PROMISE ME by RICHARD PAUL EVANS: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
 PROMISE ME

BY RICHARD PAUL EVANS

ABOUT THE BOOK:

"As you read my story, there is something I want you to understand. That in spite of all the pain—past, present and that still to come—I wouldn't have done anything differently. Nor would I trade the time I had with him for anything—except for what, in the end, I traded it for."

Beth Cardall has a secret. For eighteen years, she has had no choice but to keep it to herself, but on Christmas Eve 2008, all that is about to change.

For Beth, 1989 was a year marked by tragedy. Her life was falling apart: her six-year-old daughter, Charlotte, was suffering from an unidentifiable illness; her marriage transformed from a seemingly happy and loving relationship to one full of betrayal and pain; her job at the dry cleaners was increasingly at risk; and she had lost any ability to trust, to hope, or to believe in herself. Then, on Christmas Day, as she rushed through a blizzard to the nearest 7-Eleven, Beth encountered Matthew, a strikingly handsome, mysterious stranger, who would single-handedly change the course of her life.

Who is this man, and how does he seem to know so much about her? He pursues her relentlessly, and only after she's fallen deeply in love with him does she learn his incredible secret, changing the world as she knows it, as well as her own destiny.

From the New York Times bestselling author of the beloved classics The Christmas Box and The Christmas List comes a breathtaking story of the transcendent power of love.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

RICHARD PAUL EVANS is the #1 best-selling author of The Christmas Box. His fourteen novels have each appeared on the New York Times bestseller list; there are more than thirteen million copies of his books in print. His books have been translated into more than 22 languages and several have been international best sellers. He is the winner of the 1998 American Mothers Book Award, two first place Storytelling World Awards for his children's books, and the 2005 Romantic Times Best Women Novel of the Year Award. Evans received the Washington Times Humanitarian of the Century Award and the Volunteers of America National Empathy Award for his work helping abused children. Evans lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his wife, Keri, and their five children.

MY REVIEW:
Richard Paul Evans has once again given readers a treat for the holiday but be warned, this is not the story we normally expect from Evans. I, for one, congratulate him on broadening his horizons by giving his fans a little different type of story. With the main character, Beth Cardell, we find a secure and happily married woman who is mother to small Charlotte and all is right in her world until suddenly, her whole life seems to go into reverse. He husband is dying from cancer and at the same time decides to confess to Beth about having had affairs as he makes his peace. This brings little peace to Beth, however, and on top of losing her husband physically, her emotions are going all over the place as she tries to come to terms with what he told her. The one thing that keeps her going is her young daughter, Charlotte.

When Matthew enters the picture, Beth is very distrustful of men but can’t deny their attraction. Beth finds in Matthew someone she thinks she can trust but when she finally agrees to dinner one night, it is broken up when Beth gets word that Charlotte has been taken to the hospital. Now, Charlotte, who is Beth’s whole life, comes down with this mysterious illness and that is what brings Matthew and Beth closer. Matthew seems to have come along at just the right time. At the point when Matthew arrives at Beth’s home and tells her he knows what is wrong with Charlotte, the story takes a turn, one that Evans followers will be surprised by. The rest of the story and how Matthew knew and what happens to Charlotte is captivating. It is the real twist in the story and as things get a bit complicated, I found myself intrigued with what this mystery was and where it was going. I think PROMISE ME is the kind of book you will just have to read and judge for yourself if you like this somewhat new Richard Paul Evans’ work and feel. I did and found it to be smart, fast, and rewarding.
 

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO KELLY AND THE GOOD

FOLKS AT SIMON & SCHUSTER, I HAVE

FOUR COPIES OF THIS LOVELY HOLIDAY

BOOK TO GIVE AWAY TO MY READERS!

 

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