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Making Promises

(Promises #2)

Amy Lane (Goodreads Author)

4.22 · Rating details · 3,108 ratings · 289 reviews

All Shane Perkins ever wanted to be was a hero. But after a career-shattering decision to go down fighting, Shane comes home from the hospital to four empty walls, a pile of money, and a burning desire for someone to miss him the next time he gets hurt in the line of duty. He ends up an officer in the small town of Levee Oaks, and, addicted to the promise of family, he ...more

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ebook, 376 pages

Published July 26th 2010 by Dreamspinner Press (first published July 8th 2010)

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The Best of Gay Romance

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Strawberries for Dessert by Marie Sexton

Best M/M Romance Published in 2010

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· 3,108 ratings · 289 reviews

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Oct 13, 2019 Erth rated it liked it

This book started out great. Bit of drama. Starts a new life. Meets a guy. But then it drones on and on and halfway through I’m like when is this book gonna end. Then I almost thought they forgot entirely about the sisters evil boyfriend plot entirely till they threw it back in randomly at the end. The story itself was good but the writing...not so much.

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Nov 23, 2019 Fabi rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: hurt-comfort, mm-romance-gay-lit, audible-escape

I didn't like it. :-(

I got through most of it. 13+ hours out of the 15+ of narration. But I didn't like the narrator's voice for Mikhail. Not that it mattered much because I didn't like Mikhail. At all. He was selfish and rude and very self absorbed. Shane was a sweetheart who deserves so much better than Micky. This story was also too sad. I mean, sheesh, give me a little happy.

I'll likely continue with the series because I do love this author and the first book here was pretty damn awesome in ...more

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Dec 13, 2013 Mark rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: gay-fiction, absolutely-fabulous, contemporary, audio-book

If you have seen a grown man behind the steering wheel of his car in a traffic jam sobbing his eyes out, then it was probably me! Once again Amy Lane reduced me to tears, but also put all the pieces back together again for one wonderful HEA.

This time it’s Shane’s story. We are introduced to him briefly in the first book as the nice new cop in town who calls on the family at The Pulpit regarding Benny and her child. He finds himself accepted and also ends up with his feet under the table and ...more

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Jul 22, 2010 Nikyta *Miss Forgetful* rated it it was amazing

Recommended to Nikyta *Miss Forgetful* by: Ang -PNR Book Lover Reviews

Shelves: deception-betrayal-lies-omissions, bubbles-safe, a-sweet-cute-read, angst, dreamspinner-press, series-serial, published-on-amazon, adbp, broken-to-bits, contemporary

It's been years since I read Keeping Promise Rock but I put off reading this book for a while after I bought it. Why? I honestly have no idea. Maybe I didn't want my heart to be ripped out of my chest, ran over by a stampede then put back together with glue?

In any case, when I finally read this, I absolutely loved it. Even more than Keeping Promise Rock. Ms. Lane has such an amazing ability to get me so drawn into a story I don't want to put it down. I absolutely loved Mikhail and Shane. They ...more

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Oct 29, 2019 Bev rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: dnf, annoyed-me, audible-escape, disappointing, i-have-issues, make-up-your-damn-mind-already, pissed-me-off, audio-book, mm, push-and-pull-fml

Time of death - chapter 8

I'm sorry but I just can't with this any more. Firstly I'm having problems with the narration, and secondly I can't be doing with stupid, I really can't. By that I mean that this is a MM romance - yes? So why is Mikhail hell-bent on Shane finding himself a nice girl to marry so she can look after him. What?

I'm out before my head explodes.

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Nov 18, 2010 Ang -PNR Book Lover Reviews rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites-fromthe-last-decade

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Aug 30, 2012 Rissa (an M/M kinda Girl!!) rated it it was amazing

Recommended to Rissa (an M/M kinda Girl!!) by: Jaymie

Shelves: m-m

What a wonderful second book for the series! It's been a while since I read the first book so some of the details were a bit fuzzy but as I read this book...I started to remember Deacon & Cricks journey and I wondered to myself WHY has it taken me so long to read this story.

Shane was an all around great guy. He just wants to see everyone in his life happy even if it means that he's not. Mikhail..oh goodness. This fiesty Russian is by far one of my absolute favorite characters I've ever read! ...more

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Jun 29, 2014 Eva rated it really liked it

Shelves: angst, cops-military, amy-lane, m-m, favorites, recommended, hot-as-hell, to-review, family

Beautiful. Heartbreaking. Loved.

“Just when you think you got it down.
“Promises in the Dark”—Pat Benatar

Oh I loved this story! Shane is a fascinating character with all his quirks and "weirdness" and secrets, but Mikhail was the one I grabbed onto - his beauty and aloofness and underlying vulnerability just kept me holding my breath for him at times, hoping he'd let some of his frailties and fears escape for Shane to take care of.

“ You are still my hope, and now, I’m your promise.”

It ...more

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Jul 23, 2010 Mary rated it it was amazing

Shelves: own-it, gotta-have-it

Amy Lane writes so beautifully that I get lost in the language as much as the story. I loved Shane, we should all be so blessed to have someone so strong and solid in our lives and Mikhail...the way he is short and curt with Shane speaks volumes of the overwhelming love he feels for him. Mikhail's characterization is so real, his ups and downs, he comes right off the page. This book made me laugh really hard, Crick and Deacon's banter is nice to read again, and cry...I looked like an iguana ...more

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Jul 31, 2010 Tara rated it it was amazing

Shelves: m-m, featured, read-in-2010, romance-contemporary, tearjerker, police-government-agency

Amy Lane is an awesome writer.

This is the second book in the Promises Series. In this we follow Officer Shane Perkins (who joined the family at The Pulpit in the last 40 or so pages of Keeping Promise Rock) and Mikhail Vasilyovitch Bayul (who we also met briefly the previous book). Shane is big hearted and Mikhail is damaged and they need each other but they just have to figure that out. We follow them from their meeting through their courtship and them finding themselves and each other. This Amy Lane is an awesome writer.

This is the second book in the Promises Series. In this we follow Officer Shane Perkins (who joined the family at The Pulpit in the last 40 or so pages of Keeping Promise Rock) and Mikhail Vasilyovitch Bayul (who we also met briefly the previous book). Shane is big hearted and Mikhail is damaged and they need each other but they just have to figure that out. We follow them from their meeting through their courtship and them finding themselves and each other. This book really only spans a year's time although the bulk of the story happens between October and February and we breeze through the rest of time in comparison. Again we see the importance of this family and I'm starting to see the overall arc of this series and this motley cast of people. When it ended I just stared at the author's bio page wanting more.

While this was not the epic tale that was Crick & Deacon's story, it was no less of an emotional journey. We also get to see a little bit of our old favorites, and we got a little bit more insight on Jeff, which helps set him up for his own book. I wish there was more of Andrew but I know he really didn't have a place in this story. (although I did find his absence odd in when people were teaching Benny to drive). But this book is also funny. Not a gut buster, but funny in the way people are in real life. Mikhail and Shane both speak this language that is really funny if you follow it (which I did).

Ok, this is the timeline stuff that I enjoy so if you hate timelines, you can skip this paragraph! Shane meets The Pulpit Family in June and this book starts in October. It overlaps Keeping Promise Rock and in the two instances where the action actually overlaps it was like having the "camera" pan and see another scene at the same event. This book is definitely connected to the first and reading out of order I think would be confusing. If I had to wage complaints, there would be 2 and they are so small they clearly didn't effect my overall enjoyment of the book. First, some pretty big things happen to Shane that involve the whole family during the time the first two books overlap and it seems weird that they weren't even mentioned in passing during the narration. And second there is a character that is not at the big picnic that is the final scene of Keeping Promise Rock but appears in this book when we revisit the same scene in this book. I think it only stands out to me because one everything else is so skillfully woven together. Also this character felt awkward when first introduced (like a set up for possible conflict) and so being insinuated into this event felt strange as well, but maybe that's just me.

From the author's website I know that the next book is called Living Promises and will be about Jeff and Collin, (I don't think we know who Collin is, yet). And then there will be a final book, Return To Promise Rock and it will see the final HEA of all the characters.

I'm excited! ...more

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Jul 09, 2012 Lightreads rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, lgbt, romance, disability

Amazingly treacley small town gay romance – he’s a cop, he’s a dancer (not like that). Hit some buttons of mine, missed others, details uninteresting to anyone who isn’t me.

But this book did make me think about the value of romance as a genre. This is a story about two people coming together while one loses his adored mother to slow, wasting disease. And it’s about their friends’s struggle to keep a business alive, and a soldier come home but not the same, and making the best of the baby you ...more

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Jun 09, 2011 Kaje Harper rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, m-m

I liked this book even more than Keeping Promise Rock. The characters seemed real and engaging, and their difficulties were more external than internal. I prefer when the big obstacles to a relationship are not just the characters misunderstanding and doubting themselves and each other, although some of that in the mix is fine. These two guys had a nice assortment of issues and personal qualities and a story line that was intense without seeming over-dramatic. Mikhail in particular is damaged ...more

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Aug 29, 2013 Shelby rated it it was amazing

Shelves: bad-boys-to-steal-your-heart, law-enforcement-bodyguard-pi, violence, eminently-rereadable, favorite-complete-series, rip-your-heart-out, adorable-twinks, artists-and-the-like, m-m, series-completed

Such a lovely installment in this series! While there isn’t quite as much angst as in “Keeping Promise Rock”, I didn’t mind not having my heart ripped out of my chest with every page. Shane really is the hero everyone dreams would be there to stand up for them when they most need it. Mikhail has had such a trying life you can’t help want him to have some happiness now.

Shane Perkins has always wanted to help save people. The best way, he always thought, was to become a cop, but after being left Such a lovely installment in this series! While there isn’t quite as much angst as in “Keeping Promise Rock”, I didn’t mind not having my heart ripped out of my chest with every page. Shane really is the hero everyone dreams would be there to stand up for them when they most need it. Mikhail has had such a trying life you can’t help want him to have some happiness now.

Shane Perkins has always wanted to help save people. The best way, he always thought, was to become a cop, but after being left without backup and getting shot because his precinct found out he was gay Shane has traded in his big city position for the smaller Levee Oaks. He may not have needed to work after the settlement he received from the police force for their blatant disregard of his life, but it’s all he’s ever wanted to do. In Levee Oaks though he’s finally found people that he considers his family. Crick and Deacon and their crew of misfits have become his family and he wouldn’t trade them for the world. Still when his twin sisters informs him she’s performing with a Renaissance Festival nearby he can’t wait to reconnect with her as well. He never expected the absolute smack upside the head he felt upon seeing her dance partner.

Mikhail Vasilyovitch Bayul has always had dance. It’s been the one constant in his life and has been all that’s allowed him to put food on the table. Even if back in Russia it was also what took him down the dark path into drug addiction and prostitution to pay for it all. If it hadn’t been for his mother that dark hole may have been where he ended up for all time. Instead she managed to pull him out of it all by moving them to America and getting him into rehab. He’s been clean for a number of years and enjoys his work as a dance instructor. His only goal now to keep his promises to his mother, to stay clean and to make sure she gets to go somewhere warm and lovely before she passes. As her cancer is getting worse that last promise is adding a lot of stress to his day-to-day life. The addition tip income he gets from dancing at the faire is incredibly helpful. He enjoys dancing with Kimmy as well, despite her rather offish boyfriend and his drug issues. Meeting her brother though turns out to be one temptation too many for Mikhail to resist.

First of all before we even get into the meat of the story, I do so love a smart MC. I LOVED Shane’s reaction to knowing he’d been set up in that alley in LA. That call to IAB was just awesome. He wasn’t going to back down, was going to be the hero no matter what, but he wasn’t going to go down without a fight. Shane’s sense of self-sacrifice may be a little over-developed and lead him into more trouble than anything else, but that’s just what he needs Mikhail and the rest of his friends for. He’s never had someone actually care if he lived or died, so if he was going to go it needed to mean something.

Honestly both these characters really didn’t give themselves enough credit. It took both of them falling for the other to make them truly see the worth in themselves. Something they’ll still always struggle with, but the validation their love of the other gives them is enough to keep them fighting. They’re both quirky and weird in the best way possible. I don’t know what it says about me that I follow Shane speak as well. Could just mean I’m bonkers, but hey, I’m ok with that. I love how over the top caring Shane is with everyone in his life. He rescues puppies and kittens for gosh sakes. It’s adorable! Of course he’s going to fall for someone like Mikhail who needs to have someone to care for. Shane looks out for everyone else in his life, he needs Mikhail to look out for him.

Oh, and how wonderful was the end of their courtship. (view spoiler) On top of that Mikhail’s mama may just be the most intuitive woman ever. I loved how she knew just what to tell Shane and how to spur Mikhail. Her final request was exactly what Mikhail needed to be able to start to move on. It was a celebration of her life and how much he loved her.

Of course I adored seeing the returning cast of characters from Keeping Promise Rock they’re fabulous. I loved watching Benny and Mikhail get so close. Driving lessons indeed! I’m actually very curious to see how Carter gets pulled into this group more and more. He has to. He’s the only decent cop left! Not to mention now we’ve got Kimmy pulled into things as well, as she should be. This actually might be my only complaint about the book. I didn’t really like how Kimmy disappeared for most of the book after the two siblings saying they wanted to rebuild their relationship. Sure she wants to fix her life on her own, but that doesn’t mean that Shane should have ignored her and not called or anything while being so wrapped up in Mikhail. It just irked me I guess even though I know the ending was exactly what I wanted. I kept waiting for more contact with her.

I enjoyed a number of elements about this story. The characters were quirky and funny (no it’s not a big hairy monster Mikhail you can stop climbing Shane), sweet and sarcastic. Both were dealing with emotional baggage that took a lot to get past. Both guys needed some big hugs and to be told they were perfect the way they were. They deserved everything they could possibly want in life including each other. Plus I really liked how this story fit into what we already knew from the first book. I liked seeing how everything built to Shane’s running in at the family meeting. All in all another fabulous installment in this series by Ms. Lane, I can not wait to read the rest. ...more

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Mar 06, 2013 Gina rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary, favorites, m-m, cowboys, cops-fbi-undercover, tear-jerker

OH YES, I’M IN A LOVE FEST!

Book 2 in this series and i absolutely loved it! Amy does it again and delivers a story that has everything I love. This story has a great romance, angst (not as much as book 1), great chemistry and heat and emotions that just had me hugging my kindle at the end. *sigh*

In this one we have Shane, who we met briefly in book 1. He is a cop and part of the Pulpit Ranch family. A weekend to a Renaissance Fair to reconnect with his sister after many years changes his life. ...more

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Mar 06, 2019 Ricardo rated it did not like it

DNF

This first word that comes to mind is “weird.” The book opens with the very embarrassing outing of the main character which results in his call for backup not being answered and his being hurt on the job. After that, as if by magic, he shows up surrounded by a whole cast of people and animals and somehow I guess I was supposed to know who they all were and how they were related because the author just threw all the names at me. Unless you’ve read the previous book right before this one, it’s ...more

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Sep 11, 2014 Heidi rated it really liked it

Shelves: part-of-series, m-m, amy-lane

The title of this book is so appropriate. Promises are made and Promises are broken but more importantly Promises are kept.

The story of two men who are both lost in their own way and looking to find something that will make them whole again. Shane is a police officer who has faced more than his fair share of abuse at the hands of his co-workers. He also has somewhat of a super-hero complex and this is much to his own detriment.

“You know that ‘blue wall’ you always hear about when people talk ...more

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Sep 05, 2011 Nile Princess rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m-romance, five-star-m-m-romance, no-longer-lendable, reviewed

Absolutely LOVED this book. A much lighter read than the first in the series, even though they dealt with many very serious issues. Mikhail and Shane were a joy. Lots of love, determination, patience and humor went into the foundation of that relationship and it showed. Pretty much a flawless book in my opinion, with guest appearances by the extended family. I love the way they rally around each other in times of trouble. Definitely one I will read again. Oh, and if I wasn't convinced before, I ...more

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Nov 16, 2010 Emanuela ~plastic duck~ rated it really liked it

Shelves: romance, rainbow-gay, glbt, contemporary

It's not as intense and heart-wrenching as Keeping Promise Rock, so maybe there's a WOW factor missing, but I think this sequel is just as good. It deals with less cataclysmic events, but it deals all the same with emotions stemming from traumatic events (addiction, death, homophobia). The relationship between Shane and Mikhail is more private and it involves The Pulpit's family, but it focuses especially on the main couple.

Shane is a big, good bear of a cop, who'd like to be a hero, to be the It's not as intense and heart-wrenching as Keeping Promise Rock, so maybe there's a WOW factor missing, but I think this sequel is just as good. It deals with less cataclysmic events, but it deals all the same with emotions stemming from traumatic events (addiction, death, homophobia). The relationship between Shane and Mikhail is more private and it involves The Pulpit's family, but it focuses especially on the main couple.

Shane is a big, good bear of a cop, who'd like to be a hero, to be the one who makes a difference. He is always there for anyone and the simple act of giving is enough to satisfy is generous heart. Mikhail is a Russian dancer, who's come to the US with his mother to get cured of heroine addiction and to get away from the streets of St. Petersburg. Mikhail's mother is dying of cancer and he is trying to earn enough money to fulfill her last desire of a cruise to Mexico.

When Shane and Mikhail meets, Shane is attracted to Mikhail's grace and the fact he seems to understand the Shane-language; Mikhail is attracted to those warm adoring eyes and Shane's selflessness. They both seem to recognize there's the possibility of something big and precious between them, but Mikhail thinks he'll never be good enough for Shane. At the beginning Shane tries to give him space, while letting him know he really cares for Mikhail, and with his persistence he begins to weave a net of caring and concern around Mikhail.

Their relationship grows before our eyes, page after page. We see Mikhail wanting to be the right man for Shane, but being afraid of his own skittish heart, how the fear of having Shane paralyzes him and sents him running away, at the time when he also has to deal with the death of his mother. We see Shane trying to be everyone's hero and his own hero, standing in the line of danger, risking his life, being strong in front of the homophobic attitude of his department.

The secondary characters are also a joy to read. Ylena, Mikhail's mother, is an unforgettable character, a strong woman who carries the burden of guilt for the life his son had to lead in Russia to sustain them both, but she tries to ease the same burden off his son's shoulders. We meet Deacon and Crick again and we can see how life is going on at The Pulpit. We learn a bit more about Jeff, who is the protagonist of the sequel Living Promises.

As in the first book of the series, this book deals with the concept of extended and chosen family, how it can accept you, no matter how weird or flawed you think you are, how it can help you find your way and understand you must not be alone when your life gets difficult. ...more

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Mar 26, 2011 Tamela rated it it was amazing

Shelves: adult-fiction, recommended, club-challenge-reads, contemporary, mm-or-mmm, love-romance, family-kids-pack-clan, series, adventure, performer-personality

1st read March 26th, 2011
2nd read July 16th, 2011
3rd read July 16th, 2013
4th read Dec 22nd 2017 (Audiobook)
5th read Dec 5th, 2018

I'm sitting here trying to think what to write because I want this review to do justice to how much I loved this story. Both these characters, Mikhail and Shane, have had such sad and hurtful histories, though not at all similar.

Shane grew up with cold and uncaring parents and the people he's been in relationships with seem to fit the same mold. They just don't seem to 1st read March 26th, 2011
2nd read July 16th, 2011
3rd read July 16th, 2013
4th read Dec 22nd 2017 (Audiobook)
5th read Dec 5th, 2018

I'm sitting here trying to think what to write because I want this review to do justice to how much I loved this story. Both these characters, Mikhail and Shane, have had such sad and hurtful histories, though not at all similar.

Shane grew up with cold and uncaring parents and the people he's been in relationships with seem to fit the same mold. They just don't seem to really "see" Shane. They see the big, strong outer shell but not the heart beneath that all too often ends up bleeding from hurtful, unfeeling comments or actions on the part of those who Shane was trying to trust and love.

Mikhail came from a hard life in Russia, where his dreams of being a dancer are dashed following a knee injury at a very young age. He tries to bring in money to help his mom, but ends up spiraling into the all to typical world of the street whore, with drug addiction almost being the end of the line. But Mikhail's mother is not an uncaring parent and her plan to save her son by getting him out of Russia and into rehab saves his life and gives them both a fresh start.

Amy gives us such detailed insight into the workings of these two men and their lives and families that I feel a true connection with them and their different situations. Because of this it is often hard to read of the bad things that happened to shape our two MC's.

The main thing that is woven throughout this story is the love we find. Shane's love of his animals (of which there are MANY) and of his new found "family" at The Pulpit. The deep respect and love of Mikhail for his "mutti" who is dealing with a tragic illness, but whose strength and love for her son still sustains them both. And underlaying everything is the love and support of Shane's adoptive family for him and by extension for the man Shane love's.

I can't say enough good things about this true love story except you have to experience it for yourself and, I hope, will love it as much as I do. ...more

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Feb 10, 2012 Barb ~rede-2-read~ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, angst-a-lot, to-re-read, part-of-a-series, favorite-couples, read-2012, read-2013

I feel like I just had a reunion with old friends, and now I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. I first read this book over a year and a half ago, early in my m/m reading days, and although I loved it then, I didn't appreciate the full extent of the story as much as I did this time.

This sequel to Keeping Promise Rock is about Shane, the police officer befriended by Deacon and his family, and Mikhail, a dancer who works with Shane's sister Kimmy in the Renaissance Faire.

It's about love and ...more

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Sep 02, 2012 Silkeeeeeereads rated it it was amazing

Shelves: m-m-erotic-romance

It's difficult to write a comment at 5AM. SO maybe the best way to do it is chronicle what all I did in the 24 hours from beginning to end as I read. Opened the book, got mad, got sad, cried, blew my noise criesd some more. Had to get up and get something to drink so I could see because tears would stop flowing. Pulled myself together. Giggled, got sad, cried again, blew my nose about 10 times and gave up and just cried it out. Peed. Started reading again. Cried, blew my nose, giggled. Get the ...more

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Feb 11, 2012 Jane (PS) rated it it was amazing

4.5 stars

Awww. What a sweet book :) I loved dorky Shane and narky Mikhail! Shane had so much more patience than I could have managed, dealing with Mickey; but it was beautiful to read about. Ylena was delightful; and the ongoing insight into Crick and Deacon's family life was great. Amy Lane has a talent for taking the 'nerds' and making us look beyond the initial 'flaws' to see the beautiful and desirable characters they really are. We all need an Amy Lane in our lives :)

I want to start on ...more

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Sep 30, 2019 Claudia rated it really liked it

Shelves: m-m, contemporary, romance, lgbt

oh this was such a romantic and sweet read I loved it.
Yes there are some weak points but all in all it was a great and enjoyable read

Shane is a great guy and sometimes a bit too perfect. I appreciate how he cares for his family and for Mikhail ... oh what he does for his guy is just perfect.
but I would have loved for him to have more edges - so he was a bit bland at times. which is really a pity because I think if we knew more about his past his character would have been a bit more pronaunced

...more

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Dec 23, 2015 BWT (Belen) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: mm-fiction, gay-book-reviews, mm-favorites, 2015, 5-stars-for-real, audiobook

I worried before I started this. Mainly because it's over fifteen hours long and after Keeping Promise Rock I honestly didn't know if I had it in me if this story took the same kinds of twists and turns. I swear - Amy Lane can rip out my heart like few others.

This story is beautiful in its simplicity. It's all about redemption, love, and, ultimately, finding home and family. I loved every aspect of this story. It touched a little piece of my soul, and I'm better for it.

Paul Morey's narration ...more

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Jan 21, 2014 Christina Marie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: good-book-bad-cover, rainy-day-rereads, part-of-a-series, made-me-cry, favorites, heart-stabbies-and-angsty-things, cops-and-firefighters-and-fbi-oh-my, musicians-dancers-and-dreamers, m-m-romance, made-me-so-happy

Loved it.

I’m so happy right now.

This book right here is why I love me some Amy Lane. It’s the characters. Their detailed personalities, their often painful backstories, and their loveability, flaws and all. I like the way they wiggle their way into my heart so effortlessly. Even though, once there they tend to squeeze all the emotions out.

Shane is this giant, sensitive Teddy Bear. Skilled in the art of sentence tangles. Mikhail is this beautiful, cynical dancer. Fully equipped with his own word ...more

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Aug 18, 2014 Chappy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, erotica, romance, cop-pi, emotional-angst, mm, zzbotb-2014

Wonderful follow-up to Keeping Promise Rock. It was great to catch up with Deacon, Crick, Benny and the rest of the gang. I had previously liked Shane but he was new to town and we didn't know him so well. Nice to see him finally come out of his shell.

Mikhail was kinda bitchy but that's just his way and also his defense mechanism. He's had a very difficult youth and without his mom Ylena he would have died. He desperately tries to push Shane away...it's a good thing that Shane can be stubborn ...more

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Mar 09, 2013 Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆ rated it really liked it

Shelves: audio, waiting-to-be-read

That felt very different to the first book. I even though I loved the first one, I'm glad it wasn't the same feeling.

I adored Mikhail. He overcame a horrible past. Every time he called Shane "insufferable man" I smiled. I loved it. Shane was very sweet and understanding. Taking things slow, and knowing what would spook Mikhail off.

I loved getting to check in with the cast from the first book.

Very enjoyable story.

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Feb 26, 2015 Jewel rated it really liked it

Shelves: four-stars, contemporary, mm, law-enforcement-firefighters-emt, z-2015-300-399

Shane Perkins came to Levee Oaks, CA from Los Angeles after he was outed to the department by his (work) partner, who was also his lover. That partner threw Shane to the wolves and left, unscathed. Shane, though, was blackballed and then sent into an ambush in a bad neighborhood with no backup. He's not stupid, though, and he made sure there was evidence of what, exactly, went down. Once he recovered, he got a huge settlement from the department and he decided to move somewhere a little less ...more

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Dec 30, 2013 starsaga rated it it was amazing

Shelves: a-a-reviewed, favorite-author, 5-star-romance-reads, mm-tear-jerker

This was even better than the first book.
I loved this story of Shane and Mikhail, I found them both to be too good to be true, with some exceptions of course, but what I loved above all was them together. Oh my, it makes me get all mushy just thinking about these two sweet people finding each other, overcoming difficult odds to be together, doubts and all and then knowing that they were meant to be. All in one book of course. I did not miss the biblical disasters that were in the first book but ...more

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Oct 21, 2010 Karen K rated it it was amazing

Shelves: gay-series-or-related, ebook-owned, gay-faves, gay-romance, gay-law-enforcement, gay-drama

Great second book in the Promises series. I loved getting to know Shane and Mikhail and I was especially pleased to see how much "air play" the rest of the gang got - yeah, I'm still a Deacon-junkie from the last book. I thought the story was wound beautifully around "Shane's new family" without taking away from the new relationship. Shane is an interesting character with all his quirks and secrets, but Mikhail was the one I grabbed onto - his beauty and aloofness and underlying vulnerability ...more

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About Amy Lane

Amy Lane

3,038 followers

Amy 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 ...more

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Promises (4 books)

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Quotes from Making Promises

“How’re the cats?” he asked, smiling a little. He did miss Angel Marie. Hell, he missed them all.
“Feral,” Benny sniffed. “And horny. Every time one of us walks in, they all start humping our shoes.”
“They’re fixed,” Shane mumbled, but the conversation was oddly reassuring. It sounded normal, and like home.
“Tell that to the big fuzzy brown one….”
“Orlando Bloom?”
“Yeah, whatever. Last time I was there that damned animal violated my knitting.”
Shane lost a battle with a laugh and then whined because it hurt his ribs.
“Violated?”
[...]
“Let’s just say that wool is no longer virgin,” she quipped dryly, and Shane’s chest shook.” — 16 likes

“It was like when a midde-aged woman, happily married, found out that her favorite movie star was gay. It broke her heart just a litte to know that there wasn't even a chance in fantasyland for the two of them to ever touch.” — 8 likes

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