Diamond In The Rough

Heart Of Detroit #2

by Sylvia Hubbard

A story of chances, stealing, and love inside a city & man where all hope is gone. Can one woman change his destiny? Or will loneliness take over and leave him hopeless?

Nook

First published November 28, 2010

About the author

With twist and turns, Sylvia will make your eyes dance and your mind shudder as you read her short stories. Find out all about this fantastic author of mystery/romance & sensual/noir.
Sylvia Hubbard, single mother of three is from Detroit, Michigan. Dreams of Reality was her first novel, and since then have published over 60 books available wherever books are sold

AUTHOR, MOTHER, SPEAKER, JOURNALIST, CONSULTANT & MORE!

Founder of Motown Writers Network & The African American Electronic Literary Network & Motown Romance Network, Editor of The Essence of Motown Literary Journal.

Owner of HubBooks Literary Service and Co-Founder of Essence of Motown Writers Alliance Literary Conference

Moderator of Detroit Writers Galore & Lulu’s Romance Writers

Board Member of National Association of Black Writers, Michigan Black

Independent Publishers

Present and Past Member of Great Lakes Booksellers Assc, National Association of Black Journalist-Detroit, Sisters In Crime, Black Writers Association, Romance Writers of America, World Romance Writers, Erotic Author’s Association, Real Sister Writers & Essentially Woman Literary Group, & Great Lakes Publishers Assc., Authors Supporting Authors (ASA), The Society of Midland Authors, The Michigan Reading Association

ABOUT HER:
Sylvia Hubbard has independently published 4 paperback books and over 10 e-books. Her foundation genre has always been romance, but she has ventured into suspense, erotic, mystery, paranormal and I/R. Always urban and contemporary styled, her writing is enjoyed all over the world by all nationalities. She’s always available for speaking opportunities at bookclubs, conferences, schools, and writing groups. In the upcoming year, she will be featured in several anthologies & will be publishing another paperback and 4 more e-books. She has a degree in Marketing/Management and minored in journalism, broadcasting (Specs Howard), drama, html programming, teaching assistant, customer service specialist, and commercial art.

Voted by Romance Book Cafe as a Favorite Author

Spirit of Detroit Winner for 2005 by Detroit City Council

2006 State of Michigan Governor’s Certificate of Tribute Emerging Minority Business Leader Award

2005 Stone’s Revenge Voted Best African-American Mystery by Mojolist.com

2006 Triumphant SPIRIT Award Winner (acknowledging Legacy of Bessie Mae Downey Rhoades Martin) by Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc – Rho Sigma Chapter

2006 EbonyAuthor.com To Look Out For

2007 National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Greater Detroit Chapter’s Top 10 Michigan Business Giving Spirit Award Nominee

2007 Erotic Showdown Author Nominee by Publisher’s Market.

2007 Who’s Who In Black Detroit listing. (2nd Edition)

2007 National Inspiration Role Model Month (November) Literary Leader Award
2007 Powerful Visionary Award by Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc – Rho Sigma Chapter

2008 SORMAG.com Readers Choice Award The Best Multi-Cultural Self-Published Author of the Year

2008 Facilitator at Idlewild Dubois Writing Workshop

2008 Detroit Literary Empowerment Community Champion for Motown Writers Network

2008 Distinguish Service Award Recipient from Detroit City Council

2008 NaNoWriMo Winner for Eve’s Deception @ 56992 words

2008 Metro Times The Best of Detroit Recipient – Best Literary Host and Literacy Booster

2009 Black Author Network Community Literary Legend Author

2009 Who’s Who In Black Detroit listing. (3rd Edition)

Reviews

[Tasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has many elements of a good story. It includes love, family, violence, and sex. None of it is overdone, and all of it is in good taste. This author immediately pulls the reader into the story, keeping the interest of the reader without fancy twists and turns, but by simple storytelling.

As Rob's history pours out on the pages, readers are left in awe. He has been through rough times in life, having come from a family of thugs. He has also done some awful things in life. Yet, he's ready for a change and striving for a better life. In comes Diamond. She's every man's dream, but there's the question of whether Rob's past will elicit so much fear in her that it prevents a future between the two of them. Or...will her own past cause issues that lead Rob into more trouble than he bargained for?

A good story, well written.

[J.M. Brister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diamond In The Rough (Heart of Detroit #2) is an urban romance/erotica novella. It’s incredibly sexy and has a psychological and mental health component to it that not only makes it a thrilling read but a complex one as well. It’s a page-turning romp, full of sex, violence, love, and suspense—the perfect combination for a great romance read.

Rob has a sordid history that involves violence from both him and his father. As much as he doesn’t want to be like his dad, he has some sort of mental illness/personality disorder/sexual addiction that has done a number on him. He’s been to jail because of it and is out on probation at the start of the story. He becomes infatuated with Diamond, a beautiful and sophisticated woman he admires from afar. When he saves her from a confrontation with her stepbrother, he ends up involved in a conflict that’s a lot more dangerous than he could have ever imagined.

I was impressed with how likable I found Rob given his history. He was very upfront about what happened in his past and didn’t hide the fact from Diamond that he was convicted of rape. I know that immediately sounds off-putting, and I’d normally dislike a character because of that. However, the circumstances behind it were a bit different, and he was being exceptionally medication compliant with his mental illness. Meanwhile, Diamond was an amazing character—intelligent, sexy, confident, and likable, which is everything I like in a female MC.

This book is just one of five in a series, and I’d like to read some of the others. It looks like some other characters make some cameos, and I’d like to make the connections. However, this is definitely a standalone, and I was able to pick it up and read it (even with it being a Book 2) with no problem. If you are looking for a new quick-read romance series, I would highly suggest Diamond In The Rough by Sylvia Hubbard.

[Pamela Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would classify this as a short story or maybe a novella. I just happened to come across it when I was reading the Romance Novels of Color newsletter section, Free Reads.

I don't know if that had anything to do with the formatting issues and there were grammatical issues as well but I really enjoyed it and read the story in one sitting. The family tree was extensive and at times, a little confusing, at least to me. The story had elements of suspense, romance and even comedy when it came to the dialogue toward the end. I would read more from this author.

[Graves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking forward to reading this book. The first of many by my friend Sylvia!

[Jamila · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was an ok read.

[Rosepetal78 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Um...

[Glenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book!!

[Cora · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read. I really enjoyed this book. Suspense and romance page turner.

[Di · Rating 1 out of 5]

That was just ridiculous.

[Leigh-Anne Ford Lyons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diamond's are a girls best friend

I have to say I truly enjoyed this book. Sylvia Hubbard is an excellent author and I look forward to reading more. I

[Geri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intriguing Storyline

I like the plot and story line but wish there was more development.

Definitely interested in reading other books about relevant characters.