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River Queen Rose (In Old California Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.3 out of 5 stars 58 ratings

The ramshackle River Queen Hotel is home to vagabonds, gamblers, and heathens—and now, to new widow Rose Peterson. The rundown Gold Rush establishment is the only thing her late husband, Emmet, left her. Despite its raucous saloon and ladies of the evening, Rose can see the hotel’s potential. Her late husband’s family claim that sheltered Rose isn’t capable of running the Sacramento inn herself.  But she is determined to make a new life for herself and her young daughter, even if it means flying in the face of custom and propriety. She feels as if she hasn’t a friend in the world.
 
Except, perhaps, one. Decatur “Deke” Fleming, a tall, lanky Australian who once served as Emmet’s farmhand. Pride prevents Deke from revealing his moneyed past; conscience keeps him from confessing his feelings for the still grieving widow. But when Rose is tempted by wealthy civic leader and hotel owner Mason Talbot, Deke may be the only person who can save her—and the one man capable of reviving her bruised and battered heart . . .

Praise for Shirley Kennedy and her novels
 
“The historical details are vivid and realistic and should appeal to fans of the historical romance genre. The characters are interesting, the story is engaging, and the romance is slow-building and sweet. River Queen Rose is a great start in what looks to be a promising historical series by Kennedy.”
RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars

“Shirley Kennedy spins a tale sure to pull at the heartstrings of her readers.”

RT Book Reviews on Three Wishes for Miss Winthrop, 4 stars

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Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Shirley Kennedy:

"Kennedy does a wonderful job bringing the location and characters to life for the start to her In Old California series. Taking place during the Gold Rush, the historical details are vivid and realistic and should appeal to fans of the historical romance genre. The characters are interesting, the story is engaging, and the romance is slow-building and sweet.
River Queen Rose is a great start in what looks to be a promising historical series by Kennedy."
-
RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars

"Shirley Kennedy spins a tale sure to pull at the heartstrings of her readers." -
RT Book Reviews, 4 stars, on Three Wishes for Miss Winthrop

"Look forward for more exciting stories from this talented author." -Queen of Books on
Wagon Train Cinderella"

About the Author

Shirley Kennedy was born and raised in Fresno, California. She lived in Canada for many years and graduated from the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with a BS in computer science. She has published novels with Ballantine, Signet, and several smaller presses. She writes in several different genres including Regency romance, western romance, and contemporary fiction. She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is an active member of the Romance Writers of America, Las Vegas chapter. Please visit her at shirleykennedy.com, or follow her Twitter account @ladyk360, or on Facebook at facebook.com/shirley.kennedy.52.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B06XZR2NT1
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lyrical Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 26, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.6 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 210 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1516104383
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ In Old California
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 58 ratings

About the author

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Shirley Kennedy
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Winner of the gold IPPY award (Independent Publishers)in the Romance category for THE LAST OF LADY LANSDOWN.

Shirley Kennedy was born and raised in Fresno, California, where she graduated from Fresno High School. She lived in Canada for ten years and graduated from the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada with a BSc in Computer Science.

She began her writing career penning traditional Regency Romances for both Signet and Ballantine. She has recently completed her "Women of the West" series for Kensington Lyrical Press: WAGON TRAIN CINDERELLA, WAGON TRAIN SISTERS, and GOLD RUSH BRIDE are available now.

In hew series, "In Old California," Shirley continues her well-researched stories of the early west. The first two are available now: RIVER QUEEN ROSE and BAY CITY BELLE. LUCKY CREEK LADY will be released March 5, 2019.

She has also independently published two contemporary novels: LOOKING FOR LUCKY & THE HAUNTED CASINO.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
58 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book readable and engaging, with one describing it as a good read. The story receives positive feedback, with customers describing it as brilliant and mesmerizing.

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3 customers mention "Readability"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable, with one describing it as a good read.

"...for it, but Rose is determined to run the hotel and turn it into a respectable and successful place...." Read more

"...Deke is a real sweetheart, he's quiet, kind, caring, honorable and a little insecure. Rose is weak, naive, gullible and caring...." Read more

"Good read..." Read more

3 customers mention "Story quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story, describing it as brilliant and mesmerizing, with one customer particularly appreciating Rose's adventures and another noting its dramatic and suspenseful elements.

"...She's a truly magnificent main character and I loved every single page of her story. I read it in one sitting and couldn't put it down...." Read more

"This is very dramatic, suspenseful and sad. Deke is a real sweetheart, he's quiet, kind, caring, honorable and a little insecure...." Read more

"...A good cast of characters in a great story. This one was a winner." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    After a long journey Rose is about to be reunited with her husband. Emmet was never her great love, but Rose needed the security of marriage and a family. Emmet traveled to Sacramento and bought the River Queen Hotel, a den of inequity, a shady hotel that's the place to be for gamblers, drunks and prostitutes. Because of the gold rush there are plenty of customers and there's a lot of money to be made. However, just before Rose's arrival Emmet unexpectedly dies. Because of new laws Rose inherits everything he's left behind. She has to fight her in-laws for it, but Rose is determined to run the hotel and turn it into a respectable and successful place.

    Rose stumbles upon all kinds of trouble. Hardly anybody expects a woman to run a business by herself. She has employees she can't trust and there are people who are living in her building she can't just throw out. She's determined to overcome each obstacle though. With a little help from new friends and employees she has to build a reputation. Will Rose be able to pull it off and will her hotel indeed become the fine and well loved establishment she envisions?

    River Queen Rose is a wonderful story. I was immediately captivated by Rose. She's strong, capable and smart. She knows what she wants and isn't afraid to speak her mind. This sometimes leads to trouble, but eventually it gets her far. I greatly admired how she listens to her heart, is gentle, kind and caring and fights for what she believes in. She's a truly magnificent main character and I loved every single page of her story. I read it in one sitting and couldn't put it down.

    Shirley Kennedy has a fabulous enchanting writing style. I really enjoyed reading about Rose's adventures. Every day brings something new and Shirley Kennedy's vivid descriptions are making the story come to life incredibly well. I liked that River Queen Rose is a book about love, family, business and friendship. It's versatile and multilayered. Rose has many battles to fight and she doesn't back down. She's an amazing fierce woman who deserves love and happiness in her future. Finding out if she'd get it kept me on the edge of my seat. I absolutely adored River Queen Rose, it's a brilliant mesmerizing story.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This is very dramatic, suspenseful and sad. Deke is a real sweetheart, he's quiet, kind, caring, honorable and a little insecure. Rose is weak, naive, gullible and caring. Deke befriends Rose and falls in love, while Rose is happy being courted by the man who killed her husband. There were so many times I wanted to just get in her face and say "Wait, you're going to do what? Hello, wake up." There were a few characters to like, a few to hate, a few who are amusing and a few who are crazy. With the twists and drama in the storyline, it's a good story.
    I received a complimentary copy of this book from Goodreads. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Never underestimate a woman. She may have always been submissive, but thankfully found her voice. I loved reading about what else was gained.
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Historical romance during the California Gold Rush period about a woman who discovers her husband has died, and left her a hotel and casino.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Wow, I loved this story. Rose is an amazing character. I like her ability to forgive and her strong desire to make a place for herself in an era when women were under valued. A good cast of characters in a great story. This one was a winner.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2018
    Format: Kindle
    This is an interesting read. Rose is a woman who finds out how strong she really is, and she is such an innocent that she is endearing. Deke is a man with secrets but very much a gentleman. I loved their interactions, and I loved the setting. The story includes some dark moments but I feel that it had to their journey.

    I received a copy of this story through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Alexandra Stephenson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ok
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 29, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
  • Mary L Galbraith
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on January 30, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Yes I enjoyed it!!!!!

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