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Diamond #1
Rough Diamond
THE DIAMOND SERIES, BOOK 1
Owner of the Diamond Saloon and Theater, Alice Reynolds is astounded when a fancy Englishman offers to buy her saloon. She won't be selling the Diamond to anyone, let alone a man with a pretty, empty-headed grin...but then, she reckons that grin just might be a lie, and a man of intelligence and cunning resides beneath.
Rupert Llewellyn has another purpose for offering to buy the pretty widow's saloon. However, he never banked on her knowing eyes making him weak at the knees, or how his deception would burn upon his soul.
Each determined to outwit the other, they tantalize and tease until passion explodes. But can their desire bridge the lies told and trust broken?
If you like this, you might like Book 2, FOOL'S GOLD
Owner of the Diamond Saloon and Theater, Alice Reynolds is astounded when a fancy Englishman offers to buy her saloon. She won't be selling the Diamond to anyone, let alone a man with a pretty, empty-headed grin...but then, she reckons that grin just might be a lie, and a man of intelligence and cunning resides beneath.
Rupert Llewellyn has another purpose for offering to buy the pretty widow's saloon. However, he never banked on her knowing eyes making him weak at the knees, or how his deception would burn upon his soul.
Each determined to outwit the other, they tantalize and tease until passion explodes. But can their desire bridge the lies told and trust broken?
If you like this, you might like Book 2, FOOL'S GOLD
- GenresWesternsHistorical
133 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2012
6 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Cassandra Dean
42 books191 followersCassandra Dean is an award-winning author of historical and fantasy romance. She grew up daydreaming, inventing fantastical worlds and marvelous adventures. Once she learned to read (First phrase – To the Beach. True story), she was never without a book, reading of other people’s fantastical worlds and marvelous adventures.
Cassandra is proud to call South Australia her home, where she regularly cheers on her AFL football team and creates her next tale.
Visit Cassandra’s website at http://cassandradean.com
Join Cassandra’s mailing list at http://cassandradean.com/extras/subsc...
Be sure to follow Cassandra on BookBub for the latest on sales: https://bit.ly/3rzSIpu
Follow Cassandra on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCassandra... and on Twitter @authorCassDean
Contact Cassandra at cassandra@cassandradean.com
Cassandra is proud to call South Australia her home, where she regularly cheers on her AFL football team and creates her next tale.
Visit Cassandra’s website at http://cassandradean.com
Join Cassandra’s mailing list at http://cassandradean.com/extras/subsc...
Be sure to follow Cassandra on BookBub for the latest on sales: https://bit.ly/3rzSIpu
Follow Cassandra on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCassandra... and on Twitter @authorCassDean
Contact Cassandra at cassandra@cassandradean.com
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 22, 2022
Alice Reynolds has been widowed five years but is still the owner of the Diamond Saloon and the Theatre next door where a Spectacular burlesque production is held every month, Alice is astounded when a fancy Englishman offers to buy her saloon. Rupert Llewellyn has another purpose for offering to buy the pretty widow’s saloon the coal buried deep in land she owns. However, he never banked on her knowing eyes making him weak at the knees, or how his deception would burn upon his soul. Each determined to outwit the other, they tantalize and tease until passion explodes.
A well written easy to read western. The characters are very well portrayed & have depth, I loved both Alice & Rupert, their attraction sizzled & the chemistry was combustible. However there were secrets between them, which Rupert was unable to reveal & these ultimately drove a wedge between them. I loved their road to a HEA & adored the epilogue which concluded the book beautifully
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
A well written easy to read western. The characters are very well portrayed & have depth, I loved both Alice & Rupert, their attraction sizzled & the chemistry was combustible. However there were secrets between them, which Rupert was unable to reveal & these ultimately drove a wedge between them. I loved their road to a HEA & adored the epilogue which concluded the book beautifully
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
February 20, 2022
Alice Reynolds has inherited a saloon from her late husband and has transformed it into a successful entertainment venue. Her burlesque show is famous all over the country, but she has other dreams… And they definitely do not include selling her business to an handsome, but apparently empty-headed Englishman!
Rupert Llewellyn is very good at his job, which is pretending to be a fool in order to convince people to sell their land claim to potential coal deposits. But he never thought to find a tough customer in the delectable owner of the saloon…
This is a thoroughly captivating love story with a perfect Western background. I felt thrown back in time in the fascinating world of a frontier town at the end of the 19th century thanks to the wonderful, descriptive writing of the author. The characters are well developed and their chemistry in the love scenes is perfect and never over the top. I finished the book in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down!
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Rupert Llewellyn is very good at his job, which is pretending to be a fool in order to convince people to sell their land claim to potential coal deposits. But he never thought to find a tough customer in the delectable owner of the saloon…
This is a thoroughly captivating love story with a perfect Western background. I felt thrown back in time in the fascinating world of a frontier town at the end of the 19th century thanks to the wonderful, descriptive writing of the author. The characters are well developed and their chemistry in the love scenes is perfect and never over the top. I finished the book in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down!
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
February 15, 2022
3.75 STARS
Little on action and some suspense. Story of deception by the H. I have a hard time feeling a connection to a couple with deception and half truths.
Little on romance and big on lust. Heat level 3 out of 5. The Lords name is used a lot. It wasn’t as bad as her previous story Emerald Sea, but still used more than was necessary.
No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA, and steam. I didn’t care for her decision on her property. I did enjoy the epilogue.
I received an advanced copy and all opinions are my own and freely given. (ljb)
Little on action and some suspense. Story of deception by the H. I have a hard time feeling a connection to a couple with deception and half truths.
Little on romance and big on lust. Heat level 3 out of 5. The Lords name is used a lot. It wasn’t as bad as her previous story Emerald Sea, but still used more than was necessary.
No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA, and steam. I didn’t care for her decision on her property. I did enjoy the epilogue.
I received an advanced copy and all opinions are my own and freely given. (ljb)
February 16, 2022
Wyoming 1876
Not is all as it seems when Englishman Rupert Llewellyn, comes to Ironwood, Wyoming and wants to buy the Diamond Saloon.
When he makes an offer to Alice, the owner, she declines right off that she will never sell. He definately acts like a fop with no brain!
But what does Rupert really want with the saloon? As he and Alice circle around each other, the reason has to come out, that is, if they can hold off on the attraction to each other!
You will just have to read to find out!!
Not is all as it seems when Englishman Rupert Llewellyn, comes to Ironwood, Wyoming and wants to buy the Diamond Saloon.
When he makes an offer to Alice, the owner, she declines right off that she will never sell. He definately acts like a fop with no brain!
But what does Rupert really want with the saloon? As he and Alice circle around each other, the reason has to come out, that is, if they can hold off on the attraction to each other!
You will just have to read to find out!!
February 19, 2022
Alice Reynolds has a dream of going but not giving up anything. Not her dream and MOST definitely not her property. Rupert Llewellyn has a job to do. And one annoying woman isn't going to change that. Until he sees a different side of this charming lady.
A little on the steamy side but not so much that it can't be skipped over. The story can stand by itself and still be interesting. I recieved a free copy so that I might tell you what I honestly think. Hope you enjoyed my review. Now go enjoy the book.
A little on the steamy side but not so much that it can't be skipped over. The story can stand by itself and still be interesting. I recieved a free copy so that I might tell you what I honestly think. Hope you enjoyed my review. Now go enjoy the book.
March 11, 2022
Rupert Llewellyn is an Englishman who travels to Ironwood, Wyoming intent on buying the Diamond Saloon. But the owner of that saloon is Alice Reynolds, and the stubborn lady has no intention of selling , especially to the likes of this Fop. But there are undisclosed reasons for Rupert’s interests in the Saloon and as things heat up between the two, the lies and broken trust threaten their fragile relationship
February 16, 2022
Such a delightful storyline filled with mysterious characters with secrets that can change the course of their life, you won’t be able to put it down and you will fall for Rupert and Alice’s story. A real romance with all the emotions, love, hate, conflicts well all the ingredients for a great book. Thanks to the author for providing me with my review copy.
January 15, 2022
He tries to act all innocent when he offers to buy her salloon. But she is not selling and doesn't trust him. but eventually things get hotter between them. I received a review copy and voluntarily review it.
February 17, 2022
Cassandra Dean has written an enjoyable novel, filled it with characters that come off the pages and pull you into their tale, passion, a story that is well-written and a nice plot that keeps your interest until the end.
March 13, 2022
Good story. Enjoyed the premise of a woman owning a saloon in that time period. I received an arc of this book.
November 17, 2012
Trying to romance a woman when all you've offered her is lies from the beginning is just not a recommended method by anyone's thinking, but nevertheless that is just what happens in this enjoyable Historical Western Romance.
Alice has been widowed for five years after leaving her home in Chicago to marry a Western saloon owner as a result of an arrangement her mother made for her. When he died, her husband left her his saloon and a tract of land with a possible coal deposit. Alice carefully does what she can to build up the profits of the saloon, but the little theater next door where she hosts her famous burlesque variety show is her real passion.
Rupert Llewelyn comes to the small town of Freewill, Wyoming on a mission for the large coal mining company he works for. The company wants to buy up all the land claims around the town because of the hint of the large coal deposit deep in the ground. Many sell, but there is one owner in particular, Mrs. Alice Reynolds, who holds a very coveted property deed. Rupert has a Welsh charm about him that has worked in his stead much of his life so he decides to act the charming idiot and coax the lovely widow into selling her property.
Much of the story is a light duel between Alice and Rupert as she tries to figure him out and he tries to achieve his goal. They are both surprised when genuine feelings start interfering with matters. Rupert now has the task of walking the edge of the blade between the confidential clause his employers insisted on and telling the truth to Alice before it all blows up in his face. Alice has been independent for some time and guarded her heart well, but now she must choose to take a chance and maybe find happiness with a man she knows is keeping something from her.
The plot is light as Westerns go- no violent 'shoot em ups' and though passion is present, its not explicit. The strength of the plot is in the tension that is created by Rupert's lies and wondering, as the two become more entangled in their feelings, when it will all blow up in his face.
The pace was pretty steady until near the end when it all sort of rushed to arrive and then returned to taking its time in the epilogue.
Rupert is one of those characters that could sell anything to anybody. He's a bit of a rogue, but beneath that shallow surface he has a conscience and a heart. Alice is a person of parts. She's tough because she's had to be, but she's lonely and vulnerable too. I enjoy how both characters' backgrounds were less than pristine, yet they made something of themselves. Rupert started out a bastard son grubbing in the Welsh coal mines and worked his way into a good position with a tidy nest egg. Alice started as a burlesque dancer who now owns her own profitable saloon and theater. I thought the secondary characters of Smith and Pearl were good sidekicks for Rupert and Alice.
Just on a side note, I have to say that I found Alice's little lingerie fetish pretty cute. I want one of her corsets (though what I'd do with it when I got it I'm not sure since actually wearing something that constricting wouldn't happen).
While it didn't knock my socks off, it was still a fun novella for a lazy weekend afternoon read. I would recommend this one for those who like lighter Western Romance.
Alice has been widowed for five years after leaving her home in Chicago to marry a Western saloon owner as a result of an arrangement her mother made for her. When he died, her husband left her his saloon and a tract of land with a possible coal deposit. Alice carefully does what she can to build up the profits of the saloon, but the little theater next door where she hosts her famous burlesque variety show is her real passion.
Rupert Llewelyn comes to the small town of Freewill, Wyoming on a mission for the large coal mining company he works for. The company wants to buy up all the land claims around the town because of the hint of the large coal deposit deep in the ground. Many sell, but there is one owner in particular, Mrs. Alice Reynolds, who holds a very coveted property deed. Rupert has a Welsh charm about him that has worked in his stead much of his life so he decides to act the charming idiot and coax the lovely widow into selling her property.
Much of the story is a light duel between Alice and Rupert as she tries to figure him out and he tries to achieve his goal. They are both surprised when genuine feelings start interfering with matters. Rupert now has the task of walking the edge of the blade between the confidential clause his employers insisted on and telling the truth to Alice before it all blows up in his face. Alice has been independent for some time and guarded her heart well, but now she must choose to take a chance and maybe find happiness with a man she knows is keeping something from her.
The plot is light as Westerns go- no violent 'shoot em ups' and though passion is present, its not explicit. The strength of the plot is in the tension that is created by Rupert's lies and wondering, as the two become more entangled in their feelings, when it will all blow up in his face.
The pace was pretty steady until near the end when it all sort of rushed to arrive and then returned to taking its time in the epilogue.
Rupert is one of those characters that could sell anything to anybody. He's a bit of a rogue, but beneath that shallow surface he has a conscience and a heart. Alice is a person of parts. She's tough because she's had to be, but she's lonely and vulnerable too. I enjoy how both characters' backgrounds were less than pristine, yet they made something of themselves. Rupert started out a bastard son grubbing in the Welsh coal mines and worked his way into a good position with a tidy nest egg. Alice started as a burlesque dancer who now owns her own profitable saloon and theater. I thought the secondary characters of Smith and Pearl were good sidekicks for Rupert and Alice.
Just on a side note, I have to say that I found Alice's little lingerie fetish pretty cute. I want one of her corsets (though what I'd do with it when I got it I'm not sure since actually wearing something that constricting wouldn't happen).
While it didn't knock my socks off, it was still a fun novella for a lazy weekend afternoon read. I would recommend this one for those who like lighter Western Romance.
February 26, 2013
To read the full review, visit: Love Saves the World
Dean is very good at writing relationships and she knows how to build anticipation and heighten sexual tension very well. She also has a wonderful sense of timing and developing a dramatic moment -- the culmination of Rupert and Alice's flirtation and Alice's monthly Spectacular all happen in that one breathtaking moment:
Dean is very good at writing relationships and she knows how to build anticipation and heighten sexual tension very well. She also has a wonderful sense of timing and developing a dramatic moment -- the culmination of Rupert and Alice's flirtation and Alice's monthly Spectacular all happen in that one breathtaking moment:
The intensity with which he looked at her affected her something terrible. She felt hot, and flustered, and she didn't know what she wanted. The overwhelming excitement at the conclusion of a Spectacular returned, but now it had a focus. Him.
This was getting her nowhere fast. Annoyance marched through her, at his caginess, at her own damn fascination with a man intent on lying to her. "So, if you aren't a fool, what are you?"
Removing his hands from his pockets, he moved toward her. Gaze steady on hers, he stopped close, so close she could see his eyes weren't truly black but instead the darkest of browns. She froze, unsure what would happen but desperate to discover. He didn't touch, did nothing more inappropriate than stand too close.
Then, he leaned down, and his lips brushed her ear. "Fascinated."
- pp. 96-97
May 24, 2013
Rough Diamond is a great short read. Finding love within someone you'd never think would happen with, happens. Alice owns an incredible saloon that her late husband left her. Not to mention a claim that could be worth something. Enter a foreigner by the name of Rupert who sets his sights on the Diamond Saloon. He stops at nothing to try to persuade Alice into selling her prized saloon. But what they didn't expect was finding love. But will love be enough after Alice finds out his true intentions or are his lies too much?
Cassandra did an outstanding job with starting this series. Very descriptive and enteraining, she kept me well engrossed in the book and looking forward to reading the next install to this series.
Cassandra did an outstanding job with starting this series. Very descriptive and enteraining, she kept me well engrossed in the book and looking forward to reading the next install to this series.
March 27, 2023
I don't usually read westerns, but I enjoyed this one. I liked how the final conflict and resolution played out. Good non-alpha hero (a hero that blushes☺️). He supports her and is there for her. I liked how he followed her and adjusted for her dream. Strong but also not always confident heroine who is a widow & saloon owner.
Really good foreplay scenes.🔥🔥
There are a few typos, but I always enjoy Dean's writing.
Note: I didn't like the cover because it shows a hero in a cowboy hat with guns and that is not Rupert AT ALL.
Really good foreplay scenes.🔥🔥
There are a few typos, but I always enjoy Dean's writing.
Note: I didn't like the cover because it shows a hero in a cowboy hat with guns and that is not Rupert AT ALL.
May 29, 2013
Rough Diamond is a steamy, yet sweet romance. I loved Rupert and Alice together. The sexual tension between the two was very intense. I felt badly for Rupert because he couldn't be upfront with Alice about his reasons for being in Freewill. Alice is a strong woman who has made herself a successful business woman. I was really rooting for them, I really liked the epilogue in the end. It gave a nice peek into the future.
December 21, 2012
3 1/2 stars.
review to come.
review to come.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews