THE VINEYARD AT PAINTED MOON by Susan Mallery

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Step into the vineyard with Susan Mallery’s most irresistible novel yet, as one woman searches for the perfect blend of love, family and wine.

Mackenzie Dienes seems to have it all—a beautiful home, close friends and a successful career as an elite winemaker with the family winery. There’s just one problem—it’s not her family, it’s her husband’s. In fact, everything in her life is tied to him—his mother is the closest thing to a mom that she’s ever had, their home is on the family compound, his sister is her best friend. So when she and her husband admit their marriage is over, her pain goes beyond heartbreak. She’s on the brink of losing everything. Her job, her home, her friends and, worst of all, her family.

Staying is an option. She can continue to work at the winery, be friends with her mother-in-law, hug her nieces and nephews—but as an employee, nothing more. Or she can surrender every piece of her heart in order to build a legacy of her own. If she can dare to let go of the life she thought she wanted, she might discover something even more beautiful waiting for her beneath a painted moon.

​She waved at the car until it was out of sight, then walked back into the house to find only Four
still in her kitchen.
“They took cookies and ran,” Four said cheerfully, pointing at the empty plate. “Sorry if you
didn’t get any.”
Stephanie pulled a second, overflowing plate from the cupboard and placed it between them.
She poured them each a cup of coffee from the pot, added cream, then settled next to her sister and
picked up a chocolate chip cookie.
“You don’t have to stay with me,” she said conversationally.
“I’m just here to make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re actually not fine. You’re sad and worried.” Four sipped her coffee. “I don’t know how
you do it. I couldn’t let any of my kids go away for the summer.”
“Zeus is only eight. He’s too young to go away overnight. But later, if he wants to, you’ll let him.”
Four shook her head. “Never.”
Stephanie smiled. “You will because it will be the best thing for him and you’re that kind of
mom.”
“Don’t try to sweet-talk me with rational thought. It doesn’t work on me.”
“Yes, it does.”
“You’re very contrary today.”
“No, just pensive. I know they’re supposed to grow up and have their own lives, but sometimes
it’s hard. Still, as you’ve often reminded me, there is a season for everything.” She paused, thinking
about all that had happened in the past few days. “I’m ready for a new chapter in my life.”
Four looked at her speculatively. “What does that mean?”
Even though she’d seen her mother drive away not five minutes before, Stephanie still looked
over her shoulder to make sure they were alone.
“I need to get a new job.”
Four nibbled her cookie without speaking.
“What?” Stephanie demanded. “You have to say something. You always have an opinion.”
“You’ve made this announcement before,” her sister said gently. “I’m not sure you want to
leave.”
Ugh—there was an assessment she didn’t want to hear. “I can’t stay. Mom treats me like I’m an
idiot. She’s always doublechecking my work and dismissing any ideas I have about how to make things
better. I’m thirty-eight years old. It’s time for me to strike out on my own, don’t you think?”
“If it’s what you want.”
Stephanie supposed her sister’s inability to believe in her was her own fault. She was the one
who had been whining about leaving Bel Après for the past five years and to date she’d done exactly
nothing. Zip. Zero. Nada.
“I’m pathetic,” she said, pulling her phone from her jeans front pocket. “Or I was, but not
anymore.”
She scrolled through her emails, stopping when she found the one she was looking for.
“Here.” She held out her phone to Four.
Her sister read the note. “You have an interview next week.”
“I know. Marington Cheese. It’s a small company, but they’re determined to grow, and I’d like to
be a part of that.”
Four glanced back at the email. “Really? Cheese?”
Stephanie tried not to wince. “They make it and sell it. They’re artisans. I know it’s not wine, but
going into that business feels like cheating or something.” She took back the phone. “I haven’t told
Mackenzie.”

#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming and humorous novels about the relationships that define women's lives—family, friendship, romance. She's best known for putting nuanced characters into emotionally complex, real-life situations with twists that surprise readers to laughter. Because Susan is passionate about animal welfare, pets play a big role in her books. Beloved by millions of readers worldwide, her books have been translated into 28 languages.

Critics have dubbed Mallery "the new queen of romantic fiction." (Walmart) Booklist says, "Romance novels don't get much better than Mallery's expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling," and RT Book Reviews puts her "in a class by herself!" It's no wonder that her books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list.

Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool's Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.

Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com. 
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