Owner of the Diamond Saloon and Theater, Alice Reynolds is astounded when a fancy Englishman offers to buy her saloon. She won’t be selling her saloon to anyone, let alone a man with a pretty, empty-headed grin…but then, she reckons that grin just might be a lie, and a man of intelligence and cunning resides beneath.
Rupert Llewellyn has another purpose for offering to buy the pretty widow’s saloon—the coal buried deep in land she owns. However, he never banked on her knowing eyes making him weak at the knees, or how his deception would burn upon his soul.
Each determined to outwit the other, they tantalize and tease until passion explodes. But can their desire bridge the lies told and trust broken?
Rough Diamond is a fantastic story of love, lust and greed in the old west […] I found this to be a really fun read with a good mix of steamy sex and story so while it was a very hot read it also had the substance and plot line to back it up. Who would have thought you could have a hot hunky hero named Rupert?!?
Carin, Cocktails and Books
THE DIAMOND SERIES
Dean is very good at writing relationships and she knows how to build anticipation and heighten sexual tension very well. She also has a wonderful sense of timing and developing a dramatic moment — the culmination of Rupert and Alice’s flirtation and Alice’s monthly Spectacular all happen in that one breathtaking moment.
Love Saves the World
EXCERPT
Lifting the glass, Alice studied its contents. “There is nothing quite like the enjoyment you get from a good whiskey. There’s the look and color of it, and the way it burns in the light.”
“It’s the same color as your eyes,” Llewellyn breathed, his own wide and empty of thought.
A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. That’s right. Fool me into thinking there’s not an ounce of calculation to your words. “Is it? Mighty kind of you to notice.”
A happy grin was her response.
Well now, she was surely going to enjoy this. Setting her own half-smile, she tilted her glass, watching as the whiskey caught the light of the candle. “Have you ever noticed the feel of glass? It’s smooth against your fingers, and though the whiskey burns you, the glass is cool. It seems strange, doesn’t it? That such fire could come from something so cool.”
Intensely aware of his gaze upon her, she brought the glass to rest on her bottom lip. “You lift the glass to your lips, and all that coolness rests upon your flesh. The scent of the whiskey hits you, sweet and fiery. Your mouth waters, and you can’t wait to have it inside you. Slowly, so slowly, you tip the glass, teasing yourself as long moments in want of its taste stretch unbearably.”
He no longer wore a smile. Dark eyes watched her as strong fingers dug into the glass before him.
A prickle washed over her skin, her heart a steady beat in her chest. With hushed voice, she continued. “Liquid slides down your throat. The flavor explodes inside you, a glorious rush of sensation that overwhelms and consumes. You curl your tongue, enjoying the lingering sensation in every part of your mouth. Then, you look at the bottle.” Finally, she met his gaze direct. No subterfuge. No tease. “And you know you can do it again.”
Cassandra did an outstanding job with starting this series. Very descriptive and entertaining, she kept me well engrossed in the book and looking forward to reading the next instalment to this series.
Amazon reviewer
BEHIND THE STORY
What’s in a name?
The nickname for Rough Diamond came from my friend and critique partner. She suggested WTF, short for WesTern Fun, which is what I was calling it. I thought such a thing was tres funny, and so it stuck!
Cassandra Dean has written an enjoyable novel, filled it with characters that come off the pages and pull you into their tale, passion, a story that is well-written and a nice plot that keeps your interest until the end.
Amazon reviewer