The saga of the Yorkist royal family, first seen in Destiny Lies Waiting and Thy Name is Love, continues in the glittering world of Tudor power politics. The "Jewels" are two sisters, Topaz and Amethyst Plantagenet, both driven by strong passions, and most dangerously of all, descendants of Richard III, who lost his life and kingdom to Henry Tudor, Henry VII, the future father of Henry VIII.Topaz always felt she was the rightful queen, and would have been, had her father been declared Richard's heir and the crown not been usurped by the Tudors. Her whole life begins to center around her obsession to win her crown of destiny, no matter what the cost.Amethyst too is lured by the court through her love of music, caught in a glitter spider's web of intrigue in which one wrong word can mean death, and Henry VIII's displeasure even more of a torment than his love…As the Jewels of Warwick struggle to come to terms with their family's grim legacy, Topaz and Amethyst discover that life, love and destiny hold many temptations, and many strange twists of fate... "So you have not become betrothed since we last met?" the king asked suddenly. Amethyst didn't want to change the subject; she would rather have talked about music all evening. But of course, this was part of his imposing job also; to secure the marriagability of the kingdom's young maidens. "Nay, your majesty," she answered frankly. "Several gentlemen have courted me, but none have yet sparked my..." She struggled to find an appropriate word. "Passion?" he suggested silkily. Her eyes rounded. "Heavens, no! I was alluding more to...interest, your majesty. Passion I've yet to encounter." "Perhaps here at court, then, you will find a suitable parti. I assure you, there are many young gentlemen worthy of your rank and...interest, as you say." "I doubt it not, your majesty." But how could she even look in the direction of a mere earl or duke when in the presence of the handsomest and most vibrant man she'd ever met, who loved music even more than she, who just happened to be king? "Do you care to continue our musical interlude during your visit to court?" "Aye, your majesty, there is nothing I would like better!" she said with naïve honesty. He gazed down at her for a time as if trying to make up his mind about something of the most grave import. At last he broke the silence. "Very well, then, meet me in my receiving chamber following Vespers tomorrow. It is where my attendants meet to pass the time, and from there we shall find a quiet, private corner in order to play music together. I trust that suits you, Lady Amethyst." "Aye, it sounds grand." Making music with the king again—she believed something like this happened only once in a lifetime, not twice! "I shall be there, your majesty." She curtseyed. "Very well, I shall see you then." Then she remembered. "Oh, but my lute has not yet arrived with my baggage, your grace." "Never you mind, Lady Amethyst," the king replied, touching her cheek with his fingertips ever so gently. She shivered at the unexpected meeting of their flesh. "All the necessary instruments will be provided." Word Count=82,400BOUT THE AUTHOR Diana Rubino Having lived in England for several years, I devoted much time to historical research on the Middle Ages. My membership in the Richard III Society, with access to its library and the invaluable assistance of its Research Officer, has given me an additional wealth of material. My publication credits include stories in Espionage and Fiction Writers Monthly, among other periodicals. I also served as Editor/Staff Writer of a Washington D.C. trade association magazine in the late 1980s. I am a current member of Romance Writers of America, and the author of ten novels.

DESTINY LIES WAITINGBook One of The Yorkist SagaDiana RubinoEngland, 1471Beautiful orphaned Denys has been brought up a member of the Woodville family. The War of the Roses finally at an end, the Woodvilles have clawed their way to power thanks to her scheming Aunt Elizabeth, wife of the new Yorkist king Edward IV.But despite all the opportunities that seem to lay before her, Denys longs for something more. She has always felt an outsider in her own home, an unwanted orphan whose past no one ever dares speak of. Unwilling to become a pawn in her aunt's bid for ultimate power, Denys determines to seek the truth about her own mother and father, and her true identity.Valentine Starbury, loyal ally to young Richard, Duke of Gloucester, the King's brother, agrees to woo Denys in order to save his friend from the queen's plot for Richard and Denys to wed. Valentine undertakes this for the sake of friendship, but unexpectedly begins to fall in love with Denys, thus earning the enmity of the manipulative queen.As Denys and Valentine grow ever closer, the forces their affair unleash have the most stunning consequences for the couple, and those in their close circle. Their passion sparks off a cataclysmic chain of events which threatens the very foundation of the English throne, and will have far-reaching consequences for the whole of England itself.The shock of hitting the water was nothing compared to what assailed her senses next. Valentine's arms wound round Denys and brought her to her feet. Their brief contact sent the stars and all their brilliance searing through her body, as this intense surge drained all her energy.They stood now, both waist-deep in the water. Her bodice clung to her breasts, rising and falling rhythmically as she breathed. She could feel his intensifying breath fanning across her cheek.Before he could touch her any further, she stumbled out of the water, dragging her skirts behind her, her fists flailing through the air to fend him off, even as her arms ached to pull him closer…ABOUT THE AUTHOR Diana RubinoHaving lived in England for several years, I devoted much time to research. My membership in the Richard III Society, with access to its library and the invaluable assistance of its Research Officer, has given me an additional wealth of material. My publication credits include stories in Espionage and Fiction Writers Monthly, among other periodicals. I also served as Editor/Staff Writer of a Washington D.C. trade association in the late 1980s. I am a current member of Romance Writers of America, and the author of ten novels.D.R.