Sandra Steffen's Homepage

Hello! For years I’ve toyed with developing a series of books set on an apple orchard. At long last, I’ve done it. Why an apple orchard? Just look at the apple and all it symbolizes. There’s the story of William Tell, the Swiss patriot who was forced to shoot an apple off his young son’s head as punishment for refusing to bow to the hat of an Austrian bailiff. According to legend, Tell later put an arrow through the cruel man’s heart and led a revolution. The apple has a more comical side, too, as demonstrated by the story of Johnny Appleseed who supposedly walked across America planting apple trees wearing a kettle on his head. And I can’t fail to mention the apple’s role in Eve’s temptation in the Garden of Eden. Bravery, humor, temptation, and scandal are at the heart of legends, and at the heart of my new series, too. Welcome to Orchard Hill, a setting I’m sinking my teeth into. Here’s a little nibble of Book One, (my 37^th novel). THE WEDDING GIFT A new lease on life and love... Madeline Sullivan never planned to actually meet the man who became the recipient of her late fiancé’s heart. Seeking closure, she just wanted to see from afar that he was alive and well. What she found--exasperating, irresistible architect Riley Merrick--opened a whole new world to her. He made her heart beat faster! Not since the transplant had Riley felt as alive as when Madeline waltzed into town. Soon this innocent yet mysterious woman had the inveterate bachelor wrapped around her finger. But who was she really? Had Riley been given his very special second chance to wed this once-in-a-lifetime woman? © Harlequin Enterprises Limited
You'll find a preview of THE WEDDING GIFT on the Excerpt page. Stop by my Orchard Hill page and meet some of the town's mysterious, humorous and scandalous residents. Take a peek at my brag page and sign up to receive my newsletter. While you're doing that, I'll be finishing another ORCHARD HILL book. More about that next time... Until then and always,