Daughters are a rarity in the Nicholas family, born only once or twice a century. When a daughter is born, her life is tied to an ancestral ruby necklace, bequeathed to the young woman on her twenty-first birthday.
The necklace is remarkable, a twenty-carat tear-shaped ruby offset by smaller rubies and diamonds. Its wealth is beyond value, but tradition claims the necklace offers much more. She who wears the ruby, family legend tells, will have a prosperous and happy life.
Then twin girls are born into the Nicholas family, and tradition crumbles. By right, Izabella, as the eldest, should wear the ruby, but what of her sister Adella? To ignore the birth of a daughter goes against centuries of family history.
As the girls grow, Izabella becomes proud and haughty, confident in her inheritance and stunning good looks. Adella is quieter, more loving, and plainer than her sister. She's quite willing to live without the pomp and circumstance the ruby necklace brings, an attitude Izabella cannot grasp and finds deeply suspicious.
Two sisters, one unbreakable family tradition-what follows will change the Nicholas family forever, for good or ill.
About the Author: Valerie Renee was born in Frederick, Maryland, one of seven children and the only daughter. Living with six brothers taught her to be fierce and fearless and ready to tackle any challenge life might offer.
After a few years at college, Renee enlisted in the US Air Force, where she served honorably for twenty years.
A life-long storyteller, Renee loved telling stories to her boys when they were young. She enjoys creating intriguing tales with sudden twists and unexpected turns. When not writing, Renee volunteers at her local church fellowship, teaching couples and families the principles of money management.
Renee's family describes her as a good listener and a Monopoly game ninja. She's a loyal fan of the San Francisco 49ers, the Baltimore Ravens, and the San Antonio Spurs.
Renee lives in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband David. They have two handsome adult sons, Myles and Xavier.
