A Christmas Promise (Zebra Historical Romance) [Paperback]

Shelley Bradley (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

WHO CAN RESIST THE GIFT OF TRUE LOVE?

Headstrong Juliana Archer hasn't pictured herself widowed, penniless, and alone in India when she impulsively eloped with an Army colonel five years ago. But she believed life on her terms was far preferable to succumbing to her domineering father's wishes--and marrying the man of his choice, Lord Ian Pierce, who though dashingly handsome, was as overbearing as her father. Then Ian arrives in India with a surprisingly tempting request.

If Ian failed to convince Juliana of his love once, he's determined to do so now. He's not surprised when she resists his proposal of marriage, but takes heart when she agrees to spend each day of the journey home getting to know him. If Juliana can honestly say that she doesn't care for him by Christmas Day, he will withdraw his suit. Perhaps the magic of the Christmas season will persuade her that their love will be something to celebrate...every day of the years to come.

From the Author

I'm thrilled to announce this special holiday tale set in the Victorian English countryside. Juliana and Ian are a unique pair who must learn a great deal about love and compromise--with a little help from a most determined ghost. I hope you'll join me for this heartwarming Christmas read.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Zebra (October 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821771868
• ISBN-13: 978-0821771860
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,043,189 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

You know what they say about curiosity and the cat...but if you still want to know, read below.

Shayla Black (aka Shelley Bradley) is the national bestselling author of 30+ sizzling contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances for multiple print and electronic publishers. She lives in Texas with her husband, munchkin, and one very spoiled cat. In her "free" time, she enjoys reality TV, reading and listening to an eclectic blend of music.

Shayla has won or placed in over a dozen writing contests, including Passionate Ink's Passionate Plume, Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence, and the National Reader's Choice Awards. Romantic Times has awarded her Top Picks, a KISS Hero Award and a nomination for Best Erotic Romance of 2007.

A writing risk-taker, Shayla enjoys tackling writing challenges with every book.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Got me in the Holiday Spirit, December 23, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: A Christmas Promise (Zebra Historical Romance) (Paperback)

This year I bought a couple of Christmas books to get me in the spirit. I read this first because it looked most interesting. A Christmas Promise didn't disappoint.

Juliana knew her father was trying to manipulate her into marriage with Ian. She'd known Ian since childhood, so she knew him well enough to realize Ian was manipulating her to the altar too. Some women might find this pursuit romantic and think she's stubborn for not giving in much sooner. I disagree. The truth was, Juliana didn't trust Ian or her own feelings, and she knew Ian had a habit of lying to her to get what he wanted. Why trust a man like that?

This is a complicated relationship that Shelley Bradley plays out convincingly. If it had happened any faster or in any other way, I wouldn't have believed it. The story was handled with skill, and I'll be looking forward to this author's next book.

3.0 out of 5 stars Not really a merry read for me, November 30, 2010

By 

Flower Girl (MN, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Christmas Promise (Zebra Historical Romance) (Paperback)

I have to agree with one of the reviewers that this book dragged too long based on just couple of lies. I also thought the heroine was an unlikable character--She was stubborn and impetuous. Although she valued her freedom and independence highly, hated anyone (even her father and her long-time neighbor Ian) to "manipulate" her life, disregarding whether it was out of their love for her or not. Unfortunately, most of her willful decisions turned out to be with terrible consequences. This non-sensible female really did not deserve Ian's steadfast love in my eye, I felt it was a very lop-sided courtship. But I did like the hero and his romantic determination of wooing his intended.

4.0 out of 5 stars intense chemistry!!, September 28, 2001

By 

Elizabeth Benway (Westville, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Christmas Promise (Zebra Historical Romance) (Paperback)

Ian Pierce and Juliana Linford had been childhood friends but Ian's feelings for Juliana became much stronger as they grew older. When Juliana desires to marry someone else against her father's wishes, the men in her life scheme to stop the marriage. Furious, Juliana weds and moves away to India with her
new husband.

Five years later, still devotely in love with Juliana, Ian discovers she is now a widow. Juliana's father's health is precarious so with his approval, Ian sets out to bring Juliana home to be with her family in time for the holidays.

However some things never change, Ian is still very much in love and desperately wishes to wed Juliana. And Juliana is still headstrong and determined not to let her father, or Ian, control her life by forcing her to wed someone she herself has not chosen.

Set in the Victorian era, this book is truly intriguing. And despite the fact that the heroine was very stubborn, I could not help but enjoy this story as the chemistry between the hero and heroine was intense. Also I loved the hero, he was so true to his heart I swooned just thinking about him. Sigh!