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  • Writer's pictureVeronica Cline Barton

Veronica's #WritersDiary, The #Grape Escape!


"Wine and friends are a great blend." Ernest Hemingway


Once again we ventured away from the confines of the family room and traveled to central California to the charming town of Paso Robles. Located in central California, Paso has become a hub for wine lovers and has multiple vineyards in the area---a perfect place for a wine tasting afternoon!


For this trip, we stayed at the fabulous Allegretto Vineyard Resort just off Hwy 46 (yes, the infamous highway where James Dean met with an unexpected end...). We loved the Tuscan villa feel of the hotel rooms and stunning grounds. Fountains, statues, tilework, plantings--everywhere you looked there was something new to see. There were so many areas to curl up in--this is my new, go-to hotel for the area.



I was particularly impressed with the garden areas. They were meticulously well cared for and just invited you in for a stroll during the day or nighttime. The temps are perfect this time of year--mid seventies during the day and cool nights (40ish degrees). The nice thing is that for those chilly nights, there are loads of firepits to sit around and warm up with.



The fountain above was mesmerizing to look at. I was so inspired by the settings at this resort I now have loads of new ideas for book 7 of the mystery series. I know just what projects Gemma and Kyle will be up to at the Cherrywood Hall vineyard--I'm so looking forward to writing it, LOL!



This trip to the central California wine country was a perfect escape. Once again, the resort, restaurants and winery practiced social distancing, mask and safe handling measures that put your mind at ease. In this new, travel world things have changed, but with a little pre-planning you can have a wonderful and relaxing getaway experience. Paso Robles is a happening place, highly recommended if you're in this part of the state!


#Cheers, it's Wednesday, time for #DearDiary:


More great #BookReviews for Twins in the City!

I'm so grateful to #readers again this week for more fabulous reviews! They warm this #writer's heart and I truly appreciate those who took the time to read and post a review. This week's highlighted review is from the fabulous Sandy Bazinet!


If you want to spend time with English royalty and know that’s not a possibility, I found a wonderful option. Spend time with one of Veronica Cline Barton’s books. The latest in the series, “Twins in the City: Playtime at Castlewood Manor,” provides an extra bonus, Bermuda! Enjoy a bit of holiday fun before traveling to London. But don’t think you’ll simply be finding out about what it’s like to attend posh parties and to swim in clear, blue waters. There’s a suspicious death that takes place on this island paradise. Its circumstances need to be pondered and dealt with, and Lady Gemma is on the case.


However, Lady Gemma has more than mysteries to solve. She and her husband, Sir Kyle, are the proud parents of twin girls. Perhaps that’s what makes these stories so cozy. Family life is a very important part of the series, and we get to follow along with the lives of a number of key family members. Romance is also a lovely element that makes this a great read.


But let me get back to what it’s like to be at the top of the social ladder. Veronica Cline Barton brings it all to life with exquisite descriptions. You get to tour magnificent homes, savor amazing, world-class food prepared by the very best of chefs, and peek into the lives of Veronica Cline Barton’s royals. As for the intriguing mystery, it’s there all along, with lots of unexpected twists, carefully woven into this delicious story. I thoroughly enjoyed this latest in the series, but don’t worry if you haven’t read the other books. “Twins in the City” could be read as a stand-alone story.


That's a right royal review any day in my book, #ThankYou! 💖👑



Let the Tangled Webs story spinning begin!

So excited this week to jump into my short stories for Tangled Webs! I've set my goal to have these completed by the end of May--so the pressure is real. Bibiana and I are super excited for this collection--and the spirits seem to be too! Our #LaborDay release will be here before we know it and that means one thing---#Halloween is coming.... #Boo!




A whodunnit from the beyond this week from the writers of Twitter...


Author Ross Young, Dead Heads (Gloomwood Book 1), 5


For the recently, deceased detective, Augustan Blunt, there's no rest for the weary, even if you're dead. He awakens on the other side to find he has a new role in the afterlife town of Gloomwood. Someone is chopping off heads, including the Grim Reaper's. Blunt is on the case, assisted by a shape shifting CSI scientist and a rather ineffective, third assistant to the manager of the Office of the Dead.


As Blunt adjusts to his state in the afterlife, he meets the other residents which include non-human types as well--deities and reapers to name a few. In this quirky town you never know what you might see as he navigates the new haunts in his search for clues. He soon finds that the quest for power and hidden motives are alive and well in this land of the deceased--will he be able to crack through the mire of secrets to solve the case?


Author Young delivers a zany twist to the classic whodunnit that I found tremendously entertaining and original. The characters and their afterlife existence will have you gasping one minute and chuckling the next as they narrow their search for clues. This is a clever, fun read, highly recommended!

Next up in the #reading queue:



Join us later today on the #BOOKEM YouTube channel!

Bibiana Krall takes off to an island in South Carolina with a jaunty straw hat, a hammock and no shoes. Yay! Unplug your devices, escape in a great book, have a picnic, stop worrying about what everyone else is doing and feed your spirit. Nature is incredible and without green spaces I can honestly tell you I wouldn't have fared as well through the distancing aspect of the past year. Books, my family and friends all rumble hard for second place, but where it's at––even if you're alone is the woods, the beach or even a little patch of grass in your window. Sounds like an awesome show, see you soon!



Welcome to my world. Enjoy the rest of your #week and #weekend friends!


Crowns and Kisses,

Veronica


P.S. The Allegretto Vineyard Resort in Paso Robles, highly recommended! Gemma and Rikkhe approve 💖👑



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