Becca's Kiss: Murder and a Broken Heart in Alaska

A Klondike Gold Miner's Life, Book 2

By: Joyce Derenas

Narrated by: Bo Sheldon

A daguerreotype photo. A forbidden kiss. A shipwrecked steamer. Dangerous ocean crossings. A drunk bear, and murder.

Romeo Poulin, a Dawson gold miner visits his friend Ben Johnnie in Alaska and meets his niece, Becca. An attraction grown in the young Dawson miner as he returns once a year to visit, hoping to marry her. However, the shy Becca doesn’t share his feelings.

Meanwhile, a violent man, Rain has set his sights on Becca and kidnaps her uncle knowing that she will follow. A few years later, Romeo rescues Becca who favors him with a forbidden kiss, undoing his steady thoughts.

Now Rain is more determined to keep Becca forever.

A true adventure spreads across Alaskan waters. Based on a true story, Becca’s Kiss is an exciting adventure story depicting the real life of the author’s Klondike Gold Rush ancestor. Derenas’ research reveals Tlingit culture and traditions of clan families as they eke out a living in the wild Alaskan coast in the early 1900s.

©2020 Joyce Derenas (P)2020 Joyce Derenas

Second in Saga of Poulin Family 1910

The best parts of this book are the customs and beliefs of the Tlingit people and Romeo's friendship with Ben Johnnie which had spanned many years. With Ben now moved to Alaska, Romeo went to visit him, falling in love with his niece, Becca, although Ben clearly told him that a marriage between the two would be forbidden. This is a short book, just over three hours, and although the author (again) did her research, I was disappointed that she went into as much detail about the horrid abuse that Becca endured at the hand of Rain, the Haida man who kidnapped her, twice and continually raped and beat her. It was not necessary, and detracted from the story, in my opinion. The ending of the story was good, and as hard as it was, it WAS necessary.