The First Ten Focus Group Feedback for Diamond in the Desert: A Hope Diamond Mystery

Because Diamond in the Desert was Book of the Day, some of our most trusted members have carefully looked over the cover, the description, and other aspects of this book as a part of purchase-intent focus group. We then asked each participant in the focus group if they planned to buy and read the book, and why they planned to buy and read the book or not. Their answer to that question and reasons are displayed below. We call this awesome feature The First Ten Focus Group.

Keep in mind, the responses from the members are not reviews. This is purchase-intent focus group which means the participants are people who have NOT yet bought or read your book. A purchase-intent focus group is an important and extremely useful marketing tool for any product, not just books. For other products, you might walk on the street and show people an item in a package and poll them about whether they would buy if or $X or not. These kind of focus groups are one of the ways big marketing companies find the ideal price points for products and test the effectiveness of different packaging. The focus group can help you identify your market so you how to target ads of your book, and it can (but may not) provide you new useful info about your "packaging" (e.g. your book cover, your book synopsis on Amazon, etc.). The point of the focus group comments is to give you information from people who have not bought or read your book about why they plan to buy your book which will help you in marketing the book. These are not reviews or critiques of your book because they are not from people have read the book. This is a marketing tool, not reviews. The trick of book marketing and book advertising is that you have to convince people who have not read your book yet that your book is worth buying and reading. For marketing, it doesn't matter much if people love your book after reading it if you cannot convince potential buyers before they read it that they will love it.

IMPORTANT: Any score over 10% is considered very good. And any score above 0% is acceptable. This is because we only poll about 20 or so readers, and all readers have to say "no" to almost all books. Over a million books are published each year. Even a very active reader cannot come close to even reading 1% of books out there.

This is also why publishing books is such a tough industry.

Ekta Kumari

The book is a crime mystery where the drama essentially revolves around the murder of one of the guests of a private meeting. Now, the responsibility to solve the case is in the hands of Hope whose agency's reputation is on the line as her agency was hired to protect the guests. I wouldn't have read the book based on its blurb. The thing I liked the most while sampling is that the narration quickly picks up pace and introduces different characters right away without the narration sounding hurried. I also like that the characters are realistic in their approach. Hope is portrayed as a career-driven woman and is quick on her toes. Her character was enough to keep me engaged. While I've clearly enjoyed the sample, I wouldn't be reading the whole book as the themes aren't what I'm looking to delve into. I saw an official OBC review. As for the editing, I rate the book as professionally edited as I didn't see any errors so far. I would recommend the author to include timestamps at the beginning of each chapter to add a little more intrigue to the storyline.

First Ten review added on December 15, 2021, at 5:09 am by Ekta Kumari.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Manang Muyang

I am not taken by the cover, though the title is catchy. The blurb tells me this is a whodunit. I am a thriller addict so I would have sampled the book on my own. The pages I read were a bit overwhelming because of all the characters being introduced. I liked the vivid description of the resort, but I did not feel a pull to read the rest of the story. I did not notice any errors. I cannot pinpoint anything to improve; I guess the next chapters will be easier to process. The official OBC reviewer was impressed with the book enough to give it the best rating. The book is a pass for me, though.

First Ten review added on December 15, 2021, at 4:59 am by Manang Muyang.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

xsquare

I’m a big fan of mysteries, so I would’ve sampled this book even if it hadn’t been part of the First Ten program. The high rating from the official OBC review only added to my interest. I liked the premise of the book, and I thought the buildup was intriguing and done well. I did not see any typos, and I don’t think that there was anything else that the author could’ve done better. I’m certainly keen to read the rest of the book!

First Ten review added on December 15, 2021, at 4:58 am by xsquare.

Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!

va2016

The title "Diamond in the Desert" and the cover of a lady do not convey the theme of the book. There are only 9 Amazon customer ratings, which is not a sufficient number for me to decide to sample this book. The Amazon summary states that the book is about an investigation in the Navajo Nation region. As I got very interested in the story, I would have sampled the book even if not for the First Ten program. As I sampled through the book, I found the narration describing Hope doing the security arrangements while the guests are expected to arrive at the remote desert resort. As I am interested in the overall story, I am going to read this book in full. I found the sample professionally edited. There were no grammatical or mechanical errors in the sample. What I liked most about the book is its overall story. I don't have any recommendations for the improvement of the book. Although I found one OBC review of the book, my decision to read the book in full is based on my own sampling.

First Ten review added on December 15, 2021, at 4:43 am by va2016.

Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!

Justine Ocsebio

I wouldn’t have sampled the book based on the blurb, as I wasn’t interested in the premise. I like how the book begins with Hope receiving an intelligence report that the lives of her four affluent clients are in danger. I’m not interested in the overall premise, so I’m not going to read the entire book. The OBC review did not affect my decision. I disliked nothing, and I didn’t see anything that needed improvement. The text is well edited.

First Ten review added on December 15, 2021, at 4:22 am by Justine Ocsebio.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Asma Aisha Ansari

I loved the title and the cover of this book and would've picked this book up based on these two criteria alone. As a fan of murder mysteries, I enjoyed the sample. The plot is engaging, and the characters are well-written. The story is set in the Navajo Nation lands which is another important and attractive aspect of this novel. The blurb, the Amazon reviews, and the official OBC review are encouraging and positive. And, they solidified my decision to sample the book.

There's nothing that I disliked about the sample. The book seems professionally edited, as I encountered only a few minor errors in the sample. Here's an example: She worked behind the scenes keeping Janai on schedule, answering email, and running interference. In this sentence, the plural form 'emails' should be used instead of 'email'. I suggest that the book be edited for such minor errors. Lastly, I'm going to read the rest of the book, as I enjoyed reading the sample.

First Ten review added on December 15, 2021, at 4:19 am by Asma Aisha Ansari.

Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!

Jeremie Mondejar

The cover art is really eye-catching as well as the title. By just looking at the cover photo, it looks like hiding a dark secret with its beauty. I sampled this book based on the program, and my assumption was right. The story revolves around an agents who are protecting a high profile clients. They called their operation "the Hope Diamond." I like how detailed the narrative is. It's clear and vivid when the author projects the characters. I will not read this book because the story may contain heavy emotional distress, which isn't good for me. The sample looks good, so I assume this book is professionally edited. I read a detailed OBC review, but it didn't pique my interest. Lastly, there's nothing I can recommend for improvement.

First Ten review added on December 15, 2021, at 4:07 am by Jeremie Mondejar.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Dzejn_Crvena

Based on the catchy cover, I'd have sampled this book outside this program. However, I changed my mind when I learned that it has romance. The OBC review and the sample didn't convince me to read or buy it. The protagonist is tasked to protect four women from assassination while they were in Navajo Nation. She learned from her boyfriend that the information was found in the dark web. I like the engaging writing style and the fast pacing of the book that helped me immediately understand the purpose of the story. However, I'm not interested in crime novels for now. The book seems professionally edited, so I don't have suggestions for improvements.

First Ten review added on December 15, 2021, at 3:59 am by Dzejn_Crvena.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Sanju Lali

I could not guess anything about this book as "Diamond in the Desert" indicated many things to me. Therefore, I decided to read an OBC official review of this book to know what is meant by diamond in the desert. The OBC official review gave me the idea that this is a crime story novel loaded with romance and paranormal elements. This information motivated me to read the sample of the book before purchasing it. When I read the first ten pages, I realized that this book is not professionally edited because I found some grammatical errors in the sample. For example, the sentence, “Ellen’s voice was shaky, as if she were going to tear up." The sentence could have been as follows. "Ellen’s voice was shaky as if she were going to tear up." The thing l liked the most is the idea of the FBI gathering information from the dark web to predict probable criminal acts. This story is eye-opening to me because I could learn how security agencies predict the occurrence of crime. My suggestion to the author would be to go for a round of professional editing and make this book appear more polished. I cannot wait to finish reading this book because I am excited to learn a lot about modern-day security and how safe we are. Therefore, I will buy this book today and read it.

First Ten review added on December 15, 2021, at 3:31 am by Sanju Lali.

Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!

Mercy Bolo

I liked the artwork on the book's cover, but it didn't entice me to read it. The OBC review dissuaded me when it mentioned that the author narrates an investigation following a gruesome murder at the Secret Sands Resort in the Navajo Nation. That storyline doesn't appeal to me, so I won't read the rest of the book. When I read the first ten pages, I liked that Frank concluded that one of the women must've slipped and leaked information about the meeting venue and the attendees. I spotted no errors in the text, so I will conclude that it underwent professional editing. There's nothing I disliked about the bit I read, so I wouldn't change anything about it.

First Ten review added on December 15, 2021, at 3:07 am by Mercy Bolo.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Shrabastee Chakraborty

While the cover and the title caught my attention, I wasn't inclined to read the book based on the OBC review. I found no errors in the first ten pages. Hope Diamond's company provided security to high profile women, some of whose identities were leaked on the dark web. Hope and her associates tried to gauze the situation. I could not truthfully say I liked anything in the excerpt. While the prospect of revealed identities on the dark web excited me, the rest of the text seemed flat, not inducing much interest. I would suggest enhancing the thrill more in those initial pages. Based on my reading experience, I would not read the full book.

First Ten review added on December 15, 2021, at 2:45 am by Shrabastee Chakraborty.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Sou Hi

The cover and the official review from OBC are alright, but there are not many ratings on Amazon. Since the blurb's promising, I decided to give the sample a try. It's about Hope Diamond and her security company. She is informed that someone may be targeting her latest clients, four female billionaires. Without a clear clue, she and her employees have to watch out for everything.

I like the book's theme. The editing looks good. However, I think the sample is a bit monotonous. Since this is a crime novel, the author should add some suspenseful details to make the story more appealing. I will need more of the content to see if I should read the rest of the book. For now, I won't buy it.

Error example: my sister, Valerie Van Meter and Family. -> Since the part "and Family." is not part of the author's sister's name, it shouldn't be in bold.

First Ten review added on December 15, 2021, at 2:45 am by Sou Hi.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Mutai Marshal

I could barely connect with both the cover page and title of this book. Therefore, I wouldn't have read this book outside the First Ten program. I loved the vivid descriptions deployed by the author. I could picture Lucy's physique. The dialogues give the book a fluid flow. Having read the OBC review and sampled it, I will not buy this novel because I don't relish books containing romance aspects. It seems exceptionally edited. I only recommend incorporating a table of contents to guide readers.

First Ten review added on December 15, 2021, at 2:11 am by Mutai Marshal.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Melisa Jane

I would have sampled this book based on its title and cover because they give an impression that this is a mystery book. As a fan of mystery, I'd like to read this genre. However, after sampling it, I won't finish reading it because it turns out to be a crime thriller. Since this isn't my genre, I won't be reading this book. I liked how the author created suspense right from the beginning of the book. I was curious to find out who had put a hit on the women Diamond was protecting and how she is planning to intervene. Since this isn't my genre, I don't have any improvement suggestions. I didn't find any grammatical errors while reading. This book has an official OBC review.

First Ten review added on December 15, 2021, at 1:50 am by Melisa Jane.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Rodel Barnachea

Following my poring over the book's Amazon page and official OBC review, I opted not to purchase the crime thriller. I am not interested in learning about the identity of the person who killed one of the guests that Hope Diamond's agency, Diamond Security, is supposed to look out for and protect. I am also not fascinated by that murderer's intentions or motivations. Going over its sample failed to change my mind. I would not purchase it because nothing in the text had me wanting to peruse the remaining chapters of the crime drama. I am also not intrigued by how Diamond's investigation will proceed given the fact that FBI agent Matt Dennison would not cooperate with Diamond Security. The first ten pages contain the first chapter and some pages of the second chapter. My favorite part is reading the different reactions of the members of the Diamond Security agency to the news of their clients' meeting being leaked to the dark web. I did not identify any errors in the Amazon sample. I believe the book is professionally edited. I have nothing to suggest to the author.

First Ten review added on December 15, 2021, at 1:31 am by Rodel Barnachea.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Howlan

I would have read this book without the review, as I was impressed by the synopsis. In the first ten pages, we are introduced to Hope Diamond, who is in charge of the security of a meeting of billionaires. We are introduced to the billionaires Janai, Gloria, Lydia, and Hope's staff Lucy, Zach, Tony, and her business partner Frank. The narration is well-paced and easy to understand. I liked the edgy character of Hope, and I like mystery thrillers in general. The official OBC review promises some good action scenes, so I think I will enjoy reading this book. So, I am going to buy and read this book as I am interested in the story. No typos were found in the first ten pages. I found nothing to improve in the first ten pages.

First Ten review added on December 14, 2021, at 11:24 pm by Howlan.

Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!

review-specialist

Diamond In The Desert: A Hope Diamond Mystery by Karen Gilleland is an awesome read. Had I not sampled the first ten pages of this book, I would have chosen to read or sample this book because the cover consisting of a tilted hat hiding half of a lady’s face evoked a bit of mystery, and the title was good in the sense that it actually played upon my imaginations to contemplate how the character, ‘Hope Diamond’ could have ended up in a dry, sandy area such as the desert. However, after reading the first 10 pages I acquired the understanding of why Hope Diamond had been in such an area. The details of the cover and title further encapsulate one of my liked genre- C/T/M/H. Also, the book started off with an intriguing phone call between Hope Diamond and her long-distance relationship boyfriend and FBI agent- Jake Sanders. This piqued my interest into the unfolding mystery and I particularly liked that this interest was maintained throughout the 10 pages.

Furthermore, I liked the fact that within those 10 pages, the essence of the storyline was clear and I could tell that Hope Diamond had a real mystery on her hand: To discover who is the killer among the very same clients she is hired to protect. Based on what was read, the book seemed like it was professionally edited and the customer reviews being mostly 5 star reviews and a perfect 4-star rating by the official onlinebookclub.org reviewer are factors that would convince me to read this book. In terms of improvement, perhaps the greeting of Hope’s clients could have been limited so as to minimize a drawn out feel of the read in that section of the book.

In the future, I am convinced to buy and read the entire book because in addition to the above details, I am eager to discover much like the character, Hope Diamond, who the killer is. I would also like to understand the killer’s motive which can only be known when I buy and read the entire book.

First Ten review added on December 14, 2021, at 10:20 pm by review-specialist.

Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!

Annelore Trujillo

I would have sampled this book based on the genre, blurb, OBC review, cover and title. I tend to like a good crime/mystery novel. After reading the first ten pages, I won’t be finishing this book. I liked the way the author gave a brief bit of background information on each character as the character was introduced. However, there were way too many characters introduced too quickly. I couldn’t wrap my head around all of them. Also, the editing could use improvement as I noticed errors that told me the book might not be professionally edited. For example, in “Gloria Gonzales, at two; Ellen McKenna at three”, the comma should be omitted as it is unnecessary and inconsistent with punctuation in the rest of the sentence.

First Ten review added on December 14, 2021, at 8:56 pm by Annelore Trujillo.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

brooke oakes

I doubt I would have sampled or read this book outside this program. It’s cover and title don’t grab my attention. It’s OBC and Amazon review appealed to me though, and I would read the book for this reason.
The book starts out as Hope Diamond describes the person she is protecting. There is a plan in place that must be followed. They don’t know which guests in the hotels are enemies, so the team must remain alert. I liked the vivid descriptions in this book, and am curious as to how they will uncover the evidence they need. I don't notice any errors, while I read. I don't think this book needs any improvement.

First Ten review added on December 14, 2021, at 8:53 pm by brooke oakes.

Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!

Sarah_Khan

I really like the unique cover and the intriguing title of this book. The plot seems unique, so I would have sampled this even if it was not a part of the First Ten program. The first few pages were well edited. I have to say it was quite funny to read Lydia's voice described as "her foghorn voice". The OBC review was positive. I was happy to read that there is some romance in this story. For this reason, I will definitely be reading the rest. I do not have any suggestions for the author.

First Ten review added on December 14, 2021, at 7:53 pm by Sarah_Khan.

Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!

MsH2k

I don’t read mysteries often, but I enjoy them. That is the only genre I don’t mind getting involved in a series—that’s probably because the mysteries don’t usually span installments. I liked the cover and the title, and the blurb drew me in to the story. The sample pages started off with the issue right away, which I liked. I also connected with Hope and thought her name was clever. I had a bit of trouble keeping up with all the characters’ names at first. There were a lot between the security team, the meeting attendees, and their guests. Since the arrival time of the attendees is staggered, it seems that the reader will get to meet each woman separately, giving us time to get to know them better. I enjoyed the first ten pages, and I will buy this book. It appeared to have been professionally edited. I did not notice any grammatical errors in the first ten pages, and I have no suggestions for improvement. The featured OnlineBookClub review reinforced my decision to buy this book. Neither any other editorial reviews nor customer reviews had any bearing on my decision.

First Ten review added on December 14, 2021, at 7:46 pm by MsH2k.

Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!

Jorge Leon Salazar

The cover and title are creative and eye-catching but I don't associate them with a crime mystery novel. I'm unsure if interested readers will detect this book. In general, the crimes and mystery stories catch my attention. The blurb comments that the protagonist is Hope Diamond, director of Diamond Security, who must find a murderer among the same clients whom she must protect. One of the guests is found dead. Hope must find the answer before the guests leave. The customer reviews are incredibly positive. Based on the comments, I could try this book. The first ten pages center around a week-long meeting to be held by several very wealthy women. It will take place at a luxurious resort in the Navajo Nation. From the beginning, the expectation of a possible attack against some of the women is generated. Their identities and the name of the hotel popped up on the dark web. The detailed description of the women makes one can imagine them both physically and their personalities. The moment they arrived at the resort with their companions reinforces the possibility that the perpetrator is inside the hotel and might be a member of these entourages. From the official OnlineBookClub review, one learns Meghan is murdered. Plus, it indicates the main characters, Hope and Matt, are likable. Likewise, it mentions the story includes romantic and paranormal elements. The editing looks outstanding since I did not see any detail to comment on. Overall, I did not see anything that I believe could be improved. What I read raised a well-constructed plot, but it did not completely capture me. As a whole, I didn't see anything that made it different from other crime and mystery stories. Therefore, I will not read the rest of the book.

First Ten review added on December 14, 2021, at 7:10 pm by Jorge Leon Salazar.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Scerakor

After reviewing the title, genre, cover, blurb, and review of this book, I would not have read this book. This genre really doesn't interest me and there wasn't much in the description that attracted me to it. After reading the first ten pages I didn't change my mind and therefore will not be buying and reading the rest of this book. I enjoyed the descriptive writing that I saw early on. Between the specific brands of jackets being worn to the smell of caramelized pecans, I really felt embedded into the story. That being said, I don't think there will be enough action and intrigue in this one to keep me interested throughout. The book looked well written and edited as I didn't pick up on any errors in the short sample that I read. The thing I would have improved from the sample I read is minor and potentially inconsequential. The name "Hope Diamond" is definitely not something that I would have chosen as I can only think about the actual diamond rather than the character. I would have chosen a different name in order to improve the book. There was an official OBC review, but it did not affect my decision at all.

First Ten review added on December 14, 2021, at 1:54 pm by Scerakor.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Jennifer Garcia 555

I like the genre and the title of this book. I was interested in reading the description and the reviews. After reading the description and an official Online Book Club review, this sounded like an entertaining murder mystery. I read the sample pages and became less interested in the story. I like that the story is told from the security team's viewpoint, but I was overwhelmed by the number of characters introduced in just the first few pages. This book could be improved by a slower introduction of characters. I did not see any editing errors, so this book seems professionally edited. I am not going to buy and read this book, because I was not able to get into the story.

First Ten review added on December 14, 2021, at 1:31 pm by Jennifer Garcia 555.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Rosemary Owolabi

The front cover and the title look captivating enough to me to want to grab and read the book.
I would love to buy and finish reading this interesting book because It is well-written. The first ten pages changed my mind from the original guess. I would like to read the book because the writer is an intelligent person who keeps the book captivating.
The book seems like a professionally written book, and I found no typos/errors in the first ten pages of the book.
I like the idea around the way the story is written, adding many leading women to the story.
What I know from the bit that I read in the first ten pages is that the lives of four billionaire ladies, including Janai Ross, a powerful woman, could be in danger. They are to travel to an isolated location in the middle of the Navajo Nation called the Secret Sands Resort for a one-week-long meeting organized by Janai. According to the former FBI agent and Hope Diamond's friend, who shares this information with Hope, She is the head of the Hope security agency. He informs her of the strange activities happening on the dark web regarding everything regarding the meeting. Hope's agency is handling the exclusive security guards. This could mean the end of her agency if she fails to keep the clients safe. She fears that one of the guests could be revealing the information to someone who is using it on the dark web. Even so, great care has been taken not to disclose too much information about the meeting. Janai refuses to let them know what the meeting is about. She rents the whole property.
For the meeting, Hope Diamond just feels overwhelmed as she beefs up security at the resort as they wait for their clients to arrive.
I have nothing to suggest to the writer about the writer's improvement because the book is well-written to my satisfaction. It is both honest and interesting. I like it.
I didn't check the online reviews; I just went straight to reading the first ten pages. My lack of reading the reviews didn't affect my decision. Furthermore, I really like the book very much.

First Ten review added on December 14, 2021, at 11:52 am by Rosemary Owolabi.

Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!

Brenda Creech

I found both the title and cover of this book interesting, so that I would have checked it out based on that. After reading the OBC review, I was still interested and wanted to know more about the story. I did not read any Amazon customer reviews or blurbs about this book, but I read the sample. Hope Diamond and her security personnel were awaiting their guests to provide security for them to arrive at the private hotel in the desert. Hope had booked the entire hotel just for them. The guests were powerful women billionaires, and it was Hope and her team's job to keep them safe while there. Right before they arrived, Hope's boyfriend called her and told her the meeting had been found on the dark web, so someone had found out about the women coming there. If anything happened to any woman, it could destroy Hope's business. Everyone was on edge, even the women as they arrived. I found the part I read interesting. I did not find any errors or anything that needed improvement. However, I didn't comprehend what the meeting of these women was for or why the assistants they each brought with them seemed to have some antagonism against their bosses. The mystery was well hidden in the sample, so I did not find out what the meeting of the billionaire women was about. Although I found what I read interesting, I couldn't get myself excited about the story just from the review and the sample. I am not enthused about reading a crime mystery at this time. It is mainly because of the paranormal aspect of the story being hinted at because I try to avoid anything of that type. I have decided not to read the rest of the book because of the paranormal issue. I prefer just a straightforward crime mystery without any special powers.

First Ten review added on December 14, 2021, at 7:53 am by Brenda Creech.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Mbrooks2518

Mystery is one of my favorite genres, so this book interested me right away, and I would have read the sample even without The First Ten. I like more fast-paced stories, so I like that this one opens with Hope receiving the call about the potential threat to the women she's protecting. I also liked that the author included a Navajo proverb at the beginning of the book. Just from the sample, this seems like a book I'll really enjoy, so I am going to buy it.

The only minor editing mistake I noticed was on page 4, which said, '"I'll round them up." Frank said, getting to his feet.' The period after 'up' should be a comma. Otherwise, there is nothing that needs to be improved.

First Ten review added on December 14, 2021, at 6:52 am by Mbrooks2518.

Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!

gen_g

Based on the title and cover, the book looks like a piece of mystery fiction, and I am not looking for books in this genre. I have come across a positive OBC review of this book due to BOTD, but I would not have sampled it anyway because of the genre mismatch. I have also spotted a couple of errors present. At 12% in the sample, there is an extra space after the second em dash in a set of two em dashes, when there was no space inserted before and after the first em dash. Basically, it is a lack of consistency: "...hills–carved by waters that had vanished millions of years ago–( )appeared...". I suggest more rigorous editing to improve book quality. Still, what I do enjoy is that fact that the book starts with a bang. This will help pique the readers' interest and, hopefully, maintain immersion in the story. For example, we learn that the identities of some very important women and the name of the hotel where said women are staying have been listed on the dark web. This is very bad news to Hope, as she has been tasked to protect these very same women. I also appreciate the little details included, which flesh out the story. To illustrate, the Navajo tapestries hung in the room that Hope is in has geometric designs. In order to further improve the book, it would be good to adjust the font positioning and font choice to make the cover seem more professional. The background illustration could also be lightened. I suggest hiring a professional illustrator. I am not buying the book today as I am not in the market for mysteries.

First Ten review added on December 14, 2021, at 5:15 am by gen_g.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Kirsi Cultrera

The outward appearance and the blurb of this book seemed unappealing to me. Reading a few customer reviews and the Official OnlineBookClub review confirmed that this is not the type of book I would choose for reading, and I only sampled it because it is a part of this program. I liked that the protagonist was a female, which is unlikely in this type of story. In addition, I liked the references to the Navajo culture, as I love to learn about the culture and habits of Native Americans. As far as I am able to judge, the book seemed well-edited. The story appeared well-structured and well-written. However, the relationship between Hope Diamond and the FBI agent sounded rather clichéd. The other detail to the same category was the collision course between Hope and another FBI agent who was sent to investigate the death of one of the hotel guests. Other than the protagonist being a female, I did not see how this murder mystery would be unique compared to other agent books out there. I’ve read too many similar stories and can’t really seem to find them interesting enough anymore. Therefore, my original guess about this book did not change. I am not going to read it further.

First Ten review added on December 14, 2021, at 4:08 am by Kirsi Cultrera.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Joseph Mutuku 1

I have liked what I read in the first ten pages of this book. The author began the story so well—in a way that motivates the reader to keep reading. I felt the suspense from the first page, and I was curious to know what would ensue—especially after Jake Sanders (an FBI agent) had leaked what he saw on the dark web. Probably Diamond Security clients would fall victim to the planned crime. What will that happenstance cause on Diamond Security’s reputation? Who’s the target? That’s what would make me want to read; however, I’m not a fan of crime stories. The book’s title is okay, and its cover page, though not catchy, is also okay. Its official Online Book Club review was positive and insightful—enough to answer most of the questions I would have before selecting this book. Nevertheless, it’s my habit to sample a few pages before buying any book. After reading the first ten pages, I’m not going to finish reading it because of the previously mentioned reason. I didn’t spot any error in the first ten pages, and I think the book was professionally edited. I liked the storyline and how riveting the story is. The sample was well-written; I disliked nothing in it, and I have no advice for the author that would help improve this book.

First Ten review added on December 14, 2021, at 3:13 am by Joseph Mutuku 1.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Catherine Hsu

If I had not read the sample as part of the First Ten program, I would have read the book. I love mystery and crime novels where the suspect is someone on the inside, so this looks really interesting from the blurb. After reading the sample, I have not changed my mind. I would not change anything as there was nothing I disliked. The dialogue was my favorite part — it was both informative and yet really casual, allowing me to get an idea for what the dynamic between Hope, Meghan, and Ellen was like. It was professionally edited. The official review on OnlineBookClub did not affect my decision.

First Ten review added on December 14, 2021, at 2:46 am by Catherine Hsu.

Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!

J_odoyo

After reading the first ten pages, I have realized that this book envelops a riveting story that will appeal to many fans of crime novels. Diamond in the Desert: A Hope Diamond Mystery by Karen Gilleland is indeed a seemingly well-written book. The identities of the women protected by Diamond Security and the name of the hotel where they were to have a private meeting popped up on the dark web. Jake Sanders, an FBI agent, informs Hope Diamond (the head of Diamond Security). She is worried about Diamond Security’s reputation and what might ensue. The progress of this book is inviting, and I can’t stop guessing what is next. Besides an attractive cover page, the book also has a catchy title. I appreciate the fact that this book had an OnlineBookClub review, which gave insight into what the book is all about. The sample was well-edited (I found zero error), and it is easier to wager that the book was professionally edited. I liked the author’s narration skills, and the book’s description on the Amazon website was also okay. However, reading this sample didn’t change my mind to finally finish reading this book; I’m not a fan of this genre. I have no recommendation for the improvement of this book; the sample was well written.

First Ten review added on December 14, 2021, at 1:57 am by J_odoyo.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Ari Martinez

If it wasn't for this program, I wouldn't sample this book based on its title, cover, or Official OnlineBookClub review because it didn't seem like the type of mystery novel I would enjoy. After reading the sample, I will not read the rest of the book because the story didn't draw me in. I guess it's because the group of ladies in danger were not likeable or appealing to me. My favorite part of the sample was the sense of mystery created by the author. As the characters were introduced, there was always a small detail that made me wonder if that person could be the killer. The book appears professionally edited, and I don't think it needs improvement.

First Ten review added on December 14, 2021, at 1:27 am by Ari Martinez.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Hazel Arnaiz

Outside the program, I will skip this book. The cover and title look more like romance, which I seldom read. The blurb says it’s a thriller and mystery, and customer feedbacks are positive. But I did not find the plot interesting enough. Also, I suggest a book cover that hints at mystery and thriller to make instant visual connections with the target audience. After sampling, I appreciate that it weaves the Navajo culture into the story. It promotes awareness and adds an interesting layer to the crime and mystery. However, it did not change my mind about the plot. The story about wealthy women and their secret meetings did not pique my curiosity. Also, I prefer more intensity and suspense to get hooked on the mystery. Hence, I will not finish the book. I noticed some editing issues. Here are examples.

Location 264. Grammar. Consider using the plural form for number agreement.

She worked behind the scenes keeping Janai on schedule, answering [email], and running interference.

She worked behind the scenes keeping Janai on schedule, answering [emails], and running interference.

Location 394. Punctuation. Double period. Consider removing the extra punctuation.

“What has happened?” she asked softly[..]

“What has happened?” she asked softly.[]

The official OnlineBookClub review is enthusiastic and insightful, but it did not influence my decision.

First Ten review added on December 14, 2021, at 12:48 am by Hazel Arnaiz.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Gabrielle Sigaki

Diamond in the Desert by Karen Gilleland contains mystery, romance, drama, crime, and action too. It also brings Hope Diamond, the head of a security agency that has to protect a special group. If I didn't sample this book, I wouldn't read it based on its Official OnlineBookClub since the themes of drama and romance don't attract me at all. After sampling it, I didn't change my mind and I won't read the entire book because the drama and the romance repel me from reading more of it. However, the book seems professionally edited, there's nothing to be improved in it, and I liked the descriptions of the scenes, which created a cinematographic situation with a lot of colorful details.

First Ten review added on December 13, 2021, at 11:55 pm by Gabrielle Sigaki.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Stephanie Runyon

The genre attracted me initially, though the cover showing a woman hiding part of her face is intriguing as well. The amount of suspense from the start of the book is intense. I am not certain, but an objective error I noticed affected some clarity. I have no improvements to suggest, as the story did draw me in. There is an official OBC review, and it did influence my choice to read the book. The crime, mystery, and the intensity of the plot are all factors that kept my attention.

Error Fortunately, she had booked the entire property, but an unexpected desk was a danger trigger in a security operation.
Instead of desk, I believe person or guest would have been more appropriate.

First Ten review added on December 13, 2021, at 9:51 pm by Stephanie Runyon.

Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!

Kaitlyn Canedy

If Diamond in the Desert hadn't been the OnlineBookClub's book of the day, I probably would have skipped it. Based on the cover art, I was unsure of what to expect in the book. The description on Amazon had me slightly intrigued, but the customer reviews did not. I liked that the agency mentioned in the sample is women-owned; this should help set the book up for a strong female cast. However, because of my dislike for certain mystery novels, I have decided to skip this one after reading the sample. I did not notice any grammatical errors, and I can think of no improvements that can be done to it. There is an official OnlineBookClub review for this title, but I did not need to read it to make a decision. Readers who enjoy spy novels and a female cast may like this book.

First Ten review added on December 13, 2021, at 9:12 pm by Kaitlyn Canedy.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Mariana Figueira

Before reading the book's first pages, I wasn't interested in it because nothing on the cover or the title got my attention. After sampling the book, I don't want to continue reading it because the story didn't captivate me. I like that Hope Diamond has her own security company, and that her clients are also powerful women. This book seems professionally edited and has an official Online BookClub review. There was nothing I saw that needed improvement. Neither the blurb, customer reviews, or editorial reviews affect my decision not to read the book.

First Ten review added on December 13, 2021, at 8:27 pm by Mariana Figueira.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Mary WhiteFace

The cover art and title were well done and appropriate for the genre. I liked that the title was a play on the protagonist name. Based on the genre, synopsis, customer reviews, and the OnlineBookClub review, I would not have been interested in sampling this book if it was not a part of the First Ten program. There was no OnlineBookClub blurb to affect my decision. I don't usually enjoy crime or murder mysteries.

Reading the first ten pages did not change my mind. The book seemed to be professionally edited. I have no suggestions for improvements. I liked how the author occasionally used a play on words to describe someone or something. A perfect example from location 147: "It was appropriate that the woman ran a pharmaceutical company. She was a hard pill to swallow."

I found the first ten pages enjoyable and easy to envision. I just don't feel drawn to continue reading the whole book knowing that it is a crime thriller.

First Ten review added on December 13, 2021, at 6:56 pm by Mary WhiteFace.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Chelsy Scherba

I enjoyed how the story flowed as characters were introduced and found out their meeting was on the dark web. I don’t usually read crime fiction, so it’s unlikely I would have found this book without reading the OBC review. The review actually caught my interest simply because it has some Native American cultural superstitions that make the story a little more interesting to me than the average crime novel. I also love the cover image. I’m not sure if I’ll read the book today because of the genre, but I’m interested in keeping it on my list for future consideration. I have no suggestions for improvements because the editing looked perfectly flawless to me.

First Ten review added on December 13, 2021, at 5:02 pm by Chelsy Scherba.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Emy Katherine

When the murder of one of her clients puts her agency (Diamond Security) in jeopardy, Hope Diamond teams up with FBI Agent Matt Dennison to solve the mysterious death of Meghan Connors. As I enjoy reading crime stories, I would have read the book based on the genre and the OBC review. I changed my mind after sampling the book, though. I liked how well the author introduced the characters by using a descriptive, easy-to-read writing style, but I did not feel invested in the story. However, from what I have read, this story will surely appeal to those who are interested in reading murder mysteries that contain paranormal elements. I found nothing that needed to be improved. I only noticed some minor errors that did not disrupt the flow of the story. For example, it should be punctuated "'I'll round them up,' Frank said, getting to his feet" instead of "'I'll round them up.' Frank said, getting to his feet." (location 69 of 414 • 16%) It should be punctuated "'Did you get everything settled in your room?' Hope asked Meghan, who had picked up a glass of champagne" instead of "'Did you get everything settled in your room,' Hope asked Meghan, who had picked up a glass of champagne." (location 275 of 414 • 66%)

First Ten review added on December 13, 2021, at 4:30 pm by Emy Katherine.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Laura Ungureanu

Nothing about this book made me want to read it. Its appearance seems shallow, maybe focused on romance. I saw an OBC review, but it didn't affect my decision. I'm not a fan of mystery crime, so any reviews, including the Amazon reviews, couldn't convince me. I was sure that I wouldn't enjoy this book. The blurb, although somewhat intriguing, didn't sound good to me, as I'm not interested in crime. The sample seems to get straight into business, meaning that we see Hope Diamond discovering something suspicious about her clients. I like that the book portrays powerful women. It bothered me that a lot of characters were introduced from the very beginning. I couldn't keep up with all the names. This thing could use some more improvement, as it can be confusing to some. It appears to be professionally edited. As I said in the beginning, the genre is not one I like, so I won't continue reading this book.

First Ten review added on December 13, 2021, at 4:08 pm by Laura Ungureanu.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

markodim721

I would choose to read a sample of this book because of the title. I also read the blurb, editorial reviews, and customer reviews but they did not influence my decision. Many customer reviews seemed uniform and as if they were written by the same person. The title of the book is artistic and intriguing. The cover of the book does not fit with the title and its redesign could be considered. I’m not going to read the book because it’s not the genre I prefer. While reading the sample I didn’t notice any typos or errors and the book seems like it is professionally edited. Reading the sample didn’t change my mind from my original guess. I like the way Frank Madison is described when it comes to physical appearance, clothes, and speech because everything fits very well. I think that the beginning of the book should be much more dynamic, following the security situation, and in that way, the book could be improved. The book has an Official OnlineBookClub review, I read it but it also did not influence my decision.

First Ten review added on December 13, 2021, at 4:06 pm by markodim721.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Kira Bonita Reece

I would choose to read this book based on the blurb, cover and the official online book club review. I like how suspenseful and engaging the book was from the very first pages. Hope's character seems very intriguing. I also liked Karen Gilleland's style of writing. The sample I read seemed to be professionally edited and I didn't notice any errors. I will be reading the entire book.

First Ten review added on December 13, 2021, at 3:58 pm by Kira Bonita Reece.

Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!

Yvonne Monique

I don't find the book cover attractive. In my opinion, it lacks colour and does not reveal much about the story. I would not pick this book up if I would see it in a bookstore. The blurb and OBC review give a good description of the book but do not make me want to read the sample. The sample is well edited. I found the writing style easy to follow. However, the story did not grasp my attention. I found the first ten pages a good introduction of the story and the characters, but without any spectacular events. The author could have emphasised a bit more the fact that some kind of crime is planned on the Dark Web. That is the only detail that attracted my attention. As I am not convinced that I will like this story, I will not buy this book. I have no suggestions for improvement.

First Ten review added on December 13, 2021, at 3:44 pm by Yvonne Monique.

Do you plan to read the whole book? No

Timothy Rucinski

I very much enjoyed the Official OBC Review and it piqued my interest enough to want to read this book. I enjoy mysteries like this. In addition, the cover was terrific with its fabulous graphics. What I liked most was the author's use of color in describing not only the surroundings, but the clothing worn by the characters, thereby creating unique individuals. My favorite sentence regarding this was the following: "She had a faded appearance, with short brown hair, protruding eyes, and thin lips, her only shot of color, a blouse in a shade of mustard over a long, printed skirt." I also liked the dialogue very much, which rang true and clear. There was nothing about what I read that I disliked and I have no recommendations for improvement. I also did not find any errors so I assume the book was professionally edited. Not only will I be reading this book, but I've also already purchased it.

First Ten review added on December 13, 2021, at 3:30 pm by Timothy Rucinski.

Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!

Bertha Jackson

The mysterious woman and the title grabbed my attention because I enjoy reading crime mysteries. I become further intrigued with the blurb mentioning a dead woman’s spirit. The customer reviews are positive, as is the OnlineBookClub review rating. The OnlineBookClub review mentioned paranormal activities and Native American history, which I enjoy reading about. Several things in the first ten pages grabbed my attention. Firstly, I love the Navajo Proverb, “Be still and the earth will speak to you.” Secondly, I found humor in Hope's description of her four guests: ice, water, fire, and earth. Finally, the idea of Hope having second sight capabilities is intriguing. The first ten pages appear to be professionally edited, although I did find an error at 21% of the sample. “Fortunately, she had booked the entire property, but an unexpected [desk] was a danger trigger in a security operation.” (desk should be guest) I did not see anything to recommend that the author change. I have purchased the book, and it is on my “Currently Reading” bookshelf.

First Ten review added on December 13, 2021, at 3:23 pm by Bertha Jackson.

Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!

AntonelaMaria

I would have read this book based on genre and blurb alone. The murder mystery premise with romance novel elements is my type of book. After reading the sample, I'm happy to report I will be continuing to read this book. There is something about these characters that intrigue me. I like all of the side characters in Hope's security team. It appears that this is a closed-circle murder mystery, which is an interesting trope. I liked the writing and how the author presented all the characters. I'm intrigued to figure out who killed Meghan. Maybe she wasn't the original target. This book seems like it was professionally edited. I didn't notice any errors. I love a woman as a lead character. That is my favorite thing about this sample. Hope is intelligent, capable, and authoritative. The cover is eye-catching and beautiful. There is an Official Onlinebookclub review, and it was informative. I wouldn't change anything about the book.

First Ten review added on December 13, 2021, at 3:02 pm by AntonelaMaria.

Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!

Astral Magi

The cover and title drew my attention immediately because I enjoy crime mysteries. I would have chosen the book based on these if I hadn't read the first ten pages. The official OBC review, as well as the first ten pages, confirmed my initial reaction. The review on Amazon also made an impact on me. There were no blurbs. I liked that Hope is portrayed as a strong and independent woman that is in complete control of even the most difficult situations. I didn't spot any errors and nothing needs to be improved. The book was professionally edited.

First Ten review added on December 13, 2021, at 2:28 pm by Astral Magi.

Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!

Michelle Menezes

From the title, I thought it was a nonfiction novel, while the cover gave me historical mystery vibes. The blurb was interesting, and I found out it was a modern-day mystery novel. The Official OnlineBookClub had good things to say about it. I rarely read editorial and customer reviews, as I do not want to get influenced by them and prefer forming my own opinions. Based on all the above things, I wanted to give the book a try. After reading the first ten pages, I have decided to stick to my decision and continue reading it. I liked Hope's character. She is strong and decisive. I also liked the way the mystery and danger were introduced, and I'm eager to see more of it. The beginning of the book described the secret meeting initiated by Janai and the threat found on the dark web. It also introduced Hope's company and her colleagues. I only found one error, so the book seems professionally edited. For example, "You, Tony, and Lucy each visited one of the women." In this part of the conversation, Hope is giving instructions to her colleagues about something they need to do, so instead of "visited," it should be "visit" or "will visit." I don't think the book needs any improvement.

First Ten review added on December 13, 2021, at 1:19 pm by Michelle Menezes.

Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!

Kajori Sheryl Paul

'Diamond in the Desert' is written by Karen Gilleland. Hope Diamond heads Diamond Security. She had taken up the case to protect Janai Ross and her compatriots. Her boyfriend, Jake Sanders, is from the FBI. He informs Hope that the names of Janai and her friends were on the dark web. I like the fast-paced writing style. The editing is good. There is nothing in need of an improvement. The OBC review is detailed. I would read this book based on the cover, title, genre, blurb, editorial reviews, and customer reviews as I like the blurb. l will read this book as I like the writing style.

First Ten review added on December 13, 2021, at 12:20 pm by Kajori Sheryl Paul.

Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!

Theresa Moffitt

The cover art of this book attracted my attention immediately. The drawing is very dramatic. I also like that the title tells me exactly what the book is about. The subtitle states that it is a mystery novel. I would have picked this book up based on the cover alone. The Online Book Club review increased my interest in the book by giving it a perfect rating. I didn’t read any additional customer reviews. The first ten pages were interesting and introduced the character of Hope Diamond who runs a company that provides security to high profile clients. She specifically mentions several women clients. They are billionaires and require professional security. She receives an alarming call from a friend at the FBI informing her that her company has had a hit on the dark web. Her friend is Jake Sanders and she is currently in a relationship with him. After talking to Jake, she meets with her team to discuss this new development. I didn’t see any errors in the first ten pages, so I believe the book was professionally edited. I also didn’t see any area that the author could improve upon. Based on the first ten pages and the OBC review, I would like to finish reading this book. I enjoy reading mystery novels and I like the author’s writing style.

First Ten review added on December 13, 2021, at 12:01 pm by Theresa Moffitt.

Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!

María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda

I love the cover art! I also love mysteries and would like to learn more about "Native customs." Considering the high ratings, I would've bought the book based on my first impressions.
I enjoyed the first ten pages very much, and that the action starts right away, but what I liked the most were the fascinating descriptions and witty comments. An example of the former is the following description, "The jagged hills—carved by waters that had vanished millions of years ago— appeared to be flung with abandon under the blue, blue sky." The comment about Lydia —"It was appropriate that the woman ran a pharmaceutical company. She was a hard pill to swallow." — literally made me laugh out loud. I didn't find editing mistakes or anything I disliked. I don't think there's much room for improvement, so I don't have suggestions. The official OBC review furthered my enthusiasm for the book.

First Ten review added on December 13, 2021, at 11:27 am by María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda.

Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!

Rizki Pradana

I have chosen to read the first ten of this book based on Amazon reviews because the cover looks interesting to me. I had seen an OBC review and it affect me to read this book because the storyline was really interesting, especially the mystery case itself. That's what I like the most about this book. Because of that, I wanted to read the whole book. There were not many grammatical errors that could hinder reading this book, which means this book has been professionally edited

First Ten review added on December 13, 2021, at 11:13 am by Rizki Pradana.

Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!

Total ~ 43%

Diamond in the Desert earned a score of 43%.

In other words, out of the top-level reviewers who read at least the first 10 pages of this book, 43% plan to read the whole book.

IMPORTANT: Any score over 10% is considered very good. And any score above 0% is acceptable.

Over a million books are published each year. Any given person could not even read .0001% of the books out there. This means readers have to be very selective. Even taking the time to look over reviews and blurbs, let alone read samples, is more time than most readers can afford for most books. The First Ten is a powerful focus group that addresses those issues. It creates a helpful tool for authors, publishers, and other readers.

Go to main Bookshelves page for Diamond in the Desert