Rubies are the birthstone for July, and the gemstone featured in my new release, Price of Love.
Rarer than diamonds, emeralds and sapphires, rubies come in various shades of red from orange-red, pink and purple red with the most valuable being a deep red color. The stones are located in parts of Asia such as Thailand and Myanmar and also Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and America. Myanmar is the most well-known source of rubies, and it’s this country where Price of Love is set.
Here are some other facts about rubies:
1. The name comes from ruber, which is Latin for red.
2. The common red color is caused mainly by the element chromium.
3. People have mined rubies for over 5000 years, many cultures believing they have the power to heal and protect.
4. They were thought to cure bleeding, and a stone which turned darker was thought to warn its owner of impending disaster, misfortune, illness and even death.
5. Some people say the ruby’s red glow comes from an internal flame that can’t be extinguished, making the stone a symbol of everlasting love.
6. Some ancient tribes used to use rubies as bullets for their blowguns.
7. Ground rubies placed on the tongue cures indigestion. (I don’t know about you, but who can afford to do this with a ruby?)
8. A synthetic ruby crystal was used to create the first laser.
9. The ruby is the most commonly named precious stone in the Bible.
10. Rubies were popular with royals and used in prediction and as protection against vulnerability.
In Price of Love, the rubies are used as a bride price. When a young shifter male wishes to mate, he must present his prospective mate’s family with rubies. Here’s the blurb:
Tiger Kersen Amat wants to marry leopard Jarita Namar. All he needs to do is find rubies for the bride price and woo the sexy shifter. Unknown to him Jarita is already interested. When they meet in the Burmese jungle sparks fly, along with love and laughter. Mutual pleasure explodes, sweet, erotic and compelling, until thieves intent on stealing rubies intrude. A disaster since without the rubies there’s no bride price and their courtship will be doomed. Obtaining Jarita, a jewel beyond price, as his mate might take more than rubies and seduction…
Price of Love is out from Ellora’s Cave on 2 July, which is today. 
Grab your copy here.
