I’m stepping off a nine hour flight when it happens.A white van. A dark hood. Every woman’s worst nightmare.“Diamond in the Rough is masterfully written, sinfully sexy, and utterly addictive! Skye Warren proves why she is the queen of dark and delicious romance.” – Giana Darling, USA Today bestselling authorNow I’m trapped in an abandoned church. The man who took me says I won’t be hurt. The man … won’t be hurt. The man in the cell next to me says that’s a lie. I’ll fight with every ounce of strength, but there are secrets in these walls. I’ll need every single one of them to survive.
“Five glowing stars! Diamond in the Rough is the dark and dangerous world that I love from Skye Warren. You will be completely caught up in Elijah and Holly’s story from the first page to the last.” – New York Times bestselling author Aleatha Romig
DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH is a new dark romance from New York Times bestselling author Skye Warren. Finding yourself has never been so dangerous…
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Okay, so here’s the thing.
I love to live in lives that aren’t mine, ya ken whit a mean?
We all do.
But while these stories are often unlikely I still need them to be at least a little believable, right?
So I find myself torn about how to rate this book.
The writing was great.
The world-building and backgrounds were awesome.
The characters were well put together and the sex was hot but…
Picture this:
You have been kidnapped and dumped in a dark cell with a stranger you can barely see.
You are starving and desperate for water. You’re scared and hurting. Then some guy comes along and tells this stranger in the cell with you that he has to make you orgasm in order to ‘earn’ food and water.
That in its self isn’t what I had an issue with. In fact, as I’m a voyeur, it turned me on.
It was the fact that the dude had her belting out an orgasm by rubbing his knee between her legs in UNDER A COUPLE OF MINUTES!!!
It takes me longer to do that by myself with my g-spot, clit sucking toy and pornhub on the large screen tv!
And then later he’s basically been starved of food and water for days, in serious physical pain and fighting infections in his wounds. He’s exhausted and bleeding but STILL MANAGES TO FUCK HER LIKE A BEAST!! WITH A RAGING HARD-ON!
If I even pull on my husband’s nipple too hard during the throes of passion he loses his stiffie!
Either I have been extremely unlucky in the orgasm/husband’s sex drive departments or this just ain’t how it would go down.
Again though, the story had me hooked, lol.
I loved the suspense and although the sexual situation was not quite as realistic as I’d like, the actual fucking was hot.
Check it out:
SEX SCENES
“Beg or I won’t fuck you, and you’ll never know. Always wonder.” Her fists clench. “I hate you.” “You don’t have to stop hating me. You just have to say please.”Her tits bounce so pretty as she tries to buck me off. She’s burning up for this. The flush is all over her body, red and warm. “Please,” she whimpers. And then louder. “Please.” “Fuck yes.” I pull back between her legs and use my palm to spread her wide. She’s already swollen and wet and ready for me. “How many men you let inside, sweetheart?” “That’s none of your business.” Prim. She’s fucking prim, and it’s hot. “One? Two?” “Two, if you have to know.” “They ever slap you?”Her eyes go wide. “What?”I place a well-aimed slap to her pretty cunt, and she jolts. “No!” “No, they didn’t slap your pussy? Or no, don’t do it again?” “I don’t know,” she moans. She may not know, but I do. This pussy needs to be slapped well and often. I place another slap right against her slit, my fingers coming away wet. Another one, this time aimed right at her clit, and she almost has an orgasm. So I help her hold it at bay by slapping the inside of her thigh. Then the other one. She sucks in a breath at the sharp pain. Only when she’s braced for another slap do I finally notch my cock against her pussy. “I’ve waited long enough for you. Eight years of wondering what your pussy felt like. Eight years of regret. I did the right thing once but not again. You’re mine now.” She’s drenched and throbbing. Physically burning from the slaps, and it encloses my cock in a tight, wet slide. I shove myself into her in one, hard thrust, and she cries harder. I don’t pause. She doesn’t want that from me, and I don’t want to give it. Instead, I grasp her hips to hold her steady and pound into her with every ounce of strength left.
FINAL THOUGHTS on DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH by Skye Warren
It had some great twists and turns that I did not see coming and I was invested all the way to the end. I’m even hoping there might be more stories for the brothers of the main character later because I’m getting a dirty daddy kinda vibe from one of them!
I’m gonny give this one 3.5 Stars!
This book was sinfully good. Action, drama, romance, suspense, excitement, emotion, twists and lots of sizzle combine to make a captivating, edge of your seat read. The characters are compelling and the chemistry is off the charts. Holly was immensely likable and easy to root for. Elijah is seriously swoon worthy with his intensity and dirty mouth. This dark romance will definitely have you hooked and desperate for the next book in this series. This is my independent, impartial review.
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads, so here is my review.
This is one of those books that will consume you if you are not careful. You think you will only read a few chapters and before you know it you have read the day or night away. But it will be worth it. The author has brought a scary situation to light with Holly when she goes looking for her sister. She is kidnapped and placed in a cell with a man. But what Holly doesn’t realize, is the man in the cell is a man from her past. And she thinks he is a bad guy because he stole a diamond from the museum years ago when they met.
Elijah is surprised when he realizes who the woman is in the cell with him. He can’t believe Holly has been put back in his life. He has thought about her after their meeting years ago and he wishes the meeting now was different. But he will do everything in his power to keep her safe. But she still thinks he is a thief, he has to tell her the truth.
Can Holly and Elijah hang on until help arrives? Will they have to escape to save themselves? Will she learn the truth about who he really is? And will Holly find her sister?
I loved this story and couldn’t believe that it ended when it did. I need more now, please. If you like a really great story with a little dark and suspenseful side, then this one is for you. I hope you love it too.
**Wicked Reads Review Team**
Fabulous and intriguing story!
I have not patiently waited for Elijah’s story and Skye Warren did not disappoint! It is better than I could ever have imagined.
Holly and Elijah met in Hidden Gem and the chemistry and attraction was off the charts then. And now, years later, they meet again and its more explosive than the first meeting. But the circumstances they reconnect in are not ideal.
Elijah is a dominating and controlling man and he is claiming Holly and not letting her go this time.
I love the connection of these stories with Wanderlust and the North brothers stories. It’s like an ongoing story so beautifully written and I hope it never ends!
Raw, intense and captivating. Lana~White Hot Reads
Elijah and Holli reignite in the most unexpected place. Unbeknownst to Elijah, Holli is the women who is being held captive with him in a dark cell. Not sure who to trust, Holli put here faith in Elijah and he helps her but he has his own secrets he is hiding as well. The sexual chemistry is off the charts with the grittier aspect of it. This new series is spell bounding. Can’t wait for book 2.
„This is a war that neither of us will win.”
The Hidden Gem novella left me so hungry for more that as soon as Diamond in the Rough appeared on my Kindle, I immediately began to read and fell right into the rabbit hole. Skye Warren has such a way with words that she draws you in right from the first page and every unexpected twist makes you unable to break away. I was completely mesmerized during this read. Elijah and Holly’s story is full of emotions, suspense, secrets, danger and sexual tension.
The moment I realized who Elijah was I squealed and almost fell off my chair! His character will be a great surprise for fans of Skye’s work. This man is complicated and mysterious. His job doesn’t allow him to engage in close relationships and it was fine by him… until he met Holly. Throughout the story we learn his many features- from coldness and rudeness, to fondness and care. He’s very dedicated when it comes to his work, he’s also protective, dominating and so intense. He is exactly the type of hero for whom readers lose their minds… and some parts of clothing 😉
Holly is a good girl- sheltered, respectable and innocent. She gives her family unconditional love and loyalty. But she also has inner bravery and stubbornness that allow her to survive in extreme conditions. This woman is caring and devoted to her loved ones and she won’t stop at nothing to save them from harm.
Elijah and Holly have a sizzling chemistry, a connection so intense that you can almost hear the sparking in the air. They both know how dangerous is the situation they’re in, but the attraction is too strong to resist. Calling their intimacy hot would be an understatement of the year. They’re EXPLOSIVE. So sensual and downright carnal. I loved how Elijah was playing Holly’s body and how she surrendered to him.
Diamond in the Rough is exactly what I love about Skye Warren’s books- it’s action-packed, steamy as hell and mysterious. This story alternately made me blush and gave me goose bumps. Reading this book was like solving a riddle and I cannot wait for the next part, where hopefully I’ll get all the missing pieces! The ending was completely mindblowing and I need to know what happens next!
Cue the FAN! I need a cool down period! Holly and Elijah are a steamy couple full of secrets and intensity. Elijah makes your mouth water your heart skip a beat. His delicious mouth makes your ears burn and body melt. He’s the type of hero we all wish for in our deepest fantasies.
Not only does Skye capture my rapt attention in this book, she knocked me backwards when realization kicked in–A total OMG moment! I was totally oblivious to who the characters were and where the story was leading and that made it so much more enjoyable.
I don’t know how she does it but Skye Warren just keeps writing incredible stories that totally capture my attention. Diamond in the Rough includes the prequel, Hidden Gem, to introduce you to Holly and Elijah and what an introduction it is! She teases us and makes us crave more of this seductive couple.
Skye hints at many possibilities in Diamond in the Rough and she leaves us with lots to contemplate with a shocking ending. The suspense while waiting for Gold Mine is going to difficult to weather.
Thrown! Yep, I got whiplash from the loop I was thrown through when I read Diamond in the Rough by Skye Warren. Let me tell you it was a sensational read that I couldn’t put down. I stayed up and read past my bedtime folks, and NOTHING interrupts my sleep except a good book and Diamond in the Rough was EXCELLENT (say the last word in a sing-song voice). I will be waiting on the edge of my seat for Gold Mine the next book in the series. Now you may have heard that there is a prequel to Diamond in the Rough called Hidden Gem, it is a short quick read that gives you some interesting insight to this book, so I highly suggest it. 5 glittering stars for Diamond in the Rough by Skye Warren
Her worse nightmare. Holland (Holly) Franks’ sister, London is missing and now Holly herself has been kidnapped. Being held in the dark by an unknown stranger is bad, unbelievably bad, but the situation turns worse. Now Holly and her fellow prisoner must escape, and the savagely beaten, half-starved Diamond in the Rough is the only hope that Holly has of getting away and of finding London. Holly doesn’t know who to trust and how far this corruption goes but she can only hope that the shining light she thinks of as London will still be alive when the nightmare is over.
This book is the continuation of the story of Holly and Elijah that started in Hidden Gem. They met many years ago in Paris, now they meet again in the same city. They don’t recognize each other initially, but are thrown together by strange circumstances. They go through difficult situations and escape. They get help and other security people involved helping find Holly’s sister, London. In the end, it seems Holly is also a captive and somehow her sister finds her and convinces her to escape together.
This is a book full of passion and action, as happened with the other North Security brothers’ stories. And it’s also a cliffhanger. I wanted to keep reading the story, find out what happened in the end of Holly and Elijah’s story, but also what happens to London. I guess I’ll have to wait.
Dark, delicious, and full of deception. Warren takes us on an adventure that will pull at your emotional compass and spin you until you don’t know what is dark from light.
This is not a typical romance, nor is it sweet by any means, but you will feel every range of emotion while reading this dark, twisted story. I highly suggest reading the prequel, Hidden Gem. It will give you a firmer understanding to the history between Holly and Elijah.
It has been eight years since Holly was in Paris. Eight years since the night she roamed the streets of Paris with the diamond thief. Eight years since she was reckless, and foolish, and truly felt alive. These days, Holly lets her sister, London, live the reckless life as a travel influencer while Holly lives vicariously through her and her writing. When London disappears, Holly jumps on a plane back to the city where she last had her wildest adventure. Never once did Holly think that she’d be kidnapped and thrown into a dark cell upping the reckless night she once had years ago, but even more unbelievable is the man trapped in the cell with her. Her very own diamond thief.
Elijah was living in pain and darkness. When a beautiful angel of death arrived in the cell beside him he figured his life was finally ending. A diamond heist gone wrong and a man he should never have trusted is how he ended up in his dark cell, but once he discovers who his angel is, he wouldn’t have changed the fates that put him there. He never expected to see Holly again, but now that he has, he never wants to let her go.
Their growing love is wrapped in darkness and deceit. This book ends in a cliffhanger and will continue in Gold Mine
Elijah and Holly have amazing connection.Elijah cannot stay away from her.He has dark soul.Elijah can’t stay away from Holly.She is soft and caring.
When I started reading I couldn’t put it down.Skye Warren is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this books.Can’t wait for the next book
Diamond in the Rough by Skye Warren was a thrilling and utterly captivating ride. It was pure adrenaline rush. It was scorching hot and intensely emotional .It was action packed and suspenseful. It just captured my heart and soul completely.
When Hollie Frank set out for Paris in search of her sister, she didn’t know what will wait for her in the airport. Now she has been kidnapped and thrown into a dark cell. And something from her past appears mysteriously. Elijah North isn’t a good man. He is dark. He is dangerous. She cannot control her desire and fascination. But her life is in danger and she doesn’t know who to trust. They are on the run and the unknown factors are chasing them throughout this fast paced story.
This is the beginning of a new trilogy .This story is kind of a crossover story. Hollie is daughter of the couple in Wanderlust and Elijah is the youngest brother of North family (North Security series). So my excitement was off the charts. I have seen snippets of Elijah and he cam across as a complicated man. And what a man he is! His early life was ugly and traumatic. He has internalised the pain and has become this cold hard man who isn’t affected by any emotion. His work as special service agent to US government suits his personality. He is rude. He is almost cruel. He is arrogant. He is dominating and controlling. In one word, he has every single thing that makes me fall in love and lust with any fictional man. And there is Hollie. She is sweet. She had a protected life and she is extremely loyal to her sister even in extreme conditions. She is caring, soft and loving but she has this unputdownable courage and sass inside. She was stuck in an impossible situation with a rather scary yet attractive man but she held her own.
The chemistry in this story is just otherworldly. It’s an intoxicating and exciting mix of filthy, deviant and sweet. They have sex like they trying to claw inside each other’s soul. It’s just breathtakingly beautiful. They have so many barriers and obstacles. They cannot trust each other yet somehow they become essential to each other. Hollie feels safe and sane with Elijah even when she knows Elijah is hiding big secrets. Elijah knows his dark poisoned soul is no good for Hollie yet he cannot stay away from her light and he cannot stop himself from going to extreme measures to save her. Even if it means hurting her. That ending was one of the worst cliffhanger ever.
Skye Warren brings heartaching and steamy intensity with maximum damage effect to my heart and soul in Diamond in the Rough. This was hedonistic and addictive. I can see it’s the jaw dropping beginning of another epic series.
Received ARC for honest review
OMG I LOVE Skye. Her books pull you in and don’t let you up! This story doesn’t disappoint. There are so many secrets and forbidden truths you don’t know who’s telling the truth and who’s not. Skye brings her characters to life, Elijah is a darn handsome hero and Holly doesn’t think she can handle him but she proves us all wrong being a strong independent woman.
Diamond in the Rough
Diamond in the Rough is exactly what I’d hoped for, and so much more! It’s a gritty, fast paced, passion filled, thrilling story. It is spine tinglingly good.
This exquisitely dark plot unfurled beautifully, revealing layer after layer of mystery and intrigue. I love that the characters are distantly familiar, bringing with them whole worlds that we know and love. Sheer perfection.
Holland is fiercely loyal, perceptive and self deprecating to a fault. She’s still affected by her chance encounter with the roguish Elijah. Once again, she’s putting herself in harms way unwittingly and her life comes full circle.
Elijah is bone weary, resigned to his fate and welcomes the darkness in his world. His world is about to be shaken and he has some very difficult decisions to make. Never has he been so torn between doing what was right and what he’s been trained to do.
These two characters are fascinating and their story is truly all consuming. I cannot wait to see what comes next!
This book was all consuming!!!!
Elijah North, youngest North sibling….
How to describe him, dominant, ironic, awesome, serious moral compass when it comes to….
Holland…. a sweetheart that comes from a family that loves adventure and has a flaky sister…
Holland’s sisters goes dark, no communication. Holland goes to find her and chaos ensues.
Elijah May or may not be a dark night…
Highly recommend
Skye Warren
Oh my wow!
This book is perfect example of why I love Skye Warren’s darkness!
This book is intense!
The pace is fast!
Ellijah and Holly is steamy!
This book won’t let go until it’s ready to say end!
Diamond in the Rough is an absolute poison. I can’t stop reading and in 90% mark I’m dreading the end that’s coming
Seriously addicting! I can’t wait for book two!
I have been desperate for this one from the moment I inhaled the Hidden Gem Novella. Elijah and Holly are EVERYTHING I need in my romance. She’s strong and smart. He’s dirty and determined. Together they are explosive.
Packed with action, a healthy dose of filthy and just the right amount of feels to have me hooked from page one to the very end!
Plot twists abound in this romantic suspense and there are characters I was left wondering about. Good guy? Bad guy? A little of both. I need to know!!! I love it when a book can keep me guessing.
That ending had me yelling at my Ipad & I’m in desperate need of the next part of their journey.
What this authour does best, she does amazingly well here. What that is? Tantalize, scandalize, and romanticize your darkest, deepest desires. Holly is innocent, but not, as she is far from naïve, but she has also been protected from the worst in life. And our hero, yeah, I stopped reading, screamed in happiness, and got a whole lot of story that was missing before. Can’t tell you who, can’t tell you from where, but getting this story, placing these two together, ticked all my happiness metres and sent them spinning. Then that cliff hanger, ahhhhh, I wanted to slap someone, and I want to know how this happened, pronto, because that shouldn’t have been able to happen. But then again, maybe it did, who knows? Well, I’ll find out in the next book, and I cannot wait to see how this plays out
Well this is an adventure! All these years later and Holly and Elijah are mixed up together again, involving diamonds. Again! Fate? Or bad coincidence? No matter, because they are so drawn to each other, and both so resilient and tough.
I got a glimpse into their personalities in the prequel, Hidden Gem. The chemistry, aside from all they are going through, is delicious. A little wild, not sweet and tender.
I was super excited to discover connections to characters from a different story. And this ends on a cliffhanger, which means there’s more action to come! I hope it all works out for these two and can’t wait to see what’s next.
I loved this book especially when I realized who the man in the dungeon was. There is nothing sweet and romantic about Holly and Elijah’s relationship but it was so powerful. As the story slowly evolves the reader is drawn further and further and yet not all is resolved. The reunion between the brothers is heartwarming but the reunion between the sisters is so sad because of what it represents. If you liked the Overture series, you will love Diamond in the Rough and I can’t wait for Gold Mine.