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Jessica Peterson | Behind The Hope Diamond Trilogy
December 10, 2014
As any writer will tell you, the ideas are the (kind of) easy part – it’s the
writing that’s difficult, the (sometimes magical, other times not so much!) slog
that can make you lose your mind. This is (kind of) true of my debut Regency-set romp, The Hope Diamond
Trilogy. I’ve wanted to write historical fiction for as long as I remember;
I’ve been a fan of all things sparkly and bejeweled for almost long. (Ask my
mom: when I was little – we’re talking bald baby here – I’d raid my
grandmother’s jewelry drawer for her clip-on dangly earrings.) I don’t remember, exactly, when these two interests – history and jewels –
crossed paths. I’m pretty sure I was researching potential ideas for my novel
and came across a tantalizing morsel. Turns out the stone we would later know as
the Hope Diamond materializes, mysteriously, in 1812 London after disappearing
some two decades before during the tumult of the French Revolution. No one knows
how the diamond – known as the French Blue, a part of the French Crown Jewels –
got to London, or why, or who bought it; the next time it presence was recorded
was much later, in 1839, as part of the Hope family’s extensive jewel collection. What happened to the diamond between 1812 and 1839 – well, that was far too
intriguing a mystery not to explore! I adored the glamorous setting of 1812
London. England was in the midst of a war; spies, rogues, and rakes roamed
candlelit ballrooms; the possibilities for a juicy romance were endless. It was my agent who came up with the genius “gentleman jewel thief” twist over
lunch. Basically: The Thomas Crown Affair (I heart Pierce and his hairy
chest) meets Regency England. While we meant for the twist to be a revision of
the original manuscript I’d written, I was so enamored of the idea – so inspired
by it, and the original gentleman thief, Steve McQueen – I ended up rewriting
the whole thing. THE
GENTLEMAN JEWEL THIEF, book one of the Hope Diamond Trilogy,
debuted this past July. It’s the story of a rakish Earl who, bored by the
endless tedium of another Season, decides to pilfer King Louis’s infamous jewel
from a London ballroom. One problem: he falls for the alluring lady from around
whose neck he steals the diamond. Adventure (and plenty of kissing) ensues. Book 2, THE
MILLIONAIRE ROGUE – out in a few weeks, on January 6! – follows the
historical figure Thomas Hope as he scrambles to find the jewel stolen from his
ballroom – while trying, without much success, not to fall in love with a
debutante who harbors a big secret. If you wish to read up on more Hope Diamond history, check out Richard Kurin’s
excellent THE HOPE DIAMOND: THE LEGENDARY HISTORY OF A CURSED
GEM and Marian Fowler’s HOPE: ADVENTURES OF A DIAMOND. If you prefer your history with some romance and adventure thrown in, be sure to
check out my Hope Diamond Trilogy! Happy reading. Connect with Jessica on her website and Facebook. Leave a comment below to be entered to win your own copy of THE GENTLEMAN
JEWEL THIEF!
Comments
24 comments posted.
Re: Jessica Peterson | Behind The Hope Diamond Trilogy
Excited to enter the contest. Thanks for your work!
(Valerie Ford 12:52pm December 10, 2014)
Love this cover and looking forward to reading this book! Thanks for the great giveaway!!
(Bonnie Capuano 8:05am December 10, 2014)
Sounds like a good book, and would love to read. Thanks for the contest.
(Vera Wilson 9:48am December 10, 2014)
Thanks, ladies, for stopping by! So fun chatting here at FreshFiction.
(Jessica Peterson 9:49am December 10, 2014)
I think I prefer my History with some romance and adventure
thrown in!! You sure caught my attention when you mentioned
the Hope diamond, because I remember reading about it when I
was growing up, too!! Since you've always had a love for
that particular stone, I'm sure that you put a lot of love
into the trilogy you wrote as well!! I can't wait to read
it, and have put it on my TBR list. I can't wait to hunker
down with the first part this upcoming Winter, with a cup of
hot cocoa, and one of my kitties, as the snow starts to fly.
It should make for some great reading, and break up some of
the monotony from my reading list. I love the cover to your
book as well!! Have a great Christmas and New Year!!
(Peggy Roberson 10:28am December 10, 2014)
Merry Christmas!
(Rachel Collings 10:32am December 10, 2014)
This looks likes a fun and interesting book to read!
(Glenda Hefty 5:54pm December 10, 2014)
Love history and this sounds like a good one.
(Leona Olson 7:47pm December 10, 2014)
I do read history and historical romance. When it is
combined, a few authors are able to do this, it is great.
I do think that if you have the talent to write it should
be explored fully. I am not good at writing so I stick
to reading them. Congrats on your books and best wishes.
Happy Holidays.
(Tina Ullrich 10:48pm December 10, 2014)
What an interesting story line. I love the Historical, Regency period, spy novels set in this time, & stories written with a bit of true facts in them. Now you have added another avenue for me to explore. So what lies around the next corner? This sounds like a can't put it down til it's done kinda book! Here's 'Hope' for it's great success! Best of the Holiday Season to you and yours!
(S W 11:47pm December 10, 2014)
Love how you tied a real event to your HOPE DIAMOND series.
Thanks for sharing the background to your books.
I too liked the movie THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR. Great acting and a fascinating thrilling storyline.
I'd love to read your take on this historical event.
(Laurie Gommermann 10:58am December 11, 2014)
Thanks for the giveaway. Looking forward to reading your book.
(Carol Woodruff 11:13am December 11, 2014)
Thanks everyone! Great comments - sounds like I'm not the only one with an
interest in all things sparkly. And yes, diamonds ARE a girl's best friend…
especially when they come with a gentleman jewel thief!!
(Jessica Peterson 11:39am December 11, 2014)
I love the simplicity of the gown on the cover and the cover itself. Imagine
making such a gown by hand, on stitch at a time.
(Sandra Spilecki 11:58am December 11, 2014)
Thank you for chance. And i love this cover.
(Raeline Peterson 1:31pm December 11, 2014)
I hope I win!
(Susan Mahaffey 10:52pm December 11, 2014)
I love historical romances. That yours has some real
history mixed into to it will just make it more
interesting. Thanks for the chance to win it, I'm
definitely looking forward to reading it.
(Lisa White 12:13pm December 12, 2014)
I love contests and Regency books. Hope I Winn.
(Suzanne Dye 7:50am December 12, 2014)
Love Diamonds...love your books Jessica...and can't wait to read this book! Thanks for the great giveaway!!
(Bonnie Capuano 8:32am December 12, 2014)
Thanks for the contest. The Gentleman Jewel Thief sounds like a delightful combination of history and romance.
(Anna Speed 1:56pm December 12, 2014)
Who doesn't love a rake?! I can't wait to read The Gentleman Jewel Thief and
thank you so much for giving us this great contest!
(Shelly Ash 3:10pm December 12, 2014)
I love sparklers! This sounds like a fun mixture of history,
romance & adventure!
(Diane Sallans 8:39pm December 12, 2014)
Interesting plot
(Susan Jang 9:34pm December 12, 2014)
Very fascinating history of the Hope Diamond. Sounds like a
great series!
(Janie McGaugh 12:09pm December 13, 2014)
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