I’m thrilled to announce that Pride & A Pregnancy Secret, the second book in Silhouette Desire’s six-book Diamonds Down Under continuity series, is now available in stores.
One of the most interesting documents I read while researching Pride & A Pregnancy Secret was a letter written by master diamond-cutter Gabi Tolkowsky (the guy who shaped the Pink Sun Rise Diamond and famed for cutting the HUGE Golden Jubilee Diamond).
His letter is full of interesting snippets…the secret sale of the Centenary Diamond from the museum in the Tower of London…a diamond said to be insured for an amount of $100 million. Wow. There you have it. A massive stone. Secrets. Wealth beyond the average person’s dreams. But there was one part of the letter that profoundly touched me:
” Every diamond, large or small is a unique individual. None is similar to another. Its shape, volume, or hue, or inclusion, or purity in the rough appearance have a combined effect on the mind. All what happens is the fact of revolving the rough stone between two or three fingers and peering onto and into it with the small folding hand loupe (magnifying lens). The challenge results from a silent conversation “Diamond, what should you become?”, “I should become the most beautiful.” My answer should be the result, every rough diamond requests the same demand, my answer is the final result.”
I was moved that he talked to his diamonds, demanding what they needed. Much like I talk to my characters to learn what their deepest needs and hopes and fears are. Doesn’t Tolkowsky put it beautifully?
You can read an excerpt of Pride & A Pregnancy Secret here and for more about the bits behind the book visit my backstory page. Over the next few months I will collect the names of the people responding to my posts on this blog and draw one winner on June 30 2008 for a $50 book voucher. Good luck!
To win a diamond pendant valued at $350.00 check out www.diamonds-downunder.com.
Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
Tessa Radley
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congrats on the book and the diamonds look so pretty. count me in lol.
by kim h
on February 12th, 2008 at 11:28 am
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Your books are a delight. Best of success on your release.
by diane
on February 12th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
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Congratulations on your new book! I enjoyed reading the backstory and looking at the photos!
by Carol
on February 12th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
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Congradulations, and best of luck with PRIDE & A PREGNANCY SECRET! Interesting post, too! 
by Carol
on February 12th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
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I like how Gabi Talkowsky indicates that all diamonds are special so that means my modest engagement ring is unique and special.
by Maureen
on February 12th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
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Congrats on the new release! Fasciniating info. about diamonds.
by Cherie J
on February 12th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
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Hi Tessa,
I absolutely adored this book - and I’ve been enjoying all the Diamonds Down Under posts as well!
by JSL
on February 12th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
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Thanks, Kim. Those diamonds are very pretty. I spent far too much time cruising the net and oggling pretty sparklers and tried to pretend that it was ALL research.
Diane, that is such a wonderful compliment. Thank you very much. Each book is, of course, special to me. Every one of my characters comes alive for me while I’m writing. Thank you for entering that world with me–and enjoying the experience.
Carol, I love photos. They always bring everything to life, don’t they? And when I saw that photo of the penthouse on Pyrmont I knew that was where Ryan lived.
Tessa
by Tessa Radley
on February 12th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
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Carol, thanks! You have a fabulous blog. Very infomative. And I see you write too…western historicals. I’ve been hearing that they’re making a comeback. My critique partner Karina Bliss LOVES western historicals. I’m reading Joan Johnston’s Maverick Heart–it’s an old book, but she’s such a good storyteller. I also keep meaning to order Stacey Kayne’s Mustang Wild.
Me too, Maureen 
It gives every diamond a personality, doesn’t it? I found myself looking at my engagement stone and asking it “So what did your cutter ask you?” What did you ask to be? Couldn’t help wondering if the diamond had anything to say about the hand that it would be worn on for many happy years….
Thanks Cherie! It’s so nice when you’re reading about an interesting subject. And I really think passion that comes across in the DIAMOND DOWN UNDER seris.
Tessa
Tessa
by Tessa Radley
on February 12th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
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Thank you, JSL That emoticon is the widest smile I can find! Writing Pride & A Pregnancy Secret was a great deal of fun. And the characters were interesting because they had so many issues…so much baggage from the past, or with other characters in the series. Lots of scandals and secrets. These characters live in a world packed with people and events and passion. And that made it easy to write.
Thank you for visiting!
Tessa
by Tessa Radley
on February 12th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
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That is a wonderful snippet from the diamond-cutter’s letter. Congrats on the new release.
by Little Lamb Lost
on February 12th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
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Congrats on the book news!! I look forward to reading it.
by Wendy
on February 12th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
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I’m looking forward to reading your new book.
by Estella
on February 12th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
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Congrats on Pride & A Pregnancy Secret. The title is really brilliant 
by Mona
on February 12th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
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I am looking forward to reading your book
by Nathalie
on February 12th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
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Wendy and Estella, I hope you enjoy it…and let me know what you think!
I have to say I agree with you, Mona. But I can’t take the credit for the title–my editor came up with that. All the titles in the series are absolutely brilliant. Something about the rhythm perhaps…
Tessa
by Tessa Radley
on February 12th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
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Congrats on your new book! I am wishing you much success! I really enjoyed the excerpt.
by Linda F
on February 12th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
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Congratulations! Your new books looks enticing and I would love to read it.
by ruth
on February 12th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
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All the best on your new release. Enjoy this wonderful success. I will be reading your book.
by jenna
on February 12th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
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Congratulations on your new book!
by Minna
on February 13th, 2008 at 5:19 am
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What girl doesn’t like diamonds? I remember when JLo got a pink diamond engagement ring, it was so pretty.
by Jane
on February 13th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
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Jane, my sentiments exactly! And, yes, I looked at the pictures of JLo’s pink…I mean that’s research right?
Linda, Ruth, Jenna and Minna, thanks for the congratulaions. Jenna, let me know what you think…I love to hear from readers.
I’ll be back to have a last look for posts in about an hour, then I’ll do the draw and post a winner.
Tessa
by Tessa Radley
on February 13th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
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Winnner is….
…MAUREEN!
Congratulations, Maureen. Send me an email at tessa @ tessaradley.com with your details.
If any one would like to win a copy of my debut book Black Widow Bride and Jan Colley’s Melting the Icy Tycoon then visit today’s BLOG at www.diamonds-downunder.com.
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!
Tessa
by Tessa Radley
on February 13th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
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Congrats on your new release!
by Amelia
on February 14th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
