Blog Tour: Review of Map of the Heart by Susan Wiggs

Author: Susan Wiggs

Publisher: William Morrow Paperback

Date of publication: February 2019 (reprint edition)

Love and family. War and secrets. Betrayal and redemption.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs returns with a deeply emotional and atmospheric story that spans oceans and decades, from the present-day Delaware shore to the battlefields of WWII France.

Widowed by an unspeakable tragedy, Camille Palmer has made her peace with the past and settled into the quiet safety of life with her teenage daughter Julie in a sleepy coastal town. Then the arrival of a mysterious package breaks open the door to her family’s secret past. In uncovering a hidden history, Camille has no idea that she’s embarking on an adventure that will utterly transform her.

Camille, Julie, and Camille’s father return to the French town of his youth, sparking  unexpected memories — recollections that will lead them back to the dark days of the Second World War. And it is in the stunning Provençal countryside that they will uncover their family’s surprising history.

While Provence offers answers about the past, it also holds the key to Camille’s future. Along the way, she meets a former naval officer who stirs a passion deep within her — a feeling that she thought she’d never experience again.

“Susan Wiggs seamlessly melds historical drama with contemporary romance,” raves Mary Kay Andrews. Now, this hugely popular author has created her biggest, most powerful story yet — a beautiful and heartfelt novel that celebrates the bonds of family and pays homage to the sacrifices of the past.

I always know reading a book by Susan Wiggs that I will run the gamut of emotions and will be left smiling in the end.  Map of the Heart was no exception.  Told in duel time lines, it is a beautifully written story about love, sacrifice and family. 

I really loved this story.  I'll admit in the beginning that I wasn't too keen on Camille.  But as her story unfolded, I could understand her reluctance to let her heart feel again. As well as he over-protectiveness toward her doughier.  Finn was my absolute favorite.  He was funny and a breath of fresh air.  My favorite part of the book was Lisette's storyline. It was bittersweet and gut wrenching at the same time. I don't want to give anything away.  It's best to let the secrets within the book be discovered along with Camille and Finn.  I highly recommend picking this book up.

Purchase Links

HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About Susan Wiggs

Susan Wiggs’s life is all about family, friends…and fiction. She lives at the water’s edge on an island in Puget Sound, and in good weather, she commutes to her writers’ group in a 21-foot motorboat. She’s been featured in the national media, including NPR, PRI, and USA Today, has given programs for the US Embassies in Buenos Aires and Montevideo, and is a popular speaker locally, nationally, internationally, and on the high seas.

From the very start, her writings have illuminated the everyday dramas of ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances. Her books celebrate the power of love, the timeless bonds of family and the fascinating nuances of human nature. Today, she is an international best-selling, award-winning author, with millions of copies of her books in print in numerous countries and languages. According to Publishers Weekly, Wiggs writes with “refreshingly honest emotion,” and the Salem Statesman Journal adds that she is “one of our best observers of stories of the heart [who] knows how to capture emotion on virtually every page of every book.” Booklist characterizes her books as “real and true and unforgettable.”

Her novels have appeared in the #1 spot on the New York Times Bestseller List, and have captured readers’ hearts around the globe with translations into more than 20 languages and 30 countries. She is a three-time winner of the RITA Award,. Her recent novel, The Apple Orchard, is currently being made into a film, and The Lakeshore Chronicles has been optioned for adaptation into a series.

The author is a former teacher, a Harvard graduate, an avid hiker, an amateur photographer, a good skier and terrible golfer, yet her favorite form of exercise is curling up with a good book. She lives on an island in Puget Sound, where she divides her time between sleeping and waking.

Visit her website at www.SusanWiggs.com, and connect with Susan on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Instagram Features

Wednesday, February 13th: Instagram: @basicbsguide

Thursday, February 14th: Instagram: @jennblogsbooks

Friday, February 15th: Instagram: @simplykelina

Saturday, February 16th: Instagram: @hollyslittlebookreviews

Sunday, February 17th: Instagram: @worldswithinpages

Sunday, February 17th: Instagram: @shelovesthepages

Monday, February 18th: Instagram: @beritaudiokilledthebookmark

TBD: Thursday, February 14th: Instagram: @writersdream

Review Stops

Tuesday, February 12th: As I turn the pages

Wednesday, February 13th: Ms. Nose in a Book

Thursday, February 14th: Comfy Reading

Friday, February 15th: Kritters Ramblings

Tuesday, February 19th: Literary Quicksand

Wednesday, February 20th: A Chick Who Reads

Thursday, February 21st: From the TBR Pile

Monday, February 25th: A Bookish Way of Life

Tuesday, February 26th: What Is That Book About

Wednesday, February 27th: Instagram: @jennsbookvibes

Monday, March 4th: Laura’s Reviews

Blog Tour: Between You and Me by Susan Wiggs

Author: Susan Wiggs

Publisher: William Morrow

Date of publication: June 2018

Caught between two worlds, Caleb Stoltz is bound by a deathbed promise to raise his orphaned niece and nephew in Middle Grove, where life revolves around family, farm, faith—and long-held suspicions about outsiders. When disaster strikes, Caleb is thrust into an urban environment of high-tech medicine and the relentless rush of modern life.

Dr. Reese Powell is poised to join the medical dynasty of her wealthy, successful parents. Bold, assertive, and quick-thinking, she lives for the addictive rush of saving lives. When a shocking accident brings Caleb Stoltz into her life, Reese is forced to deal with a situation that challenges everything she thinks she knows—and ultimately emboldens her to question her most powerful beliefs.

Then one impulsive act brings about a clash of cultures in a tug-of-war that plays out in a courtroom, challenging the very nature of justice and reverberating through generations, straining the fragile threads of faith and family.

I had a few reservations about reading Between You & Me.  Stories involving the Amish are not usually ones that I gravitate to.  However, I am a fan of this author, so I put my trust in her.  I'm glad I did.  The story involves Caleb and Reese what happens when their two worlds collide.  I was sucked right into the story and really enjoyed it.

The story was a little tough to get through at times because it deals with some heavy issues.  However, the book leaves you with a lot of hope.  One  thing I loved was the author's portrayal of Reese's experience as a brand new doctor.  She was, at times, unsure of herself yet determined to make a difference.  The clash between the "English" word and the Amish was very frustrating.  I understood Reeses's struggle with giving her patient's the care they need without compromising their beliefs.  

The other thing that I loved about the story was the slow build of  the romance between Caleb and Reese.  I adored them together.  Following their journey from friendship to love was a real treat. I loved Caleb and his honesty.  I was really rooting for Caleb to take the path he chose.  I highly recommend this one.  I have a feeling it's going to make my top 10 of the year.

Purchase Links

HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About Susan Wiggs

Susan Wiggs is the author of many beloved bestsellers, including the popular Lakeshore Chronicles series. She has won many awards for her work, including a RITA from Romance Writers of America. Visit her website at www.SusanWiggs.com.

Connect with Susan on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Instagram Features

Tuesday, June 26th: Instagram: @wherethereadergrows

Wednesday, June 27th: Instagram: @jenabrownwrites

Thursday, June 28th: Instagram: @novelreality

Friday, June 29th: Instagram: @thats_what_she_read

Saturday, June 30th: Instagram: @thesaggingbookshelf

Sunday, July 1st: Instagram: @girlsinbooks

Monday, July 2nd: Instagram: @rendezvous_with_reading

Review Stops

Tuesday, June 26th: Literary Quicksand

Tuesday, June 26th: Thoughts On This ‘n That

Wednesday, June 27th: As I turn the pages

Thursday, June 28th: Comfy Reading

Friday, June 29th: Into the Hall of Books

Monday, July 2nd: A Chick Who Reads

Thursday, July 5th: From the TBR Pile

Monday, July 9th: Girl Who Reads

Tuesday, July 10th: Instagram: @writersdream

Wednesday, July 11th: Reading Reality

Thursday, July 12th: Tina Says…

Friday, July 13th: Novel Gossip

Blog Tour: Starlight on Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs

Author: Susan Wiggs
Publisher: Mira ( Harlequin)
Date of publication: August 2015

 When caregiver Faith McCallum arrives at the enchanted, lakeside estate of Avalon's renowned Bellamy family, she's intent on rebuilding her shattered life and giving her two daughters a chance at a better future. But she faces a formidable challenge in the form of her stubborn and difficult new employer, Alice Bellamy. While Faith proves a worthy match for her sharp-tongued client, she often finds herself at a loss for words in the presence of Mason Bellamy—Alice's charismatic son, who clearly longs to escape the family mansion and return to his fast-paced, exciting life in Manhattan…and his beautiful, jet-setting fiancée. 

The last place Mason wants to be is a remote town in the Catskills, far from his life in the city, and Faith McCallum is supposed to be the key to his escape. Hiring the gentle-hearted yet strong-willed caregiver as a live-in nurse gives his mother companionship and Mason the freedom to return to his no-attachments routine. For Faith, it means stability for her daughters and a much-needed new home. When Faith makes a chilling discovery about Alice's accident, Mason is forced to reconsider his desire to keep everyone, including his mother, at a distance. Now he finds himself wondering if the supercharged life he's created for himself is what he truly wants…and whether exploring his past might lead to a new life—and lasting love—on the tranquil shores of Willow Lake.
Starlight on Willow Lake was a very enjoyable book.  It is the 11th book in the Lakeshore Chronicles series but honestly can be read as a stand alone.  I am familiar with the series as I have read some of the earlier books, but I never felt like I was missing anything.  In this one, Alice Bellamy has been living as a quadriplegic for the past year after surviving a skiing accident.  Her son Mason is summoned home when she has an accident at home.  He hires Faith as a last ditch effort to find a good in home nurse to take care of her.

That is just a little about the set up of the book.  What it doesn't tell you is that story is very relationship driven.  It's not really about the romance between Faith and Mason.  Although that is a nice result of the story.  It's more about the relationships between the characters. It's about  Mason and his mother finding a way to talk to each other again.  Cara, Ruby, and Alice all finding a way to conquer their fears and be comfortable with themselves.  And it's a wonderful story about how love and family can help to heal any broken heart.

My favorite relationship was the one between Alice and Ruby.  It was so endearing to see how Alice came alive as she helped Ruby get over her fear of everything.  What a special bond those two developed over the course of the book.  I definitely think that this is one of my favorite from this series.  I highly recommend picking it up!

About the author:

Susan Wiggs is the author of many beloved bestsellers, including the popular Lakeshore Chronicles series. She has won many awards for her work, including a RITA® Award from the Romance Writers of America.

Connect with Susan

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

Review tour for STARLIGHT ON WILLOW LAKE:

Monday, August 24th: Book Reviews & More by Kathy

Tuesday, August 25th: The Sassy Bookster

Wednesday, August 26th: Romancing the Book

Friday, August 28th: The Bookish and The Romantic

Monday, August 31st: Raven Haired Girl

Tuesday, September 1st: The Sassy Bookster – author guest post

Tuesday, September 1st: Books and Spoons

Tuesday, September 1st: Written Love Reviews

Thursday, September 3rd: Kritter’s Ramblings

Friday, September 4th: Sara’s Organized Chaos

Friday, September 4th: From the TBR Pile

Monday, September 7th: A Chick Who Reads

Tuesday, September 8th: Bookchickdi

Wednesday, September 9th: Mignon Mykel Reviews

Thursday, September 10th: Mom in Love with Fiction

Thursday, September 10th: Luxury Reading

Friday, September 11th: Not In Jersey

Monday, September 14th: Book Babe

Monday, September 14th: Books a la Mode – author guest post

Tuesday, September 15th: Booked on a Feeling

Wednesday, September 16th: Snowdrop Dreams of Books

Thursday, September 17th: Bibliotica

Friday, September 18th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

TBD: Urban Girl Reader

The Beekeeper's Ball by Susan Wiggs

Author: Susan Wiggs
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Date of publication: June 2014

Isabel Johansen, a celebrated chef who grew up in the sleepy Sonoma town of Archangel, is transforming her childhood home into a destination cooking school—a unique place for other dreamers to come and learn the culinary arts. Bella Vista's rambling mission-style hacienda, with its working apple orchards, bountiful gardens and beehives, is the idyllic venue for Isabel's project…and the perfect place for her to forget the past. 

But Isabel's carefully ordered plans begin to go awry when swaggering, war-torn journalist Cormac O'Neill arrives to dig up old history. He's always been better at exposing the lives of others than showing his own closely-guarded heart, but the pleasures of small-town life and the searing sensuality of Isabel's kitchen coax him into revealing a few truths of his own. 

The Beekeeper's Ball is the sequel to The Apple Orchard (read my review here).  I thought this book was a great addition "Bella Vista Chronicles" and thoroughly enjoyed the book. Once again, the author has given us a wonderful story about love, friendship and home. 

 The main part of the story is the developing romance between Isabel and Cormac.("Mac"). It was fun to watch them fall in love. I loved Mac and his willingness to pull Isabel out of her comfort zone. Isabel carries a lot of baggage with her. Her back story is heart breaking. I was so glad she got her justice toward the end.  While  Mac pulls her out of her comfort zone, she shows him what family and home is all about.

As in the first book, the story go between the present and WWII.  Isabel's grandfather Magnus is being interviewed by Mac because Magnus wants his story to be written.   We learn how he met his wife and best friends.  I thought their stories were interesting and they added  a lot to the overall book. The other thing I loved about the book was the recipes and information about bees that the author put at the beginning of each chapter.  Normally, I skip over things like that in a book, but I found them really interesting.

You definitely could read this one as a stand alone.  But why not read both, if you haven't already?

Throwback Thursday: Snowfall at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs

Author: Susan Wiggs
First published in 2008 by Harlequin (Mira)

Can a single moment change your entire life?

International lawyer Sophie Bellamy has dedicated her life to helping people in war-torn countries. But when she survives a hostage situation, she remembers what matters most--the children she loves back home. Haunted by regrets, she returns to the idyllic Catskills village of Avalon on the shores of Willow Lake, determined to repair the bonds with her family.
There Sophie discovers the surprising rewards of small-town life--including an unexpected passion for Noah Shepherd, the local veterinarian. Noah has a healing touch for anything with four legs, but he's never had any luck with women--until Sophie.. 

So far, I have enjoyed this series.  I like visiting with the Bellamy families and the town of Avalon.  Having said that, Snowfall at Willow Lake is probably my least favorite out of the first 4 books so far.  I did enjoy it, but I thought it was the weakest for a few reasons. 

I felt like there was a lot of repetition about past occurrences.  Almost like the author was trying to make sure it could be read as a stand alone book.  That was annoying.  There were also way too many pop cultural references in the story that in another 10 years, people won't remember or care about.    There was a lack of romance as I didn't buy into Noah and Sophie fully.  I needed to see more of them together.  And really, who dates someone for MONTHS and never asks them their age?  I had a hard time buying that one!

What I did like was the way Sophie and her children's relationship grew and healed.  It was also good to see a lot of past characters and catch up on how they are doing.  I also loved the ending, it was very sweet.  

Throwback Thursday: Dockside by Susan Wiggs

Author: Susan Wiggs
First publisher in 2007 by Mira

With her daughter grown and flown, Nina Romano is ready to embark on a new adventure. She's waited a long time for dating, travel and chasing dreams. But just as she's beginning to enjoy being on her own, she finds herself falling for Greg Bellamy, owner of the charming Inn at Willow Lake and a single father with two kids of his own.

Greg lost his first marriage to a demanding career. Now he's determined to make a new start before it's too late. Juggling work, raising his young son and helping his nearly grown daughter face life's ultimate challenge, he has no time to fall in love. Still, with Nina Romano, love feels just right this time around.

Dockside is the third book in the Lakeshore Chronicles.  I have been enjoying this series and was looking forward to reading Greg and Nina's story.  I did enjoy it, but it wasn't my favorite of the series so far.  The story waffles between "then" and "now" and goes over the different times that Nina and Greg's lives have crossed.  I'm not sure that worked so much for this book.  I felt like there wasn't enough of Nina and Greg now to see them fall in love.   
What I did like was Daisy's storyline and how her relationship with Greg progressed.  I thought their father daughter bond was strengthened.  I really felt for Greg in his struggle to let go of Daisy and let her live her own life.    The next book is the series is Snowfall at Willow Lake.  It's Sophie's story. 

One neat thing to note is the cameo appearance of Sarah Moon in the book.  She is the main character in Ms. Wiggs;s book Just Breathe.  I love when authors do that!

Review: The Apple Orchard by Susan Wiggs

Author: Susan Wiggs
Publisher: Mira (Harlequin)
Date of puiblication: April 2013

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 hundred-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.

Susan Wiggs latest book was a wonderful story about family and hidden secrets.  I really enjoyed The Apple Orchard. Tess Delaney has grown up not knowing her father.  She is a successful finder of antiques.  Her life is very busy and she only has her eyes on the next promotion and treasure hunt.  When she finds out she has a whole other family that she never knew, her life is turned upside down. This is one of those books that reminds us all what is really important in life.  That what we really need to do is to stop and smell the roses (or apples) once in a while.  Take a breath and just be.  Tess's time at Bella Vista allows her to do just that.  As she discovers answers, she begins to see there is more to life than work.  

There is not only a great romance (I loved Dominic!).  There is also a mastery.  In order to save the estate, Tess and Isabel must find a lost Faberge egg that belongs to their grandfather.  While the book takes place mostly in the present, we are given glimpses into the past during WWII and the role the older generation played in the resistance.  At first it is hard to see how it will all fit together, but in the end it all wraps up nicely.  There is one twist that that I really liked and made the ending sweeter.

I definitely recommend The Apple Orchard.  I loved the ending and Tess and Dominic's HEA.  I hope that Isabel gets her own story!