Another Exclusive Excerpt!
Dear readers,
I'm thrilled to share another exclusive glimpse into my upcoming MM romance, The Vines Between Us! This second chance love story set in the sun-drenched vineyards of Saint-Émilion has been such a joy to write, and I can't wait for you to experience Alexandre and Hugo's emotional journey.
What Early Readers Are Saying
Dasco - 5 ⭐️: "Have you ever thought about crying over a book about wine? No? Think again, because I cried. Alexandre's and Hugo's story is so full of hug them and shake them for their stupidity moments, it was frustrating. Especially when more of Alexandre's story is revealed my heart broke. (Please be advised, the book mentioned some heavy topics). These two deserve their HEA and they have to work hard for it, mentally and physically. Loved it a lot!"
Beverly - 5 ⭐️: "This was like a Hallmark movie only way way hotter and better. Alex and Hugo childhood friends reunite after 14 years apart. They discovered an old love from their grandfather's and the old attraction growing by the day between them. Will Alex be strong enough to take love offered to him??? I enjoyed seeing Alex and Hugo fight the odds to reclaim the vines, vineyards, and land and house they both loved, despite the overwhelming odds of a large market buyout. Does legacy and heritage mean so little? There's so much keeping them apart, but can love bring them together?"
Exclusive Subscriber Excerpt
In this scene, Alexandre accepts Hugo's dinner invitation after their tension-filled afternoon working together. As they share an intimate meal at Claude's colourful villa, old feelings resurface alongside family secrets...
The wine was magnificent—complex, velvety, with notes of black cherry and cedar. We sipped in appreciative silence as Hugo returned to his cooking, slicing mushrooms and mincing garlic with the confidence of someone who'd prepared countless meals.
"When did you learn to cook? I don't remember you making meals like this when I was last here," I asked, leaning against the counter beside him.
"Claude taught me. Said no self-respecting Frenchman should rely on restaurants." He smiled at the memory. "He was hopeless with business but brilliant with food and wine."
"Henri was the opposite. Perfect with accounts, terrible with anything requiring creativity."
"They balanced each other," Hugo said, his voice softening. "Like puzzle pieces."
I watched him work, the easy domesticity of his movements hypnotic. He'd rolled up his sleeves, exposing forearms corded with muscle from vineyard work. A lock of auburn hair fell across his forehead as he bent to check something in the oven, and I fought the sudden urge to brush it back.
[...]
With each glass, the careful distance we'd maintained began to dissolve. I found myself laughing at Hugo's stories about Claude's eccentricities—his superstitious refusal to harvest on Tuesdays, his habit of playing opera to the fermenting wine because he believed Mozart improved the bouquet.
"Remember when he caught us stealing that bottle of Sauternes?" Hugo asked, his eyes crinkling with mirth.
"God, yes. We were what—sixteen? Seventeen? He made us write an essay on the proper appreciation of dessert wines instead of punishing us, before handing us the bottle of Cabernet."
"And then reminded us how to taste properly," Hugo added. "Said if we were going to drink his wine, we'd better do it with respect."
[...]
"I've thought about that summer every day for fourteen years," he said quietly. "Wondering if you ever thought about it too."
The directness of his statement caught me off guard. In Paris, I'd cultivated relationships characterized by their simplicity—physical without emotional entanglement, ending before they could become complicated. Hugo had never been simple.
"I thought about it," I admitted, my voice rough. "I tried not to, but I did."
Pre-Order Now!
The Vines Between Us delivers everything you love about second chance romance with emotional depth, sizzling chemistry, and the rich sensory experience of French wine country. Alexandre and Hugo's story explores themes of healing from past trauma, family secrets, and choosing love over safety. This dual timeline narrative weaves together a contemporary romance with historical family secrets in a vineyard setting that will transport you straight to the heart of Saint-Émilion. If you enjoy MM second chance romances with rural settings, emotional healing journeys, and stories about legacy and family bonds, this book is perfect for you.
Release date: August 7, 2025
Thank you for being such amazing readers and for your continued support. I can't wait for you to read Alexandre and Hugo's complete story!
Limited Time Sale!
Before you go, don't miss out on Emergency Contact, my medical romance that's currently on sale for just $1.99/£1.99 (US and UK only) until August 5th! If you haven't experienced Liam and Noah's instant soul-deep connection yet, this is the perfect time.
The moment ER doctor Liam Winters locks eyes with paramedic supervisor Noah Bennet across a trauma room, something extraordinary happens—it's not just attraction, it's recognition, as if their souls have found each other again after lifetimes of searching. Their connection is immediate and overwhelming, but when a prestigious fellowship threatens to separate them by a thousand miles, Liam must choose between the career he's always wanted and the love he never saw coming. Grab this intense, passionate medical romance while it's on sale!
With love and gratitude,
C.G. Macington
