Month: June 2012

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Alex Martin has written an intriguing story with intelligence and wit. The very modern heroine Roxanne heads off to find herself among the vineyards of France and, whilst doing so becomes involved in sexual politics, family intrigue, rivalry and greed. This is a very satisfying read which keeps you guessing to the end. A great book for a holiday read, or a fireside indulgence full of evocative reminders of France.
Another 5 * review. This one is by Jenny Wren.  This makes 7 x 5* reviews in just 3 weeks.  Time you got your copy!  Paperback out soon..

The Twisted Vine eBook: Alex Martin: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

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The Twisted Vine eBook: Alex Martin: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store:
 Mouthwatering! 27 Jun 2012

By J. Wilkin  HAS GIVEN IT FIVE STARS *****

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I feel like I\’ve been on holiday!
What a juicy twist of a gastronomic tale. A Twisted Vine reminded me of that wonderful novel A Year in Provence; but then add in a thoroughly modern heroine in Roxanne, a few foreign escapades and a rotten Frenchman, and voila!
Alex Martin writes incredibly well, and her descriptions of rural France are divine. They infiltrate through the story like little pockets of colour, painting the scene so perfectly, as did the food and wine. It appealed to all my senses.
Our female character has plenty of guts, setting off as she does to go grape picking around France, and the author knows her subject well, which makes for insightful reading with the kind of detail that sets the book apart from the usual run of the mill romance. Not only does the plot and the setting carry the romantic gene but it holds up as a light crime/drama at the same time, and there are some well drawn, believable characters.
If you like France and grown up romance with all the food and wine you can consume then get stuck in to The Twisted Vive. A truly wonderful slice of rather classy escapism. I really enjoyed every morsel.

Amazon.co.uk: Prospero\'s review of The Twisted Vine

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Amazon.co.uk: Prospero\’s review of The Twisted Vine

There\’s some great descriptive writing in this tale which had me gripped from the first words of the prologue. With plenty of unexpected twists and turns the momentum builds steadily as the story progresses. Always there are the sights and smells of France and lots of colourful and contradictory French characters! A really enjoyable read!

The Twisted Vine

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The Twisted Vine by Alex Martin

is now out on Kindle Direct Publishing.

This story was created from notes I made when travelling in France in the early 1980s.
I, like Roxanne Rudge, was escaping from a bruising relationship and seeking some adventure and distance.  I too picked grapes – the descriptions of the sore knees and hands were based on direct experience!  I wouldn\’t have missed it for the world.

I was not so unlucky as Roxanne.  The anecdote with Armand in the car is based on someone else\’s story.  Once Armand had  sprung to life on my keyboard however, he would not go away, and insisted on becoming central to the plot.  From his thwarted childhood was born the rest of the characters.  Jeanne, in my eyes, is the villain of the piece.  Her ruthless ambition and lack of motherly love are the catalysts that shape Armand\’s blighted future.  Louis, too, would not have become such an uncaring husband and father, had Jeanne indulged him with some affection.

I did meet a wonderful girl who was disabled in the same way as Yvane.  She was just as beautiful as Yvane but much, much nicer.  I hope she reads this book and recognises her description. I would love to meet her again.

I love France.  It is a beautiful, spacious and very varied country.  In this frenetic modern world, its deepest recesses remain unchanged.  Whether for better or worse, I wouldn\’t like to say, but for me, it is a refuge.

I hope you will, or have, enjoyed Roxanne\’s journey through its stunning countryside and that you travel, like her, with hope always in your heart.