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Silk And Stone: An Enchanting Novel of the Heart
He was home from prison.
Ten years compressed in the nerve-racking space of a few seconds.
This tall, broad-shouldered stranger was her husband. Every memory she had of his appearance was there, stamped with a brutal decade of maturity, but there. Except for the look in his eyes. Nothing had ever been bleak and hard about him before. He stared at her with an intensity that could have burned her shadow on the floor.
Words were hopeless, but all that they had. “Welcome back,” she said. Then, brokenly, “Jake.”
He took a deep breath, as if a shiver had run through him. He closed the doors without ever taking his eyes off her. Then he was at her in two long steps, grasping her by the shoulders, lifting her to her toes. “I trained myself not to think about you,” he said, his voice a raw whisper. “Because if I had, I would have lost my mind.”
“I never deserted you. I wanted to be a part of your life, but you wouldn’t let me. Will you please try, now?”
“Do you still have it?” he asked.
Anger. Defeat. The hoarse sound she made contained both. “Yes.”
He released her. “Good. That’s all that matters.” Sam turned away, tears coming helplessly. After all these years, there was still only one thing he wanted from her, and it was the one thing she hated, a symbol of pride and obsession she would never understand, a blood red stone that had controlled the lives of too many people already, including theirs.
The Pandora ruby.
Deborah Smith is the NYT bestselling author of A Place To Call Home and the Kindle No. 1 bestselling author of The Crossroads Café. Learn more about her books at BellBridgeBooks.com.
Ten years compressed in the nerve-racking space of a few seconds.
This tall, broad-shouldered stranger was her husband. Every memory she had of his appearance was there, stamped with a brutal decade of maturity, but there. Except for the look in his eyes. Nothing had ever been bleak and hard about him before. He stared at her with an intensity that could have burned her shadow on the floor.
Words were hopeless, but all that they had. “Welcome back,” she said. Then, brokenly, “Jake.”
He took a deep breath, as if a shiver had run through him. He closed the doors without ever taking his eyes off her. Then he was at her in two long steps, grasping her by the shoulders, lifting her to her toes. “I trained myself not to think about you,” he said, his voice a raw whisper. “Because if I had, I would have lost my mind.”
“I never deserted you. I wanted to be a part of your life, but you wouldn’t let me. Will you please try, now?”
“Do you still have it?” he asked.
Anger. Defeat. The hoarse sound she made contained both. “Yes.”
He released her. “Good. That’s all that matters.” Sam turned away, tears coming helplessly. After all these years, there was still only one thing he wanted from her, and it was the one thing she hated, a symbol of pride and obsession she would never understand, a blood red stone that had controlled the lives of too many people already, including theirs.
The Pandora ruby.
Deborah Smith is the NYT bestselling author of A Place To Call Home and the Kindle No. 1 bestselling author of The Crossroads Café. Learn more about her books at BellBridgeBooks.com.
518 pages, ebook
First published February 1, 1994
18 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Smith
81 books420 followersaka Jackie Leigh
aka Della Stone
aka Leigh Bridger
Bestselling Author
Co-founder, co-publisher
Vice-president, Editor in Chief
BelleBooks, Memphis, TN
Deborah Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of A Place to Call Home, and the No. 1 Kindle Bestseller The Crossroads Cafe, A Gentle Rain and other acclaimed romantic novels portraying life and love in the modern Appalachian South. A native Georgian, Deborah is a former newspaper editor who turned to novel-writing with great success.
With more than 35 romance, women's fiction and fantasy novels to her credit, Deborah's books have sold over 3 million copies worldwide. Among her honors is a Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times Magazine and a nomination for the prestigious Townsend Literary Award. In 2003 Disney optioned Sweet Hush for film. In 2008 A Gentle Rain was a finalist in Romance Writers of America's RITA awards.
For the past fifteen years Deborah has partnered with Debra Dixon to run BelleBooks, a small press originally known for southern fiction, including the Mossy Creek Hometown Series and the Sweet Tea story collections. As editor, she has worked on projects as diverse as the nonfiction Bra Talk book by three-time Oprah Winfrey guest Susan Nethero, and the In My Dreams novella by New York Times bestselling author Sarah Addison Allen.
In 2008 BelleBooks launched Bell Bridge Books, an imprint with a focus on fantasy novels and now expanded to include multi-genre fiction--mystery, suspense, thrillers, women's fiction, nonfiction and other. In 2013 BelleBooks acquired the late Linda Kichline's paranormal romance press, ImaJinn Books, and hired legendary editor Brenda Chin, formerly of Harlequin Books, as editorial director. Chin will expand the imprint to cover a diverse mix of all romance types.
Deborah's newest books are the Crossroads Cafe novellas: THE BISCUIT WITCH, THE PICKLE QUEEN, THE YARN SPINNER, and THE KITCHEN CHARMER (2014). She released a mini-short story, SAVING JONQUILS, in March 2014. A sexy romantic novella, A HARD MAN TO FIND, is scheduled for later in the month.
aka Della Stone
aka Leigh Bridger
Bestselling Author
Co-founder, co-publisher
Vice-president, Editor in Chief
BelleBooks, Memphis, TN
Deborah Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of A Place to Call Home, and the No. 1 Kindle Bestseller The Crossroads Cafe, A Gentle Rain and other acclaimed romantic novels portraying life and love in the modern Appalachian South. A native Georgian, Deborah is a former newspaper editor who turned to novel-writing with great success.
With more than 35 romance, women's fiction and fantasy novels to her credit, Deborah's books have sold over 3 million copies worldwide. Among her honors is a Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times Magazine and a nomination for the prestigious Townsend Literary Award. In 2003 Disney optioned Sweet Hush for film. In 2008 A Gentle Rain was a finalist in Romance Writers of America's RITA awards.
For the past fifteen years Deborah has partnered with Debra Dixon to run BelleBooks, a small press originally known for southern fiction, including the Mossy Creek Hometown Series and the Sweet Tea story collections. As editor, she has worked on projects as diverse as the nonfiction Bra Talk book by three-time Oprah Winfrey guest Susan Nethero, and the In My Dreams novella by New York Times bestselling author Sarah Addison Allen.
In 2008 BelleBooks launched Bell Bridge Books, an imprint with a focus on fantasy novels and now expanded to include multi-genre fiction--mystery, suspense, thrillers, women's fiction, nonfiction and other. In 2013 BelleBooks acquired the late Linda Kichline's paranormal romance press, ImaJinn Books, and hired legendary editor Brenda Chin, formerly of Harlequin Books, as editorial director. Chin will expand the imprint to cover a diverse mix of all romance types.
Deborah's newest books are the Crossroads Cafe novellas: THE BISCUIT WITCH, THE PICKLE QUEEN, THE YARN SPINNER, and THE KITCHEN CHARMER (2014). She released a mini-short story, SAVING JONQUILS, in March 2014. A sexy romantic novella, A HARD MAN TO FIND, is scheduled for later in the month.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 27, 2008
Deborah Smith is such THE storyteller.
This wasn't one of my favorites but it was one of her earlier works. As always, her characterization is spot on as is the story. Is she formulaic? Well, of course. Who isn't?
If you love a great story that takes you right there, please try Deborah Smith.
This wasn't one of my favorites but it was one of her earlier works. As always, her characterization is spot on as is the story. Is she formulaic? Well, of course. Who isn't?
If you love a great story that takes you right there, please try Deborah Smith.
April 18, 2018
Claro, gostei muito. Foi muito giro ler todos os acontecimentos desde que Alexandra se casou com o William e tudo o que se desencadeou. Como é fácil uma família desfazer-se e ressentimentos surgirem para toda a vida. E tudo por causa de uma pedra. Mas, no fundo, era mais que por causa de uma pedra, apesar de ter sido a pedra a originar. Ou se calhar, não, a maldade da Alexandra é que deve ter iniciado tudo e a pedra foi um meio.
O lindo mesmo, mas mesmo lindo, é a ligação que existiu desde o início entre o Jake e a Samantha. Maravilhoso, faz mesmo desejar que "milagres" destes aconteçam na realidade, só este tipo de coisa é que traz aquela beleza, aquele "algo mais" que vale a pena na vida.
Não percebi isto:
O final, foi adequado. Aquela pedra estava embruxada, só pode.
A Charlotte e o Ben são muito engraçados. A forma como se metiam um com o outro, sempre a resmungar, era mesmo gira.
O lindo mesmo, mas mesmo lindo, é a ligação que existiu desde o início entre o Jake e a Samantha. Maravilhoso, faz mesmo desejar que "milagres" destes aconteçam na realidade, só este tipo de coisa é que traz aquela beleza, aquele "algo mais" que vale a pena na vida.
Não percebi isto:
O final, foi adequado. Aquela pedra estava embruxada, só pode.
A Charlotte e o Ben são muito engraçados. A forma como se metiam um com o outro, sempre a resmungar, era mesmo gira.
August 4, 2011
Mais um romance muito bom da autora, a relação entre a Sam e o Jake apear dos altos e baixos nota-se que é algo profundo e que atravessa uma vida inteira desde a infância à vida adulta e a autora consegue fazer com que nós odiemos a tia dela, a Alexandra...mais não digo!
Por tudo isso e muito mais...recomendo vivamente a leitura deste livro!
Por tudo isso e muito mais...recomendo vivamente a leitura deste livro!
February 13, 2012
This was such a fun book and reminded me a little of Summers at Castle Auburn in the fact that you got to grow up with the characters. I didn't think it gave enough of an ending but I'll still be owning this one!
December 5, 2012
Interesting story. It has a nice plot and isn't just a bodice-ripper. It's about how a stone tore two families apart. It has ups and downs and is just a very interesting tale. A nice read if you prefer your romance novels to build and give a little more story than just the romance part.
June 12, 2020
This have all the feels and swoon you can experience. The protagonists interactions are not that much at first but it was so powerful and heartwarming. This is the first book I have ever read. Twelve years later and it’s still my favorite. I just love Jake ❤️
July 5, 2012
Definitely one of my favorites. Not your typical run of the mill romance novel. Well plotted, well written and heart wrenching.
September 4, 2023
4 Estrellitas. Pese al tiempo que me ha durado, debo decir que me ha gustado mucho. Es de esos libros de los que no sabes nada, de los que no esperas nada, y que te acaba sorprendiendo.
"Seda y cristal" es una novela intensa y culebronera pero no en el mal sentido. Es una historia que atrapa en seguida y que además está centrada más en la relación de las familias que en el propio romance en sí.
El libro nos cuenta la historia de dos familias enfrentadas desde los orígenes, por un lado los Raincrow y por el otro los Vanderveer. En los años sesenta, William Vanderveer, un notorio juez solterón, sorprendió al mundo casándose con Alexandra Duke, una joven ambiciosa, fría y aprovechada, que convenció a William para que le regalara el Rubí de Pandora, una reliquia familiar que pasa de madres a hijas, y que debía ser de Sarah Raincrow, hermana de William. Desde entonces comenzó una profunda enemistad entre ambas familias, que no trajo más que desgracias y tragedias.
Con el paso del tiempo, los Raincrow tuvieron mellizos, Ellie y Jake, protagonista de esta historia, mientras que los Vanderveer solo tuvieron al malcriado Tim. Pero en esta historia también fue pilar fundamental la hermana menor de Alexandra, Frannie, casada con un soldado, y que tuvo a Samantha, protagonista del libro.
Jake y Sam se conocen desde que eran niños, y desde entonces saben que están destinados a estar juntos, pese a las adversidades y el desprecio de sus familias. Jake y Ellie, descendientes de indios cherokee poseen un don, mediante el tacto y otras cosas, son capaces de saber y de encontrar secretos o personas. Con el tiempo, Jake se convirtió en rastreador, y ayuda a la policía a encontrar a gente que se ha perdido o a resolver crímenes.
El don de Jake y Ellie también es a su vez una maldición, pues desde jóvenes son capaces de sentir y ver cosas que no pueden explicar, y esto mismo los lleva a más de un problema, sobre todo con su tía Alexandra, un ser de maldad y egoísmo increíble. Sí, Alexandra es la mala de esta historia, y de verdad que es horrible, es egoísta, es rastrera, ambiciosa, y no duda en matar si es capaz de conseguir sus objetivos. Pero también es una persona obsesionada con su sobrina Samantha, a quien ve como una igual a la que puede manejar a su antojo. Es por ello, que Alexandra siempre ha estado presente para separar a Jake y Sammie.
La suya es una historia apasionada e intensa, pero no esperéis un gran romanticismo, no le hace falta, y si la memoria no me falla diría que la novela es blaquita, blanquita. Lo que de verdad atrapa de este libro es el culebrón en sí, como está contado, lo bien que está escrito y el enganche que genera. Es un libro también algo duro, con sus dosis de tragedia y que pone los pelillos como escarpias, pero pese a todo, a mí me ha convencido.
Es lo primero que leo de Deborah Smith y he quedado bastante sorprendida. Tanto me ha gustado, que hace poco he comprado también otro libro suyo de segunda mano.
"Seda y cristal" es una novela intensa y culebronera pero no en el mal sentido. Es una historia que atrapa en seguida y que además está centrada más en la relación de las familias que en el propio romance en sí.
El libro nos cuenta la historia de dos familias enfrentadas desde los orígenes, por un lado los Raincrow y por el otro los Vanderveer. En los años sesenta, William Vanderveer, un notorio juez solterón, sorprendió al mundo casándose con Alexandra Duke, una joven ambiciosa, fría y aprovechada, que convenció a William para que le regalara el Rubí de Pandora, una reliquia familiar que pasa de madres a hijas, y que debía ser de Sarah Raincrow, hermana de William. Desde entonces comenzó una profunda enemistad entre ambas familias, que no trajo más que desgracias y tragedias.
Con el paso del tiempo, los Raincrow tuvieron mellizos, Ellie y Jake, protagonista de esta historia, mientras que los Vanderveer solo tuvieron al malcriado Tim. Pero en esta historia también fue pilar fundamental la hermana menor de Alexandra, Frannie, casada con un soldado, y que tuvo a Samantha, protagonista del libro.
Jake y Sam se conocen desde que eran niños, y desde entonces saben que están destinados a estar juntos, pese a las adversidades y el desprecio de sus familias. Jake y Ellie, descendientes de indios cherokee poseen un don, mediante el tacto y otras cosas, son capaces de saber y de encontrar secretos o personas. Con el tiempo, Jake se convirtió en rastreador, y ayuda a la policía a encontrar a gente que se ha perdido o a resolver crímenes.
El don de Jake y Ellie también es a su vez una maldición, pues desde jóvenes son capaces de sentir y ver cosas que no pueden explicar, y esto mismo los lleva a más de un problema, sobre todo con su tía Alexandra, un ser de maldad y egoísmo increíble. Sí, Alexandra es la mala de esta historia, y de verdad que es horrible, es egoísta, es rastrera, ambiciosa, y no duda en matar si es capaz de conseguir sus objetivos. Pero también es una persona obsesionada con su sobrina Samantha, a quien ve como una igual a la que puede manejar a su antojo. Es por ello, que Alexandra siempre ha estado presente para separar a Jake y Sammie.
La suya es una historia apasionada e intensa, pero no esperéis un gran romanticismo, no le hace falta, y si la memoria no me falla diría que la novela es blaquita, blanquita. Lo que de verdad atrapa de este libro es el culebrón en sí, como está contado, lo bien que está escrito y el enganche que genera. Es un libro también algo duro, con sus dosis de tragedia y que pone los pelillos como escarpias, pero pese a todo, a mí me ha convencido.
Es lo primero que leo de Deborah Smith y he quedado bastante sorprendida. Tanto me ha gustado, que hace poco he comprado también otro libro suyo de segunda mano.
September 13, 2022
I've read this one more than a decade ago and I've always remembered it fondly as one of my favorite. Not the best but it certainly memorable for me. This is one of those books that can easily be translated into a TV series, an Asian telenovela preferably as they do best on romance. A good plot with a realistic character development. Highly recommended if your into romance.
November 8, 2017
Amidst suspense and a second chance to love, Jake and Sam must find common ground and a hearts love . Good characters and plot. Enjoy this author's books.
Ebook from net galley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.
Ebook from net galley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.
September 25, 2017
Love!
A love that grows and grows through the years despite everything that seems to get in the way!
Great book! Must Read!
A love that grows and grows through the years despite everything that seems to get in the way!
Great book! Must Read!
December 19, 2019
After more than a decade I still remember this book. Not sure if this is a contemporary thriller or romance or both but worth checking out.
June 13, 2020
This is really a basically good versus evil story of the old fashion kind. Yes, there is a love story. Yes, there is a bit of magic/mysticism, but it is a good story-teller kind of story.
December 26, 2024
Una historia interesante, llena de drama y tragedia. Te mantiene atrapado desde las primeras páginas y la construcción de los personas es fantástica.
October 26, 2025
This book is well worth a read! The Cherokee people a written with integrity. The family lines play a pivotal roll in this story. what does it mean to be related to someone.
May 2, 2013
4.5 stars
This is a sweeping love story that spans decades. In Pandora, North Carolina, the Cherokee and mountain people are mainly overlooked by the outside world and that’s the way they like it. The Ravenclaws, a Cherokee family with a special connection to the mountain, are able to find things, like gems and people. The Vanderveers are the royalty of the mountain and treat everyone with respect. Then Alexandra enters the picture and causes an irreparable rift between these two family and changes the town of Pandora forever.
Doesn’t sound like a love story? Well, Jake Ravenclaw and Samantha, niece to Alexandra, have a connection that started when Sam was four. Over the years they see each other occasionally, but in secret and love blossoms. The two agreed to be married when Sam was about five and Jake ten and they both clung to that. Of course, neither is ordinary and both felt like outsiders, so the connection to each other was great.
there's more on my blog http://stacybuckeye.wordpress.com/200...
This is a sweeping love story that spans decades. In Pandora, North Carolina, the Cherokee and mountain people are mainly overlooked by the outside world and that’s the way they like it. The Ravenclaws, a Cherokee family with a special connection to the mountain, are able to find things, like gems and people. The Vanderveers are the royalty of the mountain and treat everyone with respect. Then Alexandra enters the picture and causes an irreparable rift between these two family and changes the town of Pandora forever.
Doesn’t sound like a love story? Well, Jake Ravenclaw and Samantha, niece to Alexandra, have a connection that started when Sam was four. Over the years they see each other occasionally, but in secret and love blossoms. The two agreed to be married when Sam was about five and Jake ten and they both clung to that. Of course, neither is ordinary and both felt like outsiders, so the connection to each other was great.
there's more on my blog http://stacybuckeye.wordpress.com/200...
January 25, 2024
Tejto knihe môžem vytknúť akurát tak tú neinvenčnú obálku... Inak je to dokonalosť sama :)
Podľa obálky a slovenskému názvu by človek povedal, že sa jedná o priemerný ženský román, no opak je pravdou.
Zradná krása prináša nielen pekný ľúbostný príbeh, ale aj dobre skonštruovanú (občas nervydrásajúcu) zápletku. Takisto prostredie horského mestečka s priľahlou indiánskou osadou a jemná dávka mysticizmu románu prepožičiavajú osobité čaro.
Kniha si ma získala ešte ako tínedžerku. Odvtedy som si ju prečítala aspoň šesť-sedem ráz a vždy ma bavila rovnako ako prvý raz. Určite je za tým autorkine pútavé písanie a hlavní hrdinovia, ktorí mi prirástli k srdcu.
Určite sa k nej ešte mnohokrát vrátim.
Podľa obálky a slovenskému názvu by človek povedal, že sa jedná o priemerný ženský román, no opak je pravdou.
Zradná krása prináša nielen pekný ľúbostný príbeh, ale aj dobre skonštruovanú (občas nervydrásajúcu) zápletku. Takisto prostredie horského mestečka s priľahlou indiánskou osadou a jemná dávka mysticizmu románu prepožičiavajú osobité čaro.
Kniha si ma získala ešte ako tínedžerku. Odvtedy som si ju prečítala aspoň šesť-sedem ráz a vždy ma bavila rovnako ako prvý raz. Určite je za tým autorkine pútavé písanie a hlavní hrdinovia, ktorí mi prirástli k srdcu.
Určite sa k nej ešte mnohokrát vrátim.
March 12, 2012
This is a soap opera "brain candy" book. It is long and convoluted covering a 30 year period. I read it for a book club and my biggest issue is I don't feel like I gained or learned anything from it. I would say the author is a good writer though.
July 29, 2016
What is it about Ms. Smith? Yet another book where families are from different socioeconomic classes. Vanderveer and Raincrow are the ones who have star crossed lovers. Not as moving for me as some of her other books.
November 9, 2008
I liked this book alot. t was a good one to read after twilight, it has a patterning. . . like jacob. But an entirely different story.
November 22, 2008
"Gifted" Native American boy and white girl from "money", NC. It's been a while since I read this, but I know I really enjoyed it.
September 22, 2009
it was one of those books that was not terribly well written and had a few too many "tempestuous and tumultuous" parts for my taste, but it was highly entertaining and i enjoyed reading it.
October 20, 2010
I really liked this book, but the overall feeling I get when I think about it is sadness. The story was very tragic, and the characters suffered for so long. At least it ended happily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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October 3, 2012I really liked this book. Some culture information about the Cherokee Indians.
April 28, 2014
I love Deboah Smith's epic love stories. They aren't romance stories but wonderful love stories.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews