Review & Giveaway: Jewell by Tina De Salvo

Jewell

by Tina De Salvo

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GENRE:  Contemporary Romance

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BLURB:

Once invited into New Orleans’ historic mansions to evaluate prized antiques, Dr. Jewell Duet held a coveted professorship at a top university. With her deep knowledge of Louisiana history and antiquities, she was the go-to person for anyone requiring professional appraisals. But, one hasty decision cost her both her reputation and possibly her freedom. Now, as she waits to discover if her future includes prison, Jewell knows that taking the job at Sugar Mill is necessary if she is to support her beloved grandmother who has advanced dementia.

Charming, sexy lawyer Beau Bienvenu's attraction to the intriguing historian vies with his distrust of her motives. Beau has one simple goal when it comes to the family that rescued him and made him part of their clan…protect them at all costs. He doesn't trust Jewell, nor her reason for taking the lowly job at Sugar Mill Plantation. What is she really up to? Is it possible Jewell and her quirky grandmother are there to try to profit from a Bienvenu family mystery? If so, both women are out of luck.

Jewell and Beau are at odds about almost everything. The only things they agree on are that family is everything…and that their mutual attraction is inconvenient.

Hope, Love and Second Chances Continue in the heart of Cajun Country

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My Review:

It 's a novel touching, deep, exciting, romantic and mysterious. It was an interesting read for better acquainted with some historical and cultural aspects of Louisiana.

Jewell is a talented researcher and an expert in Louisiana: helps wealthy families to assess their items and sell them at the highest price possible. Not going through a good period. She must deal with Mimi, the ailing grandmother of senile dementia, alternating moments of lucidity at moments of great confusion and unfortunately getting worse more and more. She often speaks of "Twinnie" a person very dear to her but her memories are very confused. Jewell tries to help her to find him. This is one of the reasons that badly needs the new work at the plantation of the Bienvenues. Another is that her career is at risk: she was accused of theft in a previous position she had and since then her image has been severely damaged. In the plantation Mimi seems to remember something while the family Bienvenues seems to have a big secret to hide. What if there's a connection? Beau Bienvenues does not think so and tries to defend his family.

The characters are lovable and very realistic. It was easy for me to identify myself with Jewell: I was raised by my grandmother and as her, I saw her getting sick and with her mind go further and further away from me. Jewell and Beau are in stark contrast with each other to defend their families but are also very attracted. Their meetings/clashes are very funny and even romantic.

Although it is the second book in the series, can be read as a stand alone.

It was a great read, written beautifully well. The story had a good pace and a wonderful blend of romance and mystery!

I have no hesitation in recommending it highly.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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EXCERPT (Exclusive Excerpt):

“Do you hear it?” Mimi asked, her voice laughing lightly. This was the fastest Jewell had seen her grand-mère’s mood improve, ever. “It’s me and Twinnie giggling as we run through those cane fields.” She leaned her head back and inhaled deeply. She closed her eyes and a tear slipped onto her cheek. “I miss Twinnie. Do you think she remembers me?”

A lump formed in Jewell’s throat. Her body ached with wanting to say yes to her grand-mère but her heart broke with not being able to do it. She just couldn’t say something she wasn’t sure she believed was true.

Twinnie might not exist. If she did, she might be dead or in a nursing home in New York City or right here in Cane. How had Mimi lost touch with this person that was so important to her? Was she her sister? A cousin? A twin?

Or had she never existed?

“I’m old. My brain is mushy, but…” Mimi paused and her cloudy blue-green eyes locked onto Jewell’s with such sadness and hope, and some other emotion that Jewell couldn’t identify—for she’d never seen it before. “I do remember things. I also know things, ma sucrée. I know you took that garage sale job because you wanted to come to this area to see if the stories I told you were true. I heard you asking questions about Twinnie.” She sighed. “I might not remember yesterday or today well, but I remember this,” she waved her hand out her window toward the tall cane fields shimmying like a living, breathing thing. Jewell didn’t know if it was the way the sun shone on the dark green blades of cane, the fertile sable soil or the white puffy clouds in the cornflower sky, but it looked like a picture that was colored with new crayons.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Tina DeSalvo enjoys using her imagination, humor, empathy and personal experiences to turn characters and situations into books that she hopes will entertain readers. Her first book, Elli, brought her in close contact with so many readers with whom she has loved sharing stories, laughs, tears and hugs. Tina has always been inspired by the people she meets and by hearing their personal journeys, not to mention the people she just observes along the way…so, watch out. You could be a character in her next book!

Tina is married to her handsome Cajun hero, and they live in Louisiana. They have two sons, a wonderful daughter (in-law) and four delightful grandchildren.

If you'd like to know more about Tina DeSalvo, including info on her newest work, latest contests, where she’s speaking or having a book signing, where she gets her ideas, or to see her photos from when she meets her cherished readers…please visit her website at www.tinadesalvo.com

Facebook: facebook.com/TinaDeSalvoAuthor

Twitter: twitter.com/Tina_DeSalvo

Instagram: instagram.com/tinadesalvo

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Jewell-Second-Chance-Novel-Novels/dp/099607502X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1443659048&sr=8-1&keywords=Tina+DeSalvo

BN: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jewell-tina-desalvo/1122197106?ean=9780996075022

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Tina will be awarding a $50 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway