Historical Fiction Feature: Scars of Sand and Soil by Jean K. Kravitz #giveaway #bookreview #historical #fiction #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours

 

Historical Fiction

Date Published: July 24th, 2025

Publisher: Acorn Publishing

 

What’s left of a man’s soul when everything he loves is taken from him?

 

It’s 1864, and Gabriel Cooper couldn’t care less about the civil war raging around him. Framed for crimes he didn’t commit, he’s been sentenced to a Confederate chain gang, where swampland justice rules and alligators prey on the unwary.

So when Colonel Robert Tremont rides into camp offering freedom in exchange for fighting on the front lines, Gabriel jumps at the opportunity. He thrives as a soldier, but the end of the war leaves him adrift.

Gabriel ends up in New Orleans, where he meets Simone Livingston, a fiercely independent woman with hidden scars of her own. Kept on a tight rein by her overbearing father, Simone only wants freedom—and the enigmatic Gabriel.

But Gabriel has unfinished business and a mind for vengeance. Will he be able to create a peaceful life with Simone or will his greed and thirst for retribution keep them trapped in a dangerous web of deceit—a web Gabriel fears can only be untangled with murder.

Review

There are many threads woven in the wonderful story of revenge, friendship, loss and perseverance.

Gabriel battles so much internally while trying to just live. His motives are clear, but man sometimes I just wish he would take a step back and not let his mind be clouded.

Characters are rich and complex, divided loyalties, drama and hope, which are all things that make for a great read.

We are pulled back in time effortlessly by the author and her descriptions of the time and the authenticy. 

This one gave me way more than I bargained for in the best way. I was so completely captivated in Gabriel and Simone and I think often times in stories like this while you understand their why, you just also are left saying but why? If that even makes sense.

About the Author

As the quintessential queen of “what if,” Jean Kravitz channeled her active imagination to pen her debut novel, Scars of Sand and Soil. However, achieving her childhood dream of being a published writer was not a straightforward path.

Jean earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in human development and aging from the University of California, San Francisco. She went into clinical research in pharmaceuticals, but left her career when her children were born. Then, she picked up writing again, honed her craft, published articles in a small newspaper, and passionately immersed herself in historical research.

Jean has many interests, including reading, gardening, needlepoint, and learning new languages. She lives in Southern California and has a husband, two daughters, and two cats, Lenny and Penny.

 

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