Customer Reviews

Jewel (Avon Historical Romance)

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Beverly Jenkins returns to Grayson Grove, Michigan in her latest novel, Jewel. Eli Grayson, known as the Colored Casanova of Cass County, has finally proven to be a man worthy of trust. Having amended his past indiscretions, lewd drinking and promiscuity which included sleeping with his cousin's Nate wife, Eli established and becomes founder and editor of the local newspaper, The Gazette. The Gazette was a nationally syndicate paper read by everyone as far away as Chicago. However, the paper had to fold due to the rising costs of printing and materials. Eli was also finding it difficult to find investors. Eli receives a visit from G. W. Hicks, owner the largest Black newspaper, who wants to add The Gazette to his holdings. The only problem - Eli has to be married.

Jewel Grayson was content with her life. She has been taking care of her five older brothers and father since her mom died when she was 12 years old. She has always had a crush on Eli. So when he asked her to pretend to be his wife until G.W. Hicks left town, she was more than happy of help; after all, it was only for one dinner. When word gets out , neither Jewel nor Eli were prepared for the change in their lives or the trouble from Eli's past that would later try to destroy their budding love.

Beverly Jenkins has given her fans another winning love story. Jewel is confident, independent and she has a fiery spirit that is found in all of Jenkins female characters. The story is fun and captivating from the beginning. Jenkins, as with all of her historical novel, gives detailed accounts of the struggle of black newspaper man like Eli and their role in the Black community. The story would not be complete without Jenkins signature sensual romance. Fans of Jenkins will crave for more and new fans will eagerly search for her fascinating romance novels.

Reviewed by: Priscilla C. Johnson
APOOO Bookclub

When Eli Grayson's press comes under strain he seeks outside help to get it running again. However, when the stipulation includes that he have a wife, he implores Jewel Crowley to help him out of this bind. Although Jewel was supposed to play his wife just for one night, things take a turn for the worst. Now the whole town finds out that she and Eli were "secretly married." Far from the truth, Eli comes to a decision to make right the mess he brought to Jewel's door step. He proposes to keep the scandal from ruining Jewel's reputation. The moment they say I do, Eli takes serious his decision to marry her and try to make it the best arrangement as possible. Jewel's curious nature leads her to want to experience more from this man whose kisses literally makes her melt in her shoes.
Ms. Jenkins has penned a wonderful love story of two people who've known each other most of their lives. After nearly ten years of returning to Grayson Grove, I'd say this book was worth the wait.

Beverly Jenkins welcomes you back to Grayson Grove in Jewel where readers reconnect with the Grayson and Crowley families. Eli Grayson needs his step-sister Jewel to help him woo a potential investor. Little does Eli know asking Jewel to pose as his wife would turn into the best decision he has ever in his life. Jewel was classic Beverly Jenkins full of passion, laughter and historical facts. This is a must have for Ms. Jenkins fans and readers new to her work.

Grayson Grove's bachelor, Eli Grayson, has one dream and that is to have a worthy newspaper for the growing all-Black town. Due to lack of funds, Eli was forced to close the town's newspaper, the Gazette. Upon receiving a letter from G.W. Hicks, owner of the largest Black newspaper syndicates in the country, Grayson's excitement is limitless. That soon puts him in a precarious predicament: now he's in need of a wife to placate Mr. Hicks' pledge to back the newspaper venture. Behind door #1 is the only daughter of lumber beast, Adam Crowley, the pragmatic Jewel. She's content wearing trousers, planting flowers, and tending to the needs of her father and five brothers. Secretly fantasizing about Eli, she's stunned when he requests her help with his ploy to gain Mr. Hicks backing in re-opening the Gazette. Against her better judgment, she consents and finds herself with a sullied reputation unless she does the unthinkable: correct the lie that she and Eli presented to Mr. Hicks.

Snap, crackle, and pop would be an appropriate description of the sparks that sizzle when the newlyweds accept the other's vices, and Eli exhibits his skills as to why he's known as the Casanova of Cass County and sensually deflowers the young virgin. The woman who caused Eli to bring shame to his family resurfaces with many secrets, and her malodorous scent of trouble soon follows as she maliciously begins her trek to destroy the men in the town.

Ms. Jenkins fluency in creativity flows so effortlessly that you naturally become enchanted with each character and their storylines. I've yet to put one of her books down and felt anything but pure enjoyment! Her characters are so loveable that with each read, she amazes you with their individual personalities. They're realistic, bear numerous flaws, but their hearts and souls are so full of love and life, reaching the ending is actually depressing. Jewel is a refreshing, compelling read that is innocent yet has numerous risqué scenes. It is mos def so hard to say good-bye to each of Ms. Jenkins' reads!!!!

Reviewed by Tazzyt2bossye
for Urban Reviews

Former editor, Eli Grayson has been overtly wooing women since he was sixteen-years-old. That first encounter as a naive boy severed ties with his cousin for over sixteen years, and set the tone for his philandering. At thirty-four he has made amends with his cousin and finds that his wanderlust is not as fulfilling. Eli is trying desperately to focus on business and a future. He has been contacted by a prestigious Nationally Black syndicated newspaper big-wig, from Chicago, about reopening his press. Trouble is Eli needs a wife to capture the deal.

For fourteen years Jewel Crowley has tended to her four older brothers, and her rose business. She sees herself as a mildly-attractive woman with sights on things more substantial than romance and marriage. She has outgrown certain teenage nonsense, like the crush she had on Eli. So she is the perfect candidate to pose as Eli's wife for a few hours. But the charade blows up when town gossipers hear about the marriage, and threaten to destroy her name. Suddenly a real marriage is taking place; albeit a marriage in name only. Will Jewel's innocence capture Eli, will that same innocence withstand the wilds of the man known as 'The Colored Casanova of Cass County', and how will Jewel react when Eli's very first lover returns?

Eli and Jewel first came to life in the book Vivid, now some thirteen years later Ms. Jenkins revisits them. The characters are stimulating and typical for a small town as they bring the post antebellum period to life. The story is of a time when Black townships were prospering, when women knew how to be strong and genteel. When a rogue like Eli could settle himself and learn to appreciate the precious stone he uncovered. As is her custom, Ms. Jenkins writes a historical account that is sensual, lusty, scandalous and educational.

Reviewed by aNN
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

This was my first read by Beverly Jenkins and a first for historical romance; however not my last. I really did enjoy the story of Jewel and Eli...those sex scenes were definitely HOTT! I really enjoyed how Ms. Jenkins dropped the historical facts and books in this novel, books that I will be picking up. However, this book was the kind of book that you took everywhere with you, could put it down always knowing that you were in for a treat when you did pick it up. I especially liked the way this book depicted smart, witty, and daring/caring black folks. If you haven't read any of Ms. Jenkins work, this is a great book to begin with. Kudos to Ms. Jenkins......ummmmmmmmmm that Eli was somehthing else and melted me everytime!

Let me start by saying - GREAT BOOK! Beverly Jenkins' tales of strong spirited women in a time of chaos and bitterness is refreshing and suprisingly romantic. Beverly Jenkins' effortless weaving of the history and strength of us as a people matched by her ability to write one heck of a love story is always a joy to read. I've been a big fan for years and haven't been disappointed yet!

Jewel Grayson is endearing as the strong-spirited "spinster" of Grayson Grove. Her sarcasm and skepticism makes her as real as any woman I ever met. Though she wants a love of her own, she is confident and independent and fully accepting of the blessings in her life. She may not have all that she wants but refuses to settle for less than she deserves and gives Eli fits at every turn.

I really enjoyed "sitting on the sidelines" as Jewel and Eli found their way and discovered something new about themselves along the journey.

Kudos Beverly Jenkins! You have done it again!!!
Helesi

Jewel Crowley had pretty much resigned herself to being a spinster, caring only for her father and brothers, tending to their needs for the rest of her life. Eli Grayson, the town's most notorious Lothario, has never been interested in having a wife. But when the success of a major business deal is dependent on his marital status, Eli has no choice but to produce a wife. The first person that comes to mind is Jewel. Anxious to secure the deal, Eli asks Jewel to pose as his wife. She scoffs at the idea, but eventually gives in.

Jewel and Eli find themselves unable to resist the passion that sparks uncontrollably between them. And before long, a marriage that is supposed to be in name only turns into an unexpected love. Their love is put to the test, though, when a blast from Eli's past blows into town, bringing with it trouble and strife.

I've been an avid romance reader since my early teens, but since I am not a history buff, I shied away from any novel that was historical in nature. A dear friend urged me to give Beverly Jenkins a try, and even gave me my first set of Mrs. Jenkins novels. I was hooked from the very first read and eagerly anticipate each and every story written by this very talented author.

Even though romance novels have to follow a certain plot structure, it is amazing what Mrs. Jenkins can do with that formulaic storyline. Not only does she turn it into a history lesson, but also a beautiful love story between strong characters. Even the staunchest critic of the romance genre would have a hard time not approving of her stories.

Renee Williams, All the Buzz

Great book. I am a huge fan of Beverly Jenkins and love her historical romance books. This book is very interesting and brings characters from some of her previous books. The historical content is always on point and of course the romance part of her stories is always the icing on the cake. This book, as any other of her books is well worth its weight in gold.

This is a simple and engaging romance set in 1881 in the small town of Grayson Grove. Eli Grayson is a confirmed bachelor whose troubled past seems mostly behind him but whose beloved newspaper has had to close due to lack of funds. When a newspaperman talks about starting up the paper again Eli is thrilled, but it seems that G W Hicks won't trust Eli unless he's a married man. Eli says that he has a wife and then has to persuade one of his lifelong female friends, Jewel Crowley, to agree to masquerade as his wife for one evening meal.

But that one meal with G W Hicks starts something more serious. When the locals hear that Eli and Jewel are married they realise they will have to be married in truth in order to save her reputation. Their marriage starts off without much hope - Jewel has no desire to be one of the many women that Eli carries on with, Eli discovers his wife is fairly independent and wants to get a divorce in due course. Can they both learn to trust each other, and will the return of an unpleasant woman from Eli's past cause irreparable problems to their fledgling relationship?

'Jewel' was an enjoyable book to read with a lighthearted feel. There wasn't too much depth to any of the characters, settings or events but some of the historical situations were interesting and the backdrop of the struggle for rights of black people was well written. It was a gentle romance which will appeal to people who like historical romances and for those who like to read stories with black couples as the hero and heroine.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008