Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Love's Promises by Sandra Leesmith

About the Book:



For Monica Scott, building her late father’s house at Lake Tahoe isn’t an option—it’s a necessary distraction from confusing memories and an uncertain future. But a handsome planner working for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is keeping Monica from moving forward with the project. Never mind that he’s young and charming with a great sense of humor. No one is going to stop Monica from making her father’s dream—and her own—a reality.

All Greg Linsey wants is for his work to mean something. His job at TRPA gives him the opportunity to fight for the environment he loves and make a difference in his small corner of the world. But with the sophisticated Monica Scott’s arrival, his dedication is tested as never before, especially when Monica turns to his unscrupulous nemesis for assistance.

As Greg and Monica’s animosity turns into something far sweeter, can they learn to accept each other’s promises and avoid the growing danger to their lives and hearts?

About the Author: 
 

Sandra Leesmith loves to travel in her RV and explore all of nature’s beauty, discover America’s history,
and fellowship with the wonderful people she meets while on the road. She enjoys reading, writing, hiking, swimming, and pickleball. Learn more about Sandra and her books at www.sandraleesmith.com.

You can connect with Sandra on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads. You can also find her and her talented writing buddies at the Seekerville blog.   


My Review: 
Monica is used to getting her own way. When her plans to build her father’s last home are thwarted Monica is less than happy. The TRPA(Tahoe Regional Planning Agency) has refused her request to allow her to build on prime property in the Tahoe Basin area. All of her angst is poured out on Greg who works for the TRPA and she is determined to get around any rules in order to fulfill her dream and accomplish her father’s last wishes. Greg is just as determined to protect the area that he loves. As the two of them try to find common ground an attraction springs between them. Unfortunately Monica is afraid of commitment. She perceived her parents’ relationship as one-sided and it has made her unable to make commitments in her own life. Fear of becoming a doormat to someone Monica exerts her independence to the exclusion of all relationships. Will she be able to accept the love that Greg describes or will she continue in her lonely life? 
Love’s Promises touches on so many issues that at some points I was emotionally overwhelmed. From Monica’s unrealistic view of her parents’ relationship, her grating desire to have her own way (which wore me out at the beginning), the steamy relationship between Monica and Greg, to the environmentalism all wrapped into a fairly quick read. I enjoyed reading how Monica changed as Greg showed her what a real relationship between a couple in love could be. As each one of Monica’s defenses peeled away the reader could see her faith and potential grow. She became a more softened and caring human being rather than the overbearing-grating woman that she started out as. I’m not sure that Love’s Promises would be considered a Christian novel, but there are definite signs of faith throughout the story. Greg and his family talk about faith in God as well as Monica hearing the voice of her mother through her memories. There are some “iffy” passages in that Greg’s friend begins to call Monica a b-word but is cut off by Greg. There are some sexually charged situations where Greg and Monica want to cross the line into the bedroom but both are determined to remain celibate. There are also a couple of references to “the Broad” from an unsavory character that totally fits his personality and what he would say. Having lived near and visited the Tahoe area I appreciated the environmental aspects of the story, it is a beautiful area and I am thankful that there are people willing to fight to preserve it for our future. For a little bit of romance, a little bit of suspense and danger, and a little bit of saving the environment you will find Love’s Promises has it all.


Review of Sandra’s books:



Paperback coming soon!

 
GIVEAWAY:

Sandra is offering one reader a taste of Lake Tahoe with a sweet prize pack: a signed paperback copy of Love's Promises, a journal, a Lake Tahoe coffee mug, a pound of Millstone Velvet Chocolate coffee, and a Hulet Glass chocolate drop! This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. You can enter to win via the Rafflecopter form below:

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

3 comments:

  1. Good morning Julie. Thank you so much for featuring Love's Promises on your blog. I really enjoyed your review and am glad you saw Monica's growth through her struggles to commit. I always enjoy my visits here. Thank you again.

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  2. Great review, Julie! I appreciate your honest assessment of the content - and I'm so glad you enjoyed the different elements of the story. :) Thank you for being part of the blog tour!

    ~Amber

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  3. Thanks ladies for stopping by and commenting. And thanks for including me on the tour :)

    ReplyDelete

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