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Promises #4
Forever Promised
Keeping Promise Book Four
Crick has been home from Iraq for five years, Jeff and Collin are finally married, and Shane and Mikhail are quietly making lives better for the dispossessed teenagers who come their way. Everything is right in Deacon's world, but nothing ever stays the same.
When Deacon's best friends, Jon and Amy, answer the call of an opportunity in Washington, DC, Deacon figures that’s life. You love people, and they leave you, and you survive. Even Benny, Crick’s little sister, is close to grown and ready to start her own future. But Benny loves Deacon, and she owes him—she may move beyond The Pulpit and Levee Oaks one day, but not without leaving something of herself behind. And so she offers Deacon and Crick an amazing gift… and a terrifying decision.
Benny’s offer forces Deacon and Crick to dredge up every past mistake and offer of redemption. And not just the two of them—everybody is forced to examine the chances they've been given and the promises they've made. In a real family, a child is a promise, and to the men and women of Promise Rock, keeping that promise will change their lives forever.
Crick has been home from Iraq for five years, Jeff and Collin are finally married, and Shane and Mikhail are quietly making lives better for the dispossessed teenagers who come their way. Everything is right in Deacon's world, but nothing ever stays the same.
When Deacon's best friends, Jon and Amy, answer the call of an opportunity in Washington, DC, Deacon figures that’s life. You love people, and they leave you, and you survive. Even Benny, Crick’s little sister, is close to grown and ready to start her own future. But Benny loves Deacon, and she owes him—she may move beyond The Pulpit and Levee Oaks one day, but not without leaving something of herself behind. And so she offers Deacon and Crick an amazing gift… and a terrifying decision.
Benny’s offer forces Deacon and Crick to dredge up every past mistake and offer of redemption. And not just the two of them—everybody is forced to examine the chances they've been given and the promises they've made. In a real family, a child is a promise, and to the men and women of Promise Rock, keeping that promise will change their lives forever.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2013
24 people are currently reading
637 people want to read
About the author
Amy Lane
203 books3,488 followersAmy Lane dodges an EDJ, mothers four children, and writes the occasional book. She, her brood, and her beloved mate, Mack, live in a crumbling mortgage in Citrus Heights, California, which is riddled with spiders, cats, and more than its share of fancy and weirdness. Feel free to visit her at www.greenshill.com orwww.writerslane.blogspot.com, where she will ride the buzz of receiving your e-mail until her head swells and she can no longer leave the house.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
June 29, 2013
There’s this bittersweet feeling that comes with completing something you love. Whether it’s a task at work, a knitting project, building a cabinet—for me it’s usually associated with reading or writing. One of the first books I ever read in the male/male genre was Keeping Promise Rock, and I became an instant Amy Lane fan. She’s who I want to be when I grow up, and now to be able to review the fourth, and last, Promise book overwhelms me.
I want to do it justice, and I know I won’t be able to, but here’s my best shot.
At my dad’s house, and I imagine at most family’s homes, there are two special seats. One is for the head of the family. It’s usually the patriarch, like my dad, but sometimes it’s the revered female also. At my house, it’s my dad. He’s ninety years old, and we—all eight of us kids and the grandkids and great-grandkids and now soon to be a great-great-grandson—look to him before we do anything. It’s how it should be, forever and ever, amen.
Then there’s the emotional head of the family. Since my mom passed away in 2000, that role has mostly been filled by my sister Diane. Not Big Diane, but Little Diane. See, I have two sisters named Diane. Remember, I am from the south, and everything we do comes with a story here. My mom and dad were both married before—my dad was divorced and has three kids from his first marriage, and my mom was widowed with three daughters before they married and had me and my younger brother. And they both had daughters named Diane, and yeah, the older was Big Diane and the younger Little Diane.
Well, in Amy Lane’s world, Deacon is the head of the family. He’s the one that the family turns to, the dad, the sun that all the planets of his collected brothers and sisters circle. He’s been the center of the series, and he’s my perfect man. Stubborn as nails and loyal to a fault, he puts the family first, always.
Then there’s the seat at the other end of the dining room table. And most would think it’s Crick, or Benny, but it’s not. In this book, it’s Mikhail. See, I can’t call him Mickey, because I don’t want my arms yanked off like a fly, and I’m not quite family, as much as I want to be. I know it will surprise many, but trust me, here, it’s Mikhail.
Forever Promised opens with Benny, and appropriately enough, ends with Benny. In between, we have love, life, death, marriage, and all the little things that form the fabric of our lives. And oh, have these things been woven into a tapestry that took my breath away. Every single player was represented here. All of this wonderful, beautiful family has their moment in the sun. But three stand out for me.
Deacon, as always, has my heart. His family gets to give back to him as they haven’t before. There is one scene with Jon—I had to put my book down and walk it off. It was that…transcendent.
Mikhail. Now I love the little man, and have since I saw his snitty little butt make an entrance on the second book. But here, oh God, he takes my breath away. I fell in love with him so hard, and I wanted to wrap him up in cotton and carry him away.
And Benny. It’s so clichéd, but our little girl grew up. In such a big, heart-stopping way. And I fell a little in love with her too.
I don’t want to give the plot away, since this book deserves to be savored. I will say, if it has to end, this was the way to do it.
Amy Lane has had my heart for a couple of years now, and she broke it a little, roughed it up, but then wrote this love letter to grace and care, love and family, and healed it. Such damned fine writing, and with her hand on the rudder, I’d sail to any port with her.
Amazing. Simply amazing.
I want to do it justice, and I know I won’t be able to, but here’s my best shot.
At my dad’s house, and I imagine at most family’s homes, there are two special seats. One is for the head of the family. It’s usually the patriarch, like my dad, but sometimes it’s the revered female also. At my house, it’s my dad. He’s ninety years old, and we—all eight of us kids and the grandkids and great-grandkids and now soon to be a great-great-grandson—look to him before we do anything. It’s how it should be, forever and ever, amen.
Then there’s the emotional head of the family. Since my mom passed away in 2000, that role has mostly been filled by my sister Diane. Not Big Diane, but Little Diane. See, I have two sisters named Diane. Remember, I am from the south, and everything we do comes with a story here. My mom and dad were both married before—my dad was divorced and has three kids from his first marriage, and my mom was widowed with three daughters before they married and had me and my younger brother. And they both had daughters named Diane, and yeah, the older was Big Diane and the younger Little Diane.
Well, in Amy Lane’s world, Deacon is the head of the family. He’s the one that the family turns to, the dad, the sun that all the planets of his collected brothers and sisters circle. He’s been the center of the series, and he’s my perfect man. Stubborn as nails and loyal to a fault, he puts the family first, always.
Then there’s the seat at the other end of the dining room table. And most would think it’s Crick, or Benny, but it’s not. In this book, it’s Mikhail. See, I can’t call him Mickey, because I don’t want my arms yanked off like a fly, and I’m not quite family, as much as I want to be. I know it will surprise many, but trust me, here, it’s Mikhail.
Forever Promised opens with Benny, and appropriately enough, ends with Benny. In between, we have love, life, death, marriage, and all the little things that form the fabric of our lives. And oh, have these things been woven into a tapestry that took my breath away. Every single player was represented here. All of this wonderful, beautiful family has their moment in the sun. But three stand out for me.
Deacon, as always, has my heart. His family gets to give back to him as they haven’t before. There is one scene with Jon—I had to put my book down and walk it off. It was that…transcendent.
Mikhail. Now I love the little man, and have since I saw his snitty little butt make an entrance on the second book. But here, oh God, he takes my breath away. I fell in love with him so hard, and I wanted to wrap him up in cotton and carry him away.
And Benny. It’s so clichéd, but our little girl grew up. In such a big, heart-stopping way. And I fell a little in love with her too.
I don’t want to give the plot away, since this book deserves to be savored. I will say, if it has to end, this was the way to do it.
Amy Lane has had my heart for a couple of years now, and she broke it a little, roughed it up, but then wrote this love letter to grace and care, love and family, and healed it. Such damned fine writing, and with her hand on the rudder, I’d sail to any port with her.
Amazing. Simply amazing.
Read
July 1, 2013I'm gonna need a minute here. I'mkinda angry. Oh but all this B.S. about the kid is stupid. Of course Crick and Deacon would have kids. It's 5 yrs later. But... My true, deep down loathing of Benny's character was bad in the first book, but nearly unbearable in this one. So...I gotta step back and think on it. As usual Amy wrote wonderfully and it was lovely to see the characters I loved. Crick is for some reason just one of my favorite Amy characters and I think that's why i'm so put out with this book. Dammit. I guess just look at my status updates and you'll see my problem. THIS IS NOT A REVIEW so much as me thinking out loud about this one:
It's like Benny is that best girl friend a gay boy has in high school/college that you always knew probably had a little crush on you... but... you knew two things NEVER to do with her: if you tested straight waters and slept with a girl it would NEVER be with her, and she's the one person you know better than to take up on the "we should totes have a baby if we're both single at 25" offer. She, unlike your more stable hags, would cling and use this child as a way to show she can make a bigger sacrifice for you than anyone else (namely your poor future partner/co-parent) in the world and that she is part of your life forever. You know who I'm talking about. She's the same kind of girl who gets pregnant to KEEP a man. They're rare but they exist. This is Benny to me. She was always in love with Deacon and ALWAYS resentful that Crick had him so this just felt like her creepy way of butting in...and they so often excluded Crick from any of it until the last minute when i was so disgusted with Benny AND Deacon that I struggled to give a shit any more. And it sucked. Especially since they NEVER TOLD CRICK the "real reason" Benny had the baby "for Deacon." NOT for Crick and Deacon as a couple, but FOR DEACON and everyone seemed to know it but Crick. *sigh* Too many feels.
I love you Amy, you know I do, but I'm just too stricken with this dislike of Benny that seems to have rubbed off on Deacon's character too. It's like Benny provides the hetero experience and the family and Crick is his buddy and the one he fucks. It got twisted and I D K.
Poor Crick. Poor, poor Crick.
It's like Benny is that best girl friend a gay boy has in high school/college that you always knew probably had a little crush on you... but... you knew two things NEVER to do with her: if you tested straight waters and slept with a girl it would NEVER be with her, and she's the one person you know better than to take up on the "we should totes have a baby if we're both single at 25" offer. She, unlike your more stable hags, would cling and use this child as a way to show she can make a bigger sacrifice for you than anyone else (namely your poor future partner/co-parent) in the world and that she is part of your life forever. You know who I'm talking about. She's the same kind of girl who gets pregnant to KEEP a man. They're rare but they exist. This is Benny to me. She was always in love with Deacon and ALWAYS resentful that Crick had him so this just felt like her creepy way of butting in...and they so often excluded Crick from any of it until the last minute when i was so disgusted with Benny AND Deacon that I struggled to give a shit any more. And it sucked. Especially since they NEVER TOLD CRICK the "real reason" Benny had the baby "for Deacon." NOT for Crick and Deacon as a couple, but FOR DEACON and everyone seemed to know it but Crick. *sigh* Too many feels.
I love you Amy, you know I do, but I'm just too stricken with this dislike of Benny that seems to have rubbed off on Deacon's character too. It's like Benny provides the hetero experience and the family and Crick is his buddy and the one he fucks. It got twisted and I D K.
Poor Crick. Poor, poor Crick.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2022
OMG!!! It's been 2 months since I started this book... 2 months and I couldn't be bothered to finish. I finally skipped and flew and one-eyed my way through this thing... sooooo BORING!!! This series has gotten ridiculous!
I am tired of EVERYONE thinking Deacon is some angel from heaven and want him and love him and bc he's attracted to both sexes, the more the merrier, eh?? TIRED of reading about his small nose of all things as an attribute that makes him irresistible... Amy was his first sex (I think), married his best friend who also wanted to have sex with him but wasn't gay unfortunately, but WOULD have been lovers if he was. Then Crick of course is the love of his life but Crick's little sister Benny also fell in love with Deacon, and so on and so forth!
Yeah, he was pretty awesome when I read the first book but it got OLD!
And all the rest of these ppl... what is POINT any more?
Arrrrgggghhhh!
I am tired of EVERYONE thinking Deacon is some angel from heaven and want him and love him and bc he's attracted to both sexes, the more the merrier, eh?? TIRED of reading about his small nose of all things as an attribute that makes him irresistible... Amy was his first sex (I think), married his best friend who also wanted to have sex with him but wasn't gay unfortunately, but WOULD have been lovers if he was. Then Crick of course is the love of his life but Crick's little sister Benny also fell in love with Deacon, and so on and so forth!
Yeah, he was pretty awesome when I read the first book but it got OLD!
And all the rest of these ppl... what is POINT any more?
Arrrrgggghhhh!
July 4, 2013
This book is a must-read for fans of this series. Here are Deacon and Crick, Mikhail and Shane, Jeff and Collin, Benny and Drew, Kimmy and Lucas, Jon and Amy, and all the supporting characters we love, moving forward. All those stories wind through this book, giving some closure to a lot of entangled lives, while assuring us that these lives will go on.
When you finish this book, with a happy sigh, you will know that beyond these pages, beloved characters will work and play (and fuck), children will grow, teens will be obnoxious but eventually human, and there will be love. Love of all kinds, that will overcome loss and mistakes and the twists of fate, and that has enough pillars of support that this family of chosen members will last forever, even if someday a beloved member is lost along the way.
With so many people telling their parts of the story, (okay, characters, but dammit, these are real people to me,) there is an inevitable loss of flow to the narrative. There is also a very heavy lean towards babies, and the completion of families as embodied in the addition of children. That has always been a theme in this series - from Crick as a boy with Deacon's father, to Parry Angel, to Mikhail's mother, to Martin - the importance of parental roles (and the value of being a parent) have been focal points in these stories.
It mostly worked beautifully for me. Deacon needs to be a father somehow and can't keep Parry Angel from Drew. Mikhail's part was beautifully done, and only increased my affection for one of my all-time favorite characters. Only Jeff and Collin made me think just a bit about other ways to focus energy and time in the completion of a family unit. I did like the feeling here that Collin had grown into his role as Jeff's partner, making me as happy with that couple as with the rest.
I also liked the fact that this story was more about choices than endurance, more about family than prejudice, more about hope than pain. Just a sweet, lovely, heartwarming, indulgent time spent with people I care about and will miss, done well enough that at the end I was almost ready to let them all go. Almost. Well, never, really, but this is as good as I could hope for. Thank you Amy Lane.
When you finish this book, with a happy sigh, you will know that beyond these pages, beloved characters will work and play (and fuck), children will grow, teens will be obnoxious but eventually human, and there will be love. Love of all kinds, that will overcome loss and mistakes and the twists of fate, and that has enough pillars of support that this family of chosen members will last forever, even if someday a beloved member is lost along the way.
With so many people telling their parts of the story, (okay, characters, but dammit, these are real people to me,) there is an inevitable loss of flow to the narrative. There is also a very heavy lean towards babies, and the completion of families as embodied in the addition of children. That has always been a theme in this series - from Crick as a boy with Deacon's father, to Parry Angel, to Mikhail's mother, to Martin - the importance of parental roles (and the value of being a parent) have been focal points in these stories.
It mostly worked beautifully for me. Deacon needs to be a father somehow and can't keep Parry Angel from Drew. Mikhail's part was beautifully done, and only increased my affection for one of my all-time favorite characters. Only Jeff and Collin made me think just a bit about other ways to focus energy and time in the completion of a family unit. I did like the feeling here that Collin had grown into his role as Jeff's partner, making me as happy with that couple as with the rest.
I also liked the fact that this story was more about choices than endurance, more about family than prejudice, more about hope than pain. Just a sweet, lovely, heartwarming, indulgent time spent with people I care about and will miss, done well enough that at the end I was almost ready to let them all go. Almost. Well, never, really, but this is as good as I could hope for. Thank you Amy Lane.
July 14, 2013
Well, the end of one of my favourite series.....Amy promised it wouldn't be all sweetness and light, and it wasn't...it was real life!! Not everything goes the way you want it to....I loved it. 4.5 stars and
We had lots and lots of
...everyone was at it, there was plenty of 
, a little 
and at the end there was 
. In between all of this we had Mikhail freaking out over Benny and Crick's younger sister (little cow!!), we had Deacon
worried to death over whether Benny's offer of a would actually work, we had Jeffy and Collin actually making plans to adopt themselves...oh God, sooo many things went on in this last book of the series, lots of loose ends were tied up but was the way was left open for may be something in the future.
..another little visit in a few years time?? (pretty please Amy!!).Deacon and Crick...long may you reign, and you other guys that have crept into my heart...Shane, Mikhail, Collin and Jeffy, and definitely not forgetting Benny and Drew, Jon and Amy and Kimmy and her husband Lucas....I'll miss you all!!
July 12, 2013
This is a really difficult personal review to write. Let me start by saying that I love Amy Lane's stories, she is the queen of angst and can tear a reader apart with her emotional writing and I love this series....apart from this one.
For me, probably because the angst is missing, I was bored. I found the story/plot not to my taste. I do not enjoy stories about pregnancy, babies, small children, knitting patterns, those with too much detail with regard to the food and recipes being consumed, detailed named drugs and named tv programmes/films. It's irrelevant and it jars from the story.
This is most definitely a book for ladies that like babies and regrettably that's all I will allow myself to say on the matter otherwise my review will probably be regarded as bitter and I do love Ms Lane's writing usually.
A very definite 2.5 stars for me but upgraded to three stars because it was great to hear from Deacon and Shane (my two favourite characters) again.
For me, probably because the angst is missing, I was bored. I found the story/plot not to my taste. I do not enjoy stories about pregnancy, babies, small children, knitting patterns, those with too much detail with regard to the food and recipes being consumed, detailed named drugs and named tv programmes/films. It's irrelevant and it jars from the story.
This is most definitely a book for ladies that like babies and regrettably that's all I will allow myself to say on the matter otherwise my review will probably be regarded as bitter and I do love Ms Lane's writing usually.
A very definite 2.5 stars for me but upgraded to three stars because it was great to hear from Deacon and Shane (my two favourite characters) again.
January 16, 2015
I've loved this series of books from the very start.
I do have to admit that I enjoyed the first two books the most, but the last two were good as well, just not quite as heart-felt for me.
This one, to me at least, seemed less dramatic for the main characters, being a bit more plot driven by only supporting characters from the previous 3 books.
I still enjoyed the book, but it was a little more "that's nice" and a little less "wow!" that I've normally found the series to be.
The part with John moving away from Deacon was very touching and I'd have read the entire book for no other reason than that portion.
Probably my all-time-favorite series ever.
I do have to admit that I enjoyed the first two books the most, but the last two were good as well, just not quite as heart-felt for me.
This one, to me at least, seemed less dramatic for the main characters, being a bit more plot driven by only supporting characters from the previous 3 books.
I still enjoyed the book, but it was a little more "that's nice" and a little less "wow!" that I've normally found the series to be.
The part with John moving away from Deacon was very touching and I'd have read the entire book for no other reason than that portion.
Probably my all-time-favorite series ever.
June 29, 2013
Oh my, this series is not to be taken lightly. It should have a warning label stamped all over it…Warning, Warning, Danger, Danger!!! Really! It sends us a lovely sweet message filled with love, family hearth and home. Then we have the trials of true life that can destroy all of that with one blow. This is the writing of the ever so talented Amy Lane. Her pen is her sword, cutting you apart with a quick slice and mending you with the spinning of her yarn Pun intended!!!
We have lived on The Pulpit with Deacon and his father, Parrish, adopting Carrick James Francis into their home and their heart. We have anguished through bad mistakes and the ravages of war, life threatening injuries Carrick sustained, and almost losing him. We have suffered almost losing Deacon twice; once to alcohol and then heart disease. Through all of these books we are sustained by the people they have surrounded themselves with and the family they have formed, the center being the love of two men Deacon and Carrick.
Jon and Amy are Deacon’s childhood friends, and both have loved Deacon all through school in their own way. Jon wishing he himself was gay and Amy wishing Deacon was not. Now happily married, they are moving and leaving town for a better job out of state and they are all happy and sad to go. The family unit will hurt to see them leave
Mikhail and his cop have opened a halfway house near The Pulpit. Many of their kids are allowed to work there to help with the horses as a reward for being on the straight and narrow. I originally struggled with Mikhail, had trouble identifying to the surly Russian dancer who sold his body and soul to survive on the streets. This last book would certainly not be the bomb it is, if Mikhail was not the family glue that that saved his own soul by saving others. I fell in love with Mikhail and wondered what the heck was wrong with me not to see this wonderful snarky man earlier. Jeff and his loving partner Collin are as always a joy to see, but this story was all about the coming of age of one Bernice Angela Coats, the one we all call ‘Benny’.
Benny, all grown up, with a child of her own (Parry Angel) and a loving partner to share her life with, who is another one of Deacon’s conquests. Benny has always loved this man, more than any other he has been her salvation. Now wanting to go forward with her life, she wishes to give something back to him, something tangible, so her life could be complete and so could Deacon’s.
Amy Lane, in a million years I never saw this coming. This book Forever Promises, which is the last in this series, has got to be the best of the series. That is saying so much since I never thought Keeping Promise Rock would ever have been challenged in my heart; but you have gone and done it. I could not put this book down amid tears, sobs and laughter. You are the epitome of writer extraordinaire to have built a world that I have followed, built these people that I love and respect from a mismatched bunch of strangers into just what it is: family.
Whenever I see a man working a horse I will see Deacon, whenever I think of war I will picture Crick battered and torn, whenever I see dance I will think of Mikhail, and whenever I see love I will think of the Benny’s gift to Deacon. Outstanding work Amy, I do hope we can visit The Pulpit again in a Novella, but at this time you did good!
Review by Gloria Lakritz
Sr Reviewer and Review Chair of the Paranormal Romance Guild
We have lived on The Pulpit with Deacon and his father, Parrish, adopting Carrick James Francis into their home and their heart. We have anguished through bad mistakes and the ravages of war, life threatening injuries Carrick sustained, and almost losing him. We have suffered almost losing Deacon twice; once to alcohol and then heart disease. Through all of these books we are sustained by the people they have surrounded themselves with and the family they have formed, the center being the love of two men Deacon and Carrick.
Jon and Amy are Deacon’s childhood friends, and both have loved Deacon all through school in their own way. Jon wishing he himself was gay and Amy wishing Deacon was not. Now happily married, they are moving and leaving town for a better job out of state and they are all happy and sad to go. The family unit will hurt to see them leave
Mikhail and his cop have opened a halfway house near The Pulpit. Many of their kids are allowed to work there to help with the horses as a reward for being on the straight and narrow. I originally struggled with Mikhail, had trouble identifying to the surly Russian dancer who sold his body and soul to survive on the streets. This last book would certainly not be the bomb it is, if Mikhail was not the family glue that that saved his own soul by saving others. I fell in love with Mikhail and wondered what the heck was wrong with me not to see this wonderful snarky man earlier. Jeff and his loving partner Collin are as always a joy to see, but this story was all about the coming of age of one Bernice Angela Coats, the one we all call ‘Benny’.
Benny, all grown up, with a child of her own (Parry Angel) and a loving partner to share her life with, who is another one of Deacon’s conquests. Benny has always loved this man, more than any other he has been her salvation. Now wanting to go forward with her life, she wishes to give something back to him, something tangible, so her life could be complete and so could Deacon’s.
Amy Lane, in a million years I never saw this coming. This book Forever Promises, which is the last in this series, has got to be the best of the series. That is saying so much since I never thought Keeping Promise Rock would ever have been challenged in my heart; but you have gone and done it. I could not put this book down amid tears, sobs and laughter. You are the epitome of writer extraordinaire to have built a world that I have followed, built these people that I love and respect from a mismatched bunch of strangers into just what it is: family.
Whenever I see a man working a horse I will see Deacon, whenever I think of war I will picture Crick battered and torn, whenever I see dance I will think of Mikhail, and whenever I see love I will think of the Benny’s gift to Deacon. Outstanding work Amy, I do hope we can visit The Pulpit again in a Novella, but at this time you did good!
Review by Gloria Lakritz
Sr Reviewer and Review Chair of the Paranormal Romance Guild
July 16, 2013
Thanks to Amy Lane and Stumbling Over Chaos, I won Forever Promised!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reading this book was like visiting with old friends. I felt like I was attending a family reunion and finding out what everyone had been up to and what directions their lives were heading in. And as with any family gathering, there were family members I wanted to spend lots of time with and others less so. Every now and then I would read a passage and remember an event from an earlier book in the series, a bit like a real memory, reminding me of the characters histories - and the characters do feel very real.
What I did find with reading this book was, although there was happiness, there was also a real sense of melancholy - not sure if that is actually the right word I want to use but it wasn't one of those all warm-and-fuzzy books. There were moments of worry and sadness as much like life, things don't always go smoothly and we don't always get what we want. There is loss, pain, sadness and death together with moments of tenderness and joy.
The specialness of this series lies in the reminder it provides about the value of friendship and love.
"And again, and again. Breath after heartbeat, summer, fall, winter, spring - and it all came back to this, this place, this moment. It came to beginnnings and endings, of promises you made and promises you kept and promises that got broken in spite of your best intentions. It came to fixing what shattered, making do with what wouldn't fix, and building again and hoping, hoping for this moment, when everything was as shiny and perfect as a baby's first cry.
It's why they all gathered here, weddings, funerals, the introduction of their son - it was the promise and the heartbreak of the place Deacon's family called home. It was the legacy of a community, a simple swimming hole, a place made sacred by love.
Promise Rock."
I now publish all my m/m reviews on my blog so if you want to see all my m/m reviews in one place come visit at Because Two Men Are Better Than One!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reading this book was like visiting with old friends. I felt like I was attending a family reunion and finding out what everyone had been up to and what directions their lives were heading in. And as with any family gathering, there were family members I wanted to spend lots of time with and others less so. Every now and then I would read a passage and remember an event from an earlier book in the series, a bit like a real memory, reminding me of the characters histories - and the characters do feel very real.
What I did find with reading this book was, although there was happiness, there was also a real sense of melancholy - not sure if that is actually the right word I want to use but it wasn't one of those all warm-and-fuzzy books. There were moments of worry and sadness as much like life, things don't always go smoothly and we don't always get what we want. There is loss, pain, sadness and death together with moments of tenderness and joy.
The specialness of this series lies in the reminder it provides about the value of friendship and love.
"And again, and again. Breath after heartbeat, summer, fall, winter, spring - and it all came back to this, this place, this moment. It came to beginnnings and endings, of promises you made and promises you kept and promises that got broken in spite of your best intentions. It came to fixing what shattered, making do with what wouldn't fix, and building again and hoping, hoping for this moment, when everything was as shiny and perfect as a baby's first cry.
It's why they all gathered here, weddings, funerals, the introduction of their son - it was the promise and the heartbreak of the place Deacon's family called home. It was the legacy of a community, a simple swimming hole, a place made sacred by love.
Promise Rock."
I now publish all my m/m reviews on my blog so if you want to see all my m/m reviews in one place come visit at Because Two Men Are Better Than One!
July 12, 2013
I have loved this series since the very first book. It's not an emotionally easy series to read. The author makes you fall in love with her characters and then she makes you watch as terrible, undeserved things happen to them. But you also get the joy of watching this family love each other and take care of each other through all the bad times and the good times. It was nice to spend a little more time with each of the people from the previous books and to know that all the relationships are still strong. The Promise Rock family grows larger in this book as it has in all the previous ones and I loved all the new members. Life is not easy for Deacon and Crick but it never has been so they live and love through all the difficulties. When I started this book I was so happy that it was long and I would have so many pages with all these well-loved friends but much quicker than I wanted it was over. It is sad to say goodbye to these beautiful, flawed and unique characters but I am glad we got these last few glimpses into their lives.
on-hold
December 14, 2014Currently reading...
I don't want to say "Good bye"
I don't want to say "Good bye"
January 2, 2016
Last book read in 2015.
So this is going to contain some spoilers, folks, because there is no way on earth I can review this without them. But I'm going to put them all behind spoiler tags - so if you don't want to know...don't click on the tag. Okay? Okay! So here we go!
This is the final installment of the Promises series and once again it's narrated by Paul Morey. I loved Paul Morey's narration. It's what kept me going for this one.
Forever Promised is narrated by a lot of the characters: Benny, Deacon, Mikhail, Collin, Crick, Jeff, Shane, and Jon. Seriously, it was too much for me. It was way too many POVs and it lost a little shine because of it. You know what? That's not true. I would have been fine with it if it weren't for Benny. I mainly didn't particularly care for Benny's POV. I could have happily had her continue to be the strong thread interwoven in the group, being a sort of mother/sister to them all, but happily never residing in her mind. I just wanted more of my boys.
In the end though, it is about the boys. That's who I've come to love, and that's who I got to spend time with. Seeing them come through all their trials and tribulations to be triumphant on the other side. This story reads like a love letter to the fans who love these characters, I dare say almost as much as Amy Lane does.
Fans of the series will be prepared for all the angst and twists, because we expect them at this point. If you don't - you haven't been paying close enough attention.
I love them all and wish them all well. When I find myself in the future missing Deacon, Crick, Shane, Mikhail, Jeff and Collin, I will listen or read these books again to visit with them.
Recommended.
Audio copy of Forever Promised provided by Dreampsinners in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
So this is going to contain some spoilers, folks, because there is no way on earth I can review this without them. But I'm going to put them all behind spoiler tags - so if you don't want to know...don't click on the tag. Okay? Okay! So here we go!
This is the final installment of the Promises series and once again it's narrated by Paul Morey. I loved Paul Morey's narration. It's what kept me going for this one.
Forever Promised is narrated by a lot of the characters: Benny, Deacon, Mikhail, Collin, Crick, Jeff, Shane, and Jon. Seriously, it was too much for me. It was way too many POVs and it lost a little shine because of it. You know what? That's not true. I would have been fine with it if it weren't for Benny. I mainly didn't particularly care for Benny's POV. I could have happily had her continue to be the strong thread interwoven in the group, being a sort of mother/sister to them all, but happily never residing in her mind. I just wanted more of my boys.
In the end though, it is about the boys. That's who I've come to love, and that's who I got to spend time with. Seeing them come through all their trials and tribulations to be triumphant on the other side. This story reads like a love letter to the fans who love these characters, I dare say almost as much as Amy Lane does.
Fans of the series will be prepared for all the angst and twists, because we expect them at this point. If you don't - you haven't been paying close enough attention.
I love them all and wish them all well. When I find myself in the future missing Deacon, Crick, Shane, Mikhail, Jeff and Collin, I will listen or read these books again to visit with them.
“It's why they all gathered here, weddings, funerals, the introduction of their son - it was the promise and the heartbreak of the place Deacon's family called home. It was the legacy of a community, a simple swimming hole, a place made sacred by love. Promise Rock."
Recommended.
Audio copy of Forever Promised provided by Dreampsinners in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
June 28, 2013
3.5 stars.
I have seriously mixed feelings about this book. First of all, I am a big fan of Amy Lane. I really like her writing style, adore her sense of humor and don't really mind the (sometimes really heavy) angst - usually I could eat it with a spoon. However, I think I am a sort of aberration amongst the fans of Ms Lane's writing, in that "Keeping Promise Rock" is probably my least favourite of her books, and Deacon and Crick probably the least favourite pair - I'm not even sure why. I used to think it's because their story was really too angsty, but, on the other hand, my favourite of Ms Lane's books is "Chase in Shadow", so I don't really know how to explain that.
So my feelings (or really lack thereof) towards the main characters of the book have probably influenced my overall opinion of "Forever Promised". I was impatient to read about my other favourite couples - Mikhail and Shane, Collin and Jeff - and here the book didn't disappoint - everybody gets a chapter (or a few) to themselves.So, despite this, why did the book eventually made me skim it to the end? It's purely personal, and has everything to do with the fact that the novel revolves around a trope that has started to really bother me in m/m romances:
However, for all the fans of the series, don't be discouraged by my rating! The issue described above is purely personal, and I am sure people who are fans of "Promise" series will love this book, and be grateful for one final chance to read about their favourite characters.
I have seriously mixed feelings about this book. First of all, I am a big fan of Amy Lane. I really like her writing style, adore her sense of humor and don't really mind the (sometimes really heavy) angst - usually I could eat it with a spoon. However, I think I am a sort of aberration amongst the fans of Ms Lane's writing, in that "Keeping Promise Rock" is probably my least favourite of her books, and Deacon and Crick probably the least favourite pair - I'm not even sure why. I used to think it's because their story was really too angsty, but, on the other hand, my favourite of Ms Lane's books is "Chase in Shadow", so I don't really know how to explain that.
So my feelings (or really lack thereof) towards the main characters of the book have probably influenced my overall opinion of "Forever Promised". I was impatient to read about my other favourite couples - Mikhail and Shane, Collin and Jeff - and here the book didn't disappoint - everybody gets a chapter (or a few) to themselves.So, despite this, why did the book eventually made me skim it to the end? It's purely personal, and has everything to do with the fact that the novel revolves around a trope that has started to really bother me in m/m romances:
However, for all the fans of the series, don't be discouraged by my rating! The issue described above is purely personal, and I am sure people who are fans of "Promise" series will love this book, and be grateful for one final chance to read about their favourite characters.
July 3, 2013
So, Keeping Promise Rock - the first book in this series was not my first m/m novel, but it was the book that showed me the best the genre had to offer in creating unforgettable characters and an amazingly well-written story with an emotional impact that was epic to me. The m/m theme is very personal to me, because I am a young, gay romantic and I found the book in a time when I needed to find hope for true love and strength in a world that is not always open-minded.
This final book is a love letter to the characters who will always have a place in my heart. I often jokingly tell people that I have prepared tissues when I read a very emotional story, but it is very rare for me that a tear escapes. There are only 3 movies (Bambi, Titanic, Across the Universe ) that made me tear up and KPR was the only book that managed it, until I read Forever Promised. I teared up three times - once because the story broke my heart and I was sitting in the train trying to keep from letting my tear escape, once because the story made me so god-damn happy and once when I thought about the whole series and it's impact on me before writing this review. This story is a celebration of Love, Hope, Family and Redemption. There is a reason the series is my favorite m/m series and Amy Lane is my favorite m/m author. It was a perfect ending to a story that will always stay with me. <3
This final book is a love letter to the characters who will always have a place in my heart. I often jokingly tell people that I have prepared tissues when I read a very emotional story, but it is very rare for me that a tear escapes. There are only 3 movies (Bambi, Titanic, Across the Universe ) that made me tear up and KPR was the only book that managed it, until I read Forever Promised. I teared up three times - once because the story broke my heart and I was sitting in the train trying to keep from letting my tear escape, once because the story made me so god-damn happy and once when I thought about the whole series and it's impact on me before writing this review. This story is a celebration of Love, Hope, Family and Redemption. There is a reason the series is my favorite m/m series and Amy Lane is my favorite m/m author. It was a perfect ending to a story that will always stay with me. <3
June 20, 2015
I thought that Forever Promised was a really good wrap up to the Promises series. Deacon and Crick feature heavily, but we get a dose or two of everyone else, too. It's bittersweet in many ways and it made me smile and cry and left me with a happy.
This book was an appropriate send off to the family that Deacon worked so hard to build. There were some 'fair-well's', and at least one good-bye that brought me to tears, but for the most part, Forever Promised brings us what we have come to love about this series - family. A whole lot of wonderful family.
It wasn't a powerful book like the others in the series, but it was meaningful and if you're like me and really love the characters that you've gotten to know over the previous 3 books, you're going to love this one, too. Hell, I loved this whole series and would enthusiastically recommend it to other M/M readers.
This book was an appropriate send off to the family that Deacon worked so hard to build. There were some 'fair-well's', and at least one good-bye that brought me to tears, but for the most part, Forever Promised brings us what we have come to love about this series - family. A whole lot of wonderful family.
It wasn't a powerful book like the others in the series, but it was meaningful and if you're like me and really love the characters that you've gotten to know over the previous 3 books, you're going to love this one, too. Hell, I loved this whole series and would enthusiastically recommend it to other M/M readers.
November 20, 2013
A really lovely end to one of my favorite series ever. Personally I would have liked to see more of Shane/Mickey and Jeff/Collin, however, this was truly a great tribute to all the guys and the amazing family they built together. Also, great to see the female characters very much involved in this story, esp Kimmy and Benny.
Lots of tears, lots of laughs. Classic Amy Lane!
Lots of tears, lots of laughs. Classic Amy Lane!
September 12, 2016
**Re-read 11.09.16 Still love this book, makes me happy :)**
What a beautifule book! Loved every minute of reading this - was great to see everyone again especially Deacon and Crick (god I love them) x
What a beautifule book! Loved every minute of reading this - was great to see everyone again especially Deacon and Crick (god I love them) x
November 19, 2013
You know, it's very awkward, standing on a crowded suburban train platform, to have to blink back tears so that the people who see you there every day don't witness you crying like a girl in your bow tie and tweed overcoat.
Amy Lane is the Empress of Angst. And the finale of her Keeping Promise Rock series is the perfect final episode in the grandest tear-jerking gay literary soap opera ever written.
"Forever Promised" is not really a book for anyone who has not read all four books in the series. I was very grateful that Lane gives us a bit of a flash-back opening chapter, recapping something of the interconnected stories of all the various couples who make up the motley family of Deacon and Carrick. Although the first three books each focus on a single couple - Deacon and Carrick, Shane and Mikhail, Collin and Jeff - each volume in this heartfelt gay version of Peyton Place includes a host of important secondary characters who serve variously as Greek chorus, supporting players, and plot twists for the central duo. Lane revels in broken characters, and while her protagonists are all gay, they are surrounded by straight people who love them and help them and hurt them and generally wallow in the emotional overflow that makes these books breathtaking in their fullness.
The final episode (this would make an awesome TV series, let's say four seasons) includes every one of the significant players, and ties together all of the complexly interwoven stories that have made Levee Oaks, California, one of the most fascinating dull little towns in the world for Lane's adoring fans. Lane wrote this book purposely to say goodbye to Promise Rock, the sheltered swimming hole where all of the major sacraments of these people's shared lives take place. For the reader attuned to her particular brand of drama, it is a worthy ending to a most rewarding romantic series.
Amy Lane is the Empress of Angst. And the finale of her Keeping Promise Rock series is the perfect final episode in the grandest tear-jerking gay literary soap opera ever written.
"Forever Promised" is not really a book for anyone who has not read all four books in the series. I was very grateful that Lane gives us a bit of a flash-back opening chapter, recapping something of the interconnected stories of all the various couples who make up the motley family of Deacon and Carrick. Although the first three books each focus on a single couple - Deacon and Carrick, Shane and Mikhail, Collin and Jeff - each volume in this heartfelt gay version of Peyton Place includes a host of important secondary characters who serve variously as Greek chorus, supporting players, and plot twists for the central duo. Lane revels in broken characters, and while her protagonists are all gay, they are surrounded by straight people who love them and help them and hurt them and generally wallow in the emotional overflow that makes these books breathtaking in their fullness.
The final episode (this would make an awesome TV series, let's say four seasons) includes every one of the significant players, and ties together all of the complexly interwoven stories that have made Levee Oaks, California, one of the most fascinating dull little towns in the world for Lane's adoring fans. Lane wrote this book purposely to say goodbye to Promise Rock, the sheltered swimming hole where all of the major sacraments of these people's shared lives take place. For the reader attuned to her particular brand of drama, it is a worthy ending to a most rewarding romantic series.
July 18, 2013
Amy Lane, Amy Lane. I don't know how you continue to do it. You write such real characters. I have said before, of other authors, that the feelings jump off the page and into my heart and I feel them along with the characters. With you, the feelings rocket into my heart and spread through out my entire being until I burst. I either burst into laughter (embarrassing at lacrosse practice) or more often I burst into tears. I am in awe of your gift and your continued willingness to share it with us; your faithful fans. Thank you for another astoundingly perfect visit to Promise Rock. I am torn between wanting to leave it with the flawless ending you created in Forever Promised and needing more of Deacon, Crick and their family. I am sure muse will decide for us.
July 1, 2013
3.5 stars. A very nice ending to the series, that gives a wrap up to all the couples we have come to know over the past three books. I was not worried about Crick & Deacon having a HEA so their story to me was a lot less angsty than the earlier stories. What was a surprise was how much Mikhail became the shining star of this story and I just fell more in love with that character. Of course there was the full range of emotions watching the men and women of the Pulpit set their life courses and continue to grow individually and as a family. Not my favorite in the series, but a well played out ending for everyone.
July 1, 2013
This book is about babies. How every couple wants to raise kids and how the only thing to do once you are married is pine for children - hard. So if you are not a fan of babies, like me, it makes for a kind of unbelievable read.
I loved the previous book in this series Living Promises for the laugh out loud moments. But this book didn't have any.
I loved the previous book in this series Living Promises for the laugh out loud moments. But this book didn't have any.
July 1, 2013
I read a lot. I write less than I'd like to admit, but oh hey....
I'm a self-proclaimed Amy Lane fangirl. I think I've even told her this personally and I'm proud to share a publisher with her. Her stories are my comfort reading, because sometimes I just need a healthy doze of angst, pain and sadness that are resolved in the end to feel good about my own life again.
The Promises series is probably my favorite series in M/M fiction. It's just something I love. So to say goodbye to it.... Even knowing the quality Amy produces for our enjoyment, I was hesitant. I didn't want it to end! What if she got something wrong?! But then the writer side of me kicked me in my massive, metaphorical balls and said "It's HER story. Not yours. Quit your whining and read."
So read I did.
I think sometimes the readers who aren't writers themselves miss points, read stories "wrong" and think of us as writing tropes, when all we did is something that belonged to our story, our characters, at the time we were writing it.
Writing tropes intentionally because "that's what sells right now" is awfully difficult. Most readers have no clue how long it takes for a book to get from point of the writer having the original idea to the book being published. Normally it takes months at the least. Six months or more is more likely. What is the hottest thing right now will most likely not be that in two months, six months, a year. Hell, if we knew what sells, don't you think we all were right there with certain unbelievably lucky authors who manage to ride the top of the wave all the way to mansions in Beverly Hills or London or wherever? I, for one, would LOVE not to be poor all the time. I'd love just to be, you know, comfortable.
Rant done. I promise (wow, an unintended pun.)
I remember reading this series and being anything from heartbroken to horrified to pissed off and after some pages I was laughing my ass off again. It's a ride. Each and every book is a ride. A great one. I don't do rollercoasters in real life, but I do in the books I read.
Crick and Deacon were always my favorites. Then came the straight couples in the story. That's just how it was for me. Not that I disliked the other gay couples, because I don't. They just didn't do it for me like Crick and Deacon.
So there I was, late last night or early this morning, figuring out what to do with the emotions that kept on bursting out of me and the dog that was getting mighty pissed off at me sniffling and giggling and blowing my nose.
In the end, I was happy. Not everyone got their happy ending. Not everyone's journey felt complete. Maybe they'll get their happy ever after's, maybe they don't. That's kind of like, you know, real life. Because that's what Amy does best. She writes books that feel real.
Everyone and their aunt had babies? Boo-fucking-hoo. Look around yourself. Nobody you've ever known had babies? Are you saying gay men shouldn't have babies? Or that they just shouldn't have babies in this series?
The meaning of this book was to wrap up a series. This is how one of the best M/M authors of our time chose to tell it, and I bet that she let the characters have their say like most writers do. Should she have compromised the integrity of her work to please everyone? No. Why? Because we, as writers, can never make everyone happy. We just try to hold onto what we see being RIGHT for the story.
I believe Amy did just that. I couldn't have asked a better ending for this series.
I'm a self-proclaimed Amy Lane fangirl. I think I've even told her this personally and I'm proud to share a publisher with her. Her stories are my comfort reading, because sometimes I just need a healthy doze of angst, pain and sadness that are resolved in the end to feel good about my own life again.
The Promises series is probably my favorite series in M/M fiction. It's just something I love. So to say goodbye to it.... Even knowing the quality Amy produces for our enjoyment, I was hesitant. I didn't want it to end! What if she got something wrong?! But then the writer side of me kicked me in my massive, metaphorical balls and said "It's HER story. Not yours. Quit your whining and read."
So read I did.
I think sometimes the readers who aren't writers themselves miss points, read stories "wrong" and think of us as writing tropes, when all we did is something that belonged to our story, our characters, at the time we were writing it.
Writing tropes intentionally because "that's what sells right now" is awfully difficult. Most readers have no clue how long it takes for a book to get from point of the writer having the original idea to the book being published. Normally it takes months at the least. Six months or more is more likely. What is the hottest thing right now will most likely not be that in two months, six months, a year. Hell, if we knew what sells, don't you think we all were right there with certain unbelievably lucky authors who manage to ride the top of the wave all the way to mansions in Beverly Hills or London or wherever? I, for one, would LOVE not to be poor all the time. I'd love just to be, you know, comfortable.
Rant done. I promise (wow, an unintended pun.)
I remember reading this series and being anything from heartbroken to horrified to pissed off and after some pages I was laughing my ass off again. It's a ride. Each and every book is a ride. A great one. I don't do rollercoasters in real life, but I do in the books I read.
Crick and Deacon were always my favorites. Then came the straight couples in the story. That's just how it was for me. Not that I disliked the other gay couples, because I don't. They just didn't do it for me like Crick and Deacon.
So there I was, late last night or early this morning, figuring out what to do with the emotions that kept on bursting out of me and the dog that was getting mighty pissed off at me sniffling and giggling and blowing my nose.
In the end, I was happy. Not everyone got their happy ending. Not everyone's journey felt complete. Maybe they'll get their happy ever after's, maybe they don't. That's kind of like, you know, real life. Because that's what Amy does best. She writes books that feel real.
Everyone and their aunt had babies? Boo-fucking-hoo. Look around yourself. Nobody you've ever known had babies? Are you saying gay men shouldn't have babies? Or that they just shouldn't have babies in this series?
The meaning of this book was to wrap up a series. This is how one of the best M/M authors of our time chose to tell it, and I bet that she let the characters have their say like most writers do. Should she have compromised the integrity of her work to please everyone? No. Why? Because we, as writers, can never make everyone happy. We just try to hold onto what we see being RIGHT for the story.
I believe Amy did just that. I couldn't have asked a better ending for this series.
June 29, 2013
So I have a big confession to make. I have a STACK of last books in series that I haven't read yet. Why? Because I'm so afraid that they won't live up to what I want the series finale to be. Then I took my mom to see Bob Newhart last week and I remembered that sometimes it happens just right. Bob showed the clip of the final episode of Newhart and I remember thinking then and still today I believe that it was the best series ending ever. Brilliant.
So that leads me to Forever Promised. I read Keeping Promise Rock because my friend Tina told me I had to. It just about killed me. It took me a year before I could read the next book. Then I read Jeff and Collin's book and I just fell in love with the characters all over again. So of course I wanted to read this as soon as I could get my hands on it.
I really don't want to spoil the story for anyone who has yet to read it, but I can say that without a doubt this is a perfect ending for this series. Things aren't easy and pretty as usual, but they are funny and tragic and real and most importantly hopeful. Every one of the series characters has an important role to play in this one. And it's perfectly orchestrated all the way to the last page. Honestly I was SO happy for Deacon and Crick in this one. They have been through so much and have loved each other for so long through some of the most painful life experiences and they deserve to be happy. I know it doesn't always work out in real life but damn it they've suffered enough and this was the perfect HEA for them.
I feel like all my favorite characters got their perfect final acts/places in this story. Jeff and Mikhail have been favorites in this series and they remain so in this beautiful farewell. They each get what they need from their partners and even though sometimes it's painful, they still look with hope toward the future. This is really I think the best book in the series and I'm so glad! Thank you Amy! You're restoring my faith in last books of series :)
So that leads me to Forever Promised. I read Keeping Promise Rock because my friend Tina told me I had to. It just about killed me. It took me a year before I could read the next book. Then I read Jeff and Collin's book and I just fell in love with the characters all over again. So of course I wanted to read this as soon as I could get my hands on it.
I really don't want to spoil the story for anyone who has yet to read it, but I can say that without a doubt this is a perfect ending for this series. Things aren't easy and pretty as usual, but they are funny and tragic and real and most importantly hopeful. Every one of the series characters has an important role to play in this one. And it's perfectly orchestrated all the way to the last page. Honestly I was SO happy for Deacon and Crick in this one. They have been through so much and have loved each other for so long through some of the most painful life experiences and they deserve to be happy. I know it doesn't always work out in real life but damn it they've suffered enough and this was the perfect HEA for them.
I feel like all my favorite characters got their perfect final acts/places in this story. Jeff and Mikhail have been favorites in this series and they remain so in this beautiful farewell. They each get what they need from their partners and even though sometimes it's painful, they still look with hope toward the future. This is really I think the best book in the series and I'm so glad! Thank you Amy! You're restoring my faith in last books of series :)
September 2, 2013
Wow, she just takes you high and lets you fall, that Amy Lane. There is so much laughter and so much pain in this book. My head literally is hurting from the tears and the laughter in the last 25% of this book (not that the rest of the book didn't hold up to that standard, that's just the amount I read tonight to finish up).
This is definitely not a book you should pick up before reading the last three in the series. They're all very much interconnected in an ensemble cast. There are a lot of names and faces to remember. (I'd totally forgotten about Lucas and Martin, for example. It's been a while since I read book three.) We meet some new Promise House kids in this story also.
The good thing is that this book is excellent about reminding you in a very natural manner about events that happened in the first three books, so you won't be too lost about who these people are and what they've been though. (Though it certainly will spoil if you haven't read the others first, which you should.)
This is a fitting end to the series, and I hate to say goodbye to any of the characters. (Geez, I'm crying again just writing this.) They are so real by the time you're done, you feel like you're losing friends. It's happy and it's sad and it's all over the place. It hurts in good ways and in bad ways. In the end, this is a story of hope. And sometimes hope doesn't always come through.
And sometimes it does.
This is definitely not a book you should pick up before reading the last three in the series. They're all very much interconnected in an ensemble cast. There are a lot of names and faces to remember. (I'd totally forgotten about Lucas and Martin, for example. It's been a while since I read book three.) We meet some new Promise House kids in this story also.
The good thing is that this book is excellent about reminding you in a very natural manner about events that happened in the first three books, so you won't be too lost about who these people are and what they've been though. (Though it certainly will spoil if you haven't read the others first, which you should.)
This is a fitting end to the series, and I hate to say goodbye to any of the characters. (Geez, I'm crying again just writing this.) They are so real by the time you're done, you feel like you're losing friends. It's happy and it's sad and it's all over the place. It hurts in good ways and in bad ways. In the end, this is a story of hope. And sometimes hope doesn't always come through.
And sometimes it does.
July 10, 2013
Okay - not sure if this is actually the last book in the series or not - because it sounded final in Ms. Lane's word in the beginning...but I truly hope it isn't. However, if it is indeed the end - it was still fantastic! I definitely would like to continue with these family's stories and see where they go from here though... That being said - this book did manage to wrap up a lot of HEA/HFN's. The writing remained touching and witty and all the character's remained in the story and true to themselves. I love their interactions and their love. There is one particular part that I absolutely hated but don't want to give that part away. Perhaps if you've read it you know what I'm talking about. Just felt it wasn't necessary :( Ah well - still another great read but I REALLY want to know where they all go next!!!!!
July 9, 2013
Well, seeing as how I was up until 2 am, with tears of sadness and joy in my eyes, I'd have to round this series off with another 5 star review. I love this series and I have waited for this book for ages. The selfish part of me wants MORE of these guys and gals, but I am totally satisfied too. Thanks, Ms Lane!!
February 22, 2015
Forever Promised – the end to the series, that has started my m/m reading.
Keeping Promise Rock had been my first m/m book. And now, after 4 books it was time to say good-bye to the people at Levy Oaks. People I got to know and love. Maybe fictional people but in my heart they had felt real, every damn time I reread them. And I did that often enough because sometimes you just need to go to a place where you feel secure and loved. Ups…I mean, I don’t live there, not really, but hey, if I could, I would.
Why?
Deacon Winter’s chosen family is the most caring and loving, individual bunch of people you can imagine. They have chosen to be together, they love true and honest, they work hard. They stand for each other and they are not afraid to bare their souls to help each other. And here I want to add a big hug for the Russian Diva, damn, Mikhail, you are a hero.
So, I think I need to start saying something about the book.
Well, the couples have found each other in the former books, they have married, have settled and only Benny is still somewhere in between. She and Drew are together and they want to start their life together with Parry Angel but Benny can see that Deacon is suffering from the loss of Jon and Amy, who have gotten the big chance to work as lawyers for the LGBT community in Washington. So she thinks of a way how to give him a big, a huge favor – someone he can care for, who won’t leave him too soon. Because Deacon is a nurturer .
So she offers to carry his child.
It is a dream Deacon hasn’t even dared to dream, all his insecurities, health issues, fears cumulate and bubble to the surface. And with them the hope, the wish it might actually become reality. You know, something you never dared to wish because you thought it would be impossible to come true? And you have found reasons why it was even not good to wish for it? This is Deacon and the baby.
But if we take one look at him, we know that if someone was meant to be a father, it would be Deacon. Why else was he the father of the little family, even if some of his “kids” are older than him?
There are more storylines in that book, a few questions will be answered – one, I had the whole time: Why didn’t Benny fall hopelessly in love with Deacon when he took her in years ago?
The answer is in the book. And some more. And some awesome moments with Mikhail.
There are some awesome humorous moments in there, I laughed so hard. And holy shi*** I think I read one of the hottest love scenes of my life, not sure why but that was raw…..Don’t expect it to be all sunshine though, Amy Lane puts us through the wringer once again (seriously, was that necessary?). And did I mention that Mikhail is awesome?
I’ve read this one very slowly, rereading paragraphs immediately because I didn’t want to miss something, didn’t want it to end.
But now I’m finished….Thank you Amy, that you introduced me to this family.
Highly recommended (of course you have to read the first three books).
Keeping Promise Rock had been my first m/m book. And now, after 4 books it was time to say good-bye to the people at Levy Oaks. People I got to know and love. Maybe fictional people but in my heart they had felt real, every damn time I reread them. And I did that often enough because sometimes you just need to go to a place where you feel secure and loved. Ups…I mean, I don’t live there, not really, but hey, if I could, I would.
Why?
Deacon Winter’s chosen family is the most caring and loving, individual bunch of people you can imagine. They have chosen to be together, they love true and honest, they work hard. They stand for each other and they are not afraid to bare their souls to help each other. And here I want to add a big hug for the Russian Diva, damn, Mikhail, you are a hero.
So, I think I need to start saying something about the book.
Well, the couples have found each other in the former books, they have married, have settled and only Benny is still somewhere in between. She and Drew are together and they want to start their life together with Parry Angel but Benny can see that Deacon is suffering from the loss of Jon and Amy, who have gotten the big chance to work as lawyers for the LGBT community in Washington. So she thinks of a way how to give him a big, a huge favor – someone he can care for, who won’t leave him too soon. Because Deacon is a nurturer .
So she offers to carry his child.
It is a dream Deacon hasn’t even dared to dream, all his insecurities, health issues, fears cumulate and bubble to the surface. And with them the hope, the wish it might actually become reality. You know, something you never dared to wish because you thought it would be impossible to come true? And you have found reasons why it was even not good to wish for it? This is Deacon and the baby.
But if we take one look at him, we know that if someone was meant to be a father, it would be Deacon. Why else was he the father of the little family, even if some of his “kids” are older than him?
There are more storylines in that book, a few questions will be answered – one, I had the whole time: Why didn’t Benny fall hopelessly in love with Deacon when he took her in years ago?
The answer is in the book. And some more. And some awesome moments with Mikhail.
There are some awesome humorous moments in there, I laughed so hard. And holy shi*** I think I read one of the hottest love scenes of my life, not sure why but that was raw…..Don’t expect it to be all sunshine though, Amy Lane puts us through the wringer once again (seriously, was that necessary?). And did I mention that Mikhail is awesome?
I’ve read this one very slowly, rereading paragraphs immediately because I didn’t want to miss something, didn’t want it to end.
But now I’m finished….Thank you Amy, that you introduced me to this family.
Highly recommended (of course you have to read the first three books).
November 27, 2013
This book reminded me why I've been so reluctant to read another book by Amy Lane. I have a love/hate relationship with her books, while I find most of her characters easy to like and cheer on, and that her writing flowed well, a lot of the themes in her book can greatly grate on my nerves.
For this book what I really could not stand was the baby. If people wanted to have a baby/child, that's fine with me if that was what they really wanted. However, in this story the Deacon and Crick's baby idea started because Benny wanted to leave her love for Deacon and a part of herself with Deacon and Crick.
If that was not creepy enough, this baby is dressed up as being the miracle cure to any problem anyone in their community might have. For example, there was scene where Jon was worried about leaving Deacon but was pacified by his wife telling him to "imagine him with a baby in his arms". This illogical 'baby is answer for everything' reasoning was featured in most if not all the chapters of the book.
It's a real pity that the entire cast seemed to have been reduced to middle-aged ladies at the stage when they realised that their biological clock is ticking, and thus are desperate to have children.
In the usual Lane fashion, no story is ever complete without the characters getting kicked a few times. They seemed completely random to me and were included only to increase the amount of drama in the story.
Lastly, while this book was a final instalment to a series centred around three gay couples (as anyone would have though, looking at the cover of the book), the story hardly featured them and instead focused on Benny (it would probably be more appropriate for the story if the cover just featured her pregnant stomach).
Summary: I was glad that we got to reacquainted ourselves with the characters, but was ultimately disappointed by the baby crazy theme and the lack of focus on the main characters from the previous books.
For this book what I really could not stand was the baby. If people wanted to have a baby/child, that's fine with me if that was what they really wanted. However, in this story the Deacon and Crick's baby idea started because Benny wanted to leave her love for Deacon and a part of herself with Deacon and Crick.
If that was not creepy enough, this baby is dressed up as being the miracle cure to any problem anyone in their community might have. For example, there was scene where Jon was worried about leaving Deacon but was pacified by his wife telling him to "imagine him with a baby in his arms". This illogical 'baby is answer for everything' reasoning was featured in most if not all the chapters of the book.
It's a real pity that the entire cast seemed to have been reduced to middle-aged ladies at the stage when they realised that their biological clock is ticking, and thus are desperate to have children.
In the usual Lane fashion, no story is ever complete without the characters getting kicked a few times. They seemed completely random to me and were included only to increase the amount of drama in the story.
Lastly, while this book was a final instalment to a series centred around three gay couples (as anyone would have though, looking at the cover of the book), the story hardly featured them and instead focused on Benny (it would probably be more appropriate for the story if the cover just featured her pregnant stomach).
Summary: I was glad that we got to reacquainted ourselves with the characters, but was ultimately disappointed by the baby crazy theme and the lack of focus on the main characters from the previous books.
September 12, 2014
Well I have completed the last of the Promise Rock series, and this one I happened to stumble upon whilst browsing the internet in search of ebooks to add to my stuffed to the brim ereader, which I had to unstuff in order to add this wonderfully long gem to. I am a huge fan of Amy Lane and her realistically portrayed characters and their sometimes difficult, pain wracked, yet awesome lives.
It was nice to get to know, or in my case catch up on Deacon and Crick, Mikhail and Shane, Jeff and Collin, Andrew and Benny (finally...lol), Amy and Jon, Kimmy and Lucas (both who remind me of my hubby and myself who are sticklers for bringing in and loving strays), and of course the Promise House kids whom Amy developed and made just as real as everyone else in the series.
This book was highly anticipated by me as soon as it downloaded into my reader. I laughed at Mikhail and his "cow woman", and especially loved "douchecanoe" which is the name for the horrible soccer coach Parry Angel had the misfortune to have before my hero Deacon stepped in. I was literally singing the famous Foo Fighters song, "My Hero".
I was outraged at Melanie and the way she still tried to control, yet hate the way her two oldest children grew up, survived and were absolutely loved by Deacon and the entire Pulpit crew.
I cried at their loss and their pain, but as soon as this pain diminished Amy made it happy and golden again with the wonderfully true speech Mikhail gave to Benny when she felt the keen sense of loss not knowing what she would gain in return.
I regretted the ending of the Promise series, and wanted more but sometimes as a writer when you finish a book you need to give the characters a rest and a breather in order to live their lives in privacy without you snooping so that you can possibly develop another wonderful part to this awe inspiring series.
It was nice to get to know, or in my case catch up on Deacon and Crick, Mikhail and Shane, Jeff and Collin, Andrew and Benny (finally...lol), Amy and Jon, Kimmy and Lucas (both who remind me of my hubby and myself who are sticklers for bringing in and loving strays), and of course the Promise House kids whom Amy developed and made just as real as everyone else in the series.
This book was highly anticipated by me as soon as it downloaded into my reader. I laughed at Mikhail and his "cow woman", and especially loved "douchecanoe" which is the name for the horrible soccer coach Parry Angel had the misfortune to have before my hero Deacon stepped in. I was literally singing the famous Foo Fighters song, "My Hero".
I was outraged at Melanie and the way she still tried to control, yet hate the way her two oldest children grew up, survived and were absolutely loved by Deacon and the entire Pulpit crew.
I cried at their loss and their pain, but as soon as this pain diminished Amy made it happy and golden again with the wonderfully true speech Mikhail gave to Benny when she felt the keen sense of loss not knowing what she would gain in return.
I regretted the ending of the Promise series, and wanted more but sometimes as a writer when you finish a book you need to give the characters a rest and a breather in order to live their lives in privacy without you snooping so that you can possibly develop another wonderful part to this awe inspiring series.
July 1, 2013
I love this series, and I love Amy's writing, so it was nice to spend more time in this world. My rating reflects my frustration with the sheer busy-ness of the story, and by that I mean there's a lot going on: lots of characters, lots of chaotic dialogue. I think I would have fared better if I had re-read the series first, but I was overwhelmed.
In any case, I do recommend this for fans of the series. It's always a pleasure to revisit favorite characters.
In any case, I do recommend this for fans of the series. It's always a pleasure to revisit favorite characters.
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