@HFVBT Blog Tour: The River Jewel by Kathleen Shoop

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.

Available on Amazon

First things first – I have not read any of Kathleen Shoop’s work. Which is a terrible thing because I have heard nothing but good things about the A Letter series and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I’m not normally a romance person, but this novella took me by surprise! Truly, I found the writing to be lyrical and beautiful. It felt like I swam along the warm currents, just like Tilly does when she hunts for mussels. The writing style matches the genre and tone of this book and I just loved it.

Does it sound like I’m gushing over this? Because I definitely am.

Things I adored (other than the entire thing) included Tilly. She is a headstrong, won’t take your crap, character and she is written so well! I felt her triumphs, her tribulations, her emotions, and her innate motivations through the entirety of the narrative. Landon Lockwood was portrayed exactly as I thought he would be. Rich, attempting to garner the love of his family who are incredibly standoff-ish and only love you if you bring something to the table to increase the family fortune. Of course there is attraction intertwined with the core conflict between Tilly and Landon, but it was (again) so well written.

Another point I loved was the setting. Iowa, 1875. This is a place that I don’t think about when I think about 1875. I think about the East Coast, I think about the South, I think about the “Wild West”. I don’t think about Iowa. But what an enchanting and intricate setting for this book! I loved it so much! It’s idyllic, but also believable. I am a strong supporter of believable narratives, characters, settings, and I felt this novella had it all.

After you’ve read The River Jewel (which I hope you do), be sure to check out the rest of this series from Kathleen Shoop! I’d like to extend my sincerest thanks to Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours for having me along for this tour! I continue to find new authors through hosting tours and I am so glad to have the chance to participate!

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 Lit

Giveaway

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. https://widget.gleamjs.io/e.js