Book Review: Diamond by Cynthia JordanCorsets are out. Freedom is in. The 20's are ROARING! Movies are silent and Hollywood is shaping American culture. From coast to coast young girls like Heather Smith dream of becoming a movie star. One day two men shooting a western film near San Angelo, Texas, come to Pearl's Parlor for some fun. Is this Heather's big chance?
Wyatt Earp, Mae West, John Wayne, Charlie Chaplin, Louise Brooks, Barbara Stanwyck...their stories will astound you. DIAMOND reminds us that when we remove the glitzy glamour, smoke and mirrors it is our human nature and the need to be loved that makes us all the same.
In Diamond, Cynthia Jordan crafts a lush and emotionally charged historical fiction novel that transports readers to the 1920s—a time when America was dancing to jazz, women were redefining freedom, and the lights of Broadway and Hollywood beckoned with promises of fame and fortune.
At the center of the story stands Miss Victoria Pearl, a strong and compassionate woman who once worked for the famous Everleigh sisters in Chicago and now runs Miss Pearl’s Parlor in San Angelo, Texas. Her home becomes a refuge for women who have been broken by society but rebuilt by sisterhood. Each of her “Lady Pearls” has a story that intertwines hardship with hope, and together they form a family that transcends circumstance.
Jordan’s storytelling brilliantly bridges the glamour of Broadway and the allure of Hollywood. Through vivid descriptions and authentic dialogue, she captures the era when stage and screen were converging—when aspiring actresses, singers, and dancers migrated west from the New York theatres to the new dream factories of California. References to the Ziegfeld Follies, vaudeville, and early motion pictures like The Hunchback of Notre Dame ground the novel in real history, while fictional characters like Harvey Rochester—an elegant, flamboyant patron of the arts who performs in New York’s theatre scene—embody the bold cultural transformation of the time.
The story also sheds light on the darker side of the entertainment world—the exploitation of women seeking stardom and the double standards they endured. Yet through Miss Pearl’s wisdom and unwavering belief that “all women have value,” the book transforms pain into empowerment.
Jordan’s prose is cinematic—readers can almost hear the jazz, see the sequins, and feel the dusty Texas wind giving way to the glow of the marquee lights. Diamond is not just about showgirls and socialites; it’s about survival, self-respect, and the unbreakable spirit of women who dared to dream between the footlights of Broadway and the camera flashes of Hollywood.
Verdict:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A beautifully written and deeply human story that bridges two golden worlds—the bright lights of Broadway and the silver screens of Hollywood. Cynthia Jordan’s Diamond shimmers with authenticity, heart, and hope—a tribute to the women who helped shape the American dream.
Corsets are out. Freedom is in. The 20's are ROARING! Movies are silent and Hollywood is shaping American culture. From coast to coast young girls like Heather Smith dream of becoming a movie star. One day two men shooting a western film near San ANgelo, Texas come to Pearl's Parlor for some fun. Is this Heather's big chance? Wyatt Earp, Mae West, John Wayne, Charlie Chaplin, Louise Brooks, Barbara Stanwyck...their stories will astound you. DIAMOND reminds us that when we remove the glitzy glamour, smoke and mirrors it is our human nature and the need to be loved that makes us all the same. PROLOGUE Ever since she was a little girl, Heather had dreamed of being an actress. While growing up in Illinois, the porch of the farmhouse had served as her stage, and her younger siblings, dolls and pets were her audience. Heather had spent all morning preparing for this interview. After examining herself carefully in the mirror, and after trying on seven different outfits, she had finally decided the royal blue was best. Simple and elegant, the dress showed off Heather’s trim waistline, as well as the fact that this homegrown farm girl was a lady with class. “I believe there must be some mistake. I was told this was an interview to set up a screen test for a part in the new western movie, Rio Concho. I am an actress and I also sing.” “Listen, Sweetheart...if you wanna play in the big leagues, you gotta play by the rules! Now take your clothes off!” Leaning forward, the man rested his elbows on the large oak desk standing between him and his newest conquest. He knew she wanted to be a star. They all did. His eyes glared at Heather’s breasts with appreciation and desire as he chewed on his smelly, unlit cigar. “Oh...I see,” Heather affirmed. “May I please sit down for a minute, Mister Stein?” “Ok, but just for a minute. I am a very busy man.” Heather had heard the Hollywood stories of casting couches and girls being put in compromising situations. She had rehearsed this scene for months. Looking down at her soft white hands gently folded on her lap, Heather slowly bit her bottom lip. After a moment, she dramatically looked straight into the eyes of a man who had the power to make her dreams come true. With full confidence in her ability to charm, Heather smiled. Locking the man into her hypnotic gaze, she spoke slowly and deliberately. “So this is business? What are your terms? What do I get when I take off my clothes?” The man folded his arms and leaned back in his chair. “It depends on how friendly you want to be,” he smirked, licking his fat lips. The man’s lines had been predictable and Heather was more than ready to perform her part. Heather made her eyes big. “Don’t you want me to read for you or sing you a song?” she asked with profound innocence. “Take your clothes off, Missy. We’ll start there.” “Will you guarantee I get a part? If this is business...” “I can make you a star, Sweetheart!” For a long moment Heather stared at the man behind the desk. A woman with experience, she was a master at reading a man and knowing his deepest desires. Coyly, Heather grinned and began speaking seductively in a slow, sultry voice. “All right then, Mr. Stein. Today is your lucky day. I brought a girlfriend with me. Ginger wants to be in the movies too. Can I ask her to join us? Ginger can be extremely friendly. In fact together we can give you quite a show! She is waiting for me just outside the door.” The man quickly laid down his slimy cigar. “Yes in-deedy! Invite her in!” “I’ll be right back,” Heather smiled.
