Promises Keep

I first read this story on the Ellora's Cave Website. I really liked the characters and after doing some research, I discovered that Sarah had written 2 more sequels to this story. I then purchased them all in paperback. I recommend them to everyone who enjoys a good western romance that will get your blood boiling. Now I am waiting for #4 about the Reverend.

If Sarah McCarty's Promises series doesn't make you want to lay down and beg for a cowboy, nothing will. McCarty's heroes are to die for sexy, intensly sexual and well developed emotionally. Her second book in the Promises series carries on where the first, "Promises Linger, left off with Cougar McKinnely as our hunky man of the moment. We saw him in the first installment, and thank goodness he gets his own story! Mara Kincaid is sold into virtual slavery to the Pleasure Emporium, a scum-of-the-earth bordello. After surviving an excrutiating and terrifying experience she escapes and wants nothing more than to begin building the respectable life she's always dreamed of. Barely remebering what has happened, she tries to move on by working as a dishwasher in Cheyenne. Doing her best to avoid all interactions with people , especially men, she nevertheless draws attention with her gentle beauty and, unfortunately, her bad reputation. Rumors have a way of creeping in and the townsfolk are only too ready to believe the worst of her. Cougar McKinnely watches Mara from afar, biding his time, waiting for the chance to confront the small spitfire and make her his own. Guilt and his conscience motivate him to watch over her, keeping her safe from any who would harm her, for he alone knows what really happened to her at the Pleasure Emporium. When the opportunity arises, Cougar rescues Mara from an errant cowboy bent on harming her and takes her to his childhood home, the home of the local doctor and his wife. From there begins their whirlwind relationship in which Cougar takes no chances with the independant and willful Mara, doing everything in his power to make her his to cherish, his to love and his to keep. Cougar was a wonderful man, wanting only the best for his wife. Sometimes his restrictions for Mara made her understandably stir crazy and the two test eachothers limits and patience more than once. After her awful experiences at the Emporium, Mara must learn to trust again. Cougar is more than willing to do all he can to make up to her what she went through. I loved Mara's determination and spirit, the fact that she never backed down to her domineering husband. Cougar definitely had his hands full, and his heart is severely tested towards the end of the book where he must face how to go on when Mara once again comes into danger. If you love Western romances, heck, even if you don't and are new to them, give this series a try. If you're not dreaming of cowboys and wanting one for you're own by the time you're through, well, there may be something wrong with you. The extra good news too is that there are more stories to come after the third book in the series, "Promises Prevail", a fact which has me smiling. Read these books. You won't be sorry!

Cougar McKinnely (or C-ooohh-gar as I've dubbed him) is one of the hottest heroes I've had the extreme pleasure to read. When Mara Kincaid escaped from the bordello she had been sold to, she vowed that she would live her life on her terms regardless of the fact that she is looked down upon by the townspeople who regard her as a fallen woman. From the moment Cougar saw Mara in the Pleasure Emporium, he knew that he had to make her his. Added to this is his guilt over the way that he became her first lover, even though Mara does not remember. Mara is unnerved by the way that Cougar keeps popping up wherever she is, determined to protect her. Why is this big, wild man paying so much attention to her? Ms McCarty has created a wonderful pair in Mara, with her fragile looks, but steely determination, and Cougar, the oh, so tender tough guy (ultra alpha alert here!), who captures her heart. Mmmmm. We also got the opportunity to pay visit to old friends, Asa, Elizabeth and Clint. Promises Keep is the second book in Sarah McCarty's Promises series, and if you thought that Asa from Promises Linger was hot, just wait till you meet Cougar. He'll melt the keys right off your computer and reduce you to a puddle of longing.

In PROMISES KEEP,Sarah McCarty writes a very emotional tale that captures your attention from Page 1. I felt every emotion Cougar and Mara were going through. PROMISES KEEP wrangles you into the old west that was 1869 Wyoming. Cougar and Mara are well fleshed out characters and Cougar is one of those rare heroes, especially for those times. Cougar is willing to do whatever it takes to convince Mara that she is the only woman for him and his forever, sigh. Cougar wants Mara the old fashioned way; he wants to earn it. Mara is an innocent, but she's a fighter and she definitely gives Cougar a run for his money. When Cougar and Mara do get together, you better have the AC on for their passion is as intense as the story itself. Learning to trust herself and trust Cougar is something that Mara must do for these two to once and for all accept that the love that is being given, is true love indeed. The secondary characters in PROMISES KEEP not only add immensely to the story, they play a big part in helping Cougar and Mara find the path of togetherness. We first met Cougar in PROMISES LINGER, the prequel to PROMISES KEEP. We are treated to see what is happening with Asa and Elizabeth from PROMISES LINGER, as well as many others, especially Cougar's friend, Clint. Clint's story, PROMISES PREVAIL, is next in the continuing saga of Sarah McCarty's men of the west and the women who love them.

Another HOT western historical romance from Sarah McCarty! Cougar McKinnely promises Mara Kincaid he's going to make everything alright,Mara tries to make him forget it. But Cougar always keeps his promises.You'll also get a glimpse of Asa and Elizabeth from Promises Linger. Promises Keep is the second in Sarah McCarty's "Promises" series. You can read this as a stand alone but theres no way you can stop at just one! You'll be anxiously waiting for the next book in this wonderful series. Sarah McCarty's writing pulls you in from the first page and refuses to let go till the last