The Princess and the Diamonds

Fiery Tales #9

by Lila DiPasqua

Inspired by the tale of The Princess & the Pea, an erotically charged historical romance novella from the acclaimed Fiery Tales series.

Princess Gabrielle can't sleep at night. There is something hard in her bed. No, not just the stolen diamonds tucked under her mattress, but the handsome Marquis on it . . . whose talent in the art of pleasure no woman can resist. But he threatens her secret mission, and worse, she stands to lose far more than the diamonds--her heart is at stake . . .

Mathias is on a mission of his own. The last person he expected to find at an illegal gaming den was a mysterious beauty. The intensity of their attraction takes him off guard. And soon he realizes he may have found the only woman he can't get enough of . . .


***Originally published in THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED anthology.
(Can be read as a stand-alone)

Genres: Historical Romance, Novella, Historical, Regency, Romance, Erotic Historical Romance, Royalty

120 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 2, 2010

About the author

Lila DiPasqua is a USA TODAY bestselling author of historical romance with extra heat. She is published in multiple languages and loves art and animals. She's surrounded by many dog toys.

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Reviews

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

'The Princess and the Diamonds' by Lila DiPasqua is book Nine in the "Fiery Tales" series. This is the story of Princess Gabrielle and Mathias and is a Novella book. I have read most of the books in this series but this easily is a standalone book. Ms. DiPasqua books are always sweet, hot and so enjoyable so for that reason alone I would suggest reading the others.
Gabrielle is on a mission to help her brother after he was taken advantage of at and Illegal Gambling Hall. She plans to go undercover to try to win back the money that he was taken for. Mathias has been assigned a mission in helping to bring down the gambling hall. But is very surprised to meet a beautiful women dressed as a man at the Gambling Hall. Needless to say the attraction is hot and hard to turn their back on. This was another great book by Ms. DiPasqua!
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
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[Nhi Nguyễn · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!! Mama DiPasqua did it again!!!! :))) She NEVER for once disappoints me :D Everything I love to read about in a delicious, heart-warming historical romance novel is all here, in this latest novella from her "Fiery Tales" series.

How can I start telling you all the things about this book that I love, because I LOVE THEM ALL. I still fantasize about Mathias, Marquis de Monfort and his Princess Gabrielle :)) I love their story, I love how it was told, how Ms. DiPasqua once again smartly weaves romance and heat, blend them together to create a story that will never forget.

And not to mention each character, oh God, I love them to death! Princess Gabrielle was strong, independent, brave and determined to do everything she could to help the ones she loved. She learned the hard way of being the King's daughter whose mother fell out of the King's affection many years ago. She learned how the Sun King's court was, how cold, cruel and calculated everyone could be, and she built a wall between her and the world, never really letting anyone, especially men, come inside. Then came Mathias - the feminist of the century. I mean, how could you not love him when he said he didn't buy sex - women who came to him for sexual pleasure did so because they want it. When he had the leverage to make a bargain to his advantage with Gabrielle, he chose not to do so. He let her be, he loved her for who she was, for the strong but lonely and sometimes fearful woman that he had become. In terms of characters, I think this book is the best so far in the series :))

The only thing I miss in this book is an epilogue!!!! Gosh, I want to know how Mathias and Gabrielle's marriage life was, how happy they are, how many children they had. But man, the story itself is AMAZING already, so I can defintely live with this lack of epilogue :D

And by the way, reading this book made me want to go visit France SO BAD, to learn more about French monarchs and all the brilliant things happening during the Sun King's reign. OMG!!!

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ended this series with this book, if it had more books I would read even more. I loved it!

I don't know if it passed me by but I don't remember what happened to the heroine's brother?

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kobo+ Mad About Series HRBC Challenge 2025. Tropes: Novella,Historical Romance, Foreign Country (France 1687), Fairytale, Disguise, Royalty, Law Enforcement/Spy, Knight in Shining Armor, Erotica.
h. Princess Gabriella, (Silvie) father King Louis XIV, France 1687, brother Daniel lost fortune in gambling. Mother deceased. Lives at Versailles.
H. Mathias de Tesson, Marquis of Montford, bachelor, bestfriend Victor killed himself after he lost his fortune in gambling leaving his wife and children destitute. Mathias has been helping Victor's widow and children out, providing them a home and monthly income.

Basic Plot: A Princess disguises herself as a man going to the Duc of Navers hotel to gamble. Marquis of Montford, Mathias is working with the Chief of police Sard to help the King's decree to end Basset a gambling game. He is to provide Sard with all the names of the frequent gamblers.
He follows the mysterious man who he recognizes as a woman to her rooms. She is staying at her Uncles home while he is away. Her brother Daniel lost his fortune in gambling and she wants to win is back for him. Mathias goes to her door and knocks. She speaks to him but won't give him her real name. She uses her nickname that only her mother and brother and close friends call her, Silvie. Eventually the become lovers. He falls in love and asks her to marry him. She won enough money to cover her brother's debts. Mathias knows there will be a police raid that night and tells her not to go. She disappears for two weeks. The King invites the Marquis of Montford to court to award him for his help in stopping the Basset gambling. He offers him one of his daughters as a reward. Until he sees Silvie he wasn't too thrilled but then they are both the happiest of couples. THE END.

Opinion: It was a simple plot with some erotica added in with a HEA. It was based on the Princess and the Pea. Gabriella slept over top diamonds. It was an okay story. Not one of the best in the series. I gave this 3 stars.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was hard-going for me. I thought I would have liked it more. Although I read it to the end, it wasn't my kind of read. I will try to read another Fiery Tale anyhow. (Beautiful cover) 3☆

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

MS DiPasqua knows how to write a seductive sizzling and so very sensual story set around a fairy tale and in France during King Louis XIV reign they are short not put downable tales that will have you needing a fan and they are so moving, and this one is fabulous with a little intrigue and very happy ending get ready to sit back and enjoy Mathias and Gabrielle’s story.

Mathias is helping the King to end the gambling in illegal gaming hotels that is reducing many piers to paupers he is invested in this having lost a close friend. But when he enters the den he is struck by the beauty of one of the gamblers and needs to learn more about this person and the fact that he is a she and a total mystery which also warms his body like never before.

Gabrielle must get into the gambling den to save her brother she is convinced that in men’s clothing and masked she will get away with it that is until she is watched by a very handsome man and for such an innocent she is drawn to him her body sizzles can she keep the diamonds she needs to keep and her heart as well.

When Mathias and Gabrielle come together it is with passion and caring but with mystery as well Gabrielle is determined to keep her identity a secret and Mathias is determined to find out who she is and along the way love blossoms and the passion heats up and the ending fabulous. Thank you MS DiPasqua for another awesome story one that I highly recommend.

[belle ☆ﾐ (thisbellereadstoo) · Rating 3 out of 5]

i’m not disappointed by the book nor was i bored reading it. i think due to the length, it was a little difficult forming the kind of connection with the characters unlike how i did with isabelle and sabine. although the romantic tension between gabrielle and mathias was there, i couldn’t help but think that if there were more substantial obstacles tossed in there for them, it would enforce a greater hope in me for the two of them. essentially, there wasn’t a huge anticipation for them to finally be together after certain trials that will hinder their relationship. despite that, i still found myself enjoying their story, and the two of them ending up together.

books in the series:
1. a midnight dance: ✰✰✰✰
2. undone: ✰✰✰✰
3. the duke’s match girl: ✰✰✰✰✰
4. sleeping beau: ✰✰✰✰
5. little red writing: ✰✰✰✰
6. bewitching in boots: ✰✰✰✰
7. the marquis’s new clothes: ✰✰✰✰✰
8. the lovely duckling: ✰✰✰
9. the princess and the diamonds: ✰✰✰
10. three reckless wishes: ✰✰✰✰

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Review to follow.

[jay · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was super difficult to finish this one - buckets of insta-lust, a headstrong and sheltered woman who is convinced that she can win back enormous sums of money or diamonds (without consequences!), and a ridiculously contrived situation/problem.

When a character (usually a woman, unfortunately) hatches a last-minute scheme, they usually blow up spectacularly, so the fact that the plot succeeded (and that it actually feasible given the story) was unexpected.

Tons of steam, not sure how she's not sore and begging for a night off (without getting off 😏) to recover.

Things happen super quickly and unexpectedly, but maybe that's to be expected with HR novellas.

[Sarah Soueidan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once upon a time, in a game of Basset and under false pretenses...
Mathias is on an undercover mission, appointed by the king, to help halt the illegal Basset gambling game. He meets Princess Gabrielle, or of the king's many illegitimate children, who's disguised as a boy. He is unaware of both her true identity. and the fact that she is doing this to help her younger half-brother out of an ordeal.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be advised, this is a short read. More of a novella than a novel. That being said, I enjoyed this quite a bit. It wrapped up a bit of intrigue, mistaken identities and a steamy romance all into one which made this a short, but a fun read.

[Betsy :D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book it was a SWEET LOVE story! I wish there had been an epilogue I wanted more.

[Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series of stories a very enjoyable! I wish they were full novels. The novella moves too quick.

[Kit Sinatra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Marian · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok, I don’t really remember much, again this is days later, it was boring I think

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another romantic and amusing story by Lila. Gabrielle is determined and entertaining, Mathias is charming, sweet and lovable. The storyline is exciting and suspenseful, the end is very cute.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest opinion of it.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Delightful Historical Romance with a Secret Mission and the Right Amount of Heat

Lila DiPasqua delivers a delightful, passionate historical romance with a James-Bondesque/Casino Royale feel in The Princess and the Diamonds. Based on the popular children’s fairytale, “The Princess and the Pea,” and set in France during the reign of King Louis XIV, this 100-page novella delivers in plot, character development and passion.

Mathias is helping the King of France, King Louis XIV and the Paris police to take down the main players in an underground gambling ring. What he doesn’t expect is a beautiful woman, dressed as man, to suddenly take part in the illegal gambling. He can’t stop thinking about her and follows her home one night. The two have scorching chemistry and begin an intense affair, but Gabrielle and Mathias are both keeping secrets from each other. Will they be revealed before the police zero in on the gambling ring and someone gets hurt?

I adore all of the books and novellas in the Fiery Tales series by Lila DiPasqua. Each is a standalone romance, which are based on children’s fairytales written by Charles Perrault, who wrote these tales during the reign of King Louis XIV – hence each story is written during the time period in France when he reigned. Ms. DiPasqua always knows how to build up her characters just perfectly in these novellas. She’s able to develop good character development, an engaging plot, interesting dialogue that keeps me entertained and intense and passionate love scenes – all in 100 pages. It’s rare an author can do this.

I highly recommend The Princess and the Diamonds when you want to sit down and read a romance in one sitting on a Saturday afternoon or before you turn into bed one evening. It’s a satisfying read with romance, mystery and one excellent HEA.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun and fast paced read. The story is based on the fairy tale the Princess and the Pea. I liked the characters as well as the story it is a fun and entertaining romance.

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, steamy historical.

[Amy Alvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick enjoyable read!

I love when you have a woman that doesn't act traditionally in a historical romance. It just makes it so much more enjoyable. For half of this story our heroine, Gabrielle, is dressed as a man. She is trying to win back the money her brother lost at the tables. Our astute hero, of course, can tell that she is not a man and is instantly intrigued by this woman who is trying to hide her identity.

Watching Mathias being thwarted by Gabrielle at every turn while he tries to learn her identity, was quite enjoyable. This is a great addition to DiPasqua's Fiery Tales series.

[LOU71 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Princess and the Diamonds is the ninth in the Fiery Tales series which is based in the glittering courts, both salacious and elegant, of France during the reign of King Louis XIV. This is an erotic novella inspired by the tale of The Princess and the Pea.

Historically accurate, the 17th century King had a very real problem of many noble families being ruined because of the game of Basset being played at the gaming tables. Also, as in the previous book, a character based on a real historic person features as the first Lieutenant General of a Police of Paris.

Midnight Dance - 3 stars
Undone - 3+ stars: Liked this book better than first and fourth.
The Duke's Match Girl - 5 stars
Sleeping Beau - 3 stars
Little Red Writing - 4 stars
Bewitching in Boots - 5 stars
The Marquis' New Clothes: 4 stars
The Lovely Duckling: 4 stars
The Princess and the Diamonds: 4 stars

Princess Gabrielle can't sleep at night. There is something hard in her bed. No, not just the stolen diamonds tucked under her mattress, but the handsome Marquis on it. A bit cheesy? Yes. However, on the bright side it's a story that doesn't follow a predictable plot and this Heroine doesn't behave in a traditional way.

Mathias is on a mission for the King, and he does so in honour of his friend who was ruined by the game of Basset. Mathias is an astute man, easily seeing through the ruse Gabrielle tries to carry off. He sets his sights on claiming her but he isn't able to really know her until the last. I enjoyed the ending of the story the most.

I highly recommend the Fiery Tales series.

[Carol Bisig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Read!

A Princess in disguise, a Marquis out to atone his friends suicide. How do they meet, she is in disguise, but as what & why. A unique fairy tale, with a HEA, I deducted one star, TMSFM. Lila is a great writer, and a very kind person ! Visit her on Facebook,

carolintallahassee

[Lisa Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick fun read

This is a fun story to read if you don't have a lot of time to read a full length book. I read it in a few hours. This is the second book i read from this author and will read more. I usually like read books with more the 250 pages. But this was a fun read. I rate a three because I wanted more of their story.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fairy tale with a twist of Eroticism, Sex, and More Sex. Lila Dipasqua has a way of taking a ordinary fairy tale and making it into and erotic, provocative tale that is a enchantment all in itself.

[Willa Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute take on the princess and the pea. I loved the idea of the diamond under her bed (makes a lot more sense than a pea that would smoosh, yuck). The characters are all lively and fun and the sex is sizzling.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Princess and the Diamonds by Lila DiPasqua is book Nine in the "Fiery Tales" series, but can be read as a stand. Although, I'd suggest reading the entire series. It's such a great series
A novella. A quick read only about 118 pages, but brilliantly written.

"***Originally published in THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED anthology**"

This is the story of Princess Gabrielle and Mathias. Gabrielle is on a mission to help her brother, who was was taken advantage of at an Illegal Gambling Hall. So dressed as a man she enters the gambling hell, to win back her brother's money. Mathias has been assigned a mission to help to bring down the gambling hall. The King is on a mission to shut down all illegal gambling halls. But, Mathias has a mission of his own, as well, his dear friend committed suicide after being fleeced at this same gambling hall.

While, a quick Ms DiPasqua manages to convey to the reader the drama, the sizzling attraction between Gabrielle and Mathias, and the importance of what they are both doing, as well, as the danger they both face. The secrets, the intrigue, and the tension, brings readers to a satisfying and enjoyable conclusion.
This story is such an incredible tale of family, friendship, love and finding a HEA. Very enjoyable read! Perfect for a rainy afternoon. Fiery tales can come true, if you only believe! Strongly recommended! Fans of fairy tale recreations, secrets, finding true love against the odds and great reads will surely enjoy "The Princess and the Diamonds" by the amazing and talented Lila DiPasqua. I certainly did! Can't wait to read more. A fun and delightful story! Not your mamas fairytale, just saying. An absolute delight!

Rating: 4.5
Heat raring: mild to a bit hot
Reviewed by: AprilR

[Mudpie · Rating 3 out of 5]

part of anthology

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know that this supposed to be a novela, but still I want more T.T

[RomLibrary]

Princess Gabrielle can't sleep at night. There is something hard in her bed. No, not just the stolen diamonds tucked under her mattress, but the handsome Marquis on it . . . whose talent in the art of pleasure no woman can resist. But he threatens her secret mission, and worse, she stands to lose far more than the diamonds—her heart is at stake . . .

Mathias is on a mission of his own. The last person he expected to find in an illegal gaming den was a mysterious beauty. The intensity of their attraction takes him off guard. And soon he realizes he may have found the only woman he can’t get enough of . . .