Book Review: The Tin Whistle ('Tis the Season Book 2) by Kathleen Shoop

 

*Editorial Book Review*

The Tin Whistle
('Tis the Season Book 2)
By Kathleen Shoop

Publication Date: 14th December 2020

Publisher: Independently Published

Page Length: 106

Genre: Historical Fiction / Novella

Inspired by a true story...

1854

Jacob Gusky wakes up hoping Santa has arrived. And he has... but not for Jacob, one of two Jewish boys living at the Boys’ Home of Manhattan. When a friend gifts him a tin whistle, Jacob learns the power of giving, the joy in receiving, and hears what he considers to be the sound of happiness.

1881

Recently widowed and completely out of options, Frannie takes her daughter Molly to the Home for the Friendless. “You’ll be back before Christmas?” Molly asks. Frannie gives Molly half a quilt square and keeps the other, choking on her reply.

Now a happily married father of three, Jacob Gusky owns Gusky’s Grand Emporium, Pittsburgh’s first premier department store. After unearthing the tin whistle from the orphanage, he is reminded of what it felt like to have nothing, and decides to make a difference in the lives of others no matter their faith. But with so little time before Christmas morning, can he even begin to give the orphaned children of Pittsburgh what he knows they need?

When giving is more important than receiving...

“…I thought Santa was for everyone who believed.”

On a chilly Christmas morning in 1854, the air in the orphanage was filled with anticipation as Jacob Gusky listened intently to the soft thuds of boots on the roof—was that Santa Claus he heard, busily delivering presents to all the children? However, as the dawn light broke through the windows, the thrill of the morning quickly faded. Jacob glanced at the beautifully decorated tree, hoping to find gifts nestled beneath the branches, only to realise that for him and his best friend Amos, there were no presents—Christian charity had not extended to young Jewish orphans. Meanwhile, Michael Larson, another kind-hearted child in the orphanage, could not bear the sight of his friends' disappointment. Seeing Jacob and Amos with empty hands ignited a deep sorrow within him. Inspired by compassion, Michael decided to share his own presents—a gleaming tin whistle and a drum. With a determined heart, he approached his friends, eager to bring some joy into their lives. Unbeknownst to the children, this simple yet profound act of kindness and friendship would later inspire Jacob to do everything he could to bring Santa to as many impoverished children as possible, regardless of their religion.

In “The Tin Whistle (‘Tis the Season Book 2)” by Kathleen Shoop, readers are drawn into a heartfelt narrative centred around Jacob M. Gusky, a compassionate department store owner whose kindness shines during the holiday season. As the story unfolds, Jacob reflects on his childhood spent in an orphanage, where the sounds of laughter and friendship masked the deeper longing for family. One memorable Christmas Day, a selfless gift from a dear friend, wrapped in simple joy, left a lasting impression on Jacob’s heart. This poignant memory serves as the catalyst for Jacob’s dedicated mission to spread joy and hope to children who, like him, have experienced loneliness during the holiday season. He embarks on an ambitious plan, rallying his colleagues and their families, and embodying the spirit of Santa Claus as he organises a heartfelt initiative to deliver gifts to every orphanage in the city. Jacob’s inspiring story captivates readers with its vivid portrayal of compassion and generosity, beautifully illustrating the transformative power of kindness and the true spirit of giving during the holidays.

Based on the real-life experiences of Jacob M. Gusky, the author invites readers to travel back in time to his unforgettable first Christmas Day Gift Tour. Through vivid descriptions and heartfelt moments, the story beautifully captures the joy and wonder of the holiday season, making it a perfect read for anyone looking to embrace the spirit of Christmas cheer.

Jacob is portrayed as a devoted family man whose love for his wife and children is both profound and unwavering. His passion for family life is matched only by his professional success as a businessman. With a remarkable talent for advertising, he skilfully navigates the competitive world of retail, leading his department store to remarkable achievements. Despite his wealth, which often feels overwhelming, Jacob finds himself reflecting on the Jewish principle of Tzedakah, contemplating whether he can do more to assist those less fortunate. This introspection stems from a deep-seated desire to ensure that no child experiences the suffering he endured on that fateful Christmas day long ago. As a character, Jacob exudes charm and likability, but his relentless ambition can sometimes overwhelm those around him. His family frequently adapts to his single-minded focus on work and success, leading to an intricate balance between personal ambition and familial duty. Beneath this driven exterior lies a man of profound compassion, and this quality beautifully illuminates his story, which is told with heart and depth.

A compelling parallel story unfolds alongside Jacob's narrative, centring on Frannie and her beloved daughter, Molly. In the wake of a devastating business misstep, Frannie’s husband, Charles, succumbs to despair and takes his own life, leaving Frannie and Molly in a harrowing state of destitution. Their once-comfortable life is suddenly transformed into a struggle for survival. Frannie, who had relished the comforts of wealth and security, now finds herself gripped by desperation as she scrambles to secure employment. The weight of her circumstances bears heavily on her, especially when she realises that, despite her best efforts, she cannot provide for Molly’s necessities: a place to sleep and food to eat. With a heart full of anguish, she makes the heart-wrenching decision to place her daughter in the Home of the Friendless. This choice, while agonising, stems from her deep love and commitment to ensuring the best possible future for Molly. Now, Frannie must face the daunting challenge of finding a job, a task that feels nearly impossible given her circumstances. Her journey is teeming with a myriad of challenges and obstacles that test her resolve, yet it strikes a profound chord with readers, drawing them into her experiences and emotions. Frannie’s plight is a poignant tale of a mother’s unwavering love and the relentless pursuit of hope as she strives to navigate her way from the depths of despair into the light of a better tomorrow.

The historical depictions are vividly brought to life, capturing the stark contrast between settings. The brightly lit department store, with its gleaming windows and colourful displays, exudes an air of opulence and abundance. In sharp contrast, the orphanage looms with a sense of desolation, its cold, austere walls echoing the stories of hardship. This juxtaposition serves as a poignant reminder to the reader of how closely intertwined poverty and wealth often are, each existing in stark contrast against the other.

“The Tin Whistle (‘Tis the Season Book 2)” by Kathleen Shoop is a heart-warming tale that beautifully captures the essence of hope and the magic of Christmas wishes. The story’s well-crafted characters and narrative lead readers on an emotional journey, full of glad tidings. As the narrative unfolds, it leaves a lasting impression that lingers in the hearts of readers long after they have turned the final page, inviting them to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and the difference one man can make to so many.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde

The Coffee Pot Book Club

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 Kathleen Shoop

Bestselling author, Kathleen Shoop, holds a PhD in reading education and has more than 20 years of experience in the classroom. She writes historical fiction, women’s fiction and romance. Shoop’s novels have garnered various awards in the Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY), Eric Hoffer Book Awards, Indie Excellence Awards, Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Readers’ Favorite and the San Francisco Book Festival. Kathleen has been featured in USA Today and the Writer’s Guide to 2013. Her work has appeared in The Tribune-Review, four Chicken Soup for the Soul books and Pittsburgh Parent magazine. Kathleen coordinates Mindful Writing Retreats and is a regular presenter at conferences for writers. 

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Have a sneak peek between the pages of The Will of God by Julian de la Motte #HistoricalFiction #Crusades #RecommendedReading

The Will of God

by Julian de la Motte

"Deus Lo Vult!"

Gilles is the natural son of the Earl Waltheof, executed by William the Conqueror for supposed treachery. Raised in Normandy by Queen Matilda of England, Gilles is a young servant of Robert, Duke of Normandy, when the first call for a Holy War against the infidel and for the liberation of Jerusalem is raised in Christendom. Along with thousands of others, inspired by a variety of motives, intense piety mixed with a sense of adventure and the prospects of richness, Gilles becomes a key and respected follower of the Duke of Normandy and travels through France and into Italy to the point of embarkation for Constantinople and the land of the Greeks.

In this epic first phase of a long and gruelling journey, Gilles begins to discover a sense of his own strengths and weaknesses, encounters for the first time the full might and strength of the Norman war machine and achieves his much coveted aim of knighthood, as well as a sense of responsibility to the men that he must now lead into battle.

The Will of God is the literal translation of the Latin phrase "Deus Lo Vult"; a ubiquitous war cry and a commonly offered explanation of all the horrors and iniquities unleashed by the First Crusade of 1096 to 1099, when thousands of Europeans made the dangerous and terrifying journey to the Holy Land and the liberation of Jerusalem. It is the first of two books on the subject.

Praise for Julian de la Motte:

"De la Motte has superpowers as a writer of historical fiction; he's a warhorse of a writer bred to stun and trample the literary senses. You won't stop turning the pages of The Will of God."
~ Charles McNair, Pulitzer Prize nominee and author of Land O'Goshen

The courtyard of the Earl Warenne was the usual clutter and muddle of people and diverse objects scattered about. Men and women in the dun and green and grey of homespun cloth blended with the earth colours of the ground, the quagmire, the swamp of churned mud and excrement. They either strode purposefully through it all or else attempted to skirt delicately around the more obvious mounds of rubbish and ordure. The more colourfully attired, house servants and retainers for the most part, avoided the area when they could, preferring other entrances and exits to the Great Hall.

A cart with one wheel off for essential repairs was proving a major obstruction and people cursed as they edged around it and the blaspheming wheelwright and his apprentices with their heavy hammers working on a broken wheel. Across the way, over in the corner of the yard a large pig lay sprawled upon its back, slaughtered out of proper season. For some reason, it had survived the usual November cull. Scrubbed clean of bristles, a butcher was busily at work with his knife and axe, delving expertly for the liver and kidneys.

Despite the cold of the day and the earliness of the season there was a halo of flies circling the butcher and at his feet a coil of grey steaming intestines were attracting the interest of a trio of dogs. Wretched creatures, ribs showing like the staves of ruined boats, they sidled towards the pile of offal and retreated again from the slaughterer.

The butcher’s boy, no more than a child staggered away, burdened with a heavy bucket of blood that slopped over the sides as he moved. There would be blood pudding and sausages made of scraps of inferior meat stuffed within the intestines ready by the afternoon.

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Julian de la Motte

Julian de la Motte is a Londoner. He graduated from the University of Wales with a degree in Medieval History. He was further awarded a Master of Arts qualification in Medieval English Art from the University of York. He studied and taught in Italy for nearly four years before returning to the U.K. and a career as a teacher, teacher trainer and materials designer before taking up a new role as a Director of Foreign Languages and of English as a Foreign Language.

 

Married and with two grown up children, He is now extensively involved in review writing and historical research, primarily on medieval history.

''The Will of God'' [the first of two books on the subject of the First Crusade] is his third novel.

Author Links:

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Shining a bright book spotlight on Marguerite: Hell Hath No Fury! by Judith Arnopp #HistoricalFiction #WarsOfTheRoses #RecommendedReading

Marguerite:
Hell Hath No Fury!

by Judith Arnopp

Marguerite: Queen of England

From the moment Henry VI's new queen, Marguerite of Anjou, sets foot on English soil she is despised by the English as a foreigner, and blamed for the failures of the hundred years war in France.

 Her enemies impede her role as the king’s consort and when Henry sinks into apparent madness, her bid to become regent is rejected. Marguerite must fight, not only for her own position but to maintain Henry’s possession of the crown. 

The ambitious Duke, Richard of York, seizes control of the country, thrusting Marguerite aside and inflating the mutual hatred between the houses of York and Lancaster. But the queen refuses to relinquish power and fights determinedly for the rights of her son, Edward of Lancaster.

The long and bitter civil conflict, that has come to be known as the War of the Roses, commences.

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This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

Judith Arnopp

Judith Arnopp at Pembroke Castle

A lifelong history enthusiast and avid reader, Judith holds a BA in English / Creative Writing and a Masters in Medieval Studies. She lives on the coast of West Wales where she writes both fiction and non-fiction. She is best known for her novels set in the Medieval and Tudor period, focussing on the perspective of historical women but recently she has written a trilogy from the perspective of Henry VIII himself.

 

Judith is also a founder member of a re-enactment group called The Fyne Companye of Cambria which is when and why she began to experiment with sewing historical garments. She now makes clothes and accessories both for the group and others. She is not a professionally trained sewer but through trial, error and determination has learned how to make authentic looking, if not strictly historically accurate clothing. A non-fiction book about Tudor clothing, How to Dress like a Tudor, was published in 2023 by Pen and Sword.

 

She runs a small seaside holiday let in Aberporth and when she has time for fun, likes to garden and restore antique doll’s houses. You can find her on most social media platforms.

 

Her novels include:

A Song of Sixpence: the story of Elizabeth of York

The Beaufort Chronicle: the life of Lady Margaret Beaufort (three book series)

The Henrician Chronicle: comprising of:

A Matter of Conscience: Henry VIII, the Aragon Years (Book One of The Henrician Chronicle)

A Matter of Faith: Henry VIII, the Days of the Phoenix (Book Two of The Henrician Chronicle)

A Matter of Time: Henry VIII, the Dying of the Light (Book Three of The Henrician Chronicle)

The Kiss of the Concubine: a story of Anne Boleyn

The Winchester Goose: at the court of Henry VIII

Intractable Heart: the story of Katheryn Parr

Sisters of Arden: on the Pilgrimage of Grace

The Heretic Wind: the life of Mary Tudor, Queen of England

Peaceweaver

The Forest Dwellers

The Song of Heledd

The Book of Thornhold

A Daughter of Warwick: the story of Anne Neville, Queen of Richard III

            Marguerite: Hell Hath no Fury!

Connect with Judith:

Website • Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Instagram • Bluesky • Threads

Amazon Author Page • BookBub • Pinterest • Goodreads