Fresh Fiction Blog | Anna Sugden | Diamonds Aren’t This Girl’s Best Friend!

First, Happy Thanksgiving to all of our American friends! Of course, you probably won't see this, because you'll be on family and turkey duty ;). Happy Thursday to everyone else!

Now, on to today's topic. Yes, it's true. I don't have a passion for diamonds. Technically, that's not quite true as I do like pink diamonds. But clear, glittering diamonds ... not so much. I like colour and richness and warmth in my gemstones. I prefer fire opals, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, garnets and tanzanites.

My real passion, though, is opals. I love the fire in these gemstones, the way the colours change and dance. Opals are magical.

I got into opals via romance novels. A long time ago, I read a wonderful story by the fabulous Emilie Richards, called RAINBOW FIRE. It was set in Coober Pedy - the famous town in Australia where they mine opals and live underground - and featured the stones of the title. I was intrigued and hooked.

A few years ago, I was delighted to meet Emilie and tell her how her book had inspired my love of opals. Then I had the thrill of actually going to Coober Pedy and seeing the opal mines for myself. And, of course, buying a few opals to add to my collection.

Now, I'm sure some of you will say that opals are unlucky. That's simply not true! Apparently, that was rumour started back in the 1880's by the de Beers diamond merchants, who wanted to protect their sales of diamonds against the rising popularity of the new stone that was being brought in from Australia - yes, the opal.

So, if you ever see me in a jewellery store or in an antiques shop, you won't find me gazing adoringly or wistfully at the diamonds. No, I'll be searching out the opals.

How about you? Do you have a favourite gem? Have you been inspired by a romance novel to get into something new or to travel somewhere? One lucky commenter today will win a copy of A PERFECT DISTRACTION, my Harlequin SuperRomance.

A PERFECT DISTRACTION

A face–off—head vs. heart

For Jake Badoletti, this year is all about his career. He has a rare second chance to make the most of being a pro hockey player, so no parties, no scandals. Too bad he's met a woman who could sideline those plans. Maggie Goodman is not his usual type—right down to being a single mom. Still, the sizzling connection with this gorgeous brunette can't be ignored.

With a little juggling and a lot of focus, Jake manages to have the game and Maggie. Then his performance on the ice suffers and a scandal erupts. Now he can't afford the distraction of Maggie...even if she is perfect for him.

Comments

sounds like a great book thanks so much cant wait to read it
(Denise Smith 12:08pm November 28, 2013)

When I was younger I used to collect rocks and gemstones, I like Crystals..they are pretty neat.
(Courtney Haas 12:09pm November 28, 2013)

I hope you and yours enjoy a safe and Happy Thanksgiving
(Jennifer Essad 12:19pm November 28, 2013)

How cool, Courtney! Do you have a favourite crystal?
(Anna Sugden 6:56am November 28, 2013)

Thanks, Jennifer! We don't celebrate Thanksgiving in the UK,
but I miss being in NJ and celebrating with our dear friends.

Hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday!
(Anna Sugden 6:57am November 28, 2013)

Happy Thanksgiving to you as well, Anna!! Since you love Opals, and they're one of my many favorites, I have a tip for you. They're also a fragile stone, and have to stay lubricated so they don't crumble. From time to time, if you put a little dab of sweet oil on a cotton ball, and rub it on your stones, not only does it bring out more of the fire, it keeps them from drying out!! That was a tip I learned a long time ago, I believe from a Jeweler, and I've used it on all of my Opals ever since. I can't say that there are certain gemstones that I like over others, since I like most of them, but when I got my first Tanzanite, I was bowled over!! I also like certain Blue Topaz. My birthstone is the Emerald, and I'm fortunate enough to own one, which I cherish. The way I look at it, each gemstone has its' own property to make it special, and to fulfill a mood, at a certain time. I'm not very picky. I think I'm pickier about the setting than I am about the gemstone!! I'm looking forward to reading your book. It sounds like it will be a good read for this time of year. Hockey is another one of my passions, so it should fit right in!! In closing, I just want to say that you were one very lucky Lady to be able to go to those Opal mines!! I'm sure it was an exciting experience!!
(Peggy Roberson 8:14am November 28, 2013)

An opal is what I covet.....but I'll have to buy it myself. My husband, a dear man, never thinks of jewelry.
(Clydia DeFreese 9:47am November 28, 2013)

Hey Peggy! Looks like we have a lot in common! Thanks for
the tip. :) My birthstone is the peridot and I hate it! But
I'll happily have opals instead :)

I don't know when the announcement will go up, but you won a
copy of my book back in Sept. Please contact me via my
website with your snail mail details, so I can get your book
out to you.
(Anna Sugden 9:59am November 28, 2013)

Hi Clydia - thanks for stopping by! Yay on being another opal
lover! Perhaps you need to be less subtle and show him what
you'd like ;)!
(Anna Sugden 10:00am November 28, 2013)

I love amethyst, because purple is my favorite color!
(Maria Proctor 12:07pm November 28, 2013)

Amethyst is my birth stone and I love purple also. Have a nice Thanksgiving everyone. Thanks for the contest.
(Gayle Pace 1:25pm November 28, 2013)

Thanks for stopping by, Maria! Have you seen Tanzanites? They
are the most gorgeous purple colour.
(Anna Sugden 1:36pm November 28, 2013)

Good to see you here today, Gayle! Amethysts are lovely stones
- you should check out Tanzanites too!
(Anna Sugden 1:37pm November 28, 2013)

Hi Richard! Thanks for stopping by! Bonus points to you for
knowing your wife's birthstone :) Garnets are lovely - so rich
in colour.
(Anna Sugden 1:38pm November 28, 2013)

Well, I'm not thrilled with them either. Would rather have the
latest electronic toy than a diamond any day!!!
(Vicki Hancock 1:42pm November 28, 2013)

LOL Vicki! Love a gal who knows what she likes! :)
(Anna Sugden 1:56pm November 28, 2013)

Sounds like a great book. Thanks for a chance to win. Happy Holidays.
(Amy Milne 2:33pm November 28, 2013)

Opal is my birthstone (October). I have a pair of pretty opal earrings....I have had an opal ring but it cracked. They are brittle stones, somewhat like our feelings, vulnerable & easily injured. I wouldn't call it my favorite gem ~ I don't have one, but if you must know, I'll take a diamond any day of the week. Sending greetings you way over the pond to you....
(Susan Coster 3:27pm November 28, 2013)

I've always loved amethysts. Thanks for the chance to win your book.
(Carol Woodruff 4:05pm November 28, 2013)

I'm not a diamond lover either---I had emeralds put in my wedding ring instead of diamonds.
(Sue Farrell 4:21pm November 28, 2013)

Thanks for stopping by, Amy. Hope you're having a great day.
(Anna Sugden 5:10pm November 28, 2013)

Hey Susan - greetings winging back across the Pond to you! You
can have the diamonds I don't like, then :) Opals can be
brittle, but I think the more you wear them the stronger they
are. Something to do with the moisture from your skin. That's
my theory anyway :)
(Anna Sugden 5:13pm November 28, 2013)

Hi Carol - good to see you again! Interesting how many
amethyst lovers we have here today!
(Anna Sugden 5:14pm November 28, 2013)

Hi Sue! Thanks for stopping by today! Oh I bet your wedding
ring is gorgeous - emeralds are so pretty.
(Anna Sugden 5:14pm November 28, 2013)

My birthstone is opal (and it's also my fave stone) -- one
of the best gifts I ever got is a 53 ct hard carved opal
pendant.

Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
elizabeth @ bookattict . com
(Elizabeth Hyatt 5:47pm November 28, 2013)

I love sapphires..they are so beautiful. would love to read this book!!!
(Bonnie Capuano 6:43pm November 28, 2013)

Love hockey. I'm sure I would like this book.
(Tina Lechuga 7:18pm November 28, 2013)

Wow, Congrats on your new book: A PERFECT DISTRACTION. I
like the book cover too! Yes, my favorite gemstone is my
birthstone for February. Amethyst and I love the color
purple too. Yes, I think Opals are pretty too and No they
are not unlucky because all gemstones belong and come from
GOD because he owns all people and animals and things on our
pretty planet. I would love to win and read your new book
this Fall. Thank You very much. Cecilia CECE
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 7:53pm November 28, 2013)

A book usually inspires me to pull out a hobby I all ready have and work on
a project. I have a variety of UFOs in my house.
(Laura Gullickson 11:23pm November 28, 2013)

When I got engaged, my husband offered to buy me an engagement ring. Instead I chose a beautiful prism, the first of many. We have been married for 33 years and my home has over 250 prisms of all sizes. It is filled with rainbows and love, enjoyment for all. I like gemstones, but crystal prisms are better.
(Sharon Mitchell 11:46pm November 28, 2013)

Happy Thanksgiving! I love all kinds of jewelry....any will do for me! Can't
wait to read this book!
(Melanie Backus 12:12pm November 29, 2013)

I read a similar romance book about opals. The setting was in Australia but I can't remember the title of the book. It has romance and fact about opal mining. I wonder if Rainbow Fire is the book. I only remember it was a Harlequin. I just can't if it was a Romance or Present.
(Kai Wong 12:18pm November 29, 2013)

Hi Elizabeth - thanks for visiting! Wow - that opal pendant
sounds gorgeous! Emilie was wearing a fabulous opal pendant
when I met her too. Very envious!
(Anna Sugden 5:42am November 29, 2013)

Hi Bonnie - good to see you! Sapphires are so beautiful -
years ago, in Sri Lanka, I saw the most amazing collection of
sapphires of all different colours.
(Anna Sugden 5:43am November 29, 2013)

Hi Tina! Yay! Another hockey fan! A Perfect Distraction is the
first in a series about the New Jersey Ice Cats, so plenty of
hockey and romance!
(Anna Sugden 5:44am November 29, 2013)

Hi Cecilia - thanks for stopping by! Thank you so much for the
compliments on my book. I was very pleased with what Harlequin
did for me :) That's a great way of looking at things :)
(Anna Sugden 5:45am November 29, 2013)

Hi Mary - good to see you. You love some very pretty stones -
jade and turquoise are so unusual!
(Anna Sugden 5:46am November 29, 2013)

Hi Elaine - rubies are lovely. I have some pretty jewellery
with rubies in from my 16th birthday.
(Anna Sugden 5:57am November 29, 2013)

Thanks for stopping by, Laura! How nice that books inspire you
to carry on with unfinished craft projects! I have a few UFOs
at home too and time is running out for Christmas presents!
(Anna Sugden 6:03am November 29, 2013)

Oh how lovely, Sharon. What a special idea and how wonderful
to have that daily reminder of your love!
(Anna Sugden 6:06am November 29, 2013)

Hope you had a lovely holiday, Melanie! LOL yay for the girls
who like bling! :)
(Anna Sugden 6:08am November 29, 2013)

Hi Kai - thanks for visiting. It sounds like Rainbow Fire.
There was a series of books about a family running a jewellery
empire in Australia, which also feature opals (by Miranda
Lee), but the one set in Coober Pedy is by Emilie.
(Anna Sugden 6:10am November 29, 2013)

My birthstone is an Opal. I love them and my husband is pretty good about buying me jewelry with opals ... next on the list is a bracelet. I have the hints out all ready for our 39th anniversary in January.
(Annetta Sweetko 7:25pm November 29, 2013)

This sounds like so much fun to read. I do love rubies.
(Mary Preston 7:40am November 30, 2013)

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A PERFECT DISTRACTION

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