The Winds of Sonoma

by Nikki Arana

Novelist Nikki Arana Pens The Winds of Sonoma Based on Her Own True Love Story

The decision would change her life forever. But how can Angelica choose between her career and her heart?

The Winds of Sonoma by Nikki Arana is a must-read for anyone whose heart is captivated by selfless love, compassion, and truth. It's book 1 of 3 in the Regalo Grande series.

Angelica Amante has everything money can buy. As a rising star of a prominent New York law firm, things can only get better for her. Or so she thought.

When she's offered a promotion, Angelica is suddenly confronted with a life-changing decision. Should she continue to work for a company that profits by taking advantage of the poor, or take a stand against injustice and put her career in jeopardy?

Blackballed in New York, she returns to her parents' California wine country estate. Regalo Grande determined to start over. Angelica meets Antonio, the handsome, hardworking oldest son of a poverty-stricken family in Guadalajara, Mexico. When she finds out that he has left his home and illegally crossed the U.S. border to find work, Angelica's compassion for the poor is reawakened.

When coinciding circumstances and conflicting lifestyles cause their world to collide, Angelica and Antonia find themselves at a crossroad of faith, love, and selfless commitment that will forever alter both their lives. © Revell, 2005

I was quite impressed with this novel by unknown (to me) author, Nikki Arana. The novel begins in corporate america with the main character in a moral dilemma. During the first chapter I thought I was reading a novel by some big time secular author as it begins with a high powered lawyer dealing with unscrupulous bosses and trying to make a name for herself early in her law career. But as soon as the main character, Angelica, makes a Biblical choice and refuses to act unscrupulously I knew this was not a secular novel.

The characters are very endearing, especially Poppy. I could picture Poppy shuffling around the ranch house muttering to himself and to his Lord. I thought that his character was a mite overdone - almost a caricature at times. I thought that the portrayal of Angelica's parents was interesting. They were a little hard for me to relate to having not experienced extreme wealth or being abandoned at home as my parents traveled the globe as Angelica's did. Brad was one character that was a little flat. I would have liked to have understood a little more about his motivations. Why was he waiting for Angelica? What were the extent of his feelings? But perhaps these questions will be answered in the book 2 or 3. Angelica is a very strong female character which I always like to see. A woman who can take care of herself, is not afraid to use her brain, and is not afraid of hard work is sometimes rare in the world of "damsels in distress" romances. I was glad to see an exception to the rule in this novel.

I had some difficulty with the plot in a couple of places. The major difficulty was with Poppy's part in the resolution of the story (which I will not go into details about for the benefit of our readers). Let me say that I found my suspension of disbelief to be a bit difficult. I was also disappointed with the lack of resolution to the Angelica and Brad storyline. It's like it was almost forgotten near the end. Perhaps it will be continued in books 2 and 3 of the Regalo Grande series. I also questioned the whole Angelica and Antonio's love story as being too idealistic. The cynic in me finds it difficult to believe that they could experience true love without being able to communicate with words. I would think it was more like lust at first sight. I'm sure that there are many out there who are more than willing to fall for the story hook, line and sinker and good for them. They'll undoubtedly enjoy the story that much more.

Putting all these little niggling problems aside, it really is an entertaining love story and had me hooked from the first few chapters. I finished it in a few quick hours which is the sign of a great read. Besides, how can one cast any doubt about the reality of their love as it is the author's own true love story? The fact that I had so much to say about it is a testament to the quality of the story. I will definitely be keeping my eye out for this author in the future.

~ Tracy