The Other Woman - Siobhan McKenna (2012)

Kennedy Cafes and Chocolate is in its centenary year, and owner Owen Kennedy has decided to branch out into the world of wine. His right-hand woman Ruby Hart embarks on a journey with him to Italy to meet their potential partners in the venture, the Boselli family. But right away Ruby suspects that the relationship between Owen and Emma Boselli is a little more than professional. Meanwhile Owen's wife, Katherine, is on a journey of self-discovery in Kenya. She is enthralled by the beauty of Africa - and its inhabitants. Ruby is left shouldering the responsibilities of the business, but she has some dark secrets of her own to protect. What first struck me about this novel was the author's exquisite use of descriptive language. It brought the scenes to life, you could almost smell the wine in the Italian vineyard and feel the hot sunshine on safari in Africa. However, at certain points in the story it lacked action, and I didn't warm to Katherine as a main character at all. Despite relating to her grief, I just couldn't get to like her, in stark contrast to Ruby who was likeable from the start. There were a few good twists towards the end and I felt this redeemed the story. Overall it was a well-written page-turner, with descriptive passages that were a joy to read. (LO)

The Other Woman, by Siobhan McKenna, is centred around the worlds of chocolate and wine. The summary says: "Kennedy Cafes & Chocolate Emporium is about to celebrate its centenary year. Four generations of Kennedys have successfully mastered the favours of chocolate and coffee. Now, Owen Kennedy is expanding the family business into the world of wine. Inner-city girl Ruby Hart has worked her way up the corporate ladder to become Owen's right-hand woman. When he asks her to join him in Italy, she doesn't hesitate. What better way to escape her complicated personal life than a month in Italy getting paid to drink wine? The Boselli family's estate is set in the hills of Lake Garda, Italy. It appears to be the perfect union - two power families of Ireland and Italy coming together. However, as the taste buds are awakened with new possibilities, other desires are also ignited. Amorous farmhand Alfonso is determined Ruby experiences the true taste of Italy - Alfonso style. While her husband and friend build relationships and business in Italy, Katherine Keogh Kennedy goes to Kenya for the coffee bean. Instead she finds herself enraptured by the Maasai culture as the heat and dark intensity of Kenya arouses feelings she'd thought she'd lost forever. It seems that the Kennedy's passions lie everywhere but with the continued success of their business. Can Ruby be the one to bring the company to the next level, and ultimately stop the Kennedy family from being destroyed? But Ruby has her own secrets to protect and all may not be as it first appears." The Other Woman is out in July.

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