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Saturday, April 7, 2012

Book Review and Giveaways: Promise Me by Dee Julian

This is a lovely historical romance that kept me eagerly reading.
  • 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 fiancĂ© 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 fiancĂ©’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.
CymLowell

16 comments:

  1. I love historical fiction with some romance. It's one of my favorite go-to genres. This sounds like a book I'd love to read. Thanks for opportunity to win.

    I am an old follower here.

    brandonaimee atgmail dotcom

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  2. Thank you, Martha, for the awesome review of Promise Me and for all you do to help promote authors and their books! You are very much appreciated!

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  3. thanks for the giveaway, looks like a good book to read :)

    eli_y83@yahoo.com

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  4. I enjoyed your thourough review. I've always loved to read historical romances and this one sounds great. Thanks for the chance to win! amy dot swihart at gmail dot com

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  5. Hi ms. Julian!! i love the dragon on the top left corner, cool!

    Follower (GFC sienny)
    smile_1773@yahoo.com

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  6. Thank you for the review, historical romances can be terrific. edysicecreamlovr18@gmailDOTcom
    GFC Krystal Larson

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  7. I went to Dee's site and found out that she lives in one of my favorite cities - Memphis. She also spends a lot of her free time on the river, I'd love that.
    I also read the review of Promise Me and discovered that there is a mystery surrounding the death of Lady Leah Sheridan's fiance.
    I've been a follower by email for a while now, see address below.
    I tweeted about the giveaway to spread the work: https://twitter.com/#!/carlrscott/status/189007902667837440
    I think that's all I can do for my six contest entries.
    Thanks!
    carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx

    ReplyDelete
  8. I learned that she's a Virgo.

    I learned that she writes from experience and imagination.

    I follow the blog.

    Thanks for the giveaway.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Happy Easter, Everyone! Martha, thank you for hosting these fun give-a-ways.

    Carl, thank you for visiting my website. Yes, hubby and I love the river. It's so relaxing. Occasionally he fishes, and I go along for the boat ride.

    Hi Sienny! I love the little dragon too. He's like an old friend who's always there for me.

    Aimee, Amy, and Krystal...I too am a BIG fan of historical romances. In fact, I'm a sucker for any romance with a happy ending. I also like to get lost in a good paranormal every now and then, but I cannot write them. I'm just not that creative.

    Eli...you're very welcome, and thanks for stopping by.

    Good luck to you all!

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  10. I love a good historical romance & you've certainly piqued my interest in this 1 with such a good review. Like that it has interesting side characters.

    I am a GFC & email follower.
    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/LindaThum/status/189143051837505536

    thumbelinda03@yahoo.com

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  11. Hi BN100! Thanks so much for dropping by and leaving your comment.

    Hi Linda...I too enjoy good secondary characters, and I usually add them to the story for a little humor and sometimes for insight from a different perspective.

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  12. I like the dragon breathing fire on the home page of the author's website.

    I'm a follower

    Tweeted and shared on facebook.

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  13. Hi Margaret! Thank you so much for stopping by!

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  14. I loved your review. She has a lot of stress dropped on her and then loses her fiance too! it sounds like a great read.

    I follow via gfc - mamabunny13

    I learned something that will make Dee put down a book and quit reading is weak characters.

    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

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  15. The book is set primarily on a remote Scottish Island in 1781
    gfc=Helen
    helldog3 at aol.com

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  16. all about historical romances! even this cover captivates!

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Your comments are always appreciated!