Diamonds Down Under: The Cut, Clarity & Cost of Family.

Welcome to our Diamonds Down Under thread. We DDU authors are very proud of this series and look forward to discussing our books here.

There's so much to talk about, not the least the chance to win prizes on our DDU website, like editor and agent critiques, or a telephone conversation with the senior editor of Desire, or a diamond pendant.

But more about that later. Again, welcome. And thank you to Jeanette for setting this all up for us.

Hi Kelley

We've really designed Diamonds Down Under as a series so although each book contains a stand-alone romance as well as the necessary background information, they do make a complete set with the continuity threads set up in book one continuing to develop through the other books...with lots of twists and turns along the way. 

 If you can hold off on Tessa's book -- and that must be hard, having it in your hands and NOT opening it! -- then do so. 

My question to everyone: how do you like to read series books? Can you read one and wait a month until the next, or do you like to store them up and read in one go?

Bron

I guess it just depends on what mood I'm in.  I think I'm going to have read this series when they are released.  Having said that there is a Presents series "House of Niroli" that I'm collecting all the books for and then will read.

I must read them in order, its a Virgo thing .  Also in a series I'd love to see the other characters to know how they are getting on.  I do get a bit disappointed if I don't see them. LOL

I admit I get so involved in series that when its all over I'm sad .  I want to know if they are still happy today, more kids etc.  I get to love the characters a lot.

And I really need to stop talking and get back to work *sigh*

OOOH just want I need a chocolate fix!  Thanks Robbie.

You lost your picture!  I'm glad that we can order the books online too.  It would be a big pain to wait until Feb when the series is officially released here in Aus. 

Okay back to work.  I'm just not motivated

>>Robbie, I do so wish you had sold to Desire in time to join us for the series. Next one for sure!

LOL. Believe me, I'm having a great time being a reader on this one.

Yes, all the titles are fabulous. I read your blurb for MM and I can't wait to see how the "offer" unfolds.

Hey, Nicki!! I'm having a wee bit of trouble with my pic. I looked all squashed and tried to download another one, but I'm doing something wrong coz it keeps reverting back. But I shall persevere! <trumpet blows>

Robbie

I will probably read Vows tomorrow. I'm excited to get started on this series. Glad I dropped in and will be keeping track of what's going on here.

Nicki, I've popped back in as well...and while I'm here I will definitely snag a Tim Tam (or three) to get me through the afternoon. Thanks Robbie (for the chocolate fix and the lovely words.)

Kelley, I'm also a fan of reading a series as the books come out, and that's not only because I have no willpower (with chocolate or yummy books.)  I actually like the anticipation of the wait for the next book. A couple of times I have read a whole long series one after another until I reached overkill. And that wasn't the fault of the books or the authors; it was me overloading. So, I prefer to read them and wait the month or few until the next.

Also in a series I'd love to see the other characters to know how they are getting on.  I do get a bit disappointed if I don't see them.

Great point, Nicki.  I'm with you on that, although it's tricky in the short books such as Desire.  In VOWS & A VENGEFUL GROOM I was able to introduce many of the upcoming characters which was wonderful. But it's harder to bring back the h/H from previous books. They need to have a role, can't just be token walk-ons for the sake of demonstrating their HEA. 

That said, I know Ric and Kim make appearances in most of the subsequent books.  They're not token appearances either, but that's all I'm saying...except I'm sure Maxine will have her excerpt up soon. 

Bron

I need a tim tam, something to tide me over.  All these little hints are killing me LOL

I did put Vows aside Bron, I just know its going to be sensational and the later I read it, the closer to the end of the month it gets, so then I can order Tessa's book.

Plus I have to work on my synopsis and if I start your book I KNOW I'm not going to do that!

Nicki, crack the whip, girl!

Robbie, thanks for the Tim Tams for afternoon tea. Did I tell you I suggested magnate for my 2nd book (rather than Tycoon) and MJ said no one in the office knew what it was, thought it was something to stick on the fridge! Baron and mogul are other 'rich man' titles you don't hear much.

And for your offer to help, Jeanette. You're a fabulous hostie. Refresh...yes. That makes absolute sense. Will try again right now. (aka soon-ish)

 Hi Jan! It is indeed fabulous (and not at all surprising) to see V&AVG on the Waldies for the 3rd week.   I do remember you telling me about using Magnate in a title. I think it was around that time I sent my editor an email with the heading "The Magnet's Marriage Demand". D'oh! I died when I realized later, lol. I'm looking forward to enjoying your beautiful descriptions, Jan. You paint a scene like a master.

Robbie, off to feed the tribe.  

Jan, I'm so glad you made it here. I know that Paula was having trouble with the link, Tessa will be here soon, and Yvonne is camping but said she would try and find an internet cafe.

Jeanette, thank *you* for all your patience in setting this up, especially with the changeover at eHarlequin to the new site. I'm sure you were just so busy.

Congrats to Bron for her third week in a row on Waldies. Fantastic, Bron! And forgive me if I've already congratulated you on this list. I know I've congratulated you elsewhere today.

Robbie and Jan, MJ didn't like Magnate in one of my suggested titles either. Maybe by the time Robbie sold we had worn MJ down to our way of thinking. 

And Robbie, you're right about Jan painting a scene like a master. I read one of her scenes set in Port Douglas and it was gorgeous. Don't worry, Jan, I won't give away any spoilers.

Serena, it's great to see you here. Yes, we're almost birthday buddies with being only one day apart.

At least we got the year the same. Sssh, don't tell anyone which year.

...it worked!

Kelley, thanks for buying Pride & A Pregnancy Secret. I hope you enjoy it! And Robbie, Deb and Nicki, thanks for your support too. 

I like to read series in order--even if they are stand alone books. It's just the way my brain works. I used to read them as I bought them and eagerly await the next book. But I once had the experience where I read three books and the last was sold out everywhere (pre Amazon) and I didn't manage to lay my hands on the final book for years--I had to wait for it to turn up in a second hand store. So now I buy them all, and only when I have the whole series or continuity do I read it from start to finish. It also means I don't need to re-read books to remember the subtle bits that I've forgotten...

But with this series I think I'm going to read it as the books come out--because this time I know I'll get every book! 

I have to admit that e-books are starting to sound like a great idea. It means you get to read the next book even more quickly. Any one reading Desires as ebooks?

Tessa

((Great to see you here)) All the Tim Tams are gone, but there's always tomorrow morning. Maybe Lamingtons  

 Maxine, I go straight to my profile and click on my last message coz, yeah, otherwise it seems to go back up to the top. I remember a scene from Jan's first book, Trophy Wives, with the heroine up on a mountain and a divine first kiss. "The blue haze of the mountains shone in her eyes." Oh yum.

Hey, Tessa! It's great to see you! That's terrible you couldn't get one of the books from a series. How frustrating! I sometimes have a different problem. I'll really like an author and accidentally buy her book twice. I admit, I have an addiction  

I need to buy a gizmo to do the ebook thing. It would definitely be a handy alternative. Although, like Nicki, I think I'd miss 'the page'.

Eep! Almost midnight!

Robbie, off to bed

Well I just got back from my sister's in Mississauga for a week catsitting while her and my bil sunbathed in Cuba. I am really enjoying this series. So far I've read Bron's and Tessa's book. Looking forward to what Maxine has in store for us.

P.S Tessa I think I read somewhere that you were refered to as the queen of surprise.

I have good news.  Some of the "bugs" that have been annoying us are going toe fixed as of tomorrow.  Look forward to having your posts numbered again and the ability to scroll with a little more ease.

Christa, I used to live in Mississauga.  It is a great city for shopping.  I miss it!

Thanks for your patience everone. 

Congrats ladies for the launch of DDU and this great thread!

I'm not supposed to be here, but I escaped the deadline cave to come say congrats and to tell you how grateful I am for eBooks! I can't order the books any other way from eHarlequin, but with eBooks it's a click of a button. I already have the first two DDU books, but I won't wait for the other to come out to start reading. I'm only waiting until I have time to breathe. (After I hand in the book AND read the RITA books!!)

Waving to all fellow Desire authors, Robyn, Bron, Jan, Maxine and Tessa and Desirable readers Christa, Kelly, Deb, Nicki and Serena. (special hard wave to Serena! Looong time no see!!)

Can't wait!!!

Jeanette- Where are you now? I'm in St. Catharines.

Paula! I'm glad you got your technohitches sorted. I feel like a total tenderfoot...it's years since I've gotten lost on eHarlequin! CONGRATULATIONS on your RT nominations...we're all going to be screaming for you! 

Hi Ola! Thanks for forsaking your cave to come and visit. I'm so looking foward to those sheikhs of yours...I can't wait

Now that pendant is simply boooootiful! When we were trying to choose what to make the prize, the shopping savvy among us sourced a list of jewellery (yep, that's the down-under spelling) and at least 3 of us voted for that gorgeous puff pendant....I think it's elegant, sparkly, glittery, GORGEOUS.

Before we get a photo up, does any one want to have a go at describing it? Have a peep http://www.diamonds-downunder.com/contest.html and see what words you choose...

Tessa

Sandra, now that's the BEST excuse I've ever heard to go and buy a new dress.  Although maybe diamonds, scandalously, don't even need a dress!

But seeing that we are talking about dresses and diamonds, I remember thinking how gorgeous Bron's heroine, Kim, sounded when Bron described this white dress Kim intended to wear. And when I first saw the cover for Vows & A Vengeful Groom I thought, YES, THAT'S KIM, THAT'S THE DRESS. It's wonderful when editors and art directors and cover artists get the writer's vision and manage to encapsulate it in an image. Magic.

Tessa 

Hi Maxine

I am sooo looking forward to reading this series.  Wishing you all the best of luck with it.

Hugs

Sandie 

Ladies, it's great seeing all of you visiting the DDU thread. Welcome and hello to Olivia, Karina, Christa, H Maree, Sandie H, and Sandra H. And Paula made it too. Let's party.

Has anyone received this week's online newsletter? I've been getting mine very intermittently and am not sure if I need to do something to correct that.

Jeanette, has this week's newsletter gone out yet? The DDU series was going to be mentioned in it and I don't want to miss it! Of course, as soon as I ask this question it will probably appear in my inbox.

I have to say that I was a bit cross when I finished Bron's book.

Heather, I read that opening to yr post and my heart was in my mouth. Oh, no, I've not just disappointed a reader, I've ticked her off!!!  Then I read on and realised it was all good and you were only cross because you wanted Tessa's book NOW!!!

Thanks so much for your lovely endorsement of VOWS & A VENGEFUL GROOM.  I'm so thrilled you enjoyed Ric and Kim's story (and have you read Maxine's excerpt? )

Bron

Hi Everyone!

Christa, I am about 20 mins west of Hamilton, in the city of Brantford.

Maxine, the weekly newsletter goes out every Tuesday.  I received mine this week.  It is possible your spam filter or your earlier email issue might have blocked the delivery.  I will ask someone to forward it to me again and then send it to you.