The Sound of Diamondswritten by Rachelle Rea
322 pages, YA / adult fiction
published in 2015
My Review...
The Sound of Diamonds is the story of a young man, a supposed rascal, attempting to redeem himself and his past actions...
The Sound of Diamonds is the story of a Catholic maiden, tucked away in a convent, far from harm's reach...
During the Reformation, religious quarrels are on the tip of every man's tongue. The Catholics and Protestants are in the rage of battle during the 1560s. The Spanish King Philip II cannot control the revolution, and neither can the English Queen Elizabeth I. So the Iconoclastic Fury snakes its way deep into the Dutch Low Countries, where Gwyneth thought she would be kept in the safety of the nuns. Not so.
To further Gwyneth's endangerment, on the unexpected night that the Fury arrives, a person she completely despises -- the murderer who she cannot bear to look upon -- again appears in her life. In some twisted way, Gwyneth considers him the lesser risk of the two harmful things that night -- to be slaughtered by the Beeldenstorm, or to be carried away from the convent by the one man she doesn't dare trust?
"God knew. He knew the suffering of a stained soul lifting equally stained hands high to His heaven. He knew the muttering of the heart and thought it eloquent." (Chapter 28, The Sound of Diamonds)
Her hope is to take refuge at her uncle's castle in England, and that this murderer will fulfill his word of getting her there safely. Her hope rests on the word of an honor-less man.
The plot thickens, twists, and surprises the reader with every chapter. As a reader of historical fiction, I found this book to outwit and surpass many a book I've read before. So much research and study went into its writing. The historical details weave themselves so effortlessly into the plot, as only a true wordsmith can make the words do. The use of Dutch and Spanish authenticate the dialogue. Sweet romance harmonizes with the enthralling plot. And the spiritual transformation completes the story as a whole.
"As for yourself, consider a different method in your pursuit of the truth. God does not desire us to come to Him with our minds so much as He is interested in our hearts." (Chapter 45, The Sound of Diamonds)
This is a tale of trust, forgiveness, God's abounding grace -- and that in all things you should... Hold to hope.
Rachelle Rea's debut novel is one of the best. Her writing style builds intrigue, engages the reader, and makes one desire to be daring.
I'm eagerly anticipating volume 2 of the Steadfast Love trilogy.
The Sound of Diamonds hits a shelf near you on June 15th.
Author Bio // Rachelle Rea plots her novels while driving around the little town she’s lived in all her life in her dream car, a pick-up truck. As a freelance editor, she enjoys mentoring fellow authors in the craft. A homeschool graduate and retired gymnast, she wrote the Sound of Diamonds the summer after her sophomore year of college.Visit her website and blog at Inspiring Daring.
What can you do until then?
ADD THE BOOK to your Goodreads TBR list
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PRE-ORDER THE BOOK on Amazon.com
Rachelle is giving away a $20 Amazon Gift Card AND a copy of her debut novel! International entrants welcome (the prize will be an e-book due to the cost of shipping--thank you for understanding!).
a Rafflecopter giveaway
P.S. Like and vote for this review on Goodreads and Amazon.
Lovely! This sounds like a good one!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this, Tarissa! Just lovely!
ReplyDeleteHow did you get started and into doing what it is you do as a writer and editor? Ps we met cpl years ago at she speaks :D
ReplyDeleteHi Kristen! Oh She Speaks was such fun--so cool to "meet" you again here. How did I get started? I followed others, really. ;) I have a friend who owned her own freelance editing business for a while and I ended up sorta copying her business model--and the writing, well, I learned how to query and jumped in feet first, making mistakes but figuring it out as I went. :)
ReplyDeleteHow do you manage your time when working on a manuscript. I'm an 'all or nothing' sort of person but I'd love some tips on how to achieve a healthier approach.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway! What inspired you to write this story. :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like an interesting book ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance. It looks like an interesting book.
ReplyDeleteWhat made you interested in writing? At what age did you know you want to be a writer?
ReplyDeleteaddictedtorodeo at gmail dot com
Ashley C
no
ReplyDeletedianetherkildsen@att.net
What is your biggest source of inspiration to write?
ReplyDeleteHow did you come up with such great ideas for your novel? I am very curious.
ReplyDeleteLooks great. How many books have you written?
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this!
ReplyDeleteThis book looks wonderful! I'd love to give it to my sister-in-law as a present, it's right up her alley and sounds like it has a great message to it! I can't believe you wrote this in college! Were your parents extremely supportive and encouraging of your writing from a young age?
ReplyDelete@Fizzgig Yes, they were and I'm so grateful to them for that! :) I hope your sister-in-law likes it! :)
ReplyDelete@Tabby72 I've technically written 7 now. :) The first three were quite bad, the second three comprise this series and the 7th...we shall see. ;)
ReplyDelete@John Thuku Thanks for asking, John! The idea for this novel came from the title coming to me while I was listening to music. :)
ReplyDelete@Natalie Thanks for asking! Christ is definitely my biggest inspiration. Without Him, I'd have no story to tell. :)
ReplyDelete@Kim I was in middle school when I wrote my first story and I didn't think I wanted to be a novelist until I was in college. :)
ReplyDelete@Cali Willette Thanks, Cali! What inspired me was a fascination with Queen Elizabeth I. She's my favorite historical figure and it's during her reign that this story is set!
ReplyDelete@KATE SARSFIELD Great question, Kate! I wish I knew! I'm sorta all or nothing, too, either writing thousands of words a day or letting the next idea simmer. :)
ReplyDeleteWould love to read the book.
ReplyDeleteWhat inspired you to become a writer?
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great read. I usually read historical romance so this is just perfect for me.
ReplyDeleteNo Qs Thank you for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteHow long does she spend researching material for her books? How often does she
ReplyDeletewrite?
cranky30[at]hotmail[dot]com
Thank you for the chance. It looks like an interesting book.
ReplyDeleteagnesye@hotmail.com
@daniel thornton Hi Daniel! I usually research AS I write, which means a lot of random internet searches and library runs. :)
ReplyDelete@Stephanie LaPlante Thanks for asking, Stephanie! I've always loved reading and writing and stumbling onto this story idea inspired me to try writing a novel. :)
ReplyDeleteIs this your first book?
ReplyDeleteYes, it is, Faire! My debut novel. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat do you enjoy doing when your not writing?
ReplyDeletefor me, I like to spend my time with my kids and pets outside, away from electronics. we like to go camping, kayaking, etc!
Do you prefer writing historicals or contemporary novels?
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting. What made you write about Catholicism?
ReplyDeleteNeed another good book to read
ReplyDelete@Berkeley Hapa I prefer historicals; they're my favorite genre!
ReplyDelete@carissa joslyn I enjoy spending time with family, friends, serving at church, and reading to recharge! :)
ReplyDeletehow did you do youre research?
ReplyDeleteWHEN she realized she wanted to do this work ?
ReplyDeleteWhy did you decide to to a trilogy for your debut?
ReplyDeleteWhat inspires you to write?
ReplyDeleteWhen did you start writing?
ReplyDeletehow do you begin the process of creating a story
ReplyDeleteI love the story line :) it sounds like a great read!
ReplyDeleteWhat is the best advice you would give to someone who wants to write a book?
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds great. I've added it to my summer reads list.
ReplyDeleteNo questions, but it looks like an interesting book!
ReplyDeleteWhere do your ideas come from for starting a new book?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very interesting book!
ReplyDeleteWhat's the most difficult part to write in this novel? Thanks for the giveaway
ReplyDeleteWhat inspires you to write the most?
ReplyDeleteWhere is your favorite place to write?
ReplyDeleteWhat's your top advice when mentoring new authors - what's the best place to start in coming up with a great book idea?
ReplyDeleteGeoff K
gkaufmanss at yahoo dot com
what do you do if you hit a writers block
ReplyDeleteNo none
ReplyDelete"The Sound of Diamonds" sounds like a good read. I'm now following you on Goodreads.com
ReplyDeleteI just can't wait to read your book..thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of research did you have to do to write this book?
ReplyDeletehow do you get confidence to writing a book?
ReplyDelete@rajee pandi Hi Rajee, great question. I don't think I was ever truly confident--just go for it and let that story out. :)
ReplyDelete@Kambrea I took a lot of library runs and made a bunch of random Google searches. :)
ReplyDelete@tina reynolds Tina, take a break. Specifically, a story-related break like writing something else or watching a good movie. :)
ReplyDelete@guettel78 At the risk of sounding cliche, I'd say start with something you know or are passionate about. Like the 1500s is one of my favorite time periods and that's how this began. ;)
ReplyDelete@Amanda Sakovitz At my desk in my room. It overlooks a forest. :)
ReplyDelete@RICHARD HICKS Jesus, because He's writing such a great story with my life. :)
ReplyDelete@bzee The most difficult part was the ending, because I was realizing there would be two more books! ;)
ReplyDelete@Bo simms Read a lot! :)
ReplyDelete