REVIEW: Jewell (+$50 Amazon GC Giveaway!)

Title: Jewell 

Author: Tina DeSalvo

Series: Second Chance #2

Pages: 398

Date Published: 2015

Publisher: Self-Published

Format: Kindle

Genre: Romance

Source: Goddess Fish Blog Tours
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Synopsis:
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.

~My Thoughts~

The plot of the book was slow burning. I admit that the first few chapters took me a LONG time to get through because I just didn't jive with the characters or the setting yet.  However, with every page, my interest grew, as did the character's personalities. Soon I cared very much about Jewell and Beau and her funny grandma and I enjoyed getting a quick little peek into their lives. I did feel as if I may have missed something. I'm not sure what book one was about, but this book kept making references to incidents and I don't know if they were from the first book or if it was meant to be a mystery. 

This was a slow-simmering romance with some heat, though not a lot of raunchy or smut. Though Beau has to be about the least sexy name I've ever heard of, he was a well-written character and won my heart (and Jewell's) after a little while. 

Jewell gets pretty real, in that her grandmother has Altzheimer's and dealing with their relationship was full of emotion and tenderness. This is a multi-generational story that has more than one player whom you care about and explores issues that are more than in your typical light romance. 

All the characters had great personalities. The depth of their realities was my favorite part of this book, and I enjoyed how Tina's writing style really helped characters grow into realistic and different people. Great job! I'll definitely look out for book 3! 

~Try an Excerpt!~

“That’s really clever, Jewell,” Beau said, annoyingly complimenting her again, for the fiftieth time in the last ten minutes, on something mundane she’d done. “Did you paint those red wood wedges you placed under the tires to keep the camper from rolling?”

“Are you trying to inveigle me?” Jewell asked, hands on her hip, looking at the tall, lean, handsome Beau Bienvenu—still wearing his New Orleans Saints jersey like another man would wear an Armani suit. “Geez. Enough with the compliments on how well I set up the camper, take care of Mimi, handle the flashlight and the other dozen things you have been sucking up to me about. She shook her head. “Look. I get why you used the belt-and-suspenders approach with the restrictive clauses in the contract. I don’t like it but I get that you felt you were protecting Elli and Ben’s exposure, vulnerability. It was unnecessary, but you wouldn’t know that. I’m a stranger.” She sighed. “That is done. You did your job. This insincere complimenting on triviality is something else.” She looked at him directly in the eyes. “What, Beau? What’s this all about? What do you want? And, if you say sex, I want you to know, I have given you much more credit than to be so prosaic.” She shook her head, again. “No. I can tell this isn’t ab

out that.”

~Meet Tina!~ 

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

 Tina will be awarding a $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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