Heart of the Diamond

ISBN 1-57343-005-6 (Paperback)
ISBN 1-57343-003-X (Ebook)

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Blake Dylan, The Earl of Diamond, has a heart of ice. The time has come for him to return to England and enact his plan of vengeance, even if it means wedding the daughter of his sworn enemy.

Lady Nicole Langley has vowed she will not marry unless for true love. When she is lured into a compromising situation with a handsome stranger her worst nightmare begins.

Now, to save them both, Nicki must wage a campaign to win the heart of the Diamond.

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Book Reviews

Romance Reviews Today / Jane Bowers
It has been six years since Lady Nicole Langley last saw her childhood companion, Teddy Bartholomew, and more than that since she last climbed the trellis below his chamber window. But now she's desperate for his help in breaking her betrothal to an "ogre." Thankful that she wore trousers, or she never would have made it, Nicki utters a most unlady-like oath as she tumbles into Teddy's bedroom room at last. But instead of Teddy, she finds an intriguing stranger who claims to be the new owner of Rosewood Manor.

Blake Dylan, the Earl of Diamond, welcomes his enemy's daughter into the trap he set to compromise her into marriage as the last act in a coldly calculated scheme of revenge. Blake suffered injustice as a young man, was banished to America by his stern father, and became wealthy there while building a wall around his heart. He returns too late to settle matters with his father, but marriage to the Duke of Billington's daughter, Nicole, will help settle the debt owed him by his two remaining enemies. The chit will not suffer unduly as his countess; Blake's war is not with women and children. Perhaps once they're married, his soul can have some peace. Blake, however, reckons without the unpredictable Nicki Langley.

Nicki's love for her father and her younger sister and brother runs deep, and if her relationship with her stepmother is less than warm, the reasons are her own. Nicki's fierce loyalties for her family and for Teddy will be sorely strained in the days to come as she gets to know her new fiancé. Her impulsive, generous heart and strange newly awakened feelings reach out toward Blake.

Heart of the Diamond contains a dark theme of retribution, the secret sorrows of several characters and some unhappy events, yet it manages to be upbeat, even joyful. The main reason for this lightness lies with the most engaging heroine I've come across in a long, long while. Those who know Nicki term her an "Original"; I can only agree. Put her together with a damaged hero like Blake (who is not as cold as he believes he is), and watch them strike sparks off each other physically, intellectually, emotionally and humorously. There may come problems of honor and trust between them, but they are balanced with tender, touching moments. I found myself smiling more often than not.

The plot has many twists that add to the overall enjoyment. It never drags; there's something going on in every page. Nicki and Blake come to life under Carrie Brock's talented writing, and so do the minor characters. They are not there just to further the story and play against the two protagonists. They are interesting in their own right, and who knows, might show up in future novels. I hope so.

Available in both download and paperback formats, Heart of the Diamond is one of the three best e-books (out of many) that I've read, and ranks high among print releases. I urge everyone to give it a try.

TheRomanceReadersConnection.com / Tracy Farnsworth - 4 plugs (Excellent)
Imagine an incredibly heartfelt romance set in 1819 England--with passionate characters who must get to know each other under ambiguous circumstances, a detailed setting that transports you back in time, and language that sounds authentic as you read it. That is what the reader will experience when they indulge in a copy of Heart of the Diamond.

The heroine, twenty-two-year-old Lady Nicole "Nicki" Langley, finds herself in an unsettling predicament when she responds to a note from her childhood friend, Teddy Bartholomew. Climbing from her window into the dark of night, she runs to greet Teddy on his return from America. But when she arrives at Rosewood Manor, she discovers Teddy gambled away his home to the dark, mysterious Earl of Diamond, Blake Dylan.

Blake Dylan is overjoyed at the chance to exact his revenge on the Duke of Billington, Nicki's father. Nicki manages to compromise both of their reputations and Blake arranges to marry her. Nicki's father must explain to the Duke of Milton, her fiancée, why the engagement is off and risk public embarrassment.

With a fierce determination to not to marry unless for love, Nicki faces the greatest challenge of her life! When her long-time friend Teddy returns to England, Nicki must decide which man truly deserves her heart.

Heart of the Diamond is eloquent, truly romantic and a joy to read. Nicki is one of the strongest heroines I have had the pleasure of reading in a long time. Blake is dark, mystifying and extremely sexy. Together they make a fiery pair that will be hard to forget! Expect plenty of sizzle, entrancing dialogue that invigorates the senses, and some dramatic twists that embrace you until the final page.

WordWeaving / Molly Martin - Very highly recommended
It is 1819 and the time has come for Blake Dylan, The Earl of Diamond, to return to England and set his plan for vengeance into place. Estrangement from his father for situations not of his making and banishment from England nearly a decade earlier has driven the cold hearted man for years. He has won the ancestral lands of one enemy and is prepared to marry the daughter of his sworn enemy if necessary. Vengeance is the one thing driving Dylan. Winning the lands of his enemy and compromising the daughter of the other will only be the beginning.

Lady Nicole Langley, an engaged twenty two year old who is determined to only marry for love is lured into a rapprochement with a handsome stranger who has an overwhelming hatred for her father. She soon finds herself in the middle of more problems than she ever realized she might encounter. After an absence of six years Nicole receives a note from childhood friend Teddy Bartholomew. She is certain Teddy can rescue her from marriage to the man her father feels would be a perfect match for her. As she had done so many times in the past, she dressed in a pair of her father's old trousers, climbed through her window late at night to hurry and greet Teddy after his arrival home from America. When she arrives at Rosewood Manor she is horrified to discover Teddy has gambled away his home to the enigmatic Earl of Diamond.

Dylan feels he now has the opportunity to take his revenge against Nicole's father, the Duke of Billington when the young woman manages to compromise both of their reputations; the only solution is for Blake to marry her. This action will cause her father to face public embarrassment as he tries to explain to the Duke of Milton why Nicole must break their engagement. Blake's machinations have brought Nicole into the trap he has carefully set. Love has nothing to do with the marriage Dylan is determined to force upon his bride to be. Before long Nicole discovers that love is what she would like to have from Blake. Nicole's affection for her father and her siblings is far deeper than Dylan might have thought.

While honor may demand that she marry the man who set out to destroy her family, Nicole's resolute loyalties for her family, and Teddy, will be strained to the breaking point as Nicole comes to know her newest fiance. She is determined that her life will not be filled with desperate regret and sets out to win the heart of the Diamond.

Heart of the Diamond is filled with sizzling dialogue to exhilarate the senses. Powerful, well developed characters, and dramatic twists keep the reader enthralled to the last page. Writer Brock has crafted a delightful read for those who enjoy a historical setting with their romance.

Heart of the Diamond is filled with themes of retaliation, inconsolable events, secret anguish and intrigue. Despite all that the book is not at all dark or joyless. The heroine is a delight with her headstrong determination to meet life on her own terms. When paired with the disconsolate, intractable Blake, the girl is soon touched by his melancholy. Blake is not nearly so cold as she had thought. Ms. Brock has produced a work filled with twists and turns, 'period' language, and a glance into the past that add to the satisfaction of the reader and in no way detract from the flow of the tale.

Sime~Gen / Nan Doporto - Four Stars
With a heart of ice, Blake Dylan, the Earl of Diamond, is bent on revenge. His return to England marks the beginning of his plans. He will do anything, even wed his enemy's daughter to have his justice and his vengeance.

Lady Nicole Langley dreams of true love and marriage, only to find her worst fear realized. But a marriage of convenience is not for her. The situation becomes more complicated, when under the guise of another, a handsome stranger lures her into a compromising situation.

Such a pleasurable read makes for hours of page-turning pleasure. Carrie Brock has a talent for spirited dialogue and complex romantic situations. Heart of the Diamond is a delightful long length Regency romance set against a revenge plot. The characters, heroic and villainous, are well drawn and will peak the readers interest. Relax and enjoy!

The Word On Romance / Kimberly Lightfoot
Revenge has motivated many men to do many things. Revenge motivates Blake Dylan, The Earl of Diamond, to trap an innocent girl into marriage. Lady Nicole Langley refuses to marry, deciding to wait for the man she loves to return or for someone else to replace him in her heart. When Dylan comes with his calculating plans that include her, Nicole makes some plans of her own.

Reading Heart of the Diamond is pure pleasure; with solid plotting and characters that are a match made in Romance Readers heaven. Passions of various kinds predominate Heart of the Diamond: the love of father for daughter, woman for man, love of pride and love of oneself. Set in England during the early 1800s, an element of mystery deepens the atmosphere of the story.

Bold enough to wear pants and sneak out of her house for a midnight tryst with her beloved; very intelligent, opinionated, ingenious and most of all passionate. Nicole believes in true love and is resolute in her determination not to marry without it. Being forced to marry Blake Dylan is Nicole's worse nightmare. Focusing all her stubborn will on getting out if this predicament causes so many problems that Nicole will at least get an A for her efforts.

Implacable, forceful and domineering Blake Dylan earned the title Earl of Diamond by his personality alone. Much like diamonds that can flash with fire if held at the right angle. Blake can spit fury or kiss like the Devil himself, depending on circumstances; his smoldering passions are tightly controlled through force of will. Blake has the ability of all successful people to focus all his attention and abilities on one thing without letting anything distract him. Blake has plotted revenge for years, nothing and no one will prevent him from carrying his plans out completely.

Pure fun for the mind and heart, Heart of the Diamond is a lyrical tale that enfolds the reader within a world gone by. The Home Alone type pranks that Nicole pulls, lightens the atmosphere and makes Nicole seem real. Too many times in other romance novels, heroines are described as impish and mischievous and all they do is run to a supposed unknown place to hide, only for the hero to figure the place out and return the now humiliated heroine back under his thumb. Nicole fights back like a modern woman and does so with wit and grace. (The scene where Nicole sends poor Simms to the kitchen to apply a homemade patent nostrum turning his face blue is hilarious.) Evanovich, Michaels and Steel had better watch their backs because Carrie Brock is able to write the current queens of fiction out of their top spots. Only time will tell.

Romance Reviews Today / Robyn Reo
Carrie Brock has written a wonderful tale of vengeance gone wrong. Love was not supposed to be part of the equation. Blake is an alpha hero all the way, who is looking for vengeance against the man who destroyed his life. It takes a heroine with a lot of heart to break down the walls that Blake has surrounding his. Heart of the Diamond is a satisfying read that will have you falling in love with the hero and heroine. You know they are meant to be together, and you will be cheering them on as they grow closer. Both characters learn a lot from each other, and secondary characters add depth to this story. This is one book that you don't want to miss out on.

What Readers Are Saying

"One of the best historical novels I've ever read! The hero is all I can imagine in a lover. A wonderful mixture of intrigue and romance." Toni Standley

"Great Characters. Great Fun. I loved it." Paula Detmer Riggs, Author of Taming the Night

"I love this book—I couldn’t put it down!" Mary Miller

"I enjoyed the story and characters so much, I didn't want the book to end." Heart of the Diamond is a definite keeper! Veronica Bishop

"The heroine was a breath of fresh air, and the hero was exciting and funny -- every woman's fantasy. Their delightful interaction kept me turning pages until the ending came much too soon. I can' t wait to read more books by this author." Jami Gresham

"From a man's point of view, I found the story to be really good. It held my attention. The excitement and surprises were never ending. One of the best books I've ever read. I can't wait for the next one." Dennis Miller

"As a die-hard murder mystery fan, I was skeptical about reading a romance. I found myself enjoying Ms. Brock's style and characters, and before I knew it, I had finished the book. Now I'm a romance fan. What a special book!" Tina Simon

Carrie Brock
From the moment I first saw Gone With The Wind, I knew I wanted to write historical romance. Not just write it, but do it so well that I could transport readers into another world for a time, sweep them up in romance and adventure, and leave them sighing when they complete that last sentence. I look for that spark between the hero and heroine in books I read and those I write—the battle of wills between two people who belong together, but face challenges within and beyond their control to reach their happy ending. That’s what I love about romance.

I work full time as a legal assistant for a law firm in Oregon; and I have a beautiful son. Several years ago, I met a published author who lived in my town and was doing a booksigning at a local bookstore. She turned out to be very helpful and directed me to the Romance Writers of America organization where I could pursue my dream of being an author and develop my craft. I followed her advice and the effort has paid off.

I am so thankful to that author for her patience and wisdom that put me on the right path, and to my supportive family, mother, grandmother, sisters, and son who never doubted that his mom would some day be "famous."

I would love to hear from readers, email me at cbrock@ramcell.net.