The Vine Qitch: Reviving Old Recipes with a Modern Twist

The Vine Witch is a novel written by Luanne G. Smith. It is a captivating story set in early 20th century France, blending elements of fantasy, romance, and mystery. The story revolves around a vine witch named Elena Boureanu, who finds herself cursed and trapped in the body of a toad for seven years. Elena, once a respected witch in the vineyards of Chateau Renard, wakes up to find herself in a world that has drastically changed. The vineyards she once called home are now run by her ex-fiancee and his new wife, and she is determined to break the curse and regain her former life.

Drug Content
Elena experiments with poisons. Characters (all adults) drink wine.

I thought the other characters Elena s grandmother, her former fiancé , and the Elena s unlikely ally later in the book were all great characters that added a lot to the story. For centuries, the vineyards at Château Renard have depended on the talent of their vine witches, whose spells help create the world-renowned wine of the Chanceaux Valley.

The vineyards she once called home are now run by her ex-fiancee and his new wife, and she is determined to break the curse and regain her former life. As she navigates the vineyards and finds her place in this new world, Elena discovers that the curse she is under is not the result of a random accident. There are dark forces at play, threatening not only her life but also the future of the vineyards themselves.

The Vine Qitch

A while back I saw Kim the Caffeinated Reviewer's review of The Vine Witch by Luanne G. Smith and knew this was a novel that I needed to experience in audible and I'm glad I did.
Enjoy!

A Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestseller.

"Cleverly crafted. The Vine Witch is a grown-up fairy tale with a twisty-turn-y story line of magic, love, and betrayal that holds your attention. Pure escapism." --Forbes
A young witch emerges from a curse to find her world upended in this gripping fantasy set in turn-of-the-century France.

For centuries, the vineyards at Château Renard have depended on the talent of their vine witches, whose spells help create the world-renowned wine of the Chanceaux Valley. Then the skill of divining harvests fell into ruin when sorcière Elena Boureanu was blindsided by a curse. Now, after breaking the spell that confined her to the shallows of a marshland and weakened her magic, Elena is struggling to return to her former life. And the vineyard she was destined to inherit is now in the possession of a handsome stranger.

Vigneron Jean-Paul Martel naively favors science over superstition, and he certainly doesn't endorse the locals' belief in witches. But Elena knows a hex when she sees one, and the vineyard is covered in them. To stay on and help the vines recover, she'll have to hide her true identity, along with her plans for revenge against whoever stole seven winters of her life. And she won't rest until she can defy the evil powers that are still a threat to herself, Jean-Paul, and the ancient vine-witch legacy in the rolling hills of the Chanceaux Valley.

My #Audible review:

The Vine Witch is a heady tale of magic love and betrayals, a mix of magic realism, fantasy and historical paranormal romance and almost like stepping into the pages of an adult version of a Grimm fairy tale. This fast paced read full of twists and turns set around the turn of the twentieth century bounces between Elena and Jean Paul’s POV giving readers a more complete picture as the pages turn and the plot unfolds. It’s ripe with brilliant creative world building melding mortal and magic society featuring vivid backdrops that bring the audience right into the life of a winemaker and enhancing the believability factor even with the woo-woo element. But nothing will prepare readers for the ultimate shock at the end. The characters ranging from innocuous to dangerous are a colorful interesting lot but it’s the two stars Elena and Jean Paul and their relationship development that standout in this novel plus the author prepares her audience for the next installations of the trilogy. Fans of fantasy or paranormal romance, and the novels of Sarah Addison Allen will really enjoy this.

Narration:
The melodic ethereal voice of Susannah Jones is the perfect choice for The Vine Witch and she makes an exceptional Elena. Her other female voices young and old are also spot on and she does a really good job of male voices too. But it's how she imports just the right emotion at just the right time that makes listening to the audio version the way to go.

Elena Boureanu has spent seven long years cursed living life as a frog but now she’s finally broke the spell and she cant wait to get back to her job as a Vine Witch in her Grand-mére’s vineyards and exact revenge on her ex who she knows had to be behind the curse. When Jean-Paul Martel bought the vineyards at Château Renard from the old woman he made it clear that there would be no magic involved in making his wine only science. Then a beautiful vine witch shows up and turns his life upside down.

Luanne G. Smith is the author of THE VINE WITCH, a fantasy novel about witches, wine, and revenge set in early 20th century France, and the forthcoming second book in the series, THE GLAMOURIST. She’s lucky enough to live in Colorado at the base of the beautiful Rocky Mountains, where she enjoys reading, gardening, hiking, a glass of wine at the end of the day, and finding the magic in everyday life.

With the help of Jean-Paul, a vineyard manager, and a budding romance between them, Elena sets off on a journey to uncover the truth behind her curse and save Chateau Renard. Along the way, she encounters other magical beings, uncovers hidden family secrets, and faces dangerous adversaries. The Vine Witch is a beautifully written novel that transports readers to the enchanting world of French vineyards and witchcraft. The author's vivid descriptions and attention to detail bring the story to life, making it easy to immerse oneself in the vineyards and the magical elements of the plot. The characters in the book are well-developed and relatable, adding depth and complexity to the story. Elena, in particular, is a strong and determined protagonist who faces numerous challenges throughout the book, making her journey all the more compelling. Overall, The Vine Witch is an enthralling read that combines elements of fantasy, romance, and mystery in a unique and captivating way. It is a story that will keep readers hooked from beginning to end, as they follow Elena's journey of self-discovery, love, and redemption..

Reviews for "The Vine Qitch: Where Culinary Artistry Meets Vinegar"

1. Sarah - 2 stars - I didn't enjoy reading "The Vine Witch" at all. The plot was slow-paced and uninteresting, and the characters felt flat and underdeveloped. I couldn't connect with any of them or feel invested in their journeys. The writing style was also lackluster, lacking the descriptive and engaging prose that I look for in a fantasy novel. Overall, it was a disappointing read for me.

2. John - 2 stars - "The Vine Witch" left me feeling unsatisfied. The story lacked depth and failed to deliver the exciting and magical elements I was hoping for. The pacing was off, with certain parts dragging on while others felt rushed and underdeveloped. The world-building was also lackluster, leaving me wanting more from the setting and the magical elements. The book fell short of my expectations and was ultimately a forgettable read.

3. Lisa - 1 star - I really struggled to get through "The Vine Witch." The writing was uninspiring and the plot was predictable. The romance was forced and lacked chemistry, making it difficult to root for the characters. The magic system was underexplored and felt like an afterthought. Overall, it was a bland and forgettable book that I wouldn't recommend to others.

4. Michael - 2 stars - "The Vine Witch" was a disappointment for me. The characters lacked depth and the story failed to engage me. The pacing was uneven, with long stretches of monotony followed by rushed and underdeveloped plot points. The supposed twists and turns were predictable and unimaginative. I was hoping for a captivating tale of magic and mystery, but instead, I got a lackluster and forgettable read.

5. Emily - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed by "The Vine Witch." The plot was dull, with no surprises or twists to keep the reader engaged. The magical elements felt forced and poorly explained, making it hard to suspend disbelief. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked any depth or complexity. Overall, it was a forgettable and uninspiring read that I would not recommend.

Experimenting with Vinegar in the Vine Qitch: Tips and Tricks