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The Apple Orchard by Susan Wiggs: Spotlight & Giveaway (US only)

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The spotlight for today is The Apple Orchard by best selling author Susan Wiggs.  The Apple Orchard is the first novel in the Bella Vista series so now is the time to get started!  I have read a few of Susan’s books and really enjoyed them.  They are comfort reads for me and an author that both my mom and I share a fondness for which is rare.  LOL.  I hope you’ll enjoy learning what the book is about and be sure to check out the book trailer as well.  Don’t forget the giveaway at the end of the post for your chance to win a copy for yourself!

 

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About The Apple Orchard

An out-of-the-blue legacy and secrets from the past are the intriguing catalysts for #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs’s richly plotted, enchanting new novel, THE APPLE ORCHARD, the first in her new series since her enormously popular Lakeshore Chronicles novels. Set amid the quaint towns and lush hills of California’s Sonoma County, Wiggs’s emotionally honest narrative explores the real meaning of family and friendship as a successful young woman’s carefully calibrated life is turned on its ear with revelations about who she really is and where she belongs.

At twenty-nine, Tess Delaney has carved out a career doing what she loves most in the world—tracking down stolen art and heirlooms and restoring them to their rightful owners. Tess’s latest coup has been finding a Russian-made lavaliere, valued at $800,000, for Annelise Winther, whose mother owned the jewels before the Nazis arrested her and seized the necklace. Tess is somewhat surprised when Annelise decides to hold on to the treasure rather than put it up for auction. To Tess, the money could change the woman’s life, and she can’t fully understand the primacy the old woman places on the memories it possesses. Indeed, despite the fact that she makes her living from the past, Tess has little connection to her own. A peripatetic mother she rarely sees is her only living relative. Or so she thinks.

Riding high on her latest success, and anticipating a promotion at the Sheffield Auction House in San Francisco, Tess is sideswiped by a visit from a handsome banker, Dominic Rossi, who brings the startling news that a grandfather she never knew she had has gone into a coma. If he dies, Tess will inherit half of Bella Vista, a hundred-acre apple orchard in Sonoma County. The other half will go to Isabel Johansen, the half sister who, until that moment, Tess did not know existed. The shock of the news triggers an anxiety attack that lands Tess in the E.R., where Dominic convinces her that a few days off from work—and a visit to Bella Vista—are in order.

What Tess discovers at Bella Vista will forever change the trajectory of her life. As she meets her sister and the other denizens of this close-knit community, she comes to savor the seemingly simple pleasures this idyllic place can offer. It’s hard, too, not to fall for Dominic Rossi, who is as compelling as he is gorgeous. But there is trouble in paradise, as Tess and Isabel learn the hard truth: Bella Vista is on the verge of foreclosure, and it seems it will take a miracle to save it. As they sort through their grandfather’s papers, the two women begin to uncover many long-concealed facts about the family history—events stretching back to Denmark during the German occupation. But Tess proceeds with caution, knowing that sometimes when you dig into the past you discover things better left buried.

A masterful blend of history, romance and suspense, THE APPLE ORCHARD is one of the best books yet from beloved writer Susan Wiggs.

Read an excerpt
Buy at: Amazon, Amazon Canada, B&N, IndieBound, and iBooks

 

 

About Susan Wiggs

#1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Susan Wiggs says the most important things in life are, “family, friends and fiction.” And that will come as no surprise to anyone who’s read her bestselling Lakeshore Chronicles series, lauded as “Delightful and wise (Publishers Weekly), “Superb…wonderfully evoked” (Booklist) and “Richly evocative, emotionally charged and frequently wryly humorous” (RT Book Reviews).

Her first book was published by Zebra in 1987, and 40 contemporary and historical novels later she is an internationally recognized bestselling author with millions of copies of her books in print in numerous countries. Her novel The Charm School was honored with the Dorothy Parker Award of Excellence and was designated a Favorite Book of the Year by Romance Writers of America. She is the proud recipient of three RITA awards for Lakeside Cottage, Lord of the Night and The Mistress and is often a finalist for the prestigious award, and her books appear regularly on numerous “Best Of” lists.

Susan holds a graduate degree from Harvard and is a former math teacher. It’s no surprise that she a frequent workshop leader and speaker at writers’ conferences across the country, including the literary institution Fields End and the legendary Maui Writers Conference, speaking to aspiring novelists about the profession. She is often interviewed in the media on the topic of writing popular novels for today’s women, having appeared on Talk of the Nation and in the Seattle Times and Portland Tribune. Susan is a member of the Authors Guild, Romance Writers of America and Novelists, Inc. Her blog, The View from Here (http://susanwiggs.wordpress.com), is filled with her photos and observations and was featured in Publishers Weekly.

Susan’s website
Find Susan on Facebook
Follow Susan on Twitter

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS (US only)

I have one copy of The Apple Orchard by Susan Wiggs to share with my readers.  To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog.  If you already do just let me know and I’ll pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • Tweet, like on Facebook, or blog for 3 entries.

This giveaway is open to US residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Wednesday, May 22/13.   Good luck!

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Wow this sounds like a very interesting story. I sometimes wonder what we would find out if we could go way back in our family some do. But, it’s not as easy as you are led to believe. Susan is a new author to me and I would love to win her book. Thanks for this chance. I am a follower of this blog and shared this on my Facebook page.
    Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

  2. Sounds like a good book!! I already follow your blog & shared this on Facebook.

  5. Susan Wiggs will be a new author for me. This novel sounds very interesting – I love digging into the past/family history. Thanks for the giveaway.

    I have followed your blog for years!

  6. This book sounds wonderful and interests me greatly. I am an e-mail subscriber. Thanks for this giveaway.

  7. Captivating and special story. Many thanks for this giveaway. I subscribe via e-mail.

  9. I’ve never read Susan Wiggs’ books, but this one sounds fascinating! I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I win a copy, as I could desperately use a good read like this one.

  10. Hi, Dar! I follow your blog, so could you please enter me twice? Thanks!

  11. I just “liked” you on FB and will also share your giveaway, if you like, on my page! Thanks! I believe that this gives me 3 entries. Yaaay!

  12. Oh, I really like the plot here. I have watched TV dramas about stolen art during WWII which, sadly, was rampant. I am looking forward to reading this novel as it sounds really good and I love the subject.

    Connie Fischer
    conniecape@aol.com

    Follows via GFC and email

    Will tweet and share on Facebook

  13. I am an e-mail subscriber and look forward to reading this book and commenting on it. I have tweeted @readsalways. Thank you for the giveaway.

  14. Sounds like a great book. I think all of us would love to know more about our family from years back. I follow you both on facebook and email. Also have Tweeter it. Thank you

  15. Just spent a week in Napa. Went to church Easter Sunday in Sonoma. I’m in the mood to read a book about this area.
    I follow via email

  16. The book sounds great, I can’t wait to read it.

    I follow via email.

    Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

  20. I would love to win/read this book. It sounds terrific.

    I am a GFC follower

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  21. I’ve never read any of Wiggs’ books. Would love to give her a try, thanks.
    nanze55(at)hotmail(dot)com

  24. Wow! I can’t WAIT to read this! I love that cover, too ; )
    I wonder what kind of events or people inspired the author while writing this book!?
    I follow via email: mestith at gmail dot com
    I liked this on FB: Meghan Stith
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    mestith at gmail dot com

  30. Susan WIggs books are so good to read. This sounds like a great story one I would enjoy reading .thanks for the giveaway

  33. I can’t wait to read this book. It sounds so good, with Tess finding family she never knew she had. Land she never knew about and a mystery to dig into or not.
    I follow with email
    I tweeted
    kathleen.bianchi@ymail.com

  35. This book sounds amazing. I love all of the secrets and twists in the story. This one I would really enjoy. Thanks for this chance.

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  37. Liked and posted on Facebook.
    Facebook Name: Anita Yancey

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  39. looks like a beautiful read. I love smaller town reads and this one looks perfect. The plot sounds exciting!

    Old GFC follower – Lily B
    Liked on FAcebook – Lily Blain

  43. Yesterday, while I was at work, my cousin stole my apple ipad
    and tested to see if it can survive a thirty foot
    drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation.

    My iPad is now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is
    totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!