The Winds of Sonoma

The writing style of this book was very appealing. It also had some positive Christian influences and ideas in it. Unfortunately, it also had some very negative ones: 1. The romance seemed to be largely physically based. It was initially all about how he/she made him/her FEEEL. There were some other factors that were more positive, but this raw, emotional, practically teenager-type drive, makes this belong more in a high school romance. It would have been a much more Christian message, in my opinion, if the author didnt keep describing (the way she felt when she was around him) so much. Too many butterflies in the tummy, obscuring some otherwise positive factors. 2. Similar to above, there was way too much of a (human)love conquers all aspect of this. it would be interesting if it worked out this way in real life for the author, but this is the exception, not the rule. A good Christian book should focus more on setting positive and practical examples. In contrast, this book mostly sets bad examples in that area. So I cannot give it more than 3 stars.

Awesome book from beginning to end. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. Hope you enjoy this book!

After reading the authors latest novel, The Next Target (which I loved!) I began reading more of Nikki Aranas books although I am not usually a reader of romance. I began with Winds of Sonoma since the story looked intriguing and was based on the authors own courtship and marriage. The contemporary setting and career choices of an upper class young woman was a great backdrop for the budding relationship between the main character and Antonio, an immigrant who works at her fathers stables. The tug and pull of family expectations, socio-economic class, values and a busy life are all part of the story. I found the language realistic, including most of the Spanish words and backstory of Antonios experiences. I would have liked to see more action with one of the subplots, but thats just because Nikki Arana did such a fantastic job on her thriller, The Next Target, and that is one of my favorite genres. I recently download the sequel, In the Shade of the Jacaranda, because I enjoyed this novel so much.

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 familys ranch, its 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 fathers ranch)her feelings for him only complicate matters. How can two people from such different worlds ever come together? I loved the novel. Aranas 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 heartwarming and inspiring story is romance at its finest because it shows how two people who seem an unlikely match are destined by God to be life partners and will struggle against all obstacles to be together. I noted that other reviewers have suggested this story is unlikely. However, it clearly states in the Authors Note at the end of the novel that this IS a true story, based on her own love for her husband Antonio Perez and her faith that God has a plan and purpose for every life.

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!

I download a lot of books to my Kindle Fire, but since I work full time I dont get to read as much as I would like to. Therefore I have not read this book as of yet, but am looking forward to doing so. I would not have purchased this book without reading the description of the book, so feel this will be a good one when I get around to reading it.

This is one of the best books Ive ever read. It is truly an eye opening story that left me constantly wondering what was going to happen next. It is a great book for people who love romantic, true stories. It has opened my eyes to needs that exist in our community and has stirred in my heart a desire to reach out to those in need. I cannot wait for the next book in this series to be published.

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 firms 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 familys 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 cant wait to read the next book in the Regalo Grande series coming Spring 2006 In the Shade of Jacaranda!!!

Ill be honest; Ive 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 Id check it out. And I have to say, I wasnt 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 parents ranch. Its 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.