"The Promise" (A.B.Michaels) ★★★★ with GIVEAWAY!

BOOK INFORMATION

The Promise: A Story of The Quake
A Sinner’s Grove Novella

By: A.B. Michaels

Released June 24th, 2016 
Red Trumpet Press

FOLLOW THIS TASTY BOOK TOUR HERE!

BOOK SUMMARY

HE’LL RISK EVERYTHING TO KEEP HIS WORD

April 18, 1906. A massive earthquake has decimated much of San Francisco, leaving thousands without food, water or shelter. Patrolling the streets to help those in need, Army corporal Ben Tilson meets a young woman named Charlotte who touches his heart, making him think of a future with her in it. In the heat of the moment he makes a promise to her family that even he realizes will be almost impossible to keep.

Because on the heels of the earthquake, a much worse disaster looms: a fire that threatens to consume everything and everyone in its path.

It will take everything Ben’s got to make it back to the woman he loves—and even that may not be enough.

The Promise, a stand-alone novella, is the latest offering from A.B. Michaels’ multi-genre series “Sinner’s Grove.”

TBR/BUY LINKS

GOODREADS 

AMAZON

EXCERPT

I was rolling out a pie crust, thinking about how Richard and I were going to break the news of our broken engagement to my father, when a man entered the kitchen. I looked up and thought perhaps I was imagining things. The stranger was tall and dark, with a full but neatly trimmed beard and mustache. He was wearing a light flannel shirt and dungarees and held a felt hat in his hand. His eyes were . . . they were Ben’s eyes. I stopped what I was doing, caught my breath, and immediately reached to check my hair, forgetting that my hands were covered in flour.

“Miss Lindemann?” he asked in that same calm, comforting voice I remembered.

“Corporal Tilson?” At once I realized I must look a fright, with my hair coming out of its coil and my apron covered with flour dust and spatterings of dough. My heart was dancing in my breast and I tried to settle down by breathing slowly.

He walked toward me, wearing a slight smile and gazing at me with those beautiful gray eyes. I was caught by them, like a most willing prey.

“You’re . . . you’re not in uniform,” I managed to say.

He looked down at his shirt, as if he’d forgotten he was wearing anything at all. “I’m on leave,” he said. He held his hands out and grinned. “This is the real me, I guess.”

I couldn’t help myself, I grinned back and held out my own arms. “And this is the real me, too.”

We both laughed, and if you asked me what the sensation was that arced between us in that moment, I’d tell you it was joy. Pure and simple joy.

But all too soon I remembered he wasn’t mine to feel joyful about. He belonged to another. I tried to put us back on more formal footing.

“You’ve come a long way,” I said. “I trust it’s because of your promise to Berry.”

He nodded. “Among other things, yes. I said I would be back, and here I am.”

“I know Berry will understand about not finding the doll,” I said, attempting to reassure him. “But I’m very glad you came. She was so hoping to see you again.”

He looked at me, his eyes growing more intense. As he stepped closer, he asked, “Were you hoping to see me?”

I could feel the blush starting at the base of my neck and working its way up. If he only knew how much I’d hoped.

CAT'S REVIEW

"The Promise" by A.B. Michaels is a heartwarming tale that proves if love is meant to be, it will be.  Our main characters - Ben and Charlie - are both strong and determined.  When they meet, sparks fly.  But the timing couldn't be worse. For a story where our lovely couple really don't spend too much time together throughout, I found this story endearing.   I enjoyed Charlie's spunkiness yet her vulnerability was sweet. Ben is hunky and a true hero.  He does his job as a soldier, but does it with heart and the desire to help those weaker.  Their journey towards their love is not an easy one - the aftermath of a major earthquake isn't easy and they discover just how hard it is to find and keep true love when faced with obstacles beyond their control.  The secondary characters are easy to like, even Marget eventually.  And Berry is sweet and captures the heart of all.  I adored her candidness and ability to reach even the most shuttered hearts.  Ms. Michaels has written a tale that not only shows the reader the power of love but the hardships that follow a natural disaster.  This is a story of heart, determination, strength and family.  For a sweet and uplifting tale that proves love can survive all, check this one out.  (received copy for honest review)

★★★★

AUTHOR INFO

Born and raised in northern California, A.B. Michaels holds master's degrees in history and broadcasting, and worked for many years in the public relations and marketing fields. An avid quilter and bocce player, she currently lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband and two furry "sons" who don't seem to realize they're just dogs

AUTHOR FOLLOW LINKS

WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

GOODREADS

GIVEAWAY!! GIVEAWAY!! GIVEAWAY!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TOUR ORGANIZED BY

TASTY BOOK TOURS

"The Lair" (A.B. Michaels) ★★★★★ with GIVEAWAY!!

Enter to Win a 

$25.00 eGift Card to Choice Book Retailer

Amazon, B&N or iTunes

THE LAIR

A Sinner's Grove Novel

A.B. Michaels

Released June 16th, 2015

Red Trumpet Press

The Lair follows on the heels of Sinner’s Grove, a contemporary suspense novel centered around the fictional artists’ retreat on the northern California coast known as “The Grove.”

Dani Dunn, the local innkeeper, has just learned of her famous father’s death and must travel back to her home country of Italy to attend the funeral. To say she’s not looking forward to it is an understatement. In fact, she’s petrified. The estate she grew up in holds terrifying memories that she knows she’ll have to confront if she’s ever to get on with her life.

Complicating matters is the fact that her flirtatious friend, Detective Gabe de la Torre, is coming along for the ride – without being asked. However, as Dani discovers the true evil that awaits her, Gabe proves he’s much more than a friend – he’s a sworn protector who may lose his own life in the process of saving hers.

Author's Note: THE LAIR deals with a very real, but sensitive subject, human trafficking.  It may be disturbing to some readers.

BUY NOW

 Amazon

EXCERPT

The nerve of Gabriele. For the past fourteen months, ever since he’d joined the Marin County Investigation Division, Detective de la Torre had made it his life’s work to get under Dani’s skin. Well, perhaps that was a bit of an exaggeration, but still. First he’d tried to come on to her, using their shared heritage as a line. They were both from northern Italy; surely they could get together some evening and talk over their shared cultural roots? Fortunately she’d put a stop to that pretty quickly. In no uncertain terms she’d told Mr. Dolce & Gabbana that although he seemed like a nice enough man, he held no physical attraction for her whatsoever. It was a lie, of course, but she wasn’t about to share why they couldn’t make a go of it.

 Her brush-off was a gamble. Gabe was single and didn’t like eating by himself, so he was a regular at her restaurant, part of the inn she owned in Little Eden. She didn’t want to lose his business, so she had tried to be firm but not rude.  It appeared to be working. He still ate at her place without seeming to harbor any bad feelings.

            Oh, who was she kidding? Gabe had dropped any romantic interest in Dani in a flash—so quickly that she wondered if she’d imagined his interest all along. He still flirted with her, but there was a slightly mocking tone to it, as if he dared her to take him seriously. Of course, she didn’t.  She couldn’t. Now he was simply a friend who liked to tease her—a good friend most of the time, and a meddling friend at times like these.

            Dani glanced at the businessman, who had asked the flight attendant if she had any Italian newspapers. She came back with a copy of Corriere della Sera. As Don Juan leafed through it, a photo on page three caught Dani’s eye; it was a stock shot of her father, Armando Forcelli. The headline read, drug use suspected in fatal joyride of hotel heir. Immediately, tears began to well up and Dani quickly fumbled in her bag for some tissue, hoping neither of her seat-mates would notice.

Several days earlier she’d learned that her father, the son of one of Italy’s most famous hoteliers, had died in a boating accident. As his sole beneficiary, she was in fact headed to the Forcelli family compound in Verona to attend her father’s funeral and sign some papers pertaining to his estate. She told herself there was no logical reason to feel so emotionally vulnerable.  She’d seen her father only a handful of times over the past dozen years, ever since … ever since she left Italy. Yet it was as if her feelings had climbed aboard a roller coaster and wouldn’t get off the tracks. She’d be fine for a while and then a memory would skirt by of her babbo carrying her on his shoulders down the long picture gallery … or taking her to a special place in the old city he said had the best gelato in all of Italy. She’d remember the scent of his cologne, just a hint of lemons and spice … and the feel of her small hand encased in his big warm one. Then the tears would start to flow and she’d wonder, panicked, if they would ever stop.

CAT'S REVIEW

I have to say - this one rocks!  "The Lair" was so much more than I expected it to be.  There is so much mystery and intrigue, I was guessing the whole time and couldn't wait to turn the page to see what would happen next and who it was!  It's a rollercoaster ride, never know what the next turn of the page will bring.  The main characters were quite likable and together they were terrific.  I loved how Dani tried to deny the romance, wanting to handle things on her own.  And Gabe was great!  He's a flirt but really a good guy that cares for Dani.  I am very impressed with Ms. Michaels' writing style and imagination and look forward to reading her other works in the future.  Although "The Lair"  is part of a series, it can be read as a stand alone.  I have not read the other books in the series yet but look forward it to doing so.   For readers that enjoy mystery and romance, this is one that I highly recommend!  (received copy for honest review)

★★★★★

Please Vote

A.B. Michaels' dual-genre series "Sinner's Grove" follows the family, friends and associates connected to a world-famous artists' retreat on the California coast.  While The Lair is a contemporary novel of romantic suspense, The Depth of Beauty (soon to be published) is historical fiction, set at the turn of the twentieth century. Both San Francisco and the retreat of Sinner's Grove are featured in the story.  

To read a free sample, visit https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/3MTD47701RSD4.  If you enjoy the sample, please nominate it for Kindle Press; if it's accepted, you'll receive a free download of the entire book.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Born and raised in northern California, A.B. Michaels holds master's degrees in history and broadcasting, and worked for many years in the public relations and marketing fields. An avid quilter and bocce player, she currently lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband and two furry "sons" who don't seem to realize they're just dogs.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads