Monday, December 6, 2010

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!
 
--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY:
COMMENT ON WHAT YOU READ ABOVE AND WHY YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ THIS HOLIDAY BOOK

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK AND LEAVE A LINK THAT I CAN FOLLOW

+1 MORE ENTRY: GO TO SIMON AND SCHUSTER'S WEBSITE HERE AND TELL ABOUT ONE OF RICHARD PAUL EVANS' BOOKS YOU HAVE READ, OR WOULD LIKE TO READ

+1 (or +?) MORE ENTRIES: COMMENT ON HOW YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG. FOR EACH WAY YOU FOLLOW, YOU MAY COMMON SEPARATELY AND IT WILL COUNT AS ANOTHER ENTRY

 GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, DECEMBER 18!
GOOD LUCK!



81 comments:

Pamela Keener said...

As I have said before I love Christmas stories especially this time of year. Richard Paul Evans never disappoints and so I would love to read this book.
3 East Butler Drive

Drums, PA

Pamela Keener said...

The Walk sounds like a great book and I will also put that on my wishlist.
3 East Butler Drive

Drums, PA

Pamela Keener said...

I follow your blog via GFC
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

Oops the first two posts I forgot to add my e-mail. Instead I had copied and pasted directions for my Thursday trip and that is what you got.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I follow your blog via Google Reader
Love & Hugs,
Pam
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Pamela Keener said...

I like Bookin w/Bingo II on FB/Pam Keener
Love & Hugs,
Pam
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LeAnn said...

I have read other books by Richard Paul Evans and want to see how his style is different for this book. I liked all of his previous books.
LeAnn
sunshine9ATimonmailDOTcom

LeAnn said...

I'm a GFC follower.
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LeAnn said...

I follow this blog via google reader.
LeAnn
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Ronalyn said...

I love romantic mystery stories....

Ronalyn said...

follow via twitter (@rmcwentz)

LeAnn said...

I'd like to read The Looking Glass.
LeAnn
sunshine9ATimonmailDOTcom

captainliss40 said...

I haven't read a book by Richard Paul Evans, but would love to try. captainliss40@gmail.com

samantha35 said...

great giveaway
follow via gfc

drakebdog@gmail.com

samantha35 said...

looks like a great holiday book
drakebdog@gmail.com

holdenj said...

I do know of him mostly via those holiday novels, so I'd be curious to see how this diverges from his usual MO.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I think I'd like to read the Christmas Box trilogy.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I am a GFC follower.
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holdenj said...

I subscribe via RSS feed.
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Reading said...

Thanks for the giveaway. I just love Christmas stories. And this one looks like a love story I would enjoy.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Reading said...

I follow on GFC

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Linda Kish said...

It sounds like a beautiful story.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I haven't had the pleasure of reading his books before. I'd love to read The Walk.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I am a GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

debbie said...

This is a new author for me. It sounds like there is a good mystery to it, and I always enjoy books that have christmas in them.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I would like to read the christmas list.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Steve Capell said...

An author that has fourteen novels that have been on the New York Best Sellers List is an awesome accomplishment. I also agree with Pamela Keener that reading Christmas stories this time of year is something that seems to bring in the Christmas spirit for me. As for other novels that he has written that sounds interesting I would add:

The Five Lessons A Millionaire Taught Me: About Life and Wealth
The Sunflower

I have taught several personal finance classes at my church so “The Five Lessons A Millionaire Taught Me: About Life and Wealth” sounds especially interesting.

“The Sunflower” according to a review I read is about two people that meet on humanitarian mission in Peru. Both of them have to learn how to trust and love again. This book sounds really intriguing.

Thanks for hosting this giveaway.

steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

The problems that the characters have seem insurmontible but maybe something can get resolved with the Christmas spirit coming with the holidays. I am interested in how the different problems get resolved or accepted.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I think I would like to read the book called 'Through A Lookingglass. It has a quote about a blizzard and sort of a dreamy cover. I clicked on the part where it says "read more" but there was less!


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Unknown said...

I am a follower and email subscriber. Please enter me in contest. Sounds like a really good book. Tore923@aol.com

Carol N Wong said...

I follow with Google Friend Connect.

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Carol N Wong said...

I also have an e-mail subscription.


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Carol N Wong said...

I also follow with Networked Blogs through Facebook.


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Carol N Wong said...

I follow your blog with Facebook.

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Carol N Wong said...

I follow this blog with Twitter.


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Julie said...

I'm really curious now as to what is wrong with Charlotte and how DOES Matthew know? Thanks for the giveaway!

knittingandsundries(at)gmail(dot)com

Julie said...

I just finished reading and reviewing "The Christmas List" and recommended it in my Holiday Gift Guide - Modern-day Scrooge is how I described the protagonist!

knittingandsundries(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

This book sounds compelling. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I am a follower. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I would like to read The Looking Glass. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

traveler said...

The Walk looks like a wonderful story. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

This story is emotional and beautiful. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Connie said...

Hi! The story sounds wonderful and at this time of the year I need something uplifting. Thank you for a wonderful giveaway! :)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

Connie said...

I have only read the book "The Christmas Box" by him...it was great. I also saw the movie that I think it was based on starring the guy that was John Boy on the "Waltons". :)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

justpeachy36 said...

I really found the mystery man intriguing. I definitely want to know more.

Please enter me in the giveaway.

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

justpeachy36 said...

I would love to read The Christmas List or The Looking Glass. Both look really good.

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

justpeachy36 said...

I'm a GFC follower.

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

justpeachy36 said...

I'm an e-mail subscriber.

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

StephTheBookworm said...

No need to enter me in the contest... just wanted to say that I read this book last week and thought it was amazing - one of the best books I've read this year!

Margie said...

This looks like an intriguing Christmas story. The review made me want to find out who this mysterious person is.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

I'd like to read the Christmas Box series.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

+5 Swag
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Margie said...

blog follower via GFC
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Margie said...

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Margie said...

this blog is on my Networked Blogs list
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Lori Thomas said...

I love reading Richard Paul Evans books... always amazing stories


ctymice@gmail.com

Lori Thomas said...

I`ve read The Christmas Box, The Letter,Timepiece

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Lori Thomas said...

Email subscriber

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bison61 said...

I wonder what his incredible secret is?

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Jolee said...

well, I am a big fan of his! But, it sounds cool that this is "something different" for Evans. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

follow you on gfc. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

fan on FB. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

email subscriber joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

The Sunflower is next on my list! joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

MRWriter said...

I wonder what this mysterious stranger's secret is in the novel.

AlexDean03(at)yahoo.com

MRWriter said...

I'd like to read The Gift.
AlexDean03(at)yahoo.com

Ruthie said...

I love a story with a message & this sounds so good.

ruthiekb72ATyahooDOTcom

Ruthie said...

FB follower...Ruthie B

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dag888888 said...

Richard Paul Evans fan, like everything he writes!

dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

dag888888 said...

I would like to read The List!

dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

dag888888 said...

Google follower!

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CherylS22 said...

I like to read emotionally complicated stories & I love to read holiday-themed books around this time of year.
Thanks for the giveaway....
Happy Holidays!
megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

I haven't read any books by this author. I'd love to read "The Gift" & a few other of his holiday books.

megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

FB fan
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