Book Review and Giveaways: Promise Me by Dee Julian

This is a lovely historical romance that kept me eagerly reading.

Promise Me

by Dee Julian

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace (February 19, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1475047975
• ISBN-13: 978-1475047974

Also available in Kindle and other ebook formats
     Genre: Historical Romance
     My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: February 19, 2012

After a hasty promise to her dying fiancé jeopardizes the future of his illegitimate child, Lady Leah Sheridan vows to make amends for the gentleman’s lack of honor by personally seeing to his son’s financial needs. When the boy’s heartless mother abandons him, Leah finds herself nearing a disastrous scandal. To make matters worse, her fiancé’s older brother returns to England demanding answers she swore never to divulge.

As soon as the Duke of Chase meets the woman his deceased brother had intended to wed, he is unexpectedly captivated by the lady’s beauty, but he quickly suspects she is hiding a secret, making him more determined than ever to discover the truth behind his brother’s fatal accident.

Will Leah break her promise and confide in the only man who can keep her safe?

Review:

Leah’s fiance died in an accident immediately after revealing he had an illegitimate son. Leah promised that she wouldn't tell his grandmother.  Leah has been paying the greedy mistress to take care of the child even though Leah’s clandestine selling of jewels and trips out of town are providing fodder for the local scandalmonger, Irma Crandle.

The Duke, Nicolas, returns to the stunning news of his brother’s death. He overhears rumors making him suspicious of Ms. Sheridan’s role in the ‘accident’.  He rushes to meet a beautiful woman stepping out of the ballroom but his attitude becomes hostile as soon as he learns it is the mysterious Ms. Sheridan.

Leah is summoned to meet with the mistress but arrives to find the sick child has been abandoned. In spite of her promise, Leah decides it is time to take the child to her fiance’s family.  Too bad she follows the poor advise of her best friend, Anne, the Duke’s cousin, who encourages Leah to wait a few days before revealing the truth.

Nicolas follows Leah while another cheeky fellow, Trinity, is spying on her for Ms. Crandle. The Duke continually jumps to negative conclusions and struggles with his strong attraction to Leah.

This story is driven by the characters as they weave their way through rumors, half truths and misconceptions. Leah is a likeable character as a lovely, kind young woman with an air of sadness due to her lose of love and twisted rumors. She longs for love and a home but sees Nicolas as a man who likes his life: “Uncluttered. Unemotional. Unattached.” Nicolas is arrogant and impulsive in his judgments, but he has undeniable loyalty and tenderness with his family. The eccentric gossip hound and the roguish Trinity are two quirky characters who add humor to the story.  Nicolas’ grandmother and Leah’s sister, Kat, are also likeable characters with some meddling tendencies. There is a bit of intrigue with the mistress’s conniving and the threats of gossip that could ruin Leah’s reputation.

Ms. Julian writes an engaging story with a nice, easy flow. The romance is sweet but there is strong conflict and sensual tension that keeps the story interesting. I also enjoyed Ms. Julian’s first novel, The MacGregor’s Daughter (see my review here). I recommend both stories to those who enjoy historical romance with sweet romantic tension and a quick pace.

~~~~~~~

Anne helps Leah admit her feelings for Nicolas:

"Does your heart beat faster whenever Nicolas is near?"
"Yes."
"And when his dart eyes watch you?"
"I feel as though I'm the only woman in the room."
"He speaks and...?"
"His voice creates shivers that slowly dance down my spine until they reach my toes."
"His touch?"
"Takes my breath away."
Location 2439.

Thank you to the author, Dee Julian, for providing this lovely book to read and review.

I will add this to my ARC challenge list.

Ms. Julian is providing several prizes for giveaway!

First Place gets choice of Print or ebook copy of Promise Me.

Second Place will win an ebook copy of The MacGregor's Daughter and a mouse pad.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN ONE OF THESE PRIZES:

1. Visit the Author's website and tell me something you found interesting OR comment on my review.

2.  For two extra entries, check out my previous interview series with Dee Julian and come back here to make a comment on something you learned in the interview.

3.  For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

4.  For two extra entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Six total entries possible.)

THERE WILL BE TWO GRAND WINNERS.

* This contest is only open WORLDWIDE entries. 

* Limit one win per household.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on April 20, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on April 21 with 72 hours to complete the winners' form.