The Winemaker's Dinner

The Winemaker's Dinner is a must read. Everly Drummond and Dr. I

The Winemaker's Dinner is a must read. Everly Drummond and Dr. Ivan Rusilko are a great writing team. The book is a refreshing read with a male writer in an predominantly female writing genre. The knowledge that this is a real person who has made part of his life "an open book" draws the reader in. I laughed, I cried and I crave more! The Winemaker's Dinner does not disappoint.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

THE WINEMAKER’S DINNER-Appetizers by Dr. Ivan Rusilko and

THE WINEMAKER’S DINNER-Appetizers by Dr. Ivan Rusilko and Everly Drummond

THE WINEMAKER’S DINNER –Appetizers is the first novel (July 31, 2012 release) in The Winemaker’s Feast series co-written by Dr. Ivan Rusilko and Everly Drummond. The storyline has been labeled a fictional account of Dr. Ivan’s life and love. But I wondered- How much of the book is fiction and how much of the book is fact? Of course, it doesn’t hurt, when a reader is able to put a face to a hero, and a face that is derived from reality and not from our imaginations. Then again, a good imagination allows the reader to place themself into the novel and experience the storyline first hand.

Dr. Ivan Rusilko is a successful doctor and businessman, but something or someone was missing from his life. And meeting Ms. Jaden Thorne brought everything into perspective-he was missing the other half of his soul. Having loved and lost, Ivan was afraid to put everything he was back into a relationship, but Jaden could be that someone. Knowing what he was going to do, would take time, but eventually everything would fall into place. But when dreams do come true, there may be someone needed to gather the pieces of a broken heart with the realization that sacrifices have to be made.

Jaden knew she had made a mistake. She wasn’t the type of girl to do a one-night stand, but she knew she was out of his league. Yet on the night Dr. Ivan sat with his friends, dining at her restaurant, Jaden knew she had made a bigger mistake then leaving without saying goodbye. If the tears staining her face were not a giveaway to her feelings, then the overwhelming joy at Ivan’s words, would certainly inspire a woman to fall head over heals for the stranger she had met only days before.

Throughout the story, the reader is taken on a trip of romance, of sex and fun. Ivan’s ability to make Jaden feel like she is the only woman in the world sings praises for a character who once thought he was destined for a string of failed relationships. His family’s acceptance was instantaneous, and the couple’s love grew with every encounter and morning after. Ivan is a man capable of melting a woman’s heart with a smile and a kiss. If only there were more men like the hero of this story.

Jaden was on the cusp of making a name for herself in the culinary world. Her position, as executive chef, had garnered a few turns of the head but it was her skill and her abilities that caught the attention of some very famous people-or so she had thought. But to everyone’s surprise except Ivan’s Jaden was thrown in to a spotlight that would eventually find her facing a boardroom of executives offering to make all of her dreams come true. But choices will have to be made, and the biggest sacrifice will come at the expense of a broken heart and a shattered soul. Sometimes the heart will not survive the separation of thousands of miles, and sometimes the heart knows exactly what it wants and needs.

THE WINEMAKER’S DINNER is a sweet story about finding love when and where you least expect it. As an erotic storyline, it was tamer than most, but the sexual energy was palpable and flowed smoothly between the pages of the book. The storyline was fast paced without the usual playing hard to get like many romantic tales-Jaden and Ivan were two adults who knew what they wanted and went into the relationship with their eyes and their hearts wide open. An interesting storyline, that makes you wonder, how much of the novel is fiction and how much is the real Dr. Ivan Rusilko. I have no doubt that comparisons will be made and most of us will never really know where reality and fiction blurred-but it was fun trying to guess. Congratulations to Dr. Ivan and Everly on their new release. I am looking forward to their next collaborative effort in The Winemaker’s Dinner series.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A delicious read sure to whet your appetite!

I would like to start out by saying that I’m so glad that reviews are written and not spoken, because I’m certain I would get lost in thought remembering my favorite parts of this book and start stammering like a fool. This is the first book in a series written by Dr. Ivan Rusilko and Everly Drummond, called The Winemaker’s Dinner. This first installation, Appetizers, delivers a delicious tease to the palate that has me hungry for more!

Jaden, a beautiful and talented chef at one of Miami’s most popular restaurants, is given the opportunity of a lifetime to attend The Winemaker’s Dinner, an upscale event for Miami’s élite. Who could turn up that offer? Even better, it’s her birthday weekend and with two tickets in hand it’s a perfect opportunity to spend time with her best friend, and roommate, and enjoy the finer things the culinary world has to offer.
Dr. Ivan Rusilko is a young and handsome physician built like a Greek god. He’s been to places and has had experiences most people only dream of. He’s mingled with models, actors and athletes. He’s loved and lived to the fullest. So, to go to the Winemakers Dinner is a pretty common example of a night out on the town for him. But tonight is bound to be different. The instant he sees the young woman dressed to kill in a red dress, he knows she is special. There’s something about her that is so alluring and he knows she isn’t a woman he should let slip through his grasp.

The story of Ivan and Jaden is one of lust, passion, and love. This story starts out hot and heavy but grows into a romance that is enviable and honest. The evolution of their relationship is magical. It is the perfect mix of erotic and romantic. There were times I was drooling on the pages and times where I was sighing dreamily like a teenage girl.

For me, the best part of this whole reading experience was knowing that Dr. Ivan is real. He’s a real person, sharing some of his real experiences. The women in his life are some lucky ladies. He seems so kind and caring and well–rounded but most of all, humble and honest. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this whole fiction based on reality mash-up when I first started this book but damn, it worked so well!! And let’s be honest ladies, you all know when we read a story with a hero we love, we will sit and Google the character name with the hopes that someone out there in Internetland has found a model that represents what we think the hero looks like. But with this book, we can Google the actual hero! And oh, what a Google search it is *swoon*!

Thank you Dr. Rusilko and Ms. Drummond for a wonderfully different concept that made one hell of a read! I cannot wait for the other installments in this series and how Jaden and Ivan grow. You have earned a fan and I will be recommending this book to all! Cheers!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The Winemaker's Dinner:Appetizers is the story of Jaden and Ivan

The Winemaker's Dinner:Appetizers is the story of Jaden and Ivan, falling in love. They are both successful professionals living in Miami, him being a Doctor and she an Executive Chef. Upon meeting, they have an instant, passionate chemistry that leads to the start of a very beautiful relationship. A relationship that features cozy dinners, exhilerating adventures, and steamy nights.

Jaden was a charming character. I felt she was relatable, despite the lifestyle she leads. She is secure with herself and in her burgeoning relationship with Ivan. As for the good doctor? I did like him, but didn't feel that much of a connection, despite seeing the story through his point of view as well. It wasn't any one thing about him that didn't resonate, but moreso his lack of any flaws. I kid you not, there isn't one thing in this entire world that man doesn't know how to do, and do it better with his eyes closed and one hand tied behind his back. He's a doctor, he's a model, Mr. USA, unfailingly even-tempered, he can even make jewelry. It's enough to make most women crawl under a rock with shame. But not Jaden, thankfully.

With it's nearly perfect characters leading nearly perfect lives, The Winemaker's Dinner was a nice, but not especially exciting read. I did enjoy it, but never felt as if I couldn't get enough. I will say, though, that the steamy scenes were pretty awesome. They were spicy enough to raise the temperature in the room, but not so much that you feel as if you need a shower after.

Full of passion and an over-the-top love affair, The Winemaker's Dinner is sure to appeal to readers looking to be swept away by romance.

I love this book and was hooked within the first few pages. I co

I love this book and was hooked within the first few pages. I couldn't stop reading it. If you like wonderfully hot heroes and beautiful heroines then you will love this book. It is a wonderful book.

Can I just say, Holy Mother of GOD? Not only is Jaden a sexy c

Can I just say, Holy Mother of GOD? Not only is Jaden a sexy character, but she's smart too. I don't know how "humble" the real Dr Ivan is, but his character seems to be, and it comes off as genuine. After looking at Dr. Ivan's pictures, he is a living breathing Christian Grey. Why hasn't Hollywood come knocking on his door.
Recommend this book highly, and have a booty call on speedy dial.

After spending 28 days in Europe and being in London for 10 day

After spending 28 days in Europe and being in London for 10 days leading up to the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics, it was time to fly home and on that day - the book was released. Having devoured the book in my jet lagged state, a few words come to my mind - I have already warned Dr. Ivan in a private message that my review will be sappy and tearful. I told him I needed a few days to gather my thoughts to write my review. The words that stand out to me in this first installment of the trilogy are passion, honesty, romantic, and heartfelt. My review will not contain any spoilers and I would like to concentrate mainly on the characters of the book. It is very apparent to me that Ivan's relationship with his family have made such an impact on his charismatic ways. He treats the women in his life like his own mother and sister and that is a rarity today. He gets his sense of humor from his wonderful father. Ivan makes the simplest things in life the most delectable and I could actually feel and smell everything that he wrote about in his words. Ivan is simplicity at it's finest. He is honest, an old fashioned gentleman with family values that one could only wish for. It is my wish that my son will be like Dr. Ivan. He certainly is on the right track as the relationship with me is very similar to Ivan and his mother and he also wants to become a doctor. It is so sweet reading about his mom and seeing pictures of her. It does make me misty.
I felt a strong connection to Jaden in this book, because of her upbringing and similar personality traits in myself. The clay skeet shooting during Thanksgiving brought back so many memories of my upbringing in Michigan and I could actually smell that turkey that they were making for their feast. Family traditions like this brought a smile to my face and a tear down my cheek.
Dr. Ivan's tattoos have extremely special meaning, and are linked to his family. That is how it should be. Mine is of a breast cancer ribbon for my mom and dear friend who passed away very recently. Those traits are not to go unnoticed.
From his Pink Floyd t-shirt, to his jeep and the little things that he does that make your heart just do a flip flop. The thought he puts into the little gifts that he presents to his love are the most romantic. We should all be treated this way, but somehow, it's the little things and romantic details which are most important, get forgotten. His writing is truly remarkable and Everly Drummond, must have had the time of her life getting to know him during this incredible journey and writing with him.
Like a Botticelli painting, The Winemakers Dinner - Appetizers has beauty, sweetness, details that you can actually feel, smell and touch. It is truly a book for all of the senses.
Having a chronic illness, I could only dream of having a Dr. Ivan as my caregiver. He has the healing touch and i know in my heart, that he could heal me. Dr. Ivan Rusilko will be my write in candidate for President of the United States (sorry that is a little teaser in the book) - I do hope that this journey that he is on, will somehow lead him to change the world. I see things differently after reading this and wonder what is next as I await the 2nd installment.
Cheers to you Ivan, I do hope that I can meet you one day, as it would be incredible.
I will end on this, until the next book - "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened".
XO

This is defineately in a class of its own in the mostly female d

This is defineately in a class of its own in the mostly female dominated erotic author industry. A beautifully written story which is part of a trilogy from a male point of view, the author himself is the character and it is supposedly loosly based on his life and past loves. I love how fact and fiction intertwine and the fun part is trying to figure out which is which! This book is about love and passion, and is not just for women, it is for anyone and everyone who has fallen in love , deeply and purely along with its trials and tribulations. Female,male,gay,straight,LBGT, whatever or wherever your fancies lie this is a fast moving page turner full of beautifully written well composed thoughts and emotions from the beautiful I may say author who is a real doctor , and it is interlaced with food and wine, what's more sexier than that? The sex scenes are written well and do rise at times on the thermometer seeming to almost burst (no pun intended!) but never pornographic or raunchy. Two thumbs up for the Wine Makers Dinner, and kudos to the author and publisher for breaking new ground. Can't wait to see what Dr. Ivan gets into in book two.....

What a wonderfully romantic novel! The intimate moments in the

What a wonderfully romantic novel! The intimate moments in the book were definately HAWT! but the book was about so much more than those moments. There are moments in this book that literally take your breath away. I had some minor issues with the book and I am sure that much will be made of them as the book continues on its skyward trajectory, for instance- if he called her "baby girl" one more time I was going to scream! But, these minor details are barely worth mentioning and may just be a personal preference. Overall, the hero was an incredible romantic, the heroine was strong willed and independent and the book was extremely well written. There were so many times that I would stop just to re-read a line and let it sink in. Some of my favorites from the hero of the novel were: "Ninety percent of the population spends time imagining their future and forgetting that now is where we live and breathe. The ten percent who live in the present are the ones who have stories to tell, the ones who live life the way it's meant to be lived. . . "; "You can't keep looking over your shoulder because your future is always in front of you. . . as it is now." One of the sweetest and perhaps corniest (but that's what made it soo freakin' sweet) was : "So what about you. . . How many guys do I have to thank for passing up their chance to be with you?" (swoon!)

I have already heard comparisons of this book to Fifty Shades of Grey and in my opinion it does a disservice to both books. They are both in a class by themselves. Although this book opens with a bang, literally, it has a slow burn and takes its time- it is definately to be savored. Fifty Shades of Grey was a hot fast read. Was one better than the other? If compared side by side perhaps someone can come up with a winner but to me they both stand alone in categories all their own.

Overall, this book is an encredibly enjoyable read. It does not disappoint!