Average customer rating:
- Romantic salvation
- Promises Keep
- alybar
- Sexy Cowboy
- Cowboys Absolutely Rule
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Promises Keep
Sarah McCarty
Manufacturer: Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Adult Fiction | Erotica | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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Promises Linger
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Promises Prevail
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Mac's Law
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Midnight Man (Midnight Series, Book 1)
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Midnight Run (Midnight Series, Book 2)
ASIN: 1419951572 |
Book Description
Being kidnapped into a bordello has a way of changing a woman's focus. On the day Mara Kincaid escapes the Pleasure Emporium, she vows to start living for herself. Rebuilding her life isn't easy as the town isn't fond of reformed fallen doves, but she's a Kincaid and Kincaids are known for their stubbornness. She's successful right up until the notorious ex-marshal Cougar McKinnely comes into town. As big as a mountain, dark as sin, and wearing a reputation as deadly as the knife strapped to his thigh, McKinnely is a man who knows what he wants. By rights, Mara should be shaking in her shoes when he approaches her. But when the powerful half-breed turns his dark gold eyes on her, it isn't fear that has Mara trembling, but rather an overwhelming desire to be the kind of woman Cougar needs to satisfy his deepest desires.
Customer Reviews:
Romantic salvation.......2007-06-08
A little slower than the first novel in the series, but plenty of dramatic build-up to keep you glued to the book. McCarty is a great writer.
Promises Keep.......2007-05-10
I first read this story on the Ellora's Cave Website. I really liked the characters and after doing some research, I discovered that Sarah had written 2 more sequels to this story. I then purchased them all in paperback. I recommend them to everyone who enjoys a good western romance that will get your blood boiling. Now I am waiting for #4 about the Reverend.
alybar.......2007-05-09
Boring! Boring! Boring! The same dialogue over and over that just continues. Very little story line just an opportunity to use the dirty sex words over and over. I was just glad that I could resell the book for the purchasing price.
Sexy Cowboy.......2007-03-21
Ex-Marshall Cougar McKinnley has had problems "performing" ever since the death of his fiance. In desperation he goes to a seedy bordello where anything goes and when the proprietor fails to get things finished, he is sent to a new girl he is guarteed to enjoy. Cougar is immediately turned on by the tiny, but beautiful woman even though she acts strangely. What Cougar doesn't realize is that the girl, Mara, has been drugged because she is there against her will although her body reacts to him. Cougar believes her behavior is play acting and proceeds to have sex with her. When Cougar overhears the abusive proprietors talking he realizes what happened was almost rape and when the abusers are killed while attempting to rape Mara, he rescues her and takes her to his hometown.
Rumors follow Mara to her new hometown and Cougar offers marriage to protect Mara. Having little choice, Mara asks if he will accept a marriage without physical intimacies and Cougar rejects that offer. He advises her he is a man of demanding sexual appetites and it will be all or nothing so she agrees. Mara does not remember who her "rapist" was, but is terrified of all men. Cougar patiently initiates her sexually, but when he starts falling in love with his new bride is terrified she will remember and reject him. Mara realizes her new husband may appear physically intimidating, he is really tall and big with long dark hair and native American features, but he is a gentleman in all ways but the bedroom. There he is very demanding and soon she is enjoying their sexual relationship. Mara fears that her insecurities will ruin her new marriage and now she is falling in love with her new husband.
This story is very sexual and also at times, very sweet. Cougar is the perfect hero, gorgeous and sexy and understanding, sweet and protective. My problem is it kind of has the same formula as the story preceeding it, Promises Linger. The heroines have abusive fathers and bad histories with abusive men and are terrified of men. I just think the author needs to keep things a little original in each story and she will have a better book.
Cowboys Absolutely Rule.......2006-01-17
If Sarah McCarty's Promises series doesn't make you want to lay down and beg for a cowboy, nothing will. McCarty's heroes are to die for sexy, intensly sexual and well developed emotionally. Her second book in the Promises series carries on where the first, "Promises Linger, left off with Cougar McKinnely as our hunky man of the moment. We saw him in the first installment, and thank goodness he gets his own story!
Mara Kincaid is sold into virtual slavery to the Pleasure Emporium, a scum-of-the-earth bordello. After surviving an excrutiating and terrifying experience she escapes and wants nothing more than to begin building the respectable life she's always dreamed of. Barely remebering what has happened, she tries to move on by working as a dishwasher in Cheyenne. Doing her best to avoid all interactions with people , especially men, she nevertheless draws attention with her gentle beauty and, unfortunately, her bad reputation. Rumors have a way of creeping in and the townsfolk are only too ready to believe the worst of her. Cougar McKinnely watches Mara from afar, biding his time, waiting for the chance to confront the small spitfire and make her his own. Guilt and his conscience motivate him to watch over her, keeping her safe from any who would harm her, for he alone knows what really happened to her at the Pleasure Emporium. When the opportunity arises, Cougar rescues Mara from an errant cowboy bent on harming her and takes her to his childhood home, the home of the local doctor and his wife. From there begins their whirlwind relationship in which Cougar takes no chances with the independant and willful Mara, doing everything in his power to make her his to cherish, his to love and his to keep.
Cougar was a wonderful man, wanting only the best for his wife. Sometimes his restrictions for Mara made her understandably stir crazy and the two test eachothers limits and patience more than once. After her awful experiences at the Emporium, Mara must learn to trust again. Cougar is more than willing to do all he can to make up to her what she went through. I loved Mara's determination and spirit, the fact that she never backed down to her domineering husband. Cougar definitely had his hands full, and his heart is severely tested towards the end of the book where he must face how to go on when Mara once again comes into danger. If you love Western romances, heck, even if you don't and are new to them, give this series a try. If you're not dreaming of cowboys and wanting one for you're own by the time you're through, well, there may be something wrong with you. The extra good news too is that there are more stories to come after the third book in the series, "Promises Prevail", a fact which has me smiling. Read these books. You won't be sorry!
Customer Reviews:
review of A Father Who Keeps His Promises.......2007-08-23
Very well written. Made it easy for me to understand the Old Testament of the Bible. Very person friendly.
A Father Who Keeps His promises.......2007-08-16
I have found this book to be a superb talk on theology from the Catholic point of view. I use this book as a guide to look over Mr. Hahn's course at his web site. I plan to follow up his other books in the future. To be honest, this is a biased view since I like the cut of Mr Hahn's jib on spiritual matters. He uses his opinion, the religious view, and quotes others to get a balanced view.
Highly recommend!.......2007-05-29
Ordered this book to conduct a Bible Study class along with the VCR tape and online classes. I will be reading ALL his books and recommending that our study group conduct classes on each of them.
This book is for anyone serious about really understanding the Old Testament and God's plan for us.
RCIA.......2006-11-10
Very helpful for teaching the RCIA class on Covenants and Salvation History for the People of God. The puns in the chapter titles are humorous, but Scott's version of the Bible stories had me laughing out loud. The section on Abraham and Sarah was especially funny, and Scott makes the story very relevant and understandable for today.
The Bible in a Book.......2006-09-28
As a parish director of adult faith formation, this is a book that I am continually placing orders for and promoting among my adult students in the parish. Why? Because this text is what I like to call "The Bible in a book." Scott Hahn, Ph.D. has taken years of his personal research and blended it with his unique writing style, which is accessible to the average layperson - not reserved for the Biblical scholar. The result is a text that summarizes Salvation History in 290 pages from an authentically Catholic, orthodox perspective.
Having read this text 4 times from front to back and sections many more times over, this is one of my all time favorite "Catholic" books. Each time I pick it up, it is as if I haven't read it before.. because it is so densely packed with great information. This text was my first real introduction to the Bible as an undergraduate student studying business. It lead me to further study and eventually to an M.A. in Theology, studying under Dr. Hahn himself at the Franciscan University of Steubenville.
One of the gems of this book is the compilation of endnotes in the back of the book, backed with references to Biblical scholarship. If these endnotes were sold as a separate book for the same price as the book itself, I would spend the money on them - they're that great. They really help the reader understand where Dr. Hahn gets concepts such as the firstborn sons of Israel holding a priestly office (before Exodus 32), Melchizedek's identification as "Shem" who outlived Abraham by 35 years, how the plagues wrought upon Egypt through Moses were judgements against each of Egypt's golds (e.g. the Nile, Frogs, Bulls, Rams), how the sacrifices of the Mosaic Law were physical renunciations of Egyptian idolatry (Egyptians worshipped those animals Israel was commanded to sacrifice), and the nature of Deuteronomy as a compilation of concessionary, lesser laws that permitted sins such as divorce/remarriage, usury, and the sort of warfare Israel perpetrated against the Canaanites.
Get this book.. it is worth well more than the few dollars Amazon charges for it!
Book Description
Millie Acevedo bore her first child before the age of 16 and dropped out of high school to care for her newborn. Now 27, she is the unmarried mother of three and is raising her kids in one of Philadelphia's poorest neighborhoods. Would she and her children be better off if she had waited to have them and had married their father first? Why do so many poor American youth like Millie continue to have children before they can afford to take care of them?
Over a span of five years, sociologists Kathryn Edin and Maria Kefalas talked in-depth with 162 low-income single moms like Millie to learn how they think about marriage and family. Promises I Can Keep offers an intimate look at what marriage and motherhood mean to these women and provides the most extensive on-the-ground study to date of why they put children before marriage despite the daunting challenges they know lie ahead.
Customer Reviews:
Promises I Can Keep.......2007-10-08
Very interesting from a social perspective. Not alot is written about this subject for the lay person. I found it quite insightful.
A real Eye Opener.......2007-08-06
I thought this book was an excellent insight into the women of the poor; their values, their reasoning behind their early pregnancies and the world in which they live. It's well written and I would recommend that all mothers, including myself, encourage their young daughters to read this novel. My daughter thought it was a real "eye opener". I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to my friends.
Making sense of teen pregnancy.......2007-05-03
As a physician in an urban health center, I am often frustrated by my patients who are 16, out of school, pregnant and elated. I often probe into the available support for the future child and despite the dismal job prospects, chaotic families and low educational attainment, abortion doesn't seem to be an option. I have been called to task by the patients and their equally young mothers for even mentioning that there may be an option in this situation.
This book through its in depth interviews with poor women gets to the heart of why a pregnancy at 16 though unplanned is often desirable. It answers the questions I have as an upper middle class care provider as to why a moment that would have been devastating for me is seen as an opportunity for them. I can see it will be a valuable resource in interacting with these patients of mine in the future by shedding light on how pregnancy and parenting are not an obstruction to a brighter future but the future itself.
For a less "clinical" assessment of poverty and its effect on the family, I would recommend "Random Family" by Adrien Leblanc. This is another intriguing look at adolescents who also grow up in impoverished environments and the toll it takes on their pregnancies, relationships and families.
EXQUISITE.......2007-04-11
this is such an exquisite study, and is also accessible to non-scholars. i encourage everyone to read this, especially those with preconceived notions about what it means to be an underprivileged single mother.
Why Put Motherhood Before Marriage? .......2006-11-05
Often when the question is posed as to why do poor women continue to have children before they are obviously -at least to the majority of Americans it is obvious-in the most opportune position to accomplish the task of parenting successfully, several common responses are usually offered. The most common retort may be that poor women don't have access to low-cost or free contraception and/or abortion providers, followed by claims that these women are just irresponsible and possess low ( or completely lack) moral values. Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, poor women have less access to inexpensive contraceptive supplies and behavior that may be common in the ghettoes of America can be starkly contrasted against what is deemed acceptable in middle and upper-class communities. Yet it turns out that these differences have surprisingly little to do with why poor women consistently put motherhood before marriage.
Sociologists Edin and Kefalas spent 5 years interviewing, studying and interacting with a group consisting of one-hundred and sixty-two women from eight impoverished communities to find the real answer to this perturbing question. Along the way Edin and Kefalas dispell the myths and stereotypes pertaining to poor men and women and their attitudes regarding motherhood and marriage. It turns out that rather than viewing marriage as an inconsequential and outdated institution, the interviewies revered marriage. What the authors discovered was that the women held marriage to such a high-standard and erected so many hurdles to be jumped before they would consider getting married that they effectively placed the hallowed institution outside of their reach in the near future. While the middle and upper-class follow the line of thinking that says "first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage", poor women women more often than not say "first comes infatuation, then comes the baby, then you move in together and plan for the wedding to take place in 5 or 6 years once the two of you are satisfied that you really know each other". Many of the things that these single-mothers say and do appear inexplicably contradictory, and at times, almost absurd. Yet to the women it all makes perfect sense. This book has numerous examples of "you have to read it to believe it" moments: for instance, there are the single mothers of two or three children who say that they don't want to get married just yet because marriage is such "hard work," as if raising several children in the heart of the ghetto while seemingly mired in abject poverty is a far easier task.
The differences between the attitudes and behavior of poor and upper-class women is as stark as night and day when it comes to marriage and motherhood. Anyone genuinely interested in exploring these differences and crafting real responses to teen pregnancy and the high rates of out-of-wedlock childbearing in ostensibly dire circumstances should begin their exploration by reading this book.
Average customer rating:
- Wonderful read, worth the wait
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Promises to Keep
Charles De Lint
Manufacturer: Subterranean
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General | Canadian | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Short Stories | Canadian | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
De Lint, Charles | ( D ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Contemporary | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 159606126X
Release Date: 2007-09-25 |
Product Description
After Widdershins, I thought I wouldn't write at length about Jilly again. I'd promised one more short story about her for Bill at Subterranean Press, but that would be it. Having left her in a good place at the end of Widdershins, I didn't want to complicate her life yet again, so I planned to set the story earlier in her life, during her first year as a student at Butler University. Except the story grew. I was having too much fun visiting with this younger Jilly, so I asked Bill if I could expand it to a short novel. He agreed, so now I m busily working away on this as-yet-untitled novella. It takes place in 1972 and begins with Jilly getting a surprise visit from an old friend--her only friend--from her runaway days. Interspersed with the main story that leads off from that meeting are flashbacks to pivotal moments in her life: time spent in the Home for Wayward Girls, her life on the street, meeting and working with the Grasso Street Angel, the first time she meets various familiar faces (Geordie, Sophie, etc.), and chronicles how the messed-up street kid she was grew a social conscience, and became the cheerful character we know from later stories. Although the book does deal with some serious subjects, the tone isn't all doom and gloom. And while I hope that those of you familiar with these characters will enjoy this visit with their younger selves, I'm also trying to make it a friendly entry into Newford for new readers. Lastly, I'm delighted to say that Mike Dringenberg--an artist I ve wanted to work with for ages--will be doing the cover. - Charles de Lint
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful read, worth the wait.......2007-09-10
This weekend, my copy of Promises to Keep arrived. I had intended to let it sit until I had finished some of the work that I had do, but then it's hard to focus on preparing a talk when there is a bright shiny new Charles de Lint book sitting there looking at you. I swear, the book had little glistening eyes that watched everything I did and then suddenly looked away whenever I checked to see what it was doing. But I digress...
As stated in the "story about the book" on the inside cover, this was the book that grew from a short story that was to be put into a collection of stories that were never collected. It's about Jilly's early years in Newford, as Charles de Lint doesn't want to write more about her after Widdershins (Newford). It's a fine story which takes its time popping between Jilly's early life and "present day", which is when Jilly is in college. I won't spoil any of the plot points, but to say that it is fully consistent with the mythologies around Newford.
To digress a bit, the best thing about the first Alien movie was that no one really knew what the alien was. There was a sense of mystery and discovery there that wasn't possible to achieve in later films until AVP came along and reset the story. In many ways, this book does that for Newford. In fact, Charles de Lint states that he hopes that this book can become a good entry point for new readers. However, much like I wouldn't want a viewer to start with AVP, I wouldn't want a reader to start here.
There is as great a joy in rediscovery as there is in the initial discovery. If someone reads this book first, the later books will feel like review. However, if you start at the beginning with Dreams Underfoot and meander slowly through the rest of Newford, this book will feel like what it truly is. A sweet little bonus to Jilly's story; one that I'm happy to have.
Book Description
This challenging and motivating text presents the experience of the U.S. in World War II as a backdrop for understanding recent developments and events in American history. Four principal interwoven themes trace 1) the pervasive impact of the Cold War, 2) the effects of social-protest movements among African-Americans, women, and other groups, 3) the sources and impact of economic, demographic, and cultural changes, and 4) a thorough examination of politics.
Customer Reviews:
Over-Priced, Publisher Needs Spanking.......2007-04-10
I spend $5000 a year at Amazon. I also publish books and know that it costs a penny a page to publish a book with a hard copy jacket.
This is an important book, disgracefully priced beyond the reach of virtually everyone who actually needs to read it.
If and when the price drops to $35 or so, I will consider buying. If you agree, please join me in protest.
Revisionist?.......2003-12-30
I'm an older student, so old that the word "revisionist" was never applied to history. History was simply facts, dates, names, etc. Dull? Yes, but it was up to our professors to make those facts interesting - not the textbook.
I was struck by a line in Paul Boyer's Preface: "This, then is not an authoritive, predigested, take-it-or-leave-it version of recent U. S. history but one PERSPECTIVE on that history presented in a way that I hope will stimulate discussion and reflection."
We already must purchase a book that gives differing slants on modern problems that is to be used to supplement Boyer and provide PERSPECTIVE. Which book do I believe to be stating the truth? If I want PERSPECTIVE I'll ask my professor. I simply want a presentation of facts not an editorial wrapped up like facts.
I can see it'll be a long semester.
A non-history major undergraduate's thoughts.......2000-05-22
This is an excellent textbook for courses on US history 1945-present. It covered all topics, from the civil rights movement to Iran-Contra, thoroughly and provided many supporting details. While concentrating on the high profile movements such as civil rights, the women's movement, and later the New Right, the author also traces Hispanic and American Indian movements and briefly touches on the Gay Rights Movement. His political commentary is somewhat liberal, especially in discussions on the most recent presidents, but his views do not significantly interfere with the facts he presents. Overall, it is an extremely well-written, in-depth analysis of political and social trends, and is a great resource for students.
Book Description
Sharon Robinson shares memories of her famous father in this warm loving biography of the man who broke the color barrier in baseball. Jackie Robinson was an outstanding athlete, a devoted family man and a dedicated civil rights activist. The author explores the fascinating circumstances surrounding Jackie Robinson's breakthrough. She also tells the off-the-field story of Robinson's hard-won victories and the inspiring effect he had on his family, his community. . . his country! Includes never-before-published letters by Jackie Robinson, as well as photos from the Robinson family archives.
Customer Reviews:
Kept Promises and Social Change.......2004-04-28
Promises to Keep: How Jackie Robinson Changed America
In this wonderful biography,Sharon Robinson shares her father with us as a daughter who held her father in high regard not only for his achievements in breaking the color barrier in baseball, but also for his hard won victories in politics, busines, civil rights and as a family man. Through love letters to his wife Rachel, photos from the family's archive and Sharon's deft writing hand, readers get to spend time with Jackie Robinson and come to understand how he navigated his way through the treachery of racism to become an integral part of creating another important chapter in the social contract with America.
As the Vice President of Educational Programming for Major League Baseball and an author, Sharon Robinson continues to preserve her father's legacy--well.
Customer Reviews:
Romance and Danger in "Promises To Keep".......2006-02-05
Molly Boudreau finally has what she always thought she wanted since grade school-a career as a doctor. But now that she is one, she isn't very happy with herself or her place in life. She hates the politics of her paying job at a local Boston hospital and the free clinic she wanted so much to succeed is going under due to a lack of community financial support. The clinic has seen lots of patients but most are not repeat customers for one reason or the other. Sarah Morgan is one of the few and Molly sees so much of herself in Sarah it hurts. As this novel opens, Sarah has come to the clinic seeking help because she is very far along in her labor and will not go to a hospital.
Hospitals mean questions she won't or can't answer and thanks to a storm hitting the Boston area, Molly is forced to deliver Sarah's baby herself as best she can. The baby is born and doing well as Sarah names him Nicholas and tells Molly that his father is evil and can never know about the baby. She repeats the same story a few days later when she suddenly shows up at Molly's apartment doorstep. Sarah convinces Molly to keep Nicholas safe for a day or two while Sarah makes arrangements to protect his future. It becomes clear the next day through televised media reports that whatever Sarah planned failed and it cost her life. Molly does the only thing she can do.
She runs taking Nicholas back home to her small town and as she passes him off as her own child born out of wedlock she has to deal with the inevitable fallout of her decision. Afraid for Nicholas she does not know whom to trust and it soon becomes clear, the father isn't the only one looking.
As this novel moves forward it shifts in point of view by way of handful of characters each with their own complicated storyline. While the novel is primarily Molly's story the lines between main and secondary characters are often blurred as each has a heavy interest in the outcome. Along the way, Molly finds out more about herself than she ever thought possible and more about the others folks in her life, both friends and family, and that help can come from unexpected places. Rich in characters and settings, this multi storyline read moves steadily forward in all aspects to a satisfying ending sure to delight fans of this author and genre.
Kevin R. Tipple © 2005
What a waste.......2005-05-25
I am halfway through this book and contrary to the other reviewer I am having trouble NOT putting it down permanently.
Molly Beaudreau seemingly has it all yet she literally kidnaps a baby, quits her medical profession on a moments notice and leaves town having little money to support her or this baby. One has to think that her instability doesn't bode well for her career as a physician! And then, with no direct reason, she becomes paranoid and fearful that someone is after her and the baby (that no one can know she has.)Talk about making judgements and leaping to conclusion. I am not impressed with molly. Our hero is likeable and has some really cute dialogue. I could grow to like him a lot but can't see the purpose. Oh well, its your call.
A wonderful moving story.......2005-03-11
Promises To Keep by Susan Crandall is a deeply moving story.
Dr. Molly Boudreau's life is going just as she had planned. She is working at the ER and helping out at the local clinic. But something is missing. When one of her patients leaves her newborn son in her care and is then murdered. Molly flees back home to Glen Crossing to protect this child.
Dean Coletta comes back to the states after being injured reporting overseas. He learns his only sister has been killed. When it seems Molly Boudreau might have some answers Dean follows under the guise of doing a story on Glen Crossing. As Molly and Dean grow closer both of their secrets are lurking to tear them apart.
Promises To Keep is a treasure. I found myself unable to stop reading once I started. The story line is so poignant and deeply touching. It was great to revisit characters from earlier books and catch up with their lives.
Looking forward to the next book by this author.
Smoothly Executed! ** 4 Big Stars........2005-03-02
Oh, this story was very good. Susan Crandall skillfully uses her writing gift to create Smalltown, USA. The author's approach, her characters, her settings are on such familiar ground they absorb the reader immediately.
Dr. Molly Boudreau befriends a very lonely pregnant woman. It is obvious the woman does not want her identity exposed. Without warning, the mysterious woman is found ruthlessly murdered. Now, Molly has the responsibility of protecting the baby!
His unhappy editor orders hotshot journalist Dean Coletta to return to the USA. The editor is worried, Coletta is too involved in the Middle East! Coletta's boss is executing his authority with valued concern. Reluctantly, Dean Coletta comes home to New York. He returns to discover his only sister, Julie, is missing and presumed dead. Coletta's journalistic skills kick in and the baffling trail leads straight to Dr. Molly Boudreau of Glens Crossing, Indiana.
PROMISES TO KEEP is a splendid, evenly paced story and absorbs the reader in its ever twisting plot. In addition, Ms. Crandall does an attractive job: her chapters are united, yet carry various storylines. Nevertheless, it is the secondary characters that really sell this story! Crandall has created wonderful characters bursting with believability. The reader knows these people; these are characters that frequent every small town!
Though this was an enjoyable story, a page turner if you will, it lacked the love and the sensuality that were found in its predecessor: Crandall's MAGNOLIA SKY. Still this was a solid story, and yes I would recommend it; however, I don't think I would read it twice, yet I would look for this talented author in the future!
Grade: B+
MaryGrace Meloche
Reviewer for: Romance Designs.
This review is based on an Advanced Reading Copy.
suspenseful family drama.......2005-02-27
In Boston Sarah Morgan arrives at the free clinic just prior to having a baby. Dr. Molly Boudreau helps her give birth to Nicholas. The educated Sarah refuses to talk about the father except that he is a red haired evil person who will never see her son.
Not long afterward Sarah asks Molly to take care of Nicholas until she can insure her baby is safe. The next morning, Molly learns someone executed Sarah. Molly realizes no record of the birth exists yet and though the autopsy will show the recent birthing, she can hide the infant in her hometown of Glens Crossing, Indiana. She drives home where she tells family that Nicholas is hers.
In New York, reporter Dean Coletta feels lucky to be alive as he recovers from a bullet he received in the Middle East, but learns that his sister Julie known as Sarah is dead but gave birth to a missing child. Dean makes inquires with all roads leading to Molly and Indiana. When they meet, though he believes Molly abducted his nephew, he is attracted to her; she knows he is not Sarah's evil incarnate, but could be working for him.
The strong lead couple and powerful secondary characters especially her extended family make the tale seem very real. The brisk story line moves forward rapidly as Molly and Dean fall in love but have lingering doubts about each other. Though some readers will dislike the lack of a direct final confrontation between good and evil (this reviewer thought that added appropriate realism) and a major subplot involving Molly's nephew takes away from the prime theme, readers will appreciate this suspenseful family drama.
Harriet Klausner
Book Description
The reason for the whole day is the CEREMONY! So how do you write a GREAT CEREMONY? This unique guide gives you a format for any type of ceremony. It has worksheets to help you think through your words, then it helps you write your vows and promises to say what you really mean. It suggests where to include heart-felt rituals, when to use music or dance. It shows how to enlist your community's support of your marriage, and has a worksheet for your parents. It helps you anticipate problems and shows you how to defuse them. It suggests ways to include your children. INCLUDES CEREMONIES FOR Traditional and Non-Traditional Weddings, Second Marriages, Handfastings, Committment Ceremonies for Lesbians and Gays, and Renewals of Vows.
Customer Reviews:
A Simple Book that Covers It All.......2007-08-23
I have been given the honor of performing the ceremony when my son and his fiancee marry. A close friend had used this book to help create a ceremony with friends of hers and sent it to me. It is the perfect book to use to help create a meaningful ceremony no matter your religious (or non-religious) persuasion. Thank you, Ann, for this wonderful little book.
A happy mom,
Maia Berens
Succinct & Meaningful.......2005-09-10
Although my husband and I had been confident about our ability to express our most intimate thoughts as vows, we lacked a structure in which to fit them so that both we and our guests felt secure. With 10 days to go before our wedding, our life with 5 pre-teens/ teens was leaving us little time to prepare these most precious words. Discovering Promises to Keep on the web was a godsend. Unfortunately unavailable in Canada, the book was sent at lightning speed from the U.S. We felt immediately at ease: the book's accessible ideas, size, layout, and even font size gave us peace and the direction we needed. Our own ideas now made sense within a framework. The rituals we crafted were unique to us and our setting (a remote lake). Our vows and rituals reached out to our guests (our "community" from whom we asked support) who not only felt included and comfortable, but who felt blessed to have been part of our ceremony. A couple who do marriage counselling (and advise other counsellors) had never experienced such a meaningful exchange of vows or rituals involving guests. They and others felt compelled to tell us repeatedly how different and wonderful our ceremony was. Even our kids thought it was great! Note: We did not find an exaggerated emphasis in the book on same-sex unions. Although there are references to these alternative lifestyles, we were easily able to accept or look past them based on the quality of the idea rather than their orientation. Along with our vows, we will keep the book to refer back to in years to come.
We LOVED this book!.......2003-10-13
My fiance and I practically wore this book out in the weeks before the ceremony! We were determined to make the ceremony itself the center of the day and this book really helped us clarify our thoughts on what we wanted to promise each other. I looked at a lot of books, but this one was the only one that gave us the help we needed. Can't recommend it highly enough!
New Age Spiritualist Point of View.......2002-06-27
I was disappointed in this book, as I did not understand from the reviews that this book had such a New Age kind of slant. It talks of inviting "Spirit", not The Holy Spirit or God or Father or even The Spirit. It spends a lot of time on relationships that "other's might not approve of" - lesbian/gay relationships or previous spouses or children. This would be helpful to those who need it, but it's another part of the book (very slim) to skim if not. It does have a few pages of slightly interesting stuff for what you want your minister/officient to say; and it does ask a few pages of somewhat interesting questions to help write your vows. But none of it is very original or different, other than it's PC correct point of view, and the book itself wasn't but a few chapters long. If you like Kahlil Gibran, and want your wedding ceremony and vows to reflect this kind of view - you will probably like this book. If you want something that has a more Judeo/Christian base - you will want to look elsewhere. Out of all the wedding books to choose from - and the limited amount of money to spend - I felt this book to be very slim physically and substantively.
Wonderful--a must for anyone getting married!!!!.......2002-06-13
I must have purchased at least three books before I found Ann's and none of them came even close to helping us create a very personal wedding. I would recommend this to anyone who, like me, wants a unique and special wedding. After reading this book (which is eloquently written but also very easy to read) we realized how important it was to have a ceremony that reflected exactly how we feel. And now that we have done just that, we also realize that we created a solid foundation of words that represent our commitment--we will always have those words to look back on.
Also, working through her worksheet in the back was a kind of positive and reaffirming endeavor that made us reflect on why and how we got to the point of marriage.
Thanks Ann!!
Download Description
Their war of independence from Earth is won, but the men of the former colony Gaia still have a big problem: too few women. Since they have to attach to a woman to even become sexually active, this means a long boring and lonely life for a lot of guys--unless they can find other women to marry. General Garran Doranth sees the wisdom in finding women for his men, even if he has to get them from hated Earth. On Earth, women aren't finding men that want to commit to marriage so they sign up to go to the Outer Colonies to find husbands. But on the way their ship is hijacked by the Gaians who make them an offer they can't refuse--themselves! Doctor Sarah Johnson isn't thrilled with the situation, but she can't help being intrigued by the masked man who courts her--even when it turns out to be the one man she can't stand, the general. Rating: Contains graphic sexual content.
Customer Reviews:
Promises Kept.......2006-07-06
The Earth of the future is not an idyllic place. Economic, environmental, and social woes are made even worse by Earth's recent loss in the war against the former colony of Gaia. Dr. Sarah Johnson is one of many women who decide to start new lives--as the futuristic equivalent of mail order brides--in the Outer Colonies. On the journey, however, the Earth transport is hijacked by the Gaians.
The war w/ Earth has resulted in a shortage of available Gaian women. This shortage is especially problemmatic because Gaian men cannot become sexually active until they "attach"--or form a unique, lifelong bond--to one woman. The victorious Gaians have secretly won a concession from the Earth government to offer Earth women the choice to mate w/ Gaian men. Any woman not agreeing to the offer has the option to return to Earth or proceed to the Outer Colonies as originally planned.
Sarah Johnson is especially disturbed by this turn of events. Her best friend Karen was a doctor on a hospital ship that was destroyed by the Gaians at the start of the war. All of Earth learned of the tragedy through the oft-played video of Gaian General Garran Doranth gloating to Earth authorities about the incident. Sarah has been unable to overcome her loss, or her dislike of the Gaians who caused it.
Sarah's distress becomes even more acute when she learns that her group is being held by none other than the infamous Gen. Doranth. The situation becomes even more complex when, upon meeting Gen. Doranth for the first time, he attaches to her. Now, she must decide if she will become the lifelong mate of the one man she despises. The decision isn't as cut and dried as she would have initially imagined as information about Gaia, the Earth government, and the war begins to come to light.
Garran Doranth is as horrified as Sarah by this unexpected turn of events. After the death of his wife and child in the war, Garran had been mired in grief and was unable to attach to any of the Gaian women in the marriage meets he participated in. It was widely believed that he was now immune to attachment and would never wed again. It is shocking to find himself attached to an Earth woman, but he decides to give the relationship a chance. Now, he must convince Sarah to stay w/ him.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book, but I was very pleasantly surprised. The premise was original, the plot was well executed and engrossing, and the characters interesting and appealing. It was a good read simply simply from a science fiction standpoint, and the romance element was a bonus. (Really, there's an allure to the idea of unconditional love and devotion, isn't there?) The cover of the book warns that it contains graphic sexual content and violence, but both were minimal in my opinion. There is more romance than overt sex in this book, but it doesn't suffer from the fact. This futuristic romance is a great book and I highly recommend it.
(Ms. Miller has written another Earth/Gaia story called Beloved Enemy, which actually takes place before the events depicted in Promises to Keep. I also highly recommend that book, as well.)
Surprisingly endearing Sci-Fi romance.......2006-04-11
I don't want to give anything away, but I really loved the way the author developed the characters & the relationship in the novel. Even though this story has a futuristic theme, it's a fundamental tale that revolves around a sweet courtship, where you can't wait for the characters to find love and happiness with each other. Nothing felt forced or contrived as the storyline was very well paced.
You really get to know the characters in this novel and I couldn't put this book down to see how it all ended.
There are a few erotic scenes in the book, but not distractingly so as this book is mainly character-driven. Anyone looking for a romance with a strong female lead and a heartfelt, sensitive male, may want to check out Promises to Keep.
SF romance.......2006-01-01
In the 25th century, Dr. Sarah Johnson works as an obstetrician in a public service hospital on Earth. Because the hospital is for the poor, she works with little or no access to the very advanced medical technology available to the wealthy. Earth is crowded, polluted, and depressing, while Earth society is stratified by class. The war with Gaia has just ended with the Earth government's surrender. To Sarah it was a senseless war in which one of her closest friends was a casualty. Sarah holds the Gaians responsible for her friend's death--in particular, she hates Garran, the Gaian general responsible for Earth's defeat. In search of a better life, Sarah volunteers to emigrate to the Outer Colonies as a potential wife for a settler. Little does Sarah know that her future soon will be closely linked with her enemy, Garran...
This story updates the classic mail-order bride plot into the future, embellishing it with political overtones. The writing is very good, and the plot is well-paced, keeping one's interest throughout. The female characters are smart and brave and willing to take the initiative, perfect complements for colonial men. I was fascinated by the details of Earth and Gaian society, and the contrast between the two. The love scenes are sensual or spicy, rather than erotic. I quite enjoyed it, and recommend it as a good summer read. -- Jean, Fallen Angel Reviews (courtesy of Fallen Angel Reviews)
Pure Romance.......2005-10-20
Sarah is unhappy with her life on earth. Men who want to marry and have children are in short supply. Sarah decides to move to the Outer Colonies where men want wives. On the way she is kidnapped and given a different choice. Marry the most hated man on earth, the "Gaian Beast".
I loved the story of Garran and Sarah. He is kind and he spends the book proving he would make a good husband. This book is the perfect balance of Sci-Fi and Romance. Read it! You won't regret it.
Books:
- Quantum Enigma: Physics Encounters Consciousness
- Reckless (The It Girl, No. 3)
- Science in Seconds for Kids: Over 100 Experiments You Can Do in Ten Minutes or Less
- Sex and the Perfect Lover: Tao, Tantra, and the Kama Sutra
- Sex on the Brain: 12 Lessons to Enhance Your Love Life
- Sly Moves: My Proven Program to Lose Weight, Build Strength, Gain Will Power, and Live your Dream
- Sunlight and Shadow (Once Upon a Time)
- Sunrise (Sunrise Series #1)
- Suspicious
- Taboo: Forbidden Fantasies for Couples
Books Index
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