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Work hard. Family first. Protect your heart. 

They’re the three rules Eva Storey has lived by, ever since that one terrible night in her past. That one terrible night when Eva lost everyone she loved.

And it was all. Her. Fault.

Now, Eva spends her days working hard on the Storey Family vineyard, and on keeping her secret from everyone in town. She doesn’t have time for Bindarra Creek’s sexy new firefighter or his rigorous hazard-reduction burning. And she definitely doesn’t have time to fall in love.

When sparks fly between the strong-willed couple, Eva’s deadly secret comes tumbling out. Will their fiery passion be enough to overcome her charred past?

It’s fire season, baby, and Eva’s going to get burned.   

200 pages, ebook

First published April 7, 2016

12 people are currently reading
118 people want to read

About the author

Lauren K. McKellar

37 books391 followers
Lauren K. McKellar is a writer of contemporary romance reads that make you feel. This hybrid-published USA Today best-selling author loves writing books with stunning local settings, heart-throb heroes, and leading ladies who overcome great hardships in their lives.
In addition to writing, Lauren loves to read, and you can often find her up at all hours of the night with a glass of wine, some chocolate, and a good book. She lives by the beach in New South Wales, Australia, with her husband, infant son, and their two dogs. Most of the time, all four of them are well behaved.

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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Brenda.
5,073 reviews3,012 followers
July 28, 2016
3.5s

Eva Storey lived at the family vineyard homestead with her twin sister Gracie and her Gran. The original home had been destroyed by fire three years previously and the tragedy of that night was the loss of Eva and Gracie’s parents. Eva blamed herself every day – her nights were filled with nightmares, with grief and guilt being foremost in her mind always.

Connor Jacobs had left Sydney for Bindarra Creek for several reasons – he was escaping the clutches of a woman who wouldn’t leave him alone; and the pressures from his father to follow in his footsteps; but mainly he wanted to study for a Business Degree and he knew his father didn’t want that for Connor. When he arrived in Bindarra Creek as a volunteer firefighter for the town he knew he would only be there for around three months, but during that time he hoped to qualify for his degree.

But the attraction between Connor and Eva was almost immediate – Eva’s frosty demeanour and determination to have nothing to do with Connor, especially as he was involved with the very thing that tore at her soul was always there. Slowly Eva and Connor learned about each other – but would Connor manage to work his way through the barrier that Eva had around her heart? Would Eva’s past overwhelm her completely?

The Vine by Aussie author Lauren K. McKellar is the 10th in the Bindarra Creek Romance series. Each novella is written by a different author; the characters make appearances in most of them, but each book centres on another couple. The Vine is Eva and Connor’s story. Visit country rural NSW with a never-ending bushfire season and you’ll likely find Bindarra Creek (and many other small towns) nestled among the trees. Recommended.
Profile Image for Juanita Kees.
Author 21 books122 followers
May 22, 2016
I have enjoyed every book in this series so far. Each author brings their own twist and voice to the fictional town of Bindarra Creek. I love how characters from previous stories keep popping up and make this town so real.
This was my first read from Lauren K McKellar and I am now hunting down previous books by this author as well as bookmarking new ones in the pipeline. Ms McKellar has a smooth and engaging voice that carries the story along nicely. I know I've enjoyed a read when I can go back and see how many lines I've highlighted that made me smile or nod. A few of my favourites from this read (no spoilers, I promise!) - "You took life by the horns and rode it to Bindarra Creek" , "[Love] can wither and die ... but even if it dies, you had the fruit. You drank the wine. Isn't that something?"
This book had me engaged from start to finish with beautifully drawn characters, a touch of suspense and a heartfelt plot. And wine ... it had wine. Well done on another great episode in the lives of the people who bring Bindarra Creek to life.
Profile Image for Jordan.
685 reviews
April 7, 2016
I Was Provided A ARC By The Author
(Possible Spoilers)

Eva Storey has nightmares, nightmares of the horrible night that changed her and her family's life forever. She can't sleep, from all the grief and guilt that she carries. She spends her days running her family's vineyard, and her nights running, running to help her sleep, and running from the pain of that night. Eva never expected the sexy firefighter Connor Jacobs to be the one to help her, help her open up, and for the nightmares to slowly fade. But she is wary from the moment she meets him, she's scared to get to close. Eva can only fight the attraction she feels towards him for so long, she just hopes in the end she wont get burned.

Firefighter, Connor Jacobs, has come to Bindarra Creek to volunteer with the fire crew, but to also distant himself from a ex who wont go away and a father who would never understand that Connor wants more in his life than to fight fires. Connor never expected to spend the early hours of the mornings, running along side and trying to get Eva Storey to bare the burden of her sadness to him. He sees something in this broken, stubborn women, and he'll try his hardest to show her its OK to live and to move on from her painful past. All while juggling the worry of his father disowning him for his career choices.

The Vine is the first thing I have read by this author, and I can't wait to read more. It was a great story full of love, pain, tears, fears, romance, and over coming tragedy. The Vine is a story to read. Connor & Eva were a couple that grab your attention from the beginning, mix in the small town vibe, the secondary characters like Eva's sister, Grace, and their grandmother. The suspense, the twist and turns and the action. And you get one compelling book.

*JordansBookReviews*
Profile Image for Andrea.
104 reviews23 followers
March 30, 2016
The Vine, A Bindarra Creek Romance, is book number ten in this series by Lauren K. McKellar. It is also my first book by this author. This was the perfect read for me on a quiet afternoon. This story was well written. It had all the elements of a sweet romance read. I was routing for Eva and Connor from beginning to end! Eva Storey used to be a happy go lucky girl, and then one night, everything changed. She is no longer the girl the town remembers. She blames herself for one terrible night when a tragedy occurred, loved ones lost. She now lives and breathes working at Storey Family Vineyards which is owned and operated by her family. One day, smoking hot (no pun intended, lol) firefighter, Connor Jacobs, comes to her family home to discuss hazard reduction burning. It would be safe to say that no sparks happened on Eva's side during that meeting. You are just going to have to read to see how their romance builds and then burns out of control! What will happen when her secret is revealed? Will their fire continue to burn or smolder? There is a twist or two too!!! Wow! Connor is a dream. I really, really enjoyed this afternoon read.

Profile Image for Elaine Watling.
175 reviews3 followers
August 21, 2017
This is an absolutely beautiful story by Ms McKeller. I enjoyed it immensely…… We meet Eva Story who lives by 3 Rules… Work hard… Family First and Protect your heart….. Eva’s past is shocking…. She lost everyone she loved on one fatal night and blames her self….. she thinks it’s all her fault…..
Enter Connor Jacobs… he’s arrived in Bindarra Creek from Sydney… he’s the new local sexy fireman….. he meets Eva and is instantly smitten…… When Eva meets him she isn’t impressed… she wants nothing to do with him…… she can’t, due to her past…… Both Eva and Connor have secrets they keep…… can either or both of them overcome these secrets and move forward…. Will love conquer all????? What will happen when there is another disaster looming???? Can Eva and Conner survive this??????? Will they get there HEA?????
Profile Image for Chantal.
480 reviews19 followers
April 8, 2016
I loved this story. Eva, scarred by what happened to her family a few years back doesn't think she deserves happiness. Connor a newcomer to town running away from what everyone expects from him. When they meet the chemistry is undeniable. A strong friendship develops between them, a friendship leading into more than Eva is willing to give. Or is she? Will her struggles with her past be too much to overcome and free her to give in to her true feelings?
I truly enjoyed this story, hence reading it in one day. I loved Connor from the beginning, he is as true as they come. Eva's character has you want to take her into your arms and tell her there is happiness for her too. A wonderful light romantic story with just enough suspense and drama. Thank you Lauren. I truly enjoyed it❤️
Profile Image for Secretly Adorkable Readers.
1,413 reviews27 followers
April 8, 2016
Some secrets are kept for safety of others. The Storey Family Vineyard has many secrets.

Eva blames herself of her families tragic loss years ago. She keeps to herself, doesn't date, even her twin sister worries about her and stayed behind for college to help her take care of the family vineyard.

A new firefighter ignites her heart and maybe she finally can live again until the true secrets are layed out and realize was it worth the risk after all. A beautiful story of loss and healing and some small twists to keep you in suspense.
Profile Image for Stacey.
Author 11 books219 followers
April 8, 2016
This may be a rural romance rather than the usual coastal stories we're used to from Lauren McKellar, but The Vine definitely has the 'McKellar feels stamp' all over it. And for me, that made this story totally unputdownable. One minute I was laughing, the next crying as I followed Eva Storey and the folk of Bindarra Creek I've grown to love throughout the series on another epic adventure. I can't wait to see where this series goes next.
Profile Image for Noelle Clark.
Author 24 books40 followers
July 5, 2016
A compelling read from start to finish. Secrets, fears, and a rigid approach to life rule Eva. She likes it that way. Enter the new fireman, Connor. Bad news for Eva. He worms his way into her life, and eventually into her heart.
But it’s way too much for Eva. The suspense, intrigue, and exciting story line of this book is fantastic. Well written, and a great addition to the Bindarra Creek series. Loved it.
Profile Image for Christine.
605 reviews2 followers
April 9, 2016
Excellent!

Ok first up Gran is hilarious. I'm a huge fan of Lauren McKellar, she just has this ability to put a truckload of emotion in her books. This book has all that, you can't help falling in love with all the characters. This one made my heart race with worry in a few sections. Wonderfully written.
Profile Image for Shellby.
796 reviews4 followers
April 7, 2016
This is a good romance. However, I just could not find it interesting. No matter what it was just lacking something. It was a good romance, but it was't not spectacular.

-NightWolf Book Blog
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews

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