Where the Wild Ideas Are and How I turn them into Romance Novels.

Four years ago, while hiking behind Bartholomew Park Winery, (Bartpark to locals), in Sonoma Valley, a what if moment occurred. 

I was on a dusty incline where the trail bumps up against the Buena Vista Winery property, peering through blackberry bushes.

From that unusual vantage point, I had an amazing view of Bartholomew Winery and could imagine how the rolling acres of vineyards might have looked  in 1857, when Agoston Haraszthy purchased the property and dubbed it “Buena Vista.”

After the hike, I didn't go straight to my car and detoured to the villa, the replica of the beautiful home Count Haraszthy built for his family. I walked around the property and then sat on its front steps and looked out over the vineyards.

And then I wondered what if:

The property wasn't a winery and was still a home?
What if a relative of the original owner lived there?
What if the relative fell on hard times and needed to rent rooms to keep the villa running?
What if three single friends, lived in those rooms?
What if each of those women found their happily-ever-after in Sonoma Valley?
What if there was another family (of sexy, sweet, and smart brothers) in Napa Valley. What if they owned a winery?

... And that is how the story of Sarah Dupont, Danica Vargas, Juliet St. John and their landlord, Lulu Castelli came to be.  Count Harasthy's villa is called Bella Villa in my story. And the sexy men of Napa Valley Winery fame are called the Santino brothers. :-)   

Here's a snapshot of Just a Kiss, book #1 in my Wine Country Romance Series and the first book I've ever written. 

Just a Kiss

Three roommates
One wine country villa
Six Santino brothers

Reeling from the loss of her mother, Sarah Dupont catches her fiancé doing the nasty on top of her pastry table at their San Francisco Bakery. Devastated, she calls her best friend, reporter, Danica Vargas. Danica convinces Sarah to start fresh and move in with her at Bella Villa mansion in rural Sonoma Valley.

With two roommates who act like the sisters she never had and a feisty landlord to stand in as the grandmother she always wanted, Sarah’s opens a café on the Sonoma Plaza. 

Her life changes the moment the little bell on the door rings and the notoriously sexy actor Jamie Santino, swaggers in.
Jamie, one of the six wealthy Santino Brothers, of Napa Valley Winery fame, needs baking lessons for his new movie and Sarah is just the woman to teach him. Wine flows and their love seems undeniable until a femme fatale from Jamie's past enters the scene.

Can Sarah believe Jamie isn't acting, when everything he says sounds too good to be true?

Each book in the series is a standalone read. There are no cliffhangers.

Thank you so much for reading.
To learn more about me, visit my website:
www.katekisset.com

Until next time,

xo Kate





 

Autumn in the Vineyard greetings

Autumn is one of my favorite seasons in wine country and I couldn't resist sharing this scoop with you!

Marina Adair is another author who writes romance set in wine country. She's a doll, one of my favorite authors, and a friend who's been very supportive of my writing career.

Marina sold her book, Autumn in the Vineyard to the Hallmark Channel and the movie airs tomorrow night, Saturday October 7!

The story is set in St. Helena just a few miles from where I'm writing this blog. I think you'll a kick out of watching it.

Here's the youtube preview: [Autumn in the Vineyard ]

I loved her book and can't wait to see how they make it into a movie!

Here are a few of my Autumn in the vineyards photos:
 

Peek-a-boo

Look at the colors!

The sky is cobalt blue this time of year!

I love reading romance set in wine country so much, I wrote my own story. It's called Just a Kiss. It's set in Sonoma and Napa and many scenes take place in the fall. Read the blurb on Amazon here. 

Let me know what you're reading or watching. I love hearing from readers. Happy fall y'all!

Until next time, Kate

Here's where to find me: 

www.katekisset.com

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Author's Dear John Letter to a Boring Character

 

THE NAMES HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO PROTECT INNOCENT CHARACTERS I HAVEN'T CREATED YET.

Dear John,

    I really didn't think it would come to this. Quite frankly I'm surprised. Over countless hours together, and thousands of words, I've given you more than enough time to resolve your issues and yet, you continue to disappoint me. 

You've had a tough time recently. I realize you are still grieving over the loss of your parents.  I agree, the horrific head-on collision they were in on Route 29 in Napa, wasn't fair, and I know you are traumatized because I wrote you to be that way.  But, here's the deal John, you're boring. YOU, my friend, are the lead in every scene I want to skip over. 

Now, I know,  you're going to say that this is all my fault and on some level, I agree with you. However, I've worked with many characters before, and none of them have led me to the dead ends you have John. 

Usually, after five thousand new words, and a little more development,  they get back on track, but not you.
 
I'm very well aware of how much you were looking forward to a relationship with Jane. You were planning on that feisty, gorgeous creature to finally heal your heart. It's not going to happen.
John, I'm sorry to say Jane doesn't want you and neither do I. 

I've already packed your suitcase. If you hurry, you can catch the afternoon flight from San Francisco to New York.
Please know, I'll save some of your words. There might still be a happy ending for you yet, with someone else.  

Warm regards,
               Kate 

If you are looking for non-boring characters who find love in 

 California wine country :-) or want to find out more about me,  please visit my website:  www.katekisset.com

 Just a Kiss Book #1 Single Girls Wine Club is available here.