Kat Henry Doran/Veronica Lynch: November 2026

Wild Women Authors is pleased to feature author CB Wilson and The Ice Diamond, book 3 in her Gem Hunters series. Up first is diamond hunter, Taylor Hunter.

Good morning, Hunter. Thank you for spending time with us today. Let’s begin with you telling us about The Ice Diamond. Imagine stealing a fifteen-carat flawless diamond from a locked room made entirely of ice. No windows. High-tech security. Cameras everywhere. Impossible, right? Welcome to my latest diamond recovery.

I was sent to Québec City expecting to recover a stolen diamond from the legendary Hôtel de Glace. Instead, I found myself knee-deep in murder, Olympic secrets, and a mystery that hit way too close to home. Did I mention it was twenty-six degrees inside the crime scene? I'm an Arizona girl. I don't do cold.

Fortunately, I brought Glimmer, my diamond-sniffing dachshund, along. Unfortunately, she views snow as a personal insult. Oh, and my father? One of the world's most notorious jewel thieves. Let's just say his fingerprints aren't always the kind you can dust for.

What made you choose diamond hunting as a profession? Diamonds are in my DNA. Literally, considering my father's profession. I trained at the Gemological Institute of America and worked for De Beers before I discovered that recovering stolen diamonds was more exciting than grading them. Every diamond has a history, and sometimes that history includes theft, betrayal, and a body or two. Now I work with insurance companies tracking down missing gems. Think Indiana Jones meets Stephanie Plum, only with better jewelry, a Glock, and a dachshund who can sniff out diamonds faster than I can find my car keys.

Knowing what you know now, would you stick with the family business or do something different? Depends. Are we talking about my side of the family business or Dad's? My father steals diamonds. I recover them. Same industry, opposite sides of the law. Family reunions could get awkward. Assuming he ever showed up for one. Would I do it again? Absolutely. I love the thrill of the hunt, the challenge of solving the impossible, and the satisfaction of returning something precious to its rightful owner.

What is your biggest fear? Heights. Definitely heights. Put me on a rooftop or the edge of a cliff, and, well, not pretty. Give me a gun-wielding jewel thief, and I'm perfectly capable of defending myself. After Québec City, however, I'm seriously considering adding freezing to death to the list.

But if you want the answer I don't usually admit out loud? Losing someone I love. Especially Hope, my twin sister. We've already lost too much time with our father. I couldn't bear losing her, too. And Glimmer? That little dog owns my heart. Don't tell her. She's already a diva.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? Lara Croft. No contest. She's smart, fearless, and can handle a weapon without breaking a nail. What's not to admire? We share a passion for priceless treasures, impossible puzzles, and bringing down bad guys. The difference? Lara raids tombs. I hunt diamonds. And I have Glimmer, my four-legged secret weapon. Bet Lara’s high-tech gadgets can’t sniff out a flawless diamond hidden in a snowbank?

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? My grandmother once told me, “A diamond's true value isn't what someone will pay for it. It's what someone is willing to do to possess it.” At the time, I thought she meant jewelry. Now I know better.

I've seen people lie, cheat, betray their families, and kill for a stone smaller than a pebble. The diamond is rarely the real story. It's the secrets buried beneath it. And if I've learned anything from my latest adventure, it's this: Never underestimate a thief, never trust a locked door, and never take a dachshund to an ice hotel without earmuffs.

Thanks for this, Taylor. Now, we’d like to chat with CB beginning with which writer or characters, from books or movies, have had a major impact on your writing? I've always loved strong, clever women who can think their way out of trouble—preferably while delivering a great one-liner. Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum is a favorite for her humor and ability to attract trouble. Add a little Lara Croft adventure, a dash of James Bond intrigue, and a mystery that keeps readers guessing, and you've got the inspiration behind my Gem Hunters series.

I wanted to create a heroine who was smart, resourceful, and fearless. Hunter has a serious problem with heights and an even bigger problem with cold weather. And because I believe every good mystery needs a dog, I gave her Glimmer, a diamond-sniffing dachshund with a talent for stealing scenes.

Regarding research, where did you start for this novel? Did that lead you down different paths, thereby changing the original concept? My research for The Ice Diamond started with one irresistible question: Could someone steal a priceless diamond from a room made entirely of ice? That led me to Québec City's spectacular Hôtel de Glace. Naturally, I had to see it for myself. So this Arizona girl packed her warmest clothes and headed to Canada in March. What was I thinking?

The ice hotel was literally the coolest place I'd ever visited! I explored the frozen rooms, learned how the hotel is constructed each winter, and discovered fascinating security challenges. Then I wandered the historic streets of Old Québec, explored the magnificent Château Frontenac, and uncovered Canada's remarkable diamond-mining history. That's when the story took an unexpected turn. Research into Canada's diamond industry introduced possibilities involving old secrets, disputed discoveries, and fortunes worth killing for. Suddenly, my simple jewel heist had become something much bigger.

That's my favorite part of writing. I never know what I'll discover—or how many perfectly good plot ideas I'll have to abandon when reality hands me something better.

Tell us a bit about your publisher. I'm an independently published author, and I love the freedom it gives me to tell the stories I believe need telling. I don't have to convince a publisher that readers will enjoy a diamond mystery set in an ice hotel in Québec City—or that a diamond-sniffing dachshund deserves a starring role!

Independent publishing allows me to follow my curiosity, explore unusual historical connections, and create stories that teach readers something new. I also have the flexibility to incorporate real destinations and interactive experiences like Glimmer's Trails, where readers can follow the clues themselves. Of course, being an indie author also means I do a lot more than just write. I’m head researcher, marketing director, and publicity planner. But I wouldn't trade my creative freedom. And the best part? I get to decide when a story is ready to share with readers. No query letters or years of waiting for a publisher!

What are you reading right now? I'm currently reading Michael Crichton's Catalina series. I'm always drawn to mysteries that combine intriguing locations, adventure, and unexpected twists. With The Water Diamond set on Catalina Island, I especially enjoy seeing another author bring a familiar destination to life. It's fascinating how two writers can explore the same place and uncover completely different stories.

Of course, I can't help but analyze the clues and wonder what I would have done differently. It's an occupational hazard! And my reading pile? Let's just say it rivals my collection of unfinished research notes.

What's next for you? Hunter and Glimmer aren't getting a breather at all. Following The Ice Diamond, you all can join them in The Christmas Diamond, a holiday mystery novella set during the magical Christmas Traditions celebration in historic St. Charles, Missouri. Think Victorian Christmas charm, a rare green chameleon diamond, a murder, and enough holiday mischief to land Glimmer on Santa's naughty list. You’ll find the story as a part of the Christmas Traditions & Wagging Tails collaboration with Joanna Campbell Slan.

Next, I'm taking Hunter to Las Vegas for The Desert Diamond, where a missing yellow diamond, a legendary casino owner, and a diamond theft with roots in the French Riviera promise plenty of trouble. I'm also developing The Star Diamond, an international adventure inspired by Australia and the world of luxury cruising.

And because apparently, I don't have enough mysteries in my life, I'm creating a new cozy mystery puzzle series featuring four amateur sleuths who solve crimes using American Mah Jongg clues.

One thing's certain: Every diamond has a story… and I'm nowhere near finished telling them!

Here’s a bit more about CB Wilson: Award-winning author C.B. Wilson writes the Gem Hunters and the Barkview Mysteries—two series that blend intrigue, heart, and unforgettable animal companions. A GIA-trained gemologist, she brings authenticity and insider detail to her fast-paced stories of stolen jewels, hidden histories, and high-stakes recovery.

Her Gem Hunters series follows diamond recovery specialist Taylor “Hunter” and her diamond-sniffing dachshund, Glimmer, as they unravel mysteries spanning generations. The series includes The Fire Diamond, The Water Diamond, The Ice Diamond, and The Christmas Diamond. (Part of the Christmas Traditions & Wagging Tails collection)

CB’s Barkview Mysteries offer a Hallmark-style escape to the dog-friendliest town in America, where mysteries and canine companions go paw in paw.

A member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, Dog Writers Association of America, and Book Lovers Bench, CB lives in Arizona, where she enjoys horseback riding, pickleball, and spending time with animals. Her stories combine adventure, humor, suspense, and heart—because every diamond has a story.

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