The Apple Orchard

Bella Vista, Book 1

By: Susan Wiggs

Narrated by: Christina Traister

Length: 12 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

"Sometimes you stumble across a treasure when you’re looking for something else entirely."

Number-one New York Times best-selling author Susan Wiggs brings listeners to the lush abundance of Sonoma County in a novel of sisters, friendship, and how memories are woven like a spell around us.

Tess Delaney makes a living restoring stolen treasures to their rightful owners. People like Annelise Winther, who refuses to sell her long-gone mother’s beloved necklace - despite Tess’s advice. To Annelise, the jewel’s value is in its memories.

But Tess’s own history is filled with gaps: a father she never met, a mother who spent more time traveling than with her daughter. So Tess is shocked when she discovers the grandfather she never knew is in a coma. And that she has been named in his will to inherit half of Bella Vista, a 100-acre apple orchard in the magical Sonoma town called Archangel. The rest is willed to Isabel Johansen. A half-sister she’s never heard of.

Against the rich landscape of Bella Vista, Tess begins to discover a world filled with the simple pleasures of food and family, of the warm earth beneath her bare feet. A world where family comes first and the roots of history run deep. A place where falling in love is not only possible, but inevitable.

And in a season filled with new experiences, Tess begins to see the truth in something Annelise once told her: If you don’t believe memories are worth more than money, then perhaps you’ve not made the right kind of memories.

From one of America’s most beloved writers, The Apple Orchard is a story of family ties - both old and new - and of the moments that connect our hearts.

©2013 Susan Wiggs (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Nice Story - well written

What did you love best about The Apple Orchard?

This was an enjoyable book. The ending was a bit predictable but there was sufficient mystery to keep it interesting. Characters were well developed.

Have you listened to any of Christina Traister’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Have not listened to any of her previous books.

Very intricate and historical! A Pleasure!

The Plot In This Book Is Awesome! Even though you know what's going to happen with the two main characters you are still intrigued by the mystery.

Just OK

There is some bad language, not much , some sex, not too much. I liked the warm family feel of it, but something was not quite right for me.
No big criticism, but the book was just OK.

Sensory delight

Beauty, recipes, romance, intrigue. A fairly typical romance novel but enjoyable despite it's transparent formula.

Waiting for Book 3

Waiting for the story of finding the Dad book 3. Hope you write it soon been waiting a long time for the final book 3 for this series!! Awesome as always!

Going home

A heart warming story about romance and enduring love for family. Certainly one of the best books ever written.

1940s Jewish Persecution to Sonoma Valley Now

Three generations of secrets, dating back to WWII, when a young boy is robbed of his family and is forced to make a decision . . . what will he live FOR? This is a beautifully woven story of the cruelty suffered by not just the Jewish families, but the brave families that CHOSE to do the RIGHT thing during the war. A story of the youngest children, how they were forced to grow up, long before their time, how they watched their parents and grandparents be torn away from them . . . and still chose to live and fight. It's the story of what happened next . . . and the mistakes that were made along the way . . . the love and secrets that spanned three generations . . . the alienation that resulted and the path back to healing. I had to finish this book in one day . . . could not stop listening . . . and I dare say that LISTENING to this book is the way to go . . . you will almost smell the delicious bread baking in the kitchen . . . the descriptions are so vivid . . . beautifully written and narrated.

Good listen

but the recipes are kind of wasted. There was a good story line, character development was excellent. I enjoy Susan Wiggs books.

Mystery

Enjoyed the little bit of mystery and the search. Along with some history . You could picture it.

one of my favorites

I loved this book, I liked all the characters and the story line

Susan Wiggs is a good writer