The Pride of the Peacock, Holt Victoria

To secure her inheritance, Jessica Clavering agrees to a marriage of convenience, but will her handsome new husbands desire for her ever surpass his obsession with a famously cursed opal?

Raised in the shadow of her familys financial ruin, Jessica has never felt as though she fit in. When her only friend, an elderly neighbor, offers her the chance at a new life, shes eager to take it. His only condition: she must marry her son, Joss.

The newlyweds inherit a fabled opal mine in Australia. Its only once they arrive on the faraway continent that Jessica starts to uncover her familys dark past and her connection to the Green Flash, an exquisite and spellbinding opal. The stone arouses a dangerous desire in anyone who sees it-even her husband.

Blending historical romance with elements of the paranormal, The Pride of the Peacock is an exhilarating tale from the Queen of Gothic Romance. Fans of Susanna Kearsley, Daphne Du Maurier, and Kate Morton will be spellbound by classic story of an overseas voyage, a cursed opal, and forbidden desire.

Other Titles from Victoria Holt
The India Fan: Drusillas glamorous neighbors gift her a priceless family heirloom-a beautiful fans with a terrible curse
The Shivering Sands: Caroline Verlaines sister has gone missing and no one can tell her why. The only option is to go where Roma was last seen-an estate with a deadly history.
The Time of the Hunters Moon: According to legend, a girl will see her future husband at the time of the hunters moon. But when the handsome stranger revealed to Cordelia Grant disappears after an all-too-brief encounter, she has to wonder: Was he merely an apparition...or something more?

The heroine is adventurous, the hero is brooding, and the twists and turns of the story are unexpected, culminating in a surprise but satisfying ending.

Its suspenseful, full of relationship tales, uplifting, and I had a hard time putting it down

I couldnt put it down. The twist at the end is surprising and reminiscent of Agatha Christies style. Definitely a classic.

One of Holts best books.

I loved this book. I have read it over and over again-along with every novel ever written by Victoria Holt

The mysteries drew me in and kept me guessing right up to the end...-The Good, the Bad, and the Unread

This is just story telling at its finest.-Romancing the Book

Victoria Holts writing is captivating-Bookfoolery

She spins history with romance and intrigue and always leaves me wanting more.

Holts stories are spell binding....page turners.

I love her books I have read all of them again and again. She is a wonderful storyteller.

One of the supreme writers of gothic romance, a compelling storyteller whose gripping novelshave thrilled millions.-RT Book Reviews