Windfall

by L.J. Martin

David Drake knows what he wants, in the boardroom and the bedroom, and he’ll fight the devil himself to get it. But there are powerful, vindictive, ruthless men who want what he must have, and they, too, will stop at nothing to get it. Revenge is a powerful motivation, and winning is the sweetest. From California to the Caribbean, from back alley’s to the most swank boardrooms in the land, David scraps with the toughest and most powerful to win what, and who, he loves.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 23, 2008

Reviews

[E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

by L.J. Martin is an intriguing tale that centers around a tightly-knit family business that encompasses several aspects of agriculture and production ranging from the cultivation of grapes and wine production to the business involved in bringing the various products produced by the Benvinuti family to market. The various branches of Benvinuti Packing and its involvement with such things as restaurant supply involve multiple members of Nick Benvinuti’s offspring but his adherence to tradition often puts him at odds with his children. Family friend David Drake has had a wide variety of experiences in his life which has aided him in his success but he unfortunately has been unable to transfer that success to his romantic relationships. A series of unfortunate occurrences pits him against Vicki Benvinuti, the woman who has always held his heart, and the threat to both of their empires may result in the destruction of everything each of them has fought to create.

This relatively contemporary story displays both an intricate love story and an intriguing look at the conflicts entailed in transforming from a successful business into an empire. The depth of detail providing an inside look at multiple aspects of business enrich the story which spans multiple decades and significant changes in the main characters’ lives. The juxtaposition between the past and present events gradually reveal details about the events that shape Vicki and David into the successful business forces they become even as it tugs at the heartstrings as one follows the disappointments that each has had. It was frustrating to see the misunderstandings that keep the two of them apart but fascinating to watch Vicki develop into a force to be reckoned with despite the opposition of members of her family who want her to assume a more traditional role. The glimpses of businesses which range from oil drilling to agriculture provide a richly textured backdrop for the vicious struggle initiated by those whose ultimate goal is apparently revenge although it is still a little unclear to me how much it was warranted. The story started a little slowly for my tastes but it definitely built into a very entertaining tale that had its share of twists and turns with multiple layers which ultimately resulted in a very satisfying resolution and made this a very enjoyable read.


A copy of this title was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Windfall is the first book I have had the pleasure to read by L.J. Martin and I have to say it won't be the last. I really enjoyed Windfall. It was a easy flowing book that covered a lot of things. There is drama with business issues and romance with all the complications of not enough communications. This book was a real page turner. Windfall takes place in the 1980's with flashback scene's to the 1960's.

David Drake has been through a lot. He was in the air force during the war, he's a very astute business man with a lot of irons in the fire, and he's a man with a lot of women problems. The biggest problems being he and the love of his life just can not seem to get on the same page at the same time.

Vicki Benvinuti is the president of her family owned business. She makes a lot of improvements and adds to the business. She is involved in taking the public for trade. She is a very good business woman in a time when woman are more common in the kitchen then in the boardroom. This woman knows what she wants and she knows how to make things happen. She also has men problems. She's divorced and in love with her high school sweetheart that has broken her heart several times.

When someone comes after both David & Vicki's companies they have to learn to work together and trust each other. This is their shot to finally get their happily ever after.

I truly enjoyed this book. There is a lot of business complication that is interesting to watch them work through. The romance between Vicki & David is sweet, hot, and so heart full. These two are meant to be together.

[Gloria Antypowich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading Windfall. This book captured me from beginning to end. David Drake and Vicki (Vitoria) Benvinuti were star crossed lovers in high school and after graduation, their relationship did not survive David's term of service in Vietnam. After years pass they meet again. Now they are both successful people in the world of business. The flame of love still flares between them. However, David is known for his womanising, and Vicki quickly has reason to believe that David will not be faithful to her. When he starts buying up shares in her families business,she is convinced he is trying to make a hostile takeover. Love quickly turns to hate and she fights him with everything she has, determined that she will not let him strip her family of their hard earned holdings.

The plot is cleverly woven, taking you from farm fields and vineyards in Poke Valley, California, into the offices of big business in cities of America; from the fear and desolation of a young man on the battlefield in Vietnam, to the platform of an oil rig that is eating up millions of dollars as it drills a dry hole. It is filled with action, intrigue, loyalty, love, mystery and suspense. The characters were well rounded;flawed but believable, and I related to them completely.

I read a lot, and I read many different genres. I have to say, it has been a long time since I have read a book that had so much depth to it; one that I know I will read again and as an author my self thought "this is a book I would be proud to have written."


I have become an L.J. Martin fan. I am so impressed with his ability to write to so many different genres and do it so well. A job well done!

[LadyCalico · Rating 4 out of 5]

I generally enjoyed this book, but found it difficult to follow. I could handle that several people's stories were handled by rotating between them, since getting the multiple points of view added interest to the story and helped make sense of the intricate game by understanding what motivated the players. However, besides continually interrupting the storyline with such changes in focus, the storyline was interrupted by flashbacks. I wished the author had kept the flashes brief and to the point and saved the detail for the present happenings. The flashbacks often dragged on for so long with so much less than essential detail that I found them disruptive to the main story line. The plot was a bit too complex to focus attention so long on the past and still remember all that had been happening before the interruption. I was also not thrilled with the romance part. Although I wish that the overused lovers-torn-apart-by-misunderstandings chestnut would totally disappear from literature, I can tolerate it if it lasts a few hours, days, even months if handled properly, but when it is stretched out into years, the old eyes start to roll. Seventeen years! Fuggidabuddit! The author needs to make up his mind if he wants to portray the protagonists as intelligent, competent, effective adults who can communicate and deal withe bumps in the road of life or does he want to make them the too stupid to live variety--trying to make them both just doesn't work. Overall a very interesting book, but not even L.J. Martin would call it his best.

[Rhod · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first L.J. Martin book, but likely not my last (as another reviewer said). The book was fast moving and hard for me to put down.