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The Promise
Shannon Hayes’ husband David was killed in Iraq nearly a year ago, and now she must face her first holiday season without him. With a toddler in tow, she travels to the Vermont farm where the rest of the family has gathered for the holidays. There she comes face to face with the man who was with him when he died, and her destiny, his older brother Ryan.
For the first time in years, Ryan returns home to keep a promise he made to David—to take care of Shannon and their daughter. It’s a pledge Ryan is reluctant to keep because he’s been secretly in love with Shannon since first setting eyes on her. Their attraction to each other is instant, intense and soon the promise isn’t the only thing between them.
For the first time in years, Ryan returns home to keep a promise he made to David—to take care of Shannon and their daughter. It’s a pledge Ryan is reluctant to keep because he’s been secretly in love with Shannon since first setting eyes on her. Their attraction to each other is instant, intense and soon the promise isn’t the only thing between them.
121 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 11, 2011
163 people want to read
About the author
Tory Richards
81 books766 followersTory Richards is an Amazon bestselling author in the categories erotic romance and romantic suspense who writes smut with a plot. Born in Maine, she's lived most of her life in Florida where she went to school, married, and raised her daughter. She's retired from Disney and spends her time with family and friends, traveling, and writing.
Coming soon!
Book 3, Tank, in my The Biker Next Door series
Coming soon!
Book 3, Tank, in my The Biker Next Door series
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 19, 2012
3 stars
The Promise is very angsty but overall a good holiday read. I did feel the pacing was slightly off and the prose, at times, a little ambiguous (I had a few scratch my head moments). That said, I still read this moderately steamy novella in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed myself to boot.
The Promise is very angsty but overall a good holiday read. I did feel the pacing was slightly off and the prose, at times, a little ambiguous (I had a few scratch my head moments). That said, I still read this moderately steamy novella in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed myself to boot.
April 4, 2012
Good book. Would've been a "5-star" if there weren't some name corrections and timing scales off. Story itself was warm and a feel-good read.
September 29, 2012
Sweet,sexy, second chances romance...just right for tonight!
October 2, 2011
I reviewed this for TwoLips Reviews
Facing her first Christmas since her husband David’s death in Iraq, Shannon Hayes is traveling to the Hayes family’s Vermont farm with a toddler in tow. The whole family will be gathering for the holidays. There she will come face to face with the man who was with her husband when he died and who is her destiny, his older brother Ryan.
Coming home for the first time in years, Ryan intends to keep a promise he made his brother David. Ryan agreed to take care of Shannon and their baby, Alivia. It’s a promise Ryan is reluctant to keep; he’s secretly been in love with Shannon since he met her five years ago. The attraction between Ryan and Shannon is instant and intense and soon the promise is not the only thing between them.
The Promise by Tory Richards is a sexy and intense romance between a grieving young widow and a tough marine. That marine just happens to be her single brother-in-law. The primary characters are likeable, well developed, and have great chemistry. Their romance is deeply emotional and physically hot.
Shannon Hayes is a beautiful, young, twenty-five-year-old woman with a two-year-old child who’s been a widow for almost a year. While the holidays have always been her favorite time of year, she’s not really looking forward to them this year without David, her deceased husband. Shannon is looking forward to one holiday tradition though—getting together with David’s family, the Hayes, who’ve always accepted her and made her feel as if she was a part of their family. I really liked Shannon’s character in this story; she’s emotionally strong, doesn’t blame for husband for going off to war or dying, and plans to make sure she raises her daughter Alivia around David’s family so she can get to know him through them. Having grown up without a family of her own, Shannon appreciates how close David’s family is and what they represent in her life—acceptance. The only family member she really doesn’t know well is Ryan, David’s older brother, the marine she’s only met twice. Though they only met twice, he left a lasting impression on her at both meetings with his intense blue eyes, almost as if he could see through her.
Ryan Hayes is a conflicted character; tall, strong, and independent, he’s been a marine on deployment for the last ten years. He’s only come home twice, once for his father’s funeral and again for his brother’s funeral. Ryan has kept his distance for several reasons, one being his attraction to his brother’s wife. Never wanting to hurt his brother, it was easier for Ryan to stay away. When David was assigned to Ryan’s unit, it was both a blessing and a curse—he got to spend time with his brother, and he was the last person to see him alive; David died in his arms from injuries received in an ambush. Ryan’s felt guilty about it for the last year, believing he should have been the one to die. Ryan has spent so much time away and in battle, he no longer feels as if he deserves to be loved or have a family in his future. In fact he never thinks about the future; he just lives for today. He wasn’t planning on what Shannon would make him feel or on the changes she would bring to his future
To read the rest of the review http://www.twolipsreviews.com/content...
Facing her first Christmas since her husband David’s death in Iraq, Shannon Hayes is traveling to the Hayes family’s Vermont farm with a toddler in tow. The whole family will be gathering for the holidays. There she will come face to face with the man who was with her husband when he died and who is her destiny, his older brother Ryan.
Coming home for the first time in years, Ryan intends to keep a promise he made his brother David. Ryan agreed to take care of Shannon and their baby, Alivia. It’s a promise Ryan is reluctant to keep; he’s secretly been in love with Shannon since he met her five years ago. The attraction between Ryan and Shannon is instant and intense and soon the promise is not the only thing between them.
The Promise by Tory Richards is a sexy and intense romance between a grieving young widow and a tough marine. That marine just happens to be her single brother-in-law. The primary characters are likeable, well developed, and have great chemistry. Their romance is deeply emotional and physically hot.
Shannon Hayes is a beautiful, young, twenty-five-year-old woman with a two-year-old child who’s been a widow for almost a year. While the holidays have always been her favorite time of year, she’s not really looking forward to them this year without David, her deceased husband. Shannon is looking forward to one holiday tradition though—getting together with David’s family, the Hayes, who’ve always accepted her and made her feel as if she was a part of their family. I really liked Shannon’s character in this story; she’s emotionally strong, doesn’t blame for husband for going off to war or dying, and plans to make sure she raises her daughter Alivia around David’s family so she can get to know him through them. Having grown up without a family of her own, Shannon appreciates how close David’s family is and what they represent in her life—acceptance. The only family member she really doesn’t know well is Ryan, David’s older brother, the marine she’s only met twice. Though they only met twice, he left a lasting impression on her at both meetings with his intense blue eyes, almost as if he could see through her.
Ryan Hayes is a conflicted character; tall, strong, and independent, he’s been a marine on deployment for the last ten years. He’s only come home twice, once for his father’s funeral and again for his brother’s funeral. Ryan has kept his distance for several reasons, one being his attraction to his brother’s wife. Never wanting to hurt his brother, it was easier for Ryan to stay away. When David was assigned to Ryan’s unit, it was both a blessing and a curse—he got to spend time with his brother, and he was the last person to see him alive; David died in his arms from injuries received in an ambush. Ryan’s felt guilty about it for the last year, believing he should have been the one to die. Ryan has spent so much time away and in battle, he no longer feels as if he deserves to be loved or have a family in his future. In fact he never thinks about the future; he just lives for today. He wasn’t planning on what Shannon would make him feel or on the changes she would bring to his future
To read the rest of the review http://www.twolipsreviews.com/content...
June 30, 2011
Serving much of his life as a Marine has affected Ryan in many ways, but nothing was more life changing than the day he met Shannon. His tough exterior melted a little the day he saw her, but she was and always will be forbidden to him as the widow of his brother. She can’t know how much she has impacted his life as a Marine and the temptation her mere presence causes to the man underneath. However, temptation is a weakness to this soldier and he won’t be ruled by feelings of lust or even love.
The couple of times Shannon had laid eyes on Ryan have haunted her more than she thought. Now that he’s back home for the holidays, she can’t help but want to reach out to him in some way. They are family after all and commonly share the loss of David. Ryan’s suffering both mentally and physically is obvious, but the hardened Marine just needs a little help readjusting to life outside of combat. Shannon can feel his resolve weakening, but so is hers and before they know it the unimaginable happens.
Ms. Richards has created quite an emotionally gripping story. All of the characters are life-like and the dynamics of the family made it incredibly easy to fall for them. Each of the relationships are touching and the romantic development is beautiful. While the storyline is believable and reads quite fluidly with a nice balance in Shannon and Ryan’s point-of-views.
I would love to have seen a bit more closure concerning certain open-ended possibilities that came up throughout the story. Since they aren’t major plot breakers and I’m just naturally curious, I wouldn’t have minded if the story continued. However, I am content in drawing my own conclusions.
Ms. Richards has become a favorite author of mine and the amount of story she’s capable of putting into so few pages is remarkable. Add her talent for combining romance and eroticism deliciously in a story and all I want is more. Contemporary romance fans need to read this story!
Words of warning to the reader: this story will make you long for a tradition-filled family gathering for the holidays and wish it came soon.
Review also posted @ Night Owl Reviews:
http://www.nightowlreviews.com/nor/
The couple of times Shannon had laid eyes on Ryan have haunted her more than she thought. Now that he’s back home for the holidays, she can’t help but want to reach out to him in some way. They are family after all and commonly share the loss of David. Ryan’s suffering both mentally and physically is obvious, but the hardened Marine just needs a little help readjusting to life outside of combat. Shannon can feel his resolve weakening, but so is hers and before they know it the unimaginable happens.
Ms. Richards has created quite an emotionally gripping story. All of the characters are life-like and the dynamics of the family made it incredibly easy to fall for them. Each of the relationships are touching and the romantic development is beautiful. While the storyline is believable and reads quite fluidly with a nice balance in Shannon and Ryan’s point-of-views.
I would love to have seen a bit more closure concerning certain open-ended possibilities that came up throughout the story. Since they aren’t major plot breakers and I’m just naturally curious, I wouldn’t have minded if the story continued. However, I am content in drawing my own conclusions.
Ms. Richards has become a favorite author of mine and the amount of story she’s capable of putting into so few pages is remarkable. Add her talent for combining romance and eroticism deliciously in a story and all I want is more. Contemporary romance fans need to read this story!
Words of warning to the reader: this story will make you long for a tradition-filled family gathering for the holidays and wish it came soon.
Review also posted @ Night Owl Reviews:
http://www.nightowlreviews.com/nor/
November 29, 2013
What’s better than a man in uniform? A man getting out of that uniform? Yummy! When that man in uniform is a wounded warrior? Well, my heart just goes pitter patter!
The Promise by Tory Richards is a great story about one brother who makes a death bed promise to another. His promise? Watch over the brother’s wife and child.
I loved this story from the very beginning. Shannon was married to David and his family accepted her and adopted her into the family immediately. They were an amazing family. Even after David died they kept her close to their hearts.
Ryan has loved Shannon from the moment he laid eyes on her. The problem? Shannon is married to his brother. Now, his brother is dead and he’s promised to watch over her.
Ryan fights the attraction he has to Shannon. Shannon fights it just as hard, in the beginning. Then, she gives in and enjoys it.
I really liked this story. It was sweet, intense and romantic. The one thing that bothered me was Ryan’s change of heart. We didn’t really get an explanation of what changed his mind or why he changed his mind about Shannon.
Ryan’s family was amazing. They were accepting of Ryan and Shannon’s romance, even though she was once married to David. They pretty much encouraged Ryan and Shannon.
This was my first story by Tory Richards and I see more in my future!
January 24, 2015
A sweet read.
Ryan is a man that has been conditioned by the armed forces and is one tough sexy man that has learned to hide all emotions. So when he first sees Shannon he is blown away by his feelings for her and doesn't know what to do.......as she was marrying his younger brother so Ryan avoids the family get togethers for years. The past 2 years have been tough for Shannon adjusting to widowhood and raising her daughter that the sexual pull she feels to Ryan unnerves her.
Both try fighting their attraction that you can just feel the burning desire and guilt. But I like to believe that David has a guiding hand from above in getting them together.....
A emotional moving read with some hot sex.
There was some confusion with names in some places but I am used to that with my family so that really didn't brother me. Note: don't use names that sound or look similar to avoid confusion for the writer and reader.
Ryan is a man that has been conditioned by the armed forces and is one tough sexy man that has learned to hide all emotions. So when he first sees Shannon he is blown away by his feelings for her and doesn't know what to do.......as she was marrying his younger brother so Ryan avoids the family get togethers for years. The past 2 years have been tough for Shannon adjusting to widowhood and raising her daughter that the sexual pull she feels to Ryan unnerves her.
Both try fighting their attraction that you can just feel the burning desire and guilt. But I like to believe that David has a guiding hand from above in getting them together.....
A emotional moving read with some hot sex.
There was some confusion with names in some places but I am used to that with my family so that really didn't brother me. Note: don't use names that sound or look similar to avoid confusion for the writer and reader.
November 11, 2013
Shannon is spending the first holiday season without her dead husband David at his family's home. She doesn't really want to, but she wants their little girl to know her daddy's family.
David's brother Ryan comes home for the first time in years & the sparks start flying when he & Shannon are together. He's been in love with her since he first saw her, while she was still with his brother. And he feels guilty because now his brother is gone & he promised he'd take care of Shannon & their baby, but he wants Shannon for himself.
Ryan spends a lot of time sending Shannon mixed signals. First he's all over her, then he's pushing her away. Then he finally leaves between Thanksgiving & Christmas to try to get his head together. When he returns, he tells Shannon the truth about he was with David when he died & how he feels guilty about still being alive & wanting her & maybe he didn't do enough to help David try to make it.
When I wasn't wanting to smack Ryan for being an asshat, I was enjoying the smoking hot chemistry between the two.
David's brother Ryan comes home for the first time in years & the sparks start flying when he & Shannon are together. He's been in love with her since he first saw her, while she was still with his brother. And he feels guilty because now his brother is gone & he promised he'd take care of Shannon & their baby, but he wants Shannon for himself.
Ryan spends a lot of time sending Shannon mixed signals. First he's all over her, then he's pushing her away. Then he finally leaves between Thanksgiving & Christmas to try to get his head together. When he returns, he tells Shannon the truth about he was with David when he died & how he feels guilty about still being alive & wanting her & maybe he didn't do enough to help David try to make it.
When I wasn't wanting to smack Ryan for being an asshat, I was enjoying the smoking hot chemistry between the two.
July 27, 2011
A sweet story about a young widow, Shannon, who lost her husband at war. His dying wish was for his older brother to take care of his wife and daughter. Older Marine brother, Ryan, had been in love with her since he met her five years earlier, so he's stayed away. He can't come to grips with the fact that his brother's loss basically gave him everything he wanted, so he's an ass to her most of the time. But there are glimmers of sweetness. For Shannon's part, she wasn't exactly comfortable with being attracted to her husband's brother, but her husband was dead, so she was willing to give it a go. A huge leap of faith, really. And his family was WAY on board. It was sweet. Not sure I'd have reacted how she did, but more power to her. Quite steamy in places. Ryan's lucky she even went near him with how he treated her, lol! But I suppose I can sort of get why he was how he was.
April 20, 2015
This is a lovely sweet read, about tragic loss, but how love can be found again.
Shannon looses her Husband in Iraq, and goes to his family for a Christmas break. His eldest brother Ryan and all the family arrive, but Ryan, is single, a big scary marine, who it turns out has loved Shannon since the day he met her, even whilst married to his brother. The book covers loss of love and the guilt of siblings.
It's a nice story about tragic loss and how love ones struggle to cope. The sex scenes are nice and loving under the circumstances, and it's an enjoyable read, which I would read more of.
I did enjoy this story, and like the fact that it just covers this short period of time, with reflection filling the gaps and details. I thought the marriage proposal was a bit quick for me, but then again it was nice. They sounded like nice people and would make a lovely couple:-)
Shannon looses her Husband in Iraq, and goes to his family for a Christmas break. His eldest brother Ryan and all the family arrive, but Ryan, is single, a big scary marine, who it turns out has loved Shannon since the day he met her, even whilst married to his brother. The book covers loss of love and the guilt of siblings.
It's a nice story about tragic loss and how love ones struggle to cope. The sex scenes are nice and loving under the circumstances, and it's an enjoyable read, which I would read more of.
I did enjoy this story, and like the fact that it just covers this short period of time, with reflection filling the gaps and details. I thought the marriage proposal was a bit quick for me, but then again it was nice. They sounded like nice people and would make a lovely couple:-)
June 6, 2011
Explosive and Hot! This couple’s chemistry leaps of the pages at you. What a great story filled with love and loss; add in a grand family, and Ryan oozes sex appeal. What more could you ask for in a romance? Ms. Richards does a great job and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
Matilda
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Full Review: http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/Book...
Matilda
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Full Review: http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/Book...
October 13, 2012
Once I started this book I didnt put it down til it was finished. This is a great story about a widow who lost her husband in Iraq. His dying wish was that his older brother Ryan look after her and their daughter. Ryan has been in love with her for five years and stayed away because of that. Now hes going home for the holidays one year after his brothers death.
June 24, 2013
I rated it that it was ok. I did not dislike it. It was a sweet story and I like the alpha hero brother. I usually like racier books that is all. It was well written and had good pace and plotting. It was not a disaster or bad book and it was only my preference for steamier more angst ridden books.
July 29, 2011
A Recommended Read! Tory Richards has created a tale of heartache, passion, and love yet a chance for a brother to love again. To view this review in its entirety, please visit http://www.blackravensreviews.com/?p=...
December 21, 2011
Good book. Would've been a "5-star" if there weren't some name corrections and timing scales off. Story itself was warm and a feel-good read. Full review is at http://guiltyindulgencebookclub.blogs....
December 16, 2013
I totally loved The Promise! Author Tory Richards weaves a wonderful story of family, guilt and love. I especially liked the "We're kissing!" mistletoe parts, made me grin. It's a short read but every page holds your interest.
May 22, 2012
Sweet romance and understandable reason for hero's reclutance to accept it. Well done!
June 10, 2013
This was a nice holiday read.
October 31, 2013
Short and sweet holiday story about a widow that ultimately falls for her brother-in-law. What I found it a nice change that the brother's family was so cool with the couple getting together.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews