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Promises #4
Promises Reveal
He's a man who survives by his wits and lives by his own code. Along the way, he's left a trail of broken hearts, broken bones, and quite a few broken laws. But when he gives his heart to the right woman, it comes with a promise he'll never, ever break...
Dedicated artist Evie Washington doesn't fancy herself the marrying kind. But the moment she admits that her faceless portrait of a naked man was modeled on the devilishly handsome Reverend Swanson, the whole town assumes she has been ruined. Now, her family's determined to save her reputation—even if it means taking away her hard-won freedom.
However, it's Brad "Shadow" Swanson's preacher status that's a pose—to avoid the law. Now that he's been convicted of the one crime he didn't commit, 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.
Dedicated artist Evie Washington doesn't fancy herself the marrying kind. But the moment she admits that her faceless portrait of a naked man was modeled on the devilishly handsome Reverend Swanson, the whole town assumes she has been ruined. Now, her family's determined to save her reputation—even if it means taking away her hard-won freedom.
However, it's Brad "Shadow" Swanson's preacher status that's a pose—to avoid the law. Now that he's been convicted of the one crime he didn't commit, 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.
328 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 7, 2008
63 people are currently reading
942 people want to read
About the author
Sarah McCarty
56 books1,068 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
(1)romance author
Sarah has traveled extensively throughout her life, living in other cultures, sometimes in areas where electricity was a concept awaiting fruition and a book was an extreme luxury. While she could easily adjust to the lack of electricity, living without the comfort of a good book was intolerable. To fill the void, she bought pencil and paper and sketched out her own story. In the process, Sarah discovered the joy of writing.
Sarah writes what she loves to read; fast paced stories with vivid dialogue, intense emotion and well developed characters. Her attention to detail in her stories has earned her multiple awards and a reserved spot on Keeper shelves everywhere.
Sarah writes for Ellora's Cave, Harlequin HQN, Harlequin SPICE, Berkley HEAT and Berkley SENSATION.
(1)romance author
Sarah has traveled extensively throughout her life, living in other cultures, sometimes in areas where electricity was a concept awaiting fruition and a book was an extreme luxury. While she could easily adjust to the lack of electricity, living without the comfort of a good book was intolerable. To fill the void, she bought pencil and paper and sketched out her own story. In the process, Sarah discovered the joy of writing.
Sarah writes what she loves to read; fast paced stories with vivid dialogue, intense emotion and well developed characters. Her attention to detail in her stories has earned her multiple awards and a reserved spot on Keeper shelves everywhere.
Sarah writes for Ellora's Cave, Harlequin HQN, Harlequin SPICE, Berkley HEAT and Berkley SENSATION.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
October 2, 2008
Reviewed for queuemyreview.com; book release Oct08
Splendid! When I got the chance to review “Promises Reveal” from Sarah McCarty, I leapt at the opportunity. I think I even offered a bribe to Quentin, but I don’t remember (no, really Quentin, I don’t) what it was! In any event, whatever it was, it was SO worth it. I’m not a big fan of western romances, but I love her ‘Hell’s Eight’ series and couldn’t wait to see how this latest in her ‘Promises’ series translated into mainstream mass market paperback. Wonderfully, that’s how. This book is absolutely SMOKING hot and has interesting characters and plot lines to boot! (Get it, to ‘boot’?)
Evie has always fought to keep from being boxed in by society’s expectations. Or, as everyone else says--she’s a bit strange. Her latest stunt, however, has the opposite result from what she intended…she’s getting married…to a preacher! Even if he is the handsomest, sexiest man she’s ever seen…he’s a preacher. So her life is going to be boring, boring, boring and filled with restrictions and respectability. Well, apparently that depends on the preacher.
Brad is the preacher in question. That’s his name now, but he was formerly the outlaw Shadow, supposedly dead. His upbringing and past have made him a defender of the weak with the skills and determination to back it up. He’s been fighting his attraction to Evie since he met her, but he’s still not happy at being forced to marry her. Especially since his past has also taught him that there’s always a price to pay for happiness.
Evie ticked me off at first. She came across as selfish and spoiled—because she was. But it was very cool to see her grow and discover what’s important in life and what being free really means. I enjoyed reading about the growing relationship between Evie and Brad and the way their interactions changed as the relationship deepened. The growing threat to their happiness was skillfully played out with gradual hints about Brad’s past and his struggle to come to terms with his present.
The historical setting was perfect and necessary for Evie’s struggle with independence and Brad’s outsized need to protect. And if I hadn’t seen it for myself, I would have been hard pressed to believe this was a mass market paperback as the fire between these two and the resultant blazing sex scenes are the hottest I’ve seen outside the erotica aisle. This makes sense as the first three books in this series were published by Ellora’s Cave, but reading them prior to this novel isn’t necessary. It would, however, make it more enjoyable as characters from her earlier novels in the series make substantial appearances in this one.
I can’t recommend this highly enough. It has action and suspense, it has romance and cruelty, it has hope and love, it has bad guys and good guys, it has actions and consequences, and it has interesting women and hot Alpha males falling under their spell. Even if you’re not a fan of westerns or historicals, if you like your romances as spicy as good, hot Texas chili, you owe it to yourself to read this one. If you love it like I did, you’ll be as disappointed as I am to learn that we have to wait til November 2009 for the next release, as yet untitled :(
Splendid! When I got the chance to review “Promises Reveal” from Sarah McCarty, I leapt at the opportunity. I think I even offered a bribe to Quentin, but I don’t remember (no, really Quentin, I don’t) what it was! In any event, whatever it was, it was SO worth it. I’m not a big fan of western romances, but I love her ‘Hell’s Eight’ series and couldn’t wait to see how this latest in her ‘Promises’ series translated into mainstream mass market paperback. Wonderfully, that’s how. This book is absolutely SMOKING hot and has interesting characters and plot lines to boot! (Get it, to ‘boot’?)
Evie has always fought to keep from being boxed in by society’s expectations. Or, as everyone else says--she’s a bit strange. Her latest stunt, however, has the opposite result from what she intended…she’s getting married…to a preacher! Even if he is the handsomest, sexiest man she’s ever seen…he’s a preacher. So her life is going to be boring, boring, boring and filled with restrictions and respectability. Well, apparently that depends on the preacher.
Brad is the preacher in question. That’s his name now, but he was formerly the outlaw Shadow, supposedly dead. His upbringing and past have made him a defender of the weak with the skills and determination to back it up. He’s been fighting his attraction to Evie since he met her, but he’s still not happy at being forced to marry her. Especially since his past has also taught him that there’s always a price to pay for happiness.
Evie ticked me off at first. She came across as selfish and spoiled—because she was. But it was very cool to see her grow and discover what’s important in life and what being free really means. I enjoyed reading about the growing relationship between Evie and Brad and the way their interactions changed as the relationship deepened. The growing threat to their happiness was skillfully played out with gradual hints about Brad’s past and his struggle to come to terms with his present.
The historical setting was perfect and necessary for Evie’s struggle with independence and Brad’s outsized need to protect. And if I hadn’t seen it for myself, I would have been hard pressed to believe this was a mass market paperback as the fire between these two and the resultant blazing sex scenes are the hottest I’ve seen outside the erotica aisle. This makes sense as the first three books in this series were published by Ellora’s Cave, but reading them prior to this novel isn’t necessary. It would, however, make it more enjoyable as characters from her earlier novels in the series make substantial appearances in this one.
I can’t recommend this highly enough. It has action and suspense, it has romance and cruelty, it has hope and love, it has bad guys and good guys, it has actions and consequences, and it has interesting women and hot Alpha males falling under their spell. Even if you’re not a fan of westerns or historicals, if you like your romances as spicy as good, hot Texas chili, you owe it to yourself to read this one. If you love it like I did, you’ll be as disappointed as I am to learn that we have to wait til November 2009 for the next release, as yet untitled :(
August 3, 2017
5+ stars!!!!
Brad Swanson is a whiskey drinkin’, card playin’, cheroot smokin’, dirty talkin’…PREACHER. Yep. You heard right.
I have a penchant for bad boys, and let me tell you, there's nothing more wicked than a preacher who isn't all that he seems. ;-) Brad is hiding something, Evie is sure of it, and she's fascinated with the man. She secretly studies him, and that fascination culminates in her painting his portrait–in the NUDE. What's most humorous about the situation is the fact that Brad is not so much upset that she painted him, but that she painted him rather UN-flatteringly, lol. The conversation where they discuss her model for a certain part of his anatomy was quite hilarious. LOL!
A shotgun wedding ensues, and Evie and Brad are thrown together in a bit of a whirlwind romance. I loved that they had both secretly noticed each other and that there was a mutual attraction there that had been simmering under the surface for quite awhile. Their being forced into marriage was the best thing that could have happened to them both.
Evie is determined to show him she won't be mowed over, while Brad is just as determined to show his new bride who's boss. (In lots of deliciously wicked ways!) Their flirty banter is fun and engaging, and their chemistry is HOT.
I've read other reviews where people said this book isn't as hot as the first 3. I have to respectfully disagree. The scene in the church that I quoted from at the beginning of this review? HOLY HELL. And I think that sentiment is quite appropriate considering we're talking about a preacher, here. ;-D That one scene makes the book. Don't get me wrong, the rest is awesome as well, but I just really, REALLY enjoyed the hot, possessive, somewhat exhibitionist sex in the church. LOL.
For those who've read the first 3 books, you'll enjoy several scenes with old friends. If you haven't read the others, you might be slightly confused on who certain people are, but I felt Ms. McCarty introduced everyone fairly well to ensure that all enjoy the book, even a newcomer to the series.
Speaking of former characters, I loved Gray's interaction with little Brenna. Made me wish Ms. McCarty would do a book for the two of them where they're all grown up and in love despite the obstacles that he being Indian and her being white throw their way. I do see a 5th book is being written, and I'm highly curious to know why it hasn't been published yet. I sincerely hope Ms. McCarty will continue this series.
Back to Brad and Evie...I do believe I loved this story every bit as much as book 1, (which was my favorite thus far), if not even a bit more! Brad was just a fascinating picture of contradiction, and as we soon discover, Evie was right about him. He IS more than just a preacher. If I'm a sucker for a bad boy, I'm an even BIGGER sucker for a bad boy with a tortured past. ;-D
Highly recommend Brad and Evie's story. Funny and hot, with a beautiful love story and an engaging plot.
Brad Swanson is a whiskey drinkin’, card playin’, cheroot smokin’, dirty talkin’…PREACHER. Yep. You heard right.
I have a penchant for bad boys, and let me tell you, there's nothing more wicked than a preacher who isn't all that he seems. ;-) Brad is hiding something, Evie is sure of it, and she's fascinated with the man. She secretly studies him, and that fascination culminates in her painting his portrait–in the NUDE. What's most humorous about the situation is the fact that Brad is not so much upset that she painted him, but that she painted him rather UN-flatteringly, lol. The conversation where they discuss her model for a certain part of his anatomy was quite hilarious. LOL!
A shotgun wedding ensues, and Evie and Brad are thrown together in a bit of a whirlwind romance. I loved that they had both secretly noticed each other and that there was a mutual attraction there that had been simmering under the surface for quite awhile. Their being forced into marriage was the best thing that could have happened to them both.
Evie is determined to show him she won't be mowed over, while Brad is just as determined to show his new bride who's boss. (In lots of deliciously wicked ways!) Their flirty banter is fun and engaging, and their chemistry is HOT.
I've read other reviews where people said this book isn't as hot as the first 3. I have to respectfully disagree. The scene in the church that I quoted from at the beginning of this review? HOLY HELL. And I think that sentiment is quite appropriate considering we're talking about a preacher, here. ;-D That one scene makes the book. Don't get me wrong, the rest is awesome as well, but I just really, REALLY enjoyed the hot, possessive, somewhat exhibitionist sex in the church. LOL.
For those who've read the first 3 books, you'll enjoy several scenes with old friends. If you haven't read the others, you might be slightly confused on who certain people are, but I felt Ms. McCarty introduced everyone fairly well to ensure that all enjoy the book, even a newcomer to the series.
Speaking of former characters, I loved Gray's interaction with little Brenna. Made me wish Ms. McCarty would do a book for the two of them where they're all grown up and in love despite the obstacles that he being Indian and her being white throw their way. I do see a 5th book is being written, and I'm highly curious to know why it hasn't been published yet. I sincerely hope Ms. McCarty will continue this series.
Back to Brad and Evie...I do believe I loved this story every bit as much as book 1, (which was my favorite thus far), if not even a bit more! Brad was just a fascinating picture of contradiction, and as we soon discover, Evie was right about him. He IS more than just a preacher. If I'm a sucker for a bad boy, I'm an even BIGGER sucker for a bad boy with a tortured past. ;-D
Highly recommend Brad and Evie's story. Funny and hot, with a beautiful love story and an engaging plot.
July 31, 2009
Something was missing in this book for me. I found myself a bit bored now and again while reading and just never really fully got into the story.
Promises Reveal is the fourth book in Sarah McCarty's historical western, erotic romance series, Promises. This book can mostly stand on its own, but if you want to understand the supporting characters and past references then you may want to read the other books in the series.
In Promises Reveal Evie Washington is a twenty-five year old unmarried woman who likes to challenge social convention. She hates the restrictions society puts on her. To avoid being sent back East, she uses her artistic skills to paint a nude portrait of hunky Reverend Brad Swanson. But when her family sees it, they assume she has been intimate with the man and demand that the two marry.
For Brad, a shotgun wedding is bad enough, but he's got a dark secret that could ruin everything. He was once an outlaw and isn't who everyone thinks he is. Marrying up with Evie puts his new identity in jeopardy. But he's finding Evie hard to resist, and along with that he has to deal with the fact that without really realizing it, he'd built a real life for himself with friends and family. Unfortunately, the past is about to come back to bite him and he'll have to put his old identity to rest before he can move on with the future.
The first three books of this series were put out from erotic epublisher Ellora's Cave, and were therefore very sexual in nature. But this installment was published by Berkley Sensation. While the book is still much more explicit and steamy than your average romance, the sexuality is really toned down and nowhere near as frequent. Personally, I was a bit disappointed in that. McCarty writes some seriously hot sex scenes and the ones in this book just didn't have the same spark as her EC books.
But that wasn't really why the book fell a bit flat for me. There was just something about Evie and Brad's relationship that came up kind of empty. I didn't entirely feel the connection to them. They never really seemed to spend much time together, getting to know one another. They always seemed to be off involved with other characters. The relationship between them just didn't develop in a way that worked for me. So I was more just reading a story than reading a romance.
I didn't hate the book though. I liked the characters individually, and I enjoyed getting "updates" on past H/H's from the series. The storyline was a bit slow in the beginning but it picks up as the book goes along and got me more interested to see what would happen. I find one of the supporting characters, Elijah, very intriguing and I hope McCarty will do a book on him.
So overall, this was a fairly average book for me. I liked it enough that I'll read the next book (whenever it comes). If you've read the other books in the series, they you'll probably like this one.
WARNING, this book contains: explicit sex and language, oral sex, anal sex, light spanking, slightly rough sex, and references to violence and abuse against women and children.
Promises Reveal is the fourth book in Sarah McCarty's historical western, erotic romance series, Promises. This book can mostly stand on its own, but if you want to understand the supporting characters and past references then you may want to read the other books in the series.
In Promises Reveal Evie Washington is a twenty-five year old unmarried woman who likes to challenge social convention. She hates the restrictions society puts on her. To avoid being sent back East, she uses her artistic skills to paint a nude portrait of hunky Reverend Brad Swanson. But when her family sees it, they assume she has been intimate with the man and demand that the two marry.
For Brad, a shotgun wedding is bad enough, but he's got a dark secret that could ruin everything. He was once an outlaw and isn't who everyone thinks he is. Marrying up with Evie puts his new identity in jeopardy. But he's finding Evie hard to resist, and along with that he has to deal with the fact that without really realizing it, he'd built a real life for himself with friends and family. Unfortunately, the past is about to come back to bite him and he'll have to put his old identity to rest before he can move on with the future.
The first three books of this series were put out from erotic epublisher Ellora's Cave, and were therefore very sexual in nature. But this installment was published by Berkley Sensation. While the book is still much more explicit and steamy than your average romance, the sexuality is really toned down and nowhere near as frequent. Personally, I was a bit disappointed in that. McCarty writes some seriously hot sex scenes and the ones in this book just didn't have the same spark as her EC books.
But that wasn't really why the book fell a bit flat for me. There was just something about Evie and Brad's relationship that came up kind of empty. I didn't entirely feel the connection to them. They never really seemed to spend much time together, getting to know one another. They always seemed to be off involved with other characters. The relationship between them just didn't develop in a way that worked for me. So I was more just reading a story than reading a romance.
I didn't hate the book though. I liked the characters individually, and I enjoyed getting "updates" on past H/H's from the series. The storyline was a bit slow in the beginning but it picks up as the book goes along and got me more interested to see what would happen. I find one of the supporting characters, Elijah, very intriguing and I hope McCarty will do a book on him.
So overall, this was a fairly average book for me. I liked it enough that I'll read the next book (whenever it comes). If you've read the other books in the series, they you'll probably like this one.
WARNING, this book contains: explicit sex and language, oral sex, anal sex, light spanking, slightly rough sex, and references to violence and abuse against women and children.
May 16, 2009
This book had a very nice beginning, with the appearance of several familiar faces from the previous books in the Promises series. It was a hoot to see them again, and their "altercation" during, or better, before the wedding ceremony was very funny.
Unfortunately, I soon found out that those secondary characters were more entertaining than the hero and the heroine. Not that there was anything wrong with Brad and Evie. They were likeable enough, but I didn't feel any connection between them. The fact is, they just didn't have enough scenes together to show me how they fell in love with each other. Okay, there were some long sex scenes, but they left me cold. I got the impression that Brad spent more time with his friends (Asa, Cougar and Clint) than with Evie, and Evie spent more time with everyone else (her mother, Mara, Millie, Gray, Nidia, etc.) than with Brad. Quite frankly, Brad and Evie only got together when he was in bed - either with her, having sex, or alone, healing from an attempted murder. All things considered, I only knew Brad and Evie loved each other because Ms. McCarty told me so.
There were two secondary stories - one involving Gray (Clint and Jenna's adopted son) and other involving Elijah and Nidia (who had appeared in the previous books too) - and I really think they were unnecessary. The time spent with them should have been dedicated to showing the progress of Brad and Evie's relationship. Besides, I just didn't care for Nidia, who had been pretty much a b!tch in Promises Keep. Some authors succeed in redeeming past villains, some don't. In this case, Ms. McCarty didn't.
Maybe moving from Ellora's Cave, publisher of the 1st 3 books in the Promises series, to Berkley, publisher of this one, didn't do Ms. McCarty any good. We lost the steam and didn't get anything to replace it, IMHO. Jackson's story is supposed to come next, some time next year (?), and I can only hope to get something better.
Unfortunately, I soon found out that those secondary characters were more entertaining than the hero and the heroine. Not that there was anything wrong with Brad and Evie. They were likeable enough, but I didn't feel any connection between them. The fact is, they just didn't have enough scenes together to show me how they fell in love with each other. Okay, there were some long sex scenes, but they left me cold. I got the impression that Brad spent more time with his friends (Asa, Cougar and Clint) than with Evie, and Evie spent more time with everyone else (her mother, Mara, Millie, Gray, Nidia, etc.) than with Brad. Quite frankly, Brad and Evie only got together when he was in bed - either with her, having sex, or alone, healing from an attempted murder. All things considered, I only knew Brad and Evie loved each other because Ms. McCarty told me so.
There were two secondary stories - one involving Gray (Clint and Jenna's adopted son) and other involving Elijah and Nidia (who had appeared in the previous books too) - and I really think they were unnecessary. The time spent with them should have been dedicated to showing the progress of Brad and Evie's relationship. Besides, I just didn't care for Nidia, who had been pretty much a b!tch in Promises Keep. Some authors succeed in redeeming past villains, some don't. In this case, Ms. McCarty didn't.
Maybe moving from Ellora's Cave, publisher of the 1st 3 books in the Promises series, to Berkley, publisher of this one, didn't do Ms. McCarty any good. We lost the steam and didn't get anything to replace it, IMHO. Jackson's story is supposed to come next, some time next year (?), and I can only hope to get something better.
July 19, 2009
Hmm, well not as good as the others in the series but still a good read overall. The western feel that you really felt in the other books in this series isn’t as strong which is maybe because McCarty changed publishers (from EC to Berkley Sensation) and they asked for different things (?) This was very noticeable in the steam scenes. They weren’t as frequent and not as “important” as the other books it seemed.
This is Reverend Brad’s story and I was really looking forward to it especially because he gets saddled with the very independent minded Evie. There’s a hilarious shotgun wedding that starts off the novel which gave a great Old West feel, but there was something missing in the h/h development that was there in the other stories. Their relationship isn’t as strong and a lot of sub stories tend to hold your interest more than the two of them together sometimes. There was nothing wrong with them but some spark wasn’t there. The steam between them is hot but it needed to go further in terms of emotional development I thought. In the other novels in the series the Reverend is very suave and funny but you didn’t really get that as often in this book which was unfortunate because he certainly knew how to rile people (especially the men) with his “appreciation” of their women (lol!)
There was a sub story about Nidia who appeared in one of the previous books and I thought it was weird to have Evie like her because she’s not a likeable person. She’s rude and a basic b*tch trying to stir up trouble everywhere she goes so all that seemed too farfetched and unnecessary.
Nearly all of the characters from the previous novels make an appearance which again brings that familiarity that series’ readers often enjoy. The townspeople banding together at church and out of it was well-done. I really liked the ending before the Epilogue and I thought it could’ve ended well there but the author seemed to feel that she had to add some more which was alright but it may have left a stronger impression if she ended it earlier.
Something that bothered me was that there were too many typos and some grammar mistakes in this book that weren’t there in the EC books which was annoying.
You could read this book on its own but I think you’d miss out on a lot of the funny parts because you wouldn’t have that history that the characters have with each other.
So, it’s good, but it just doesn’t stand out from the crowd like the other ones.
This is Reverend Brad’s story and I was really looking forward to it especially because he gets saddled with the very independent minded Evie. There’s a hilarious shotgun wedding that starts off the novel which gave a great Old West feel, but there was something missing in the h/h development that was there in the other stories. Their relationship isn’t as strong and a lot of sub stories tend to hold your interest more than the two of them together sometimes. There was nothing wrong with them but some spark wasn’t there. The steam between them is hot but it needed to go further in terms of emotional development I thought. In the other novels in the series the Reverend is very suave and funny but you didn’t really get that as often in this book which was unfortunate because he certainly knew how to rile people (especially the men) with his “appreciation” of their women (lol!)
There was a sub story about Nidia who appeared in one of the previous books and I thought it was weird to have Evie like her because she’s not a likeable person. She’s rude and a basic b*tch trying to stir up trouble everywhere she goes so all that seemed too farfetched and unnecessary.
Nearly all of the characters from the previous novels make an appearance which again brings that familiarity that series’ readers often enjoy. The townspeople banding together at church and out of it was well-done. I really liked the ending before the Epilogue and I thought it could’ve ended well there but the author seemed to feel that she had to add some more which was alright but it may have left a stronger impression if she ended it earlier.
Something that bothered me was that there were too many typos and some grammar mistakes in this book that weren’t there in the EC books which was annoying.
You could read this book on its own but I think you’d miss out on a lot of the funny parts because you wouldn’t have that history that the characters have with each other.
So, it’s good, but it just doesn’t stand out from the crowd like the other ones.
August 9, 2021
2.5 stars
The first half of the book gets 5 stars and the second half of the book 1 star.
Brad and Evie were both such fantastic characters and their shotgun wedding and subsequent wedding night or a few days afterward, a pleasure to read.
But then the plot twist comes, Brad is out of the picture, Evie loses her uniqueness, and drama that I was not interested in, ensues.
You can't pull me in with great sex and then make me care about some lost children and evil men without including the main character's growth.
Both Evie and Brad needed to learn way more about each other and deal deeply with their relationship.
Disappointed becasue I really loved it at first.
The first half of the book gets 5 stars and the second half of the book 1 star.
Brad and Evie were both such fantastic characters and their shotgun wedding and subsequent wedding night or a few days afterward, a pleasure to read.
But then the plot twist comes, Brad is out of the picture, Evie loses her uniqueness, and drama that I was not interested in, ensues.
You can't pull me in with great sex and then make me care about some lost children and evil men without including the main character's growth.
Both Evie and Brad needed to learn way more about each other and deal deeply with their relationship.
Disappointed becasue I really loved it at first.
January 9, 2016
This story had such a funny beginning that I decided to read it. About a woman who paints a picture of the town's Reverend without any clothes on.
This is Reverend Brad’s story and I was really looking forward to it especially because he gets saddled with the very independent minded Evie. Evie Washington was just trying to prove a point when she hung the nude portrait up of Reverand Brad Swanson.
Rev Swanson is forced to marry a head strong young woman named Evie (an aspiring artist). Hide in plain sight is sometimes a good strategy.
We have a minister to whom life offered so few choices that he ended up being a wanted outlaw under an assumed name. Sarah McCarty continues to grow as a writer.
#4 in her Promises series was more developed than the first three (which were good and enjoyable books). From the start I was kind of intrigued by the hero, Brad, he's a Reverend, but not really, but sort of really.
Loved this book -- it was again one of those in-depth studies of human nature set in the times of the Old West. Sexy and fun.
I loved the "preacher man". The painting made me laugh out loud.
Recommendations ;)
This is Reverend Brad’s story and I was really looking forward to it especially because he gets saddled with the very independent minded Evie. Evie Washington was just trying to prove a point when she hung the nude portrait up of Reverand Brad Swanson.
Rev Swanson is forced to marry a head strong young woman named Evie (an aspiring artist). Hide in plain sight is sometimes a good strategy.
We have a minister to whom life offered so few choices that he ended up being a wanted outlaw under an assumed name. Sarah McCarty continues to grow as a writer.
#4 in her Promises series was more developed than the first three (which were good and enjoyable books). From the start I was kind of intrigued by the hero, Brad, he's a Reverend, but not really, but sort of really.
Loved this book -- it was again one of those in-depth studies of human nature set in the times of the Old West. Sexy and fun.
I loved the "preacher man". The painting made me laugh out loud.
Recommendations ;)
January 2, 2009
Evie Washington was just trying to prove a point when she hung the nude portrait up of Reverand Brad Swanson. Unfortunately, her bid for independence backfires quite horribly and she's forced to the altar with no regard for her feelings or her sense of pride. Brad Swanson has sworn that he never touched Evie and he swears if he had, she wouldn't have painted ridiculously tiny genitals on his portrait, but no one believes him and he's prodded to the wedding by the bride's mother and a shotgun. If nothing else, he's going to show Miss Evie that she has some really big misconceptions about him, least of all, his reputation as a staid, God fearing reverend. The marriage between Evie and Brad starts out hesitantly, yet hopefully, but Brad is harboring a secret identity and when a man rides into town who knows all about him, he's unable to hold up the farce any longer. He vows to protect Evie and the town that had welcomed him wholeheartedly, but when the dust settles he's determined to move on, just as he always has. Evie refuses to let him face his demons alone and with the same tenacity and spirit that landed them in matrimony, she and the town are going to do their best to show their beloved reverend that he's not as alone as he thinks he is.
Promises Reveal starts off right away with the wedding, and we're thrown right into the mix of things with plenty of hugely entertaining characters. I've never read any of Sarah McCarty's Promises books before and I've never met any of these returning characters, but the brief glimpses I did get were a hoot. The wedding scenes were funny and the wedding night was equally funny and extremely sexy. Even more sexy was the encounter the day after the wedding and all I can say is, Holy $@%!! Brad was a hot, dominating male and his position as the reverend made their sexual romps all the more naughty. Evie was a cute, flighty female with a penchant for painting and the continued bit about the portrait was really entertaining.
There wasn't much going on with regards to an actual plot. Since I've never read previous Promises books I can't say, but I can only assume Brad has met up with the villain of this book before. We're thrown into the story of the villain with little warning and quite frankly, I didn't know what the heck was going on. It was okay, because the flowing interactions with the townspeople was what I thought made this book absolutely charming and enchanting. Having no clue who the wedding guests were and having minimal introduction, I absolutely loved reading the first few chapters, and every chapter afterwards. Sarah McCarty has a talent for spinning a good tale and her sex scenes were scorching! I highly recommend this book as an excellent read despite any failings in regards to plot. Even without it, I still really, really enjoyed this book for the laughter and charm it invoked.
Promises Reveal starts off right away with the wedding, and we're thrown right into the mix of things with plenty of hugely entertaining characters. I've never read any of Sarah McCarty's Promises books before and I've never met any of these returning characters, but the brief glimpses I did get were a hoot. The wedding scenes were funny and the wedding night was equally funny and extremely sexy. Even more sexy was the encounter the day after the wedding and all I can say is, Holy $@%!! Brad was a hot, dominating male and his position as the reverend made their sexual romps all the more naughty. Evie was a cute, flighty female with a penchant for painting and the continued bit about the portrait was really entertaining.
There wasn't much going on with regards to an actual plot. Since I've never read previous Promises books I can't say, but I can only assume Brad has met up with the villain of this book before. We're thrown into the story of the villain with little warning and quite frankly, I didn't know what the heck was going on. It was okay, because the flowing interactions with the townspeople was what I thought made this book absolutely charming and enchanting. Having no clue who the wedding guests were and having minimal introduction, I absolutely loved reading the first few chapters, and every chapter afterwards. Sarah McCarty has a talent for spinning a good tale and her sex scenes were scorching! I highly recommend this book as an excellent read despite any failings in regards to plot. Even without it, I still really, really enjoyed this book for the laughter and charm it invoked.
November 6, 2011
The only thing keeping this from being a five-star read for me was the plot. I did love the way the relationships developed, but not the action/adventure side of the story.
Hide in plain sight is sometimes a good strategy. We have a minister to whom life offered so few choices that he ended up being a wanted outlaw under an assumed name. He finds a place to hide as a minister under his own name in a frontier town.
Evie is an unusual heroine. She is a free spirit straining at the restraints of respectable society. Her naivety and warm heart are disguised by her unconventionality.
The book opens with their shotgun wedding. She has painted a nude by guess and everyone thinks he compromised her. The scenes only get more amusing and often poignant from there.
My favorite element of fiction is character growth, and the protagonists both experience plenty of it, not just through their relationship with each other but in their growing understanding of their relationships with other characters.
Definitely a keeper.
Hide in plain sight is sometimes a good strategy. We have a minister to whom life offered so few choices that he ended up being a wanted outlaw under an assumed name. He finds a place to hide as a minister under his own name in a frontier town.
Evie is an unusual heroine. She is a free spirit straining at the restraints of respectable society. Her naivety and warm heart are disguised by her unconventionality.
The book opens with their shotgun wedding. She has painted a nude by guess and everyone thinks he compromised her. The scenes only get more amusing and often poignant from there.
My favorite element of fiction is character growth, and the protagonists both experience plenty of it, not just through their relationship with each other but in their growing understanding of their relationships with other characters.
Definitely a keeper.
November 18, 2025
Quien iba a pensar que una pintura completamente descarada haría que el reverendo de la ciudad termine casado a punta de escopeta. Aunque aclaremos la pintura no era correctamente proporcional 😳
Ame demasiado ver a Asa, Eli, Puma, Jenna, Clint y Gray 🥹 solo diré que el reverendo no me hizo sonrojarme mucho 😔 pero igual me gusto.
Eso si, tiene epílogo por fin 🥹✨
Ame demasiado ver a Asa, Eli, Puma, Jenna, Clint y Gray 🥹 solo diré que el reverendo no me hizo sonrojarme mucho 😔 pero igual me gusto.
Eso si, tiene epílogo por fin 🥹✨
January 20, 2009
I forget how much I like western romances until Sarah McCarty writes another new book. This one is outstanding!!!
The fourth book in the Promise's series could be read on its own. You would not be lost if you had not read the others.
The one thing I like about Sarah's western romances is the hot hot scences you get.
Evie is an artist that just happens to believe in the women's movement. So when she paint's a portrait of the Reverend Brad Swanson a nude that causes alot of contreversy with her uncle. Enough that she is forced into a wedding with Brad. Brad is furious about the shot gun wedding to say the least. Evie almost doesn't show up for the wedding. Brad has to drag her there.
But after time the two seem to grow on each other. But Brad has a secret. He was Shadow an outlaw that is dead now. And his past is catching up with him. And it will endanger his new wife.
Great book. Smoking Hot loves scenes. Five Star Rating.
The fourth book in the Promise's series could be read on its own. You would not be lost if you had not read the others.
The one thing I like about Sarah's western romances is the hot hot scences you get.
Evie is an artist that just happens to believe in the women's movement. So when she paint's a portrait of the Reverend Brad Swanson a nude that causes alot of contreversy with her uncle. Enough that she is forced into a wedding with Brad. Brad is furious about the shot gun wedding to say the least. Evie almost doesn't show up for the wedding. Brad has to drag her there.
But after time the two seem to grow on each other. But Brad has a secret. He was Shadow an outlaw that is dead now. And his past is catching up with him. And it will endanger his new wife.
Great book. Smoking Hot loves scenes. Five Star Rating.
December 20, 2011
What a good book! Its funny, witty, sexy all wrapped into one. Sarah McCarty has done it, most of this book takes place in the bedroom, and how wonderful it is in there. If Reverend Brad Swanson was my husband in his arms is the only place id want to be... mmmm, hes a sexy ex-outlaw that's running from his past hiding out in a very small town. He wasn't looking to get married but the shotgun aimed at him makes him think otherwise, but what he expected even less was to fall in love with his new bride Evie. Shes the oddball of the town and has been following him around to capture his beauty on her canvas, however, she must do some improvising in his er uh "down town" area and to his disgust doesn't do him any justice.. She doesn't want to be tamed but how can she not when looking at this sexy beast that's seducing her at every turn? Very good read in fact a re-read for sure! love it and will be picking up another of Sarah McCartys.
January 30, 2012
Being a fan of MS McCarty's work, I waited impatiently for this book to come out. The hero, The Reverend Brad Swanson, had shown such great promise in SM's previous books, so I can't adequately describe the bitterness I felt when halfway through Promises Reveal, I had to concede that the book was terrible. I think that the author herself had felt greatly pressured to write an amazing book, such was the clamour for the Rev's story. Anyway, ultimately, the book was not good, and the hero was unrecognisable from the previous Promises books. I'm sure there's a lesson for authors and readers in there somewhere, but I'm damned if I can put it into words right now...
February 2, 2015
"Ella no tenía ni idea de los pensamientos que le pasaban por la cabeza. Suspiró. Evie era completamente inocente y él era un predicador a punto de dejarse arrastrar por el pecado."
Me hubiera gustado más romance entre ellos. El sexo está bien, chicos, pero a veces uno quiere leer diálogos y no solo pensamientos.
Se lee, me gusta McCarty, ahora a esperar la próxima historia, que por cierto veo que tratará sobre Jackson y no me emociona mucho, hubiera preferido a Elijah o a Gray.
Con un predicador como Brad, iría a escuchar sus sermones cada día *se abanica*
January 4, 2014
De los cuatro, quizás el menos erótico. Pero me han gustado todos los personajes, Brad es un amor, y Evie sabe estar a la altura.
Sigue el mismo guión que el resto de la serie.. la historia es bonita, con algunos toques de humor y se agradece que aparezcan los personajes de los anteriores libros.
Sigue el mismo guión que el resto de la serie.. la historia es bonita, con algunos toques de humor y se agradece que aparezcan los personajes de los anteriores libros.
June 7, 2009
The latest in Sarah McCarty’s Promises series, is Promises Reveal, about preacher, Reverend Brad Swanson and Evie Washington, the woman he is forced to marry because of a portrait she painted of him naked. Her uncle and mother, along with the loving yet nosy townspeople assume Brad and Evie were intimate, because how would Evie know about certain scars on Brad’s body let alone knowing what he looks like naked? When the story begins, there is literally a shotgun wedding about to happen and both Brad and Evie are not too happy about being the bride and groom. Brad is one of those McCarthy heroes who thinks he is bad, way down to his bones and marrying such an innocent yet troublesome lady like Evie is not a good thing, because what if he impregnates her with his demon seed? Keep in mind this is not a paranormal demon western, but an erotic romantic western that Sarah usually excels writing in the past.
Brad and Evie finally get married after a lot of jibber jabber back and forth, which becomes a very prevalent thing in Promises Reveal. Other than Brad and Evie constantly lusting after each other, and acting on it, they tend to go on and on about their feelings and so forth to the point where Brad becomes so frustrated with his bride, that he ravishes her every chance he can get just to shut her up. Evie tends to grate on Brad’s nerves, except when they are making love. I am all for a good ravishing now and then, especially when this occurs during a very intimate moment in the town chapel between the two. But overall I was very bored with Brad and Evie. Other than both trying to work on a marriage that should have never happened in the first place, there is Brad’s mysterious past that he is trying to keep a secret. And he believes he is really evil because of his father who used to beat him everyday and life he soon led in a criminal gang. As you can see, there is quite a lot of nonsense about Brad being an evil demon spawn.
I had great hopes for Promises Reveal because it is a continuation of a popular series that Sarah first started to write for Ellora’s Cave. We see many past characters from the other Promises book in this one, but unfortunately if you haven’t read those, you will be confused because certain couples appear on the scene talk about past events. So, if you are new to reading a Sarah McCarty book, Promises Reveal is not a good place to start. You do get a small taste of Sarah’s writing style and those smoldering sex scenes she is so well known for, but here they are a bit tame, because after all this is being published by Berkley, a more mainstream line and not an erotic publisher like Ellora’s Cave who allows their authors to expand on the heroine’s flowing cream and the hero’s adoration for certain inmate acts that deals with the heroine’s posterior.
Brad and Evie finally get married after a lot of jibber jabber back and forth, which becomes a very prevalent thing in Promises Reveal. Other than Brad and Evie constantly lusting after each other, and acting on it, they tend to go on and on about their feelings and so forth to the point where Brad becomes so frustrated with his bride, that he ravishes her every chance he can get just to shut her up. Evie tends to grate on Brad’s nerves, except when they are making love. I am all for a good ravishing now and then, especially when this occurs during a very intimate moment in the town chapel between the two. But overall I was very bored with Brad and Evie. Other than both trying to work on a marriage that should have never happened in the first place, there is Brad’s mysterious past that he is trying to keep a secret. And he believes he is really evil because of his father who used to beat him everyday and life he soon led in a criminal gang. As you can see, there is quite a lot of nonsense about Brad being an evil demon spawn.
I had great hopes for Promises Reveal because it is a continuation of a popular series that Sarah first started to write for Ellora’s Cave. We see many past characters from the other Promises book in this one, but unfortunately if you haven’t read those, you will be confused because certain couples appear on the scene talk about past events. So, if you are new to reading a Sarah McCarty book, Promises Reveal is not a good place to start. You do get a small taste of Sarah’s writing style and those smoldering sex scenes she is so well known for, but here they are a bit tame, because after all this is being published by Berkley, a more mainstream line and not an erotic publisher like Ellora’s Cave who allows their authors to expand on the heroine’s flowing cream and the hero’s adoration for certain inmate acts that deals with the heroine’s posterior.
March 24, 2009
#4 Promises - Western Historical Romance series (erotica)
The Reverend Brad Swanson (or so he SAYS) and Evie Washington
Sarah McCarty continues to grow as a writer. #4 in her Promises series was more developed than the first three (which were good and enjoyable books). With more plot, there's still enough smokin' sex.
This author sure knows how to jump start a book! This time, the good Reverend Brad Swanson (or IS he a reverend?) is standing reluctantly at the altar waiting for his bride to show up. No spoiler as to the reason he's been dragged into this marriage, but it's a GREAT story.
:-) The first few chapters are highly entertaining, and kept me eagerly turning the pages till the book's end.
The humorous dialogue between the men throughout the book on every subject under the sun continues.
Evie, our heroine, insists on coloring outside society's lines, and was born about 100 years too early for a woman with her "notions" of what a woman should be able to do with her life. I like that she is smart, talented (as an artist), kind, and a likeable gal. Brad is a bit rough around the edges for a Man of God, but has a kind heart underneath it all. Nice romance (lots of sex), and like I said, alot more story than the prior 3 books.
The Reverend Brad Swanson (or so he SAYS) and Evie Washington
Sarah McCarty continues to grow as a writer. #4 in her Promises series was more developed than the first three (which were good and enjoyable books). With more plot, there's still enough smokin' sex.
This author sure knows how to jump start a book! This time, the good Reverend Brad Swanson (or IS he a reverend?) is standing reluctantly at the altar waiting for his bride to show up. No spoiler as to the reason he's been dragged into this marriage, but it's a GREAT story.
:-) The first few chapters are highly entertaining, and kept me eagerly turning the pages till the book's end.
The humorous dialogue between the men throughout the book on every subject under the sun continues.
Evie, our heroine, insists on coloring outside society's lines, and was born about 100 years too early for a woman with her "notions" of what a woman should be able to do with her life. I like that she is smart, talented (as an artist), kind, and a likeable gal. Brad is a bit rough around the edges for a Man of God, but has a kind heart underneath it all. Nice romance (lots of sex), and like I said, alot more story than the prior 3 books.
February 25, 2013
Nothing really revealed here..........
Here is what I don't understand about the authors of this genre, they really need to quit while they are ahead. Unlike other fields where you don't have to spend hard earned money to find out if a CD or a song is a dud, with books you have to actually buy it to learn that it was a big old dud. Sorry but this one turned out to be exactly that. As other reviewers have pointed out, we were thrown into the story with nothing, all of a sudden there was all this activity and the only saving grace was that if you are fond of this author and read her previous works you were somewhat led by your experiences through this story. It was almost as if you had to have read a background book to understand what was going on here. Hmmm, one good thing was that there were not many typos in this book.
Here is what I don't understand about the authors of this genre, they really need to quit while they are ahead. Unlike other fields where you don't have to spend hard earned money to find out if a CD or a song is a dud, with books you have to actually buy it to learn that it was a big old dud. Sorry but this one turned out to be exactly that. As other reviewers have pointed out, we were thrown into the story with nothing, all of a sudden there was all this activity and the only saving grace was that if you are fond of this author and read her previous works you were somewhat led by your experiences through this story. It was almost as if you had to have read a background book to understand what was going on here. Hmmm, one good thing was that there were not many typos in this book.
October 5, 2012
The previous books in this series left me expecting certain things from this book. I mean the previous books were highly sexual with dirty talking cowboy's and woman who loved it.They totally did.
Sadly this book was as smokin hot as the others. This saddened me greatly, I was thinking Rev's book would be hot. Instead we have a man keeping secrets, (no suprise there)but this ones secrets weren't really all that bad. He was a good guy who thought he was a big baddy.
So sad. Evie was a bit immature in the beginning, she definitely wasn't my favourite. But eventually they started to work well together and then.... the book ended. I could of been so much better.
So this book left me feeling a little flat. It was a good read, but not great like the others.
Sadly this book was as smokin hot as the others. This saddened me greatly, I was thinking Rev's book would be hot. Instead we have a man keeping secrets, (no suprise there)but this ones secrets weren't really all that bad. He was a good guy who thought he was a big baddy.
So sad. Evie was a bit immature in the beginning, she definitely wasn't my favourite. But eventually they started to work well together and then.... the book ended. I could of been so much better.
So this book left me feeling a little flat. It was a good read, but not great like the others.
January 11, 2016
... I really wanted to like this book so much more than I did. It has so many glowing reviews but it just feel short for me. My mistake might have been reading this book first instead of starting at the beginning of the series, it was mentioned in a review that this could be read as a stand alone however I don't feel like that was the case. There is a LOT of back story in this book, not for the main H&h but for ALL the characters. When the book starts it just dumps you into the 'literal' shotgun wedding which normally would have been a good thing, but with the complete lack of back story I'm still not sure after reading the whole book how they got to that point. Over all a good book that might have been better had I read the previous books.
April 30, 2020
OMG the obligatory butt stuff. For goodness sake, not one woman in this series cannot climax from anal and apparently everyone stays enema clean at all times. Sigh. That aside . . . Hero is mean to start and heroine comes across as spoiled and frankly stupid in the risks she takes. No character development, just all of a sudden they love each other because . . . reasons. I hate a hero written where sexual dominance translates as threats, bullying, and assuming his rules and ideas are automatically best for everyone because he’s “dominant”. Super disappointed after Jenna’s story. Oh, and at what point did Red change his name to Grey?!? This author is great or lazy phoning it in and this is the latter.
October 16, 2008
The fourth book in the Promises series. My favorite of the Promise series so far. Evie Washington is an artist who paints nudes. Not a very respectful occupation for those times and she ends up at the altar with the subject of her painting, Reverend Brad Swanson. But the Reverend has a few secrets, like the fact he's not really a reverend.
February 12, 2016
Loved this whole series. Good connection between books, strong characters. Books will stand alone but it's a treat to read them in order. For erotica there is great reading here. Each book has a strong plot line. Strong second and third characters. 2017 ... next book in the series ... will be fun to see how this western town grows.
May 19, 2013
I'd love to meet an 'old testament' preacher like Rev.Swanson. Rarr!
September 20, 2019
Again, after reading the 3 other book in this series, I just love this series and the smart, funny writing of Sarah McCarty. I will say there were some things in this book, that as a reader, kind of baffled me. First off, changing a character's name...and not just a passing character...one that was pretty prominent in the previous book and if this series continues, he may have his own book someday. Changing his name was not a bad idea, but explain it. Don't just change it and act like your readers won't notice...that was weird (and an insult to our intelligence). I think that writers need to remember when they gain an audience and followers to a series, you have to ensure you get facts right. If you reference something from a previous book, ensure the details are correct. Readers like me remember and then scratch our heads when there is not an explanation as to why it's changed. Changing a characters name completely with ZERO reason as to why was a biggie. Not really sure why she chose to do that with NO detail behind it...but it still didn't detract by how much this book made me laugh and entertain me. Diving into book 5 and anxious to see what happens next!
December 22, 2017
Wooooow! If you were ever afraid to read a romance where the hero is a preacher because you thought that'd be boring? This book will change your mind. A dirty-talking preacher with some big secrets in Brad, and Evie, the artist heroine with a free spirit combine to make this book shine. I loved the marriage of convenience, and the chemistry between these two was very well-done. This is probably my favorite in the series, and the only downfall was that I found some of the drama to be too drawn-out. Still, I want more steamy western historical romances!
May 6, 2019
This time more there is more fun than sufferance, and I appreciate it, still I didn't mind.... I am just sad that with this book I read all the installment in the series....
Questa volta c'è più ironia che dramma e sicuramente l'apprezzo, per quanto non é che gli altri libri mi fossero dispiaciuti, anzi, l'unica cosa che veramente mi fa soffrire é che questo é l'ultimo volume e ora non ho più niente da leggere....
Questa volta c'è più ironia che dramma e sicuramente l'apprezzo, per quanto non é che gli altri libri mi fossero dispiaciuti, anzi, l'unica cosa che veramente mi fa soffrire é che questo é l'ultimo volume e ora non ho più niente da leggere....
November 4, 2019
The best in the series
I loved this whole series but unlike the other books there wasn’t so much sex that the plot got buried. Which was awesome. Don’t get me wrong I enjoy a few good love scenes but 20pages each or more for each love scene in the others were a bit much. Luckily this book didn’t have that and the characters shone through even more! I love me a good bad boy turned good so this was perfect!
I loved this whole series but unlike the other books there wasn’t so much sex that the plot got buried. Which was awesome. Don’t get me wrong I enjoy a few good love scenes but 20pages each or more for each love scene in the others were a bit much. Luckily this book didn’t have that and the characters shone through even more! I love me a good bad boy turned good so this was perfect!
June 9, 2022
This just felt too much like all the books that had come before it. At one point the author even bows out of a sex scene as if acknowledging she didn't have anything new to offer or say The ending felt rushed, the romance was not inspiring, and the world for the first time felt very blah.
I hope the next will be more like the others.
I hope the next will be more like the others.
September 15, 2018
Promises Reveal
An outlaw preacher, Brad, finds himself married to an artist. Not just any artist, but a very good thing be that has painted him naked. She can't cook or do much of anything except learn how to live and trust him as he eventually does with her.
An outlaw preacher, Brad, finds himself married to an artist. Not just any artist, but a very good thing be that has painted him naked. She can't cook or do much of anything except learn how to live and trust him as he eventually does with her.
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