The River Jewel: A Letter Series Novella by Kathleen Shoop
Publication Date: December 3, 2019
eBook & Paperback; 172 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
For everyone who hopes to find the perfect match…
1875 Des Moines, Iowa
The novella, The River Jewel, takes readers of the bestselling Letter Series novels back in time, before there was a last letter, before the Arthurs lost everything, before they knew a girl named Pearl.
Meet Tilly Rabel, a proud oyster-woman, and Landon Lockwood, the troubled son of one of the wealthiest men in America. The two could not be less suited for love. But when an old legend draws Landon to a hidden river cove, Tilly and he find each other, are lured by growing attraction, and repelled by competing desires to control Tilly’s waters. The hidden pool is replete with valuable mussel beds and the source of everything that makes Tilly who she is. Landon sees the illustrious treasure as the path to proving to his parents he is worth their love and worthy of the Lockwood name. Can Tilly trust Landon with her heart, with her beloved mussel beds? Can Landon trust that he has truly changed and doesn’t need his parents approval to live the life he wants?
Heartbreak, triumph, and a very special baby weave a tale sure to please readers who’ve read the entire Letter Series and those who are just starting the journey.
Review:
Tilly Rabel proudly tends to the mussel beds in her family's cove in 1875 Des Moines. Tilly lives by herself since her parents death and lives off of her commissions from the one of a kind mother of pearl pieces she creates. Landon Lockwood has something to prove to his father. Landon wants to earn his father's approval by building his own business and Landon has his sights on mother of pearl buttons. When Landon comes crashing into Tilly's cove, he doesn't expect to find someone strong, smart and capable. Tilly can not be bought, she is proud of her heritage, upbringing and ability to live off the land. This is an unforeseen issue for Landon, money has always solved the problems in his life; however, as he spends time with Tilly, Landon realizes that there is more to life than his father's approval. Landon soon finds himself defending the cove that he wanted to seize and falling in love with the woman that he tried to buy it from.
The River Jewel is the fifth book in The Letter series and serves as a prequel; so it is a great place to start. Landon and Tilly's story is an unlikely, sweeping historical romance. Told from alternating points of view between Tilly and Landon, The River Jewel is fast paced and engaging. I fell in love with Tilly's character from the beginning. Her tenacious and caring nature was a perfect balance with Landon's need for affection and hard working attitude. The romance in the story was perfect with many sweet moments, ups and downs and tension created after Landon's father shows up. I enjoyed the description of the land that Tilly tended and the care and procedures for tending her muscles and making special items with the mother of pearl. Overall, a wonderful beginning to The Letter series.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Available on Amazon
About the Author
Bestselling author, Kathleen Shoop, holds a PhD in reading education and has more than 20 years of experience in the classroom. She writes historical fiction, women’s fiction and romance. Shoop’s novels have garnered various awards in the Independent Publisher Book Awards, Eric Hoffer Book Awards, Indie Excellence Awards, Next Generation Indie Book Awards and the San Francisco Book Festival. Kathleen has been featured in USA Today and the Writer’s Guide to 2013. Her work has appeared in The Tribune-Review, four Chicken Soup for the Soul books and Pittsburgh Parent magazine. She lives in Oakmont, Pennsylvania with her husband and two children.
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Blog Tour Schedule
Wednesday, August 26 Review at Passages to the Past Feature at I'm All About Books Friday, August 28 Review & Excerpt at Bookworlder Monday, August 31 Review at Books, Writings, and More Wednesday, September 2 Review at Book Bustle Monday, September 7 Review at Jorie Loves A Story Friday, September 11 Review at Books, Cooks, Looks Saturday, September 12 Review at 100 Pages a Day Monday, September 14 Review at YA, It's LitGiveaway
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a prize pack including a copy of the book, a bracelet, a journal, and a $50 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky winner! To enter, please use the Gleam form below. The giveaway is open to US residents only and ends on September 14th. You must be 18 or older to enter. The River Jewel
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