Virtual Book Tour-The Promise by Tory Richards

Please join me in welcoming author Tory Richards to Cali Cheer Mom! 

Let's jump right in and talk about The Promise.

Was Ryan hesitant to keep his promise?

Definitely! Ryan is my hero in The Promise. He's a Marine who comes home for the holiday season for the first time in years, to keep a promise he made to his dying brother. And that is to take care of his wife Shannon, and their baby daughter.The problem? Ryan has been secretly in love with Shannon for years. Ever since he looked across his father's grave and met her eyes for the first time.

Guilt of loving and wanting Shannon prevents Ryan from wanting to keep his promise. He survived Iraq when his younger brother didn't;  he blames himself for that. And he feels like he's betraying his brother. Every time he's near Shannon he wants her, and every time he gets closer to losing control and giving in to his desire. Ignoring her becomes impossible when it becomes obvious that she is attracted to him, too.

Only his mother knows how he feels. But fear that Shannon will hate him, or somehow blame him for what happened in Iraq, keeps Ryan from telling her the truth.

Blurb: 

Shannon Hayes’ husband David was killed in Iraq nearly a year ago, and now she

must face her first holiday season without him. With a toddler in tow, she travels to the

Vermont farm where the rest of the family has gathered for the holidays. There she comes

face to face with the man who was with him when he died, and her destiny, his older

brother Ryan.

For the first time in years, Ryan returns home to keep a promise he made to David—

to take care of Shannon and their daughter. It’s a pledge Ryan is reluctant to keep

because he’s been secretly in love with Shannon since first setting eyes on her. Their

attraction to each other is instant, intense and soon the promise isn’t the only thing

between them.

Excerpt:

“Damn it to hell!” Ryan swore under his breath, after Shannon took off. The kitchen

door was still swinging back and forth and he could hear her running up the stairs. He

should have known she’d be there. After all, she was part of the family. And always

would be now that she had Alivia.

Why the hell had he come home? He knew the answer to that the minute the thought

materialized. Because of the vow he’d made to David. But that was only the half of it.

He dropped his fork, made a tight fist, anxious to hit someone. If flying shrapnel

hadn’t wounded him, and he didn’t have a leg on the mend he probably wouldn’t have

come back. He could have remained on base during the holidays. Only the thought of

staying there alone hadn’t been very appealing. And maybe deep down he’d wanted to

see Shannon again. Wanted to see if he still found her as attractive as he had the first time

he’d laid his eyes on her.

It was worse than he remembered. The years he’d remained away had been for

nothing, he could see that now. What he’d thought had diminished over time had sprung

to life the moment he’d opened the front door and fell headfirst into her cat-like eyes.

Every time he made the mistake of looking at her sensuous mouth all he wanted to do

was grab her and kiss her breathless.

Maybe he was being punished for all the lives he’d taken. Slowly being driven

insane by a woman he couldn’t have. Everyone had to pay penance for their sins but did

it have to come in the way of his dead brother’s wife? The only thing he could hope for

was that Shannon never realized how he felt. And the only way that could happen was to

stay the hell away from her.

Releasing an angry breath he got to his feet, taking his plate to the fridge, his appetite

gone now. He might as well get a shower and turn in, and pray for a night of relief. As he

limped through the house, he flipped off the lights, and grabbed his duffel bag before

heading up stairs. The heat from the shower would do his leg good.

His bedroom was the first one at the top of the stairs. It was only natural to open the

door without knocking. He had no reason to believe he’d find anyone in there. But as the

door swung open the first thing his gaze landed on was that his bed had been turned

down, the playpen and then the huge suitcase on the floor next to it.

The second thing he noticed was humming coming from the bathroom... 

A little about Tory Richards…

Tory is a multi-published, best-selling author who was born in Maine but lives in Florida with three crazy cats. She likes to travel, preferably by cruise ship, and doesn’t like to fly but she will if she has to. She collects antiques and art, loves chocolate (who doesn’t?) and good coffee.

Tory has wanted to be a writer since she was a kid, but life got in the way of her dreams. A few years ago, with the support and encouragement of her family, she decided to get serious. Her romances are laced with humor and filled with suspense and sizzling sex.


Giveaway:


Tory will be giving away a $15 gift card to Bath & Body to one random commenter along the tour. The more you comment, the more chances you have to win!

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