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…
more
I LOVED THIS!!!!
WOW!
I Cannot wait to listen to book 2!
This whole book blew me away. I LOVED Elijah and Holly. INCREDIBLE story by Skye Warren. Every story I have read by this author has been amazing. *Thank you Valentine PR*
Oh, wow. I couldn’t inhale DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH by Skye Warren fast enough. It’s gritty, raw and filled to the brim with mystery and intrigue. I was hooked from the very first page – long before I even realized this is a spin-off of sorts from her book WANDERLUST, which was the first book I’ve ever read – and loved – by this author. I loved everything about this one – the prequel, where Holly meets Elijah in France eight years prior and realizes he’s so much more than meets the eye, and then the chance meeting (or is it?) of them again under more than dire circumstances, when she’d only attempted to find her missing sister … Even with the knowledge of their previous encounter years ago, Elijah remains elusive and an utter enigma. Who is he really? Can she really trust him? Or would she be better off without him? It’s been a while since a character kept me guessing as much as Elijah did – still does – and I love every damn second of it, while simultaneously cursing him for being so inscrutable. Add to that heart-pounding suspense, twists and turns to leave you reeling and off-the-charts chemistry between him and Holly, a heroine so brave and strong, yet utterly charming and sweet with her retellings of her stories as a children’s author. So, yeah, I’m completely hooked, craving to find out what the future has in store for these two. The story is brought to life by the narrator duo of CJ Bloom and Jason Clarke. CJ Bloom perfectly portrays feisty and determined Holly, whereas Jason Clarke breathes life into Elijah with his amazingly growly, broody voice that only enhances his character’s charisma and enigma further. I need more!
Audio Review
Diamond in the Rough (Diamond #1) is a addictive storyline with compelling characters and a exciting plot. Spinoff of North Security Series is another awesome series. Intriguing prologue draws you into this dark sensuous listen. The writing is captivating and complex. Secrets bleeding through the pages, and unexpected twists intertwined with dark romance. This ends with a cliffhanger and hope I get a chance to listen to the next audio in this unforgettable romantic suspense listen.
Jason Clarke, C J Bloom dual naration was deliciously dark. Jason Clarke is a favourite of mine and his deep baritone inflection fit the character of Elijah. C.J. Bloom portrayal of Holly was done with passion and verouish confidence to the character.
I loved the naration and narators and look forward to listening to these two narate.
5 STARS
I could not get enough of Holly and Elijah’s story! The author takes us on a ride of epic proportions. I definitely need more after listening to the first instalment of the Diamond series. Diamond in the Rough by Skye Warren is an EPIC book that will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!
This is an absolutely spellbinding, and suspenseful romance that kept me in it’s grasp from start to finish. This is a great start to Warren’s spinoff from her North Security trilogy. It begins with the intriguing prologue, Hidden Gem, where we find out how Holly and Elijah first meet in Paris. It is a coming of age story for Holly as she is a wall flower who gets noticed by the older and very handsome young man. They have a strong connection and he makes her feel beautiful and alive. But he isn’t all he seems to be and has dangerous secrets that partially come to light as he leaves her feeling confused after her first real and passionate kiss. The story picks up 8 years later, when Holly is a stronger, more confident woman, who is a successful young adult author. She needs to return to Paris to find her sister after her sudden disappearance. But Holly herself falls victim to kidnappers, and is held prisoner in a dark cell with a mysterious, and injured man who turns out to be the one man who she shared a connection with and never forgot, Elijah. Her captor is gifted at playing kind one minute, and ruthless the next, keeping Holly guessing what to believe. But Elijah is also affectionate one moment, then pushing her away the next. He still has secrets that keep him from opening up fully to Holly, but his heart can’t let her go either. There are so many twists and turns to this fast paced, dark romance. Holly and Elijah have explosive chemistry but there is too much danger from all sides, and it is hard to know who to trust.
Narrators Jason Clarke, and C J Bloom made this storing even more captivating. Clarke’s baritone voice is perfect for the dark, tortured, and deliciously dirty, Elijah. He made me believe that Elijah wasn’t a bad man, but a broken man, with vulnerabilities underneath his indifference. Bloom flawlessly portrayed Holly as the naive yet smart and strong woman who would bring Elijah to his knees. I was totally consumed in this thrilling, emotional, and sexy story! The ending left me stunned, and I can’t wait for what happens to Holly and Elijah!
Holly’s attempts to find her missing sister take a disastrous turn when she finds herself abducted and being held prisoner. It becomes a mixed blessing when she finds out that she has a fellow captor but seeing the abuse that he has endured doesn’t bode well for either one of them.
Elijah is a man of mystery who doesn’t allow many people close. When he finds out that she is girl he met briefly years earlier and hasn’t forgotten he will do anything to protect her and find a way out of the situation with no consideration of the consequences.
The characters are compelling, the intrigue keeps you guessing, the chemistry between them is off the charts and the captivating storyline has surprises you don’t see coming. It all escalates into a cliffhanger that leaves you wondering what the future holds for his couple. I thought that the narrators did a great job at bringing out the conflict that they were both feeling in respect to each other and where they thought their responsibilities lay.
Audiobook review.
I am fairly new to Skye Warren’s books as of 2020, I have read a couple, and the ones I have had the opportunity to read I have enjoyed. This book I struggled with. I enjoyed the storyline, and I love a good fast-paced dark read, but this book fell a little flat for me. It felt a little too rushed like we were missing elements of each character’s pasts, and things just didn’t add up in the plot. HUge cliffhanger.
I’m a fan of Jason Clarke, but this is my first audio by C J Bloom. I enjoyed the male voice but struggled with the female narration.
Diamond in the Rough
By: Skye Warren
Narrated by: Jason Clarke, C J Bloom
Gritty, dark and delicious, Skye Warren writes her first book in the spinoff of the North Security trilogy. We met Elijah before and I am so glad we get his story. Starting with the prequel Hidden Gems, we get to hear when Elijah and Holly first met in France. Smitten with him, Holly finds out he is not exactly who she thought he was. Now 8 years later, she is going back to France to find her elusive sister London, only to be kidnapped and find out out her cell mate is the infamous Elijah! She finds him beaten and stabbed and our sorry really takes off from here. Thrilling suspense, twist and turns and off the charts passion, Skye Warren delivers a story I could not stop listening to. The lack of sleep is well worth it as these two keep us guessing. Elijah is the ultimate protective alpha, bruised and bleeding and still he keeps her safe. Holly, the children’s author has grit. She is brave, but in a position question who she can trust. And the ending just leaves us wanting more. Questions still need answering, can she trust Elijah? What has London been up to? And where will it all lead? I can’t wait for book 2! I need to get it queued up as soon as possible!
Narration of this story is impeccable. Skye Warren has two seasoned storytellers brining this trilogy to life. CJ Bloom shines as Holly. Feisty and passion flow from her as she fights for her freedom. I love everything she performs. Jason Clarke comes in as Elijah. Broody, tender and courageous, he pulls out all the stops giving us the perfect portal of Elijah. Looking forward to their next collaboration.
adbl.co/3h1iwF
4.25 stars
This author has already written one of my favourite books of the year, so when this came to my attention I had to have it.
This is action packed from the first chapter. (There is a prequel novella called Hidden Gem that you really should read that was included in my copy, but is available to read now) It rarely stops until the end. I wouldn’t call this a captive romance exactly, but it as delicious as it is dark.
All I can really say about this is I was here for all the twists and turns and I didn’t see that ending coming. No way. The audio is fire. Ms. Warren got some A+ narrators to voice Holly and Elijah. I really should continue this series because it was a WILD RIDE. I volunteered to review a complimentary audio copy. All opinions are my own.
Diamond in the Rough has me on the edge of my seat. There was so much excitement, suspense and intrigue. I listened to the audiobook and the narrators brought this amazing story to life. I couldn’t get enough of Holly and Elijah. So many questions. So many secrets. I just need to know what happens. This is a must read/listen series. Ready for the next instalment.
Elijah and Holly met when they were young in Paris. This chance meeting didn’t end well and he is the last person she expected to be caged in with upon returning to Paris.
Elijah is a sinfully wonderful dark and dangerous man of mystery. I kept going back and forth if he was the good guy or not. Holly is an interesting childrens book author who was definitely not expecting an Indiana Jones type adventure after taking off to look for her sister.
The twists and turns in this story kept me invested and wanting more. I love the secrets and I love that this couple can’t stay away from each other. It leaves us hanging and I can’t wait to dive into Gold Mine to see what happens next!
Five rough stars! Secrets, emotions, danger and tension! This tale is deliciously dark.
Holy shit! My dark heart is beating crazily inside my chest because the Queen of Dark Romance, aka Skye Warren, has outdone herself once again with Diamond in the Rough. This time she penned a strong, suspenseful, savage, devious and dark book that brought me to my knees. I lost myself from the beginning to the end, feeling extremely anxious and at the edge of my seat all the time. I savagely devour it in one night the first time and the second time I enjoyed vastly the plot, the characters and how it waves into the dark world of diamonds. All those elements lulled me like a dark symphony. So poetic and dangerously sexy!
Diamond in the Rough is a captivating tale that not only intrigued me but possessed me, making me wish I was inside and not only being a spectator in the outside. Everything screams perfection, from the elegant cover to the revealing synopsis. This time, Skye Warren surprise us with an unconventional, dramatic and passionate story. She rarely disappoints her readers. She always works so hard to blow their minds. Diamond in the Rough is an exciting start for her new series! Intense, suspenseful, gritty, emotional, pulse pounding, emotional and steamy.
Elijah and Holly’s story is one hell of a ride that started with a naïve flirting when they were younger in one of the most cultural places in the world, the Louvre. Hidden Gem, the prequel, lays the foundation of a risky rendezvous. A promising and illicit love that will turn into something more consuming and dangerous.
Secrets, emotions, danger and tension! This tale is deliciously dark.
In this book time passed and Holly is back to France because her sister was missing. As soon as she stepped into the City of Love, she is kidnapped and will experience every woman’s nightmare. She ends up in a cell with a tortured man. Threats, secrets, guilt, thirst, survival and sacrifices. The situation both are in is dangerous and Holly and Elijah know it but the attraction between them is too strong to resist. Despite the initial coldness from Elijah, Holly was fascinated by his darkness. He awoke something carnal inside her.
OMG! Elijah is a complicated man. Too mysterious. Too Dangerous. Because of his work, he doesn’t allow himself to engage in a close relationship. He is very dedicated when it comes to his work. Until Holly (his soon to be weakness). Throughout the story his coldness decreases and his possessive side awakes. So dominating, protective and very intense.
Diamond in the Rough is full of intrigue, sinfully written and utterly addictive. Skye Warren brought all the elements that dark romance readers crave!
Loved! Such a brilliant story told by a talented author. She might have left me hanging at the end, but all that did was make me look forward to the next. Can’t wait!
If I had a checklist for the perfect romantic suspense with all the feels, Diamond in the Rough clicked all the check marks.
A jewel heist gone awry.
Two people trapped in a desolate church who share an intriguing past.
Skye Warren is the author.
Those North brothers know how to steal a scene and a woman’s heart. Elijah North is just as much a mystery as Liam and Josh, but his backstory is very dark. He struggles to fight an inner battle against his softer side to the one woman that could destroy him with one glance, Holly Frank. His little tooth fairy. These two are opposites in every way, he is hard, she is a gentle soul, he lives a dangerous life, she is an author, but their differences seem to fuel the heat and passion between them. Even with a major cliffhanger in the balance, I found myself lost in this story and can’t wait to find out where Elijah and Holly’s story leads.
My online book club voted this for our group read. I was all in. This series sounds so good. I love a good, darker read…
Part of a good book, especially the darker ones, is the building of suspense and the building of the plot and characters. Unfortunately, this book doesn’t have any of those elements. It’s very technical. It goes from scene to scene, without any form of build between all of the things that happen.
This story, so far, is very choppy. All of the big things just happen one after another. We get no real back story or insight to each character. The telling of this story is almost technical; there is a story that I want to see.
Since this is the first book in a continuing book that appears to have some twists coming, I was expecting one heck of a cliffhanger. However, the ending to this one fell flat for me. I pretty much saw it coming. I will most likely read the next book in hopes I get more out of it and to see where the story goes because I am curious.
Do you know that saying about how its always the quiet ones that are the most dangerous?
That was Elijah – thief – militant – darkness
That have a hidden inner siren?
That was Holly – introvert, author, incomplete
This is book one of their story it includes the prequel and ends on a bit of a cliffy
I have to admit Elijah has always been my fave in this series. The brooding bad boy who nobody is quite sure of. Holly was a bit naïve while she is highly intelligent it is more in a bookish way than street smarts. She is also insecure which IMO leads her to take risks that would have most of us stepping back.
The chemistry between these two was based on a moment of passion that ignited during their youth and still smoldered years later.
I do wish this had been longer. Their forced time together? Adam? London? I know so much will be answered in the next book still …
The stories for each brother sort of run congruent so you can read each as a standalone without getting too many hints or spoilers for the other.
This was my first Skye Warren book and it won’t be my last! What an addicting rollercoaster ride this one was! I was hooked right away and pretty much read it in one sitting! I need the next book now! If you like darker romances this will be definitely up your alley! Not a dull moment in this one!! I would absolutely recommend this book!!
Skye Warren has quickly become one of my favorite authors, and I’m finding I need to read all of her books ASAP! Diamond in the Rough was no exception, especially seeing as how the second book in this series is coming next week, eeek!!
This book was such a suspense and I didn’t see so many things coming! Holly and North were just amazing together. If you love a hot, super secret undercover operative, then you’re going to love North. And I can relate so much to Holly, who just wants to follow her own, safe path in life. These two end up taken and locked in the same prison cell in France. Fate has a twisted sense of humor when they end up having more in common than they realize; they end up being the person they shared unbelievable chemistry with and unbelievable kisses with the last time they were each in a France.
So if you’re into hot chemistry, lots of mystery and action, and great writing, then you need to add Diamond in the Rough to your TBR!
Warning as this book may cause triggers. Also this book ends on a cliffhanger
4.5-Stars
I hadn’t read Hidden Gem, the prequel to The Diamond Trilogy and grateful that Warren included it in Diamond in the Rough. And what a rollercoaster of a suspenseful ride I was taken on. I’m not a huge fan of dark reads but if there’s one author who can tick all my boxes in this genre, it is her. Intrigue abounds; lies piqued my interest and more importantly, the surprise which I should have picked up on early into the book took me by storm when I put two and two together!
It wasn’t enough that this shy but not easily frazzled heroine who’d fraternized with destiny finds herself in a sticky situation. When Holly’s subconscious mind realizes that it is him in broad daylight…well, wherever, things go from bad to worse. That doesn’t mean she won’t give her fighting best though. Warren’s female characters might have their hang-ups, but that never stops them getting to the root of the issue. And ooh boy, is Holly furious, determined and all out to find the truth!
‘He’s a stranger to me in every single way, except the most important one— a soul recognizing another soul.’
I don’t want to let on but I was so over the moon to see that Warren’s main leading male character hadn’t been forgotten. Elijah’s backstory was as familiar to me as the author seemed fit to tell me at the time. It’s devastatingly harsh, unforgivable and tough reading, and this guy who’s between a rock and a hard place conquered my heart. The heart-stopping mistakes he’d made with no remorse will surely have its consequences for his career, for his very being. Wait and see if he’s able to convince the woman he can’t let go of is true to his word!
“The truth has never been anything good for me.”
Warren pulled off a present-tense narration from an alternating first-person perspective which in my book isn’t an easy feat, perfectly. The unexpected happened in this scorcher of a romantic thriller was just WOW! How can I not wait for Gold Mine coming soon! Bravo!
I got this as a surprise mailing and I was super excited to read it. Skye is a steamy writer and her books never disappoint.
Dark and sizzling this read was a wild ride. A big change of pace for the small town swoon romances I have been devouring lately. this novel was sexy and thrilling in a way that you are excited page after page to read it.
This is the first book in a trilogy and it left me amped and excited to see where it goes. My kind of dark y’all. The twits give you whiplash and the sting is delicious.