Customer Reviews

Diamond Duo (Texas Fortunes Trilogy, Book 1)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Perfect for : Personal reading, Book Club Read (No Discussion Questions)

In a nutshell: A nice Christian historical fiction story containing three primary plot-lines: 1 - Bertha and Thad's growing relationship, 2 - Newcomer Annie "Bessie" Monroe and her not-so-charming husband(?), 3 - racial tensions surrounding Henry and Sarah King. All three story-lines have wonderful examples of faith and God's hand in their lives. I was amazed to find that the characters are based on real-life people from Jefferson, Texas. I wish I had known that from the beginning (It is explained at the end of the book). I personally struggled with some of the racial issues (yes, I know - it REALLY did happen, but I'm glad I don't enjoy reading about the harshness), and some of the circumstances surrounding Annie. Another thing that amazed me was the author's easy transitions between different voices in the book. The King's voices are very different from the proper tone of Annie's character. I especially liked the significance of Bertha's cross necklace and her sharing of faith with Annie at the end of the book.

My Review:
A fascinating story which takes place throughout January of 1877 in Jefferson, Texas. Readers find out at the end of the book that the characters are based on real people. As a reader, we get a good look at life from that time. The physical labor, the class differences, neighborly help, significance of race, etc. I loved the dialogue, but could have done with a little less tears.

Characters: The characters were each wonderfully different from the other. I think my favorite was Bertha's father. He was a strong, loving and supportive person, with the ability to confront his wife in a loving manner. He also showed wonderful support to his daughter, while coaching her through some difficult situations.

Story-Line: I think the story-line(s) were very interesting, tying together nicely in the end. I was especially interested in the story once I learned that it was based on real people.

Readability: This book provided a nice, enjoyable read. The different speech patterns among the characters made it that more interesting.

Overall: A nice period book, written with a Christian influence. This was the first book of the series, and I look forward to watching for the upcoming sequel Chasing Charity (I sure hope we get to catch a glimpse of Bertha!)

Book Blurb: 1877 Jefferson, Texas
Bertha Biddie's in love. The fellow seems interested, but something's holding him back. When a charismatic stranger rolls in on the northbound train offering to teach Bertha the art of wooing her man she leaps at the chance. But when the woman is found cruelly murdered, Bertha realizes their meeting held eternal significance.

Thaddeus Bloom is way past smitten with Bertha. But his father's determined Thad will be the family's first college graduate. Thad's bound for military school and must leave his feelings for little Bertha behind. Trouble is it's time to leave, and he can't muster the starch to say goodbye.

Review: Texas Fortunes means good fortune for anyone lucky enough to read this book from debut author, Marcia Gruver. From start to finish, I was entralled by the author's easy use of dialect, description, and location. This book was obviously well researched, yet the words flowed from the page. I never felt like like I was reading a history lesson. On the contrary! I felt like I'd been transported in time. Great, great read!

A really sweet read. Despite some not so nice things happening in this story, it is still a fun read, with super sweet characters who grab your heart. Great dialogue, great atmosphere, good story, apparently with its origin from a real-life person. The atmosphere of the early West is really palpable, and the characters who inhabit the pages feel enjoyably authentic. This is one to curl up with and have fun.

A very good book, some fun, sadness, mystery, western about anything you could want in a good book. Marcia is a great author and her books are always great.

Diamond Duo is the story of Diamond Bessie and the effect she left on a small town in Jefferson, Texas. Not only is the story about her, but also about the characters that she meets. The story mainly follows Bertha and her friend Magda, as they meet Bessie and her so called "companion" The story also takes you along the journey of Sarah and her husband as the face racism, and many decisions that may change their lives.

I was a bit confused at first with all the different story lines, some of them join together at the end, and some of them barely intertwine with the main story line. It made the story different from most I had read, being that there was really two main story lines instead of one.

Bertha, is a wild young woman longing to be free of propriety and social graces. One day when she is in town she sees Bessie, a rich young woman with diamonds and gorgeous dresses. Bertha decides right then to befriend her and have her teach her how to catch a certain man she wants. Her "man" is Thad, also smitten with Bertha but too shy to tell her of his real feeling before he must leave for military college. While Bertha befriends Bessie, she drags her best friend Magda along for the ride, not listening to her wisdom about getting into trouble. Will Bertha be able to change Bessie before it's too late, or will Bessie change Bertha? Will Thad be able to tell Bertha of his feelings or will he make the mistake of leaving?

Sarah is a little bitter about leaving her hometown, where people treated her kind and were not racist. But Sarah loves her husband more and is determined to make him happy and be happy no matter what. Her husband does not see the problem with the small town of Jefferson, even though him and his wife are treated differently. But one day they are tested and are not sure of their survival and what they are meant to do. Will Sarah be strong enough to stand against the pain and will she, her husband, and the rest of the town learn a valuable lesson?

I was very surprised to learn at the end of the book that it was based on a true story. I did like this book, it was just so different from what I was expecting and also a different writing style. I found the book to be a pleasant read, but there was nothing that jumped out at me that made it go from an ok book to a great book. I am still looking forward to the next book in the series Chasing Charity and hoping that is gets a little better!

I LOVED this story! Truly a riveting read. I came across the book not planned (long story) but was unable to put it down. You know when a full time working mama of an 11 month old reads at night instead of going to bed early, you have a winner. =)

This was a delightful historical/suspense with highly comedic moments to keep the story light but inspiring. The faith element is strong but not preachy, which is a delicate balance for an author to accomplish. (whew, been there!)

I've traveled to Jefferson, TX many times, and it was neat to read about the city I have always enjoyed and hear its history (with a fictional license on the part of the author, of course)

5 stars! I can't wait to read the next in the series.

Thaddeus Bloom is the only person Bertha Biddle wants to spend the rest of her life with. However he doesn't seem to notice her. When a fancy lady from Boston comes to town, Bertha thinks she can find out how to get Thaddeus to love her. What she doesn't realize that she has the power.
So in setting out to find the answers she makes friends with Annie also known as Bessie. Annie's story is sad but she still has so much kindness she shows to others.
There is also a story of Sarah and Henry woven throughout this book too.
What I learned from this book was friendship, how God uses us to reach others, and hardships do come but we can overcome them. Little did I know in the midst of reading this book I would be praying for my brother-in-law with a brain anyruism. But this book prepared me before this hit and lifted me up faith wise.
Also within this story you can see how race can sometimes hinder friendships but one has to do the best they can and realize everyone is not the same. There is good in every race.
I read this book in 3 days and could not put it down.
Marcia is an excellent storyteller and told life's problems just as you would feel them yourself. You feel like you are walking through the pages.

Review for Diamond Duo by Marcia Gruver

Marcia Gruver transports the reader to Jefferson, Texas in the year 1877, a real town with a rich history--and an attention-grabbing murder. Using the facts from the actual events leading up to the dastardly deed, Ms. Gruver brings to life a fictionalized account, a gem of a story resplendent with well-developed characters and emotion.

The story begins with the appearance of the mysterious, elegantly attired and bejeweled "Diamond Bessie" and the menacing man who holds a tight leash on her. Enter the heroine of Diamond Duo, a young woman of faith, Bertha Biddie, who wants nothing more than to attract the attention of Thaddeus Bloom. Certain the gorgeous, self-assured "Bessie," "Annie," or whomever she is knows the secret to catching a gentleman's eye, Bertha befriends her. Thaddeus, equally captivated by Bertha, must put duty before love. He heads off to military school to satisfy his domineering father, leaving his beloved behind, much to his dismay. She pines for him and yet is worried about her newfound friend, whom she fears is in serious trouble.

With a rich cast of memorable secondary characters, Ms. Gruver sweeps the reader into a story that moves her quickly from one engaging scene to the next. Sarah King, a black farmer's wife dealing with lingering attitudes resulting from the Civil War, is beautifully portrayed. She plays a significant role in the story, which we see from her perspective on numerous occasions. A powerful transformation takes place in the lives of Bertha's parents. I loved the addition of these people as well as the others who populate the town and the story. The book is definitely a romance, but it's also a wonderfully told tale of the life-changing effects the events leading up to the heinous crime have on a close-knit community and how seemingly disparate individuals overcome their differences. The growth of the major players is wonderful to witness.

When I pick up a book from a new author, I never know what to expect. In some cases, I feel a sense of disappointment. In others, I come away satisfied. Every now and then, though, I'm so mightily impressed that I add that author to my "must read" list, which is the case with Marcia Gruver. She's an artist whose canvas is the page and whose medium is carefully chosen words. The cover includes a quotation from author Kathleen Y'barbo, " A masterpiece waiting to be found." I agree.

I heartily recommend Diamond Duo to any reader who enjoys a historical inspirational. And the good news is that if, like me, you're left wanting more, the sequel, Chasing Charity, book two in the Texas Fortunes series, is coming in spring 2009. It's on my "gotta get it" list, that's for sure.

This novel was one I could not put down until the end. The message I received from this book: You can not judge a person by how they look. You can only judge them by what they do, and sometimes you don't always know the real story then.

The story is compelling and I highly recommend it.

You will enjoy this sweet love story between Bertha Biddie and Thaddeus Bloom. Thaddeus is forced by his father to go away to attend school much to the dismay of Bertha who hopes to win his heart. In her hopes of winning his heart Bertha turns to Annie a new arrival in town who knows how to turn a mans head. Rich in detail and character development, Diamond Duo is a wonderful story that will leave you feeling good. It is an entertaining christian fiction book.