Diamonds in the Rough

The Ladies' Sewing Circle #6

by Portia Da Costa

When it comes to diamonds – and men – some women prefer them rough

Thanks to her grandfather's complicated will, Miss Adela Ruffington, along with her mother and sisters, is about to lose her home and income to a distant cousin, the closest male heir to the Millingford title. For Adela, nothing could be more insulting--being denied her rightful inheritance for a randy scoundrel like Wilson, the very man who broke her heart following a lusty dalliance years ago.

Still smarting from the betrayal of his latest paramour, Wilson Ruffington never anticipates the intense desire Adela again stirs within him. Despite his wicked tongue and her haughty pride, their long-ago passion instantly reignites at a summer house party, the experience they've gained as adults only adding fuel to the flames.

Wilson and Adela are insatiable, but civility outside of the bedroom proves impossible. Determined to keep Adela in his bed, Wilson devises a ruse--a marriage of convenience that will provide her family with a generous settlement, as well as prevent scandalous whispers. Their plan works perfectly until family rivalries and intrigue threaten to destroy their arrangement...and the unspoken love blooming beneath it.

Genres: Erotica, Romance, Historical Romance, Historical

384 pages, Paperback

First published June 7, 2013

About the author

I'm a Sunday Times, New York Times and USA Today bestselling British author of romance, erotic romance and romantic fiction. My novels have been published by a variety of different houses, both in the US and the UK, and translated into many languages including German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Norwegian and Japanese. I'm best known for my many novels for the pioneering British erotica publisher Black Lace and I writing books with contemporary, paranormal and occasionally futuristic settings. I'm now venturing into historical erotic romance too, with a new novel for Harlequin Spice set in London in the year 1890.

I also write as Dorothy Starr and Megan Paul

I've been writing for publication since 1990, and have had over twenty novels published and around 100 short stories. I've contributed to many different short story anthologies and women’s magazines. I've also written a number Spice Briefs for Harlequin.

I'm a member of Romance Writers of America, the Passionate Ink RWA Chapter, the Romantic Novelists Association [UK] and the Society of Authors [UK].

I live in the heart of West Yorkshire, UK, with my husband and my cats. When I'm not writing I enjoy reading, watching TV and movies, hanging out on Twitter and Facebook, and online life in general. I was formerly a librarian and have also worked in local government.

Reviews

[SuperWendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a perfect example of "Meh, it's OK" read for me. I really liked the heroine, was lukewarm on the hero, and found the pacing slow. I've liked the short stories the author has written in this series, but have been less enamored with the full length novels.....

http://wendythesuperlibrarian.blogspo...

[Ellinor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This turned out to be better than I expected it to be. It was always well written though in the beginning it was a little too much sex for my taste in a book and I didn't really like either of the main characters. But in the end I actually enjoyed it, the book developed well.

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

"But what was better, a wise coward or a valiant fool?"

"To sleep, perchance to dream"

Yup, 1 star.. I'm not a fan that almost every chapter their desires for each other overpowers the flow of the story. I just want Wilson and Adela's story to end. This is such a drag for me to read.

[Chanelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Relatively intriguing but a typical, predictable conclusion. However, very articulate.

[Liz · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this ages ago but on second reading I just couldn't get past the first 50 pages. I found something else to read which held my attention better.

[Juliette Cen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un roman au postulat de départ croustillant (deux cousins éloignés qui après une passion éphémère vécue ado se sont détestés pendant 7 ans) qui n'a pas comblé mes attentes.
Je me suis souvent sentie envahie par des scènes érotiques au timing mal préparé, comme si l'histoire empêchait la tension de monter, PAF ! on est déjà dans l'action avant d'en savourer les prémices. A ce titre, la seule scène qui intervienne au bon moment et qui soit racontée avec à propos, c'est celle de leur première fois. Les autres finissent par sembler répétitives, un comble pour une romance épicée.
J'ai aussi eu le sentiment diffus de beaucoup de "blablas" et de "tout ça pour ça".
Autre élément dérangeant, la référence perpétuelle au nez d'Adela par celle-ci, qui finit par lui retirer tout sex-appeal. Si je comprends les complexes du personnage, y faire référence à chaque chapitre, c'est lourd et maladroit. Quant à trouver sexy un type qui se balade en robe de chambre à longueur de journée, je crains que cela ne fasse pas partie de mes critères...
A côté de cela, j'ai apprécié l'écriture et la fluidité du récit. Le vocabulaire est soigné, l'aspect historique bien amené.
L'intrigue est sympathique, elle aurait même mérité un peu plus de développement.
En bref, une lecture agréable qui manque pourtant d'une certaine légèreté.

[Karline05 Un brin de lecture · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.unbrindelecture.com/2014/1...
Une romance historique épicée pleine d'humour et de légèreté. On prend plaisir à découvrir cette romance sans prise de tête qui n'est certes pas des plus originales mais bien écrite et assez envoutante. Adela et Wilson sont plein d'humour, de caractère et leur duo est terriblement sensuel.
Pas la romance de l'année mais un moment de lecture légère et piquante.

[Harlequin Books]

mini-series: The Ladies' Sewing Circle
Category: Erotic Fiction, Historical

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

diamonds really are a girls best friend and might even help you find a man

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute plot, 3*

[Lyndsay Sutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wilson and Adela are wonderful together. I wouldn't mind spending more time with them!