Diamonds In The Sky

by M.A. Harper

FINALIST, DIGITAL BOOK AWARDS 2015, FOR ADULT FICTION! "The romantic plot is sweet, hot and well-paced." -Kirkus ReviewsGEMSTONES AND A LOVE STORY WRITTEN IN THE STARS...When struggling artist Caddy Keyhoe stumbles across what may be a lost and untraceable diamond, her first reaction is Maybe I can sell it. But how odd to be finding it in the gutter now, after last night’s dream of a UFO scattering bright gemstones... Research via Google leads her to the website of melancholy Alec Rix, passionate writer and mysterious stranger, who, turns out, has published on exactly what she's looking for—an interview with octogenarian Hatchell T. Beckham Sr., retired from farming and strangely eager to discredit the new crop circle on the Beckham property. Was the crop circle perpetrated by a neighborhood hoaxer? Or by those blazing diamond-shaped UFOs that just about everybody in Hopkins, South Carolina—except Hatch—claims to have seen…?As Caddy’s art career takes a magical turn for the stratosphere, Alec’s friendship with Hatch deepens through the old farmer’s tale of his long-lost family. Could there be a book in this? the blocked author has to wonder. But when pursuit of the story sends him blundering toward a radiant Caddy on the biggest night of her life, priorities immediately change. Because what can it really mean, "to follow a star”?A feet-on-the-ground story with its head in the clouds, Diamonds In The Sky reports from the Unknown with quiet wit, endearing characters, and the speculation that love just might be forever—even if not all diamonds are.A beautifully written love story that will be appreciated by lovers of literary fiction as much as romance readers. It's also paranormal, in the sense that it asks you to open your mind to what might be—and what might be possible! For fans of gorgeous literary romances like THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE, MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA, Joyce Carol Oates's A BLOODSMOOR ROMANCE, WAR BRIDES, Patty Friedmann's PICK-UP LINE, M.A. Harper's own CAJUN SPIRIT, and anything by Alice Hoffman."Deft characterization, wry humor and quiet but momentous scenes of growing affection create a deep-down satisfying novel." -Kirkus Review

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Chick Lit, Fiction, Fantasy, Amazon, Ebooks

259 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 25, 2014

About the author

M. A. Harper drew pictures all during her childhood and was pretty good at it, but none of them seemed complete without a caption. When she went to Tulane University to study art, her professors praised her technical ability but labeled her an "illustrator". Wrong. She was really a novelist. Her books have been named to the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers program as well as the BookSense '76 list, and she's the author of the online FAINT GLOW BLOG as well.

Reviews

[Cora Tea Party Princess · Rating 3 out of 5]

5 Words: Aliens! Not what I expected.

This was not at all what I expected. When I think aliens, I think "Oh, god. No thank you." But I decided to take a chance on this book and I'm very glad I did. It may even have changed my opinions about aliens in books.

When I started this book it was with Rihanna's song playing over and over in my head. And it kinda weirdly fit with the story, even if I was sick of the sound of it on repeat, a niggling little ear-worm which just wouldn't go.

This felt like such a summery book. It took me up and away from the kinda bad day I was having and made me smile (despite the ear-worm). I absolutely loved the narrative style, it was both comfortable and comforting to read.

I loved how cynical Caddy was. She was wry and dry and snarky and I immediately fell in love with her and her quirky habits. She was a real girl and I loved reading her parts the most.

That's not to say that I didn't like Alec, it's just that he wasn't such a bright character.

I would say to take a chance and pick this up. It's worth it. It's magical and moving, but so subtle in its delivery. A guaranteed smile.

[Samantha March · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received copy from CLP Blog Tours

Books like these I tend to really enjoy. A real story but with just a breath of something supernatural, paranormal. I thought the writing was tight and believable, and Harper made me expand my mind while reading. I also thought the love story between the characters was interesting and engaging to be a part of. I now want to read more from this author, and I hope you will too!

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Occasionally you read a book that you know will resonate with you forever; where the characters will forever be a part of you. This is such a treasure. Casey and Alex will stay with me, but Hatch I already knew. The way he loved Helen reminded me of my own Grandaddy's quiet heartbreak and longing after my Grandmother passed. However, the fresh joy Caddy and Alec brought to Hatch made the book resonate with hope. I loved all the threads that so beautifully tied past and present together in this beautiful story. I am eager to read more from Ms. Harper to see if all her characters are so ALIVE. I'm grateful she shared this lovely story.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story of love lost and found. The UFO elements are woven throughout, but their true explanation is left up to the reader. Was there really an alien in the sky that night or was it all in their imaginations.

Hatch was my favorite character. He reminded me of my grandfathers and the farm-tough mentality they both possessed. His storyline hit a little too close to home at times and there were some definite tears flowing.

[marcia freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an unusual and lovely read

I was expecting the usual romance novel with boy meets girl blah blah. But the meeting between Alec and Buddy and the subsequent relationship, eventually including Brandon and Caddy, shot me in the heart. A friendship between different generations is something that happened to me. My great aunt was 97 years old when she passed and I can honestly say she was one of my closest and best friends. I loved this book! Take care of your older relatives. They are our lifeline to our past.
Loved the references to New Orleans, Hattiesburg and Biloxi. I am right in the middle of all of them.

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Random and writing style that just doesn't quite fit. This story was hard to get into although it picked up a little in the second half. Not really a "paranormal romance" there wasn't really anything paranormal about it except a few talks about crop circles. The romance just wasn't there either. You never really got the feeling that Caddy and or Alec were in love at all. Not going to read it again.

[Rose English · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got myself caught up in this book although like other readers it only touched on the paranormal. UFOs only seemed to appear fleetingly tantalizing the readers so we expected much more. But I enjoyed the story and found it well worth the read

[K. L. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't wanna take the time to describe how inane this book was. The potential was lost in ramblings.

[Trudy Gleason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was slow to begin with but once I figured out what was going on, it was a good story.

[Patricia Ferreira · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good book, but not my cup of tea.

[Stefanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This lacked both plot and chemistry.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Total slogfest for me but I am so far into this book I will finish, 20% left. This will teach me not to have some unread books downloaded to my kindle. Can't recommend.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a really strange story with barely a hint of paranormal, so little that I'm not sure why it even needs clarification.

Story of Caddy, an artist and shoe store employee and Alec, a writer. Both are around 40 or so and that's all I'll say, because I did enjoy the unpredictability of the plot and the connections between the characters.

BUT the writing style of this book is what really put me off. I found it difficult to follow at times, so it took me forever to slog through this.

Plus the pacing is strange and it was really difficult to figure out that there are HUGE time gaps between chapters or sections. It was also a VERY slow build up getting the main characters to meet and then finally when we finally get to the romance part, it's FLAT. So flat that this falls in the realm of chick-lit, not romance.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

04/16: Got this on a Book Bub free deal. I'm a sucker for books set (at least partially) in New Orleans. It was a fun little read. This is not my usual read. There's a paranormal aspect, which I generally don't go in for. I'm not really a romance person. And, I'm certainly not for unconventional romance. That being said, I liked this one. I liked the characters. I felt for both Alex and Caddy. The plot twists that brought the story full circle is appealing. I guess we can all relate to feeling down and out, as though no one appreciates anything we have to offer. Harper made me care about the characters and want things to work out for them... even the cat. So, I'm back to summing things up by saying it was a fun little read.

[Mary Anne Heffernan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Fun to read.

[Kirstin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Never drawn into the story line. Took too long to figure out the connections.