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Gift of Diamonds (Transylvanian Trilogy Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 171 ratings

Seventeen-year-old Mica is a determined aspiring actress living with her parents in Romania as Nicolae Ceausescu begins his reign. Her parents are covertly political and influential, which makes them a perfect target for the Secret Police. They’re soon arrested, and Mica flees the country with her father’s rare—and possibly cursed—diamonds. With her parents imprisoned, it’s up to Mica to investigate the terrorism involving Ceausescu and his nuclear business partners.

The series has won these awards:

1. 2021 AMERICAN FICTION AWARD FINALIST, G
ift of Diamonds: Classification: Mystery/ Suspense

2. 2021 AMERICAN FICTION AWARD FINALIST,
Love Odyssey:Classification: Romance

3. NYC BIG BOOK AWARD 2021 Winner,
Love Odyssey,
Classification: Romance/ Thriller

4. INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD, 2022 DISTINGUISHED FAVORITE:
Love Odyssey, Classification: Romantic Suspense

5. INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD, 2022 DISTINGUISHED FAVORITE:
Treasure Seekers, Classification: International Thriller

6. GLOBAL THRILLER FINALIST 2022, CIBA, CHANTICLEER INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARD,
Treasure Seekers,Classification: International Thriller

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"an absorbing story that features a wonderful female protagonist ... rich in history" Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

"a compelling narrative with strong historical undertones ... well-crafted, fast-paced, and character-driven" -Jose Cornelio for Readers' Favorite

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08NZZJG12
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wayzgoose Press (February 23, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 23, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3842 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 171 ratings

About the author

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Roberta Seret
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Roberta Seret's Transylvanian Trilogy has received the following awards:

AWARDS:

1. 2022 – WINNER – BEST SERIES INDIE BOOK AWARD

Transylvanian Trilogy: (Gift of Diamonds,

Love Odyssey, Treasure Seekers)

2. 2021 AMERICAN FICTION AWARD FINALIST, Gift of Diamonds: Classification: Mystery/ Suspense

3. 2021 AMERICAN FICTION AWARD FINALIST, Love Odyssey: Classification: Romance

4. NYC BIG BOOK AWARD 2021 Winner, Love Odyssey,

Classification: Romance/ Thriller

5. INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD, 2022 DISTINGUISHED

FAVORITE: Love Odyssey, Classification:

Romantic Suspense

6. INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD, 2022 DISTINGUISHED

FAVORITE: Treasure Seekers, Classification:

International Thriller

7. GLOBAL THRILLER FINALIST 2022, CIBA, CHANTICLEER

INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARD, Treasure Seekers,

Classification: International Thriller

Best Sellers Rank: #21,437 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)

#16 in Historical European Fiction

#32 in Women's Historical Fiction

#38 in Historical Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Fiction

For immediate release:

Author's new book receives a warm literary welcome.

.

"Reviewed By Jose Cornelio for Readers' Favorite

Gift of Diamonds by Roberta Seret is a compelling narrative with strong historical undertones and a story with a memorable female protagonist. The story follows

seventeen-year-old Mica who sets off at night after the arrest of her parents by the Secret Police of the communist regime in Transylvania. She’s always dreamed of becoming an actress, but now she is alone and with nothing but rare diamonds that she brings along, her only hope of crafting a future for herself and her parents — if only they can survive the communist cruelty. She seeks asylum in the American Embassy in Budapest from where she plans to immigrate to the US and to eventually bring her parents with her. From connecting to the right people, guarding her secret about the diamonds, and finding the strength to stand up for herself, Mica will have to go through untold challenges, including rape, espionage, and staying alive. Can she make it to the US, sell her diamonds at Sotheby’s, and win her and her parents’ freedom? It will be interesting for the reader to find out.

This is a well-crafted, fast-paced, and character-driven story that had me on the edge of my seat. The reader is introduced to a young female protagonist who has to grow up quickly and become independent against the backdrop of an oppressive regime. The author offers powerful images of what it was like to grow up in communist Transylvania. There are strong shades of the experience of Auschwitz in relation to the diamonds. Roberta Seret’s prose is fantastic and I was delightfully moved by the evocative character of the writing. The descriptions are gorgeous and the author leads the reader into the psyche of the protagonist with intelligence. The setting is well written, and the contrast between the horror that Mica is running from and the hope of liberty in the US is mesmerizing. Gift of Diamonds is cinematic, an engaging story that I would love to watch as a movie."

Roberta Seret-has a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature and M.A. in French from New York University. She is director of Advanced English and Film at the United Nations for the Hospitality Committee and Founder of the NGO at the United Nations, International Cinema Education. She has created a Global Classroom for students of all ages at the United Nations and now at New York University where she also teaches.

Roberta is the author of the book World Affairs in Foreign Films and Transylvanian Trilogy, a 3-book historical fiction series: Gift of Diamonds, Love Odyssey, Treasure Seekers.

She has been awarded for 2021 American Fiction Award Finalist for two of the three books in the Transylvanian series: Gift of Diamonds: Mystery / Suspense: Historical Fiction and Love Odyssey: Romance: Historical Fiction.

Love Odyssey has been awarded 2021 NYC Big Book Winner for Romance Thriller

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
171 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and enjoyable. They appreciate the historical accuracy and background information for history enthusiasts. The compelling, strong female protagonist is described as a great role model for young girls. Readers learn about the history of diamonds from the book. The narrative is described as fast-paced and the book moves quickly.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

13 customers mention "Readability"13 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find the story engaging, with an exciting and suspenseful plot that flows smoothly from beginning to end. Readers appreciate the realistic events and the hopeful message of resistance.

"This book was suspenseful, gripping and I learned a lot of the history of Romania, which I really didn't know at all...." Read more

"...A Gift of Diamonds is an engrossing and hopeful story of resistance and survival. Mica's character grows up under these harsh conditions...." Read more

"...The book is a real page-turner and, embedded in the late 20th century, offers satisfying historical references for history enthusiasts." Read more

"I enjoyed this story about a place during a time not well known by many in the West--Romania during the communist era...." Read more

10 customers mention "Historical accuracy"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the historical accuracy of the book. They find the references satisfying for history enthusiasts, and the story combined with fascinating background information. The book blends facts and fiction, educating and entertaining readers. Readers praise the author as a fantastic historical fiction writer who offers a world of exoticism, imagination, passion, and learning about Romanian and Transylvanian history.

"This book was suspenseful, gripping and I learned a lot of the history of Romania, which I really didn't know at all...." Read more

"...embedded in the late 20th century, offers satisfying historical references for history enthusiasts." Read more

"...of the Transylvania Trilogy, Seret begins with the dramatic 1965 escape from Communist Romania of a 17-year-old protagonist, Mica...." Read more

"...A lot of interesting historical details worked in with an interesting plot and great characters. A great read." Read more

8 customers mention "Character development"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the character development compelling and strong. They describe Mica as a great heroine, brave, and close to her family. They say she's a good role model for young girls and shows immense willpower and bravery.

"...Mica is a great heroine, she's strong, brave and close to her family, a great role model for young girls...." Read more

"...Mica's character showed immense willpower and bravery as well as a good moral compass...." Read more

"...region in Eastern Europe through the experiences of a very strong female protagonist...." Read more

"...historical details worked in with an interesting plot and great characters. A great read." Read more

3 customers mention "Knowledge of diamonds"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's knowledge about diamonds. They mention learning about the history of diamonds and that diamonds are a girl's best friend.

"...I also learned about the history of diamonds... more to diamonds than I ever imagined! All in all a fun read and I highly recommend." Read more

"...It was like a mini course in the history of diamonds as well as their characteristics...." Read more

"Diamonds really are a girl’s best friend...." Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's fast-paced narrative. They find it engaging and say the book moves quickly, making them eager for the next installment.

"...Diamonds takes the reader back to communist-era Romania with a fast-paced narrative and level of detail unseen in any work of fiction...." Read more

"This fast-paced novel with charismatic characters entertains and educates...." Read more

"Fun, Fast Paced..." Read more

Colorful and fast-paced
5 out of 5 stars
Colorful and fast-paced
This fast-paced novel with charismatic characters entertains and educates. You feel that you spent your time well enjoying the adventure of a teenager who escapes from Romania under the dictator Ceausescu. This delightful book should be required reading in every high school civics or history class.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2021
    This book was suspenseful, gripping and I learned a lot of the history of Romania, which I really didn't know at all. Mica is a great heroine, she's strong, brave and close to her family, a great role model for young girls. I also learned about the history of diamonds... more to diamonds than I ever imagined! All in all a fun read and I highly recommend.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2021
    Mica Mihailescu grew up under the harsh communist rule of Ceaușescu in Transylvania. Her parents are active in covert activities, making them a prime target for the Secret Police. When Mica is seventeen, Mica's father tells her of a way to get out of the country and a hidden treasure of diamonds that will help start a new life. When her father's plan goes awry, Mica makes an amazing escape with the diamonds that her father warned her might be cursed. After escaping, Mica now must figure out who to trust with the diamonds and how to help the country and people she abandoned.

    When I think of Transylvania, Dracula is the first thing that comes to mind. However, later in history there was a man who is even more terrifying and whose awful deeds are well documented. A Gift of Diamonds is an engrossing and hopeful story of resistance and survival. Mica's character grows up under these harsh conditions. I have never really thought much about Romania and Transylvania history past Dracula. Through Mica, I was able to see the terror and that Ceaușescu was able to impose through creating hysteria and then implementing order. Mica's character showed immense willpower and bravery as well as a good moral compass. I was very interested in the history of the diamonds and how they found their way from Auschwitz to Mica's father. the diamond's story was so tragic, Mica felt a responsibility to use them for good. I was impressed by her willingness to use them to create a better situation for her country.
    9 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2021
    Gift of Diamonds offers a story about an often overlooked region in Eastern Europe through the experiences of a very strong female protagonist. While Mica is still just a teenager concerned with a romance and starring in a local play, she is constantly reminded of the implications of her father’s political involvement. Mica must grow up fast as she ultimately finds her way to the United States. The book is a real page-turner and, embedded in the late 20th century, offers satisfying historical references for history enthusiasts.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2022
    I like it but the situation in Romania when Ciaushescu came to power in 1964 was not as bad as described. The food was expensive and not plentiful but not as bad as in the 1950s. Anyway is hard to believe that somebody can cross the border to Hungary at that time.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2021
    In this first book of the Transylvania Trilogy, Seret begins with the dramatic 1965 escape from Communist Romania of a 17-year-old protagonist, Mica. It begins when her parents are arrested by the Secret Police. She knows she has to seek asylum immediately outside of Romania. Her father prepared her well on how to escape and how to take with her stolen Holocaust diamonds he had hidden in their home. What impact will these diamonds have on the future? This story is a remarkable look at the use of fear and intimidation in various political environments and the issue of trust and distrust for an emerging adult. This historical fiction parallels world events and intrigues.
    The Rev. Anita E. Keire, author of the Mustard Seed Series
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2022
    I enjoyed this story about a place during a time not well known by many in the West--Romania during the communist era. A lot of interesting historical details worked in with an interesting plot and great characters. A great read.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2022
    This is a hard book to read due to the subject matter - life in Romania under the Communist regime of Ceaususcu. It is well-written, although sometimes is a bit stilted. There is lots of emotion in the 17 year old girl who escapes alone from Romania. I didn't want to keep reading due to the terrible things that happened, but I wanted to find out how it all turned out, so I kept reading. I wouldn't say I liked it, but it paints a clearn picture of what life was like in Eastern Europe.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2021
    I finished the book in one day and I got so involved with the character that I wanted to know how she and her family fared in the USA. The background information was fascinating. It was like a mini course in the history of diamonds as well as their characteristics. Likewise, the history of Romania added an important dimension to the story. I highly recommend "The Gift of Diamonds" to anyone who likes captivating historical fiction.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report

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