A Wedding in Apple Grove

September 3, 2012
Admirand’s small-town series launch lacks conflict but more than makes up for it with raw charm. Fiery redhead Meg Mulcahy needs to let go of her stale hopes for a future with errant pro football player Jimmy Van Orden and open her eyes to the appeal of Dan Eagan, because it’s obvious that the prettiest handywoman in Apple Gove, Ohio, and its new high school phys ed teacher are meant to be. Obvious, that is, to everyone but them. Neither can see anything beyond their own emotional baggage: Dan’s faithless ex makes him reluctant to trust, and Meg stubbornly clings to that on-again, mostly off-again thing with Jimmy. Lucky for them, the town meddlers keep pushing them together. This one is not so much a nail-biter as one to read while the pedicure dries. Agent: Eric Ruben, Eric W. Ruben.

September 15, 2012
In the first book in Admirand's sexy and fun new series, Welcome to Apple Grove, Meg Mulcahy and her sisters run a home-repair business. Meg loves the small town of Apple Grove, Ohio. She has even kept up a relationship for years with her high-school sweetheart, getting together whenever he comes back to town. Then, at a friend's wedding, she literally falls into Daniel Eagan's arms. The new high-school coach is moving to be near his aunt in Apple Grove and trying to escape his old life after his fiancee ended up engaged to his best friend. Dan's house needs repairs, but so does his heart, and he is scared of his feelings for Meg as their chemistry clicks and their encounters grow steamy. Recipes and vivid minor characters, including Meg's friend Honey and her online-dating adventures, add to the enjoyable mix. Admirand's series will be popular, especially with fans of Susan Wiggs and Janet Chapman.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)