easy nor popular. Her employer, friends and parents are all against her decisions, but in her heart she knows she is making the right moral decisions. Through the prayers of Poppy, Angelica finds the path God is leading her to. She finds improbable love from Antonio, the hardworking and handsome illegal immigrant who is working on her family's ranch. This book was captivating from the first few pages; I actually stopped reading another book to finish this one. (Look for the symbolism in the wind blowing to see when God is working on the characters lives.) I can't wait to read the next book in the Regalo Grande series coming Spring 2006 In the Shade of Jacaranda!!!

I really loved reading about the moral choices this powerful young female attorney had to struggle with,and make. The same choices that I'm sure many attorneys face, yet don't have a second thought about,because success/prestige means more to them than morals and the rightness or wrongness of them. The author does an excellent job of showing the thoughts that plague a Christian's mind in such a situation,and how if they are truly striving to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit,they will refuse to compromise their beliefs in the teachings of Jesus.

When Angelica decides that she can no longer remain in a morally bankrupt law firm even though offered a partnership and she returns home to the family ranch we meet the despicable ranch manager 'Chick',and the totally detached,uninvolved, yet demanding/controlling,man and woman whom she calls her father and mother. Such people who provide absolutely nothing besides material 'things' but no emotional needs of a child are not fit to be called parents,and I thoroughly disliked them as well. Her father cares only about his career as a heart surgeon and the ranch, and her mother cares only about class separation and social standing. I saw nothing even likable about either one of them!

Poppy the Greek employee who was in truth father and mother to her,is so very special,as is the wonderful Mexican immigrant Antonio Perez who ends up working at the ranch.

Antonio has such wonderful qualities and such a sweet spiritual nature that like Angelica,we cannot help but admire and fall in love with him,too.

Getting to know Angelica,Poppy and Antonio and reading of their relationships was so beautiful that it was all that made it possible to finish a book that has three other characters,four counting the ex-fiancee Brad,that I thoroughly detested!

The beauty of their story however made it all worthwhile. A really beautiful and amazing story, about three people who have the most amazing sweet spirits and good character,despite incredible adversity in their lives.

I am a little leery of continuing this series,as I usually avoid books/films that are known to be tear-jerkers,and I know there are some sad times ahead,plus I really dread reading any more about those she calls her parents,but as I have the other two books here,I plan to try.

I would recommend this first book for sure,for a really different and incredibly beautiful love story.