Aurora Huntley, free-spirited sister to the earl of Pembourne, lives under the dark shadow of the black diamond. The victim of threats from privateers who believe her brother possesses the precious stone, Aurora is a virtual prisoner in her own home. She now faces a fate worse than death: an arranged marriage to an uninspiring suitor. Craving adventure and freedom, Aurora has no choice but to do something shocking, something scandalous....For two hundred pounds, a handsome stranger agrees to help Aurora stage her own ruin. But her kiss stuns him, and her name shocks him. She is a Huntley, and he is Julian Bencroft, the new duke of Morland. For generations their families have been bitter enemies because of the black diamond. Now, joining forces to claim the treasure, Julian and Aurora discover a love that is far more precious than any jewel. But first, they must conquer the evil that surrounds them -- or surrender their newfound joy to the diamond's age-old legacy of betrayal.
Coming in March 2019 from Andrea Kane: DEAD IN A WEEK.
Andrea Kane is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of twenty-nine novels, including fifteen psychological thrillers and fourteen historical romantic suspense titles. With her signature style, Kane creates unforgettable characters and confronts them with life-threatening danger. As a master of suspense, she weaves them into exciting, carefully-researched stories, pushing them to the edge—and keeping her readers up all night.
Kane’s first contemporary suspense thriller, Run for Your Life, became an instant New York Times bestseller. She followed with a string of bestselling psychological thrillers including No Way Out, Twisted, and Drawn in Blood.
Her latest in the highly successful Forensic Instincts series, Dead in a Week, adds the Zermatt Group into the mix—a covert team of former military and spy agency operatives. With a week to save a young woman from ruthless kidnappers, this globe-spanning chase, from the beerhalls of Germany, to the tech gardens of California, to the skyscrapers of China, and finally the farmlands of Croatia will keep readers guessing until the very end. The first showcase of Forensic Instincts’ talents came with the New York Times bestseller, The Girl Who Disappeared Twice, followed by The Line Between Here and Gone, The Stranger You Know, The Silence that Speaks, The Murder That Never Was, and A Face to Die For.
Kane’s beloved historical romantic suspense novels include My Heart’s Desire, Samantha, Echoes in the Mist, and Wishes in the Wind.
With a worldwide following of passionate readers, her books have been published in more than twenty languages.
Kane lives in New Jersey with her husband and family. She’s an avid crossword puzzle solver and a diehard Yankees fan. Otherwise, she’s either writing or playing with her Pomeranian, Mischief, who does his best to keep her from writing.
Tardé muuucho en terminarlo, para un reto y realmente fue un reto terminarlo...
No entiendo cómo una novela que tiene acción, misterio, amor, sexo pueda ser tan pesada.
Aurora y Julian son bisnietos de dos aventureros que obtuvieron y escondieron dos generaciones atrás un gran diamante negro. Ambos pertenecen a dos familias aristocráticas que se odian a causa de ese diamante, pues se acusan mutuamente de haberlo robado. Ya conocía la historia de la novela anterior "El legado del diamante", otra novela soporífera. Bueno, la cosa que estos se casan y van a la búsqueda del diamante siguiendo pistas y con la ayuda de un misterioso farero.
Pero es soporífera!!! creo que el problema son los diálogos, son largos (cada personaje está hablando casi una página), parecen declaraciones. Si son de amor, que te amo por lo maravilloso/a e inteligente que sos.. bla bla por más de media página. Lo mismo los villanos dando larrrgasss explicaciones. Un epílogo larguísimo también.
Bue, ya está, lo terminé, lo archivé. 446 p en papel.
I thoroughly enjoyed this historical romance. Have read it more than once and love it just as much every time. The characters are likeable, the romance between the MC’s and the way it grows is sweet, and the sex scenes are h-o-t!
Comienza muy bien, pero decae hacía la mitad. Ya al final no me interesaba en lo más mínimo ni el diamante, ni la relación entre Aurora y Julian, solo quería que se terminara.
En teoría terminé este libro en un día. Mi hermana me regaló este bonito libro en navidad y decidí comenzarlo en Enero, pero entre estudio y otras cosas pospuse la lectura, en ese momento solo pude leer 100 páginas más o menos. Por un impulso anoche tomé el libro y lo terminé esta madrugada. Me gustó más de lo que creía, la autora supo como captar mi atención por completo y por eso me enganchó tanto. Por si no lo saben, esta es la segunda parte de la bilogía "Diamante negro" y no, no he leído su primera parte, por lo mismo de que si no hubiese sido por mi hermana ni me entero de su existencia. Afortunadamente no me perdí mucho, porque aunque tienen la misma temática también tienen protagonistas distintos. Espero poder conseguir su primera parte pronto.
UPDATE: I originally listened to the free audio of THE BLACK DIAMOND available through Audible but I enjoyed it so much that I recently purchased it and decided to listen again. THE BLACK DIAMOND contains everything I enjoy: Action, Adventure, a Mystery, a light Romance, great dialogue, and honorable, capable and vivacious characters for whom I become invested. The narration by Flora MacDonald is wonderful - portraying humor, excitement, accents, hope and male & females voices very well. Great fun! I’m sure I’ll listen again.
MY ORIGINAL POST: 5 Delighted Stars for historical adventure THE BLACK DIAMOND.
MY RATING GUIDE: 1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I LOVED THIS; IT WAS DELIGHTFUL! (I rarely give 5 Stars). THE BLACK DIAMOND was a light-hearted, uplifting adventure novel - a perfect Escape from Reality read. ❤️
THE BLACK DIAMOND, #2 in The Black Diamond duo is a delightful historical adventure novel, Wonderfully narrated by Flora MacDonald, written by Andrea Kane. This was my first time reading/listening to THE BLACK DIAMOND and I absolutely loved it! Ms. MacDonald was the perfect choice for voicing the characters. Although THE BLACK DIAMOND is book#2 and I had not previously read LEGACY OF THE DIAMOND, #1, I was able to jump in and follow along without any problem. Therefore, IMO THE BLACK DIAMOND can certainly be read as a standalone title but I located the audio copy of LEGACY and plan to read/listen to that next. 😊
Devonshire, 1807 ~ Slayde Huntley, Aurora’s older brother arrived home to discover both their parents killed by a sword. Their joint death was tied to a missing, once stolen, immense black diamond supposed to be somewhere on their property. The neighboring Duke of Morland was the suspected murderer. In the years following numerous treasure hunters, privateers, cut-throats, thieves and scoundrels have hounded the Pembourne estate and grounds attempting to discover for themselves the missing diamond. Slayde hired strong footman and guards and ordered Aurora to always remain within the grounds of the estate for her own safety. Then he sailed abroad, overwhelmed by the dual death of his parents, the new responsibility of the title, and the safety of his sister. Aurora remained on the grounds of the estate with only her imagination; her curiosity; Mr Scolard, the lighthouse keeper she discovered lived nearby; and her hope that someday she would be free.
The present, 1818 ~ Lady Aurora Huntley/FMC, now 21yrs, intelligent, insightful, outspoken, impulsive, resourceful and the spirited sister of the Earl of Pembourne, has just been betrothed to marry an acquaintance of her brother. The viscount is a well-to-do member of the ton. The proposed marriage is her brother, Slayde’s, final step in his plan of “keeping Aurora safe”. Having always obeyed her brother in most things, Aurora decides in this she will not acquiesce. Rather than be wed to a man who Aurora has only met twice, she decides to sneak off to the local village tavern, get herself caught in a compromising situation thereby causing her own ruination and making her no longer suitable for marriage to the viscount. She decides she would rather remain single for the remainder of her days.
World adventurer and mercenary “Merlin”/MMC has been traveling abroad for the past 6yrs and has only recently returned home to settle the estate details following his father’s recent death. Merlin is enjoying a drink in the pub when he overhears an argument between several dock workers and sailors over who will be the lucky man to ruin “Miss Rory.” Noticing that Rory appears to be a misplaced innocent who has not only stumbled into the wrong business, has apparently imbibed in too much alcohol, and has lost control of an escalating situation, Merlin stalks over to her table, picks her up and carts her off to an upstairs private room with the goal of sobering her up and returning her to her family home - wherever that may be.
Julian Bencroft/MMC is the newly ascended Duke of Morland in Devonshire. For 3 generations, Julian’s family has been in disfavor with the Huntley’s (their nearest neighbors). Before his father’s death, Julian’s father had done much to increase that constant friction with illogical, irrational attacks and vengeful actions. Julian had chosen to escape the ever present darkness of the estate by traveling abroad. The profits gained through various ventures and risks, over the past 6yrs, allowed Julian to assess a great deal of personal property including a lovely home and slice of land overlooking the sea in Cornwall. During his brief visits to England, Julian preferred residing there rather than his father’s estate in Devonshire. Julian had no affection for the family property since the death of his brother, Hubert, 13yrs ago. But the unexpected actions of Aurora Huntley cause Julian to reassess his plans.
THE BLACK DIAMOND is a captivating adventure story about locating the lost, repairing a fractured trust, and appropriating much due honor to 2 brave men, the Fox & the Falcon - loyal spies for England and the Crown - and now to their families. Readers of Action-Adventure novels, Historical Romance fiction and HEAs might want to check out this delightful novel.
READER CAUTIONS ~ PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language is used (fairly frequently) in excitement. SEXUAL - Yes. Frank sexual flirting between 2 newly married MCs with occasional on-scene, somewhat detailed intimacy, the scenes occasionally cutting away to closed door. IMO, BLACK DIAMOND is much more than these intimate scenes, which could easily be skipped if desired. VIOLENCE - G/PG. Not at all dark or graphic. Disney level.
I prefer adventure in my historical romances and I thought that's what this book was promising as everyone is searching for a legendary cursed gem. Unfortunately (for me, at least) this is more of a genteel adventure with our heroes spending most of their time searching for clues within books and paintings. There are mentions of possible danger but by the time any of that happens we are deep into the final act and it is quickly resolved. Then it's back to looking for clues while our heroes are all, "You're my soul! You're my miracle! You're my dream come true!" Put a sock in it and find the diamond already.
From finish to end the more adventure the more romance. I was able to read this book as it came to life as a motion picture I was able to watch every scene come to life as I read this great novel. I really enjoyed it. I bought it and by far one of my most favorite books out there
Grandes historias esperan en la biblioteca de uno. Esta historia la tengo pendiente desde hace 14 años, nunca la leí hasta hoy. ¡Y me encantó! No solo es una historia de amor, sino también de aventuras.
4/5 ⭐️ porque si bien sé que era de romance, no esperé que detallaran a cada rato las escenas de sexo entre los personajes y en un momento eso me llegó a aburrir. Me gustó que el romance se mezclara con misterio. Sin embargo, habían problemas de edición del libro que podían confundir🤕.
Aurora Huntley has spent more than a decade as a virtual prisoner in her home due to her overprotective brother and dangers lurking outside her little world. Her family is besieged by privateers and burglars trying to get their hands on the legendary black diamond that's supposed to be in her family's possession. Yet it isn't, and they have no idea where it is.
Still, dangers abound, and Aurora's brother, Slayde, decides on an ultimate protection for his sister—marriage. But Aurora doesn't want to get married, despite the suitability of the suitor, so she devises a cunning plan—she'll get a man to compromise her, thus ending her forced betrothal.
Little does she know that the man doing the supposed ruining is the Romeo to her Juliet, the last remaining descendant of the Bencrofts, her family's archenemies. Julian might have been the black sheep of the family, but he's still a Bencroft, and he's still in the search of the black diamond that's supposedly brought ruin to his family. But Julian isn't searching for the diamond out for its monetary value, his reasons run deeper, and he's willing to bring Aurora along on the journey.
A journey that will be more rewarding than either of them ever suspected.
Yes, yes, yes. If Legacy of the Diamond was a bad start to the "story", this one is a great ending.
First of all, Aurora, the rather self-centered brat from Legacy received a personality transplant and I actually liked her. She was lively, spirited, stubborn, resilient, and adventurous, a perfect other half of Julian, the hero. They complimented each other, they were each other's equals, no matter what, and the budding friendship, partnership and romance that developed were wonderful to read. It didn't feel rushed (despite happening in a mere week), both characters were nicely developed, and the flow of the story gave the reader ample time to get to know both of them, and ultimately understand what drew them together.
The rest was also very well done. The pacing was excellent, the mystery intriguing, I loved the treasure hunt styled following of the clues, and the suspense scenes were well-written and gripping, offering one jolt after another when all was revealed. I didn't see the other danger coming, and was pleasantly surprised by it.
The resolution to the utterly stupid family feud was beautifully done, and the finale with the affirming epilogue was just the right icing on this particular cake.
Los personajes me parecieron perfectos, Aurora es muy inteligente, tiene un buen sentido del humor, y esa personalidad suya, se acopla perfectamente a Julian, que es un comerciante, que navega de puerto a puerto. Un aventurero.Que también es es muy reservado, sexy y protector, enamorarse de su esposa nunca entro en sus planes, ni tampoco en los de Aurora.
La narración de Andrea hace la lectura fácil y rápida de leer, el libro lo terminarías muy rápido si te lo propusieras. Para concluir, el libro no solo tiene una bonita historia romántica, tiene acción, misterio, y más acción (?) Si les gusta el genero estoy segura que el libro les va a gustar
I tried to like it, but I can't. Right now I wanted some very light read but apparently I can't find it in this book. The search and scheming for the diamond is too complex, that I come to hate the Black Diamond. *sigh*. Maybe if I read it at some other time I might find it to my liking. Maybe.