River Queen Rose

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

Beloved historical romance novelist Morris discovers inspiration aboard an 1850 riverboat where a prideful woman and a drunkard captain seek restoration and find it, by God's grace, in each other.

Pampered, fun-loving Laurie Sinclair hates everything about the rough, ugly mining town of Lucky Creek, California. She only left Philadelphia because her wealthy father opened the Monarch Gold Mine—and because Brandon, the man she’d hoped to marry, sent her away. But when Brandon changes his mind, she’s ready to pack her bags—until her father is suddenly killed in a mine explosion, and her brother is badly injured . . . As troubles mount for the Sinclairs, including a ruinous unexpected debt, they save themselves by selling half their mine ownership to Darcy McKenna, a friend of Laurie’s late father. Brusque and brooding, Darcy is the opposite of exuberant Laurie. Yet as Laurie stays on to help him in the office, Darcy soon finds himself smiling and happier, while Laurie finds her interests are changing. She might even be falling for Darcy. But her heart won’t truly be tested until Brandon shows up—and throws her life into chaos . . . 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