Lilies, Diamonds, and Frost-Kissed Midnights: A Story of Healing, Forbidden Love, and the Secrets that Refuse to Stay Buried.

Newport Diaries #3

by Rebecca Royce

They tried to break her body. They couldn’t break her heart.

After escaping the school that stole her freedom, Alatheia Winder finds refuge in a hidden Louisiana estate where the Lent family’s legacy began. There, surrounded by mist and memory, she learns that healing can be as terrifying as the pain that came before—and that love can hurt just as deeply.

But grief has a long reach. As loss shadows the family and buried truths rise to the surface, Alatheia must follow the past home and face the reckoning that waits for her. In a house haunted by devotion and desire, even love can become a dangerous confession.

A frozen season. A burning love. And the girl who refuses to fade.

Book Three in The Newport Diaries — a saga of secrets, passion, and power.

279 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 15, 2025

About the author

Author of science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal.

Reviews

[Jennifer G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alatheia has faith. She knows the love she shared with the Lent Brothers was real. She believes they will come for her. But as the days pass and there's no rescue, she wonders if maybe it was all too much for them. If she was too much. By the time they arrive, the damage has been done, and Alatheia is emotionally fragile, bearing new scars. They retreat to Louisiana, back to where the Lent history began, to heal. Back to the lake where answers will be found, and heartbreak awaits.

Nostalgia in a novel. This series is captivating. It's the type of book that consumes me from the moment I read the first word. Each page is filled with adoration, mystery, and distinctiveness. The characters are rich and multi-layered, the situations are complex, and emotions, both past and present, infiltrate each moment. Bygone days overlay the present-day with generational love and trauma. Secrecy weaves it all together. This story evoked a myriad of emotions, mostly due to family. I was outraged, intrigued, distraught, heartbroken, elated, relieved, and besotted. There were so many reveals, some I had figured out, many a surprise, all satisfying. I was spent by the end, but also greedy for the spring.

[iliana G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author has been my favorite for many years and she has come back stronger and better than ever.

This is the 3rd book in the series and it doesn't disappoint at all!

The characters are well written and with depth and seem real. They are multifaced, with a vast of emotions and they make you fall in love with them.

The story was fast paced multilayered and dealt with trauma,past trauma, lots of drama and more trauma and of course love.

Questions are answered , questions are created the only sure thing is that i absolutely loved this book!

[TXBRITGAL · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give higher than a five star rating I would 👏💜💎

I haven't found a new series that I've adored this much, in I don't even know how long. I completely devoured this book. I could. NOT. Put. It. Down!!! I had so much fun just getting lost in this world. I am already excited to see what will happen next 😉. Especially with the new found family aspect of everything.

These characters truly captured me from their first moments on the page. They're very rich, complex , colorful characters- vibrant, full of life, and multi layered.

This read has enduring love, trauma, past trauma, blocked trauma, twists and turns, found family, chosen family, and best of all LOVE. After all that Alatheia has endured in her life, she definitely deserves some sunshine in her life. Meeting the Lent family gives her a glimpse into that light. Happiness never comes without a price in this story...so be prepared for a massively bumpy, trauma inducing ride. This story had it all... intrigue, drama, suspense, mystery, angst, romance, adventure, and more. I adore the Lent Brothers + their "Princess" (Alatheia).

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

RR has such a great talent to make her characters so relatable, and to tell a tale that hooks you in and leaves you wanting more! I loved this instalment of Alatheias story, although there were some sad parts, there were some questions answered and some excitement to be had, of the steamy kind with the adorable Lents, and some of a different kind altogether. I definitely need more and cannot wait for the next book!!

[Retta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alatheia’s journey has been marked with hardship and uncertainty but she perseveres and shows strength. She’s not a weak FMC, she’s just one that although marked by her past experiences, she is not defined by them. The boys provide her support and encouragement, but never belittle or underestimate her. The character development in this series has been off the charts. I’ve enjoyed reading their story and hope that there is more to come.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alatheia, you're so much stronger than you know....After enduring conditions in the "school"- where her bio family sent her, her boys, her chosen family, have rallied (after saving her) to uncover their own secrets and help her to heal. But old wounds are still wounds and family isn't always on your side...fabulous ending to the Newport Diary series by Rebecca Royce. I'm so glad you are back and writing again. We missed you!

[Kelly Bugler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant read.
Alatheia has been taken from those who love her. But in her captivity she doubts her friends, that they truly felt for her. All alone and left to rot Alatheia is succumbing to her new life, But the Lents do not give up easily and they are on a rescue mission but healing is never easy making new challenges daily.
The Lents all need to heal together and learn to trust each other.
brilliant read. Cannot wait for more.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. We finally get some answers to almost all the questions. New questions pop up at the end of the book and I can't wait for the next book. It is a bit of a cliffhanger but not really a painful one.

[Diana Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved reading this book (and series)! I couldn't put it down! Lots of emotions and drama. I had thought this was the end, but it appears that there is another book coming.

My only criticism is I wish it would indicate the series name, making it easier to find the books.

[Sydney Hopke · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!! This book hits the ground running and doesn’t let up until the end! It’s got everything you were hoping for in this installment of the series and then some… heat, surprises, more surprises and family! The author out did herself again!

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series so much. The start of this book was very bumpy but then we get to a much better place. Love that some of the questions are finally getting answered. The relationship between alatheia and the boys keeps growing and just getting better. And now I'm so excited see what happens next.

[Clare Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Thoroughly recommend this author. All her series have strong characters & detailed plots. Genuinely cant put them down until I finish all the available books.