Diamond

Gambler's Daughters #1

by Sharon Sala

When Jesse Eagle offers Diamond Houston a Nashville recording contract, the talented singer discovers both the fulfillment of her long-time dreams and the love of a lifetime. Reissue.


A SMALL-TOWN GIRL WITH A PRETTY VOICE
Diamond Houston has always dreamed of becoming a country music star. So when her idol, the handsome singer Jesse Eagle, falls for her golden voice and bright green eyes, Diamond decides to take a chance and sets off for Nashville with him.

A BIG-TIME COUNTRY MUSIC LEGEND
Jesse Eagle first discovers Diamond when she is singing for tips at a two-bit roadhouse. Her voice strikes a chord in his heart, and Jesse is sure that he's written his last song about heartache -- until Diamond leaves him. Then he must risk everything to win back this beautiful gambler's daughter.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Adult Fiction

357 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 1, 1994

About the author

Biography



Sharon Sala is a Native Oklahoman and still lives within a two hour drive of where she was born.
First published in 1991, she is a New York Times/USA Today, best-selling author with a 135 plus books published in seven different genres, including Romantic suspense, Mystery, Young Adult, Western, Fiction, Women’s Fiction and Non-Fiction.

Industry Awards include:
Eight-time RITA finalist. (Romance Industry award)
The Janet Dailey Award.
Five-time Career Achievement winner from RT Magazine.
Five time winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award.
Five time winner of the Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence.
Heart of Excellence Award.,
Booksellers Best Award.
Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award RITA, presented by RWA.
Centennial Award from RWA for recognition of her 100th published novel.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you had a book that you read years ago, you didn't keep it but every now and then you think about something that happened in the book. The problem is you can't remember the author or the name of the book. Diamond was such a book for me. I knew the basic story but there was one scene towards the end of the book that I just couldn't get out of my head. Lucky is an aspiring country singer. She falls in love with a country superstar and he falls in love with her. He wants to help her obtain her dream but his manager is a manipulative creep who resents Diamond's relationship and influence over his star client. As you can imagine things go to hell in a hurry. There are misunderstandings, though not so cliched that you want to yell at your book. But the scene that stuck with me takes place on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Our hero, Jesse, is determined to win Diamond back and the way he goes about was one of my favorite scenes in any romance I've read. Lovely and romantic and tear inducing. Obviously I found my book and it is the first of a trilogy, Queen and Lucky follow. They are good books too, especially Lucky, but it is Diamond that remains my favorite and I'm so happy that it was even better than I remembered.

[Addie · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 10% - the perspective keeps changing between characters. At one point I had 5 different ones on the same page - it's confusing and annoying - I'm out.

[Eileen Harbour · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun series to read you will enjoy it.

[Kari · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked the second one in the series, but couldn't get into this one. I don't think I will finish the series.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and read it all in one sitting, it had all the elements I enjoy- romance, angst, second chance, Nashville and country music! I loved as the romance between Jesse and Diamond unfolded, and I enjoyed the insights from other characters whether they were attempting to be supportive or destructive, they gave the story added depth for which I was grateful. (I do think the change in character POV should have been highlighted differently purely from a readers standpoint -perhaps a bigger space when the changeovers occur would have been more streamlined,) but overall, I loved this book, and would recommend it, and can’t wait to dive into the next in the series.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t wait to read the next two books in this series if they are on the scale of this book. Someone missed a good chance to make a great romance movie from his story. It has all the boxes checked on a great story and I absolutely loved it. This is one of those books you think about after you have finished it and laid it down. Diamond Houston and Jessie Eagle are wonderful characters that you just want the best for. Great book

[Mum · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. A good start to the trilogy. Our heroine can sing like nobody’s business, and goes off to Nashville with a famous singer in his own right. Then, the self-absorbed come out of the woodwork to destroy everything. A story of overcoming and finding a way. Another wonderful story by one of my favorite authors.

[P. Gilholm · Rating 5 out of 5]

It should be a movie!

A true great! More than the ups and downs of becoming a country singer sensation! The emotion made me laugh and cry! I don't want the story to end! I absolutely loved it! Sharon Sala is a master of the craft! Absolutely the best!

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Loved it! Looking forward to reading the rest of the series. Sharon Sala can really make you feel like you are there with the characters. Really makes me sad when the story ends and I have to return to reality.

[Geeah Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice quick read. Sharon never disappoints and this was a nice story

[Miss Elizabeth A Davenport · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diamond

I loved this Sharon Sale book. What I don't understand is why can't I buy the other two books from Amazon ????

[Sharon Price · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting heroine, but the angsty feel overall was a disappointment. Not one of author's better efforts.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will all.love it

Salsa,is a wonderful story teller she makes you feel the stories in your heart . Is that not what !I've about .I can't wait to read the rest.❤👍

[AlohaMyPikachu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that I've read almost everything that Ms. sala has penned to date. I'm not sure how I missed this earlier series of hers, but I'm not disappointed. In fact, it's refreshing. If anyone is familiar with Ms. Sala's current books, there seems to be always a bad guy in the mix. Some villain or criminal after the heroine. In this series, it seems that's not quite the case. There are still villians, but not of the jailbird variety. I repeat that it's refreshing, because whereas we can guess what will happen to the criminal in her 21st century books, this series keeps you guessing as to the fate of the villain.

With that being said, I enjoyed this first book of a three-book series. The time period is just before the internet and cell phones became popular. I was thinking as I read this book that I hope Ms Sala or whomever the powers that be will not try to update this series by revising it to include modern technology. The whole series runs on the premis that the three sisters have separated and have no way of contacting each other since they sold the only home they knew. No email or cell phone was available to them, so it maintains the feel that the sisters will be hard-pressed to reunited in the future. I, personally, love it. Some books can do with updating and still keep the way the novel was written. Not this series.

I haven't really talked about the novel itself in this review. I really won't because there's not much to say. The heroine meets the hero on a chance encounter as he's passing through her one-horse town. He hears her sing and offers her a chance of a lifetime. The plot of the story is what every artist, whether drawing, painting, singing, writing or acting holds. Throw in a romance and a naughty character trying to keep them apart... I found it great. The resolution is probably predictable, but who cares? I won't spoil it by giving details, but in my way of thinking, how Ms. Sala wraps up this book is appropriate. She allowed the heroine to come in to her own in her own way and on her own grit and determination.

Overall, I'm loving the series. I would certainly recommend this book and series to others.

[Danyel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this series quite a bit and it's stuck in my head as a favorite. Side stepping that slightly, the hero and heroine of this book recorded a song together and I've been passively looking for a reminiscent real life song since I read the book. If anybody else had similar notions, then I'd recommend 'I Got You' by Thompson Square. I found it a couple of days ago and I think that the song evokes the same sort of good-natured, easy flowing feeling that the couple in the book did. (When they weren't embroiled in the obligatory romance-novel-misunderstanding fiasco.)

[Jen B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of those pleasant surprises that I wasn't expecting much from but really ended up enjoying. This was a Christmas stocking stuffer back when I was in college, and I ended up spending the day after Christmas in my pjs, curled up on the sofa with this book. I finished it in a day. Yes, it's heavy on the cheese, and yes, it has quite a few romance novel cliches ("she stared into those gorgeous eyes of his," etc.), but the story is enjoyable, and it left me smiling at the end.

[Ann Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first in Sala's Gambler's Daughter series. Great characters and a nice theme around country western music. I loved Diamond Houston and Jesse Eagle. Dooly and Twila were wonderful saviors when Diamond was wronged. The other two books in the series has been on my find list ever since I finished this one.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of Diamond, a small-town woman who hits it big when she's "discovered" by a Nashville star while singing at her father's grave. Unfortunately for her, the road to stardom is littered with pebbles and even though she and her star are in love, she's pretty sure that love doesn't conquer much of anything.

[sheila hamblin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diamond

I have loved Sharon Sala since her Kismet days. These early works are warm and satisfying. Diamond is about loving someone and the need to make sure that they have the best. Even if you lose. True love. This is a gentle story. Not like her later books. I have read this story many times and I feel the same each time. Happy.

[Deidre Nehrenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is that you can not go wrong with a Sharon Sala book!! I alway get her new ones as soon as they come out and I search all the used book stores for the ones out of print!! Tho I must note that some of her out of print ones are being re-released in e-book.

[Ruth Hambley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent romantic story. I loved Diamond and her relationship with not only her sisters but with Jesse. Sharon Sala to me is one of those writers that excels and I can't wait to read the next in this series.

[Erotic Horizon]

Diamond (Gambler's Daughters Trilogy, Book I) by Sharon Sala (1994)

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute series.

[Lesli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read. Perfect for the beach. Typical Sharon Sala fare. Fast paced.

[Terry Turrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jon bought for kindle 12/21/10. Started reading end of March. Not one of her better books.

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romantic, sweet, and full of insights into the country music industry.

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a fun romantic read. But sometimes, that's all I need. Sharon Sala always does a great job of developing her characters and these three are no exceptions.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharon Sala is a great author and I enjoy re-reading her books. This series is one of my favourites of hers

[Heidi Frese · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read and one I keep going back to. Diamond is one of my favorite characters and is easy to sympathize with. You can help but root for her and Jesse.