Say It with Diamonds

by Lucy King

Mills & Boon Sexy series delivers what you love in contemporary romance - glamour and scandal in exotic locations…At thirty-five, Bella might be an expert on diamonds but she but she's still missing a big fat one on the third finger of her left hand. However, at least she has her successful jewellery business; with very interesting new client, William Cameron, aka the Duke of Hawksley, no less!

She's expecting portly and chinless; but actually Will's tall, dark and so distractingly good-looking it's hard to concentrate on his jewels! More of a surprise: this weird attraction between them is actually mutual. Urgent. And it catches them completely unawares in a black London taxi

All that glitters is not gold. All that sparkles isn't diamond. All men who turn you on aren't the real thing. But being cynical gets boring. Maybe it's time for Bella to throw caution to the wind!

Genres: Romance, Harlequin Presents, Harlequin

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

wow almost a five stars book! the hero was complex, brooding and oh so sexy! I usually have a problem with most heroines but this one was pretty much flawless. Strong, determined and honest. The sex scenes were hot and the only thing that bothered me was the lack of a future epilogue. other than that it was one hell of a ride!!

[Fanniny Moreno Zavaleta]

DNF

Sorry but I just couldn't.
For starters I felt the tone more like like a rom-com than an HP. I'm not saying it can't be done but at least in this moment if my mercurial moods I didn't like it.
With an older h I was expecting even more resistance, different reactions than the twenty-year-olds, I don't know.
And the hero got on my wrong side too fast too.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The hero Will has inherited his father's estate, including a very large and well know jewellery collection. He takes a few items to Bella, the heroine, for valuation and there is an immediate spark between them. But his interest in Bella is put on hold when Bella informs him that some of the items have been tampered with. Eventually though the attraction returns and when Bella admits it is mutual it results in a passionate, albeit brief, encounter. But however much Bella enjoyed it, she knows Will isn't looking for commitment and she is looking for Mr Right. Will knows he shouldn't pursue Bella but he can't ignore the fierce desire he feels for her, and asks for her help restoring some of the jewellery and it's not long before they begin an affair. Strictly temporary. Bella soon realises her mistake as her feelings for Will turn to love, something that he can never give her.

I was surprised by the darkness in the book. Dark in comparison to Lucy King's 'The Crown Affair', which I read recently, which had a more flirty and fun mood. But this is a brilliant book, and I really enjoyed it. Bella is a fabulous heroine; quirky, fun, and interesting. She is the perfect balm to Will's brooding and damaged personality. The sexual tension is so thick you could almost cut it, and *that* scene in the back on the limo is scorching! The story itself is deep, emotional and interesting, and very well written.

Full of sass as well as emotion, all in Lucy King's very unique and utterly compelling style. I loved it!


Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....

[Susan in Perthshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. This author writes such believable characters and her plot lines are engaging and entertaining. I loved Bella and Will though I did feel the Dukedom was kind of irrelevant not to the story. I only discovered this author last year and I have been ploughing through her back catalogue. Excellent and entertaining read.

[RJC · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hot passion at the start, then blowing hot and cold. A little unbelievable.

[Vanessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bella was an older experienced heroine which was a nice change. I liked that the descriptions and colors of William Cameron correlated w/ the rocks that she dealt w/ in her career. Really thought the mystery of his family heirlooms would carry out longer and provide more angst for the story though. His hang-up was a little off the wall, but went w/ it because he believed it. Bella of course is looking for “the one” as she would like to settle down and have a family, but because of Will’s hang-up he can’t be the one.

They quickly get involved but when she researches him and discovers that he won’t be committing to more she pulls back. There is some game playing w/ other characters that added a bit of amusement and drama, moved the story along. Funny thing is that Will claims he doesn’t play games yet he does to get what he wants even KNOWING that Bella wants more! Okay he does feel some guilt for his playing w/ her but….you know the ends justify the means. He does confess and tries to pull back but he has already hooked her by now. They embark on the no strings thing but slowly things become tied up yet Will is still convinced on no commitment until he ponders things more.

[Sincere · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bella is expert in jewelry.She has successful business but no luck with relationship. With her ages , she dreams of having happily husband and child but no such luck. And then she met Will,handsome and arrogant duke,who brought his jewelry to her for appraisal.Their chemistry spark but Bella knows Will doesn't do commitment.How will she changes his mind or maybe she would change her mind to do fling instead of commitment.

what I like
1. their chemistry ROCK
2. Bella isn't weak-and-need-to-rescue type of heroine.she has brain.
more than that she knows what's wrong and what's right to do.

so why 4 stars instead of five

what I don't like
1. warning : epilogue is no where to be seen *sob*
2. How they are head over heel in love toward each other.While that could be good and romantic ,it seems to me that love (or passion) weaken two functional persons.When they're apart ,they couldn't stop thinking of each other.. and when they're together ,they just can't keep their hands of each other.WHAT ...? that isn't productive or good with their career at all


anyway this is good and sweet novel to read :)
ps. I still want the epilogue

[Yolande · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms King perfectly demonstrates how sometimes, keeping your hands to yourself, is not possible. The heroine, Bella, discovers this fact when she meets her new client and no matter how much she strives to ignore the immediate, urgent chemistry, she fights a losing battle.

But this story is more than just about two people unable to keep their hands, and mouths and other parts to themselves. Although the interaction between the main characters is super-hot, the message Ms King conveys through the book is strong and well-executed. Giving in to temptation always has consequences and to love someone and set yourself vulnerable to love's ministrations takes courage.

The characters were well developed, the plot logical and without holes and the writing style engaging and speckled with humor. I would definitely recommend this read for lovers of modern romance.

[Cecilia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice to see an older heroine, but the hero's hang ups were pretty hard to believe (although they are pretty standard hang ups with pretty standard reasons for them). The pacing of the story is very fast - in terms of establishing the relationship, building the conflict, and overcoming it for the resolution. Other than the fact that he has a collection of jewellery that's been in the family for years, I also didn't really get why the hero had to be a duke - particularly since almost nothing is done with it. And nothing is done with showing how the heroine and her crappy background are going to fit into his exclusive world. However, all that being said, there were some really nice turns of phrase in this story that saved it from being merely an OK 2 stars.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy reading, always nice to do.
A love story with a happy ending, you know that when you start reading.
But the way to the end of the book was a nice one.
I like her work, did added something extra to this story.

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Just a Fling?
Category: Classic Romance

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Just a Fling?
Category: Classic Romance

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Won a copy through Goodreads' First Reads program.

Good strong female lead. Entertaining & funny at times with great romance and emotional conflict.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes men aren't always the sharpest tool in the shed it takes them messing up to realize what is really missing in their life is the thing they pushed so far away

[Bungluna · Rating 2 out of 5]

The hero's turn-around was a bit abrupt. I couldn't buy the HEA.