A PEEK INSIDE BOOK ONE : LIONS VINEYARD
THE YEAR IS 1994
The foundation work of their new home ceases when Tony and Hannah King dig up an old sea chest. Inside they find Anna Malefyt’s journals and discover her brother sailed away from his ancestral home, Bergen Op Meer, in 1810 and she followed. These are her meticulous records of a vineyard that still exists in the Netherlands and a family connection that must now be investigated. They decide to dig deeper.
Escape with these travelers through time as they follow the path of truth to who they really are and discover along the way, why family is everything and forgiveness is everything else.
AN EXCERPT FROM CHAPTER FOUR
“What in God’s green earth is going on here?” Massy pushed his way past the tower of a man standing by his sister who was looking half dead in their library. Taking her other hand, he checked her pulse and smoothed a wayward hair from her cheek. This tender act sent jolts of jealousy through Tony, the like of which he had never felt before. He could feel Hannah’s eyes on him. The blush that spread across his cheeks could not be hidden from her eagle stare. It was obvious to Hannah that the young woman was going to be fine after fainting dead away at the sight of Tony. The young man now attending her had to be her brother or close relation, as the family resemblance was striking.
“What happened?” Kat looked up at her brother for reassurance, but found herself needing to reassure him at that moment as his concern was etched into his face. “Oh, this is a mess I have made, all in front of an audience. Have you met our guests yet?” Tony was beginning to wonder if everyone in this country spoke English. Massy had in fact not given the others in the room a moment's notice. Helping his sister to sit up, he plopped down next to her and faced the small group that had gathered so impromptu in their library at this early hour.
“Good morning Tante Anita, and Oom Wim, who have you brought with you today?“ Massy had full confidence and trust in the couple that he adored.
“May I introduce Hannah King, mein lieveling” Anita said. He gave Hannah his full attention and scrutinised her as though she was an exotic species one looks for for years but rarely ever finds.
“You must be Thomas Wolf, it is my pleasure to meet you.” Hannah held out her hand in anticipation of the standard greeting being reciprocated. But he sat speechless next to his sister. It was only the elbow to his side by Kat that he jumped into action and returned the greeting in fluent, flawless English. “Greetings to you, Hannah King, please call me Massy.” A bell rang in Hannah's head. Massy?
Massy did not want to let the silky hand he held now go. He was looking at a woman that held him enchanted. He hoped the huge presence of a man taking up so much space in their home was not her husband. “And may I introduce Tony King,” said Wim. Massy's heart fell as he realised his hopes were dashed in that simple introduction. All eyes watched his reaction to meeting Tony.
Kat found it impossible to believe what she was seeing and wanted to pull her brother into a private conversation as soon as possible. Tante Anita and Oom Wim must have known meeting Tony would come as a shock and came early to ease them into this vision. Reluctantly letting the hand go that he held, Massy turned and extended his hand to what could only be described as a mountain of a man. “Hi Tony, this is my sister Kat and I am Massy Wolf, pleasure to meet you.” Standing he gave Tony his full measure and wondered briefly why this guy looked familiar. Tony for his part was relieved, though he could not explain why, it mattered that this guy was the brother of the woman he had just been holding in his arms.
Kat could not believe how blind her brother was and decided to take this moment to interrupt. “I would like to begin again and welcome you both to Bergen Op Meer.” Tony liked her voice.
“Thank you, Kat. Is ending up in the arms of a stranger in a dead faint a common greeting?” Never one to let anyone build a guard, Hannah got right to business with a calculated grin.
“It is first important to note,” Anita said, “that the King’s found the missing journals of Johanna Malefyt.” The bomb dropped. Now time for triage.
The leather couch caught Massy as he ungracefully once again sat down next to his sister and stared at Tony. It was just now beginning to dawn on him why he looked so familiar. “Oh my, now I know why you look so familiar.”
“Oh, can you tell us why?” asked Hannah
“I can.” An ancient voice heavily accented came from the double doorway into the library and all faces in unison turned to her like six needles of a compass finding true North.
REVIEWS
Katie
- I have finished Lions Vineyard as of last night. I must say Loyola, you have written a beautiful story. You beautiful unwound Jonty’s true heritage in such an unexpected way. I knew Milltzy’s truth was going to come to light, but I thought Hannah would truly uncover it. I love the final image of Charlotte, Kat and Hannah sitting together before the nuptials. Truly, a lovely book and a privilege to read. I have enjoyed it cover to cover.
Rik
- Just finished "Lions Vineyard" and I’m so excited to tell you about it! This book is such a gem—it’s all about family, history, and finding out who you really are. The way the story jumps between generations and different countries keeps things super interesting, and the characters just pull you in. It’s one of those books that leaves you feeling warm and thoughtful. If you're into stories that mix adventure with heart, you’ve got to give this one a try! I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I did!
Birgit
- Very well researched historic novel, easy to read and loose yourself in. I couldn't put it down and read it in a couple of days.
Can't wait for the next book in this series!
A visual journey through LIONS VINEYARD
LV:Inner City Rugby Club Vancouver Canada
About the Author
Loyola van Rooyen Buck
From a deep desire to spread the fragrant sent of Love's presences throughout the world Loyola has had a passion for service throughout her lifetime.
In 2015 she took a leap of faith with God as her parachute and left the comfort of a well known life on Vancouver Island and landed in Whangārei New Zealand. It is here she discovered a history so intriguing that the telling of it, along with some interesting character development, became essential, LIONS VINEYARD is the outcome. This photo was taken a few years ago at the Marsden Cross marking the site of the first Anglican Christmas Service in Aotearoa New Zealand by her dear friend Birgit Meister.
I love hearing from readers. LvRB
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Why we published this novel
THE STORY
- Founded in 2019, and born out of a love for this world and story telling. Everyone here shares the passion of a written word and work hard to bring the best in uplifting messages through loveable characters and meaningful content. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with us.
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- All of us are committed to spreading the joy of reading by creating enjoyable and thought provoking material. The kind that will surprise the reader and leave them feeling refreshed. Together we envision a world where reading is celebrated and an integral part of everyday life.
THE WORK
THE WORK
- LIONS VINEYARD, the novel, is our first completed work of fiction published world wide as an eBook in May 2024, in print July, and in audio book in October of the same year. Our promise is to deliver relevant story telling you can relate to, and characters with real struggles and success.
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LIONS VINEYARD
South Island, Nelson, New Zealand
