Dedicated artist Evie Washington doesn’t fancy herself the marrying kind. But the moment she admitted that her faceless portrait of a naked man was modeled on the devilishly handsome Reverend Swanson, the whole town assumed her innocence had been ruined. Now her family’s determined to save her reputation—even if it means taking away her hard-won freedom.
It’s Brad “Shadow” Swanson’s preacher status that’s a pose—to avoid the law . Now he’s been convicted of the one crime he didn’t commit. And if he doesn’t step up and marry Evie, he’ll have to admit his true identity and replace his collar with a noose. Of course, a life sentence in the spirited beauty’s bed wouldn’t exactly be torture—and it just might be the key to making an honest man out of him…
This cover is so much better that the Ellora’s Cave covers. Even though Holly has a thing for the head being chopped off, at least half his head is there.
I really thought I would love this book b/c I’ve loved all the books in this series. Plus, it’s the Rev’s book. I know exactly why I didn’t love this book. I couldn’t stand the heroine. She was nowhere near good enough for the Rev. She was a whiny, manipulative, selfish brat. Almost everything she did was done while thinking about herself. She never thought about the affect other people. And while she was more tolerable toward the end, I still thought the Rev deserved much better.
When it was revealed that Evie Washington painted a very nude Reverend Brad Swanson, there was nothing else to do but force the two to marry. Evie is horrified b/c her intention was never to marry the Reverend. She only wanted to do something so her uncle and mother would reconsider sending her to her spinster aunt who lives back east. After she realizes that her uncle won’t put a stop to the wedding, Evie is determined to run away. Brad refuses to let that happen b/c he’s worked too hard for the life he has to let Evie ruin it. Basically what happens is that Brad has to “do the right thing” when he had absolutely no part in ruining Evie.
After their rocky start, Brad and Evie seem to come to a shaky truce. Against all odds, they find themselves falling in love. Brad was always intrigued by Evie, but b/c of his past, he was never going to get involved with anyone. Evie is just self-involved, but came out of it long enough to see what a good man Brad was. Still, Evie knows that he has secrets and she’s determined to uncover them. Especially since she’s fallen in love with him.
Even though I disliked Evie, there were still parts of the book I liked. Brad was such a great hero. After a crappy childhood that led him into a life of crime, Brad has done his best to atone for his sins. There is one part of the book that Brad risks his life to potentially save one of the few friends he has. I don’t want to give too much away, but that part of the book explains exactly who Brad is. He never puts himself first. While he tells himself that he’s just “playing” at being the town Reverend, Evie sees how much he means to the town.
Another part I liked was reading about the painting. Since Brad obviously didn’t pose nude for Evie and Evie had never seen a nude man, there were parts that weren’t to porportioned. Reactions to the painting were extremely amusing.
Unfortunately, Promises Revealed was just not what I was expecting after the first three books.
3.5 out of 5.
This book is available from Berkley Sensation. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
Other books in the series:
Read Holly’s review of Promises Linger here.
Read my review of Promises Keep here.
Read Holly’s review of Promises Prevail here.
I am really disappointed to hear this one isn’t up to par with the previous three (after reading another disappointed review as well); it was one of my most anticipated this year. I may still read it though, just later. Kind of double weary though since I really don’t care for that new series she started either, Hell’s Eight. I dunno – is it me or do some erotica/erotic romance authors just seem to rehash the same plots, sex scenes, characters…
Oh noooooooo – of course it doesn’t necessarily follow that I won’t enjoy it but like kmont I have read another disappointing review too. Me thinks I might wait for this one . . .
You know, I think McCarty is really good at weaving wonderful stories, but I think she has major problems w/ her heroines. Unfortunately, I’m not sure I can get past them to enjoy the heroes and the stories themselves.
I’ll probably read this one eventually, but I’m not in a big rush.
I did not even know there was another one in the series. I am sorry that you did not like it as much.
kmont,
I’m actually glad I didn’t read any reviews before I read it. I’m curious to see what you think, if you end up reading it.
Willa,
You could wait. Or just bite the bullet. *g*
Holly,
Trust me, you won’t like it. You’ll think Evie is worse than Mara (I liked Mara).
I love this authors ebooks, but her print releases have mostly been big flops for me. 🙁
Casee, if I can lay hands on it, I will read it eventually. I loved the other three and would hate to miss this one, even if it turns out not s good. We shall see!