A Rumored Fortune

A Rumored Fortune
Joanna Davidson Politano
(Revell)
ISBN: 978-0800728731
July 2018/416 pages/$15.99
Welcome to Trevelyan Castle, home of the poorest heiress in Victorian England

Tressa Harlowe's father kept his vast fortune hidden somewhere on his estate in the south of England and died suddenly, without telling anyone where he had concealed it. Now Tressa and her ailing mother are left with a mansion and an immense vineyard and no money to run it.

It doesn't take long for a bevy of opportunists to flock to the estate under the guise of offering condolences. Tressa knows what they're really up to. She'll have to work with the rough and rusticated vineyard manager to keep the laborers content without pay and discover the key to finding her father's fortune--before someone else finds it first.


Read an excerpt.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joanna Davidson Politano freelances for a small nonfiction publisher but spends much of her time spinning tales that capture the colorful, exquisite details in ordinary lives. Her manuscript for Lady Jayne Disappears was a finalist for several contests, including the 2016 Genesis Award from ACFW, and won the OCW Cascade Award and the Maggie Award for Excellence. She is always on the hunt for random acts of kindness, people willing to share their deepest secrets with a stranger, and hidden stashes of sweets. She lives with her husband and their two babies in a house in the woods near Lake Michigan and shares stories that move her at jdpstories.com.


MY THOUGHTS

After enjoying this author's award-winning debut novel, Lady Jayne Disappears, the premise (and the oh-so-intriguing cover!) of her new release immediately caught my eye. While sophomore novels often fail to live up to a sensational debut's status, A Rumored Fortune is an absolute treasure. Joanna Davidson Politano has crafted a tale which, even if taken only at face value, captivates the reader with its vivid ambience and credibly depicted characters. But the deeper beauty and spiritual symbolism woven throughout this story truly make it a masterpiece. Excerpts from a "notebook of a viticulturist" which precede each chapter not only enhance the setting but provide allegorical wisdom. As tempting as it is to excerpt or identify specific favorite moments, I dare not rob other readers of the joy of gleaning these nuggets for themselves. I'm still reflecting on this novel, particularly a specific, absolutely brilliantly woven, thread. A Rumored Fortune will be placed on my keeper shelf, and I fully expect it to garner multiple awards. I'm already eagerly anticipating more from this gifted author.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Baker/Revell Publishing. I was not required to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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