What do you think?
Rate this book
Diamond Valley
How could she bargain for love?
Carradine men only marry women of their own social standing. No one understood this better than Brett Sargent, an orphan raised with the Carradine clan on their Diamond Valley homestead in the Australian outback. But when King Carradine's death made Brett an unexpected heiress, the alluring young woman became irresistible marriage material -- especially, Brett discovered, to Jay, King's successor. And even though Brett had loved Jay all of her life, she wanted more than money, or even passion, to be the bond between them.
Carradine men only marry women of their own social standing. No one understood this better than Brett Sargent, an orphan raised with the Carradine clan on their Diamond Valley homestead in the Australian outback. But when King Carradine's death made Brett an unexpected heiress, the alluring young woman became irresistible marriage material -- especially, Brett discovered, to Jay, King's successor. And even though Brett had loved Jay all of her life, she wanted more than money, or even passion, to be the bond between them.
187 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1987
52 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Way
617 books165 followersMargaret Way was born and educated in the river city of Brisbane, Australia. Before her marriage she was a well-known pianist, teacher, vocal coach and accompanist, but her hectic musical career came to a halt when her son was born and the demands of motherhood dictated a change of pace.
On a fortuitous impulse she decided to try her hand at romance writing and was thrilled when Mills & Boon accepted her first effort, Time of the Jacaranda, which they published less than a year later in 1970; a feat that brought tears to her father's eyes. Some seventy odd books have followed resulting in a loyal readership whose letters provide a source of support and encouragement. A driving force in all her writing has been the promotion of her much loved country, Australia. She delights in bringing it alive for her readers; its people, way of life, environment, flora and fauna. Her efforts so far have not excited official recognition, but she expects one day she will be awarded the "Order of Australia."
Her interests remain with the arts. She still plays the piano seriously, but her "top Cs" have gone. She is still addicted to collecting antiques and paintings and browsing through galleries. She now lives within sight and sound of beautiful Moreton Bay and its islands, inspiration for some of her books. Her house is full of books, spectacular plants, Chinese screens and pots. She is devoted to her garden and spends much time "directing the design and digging and providing cold drinks and chocolates."
On a fortuitous impulse she decided to try her hand at romance writing and was thrilled when Mills & Boon accepted her first effort, Time of the Jacaranda, which they published less than a year later in 1970; a feat that brought tears to her father's eyes. Some seventy odd books have followed resulting in a loyal readership whose letters provide a source of support and encouragement. A driving force in all her writing has been the promotion of her much loved country, Australia. She delights in bringing it alive for her readers; its people, way of life, environment, flora and fauna. Her efforts so far have not excited official recognition, but she expects one day she will be awarded the "Order of Australia."
Her interests remain with the arts. She still plays the piano seriously, but her "top Cs" have gone. She is still addicted to collecting antiques and paintings and browsing through galleries. She now lives within sight and sound of beautiful Moreton Bay and its islands, inspiration for some of her books. Her house is full of books, spectacular plants, Chinese screens and pots. She is devoted to her garden and spends much time "directing the design and digging and providing cold drinks and chocolates."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 5, 2017
Margaret Way can write Australian land barons like no other. I'm not talking about ranch owners or corporate CEOs. I am talking about Kings, ruling autocratically in their mini-kingdoms, tyrants of a bygone era ensconced in their colonial mansions lost in the wilderness and savagery of the Australian outback. Though Diamond Valley is set in the twentieth century, the world inhabited by the characters remind me of Victorian era settlers, so primitive, patriarchal and traditional a world the writer has painted.
The story has the typical MW ingredients, with dynamics she apparently finds fascinating as she has explored similar themes in many of her books, like A Faulkner Possession, Black Ingo, etc.
There is the ultra-macho hero who is the scion of not only fantastic wealth but an impeccable family pedigree going back centuries.
The downtrodden but beautiful and capable heroine whose deep insecurities stem from her humble, somewhat shady background, an insecurity that various villainous characters seize upon to put a wrench in their HE A.
And of course the background of Australia, and in particular the majestic estate that pretty much all characters are fighting over, is always like a third principal and quite alive character in the whole drama.
I really like Way's world building and her dreamy, evocative settings. I wish I could warm up to her protagonists. I am intrigued by them. I admire them from time to time. But they are usually so cool and aloof that I don't get that emotional connection which could make me transition from merely liking them into loving them.
Quel dommage!
The story has the typical MW ingredients, with dynamics she apparently finds fascinating as she has explored similar themes in many of her books, like A Faulkner Possession, Black Ingo, etc.
There is the ultra-macho hero who is the scion of not only fantastic wealth but an impeccable family pedigree going back centuries.
The downtrodden but beautiful and capable heroine whose deep insecurities stem from her humble, somewhat shady background, an insecurity that various villainous characters seize upon to put a wrench in their HE A.
And of course the background of Australia, and in particular the majestic estate that pretty much all characters are fighting over, is always like a third principal and quite alive character in the whole drama.
I really like Way's world building and her dreamy, evocative settings. I wish I could warm up to her protagonists. I am intrigued by them. I admire them from time to time. But they are usually so cool and aloof that I don't get that emotional connection which could make me transition from merely liking them into loving them.
Quel dommage!
December 19, 2020
Is it a marriage of convenience or does the hero love the heroine? This is the central question after the "unearthly beautiful" heroine inherits part of the hero's vast family holdings. The hero has always protected the heroine (the housekeeper's daughter) but does he love her as much as she loves him?
And is passion love?
What about obsession? There's an OW who is obsessed with the hero and goes out of her way to sabotage the heroine. Heroine is also "unearthly" in how she feels compassion for the OW. There's an OM who falls in love at first sight with the heroine, bringing on the hero's wrath.
There is absolutely no doubt that the H/h will marry - but it would have been a much more interesting story if all of this worry about the hero's motivations and faithfulness took place after their marriage. MW likes to perpetuate the myth that once married the H/h are just fine.
LOL
And is passion love?
What about obsession? There's an OW who is obsessed with the hero and goes out of her way to sabotage the heroine. Heroine is also "unearthly" in how she feels compassion for the OW. There's an OM who falls in love at first sight with the heroine, bringing on the hero's wrath.
There is absolutely no doubt that the H/h will marry - but it would have been a much more interesting story if all of this worry about the hero's motivations and faithfulness took place after their marriage. MW likes to perpetuate the myth that once married the H/h are just fine.
LOL
September 22, 2021
It’s a strange story. Or curious.
The H has had many women in his life. The h asks him about it. He tells the h that he won’t promise her that he’ll stay faithful to her and that she’ll just have to trust him unconditionally. Huh?
The h receives photos of the H with the OW. He says the photo’s are from the past. But on some photo’s the h sees that the OW has the current haircut.
First he tells the h that he hasn’t slept with the OW on the island they were a week before. But later he tells the h that he has slept with the OW in the past (he doesn’t say how long ago).
They are engaged, but I have doubts about his fidelity. He beats around the bush too much.
What was annoying, was the constant mentioning how beautiful the h was. The writer says it about the h when she describes her, the characters in the story say it to the h.
The H has had many women in his life. The h asks him about it. He tells the h that he won’t promise her that he’ll stay faithful to her and that she’ll just have to trust him unconditionally. Huh?
The h receives photos of the H with the OW. He says the photo’s are from the past. But on some photo’s the h sees that the OW has the current haircut.
First he tells the h that he hasn’t slept with the OW on the island they were a week before. But later he tells the h that he has slept with the OW in the past (he doesn’t say how long ago).
They are engaged, but I have doubts about his fidelity. He beats around the bush too much.
What was annoying, was the constant mentioning how beautiful the h was. The writer says it about the h when she describes her, the characters in the story say it to the h.
June 21, 2017
Pretty much your typical Harlequin romance. This one had a slight variation as the couple in question grew up together. Jay's father had a thing for Brett's mother and treated Brett as the daughter he never had. When he passes away he leaves her a substantial amount of money in his will. Jay proposes a deal (marriage) that will help both of them out but does he want her money or is he really in love with her?? You will have to read the book to find out.
pback-to-read
January 22, 2021How could she bargain for love?
Carradine men only marry women of their own social standing. No one understood this better than Brett Sargent, an orphan raised with the Carradine clan on their Diamond Valley homestead in the Australian outback. But when King Carradine's death made Brett an unexpected heiress, the alluring young woman became irresistible marriage material -- especially, Brett discovered, to Jay, King's successor. And even though Brett had loved Jay all of her life, she wanted more than money, or even passion, to be the bond between them.
Carradine men only marry women of their own social standing. No one understood this better than Brett Sargent, an orphan raised with the Carradine clan on their Diamond Valley homestead in the Australian outback. But when King Carradine's death made Brett an unexpected heiress, the alluring young woman became irresistible marriage material -- especially, Brett discovered, to Jay, King's successor. And even though Brett had loved Jay all of her life, she wanted more than money, or even passion, to be the bond between them.
September 11, 2018
Lovely story. Amazing characters. I would've liked a little bit more at the end. I want to know what happened with Morton and Elaine. Other than that the story line was great and I found it hard to put down. Written in 1986 so no "wham bam, thank you mam" stuff. I don't judge older books by the modern ones. If you want fast action read modern, if you want a good story read the older ones. LOVE Margaret Way books.
Want to Read
May 4, 2021Η κοιλάδα των διαμαντιών - Margaret Way, Συλλογή
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews