Forever Yours

Taggart/Falcon #1

by Francis Ray

The last thing Victoria Chandler wants is to get married… again! Now the threat of financial ruin jeopardizes not only the Fort Worth beauty's hard-won independence but her chain of lingerie boutiques as well. In desperation, Victoria seeks help from wealthy Kane Taggart. There's just one catch: she has to become the wife of the seductive, silver-tongued rancher… for one year.

What could possibly happen in twelve short months?

Plenty… especially when Kane counter-offers with an irresistibly indecent proposal of his own…

Genres: Romance, African American Romance, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Contemporary, Marriage Of Convenience, African American

224 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 1994

About the author

Francis Ray was a New York Times and USA Today bestselling African-American writer of romance novels. Her literary fiction series – Taggart and Falcon, the Invincible Women, Grayson Family of New Mexico, and Grayson Friends – have consistently made bestseller's lists. She was born in Richland, Texas, and studied nursing, receiving a bachelor's degree from Texas Woman's University in 1967. She began writing in 1987, while continuing to work as a nurse, and had her first book published in 1992.

AWARDS
Romantic Times Career Achievement
EMMA
The Golden Pen
The Atlantic Choice
Romantic Times 2008 Reviewers' Choice Award Winners for AFRICAN-AMERICAN ROMANCE Reviewers' Choice Awards – Best Books Not Even If You Begged, St. Martin's Griffin (February 2008)
Borders 2008 Bestselling Multicultural Romance Award for Nobody but You
Written's 2010 Readers Choice Book of the Year for If You Were My Man

Reviews

[Megan]

A warm marriage of convenience romance from 1994 that didn't feel overly dated (aside from the hero's mustache, honestly). Like a lot of MoC stories, the premise deserved a very strong eyeroll, even though the characters definitely needed the push. I liked both of them, but there is a very defined dynamic to this one: the hero has had feelings for the heroine for years and in the present recognizes that this is love very quickly, and the heroine is the one who goes through all the character growth and needs time to grow (and then to recognize) her trust and love. Ray's writing style is engaging; I laughed out loud a couple times.

ETA: Content warning for abuse in the heroine's backstory. Victoria was previously in an emotionally abusive marriage, mentioned very early in the book; we find out in the last third of the book that it involved marital rape, and that prior to the events in this book, the sum of her experience with sex has been that marital rape. She eventually resorted to financially bribing her husband to stay away from her.

[Des · Rating 3 out of 5]

This the first Francis Ray I've read and it was a somewhat nice introduction. Ignoring the preposterous way the book started with Victoria being given an ultimatum by her grandmother to find a husband and get married or lose her stores one could be forgiven for thinking it would go downhill from there. Fortunately, it did not and I enjoyed the slow and steady build up of trust that had to happen between Victoria and Kane for their relationship to work. I also enjoyed their banter.

[amaya crosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book

Because I like only hers and wanted the other books I didn't like the way Stephen made Victoria feel while married to her and after they divorced but I like that Kane helped her believe in love again

[Bridgetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel by Francis Ray was the first Black American romance novel I read. The experience was fantastic and I am still reading and supporting 26 years later.

[Uche Ezeudu · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good ole sweet romance 🥰
Victoria is a divorcee who has sworn off men but her grandmother gives her an ultimatum to bring home a husband or have her business taken away from her. With the help of her best friend, Bonnie, she is able to reach an arrangement with Bonnie’s cousin, Kane Taggart but the thing is, Kane has always loved Victoria.
We see how Kane sets to loving the elusive Victoria into total surrender. For all lovers of “marriage of convenience/arranged marriage” tropes, here is food.
This is my first book from this author and I enjoyed it!

[Carolyn King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love This Book

I read this book years ago. I had to get the digital version for my kindle. Victoria and Kane are so good together. I love how Kane didn't give up on her. He was just what she needed.

[Chelsea Kumer · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Kimberly Artis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my first novels and it has been a part of me since!

[Caroline Mcclendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I read Heart of the Falcon years ago and wanted to go back and read the other books in the series.

[Ayodele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so happy my friend introduced me to Francis Ray! 🩷

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forever Yours was a quick, cute kind of fake relationship turned real. Victoria owns her own lingerie boutique, at least until her grandmother threatens to call in her loans if she doesn't remarry within the month. Victoria is recently out of a bad marriage, so she looks to hire someone to be her husband. And who better than her best friend's cousin, whom she knows from their teen years? Kane is a sweet guy and agrees to Tori's out-there scheme, but he does want more than she's willing to give.

I liked Forever Yours, but it was pretty slow for being so short. I could understand Tori's hesitance in getting close to Kane after her previous marriage, but I did wish she'd change her mind quicker! She was also a kind of boring character without much personality. For being a lingerie seller, there was no spark! I was expecting a lot more from her in that regard. The dialogue was also a bit awkward in places, but this is a pretty old book. Overall, it was an enjoyable read which used one of my favorite tropes. I just wish there had been more to it.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Victoria divorced from an abusive marriage. She opened Lavender and Silk lingerie shops. Ones she is most proud and worked her hardest for. Until, her grandmother threatened to take them away if she doesn’t remarry in the next month. Tori’s best friend, Bonnie, introduced her to her cousin Kane.
Kane is the one that drove through a storm just because bonnie n her were scared. He was the one that held her close to himself so she could feel save. With one look, Tori remembered how caring he is, but will she stop being so selfish and open up to him? They both say they want something different but at the end they both have the same.
I loved this book it’s very sexy and blood pumping. This book is with someone with patience because it’s very slow paced but to the point where it don’t give away. I recommend this book to anyone. It’s a very understandable book.

[V · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love when an author creates relate-able characters. Victoria "Tory" Chandler is a woman burned badly by a previous relationship. Unfortunately, she's backed into a financial corner by a well-intentioned but overstepping grandma who wants her precious grandchild to marry again. Enter Kane Taggart to the rescue. Physically imposing & smart, Kane's never forgotten the young lady he saved from a storm years ago.

I'd read this story again & again. Who wouldn't want their own Kane Taggart?

[Zarinah · Rating 3 out of 5]

its a little outdated with the language but timeless all the same. It was different type of theme a girl needing to save her business via marriage for a year and its kind of "year right" but it was still interesting.

[Niki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I that I read by Francis Ray. I was hooked from the beginning. I loved Kane and Victoria. Kane was patient and went after what he wanted. Victoria finally realized how wonderful Kane is and the series was off and running!

[Ariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Victoria is the most annoying person! And exactly why was she going to loose her business? If her grandparents were rich why didn't they just pay whatever she needed? I also do not care for the grandmother.

[Francis Ray]

March 30,2010

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good read.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was definitely a great start to this series. The pages flowed easily it was a very good read.

[DeeReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

love FR's books... this was a beauty

[Cam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't recognize the cover but, I own this book. Just a different version. I always love a novel by Francis Ray. I want to own all her works.

[Metris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a heart felt Love story!

[Mae Agnew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

tHis is my first Francis Ray experience; it won't be my last. Loved it.

Definitely would recommend to anyone. Wonderful.

[Tigger · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is always great and read some stories again...this is most definitely one of them!

[Darlene Dejohnette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one wasn't my favorite, but I love the books by Francis Ray. The Grayson Friends & Taggart Brothers series are great.

[Char]

For NCIS fans--anyone else think the guy on the cover looks like Director Vance on the show?

[Danielle Kahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book by Francis Ray that I read.