Esmeraldas Malditas

Montclair Emeralds #2

by Barbara Delinsky

Diandra Casey and Gregory York are childhood rivals and longtime adversaries, both vying for the same powerful position at one of the country's most elite department stores. In order to determine who is best suited for the job, the two are confined together for a week in an elegant Boston town house, where they must catalog and store a priceless collection of antiques. But away from the pressures of corporate life, their feelings for each other suddenly seem less clear as attraction flares between them...surprising them with a sense of destiny that they are powerless to resist.

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Fiction

285 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1988

About the author

I was born and raised in suburban Boston. My mother’s death, when I was eight, was the defining event of a childhood that was otherwise ordinary. I took piano lessons and flute lessons. I took ballroom dancing lessons. I went to summer camp through my fifteenth year (in Maine, which explains the setting of so many of my stories), then spent my sixteenth summer learning to type and to drive (two skills that have served me better than all of my other high school courses combined). I earned a B.A. in Psychology at Tufts University and an M.A. in Sociology at Boston College. The motivation behind the M.A. was sheer greed. My husband was just starting law school. We needed the money.

Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.

I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.

My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.

My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013.  Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015.  Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.

2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky

Reviews

[Susan R · Rating 1 out of 5]

Usually like books by this author, but this one reminded me of everything I hate about romance novels.

[Dorothy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Since my phone died, I'm living like it's 2005. This book was from 2008. I really don't want to go back, but it's what I could get on CD from the library that is short, since my Libby app is trapped in my dead phone. This book was only a little dated, but a lot predictable.

[Anneka · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little hokey... Definitely written in the eighties; no on looks longingly at public phones anymore! Mostly written well though.

[Michelle Bartlow · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually like books by this author but this one was not great!!

[Traci · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Caseys and the Yorks created a department store dynasty. Diandra Casey runs the Washington D.C. Store and Greg York runs the New York store. Both are vying for the opportunity to head the new San Francisco store that will be opening when their aging Uncle Bart summons them. Diandra and Greg don't like each other because Diandra's mom ran off with Greg's dad breaking up their families and subsequently dying in a plane crash.

Bart informs them he's selling his Boston house and Diandra and Greg must go there immediately to pack up the house and inventory the property. Both Diandra and Greg are workaholics and hate being torn away from their job. Well, it isn't long before sparks fly and there is also a beautiful emerald necklace thrown into the mix.

I thought this story was okay, not great. The characters are not really anyone you are cheering for. There is no underdog, and you have mixed feelings about whether you want the two main characters to end up together or not.

[Debbie Levine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me begin by telling you how much I like Barbara Delinsky novels. However, Fulfillment, written by Barbara Delinsky and published by Severn House is not your typical Barbara Delinsky novel. It is a Romance novel, in the simplest terms. This book is like eatig a Twinkie, your sweetooth is satisfied, but if leaves you wanting, with an artificial aftertaste in its wake. Don't get me wrong, it was fine, easy reading, finished the book in a day, but I guess I need more from my reading material.

Diandra Casey and Gred York, family rivals since childhood are forced to work together to pack up and document the Beacon Hill apartment owned by their Grandfather, the family patriarch. As they go about their task, their attraction for each other becomes obvious. Although they do their best to ignore it, primal need overcomes them both and they fall victim to a force larger then either of them.

Yuck!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written in 1988 and it’s style is true to the time period.
A friends turned into business partners equals very successful stores featuring high end clothing with locations across the United States. One of the original owners offers an incentive to family members the prize of running the Boston store.
Slight catch, as the granddaughter and grandson of the opposite sides of the family, they each are professional and driven to success.
As children Gregory would tease Deandrea since he was almost five years older.
Now the stakes are higher and they must prove they can work together on a mutual project with someone getting hurt. Deandra is based in Washington and is used to dating senators and powerful men. Gregory is based in New York and is often seen in the company of beautiful women.
Working together brings their goals of fulfillment into the foreground and they realize they have much more in common than just professionalism,

[What to read next ....... · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diandra Casey and Gregory York, are childhood rivals and long time adversaries, both trying for the same powerful position at one of country's most elite department stores.
In order to determine who is suited for the job , the two are confined together for a week , in an elegant Boston town house , where they must catalog and store all items in the town house .
Away from the pressures of coporate life , their feelings for each other, suddenly feel less clear as attraction flares between them .... surprising them with a sense of destiny that they are powerless to resist .

Before l read this book l did read through many reviews , not all very positive, but l did give it a go , and you know what l liked it .
Written in the 80's , it was a fun light read, romantic and overall sexy and fun 😉
I say give it a go !

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first the head hopping bothered me (go figure; I'm finally noticing it??), and the endless 'I-don't-like-you-but-I'm-attracted-to-you' game, where they argue, kiss, tempted to have sex, but don't, nearly had me chucking the book across the room. I also got frustrated with the 'power of the necklace' garbage, where they could both 'feel' it's power. Finally, it all boiled down to two people who had been deeply hurt by parents' actions, only to discover that as kids, they had misunderstood everything.

Took me an entire month to read this short book, simply because I had *eye roll* moments before forcing myself to finish it. This is another one that I'll probably reread in twenty or so years.

[Jean Wadley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t know if I can finish it. The heroine is such a stereotype. She flies off the handle when someone looks at her askance. Yet, she’s supposed to be a manager of a high scale department store. She can’t seem to control her emotions or her tongue. That’s what adults do. Without the descriptions of the kissing, as he plundered her mouth (please!) it would have been a no for me. With it, the magic necklace made me hold on. But, it didn’t get better. Sorry. I know you spent minutes on this book. Glad someone likes it.

[LInda L · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was pretty bad. I remember reading Delinsky years ago and just loving her books. Then I missed quite a few. What happened? This was just awful. I kept waiting for it to get good and it never happened == at least quite a few reviewers agreed with me, but that doesn't usually mean much to me, but in this case: I just couldn't believe it. Is she tired of writing? Help !!!!

[Florence Primrose · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Casey’s and Yorks have a department store dynasty. Diandreand Greg are from different branches of the family. They are very competitive and dislike each other. But Bart a senior member demands they dismantle his townhouse in Boston that week together.

They are unhappy with his demand.

Somewhat interesting story, but more graphic sex than necessary.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

A romance between the two head people of a department store dynasty.
The Caseys and the Yorks have been rivals since childhood and now they
are forced to work together with the hope that they will fall in love and marry.
It is an easy light read , well written, good plot and family characters. It was
Originally written in 1988.

[Claudia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've read Barbara Delinsky before and enjoyed her books. This one was horrible. I tried to listen to it on my commute. The characters are spoiled and silly. I could not get into their story. Then along came a cheesy sex scene. That was it. I turned it off and deleted it from my phone.

DNF

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable light reading for summer. Two people who have know each other since childhood and hated each other are brought together for a week to do a job and with a little help with a magical emerald necklace fall in love. (I know, but it was an easy and enjoyable read.)

[Susan Cooper · Rating 2 out of 5]

Once again this needed another 1/2 star which I cannot give within this app. She writes well however it’s a predictable romance novel that doesn’t have much depth. Maybe I am looking for a novel with more than 2 or 3 characters?

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of 4 books in the Montclair Emeralds series. I finally got a chance to read all of the books in 2017.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable.

[Judy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bleh.

[Karen Bayer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointing. She has written much better stories!

[Molly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing

[Kathleen Galop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable , easy read

[Dona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pair of close family friends who grew up hating each other - find out they really love each other. How the made this discover is the interesting about of the book.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this to be a true soap opera storyline.

[Caryle Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Barbara Delinsky, this wasn’t one of my favorites. Pretty predictable, won’t spoil it for anyone. 😉

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't care if there's a magic necklace involved, this boy has serious issues with lashing out at women.

[Yoglaxx · Rating 2 out of 5]

Estuvo bien, pero durante muchas muchas hojas fue monótono y aburridón.
No pasaba nada, sino más de lo mismo.

[Ashly]

Weird...

[Tammy Patterson]

All 2019