Rough Diamond
"A witty, action-packed debut novel . . ."
Funny, romantic and action-packed, Rough Diamond introduces Australia’s unforgettable Erica Jewell.
The shock ending to Erica Jewell’s marriage has left a huge hole in her bank balance and a bigger one in her heart. So now this office worker’s goals make a very short list: no surprises, no debt and, definitely, no men. That is, until she finds one bleeding to death in her Melbourne garden one stormy night. Jack Jones is a man whose emotional wounds are more life-threatening than the bullet in his shoulder. When he recruits Erica to his secret team of vigilantes, Erica suspects her safe, predictable world is about to be inverted. And she’s absolutely right. |
Rough Diamond Excerpt
So I’m standing at my front gate and I’m soaked and it’s been the worst day in history. Everything’s gone wrong since I got out of bed. The milk was off. I put a finger through my brand-new tights and I don’t even have fingernails. I left my umbrella at home knowing full well a storm was coming and now I can’t find my keys and the rain’s stinging my face.
I booted the gate open and stumbled through it, wondering why I’d forgotten to lock it. My old veranda gave no shelter from the horizontal rain. I dumped my bag on the ground and squatted over it, gazing into the abyss, hoping for a glimpse of silver, cursing the broken light and my stupid boss and the late, crowded, smelly train. ‘And,’ I shouted at my bag, ‘that goddamn police barricade!’
Thunder crashed and I jumped. I whipped my head around to yell at the black sky, but something caught my eye. Something snug and dry by the front door. My stupid yellow umbrella! I swiped at it, launching it into the night, and watched it land with a splat in the middle of my courtyard garden. But the sunny yellow seemed so wrong in this new, strange scene. Which contained a human shape. Lying on its side. Facing me.
Lightning lit the walled space. I thought the guy looked pretty much dead.
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Reviews
'If you like Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum, you'll love this new heroine Erica Jewell from Melbourne author Ledson. In this debut . . . the heroine becomes involved with a team of vigilantes, with hilarious results.' Sunday Telegraph
'Blends romantic escapism and adventure. Ledson captivates her readers with characters that are memorable and real and refreshingly Australian. Reading her novel is akin to chatting to a very likeable friend.' West Australian
'This lively tale provides a good mixture of romantic escapism and thrills that is sure to appeal to fans of Stephanie Plum.' Canberra Times
'A witty, action-packed debut novel . . . a really fun Australian mystery with a loveable heroine and a mysterious hero.' Australian Bookshelf
'Delightfully funny, light-hearted and fast-paced . . . Move over Stephanie Plum – Erica Jewell is in the house!' Book Muster Down Under
'A terrific first novel that women everywhere are going to find hard not to love . . . an irresistibly entertaining read. Kathryn Ledson is indeed a real, rare and rather polished diamond.' Australian Women Online
'A rollicking tale with fabulous characters, lots of laughs and an exciting plot. A new star on the rise in Australian romantic fiction!' Shesaid.com.au
'I loved this book. One of my favourites for the year. Kathryn had me laughing throughout it and I couldn't put it down.' Fiona Palmer, Australian author
'ABSOLUTELY LOVED it. Total hoot to read. Can't wait for the next one :)' Rachael Johns, Australian Author
'Blends romantic escapism and adventure. Ledson captivates her readers with characters that are memorable and real and refreshingly Australian. Reading her novel is akin to chatting to a very likeable friend.' West Australian
'This lively tale provides a good mixture of romantic escapism and thrills that is sure to appeal to fans of Stephanie Plum.' Canberra Times
'A witty, action-packed debut novel . . . a really fun Australian mystery with a loveable heroine and a mysterious hero.' Australian Bookshelf
'Delightfully funny, light-hearted and fast-paced . . . Move over Stephanie Plum – Erica Jewell is in the house!' Book Muster Down Under
'A terrific first novel that women everywhere are going to find hard not to love . . . an irresistibly entertaining read. Kathryn Ledson is indeed a real, rare and rather polished diamond.' Australian Women Online
'A rollicking tale with fabulous characters, lots of laughs and an exciting plot. A new star on the rise in Australian romantic fiction!' Shesaid.com.au
'I loved this book. One of my favourites for the year. Kathryn had me laughing throughout it and I couldn't put it down.' Fiona Palmer, Australian author
'ABSOLUTELY LOVED it. Total hoot to read. Can't wait for the next one :)' Rachael Johns, Australian Author