SMALL TOWN, BIG DREAMS

Do you have a favourite weekend getaway that doesn't take a lot of effort to get there, and gives you instant gratification? 
When my kids were young and flying was undesirable, my hubby, the kids, and I would drive to the Okanagan to Osoyoos and its neighbouring town, Oliver, for a vacation. 
These towns located in British Columbia, close to the US border of Oroville, Washington, offer beautiful landscapes and summer desert heat. It’s a place to unwind and enjoy the outdoors. It’s known for award-winning wineries and is home to cidery, distilleries, and breweries. With all the fun rolled up into one exciting place, this small town has a big city feel, perfect for a setting in a book. It’s a place I love, and it’s what inspired me to set my fictional town, Moonlight Valley.
 
One summer, while exploring Oliver, aka Wine Country, I toured with friends and did wine tasting. The stunning views of rolling hills, the acres of grape vines, orchards, mountains, and Osoyoos Lake… is paradise. It has all the qualities of a small-town dream. My mind wandered about how these wineries came into existence, and as I learned, some had been in families for generations. What a great place to be inspired!

Emily Hill, my heroine in Playing For Love, is a proud winemaker wanting to carry out her passion and commitment that Cottage Hill’s Winery is known for. Still, when hit with financial troubles, she fears somebody might remove her family’s name if she can’t find the money to save it. She can’t fathom a future without her business, and when her old crush brings home the Stanley Cup, she’s not just fighting for her career; she’s fighting the feelings that surface again and doesn’t want help from the only man who has her heart. 
 
I hope you enjoy Moonlight Valley and get a taste of what the Okanagan has to offer. 
Wherever your summer plans lead, I hope you have a great time.
Cheers!
 
Charlene 

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