Port Orchard writer Rosie Atkinson has published her first book, “Albin’s Letters,” a romantic fiction novella based on the lives of her grandparents, Albin and Hilda Putkonen.

Atkinson, 83, said the book tells the story of how the couple fell in love and planned to marry and emigrate to America, and how Hilda’s domineering older brother and guardian opposed their marriage. They decided that Albin would get passage to America, leaving his love, his passion, his dear Hilda behind in Finland in 1901. He would find work and send for her as soon as he had made enough money for them to marry and settle down.

As Albin experienced hardships and adventures in the new world, he wrote to Hilda often. The letters disappeared and never found their way to Hilda back in Finland. She wondered if he had given up on her and why he didn’t write as he promised he would. Albin’s letters needed to reach her in time to tell her the truth. As Hilda was about to give up and move on with her life, events transpired that would change their lives forever.

Atkinson was born Sept. 16, 1930, in Chicago and graduated from Central Kitsap High School in 1948.

Atkinson was a columnist and news editor at The Port Orchard Independent (1966-68) before becoming the women’s editor at the Bremerton Sun. She is a member of the National Federation of Press Women.

She retired but continued to write for local and regional publications, and decided to try her hand at fiction and joined Peninsula Chapter of Romance Writers of America.

The book is available at Amazon.com in both paperback and Kindle editions. Books can also be ordered from Barnes and Noble Booksellers in Silverdale.