Alycia James loves animals and prefers them over people. She also enjoys expressing her opinions and can often be stubborn. When she buys a heart pendant she really likes, she has no intention of anyone taking it from her grasps, especially after hearing it will bring her much happiness. As a rep for Big Cat Heaven, a series of lectures on the mating of captive Tigers, she is in San Francisco on business, but minutes after buying the necklace she is being chased by a man desiring to purchase it. This is something she doesn’t need on this trip. Barrick wants to find the right mate. With the help of a matchmaker he hopes to do just that, but he didn’t realize she would exist in another dimension. Since Alycia now has his heartstone, he must be the one to go and get her. Not to happy with the situation, Barrick boards the small shuttle and sets out to find Alycia. He had no idea she would be so different. He finds her interesting and even places his mark of possession on her, to which she thinks is barbaric. She isn’t an animal, but human, but Barrick has made her his. After being in such close proximity with Alycia, Barrick can only wonder has he really found his prime catch or a woman that intends on torturing him always.

The Diamond Heartstone is a fascinating page-turner. I love it when Barrick tells Alycia she talks too much. Their actions are so real as they come in contact with each other. The banter keeps the storyline moving at a good pace. Leila Brown sketches characters that stick in the readers mind even after the story is finished. I love the way she brings in the premise of Barrick and the tiger. I also liked the fact that Alycia really cares for the tiger and other animals. The setting with the maze of hallways put this reader right in the center of the action with the other cats, it was that description, and kept me glued wondering what would happen next. There were some twists and turns, with a few intense moments that this reader enjoyed. All in all this was a splendid read.

Reviewed by: Linda L.