Promise Me Forever

Southern Historical #2

by Janelle Taylor

Widowed three times prior to her twenty-second birthday and having been unjustly branded as the "Black Widow," Rachel McCandless tries to unravel the secrets of her latest husband's life while coping with his estranged brother, Daniel Slade

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Fiction, Westerns

402 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1991

About the author

The legendary Janelle Taylor was born on June 28, 1944 in Athens, GA. In 1965, she married Michael Taylor with whom she had two children, Angela Taylor-MacIntyre and Alisha Taylor Thurmond. Ms. Taylor attended the Medical College of Georgia from 1977 to 1979 and Augusta State University from 1980-1981. She withdrew from the latter after she sold her first two novels. Today, she is the author of thirty-nine novels, three novellas, and many contributions to other collections. There are thirty-nine million copies of her works in print worldwide and she has made The New York Times Bestseller List eight times. Ms. Taylor's works have also been featured ten times on the "1 million +" bestseller's list at Publisher's Weekly.

Some of Ms. Taylor's most recent books include By Candlelight, Someday Soon, Lakota Dawn, and Lakota Winds (due out in paperback in May 1999). She has also made contributions to other books including The Leukemia Society Cookbook, Christmas Rendezvous, and Summer Love. In addition, readers can see her as co-host of the QVC/TV Romance Book Club Show.

Ms. Taylor's interests include collecting spoons, coins from around the world, ship models, dolls, and old books. She loves to fish, ride horses, play chess, target-shoot, travel (especially in her motorhome and out West), hunt for Indian relics, and take long walks with her husband. Reading, in particular books set before 1900 and current Biographies, Thrillers, Horror, or Fantasy novels, is also one of Ms. Taylor's favorite activities. She is also extremely active with charity work and was even featured on the cover of Diabetes Forecast in February of 1998.

She lives in the country on seventy-nine acres of woods and pasture with a lake and a catfish pond. She writes her novels in a Spanish cottage which overlooks a five-acre lake, a working water mill, gazebo, and covered bridge.

Reviews

[Misfit · Rating 1 out of 5]

I yield around 75%. Nothing has happened. Nothing. I just don't care :/

If anyone cares to know more, please go to this very helpful review. She saved me hours of grief with that spoiler. I can move on now, life is too short.

[Anne Patkau · Rating 2 out of 5]

In 1875 Georgia, age 21, Rachel loses third unloved husband Phillip under suspicious circumstances. His believed-dead brother Captain Daniel Slade pretends to be his old friend. Investigating a missing million dollars for a shipment of arms and ammunition to Cuban rebels, the two fall in x-rated love. Their mutual catchphrase is the title "I'll promise you forever" p111, "promise me forever" p192. Their tours of Savannah, Athens, Augusta, gun factories, mansion parties p144, Cuba, read too much like research lists and maps.

But repartee makes the couple lively and likeable. "People change.." "You don't, Rachel .. How could perfection be improved?" p103 "How do you do it, woman? .. Get more beautiful every day?" "The same way you get more handsome every day, kind sir" p144. He calls her "woman" and "love" often.

The plot solutions hinge on everyone keeping secrets, surprise revelations. Losing touch with family was common then, believable. Far too many "as" words, even two in same sentence. "As they completed their conversation, Dan realized that Peter obviously had not checked the details of Phillip's deceased family, as the agent hadn't seemed to know the name Daniel Slade" p 371. I skipped lots, explicit bedroom episodes, to find out whodunit.

Phillip gambled away first secret investment from American government, hid rest under porch. Rachel's long-lost brother Richard is an undercover agent during the "Ten Year" civil rebellion. All along, Cubans have signatures from all three business partners, proving George and Harry both lied about not knowing. Latter, Harrison Clements, looks and acts sneaky so he is evil. He kills George.

Rachel's evil stepfather Earl Starger killed all her husbands and fooled her servant Lulu Mae into informing on her. Of course he conspires with nasty Camellia Jones, when both sail for Boston the same three weeks p 278. Too much forgiveness. Epilogue of three children in five years yet "her body was still slim, sleek and taut" p400 is too much of a good thing.

Misuse when Typos repeat:
p 38 135, "seaman's role" for roll of ship sailors / passengers
p 41, 97 "waistcoat" (vest) for jacket
p 140 "satsify" for "satisfy"

[Angie · Rating 1 out of 5]

WOW!! Am I glad I didn't spend much time on this book...what a total waste!!! Poor dialogue, unbelievable characters, terrible plot...

[Jeanne (love2cook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back in 1875 in Savannah, Georgia, Rachel Fleming Barlow Newman McCandless is known to her neighbors as the Black Widow. She's only 21 years old and has been widowed three times. When her last husband, Phillip McCandless was passing away her rambled incoherent words about an illegal arms shipment and money and not to trust Harry. Enter Phillip's long-estranged brother Captain Daniel Slade, who is convinced that the "Black Widow" has struck again. This is a long and drawn-out story, but I wanted to see how they finally settled all her problems and let herself fall in love and give her heart to another.

[Kyla Sixkiller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Widowed young and branded a "Black Widow," Rachel McCandless seeks a fresh start in her latest marriage. Determined to unravel the truth about her husband's past, she also grapples with a complex connection to her brother-in-law, Daniel Slade. While the lengthy narrative occasionally strayed, Rachel's journey to overcome her reputation, embrace love, and find closure kept me engaged. Despite some unnecessary detours, Rachel's character arc proved sympathetic and intriguing.

[Al · Rating 1 out of 5]

Forever is right because it will take you that long to finish this book.

Nothing really happens

Beyond boring

Reading hours I’ll never get back again

Waste of time

[Ana Apostolova-Mlazeva · Rating 1 out of 5]

Поредната бавна и мудна книга, в която уж адски умната и прозорлива главна героиня не вижда очевидното. Действието се влачи 890 страници, за да се развие мълниеносно в последните 80.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rachel McCandless, widowed multiple times before the age of twenty-two, finds herself burdened by the reputation of being a "Black Widow." In her latest marriage, she is determined to uncover the truth about her husband's life. Amidst this challenge, she must also navigate her complicated relationship with Daniel Slade, her husband's estranged brother.

Despite enjoying this book, I found it to be a lengthy and meandering story. However, I was intrigued to witness how the protagonist resolved her numerous challenges, embraced love, and opened her heart to someone new. The overall storyline held my interest, but I felt that a significant portion of the book was filled with unnecessary content that didn't advance the plot. Rachel's character evoked sympathy.

[Megan Noveron-Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but it was really looooong! Usually when I pick up a book I cant put it down...this book I put down for about four days. Id read it off in on when I had time but I just didnt feel like reading hours and hours. I like the story line, I just feel that most of the book is full of filler material and not story. You feel bad for Rachel, especially since shes lost three husbands in less than four years and is treated horribly by the towns people who call her a "black widow". Daniel is a character who you really want to hate but just cant seem to. The end of the book was heartwarming, and I especially liked that.

[Tracey Wear · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lamest. Book. Ever. The writing is reminiscent of a pre-teen girl's diary. The author wrote pages sexually graphic prose (and not very well) but the strongest epithet that her leading man can come up with is "Stars Above!"??? How is that supposed to be believable? Sadly, my OCD made me finish the book. There's two weeks of my life I'll never get back.

[Cws]

F Tay

[Janie Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic read. Again mixed with mystery and romance both. Loved it!