Three teenage girls are chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy in this vividly imagined first novel from a fourteen-year-old author.

“A glittering tale of academic jealousy and ancient artifacts, The Book of Gems is a pulse-pounding adventure.” —Katherine Addison, author of The Goblin Emperor Some truths are shatterproof... It’s been centuries since the Jeweled Valley and its magical gems were destroyed. In the republics that rose from its ashes, scientists craft synthetic jewels to heat homes, power gadgetry, and wage war. Dr. Devina Brunai is one of these scientists. She also is the only person who believes true gems still exist. The recent unearthing of the Palace of Gems gives her the perfect opportunity to find them and prove her naysayers wrong. Her chance is snatched away at the last moment when her mentor steals her research and wins the trip for himself. Soon, his messages from the field transform into bizarre ramblings about a book, a Prince, and an enemy borne of the dark. Now Dev must enter the Valley, find her mentor, and save her research before they, like gems, become relics of a time long forgotten. More books in the Gem Universe: The Jewel and Her Lapidary The Fire Opal Mechanism At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

In the ancient traditions, inspirational life lessons and words of wisdom were passed on from one generation to the next through the oral tradition; modern technology (television, electronic games, gizmos, and social media) however has replaced these oral traditions resulting in important life lessons and impactful stories that help to strengthen character and build resilience not being passed on. This book was written as a legacy to my daughter to help preserve these life lessons for generations to come; in so doing, these lessons will not be lost or forgotten. In times of crisis or distress, most people tend to revert to a more primitive form of existence to seek for strength, but conceivably, if the life lessons were never learned then there would be nothing to revert to; it is then that they give up in defeat. This book has valuable life lessons, impactful stories and research discoveries, which are called “G.E.M.S” and is shared to encourage and strengthen you in your personal journey. Enjoy the Journey! Daphne Valcourt PhD, CPsyD, MA, MS, LMFT, LMHC, CQSW, Notary public

The concept of this book is taken from Spurgeon's "Morning and Evening." For each day of the month there is a morning starting "nugget," which is a simple one line "get me going for the day" thought. For the end of that day, there is a "gem," which is a more exhaustive thought or insight to think on as you conclude your day.

Do you ever wonder why the Christian church isnt more vibrant? Or is there any point to striving for heaven if you cant enjoy life today? Do you wonder if its possible to enjoy life without lowering your standards? Come and discover Gods character and the hidden gems of Deuteronomy. God gave Moses a promise that would endure for a thousand generations its applicable for all of us who werent there for his last sermon. Its a message of Gods love and His faithfulness. It is written to transform us, to strengthen us and to give us hope. Its a message of relevance that will draw others to our God. As Hidden Gems helps you uncover these forgotten gems, it will bring a whole new perspective on the many promises given us in scripture. Your view of God will expand and youll see sin from a new perspective. Youll want God to show you the sins in your life. This seemingly small shift in your view of God will enable the Holy Spirit to create in your heart a renewed spirit of discovery, compassion and service. Youll want to discover more of Gods promises, to share your own joyful journey of Gods faithfulness, and to experience a new excitement for service.

"This book offers the reader a insight into the fascinating world of gemstones. It provides an exact description of the individual gems and goes into their origins and their extraction."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

"The magic held me in its grip from the very first page. What a mysterious, sexy, and startling world Steiber has created. This book passed my ultimate test-- "I didn't want it to end!""--R.L. Stine "Gods, shapeshifting tricksters and mortal lovers form the intersecting facets of Ellen Steiber's "A Rumor of Gems "in a contemporary setting at once strange and familiar. Fans of urban fantasy -- and gem lovers everywhere--will enjoy it!"--Jacqueline Carey "Steiber's prose is as multi-faceted, dazzling, and flawless as any gem."--Holly Black "City and mountains, shapeshifters and fashion designers, the god of Love and the god of Thieves, intrigue and supernatural danger," A Rumor of Gems" has them all--plus characters you really want to spend time with. A sophisticated and sensual treat."--Delia Sherman "A compelling and original novel full of subtle and sometimes erotic magic. Alasdair and Lucinda are the real gems here, and the city of Arcato itself places Ellen Steiber in the company of authors such as M. John Harrison, whose richly imagined cities prove endlessly intriguing."--Gregory Frost "Steiber's knowledge of gemstone lore makes for a rich and unusual fantasy background. I hope to see more of the city of Arcato!"-- Emma Bull "The city of Arcato holds masks and shape-shifters, tricksters and true love, gods and dragons, and a glittering hoard of amethysts and topaz, rubies and moonstones. Steiber weaves her spell with all this and more, to create a beautiful, dazzling, magical novel."--Lisa Goldstein

They’re sparkly with varied hues. You might see them in a beautiful necklace, a breathtaking ring, or even in a computer. They’re gems! Gems are some of Earth’s most precious resources, and some of them are millions—or even billions—of years in the making. This detailed text, accompanied by colorful photographs, informs readers about the remarkable processes that take place under the surface of Earth to form different kinds of gems. They’ll also learn how some gems are mined, while others are replicated in laboratories. Future lapidaries will also find out how they might find and polish gems for themselves.