Diamond Rings are Deadly Things
A Wedding Planner Mystery
Rachelle Christensen
© 2014 Rachelle Christensen.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher, Shadow Mountain®. The views expressed herein are the responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the position of Shadow Mountain.
All characters in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
CIP data on file
ISBN 978-1-60907-861-4
Printed in the United States of America
Lake Book Manufacturing, Inc., Melrose Park, IL
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Praise for
Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things
“I love Rachelle J. Christensen’s stories and characters, and Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things is another thrilling mystery to add to my collection. Don’t be surprised if you have to stay up all night to finish the book!”
—Rachel Ann Nunes, author of Before I Say Goodbye
“Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things pulled me right in from the first page and held me captive until the very end. Great characters, a compelling plot, a surprising twist at the end . . . Rachelle J. Christensen knows how to craft a great mystery.”
—Tristi Pinkston, author of the Secret Sisters Mysteries
“This terrific story with quirky characters, fun craft ideas, and a mystery will keep you wondering through all the twists and turns.”
—Heather Justesen, author of Brownies and Betrayal
“A cunningly crafty mystery with just the right mix of romance. You won’t be able to get enough of Adrielle Pyper.”
—Nichole Giles, author of Descendant
For Steve
Thank you for the diamond ring—
loving you has made my life
a beautiful adventure
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Book Club Discussion Questions
About the Author
Acknowledgments
Thank you to Heidi Taylor, my product manager, Suzanne Brady, my editor, and all the other wonderful people at Shadow Mountain. I have dreamed of being a part of this phenomenal publishing team since my very first writing conference. I can say that hard work, determination, and perseverance make dreams come true.
I have a list of wonderful people to thank when it comes to the critiquing and revising of this novel. Patrick and Necia Jolley were my first readers and as usual provided excellent insight. Andrea Jolley, Sarah Winn, and Stephanie Johnson helped me brainstorm craft ideas to help build the storyline, and we had fun talking about title ideas.
Thank you to Heather Justesen, Nichole Giles, Tristi Pinkston, Shirley Bahlmann, Cindy Beck, Rachel Ann Nunes, Melanie Jacobson, Michelle Packard, and Jennifer Nielsen, who read all or part of the manuscript and offered excellent advice to make the plot stronger. Thank you to Josi Kilpack, Connie Sokol, and Julie Wright for their savvy advice and encouragement. To LDStorymakers and Authors Incognito I owe a debt of gratitude for putting me on this pathway and helping me through the obstacle course of writing and publishing.
I’m so thankful for my readers, who waited patiently for this novel and encouraged me with their eagerness to read the words I’ve written. Thank you to knowledgeable friends and family who constantly give my writing a boost and lift my spirits. A special thanks to my dear husband, Steve, for making writing retreats possible and for my beautiful children who provide me with inspiration daily.
I’m grateful to my Father in Heaven. Sometimes it’s hard to be patient and it’s tough to understand this journey, but I’m thankful for His guiding hand in my life and for the gifts and talents He has blessed me with.
Chapter 1
Bridal Heirloom Creations:
Ring Pillow
Using fabric that is the same or similar to the fabric of the bride’s gown, make a small pillow. Add a personal touch by hand-embroidering the names of the bride and groom on the fabric. To complement the wedding dress, decorate the top of the pillow with lace, sequins, beading, rhinestones, or a satin bow. To add a splash of color, select narrow ribbon that coordinates with or repeats the wedding colors. Stitch the ribbons to the top of the pillow, and then tie the rings to the pillow before the ceremony.
Courtesy of www.mashedpotatoesandcrafts.com.
The air was charged with an expectant current as I unlocked the back door of my wedding planning headquarters. Pausing for half a second, I ran my fingers along the smooth vinyl lettering printed in teal on the metal door: Adrielle Pyper’s Dream Weddings, Where happily ever after is your destination. Those words were the realization of a lifelong dream for me, even though I never would have guessed I’d be setting up shop in Sun Valley, Idaho. I had loved my life in San Francisco, but after what happened, I needed to get out of the city and back home to my Idaho roots.
The anxiety that had plagued me for over a year was finally fading. For once, I wasn’t afraid to step into the darkened room and flip the switch—the fluorescent lights illuminated everything I’d worked so hard for, and I felt like today might be the beginning of something different. The soft scent of lavender filtered through the air. It smelled like hope.
My assistant, Lorea Zubiondo, arrived at the shop minutes after I came through the back door.
