

To Taste the Wine
Author: Fern Michaels
Narrator: Fern Michaels
Abridged: 5 hr 10 min
Format: Digital Audiobook Download
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Published: 02/22/2011
Author: Fern Michaels
Narrator: Fern Michaels
Abridged: 5 hr 10 min
Format: Digital Audiobook Download
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Published: 02/22/2011
Self-described as someone who can scribble notes and tell great stories, author Fern Michaels, aka Mary Ruth Kuczkir, is a very prolific writer having written 147 books, with 90 being on the New York Times best sellers list. She was born in Pennsylvania, coming into this world as "a dinky little thing", as her father called her. She spent the early part of her adult life becoming a wife and mother of five children. After her children were grown, she separated from her husband, who was a very negative person, and began putting pen to paper to begin her writing career. She had always loved books, and writing one seemed to be the best chance for her to make her own way through the rest of her life. Her first manuscript was not published, but the second attempt was, and so began her illustrious career.
Her successful career allowed her to put all five children through college, on her own, which she claims is one of her most proud accomplishments. She says that when all is considered, family is the most important thing. Fern also bought a beautiful old (300 year old) plantation in South Carolina, where she still lives today. Her grandmother gave her very sage advice many years ago, which she lives by today.......when God is good to you, you have to give back. She developed the Fern Michaels Foundation which grants four scholarships to deserving students. She also opened a pre-school and day care center for single moms who are having a hard time supporting their family.
The quote that best describes is a Dutch saying.......If you can't whistle on your way to work, you don't belong in that job. She follows by saying, "I whistle all day long".
I thought this was a decent read until about midway through and then it just seemed to unravel. The sexual tension between Chelsea and Luke was pretty hot on board ship and when she first arrived in Australia, but then she turns from being a fierce woman in control of her destiny to an absolute vict......more
I had a hard time choosing what to rate this book. I liked it, I like the way the author writes and I enjoyed the details along with how well she described each character. It's the story that I wasn't fond of. It wasn't predictable and I usually love books like that, but this was just... I didn't li......more
I read it because it was reported to be the story of a woman who throws caution to the wind and moves to the Australian wine country. And while that holds true it just wasn't what I was hoping for. Other than dust and drought conditions, not many elements of adjusting to Australia and the conditions......more
This novel was written in 1997, reissued in 2011 in print and in audiobook format narrated by Anne Flosnik. Flosnik is a gifted narrator, and Michaels' story is brimming with adventure and passion. The book is filled with vivid descriptions of Australia's drought, memorable characters, and an agonizi......more
Not one of her very best books, yet it was a good read. I hold high standards based on her other stories which I find more engrossing. This love story was a bit too predictable. However, I enjoyed the details about the time period, and the glimpses into the what is was like when the English started......more