Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Rare Jewel of Everleigh Wheaton by Susan L. Tuttle, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: The Rare Jewel of Everleigh Wheaton
Series: The Treasures of Halstead Manor
Author: Susan L. Tuttle
Publisher: Kregel
Release Date: January 16, 2024
Genre: Women's Fiction / Romance
In her search for a rare gem, will Everleigh end up uncovering the true treasure of her heart?
Personal care nurse Everleigh Wheaton knows it only takes a few well-placed lies to ruin a reputation. She's experienced it time and time again. But there's a silver lining to repeatedly proving herself: she's confident and self-reliant.
When she loses yet another job and an enigmatic stranger offers her a potential way out, she's game. After all, she loves a good mystery, and an invitation to visit the legendary Halstead Manor is irresistible. But she's not about to let her guard down--especially with the other women who received the same invitation.
A strange voice on the phone tells them he's gathered the three of them to work together as treasure hunters. The first assignment requires Everleigh to be a traveling nurse for retired FBI agent Gertrude Levine, who has one cold case she just can't let go of: the Florentine diamond that went missing when the Austrian Empire fell.
With Everleigh's keen ability to solve puzzles, Natalie Daughtry's vast knowledge of history, and Brooke Sumner's connections to the antiques world, they're bound to track down the diamond. Except that Gertie's nephew, Niles Butler, doesn't trust Everleigh's innocent act . . . even if he finds himself falling for her. Worse, Everleigh's walls of self-preservation may doom the entire team.
Hints of real-life historical events combined with contemporary characters make this first book in the Treasures of Halstead Manor series a masterful blend of romance, mystery, and strong female friendships. Readers of authors like Denise Hunter and Nicole Deese who enjoy unfolding relationships and the organic discovery of God's love will relish this new series.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop
Excerpt
Spotting a strip mall ahead anchored by a coffee shop, Everleigh pulled into the lot. She joined the drive-through line and ordered a toffee nut latte—might as well enjoy the excuse for a midday pick-me- up. The sedan had parked at the far side of the lot, providing whoever sat behind the wheel with a perfect view of the exit. The way they’d parked, however, prevented them from seeing the end of the drive-through line.
Everleigh swung around and approached the sedan slowly. If she thought about it too long, common sense could nix her impulse. Instead, she gunned it, parking at an angle with her passenger door practically touching their front bumper. Taking off her sunglasses, she met the surprised gaze of the person who’d been following her.
“You!”
(ch 6, page 48)
About the Author
Connect with Susan by visiting susanltuttle.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.
Author Interview
Q: What was the inspiration behind The Rare Jewel of Everleigh Wheaton?
Susan: A mixture of things! I had traveled to Vienna and toured the palaces there several years prior to writing this book. The royal family and their history stuck with me (I adore history). Then while brainstorming story ideas, I stumbled upon the Florentine Diamond and recalled its attachment to the Habsburgs. I loved that mystery still surrounded its disappearance. About this same time, my mind was also spinning ideas about old TV shows, like Charlie’s Angels. Everything began to churn together and eventually formed into this story. It was a wild and fun ride.
Q: How long did it take you to write this story?
Susan: The rough draft took a few months, but to truly get it into good shape took a year.
Q: Do you have a favorite quote from this book?
Susan: I have a few, but one of which is “Truth isn’t swayed by people’s opinions. It remains unchanged no matter what is said, printed, or believed.”
Q: What do you hope readers take away from The Rare Jewel of Everleigh Wheaton?
Susan: Ooh, that’s a loaded question as there’s several take-aways and my prayer is that God moves in their heart in unique ways to each reader. One overall message I did love, however, was that we have a choice with how the past affects us. We all have moments of hurt and pain in our past, but we have to decide if we allow God to make beauty from our ashes or if we’ll carry bitterness. Our God is a healer, and his word is true. Yes, healing can take time, but he promises that he can put back together our brokenness—if we let him.
Q: Would you share something about yourself that most readers would not know?
Susan: I love musical theater and always wanted to sing on Broadway. I can’t dance and can only sort of hold a tune, but that doesn’t stop me from pretending (in my car, all alone) that I’ve been cast in multiple shows as the lead.
Q: How long ago did you start writing?
Susan: I have always been a writer! I won my first writing contest in first grade. It wasn’t until 2010 when I finished my first full-length novel, however. Then it was another few years until I began to seriously pursue publication. I finally reached that goal in 2018.
Q: What is your favorite thing about being a writer?
Susan: Feeling as if I am doing what God created me to do. Writing is one of the times I feel closest to him.
Q: Do you prefer to read ebooks or physical copies?
Susan: On vacation – ebooks. All the rest of the time, physical.
Q: How many bookcases are in your home?
Susan: If it were just me, bookcases would line every wall of my home. However, Hubby isn’t as keen on them as I am.☺ Currently, I only have one, but we are in talks over adding two more—large ones!
Q: What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Susan: I’m in a new season with all my kids having grown but not quite flown yet, so I’m rediscovering what I love! Hubby and I picked up tennis this past summer, and we enjoy hiking as well. Other than that, we’ll see what other fun new hobbies I pick up over the next few years.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will win a signed, print copy of The Rare Jewel of Everleigh Wheaton + book-themed goodies!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 15, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 22, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
lovely interview! Thanks for being on the tour :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for having me on the blog and for spending time with Rare Jewel. I loved the interview and had such fun answering your questions. Be blessed! ~Susan
ReplyDeleteI found the interview very interesting, especially the author’s explanation about the inspiration behind the book.
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