Promises Reveal (Berkley Sensation Historical Romance)

Sensuality Rating: 5
Evie Washington is the willful daughter whose father is determined to find a way to set her on the straight and narrow. When Evie draws a nude portrait of the preacher, he sees his chance and forces them into a shotgun wedding. Reverend Brad isn't exactly unwilling, but he is somewhat mortified. Evie, not knowing what the male anatomy looked like, substituted the 'appendages' of a male infant in the portrait.

Not knowing Rev. Brad Swanson is really an outlaw, most of the town has a great respect for him. And if anyone can bring Evie up to the town's moral standards, they feel, the Reverend can. The scandal is mostly forgiven after the wedding.

Just when Evie and the Reverend are falling in love with each other, his past catches up with him. Having done so much good for the community, the townspeople rally to his side.

This book had so much potential! I expected there would be a decent amount of humor in regards to the painting with the infantile anatomy. However, it wasn't even given all that much notice in the story. The characters weren't all that likeable until the last quarter of the book. The entire plot ended up to be rather thin. Even the sensual scenes left alot to be desired. All the elements of a superb novel were there, it just never really fleshed out. Perhaps I was expecting another "Caine's Reckoning."

I enjoyed the whole series and although this was not as great as the first three; I wouldn't have missed reading it. I'm hoping for more! The only real complaint I have is that the book was a small sized book (trade size I believe) unlike the other three which were larger. It doesn't match the first three and looks funny on my bookshelf!
Oh well.
Thanks for a very good series Dear Authoress. I have enjoyed them immensely.

I loved this book! I have read all of the "Promises" series but this was absolutely my favorite. I have been hoping to see the Rev's story for quite some time and this book did not disappoint. The characters in this book were wonderfully developed. Some of the dialogue was laugh out loud funny. However, as others have mentioned this is published with a different publishing house than the others in the series and the sex is less graphic. If you are reading it for the story it won't hurt it a bit... however if your main focus was the erotica you might find it lacking. I wouldn't have changed a thing about the book, less graphic or not, it was amazing.

For fans of Sarah McCarty's Promise series, this story about the Reverend Brad is possibly the most anticipated book she's ever written. It certainly was for me. From the first Promise book, the irreverent preacher has been much loved. He has met his perfect match in Evie, the unconventional artist.

As a person deeply involved with faith and religion, I very much appreciated Brad's occasional comments to God. This ex-outlaw was living the gospel even though he didn't realize it. Not that this is in any way implied in the story. First and foremost this is a romance. There is no preaching. Well, actually there is and, boy, did the Rev let it fly, along with his fists! We could all do with a similar wake-up call to get more involved in caring for one another. But this is not a "Christian" romance - it is erotic as only Sarah McCarty can write it.

Promises Reveal was funnier than I remember Ms. McCarty's books being. I laughed in so many places throughout the book, mostly at Evie's shenanigans. And there were a few places that were so poignant I got tears in my eyes. It was a joy to revisit Cattle Crossing and all the characters from the previous Promise books. It is a wonderful community of characters who band together and support one another. Ms. McCarty has given the reader glimpses of some other characters who should also be given their own Promise story - Millie, Elijah, Nidia, Gray, Brenna and Jackson.

Now I'm inspired to go back and read the other books again.

If you are a fan of the previous Promise books, don't bother with this one. The characters are underdeveloped and the book has about as much steam as an undercooked baked potato. If this is what her new publisher brings, she has lost a fan.