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Capitol Chronicles #2
White Diamonds
Stumbling into a man in the mountains of Pennsylvania, conservative Sandra Rutledge learns that Senator Wyatt Randolph has been sent into hiding with a fortune in diamonds that are linked to Sandra's own past. Original.
- GenresAfrican American Romance
408 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 1996
75 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Shirley Hailstock
97 books132 followersShirley Hailstock loves reading. She'd like nothing better than to find a corner in the library and get lost in a book, explore new worlds and visit places she never expected to see. Now as an author, she can not only visit those places, but she can be the heroine of her own stories.
A past president of Romance Writers of America, Shirley began her writing career on a dare. Taking a year to complete her first manuscript, the writing bug bit her and she discovered telling stories of love and adventure was what she wanted to spend her life doing.
A past president of Romance Writers of America, Shirley began her writing career on a dare. Taking a year to complete her first manuscript, the writing bug bit her and she discovered telling stories of love and adventure was what she wanted to spend her life doing.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 27, 2013
Sandra Rutledge stumbles missing Senator Wyatt Randolph, who is in need of help and unconscious, while taking a mini vacation at her family cabin . Wyatt awakens wanting the diamonds he was carrying and wishing beyond hope he has not just put the beautiful woman who saved him in harm’s way. Finding out that she is the daughter of the man he believes is a traitor to his country.
Sandra doesn’t believe her father is involved, but with evidence mounting against his innocence, Sandra plans to stick by Wyatt’s side until she figures out the truth. Wyatt is falling hard for Sandra and the feelings are mutual, but every time they have a second to embrace their feelings they are reminded that their lives are in danger and the list of suspects involved in the secret behind the diamonds leads all the way to the White House.
Intense cat and mouse story, I thought the concept was fascinating. You are pulled into the story right away and it has layers that continue to unravel as you read. Excellent read, the first book for me of Shirley Hailstock’s, will definitely be reading more.
Sandra doesn’t believe her father is involved, but with evidence mounting against his innocence, Sandra plans to stick by Wyatt’s side until she figures out the truth. Wyatt is falling hard for Sandra and the feelings are mutual, but every time they have a second to embrace their feelings they are reminded that their lives are in danger and the list of suspects involved in the secret behind the diamonds leads all the way to the White House.
Intense cat and mouse story, I thought the concept was fascinating. You are pulled into the story right away and it has layers that continue to unravel as you read. Excellent read, the first book for me of Shirley Hailstock’s, will definitely be reading more.
August 7, 2012
An edge-of-the-seat romantic thriller! A senior senator's daughter and the junior senator are caught up in a government conspiracy. When junior senator Wyatt Randolph's best friend is murdered he discovers a cache of diamonds that leads him to believe something and someone is rotten in the US Government. Going underground to find out who is at the helm of the conspiracy, he encounters lovely Sara Rutledge the daughter of the senior senator and in Wyatt's mind a suspect. The two partner up and fight their way through the Washington Elite to save their lives and country.
August 20, 2021
I love this Author from my Undergraduate days so to phantom that I had not read a novel was a understatement. I never knew Ms. Hailstorm to write mysterious genre. However, I'm hooked. Mysterious, suspenseful, fast paced. Great work.
October 17, 2021
Great!
June 28, 2020
Great read
Great read, one I started I couldn’t pit it down! She’s fast becoming one of my favorite authors. Don’t miss it!
Great read, one I started I couldn’t pit it down! She’s fast becoming one of my favorite authors. Don’t miss it!
March 13, 2013
Sandra Rutledge has lived her life in the public eye as the daughter of a senior U.S. Senator, now she justs wants to live a quiet life as a university mathematics professor. While working on her doctorate at her family's remote cabin in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, Sandra comes upon an unconscious injured man on the road. To her surprise, the man is none other than junior U.S. Senator Wyatt Randolph from Pennsylvania, who went missing a few days before. On Wyatt's person is a cache of diamonds worth millions that he discovered when his best friend was murdered. Wyatt believes there is a political conspiracy going on in Washington D.C., and that Sandra's father is involved in the plot that could have national and international security and political implications. Sandra doesn't believe her father is a traitor against his country, but with questions and evidence mounting, she joins Wyatt in a dangerous journey to discover the truth.
White Diamonds is an intriguing tale of romantic suspense and political conspiracy that keeps the reader on the edge guessing what will happen next. Author Shirley Hailstock weaves a fast-paced and intense thriller written in the third person narrative, that engages the reader to follow along with Sandra and Wyatt on a dangerous journey of seeking the truth behind the government conspiracy that leads straight to the White House. This story has fascinating multi-layers that unravels with the unfolding of every twist and turn, and a steamy tension filled romance between Sandra and Wyatt that is sure to keep the reader entertained. I have always been a fan of political thrillers, and I found that this book satisfied my curiosity and the romantic twist added in was a bonus that I thoroughly enjoyed. I really enjoyed the playful banter and intense chemistry between Sandra and Wyatt, I was drawn into the development of their relationship, it had a nice mixture of flirtation, sexual tension and humor that was very entertaining.
With a realistic complex cast of characters; witty dialogue and interactions; and a fascinating thriller of a storyline that is a real page turner, White Diamonds is an intricate tale of suspense and romance that will keep the reader's pulse racing!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
White Diamonds is an intriguing tale of romantic suspense and political conspiracy that keeps the reader on the edge guessing what will happen next. Author Shirley Hailstock weaves a fast-paced and intense thriller written in the third person narrative, that engages the reader to follow along with Sandra and Wyatt on a dangerous journey of seeking the truth behind the government conspiracy that leads straight to the White House. This story has fascinating multi-layers that unravels with the unfolding of every twist and turn, and a steamy tension filled romance between Sandra and Wyatt that is sure to keep the reader entertained. I have always been a fan of political thrillers, and I found that this book satisfied my curiosity and the romantic twist added in was a bonus that I thoroughly enjoyed. I really enjoyed the playful banter and intense chemistry between Sandra and Wyatt, I was drawn into the development of their relationship, it had a nice mixture of flirtation, sexual tension and humor that was very entertaining.
With a realistic complex cast of characters; witty dialogue and interactions; and a fascinating thriller of a storyline that is a real page turner, White Diamonds is an intricate tale of suspense and romance that will keep the reader's pulse racing!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
March 11, 2013
Suspense and sexy steam make for an entertaining story in Shirley Hailstock's "White Diamonds."
Sandra Rutledge's life takes a dramatic change when she finds an unconscious and injured man on the road leading to her Poconos cabin. The situation becomes more complicated when she realizes the man is none other than Wyatt Randolph, a junior senator, and he happens be carrying millions of dollars worth of diamonds. The daughter of a senator, and undeniably attracted to the handsome man, she sets out to help him, even though she realizes this uncertain path may lead her to danger.
Though appreciative to Sandra for saving his life, and more than a little interested in the beautiful woman, he is also cautious. He believes her father is involved in a plot that not only caused the death of his friend, but could cause national or worldwide security issues. As they work together to prevent a global catastrophe, Sandra and Wyatt also explore their feelings for each other.
A fast-paced read with sufficient twists and turns to keep the reader guessing what would happen next, "White Diamonds" made for an intriguing read. Action begins on page one and keeps going strong until the end.
I was instantly drawn to Sandra and Wyatt, and their sexual tension seemed legit. Throw in the fact that each has reasons to not wholly trust the other person at first, and the pages sizzled.
Probably my favorite part of this book was the banter between Sandra and Wyatt. From the moment they first speak to their final exchange in the story, their words offered plenty of flirtation and humor to give this otherwise serious and suspenseful story some lighter moments, too. I always like a page turner, but giving me an opportunity to grin or laugh every now and then makes one that much more enjoyable.
At times I found myself a little confused with the secondary characters. It could have been that some of their names sounded similar, or that there are quite a few important players with hard-to-guess motives outside of Sandra and Wyatt, but at times I found the supporting cast difficult to follow. Still, once I got into the groove of the story, I quite enjoyed a lot of these characters, who include the POTUS.
It's been a while since I read a women's literature story told as a political thriller, and I truly enjoyed the twists and turns this novel took.
Plus what girl doesn't love a story about diamonds?
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and balanced review. Originally published at www.change-the-word.blogspot.com.
Sandra Rutledge's life takes a dramatic change when she finds an unconscious and injured man on the road leading to her Poconos cabin. The situation becomes more complicated when she realizes the man is none other than Wyatt Randolph, a junior senator, and he happens be carrying millions of dollars worth of diamonds. The daughter of a senator, and undeniably attracted to the handsome man, she sets out to help him, even though she realizes this uncertain path may lead her to danger.
Though appreciative to Sandra for saving his life, and more than a little interested in the beautiful woman, he is also cautious. He believes her father is involved in a plot that not only caused the death of his friend, but could cause national or worldwide security issues. As they work together to prevent a global catastrophe, Sandra and Wyatt also explore their feelings for each other.
A fast-paced read with sufficient twists and turns to keep the reader guessing what would happen next, "White Diamonds" made for an intriguing read. Action begins on page one and keeps going strong until the end.
I was instantly drawn to Sandra and Wyatt, and their sexual tension seemed legit. Throw in the fact that each has reasons to not wholly trust the other person at first, and the pages sizzled.
Probably my favorite part of this book was the banter between Sandra and Wyatt. From the moment they first speak to their final exchange in the story, their words offered plenty of flirtation and humor to give this otherwise serious and suspenseful story some lighter moments, too. I always like a page turner, but giving me an opportunity to grin or laugh every now and then makes one that much more enjoyable.
At times I found myself a little confused with the secondary characters. It could have been that some of their names sounded similar, or that there are quite a few important players with hard-to-guess motives outside of Sandra and Wyatt, but at times I found the supporting cast difficult to follow. Still, once I got into the groove of the story, I quite enjoyed a lot of these characters, who include the POTUS.
It's been a while since I read a women's literature story told as a political thriller, and I truly enjoyed the twists and turns this novel took.
Plus what girl doesn't love a story about diamonds?
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and balanced review. Originally published at www.change-the-word.blogspot.com.
March 19, 2013
Sandra Rutledge is at her remote family cabin trying to forget the world and prepare for finishing her doctorate. In getting there she finds a car on the road, in the car is Senator Wyatt Randolph. The Senator has been missing for days and on him Sandra finds a collection of imperfect diamonds, and he is just clinging to life. Cleaning him up and nursing him back to health they are just both left with more questions. Not long they find themselves on the run for their lives and are not sure who to trust. As they try to piece together what they have, what it can do, and who they can trust of those around them that they are use to trusting. All while trying to work out there relationship to each other too.
Another classic romance type novel I really enjoyed this book as it didn't feel in my face with the romance/sex portion. The main characters were well developed and you could understand and appreciate most if their relationships with the supporting characters. There were a few characters that I had trouble with keeping all the names straight, especially since a few were referred to by two names once I worked out keeping the characters straight I understood how they were all woven together.
One thing I really enjoyed about this novel is that everything seemed to take place in real time. We knew what they were doing the whole time, you felt like you were traveling with them on the run. This was really relatable to me.
Personally, I would give this book 3 stars as it was very enjoyable and had great movement in the plot and character development. It didn't really have anything that stood out to me to give it more than 3 stars though. I would defiantly suggest it to others to read, not only if this is a genre you normally read, but maybe a genre you are interested in seeing if you want to read more in.
I was provided a copy of the book for review, but the summary and thoughts on the book are mine.
Another classic romance type novel I really enjoyed this book as it didn't feel in my face with the romance/sex portion. The main characters were well developed and you could understand and appreciate most if their relationships with the supporting characters. There were a few characters that I had trouble with keeping all the names straight, especially since a few were referred to by two names once I worked out keeping the characters straight I understood how they were all woven together.
One thing I really enjoyed about this novel is that everything seemed to take place in real time. We knew what they were doing the whole time, you felt like you were traveling with them on the run. This was really relatable to me.
Personally, I would give this book 3 stars as it was very enjoyable and had great movement in the plot and character development. It didn't really have anything that stood out to me to give it more than 3 stars though. I would defiantly suggest it to others to read, not only if this is a genre you normally read, but maybe a genre you are interested in seeing if you want to read more in.
I was provided a copy of the book for review, but the summary and thoughts on the book are mine.
March 14, 2013
I received a copy of White Diamonds by Shirley Hailstock in exchange for an honest review.
I really loved this book.
Intrigue from the first chapter. This book was so exciting it was hard to put down and sometimes I had to resist the temptation to read forward to see what happened next.
Shirley Hailstock did a great job developing the characters in the book and they were so well formed that I could easily see why they made the decisions they did. It was sad to see the relationship struggles between the siblings over a misunderstanding and the inability to trust because of past hurt that ran so deep. I liked that Sandra was very smart and it was good to see that even though she was a sensitive person that logic was the deciding factor in the majority of the decisions she made and she was not easily thwarted once a decision was made.
I would totally recommend this book to anyone who’s looking for a little excitement…
I really loved this book.
Intrigue from the first chapter. This book was so exciting it was hard to put down and sometimes I had to resist the temptation to read forward to see what happened next.
Shirley Hailstock did a great job developing the characters in the book and they were so well formed that I could easily see why they made the decisions they did. It was sad to see the relationship struggles between the siblings over a misunderstanding and the inability to trust because of past hurt that ran so deep. I liked that Sandra was very smart and it was good to see that even though she was a sensitive person that logic was the deciding factor in the majority of the decisions she made and she was not easily thwarted once a decision was made.
I would totally recommend this book to anyone who’s looking for a little excitement…
May 28, 2014
White Diamonds is a romantic suspense thriller that starts with a bang and takes you on a fantastic ride until the end, with constant suspense and lots of action. There are just enough quiet moments to let us get to know Sandra and Wyatt and watch them fall in love. Interesting characters combine with a gripping, intricate plot to make this a read you won't want to put down until its final resolution.
October 11, 2014
OMG!! This book had everything. Romance, mystery, lies, deception, and murder from the President of the United States on down. I could not put this book down. Wow!!
October 8, 2015
It was a very good read. There was lots of action, twists and turns and I enjoy that. It kept my interest until the end.
April 28, 2016
It was okay. Not quite as good as the first one in the series.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews