Customer Reviews

Deadly Promise (Francesca Cahill Romance Novels)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Deadly Promise, set in 1902 New York City , is the 6th book in Brenda's Deadly Series. Francesca Cahill has returned to the city after taking a month vacation to think about her engagement to Calder Hart. Hart's brother, Police Commissioner Rick Bragg, is Francesca's other interest, but he is married, and his wife Leigh Anne has returned to their marriage, determined to make it work. On the night of her return to New York, Calder announces their engagement at a party. Also at the party, Francesca's aide Joel, has come to her for help in finding a missing girl from his neighborhood. So sets the stage for Francesca's latest mystery- who has been kidnapping young, beautiful, girls and why? As far as mysteries go, this is Francesca's best- she is determined to find these young girls and save them from a white slavery ring. Rick helps her as much as he can, but a tragedy strikes his family, and he must deal with the aftermath. Calder is the big surprise here- helping Fran with her sleuthing. But, then, we always knew Calder has a side to him that he doesn't show often- kind, generous, loyal.

Highly anticipated book!!! Brenda Joyce did not disappoint at all and the plot is even better. The dilemma that Fran is always in keeps reader on our toes and the murder mystery is more exciting than previous Deadly's. Calder is definitely the man, irresistable and very hot! They both must be in love with each other, but they just do not realize it. Brenda Joyce did a great job as the plot keeps us wanting for more yet satisfies readers who are great fans of Calder and Fran. This one had a particular great ending and just cannot wait for the next installment.

Only thing missing is the side story of Evan Cahill and Maggie. I think they are a great couple as well, much more so than the Baroness. Also, Leigh Anne's character seem to have taken a turn for the better and I do fell that she and Rick Bragg will make a good couple.

i am still drunk! drunk over hart and francessa that is!
i thought deadly caress was superb, i was wrong.
i have been anticipating this book over quite some time and it proved to be a great hit!
i am really ecstactic that hart and fran shared the you-know-what moment although hart could not bring himself to do it.
their love making was just stunnig!
nevertheless, it is quite obvious that hart is falling HARD for francessa HEAD OVER heels.
i am frankly delighted that hart remained faithful to fran for the past one month.
i absolutely disliked leigh ann until now.
i really hope that she does not die (for bragg), yet another part of me is wishing her dead. Good ridance.
the sad part is that hart and fran would get married a year later!and do you know what that means?
that means they wont be making love! for the next few books!
the solving of crime of missing girls was a real kick yet a bit of a blur for me.
sigh.
i wonder when the next book is out?
this series is driving me krazy.
keep up the good work brenda!

"Deadly Promise" is author Brenda Joyce's sixth installment, and one of her most suspenseful in the historical mystery/romance series featuring New York City debutante Francesca Cahill. Ms. Cahill, society bluestocking, and heiress to a considerable fortune, has done remarkably well so far as an amateur sleuth, NYC's first female private investigator and a major novelty in her chosen profession. It is only 1902, after all, and women still have seventeen more years before the United States Congress and Senate approve the 19th Amendment, giving them the right to vote. Francesca has solved the case of the City Strangler, the brutal Cross Killer, two child kidnappings, several murders, captured a stalker, and has earned the right to call herself "Crime-Solver Extraordinaire," as printed on her Tiffany embossed business cards. Of course she has had the assistance of her dear friend and former love, police commissioner Rick Bragg, to teach her the ropes. Unfortunately for the nascent romance, Rick's estranged wife, Leigh Ann, returned from a lengthy stay in Europe, and nipped it in the bud.

Calder Hart, Rick's half brother, wealthy art connoisseur, rogue and rake, shocked Francesca in the series' last installment by proposing marriage to her and promising to mend his ways. What astonished Fran even more than his declaration of marital intent was her decision to accept him...and I don't think she is on the rebound. Clearly the two are an eccentric match made in heaven. Not only do they share a firm friendship, she is Calder's first and only friend, but sparks fly when they're together. While Ms. Cahill is sorting out her complex feelings for Calder and Rick, and dealing with the former's precipitous announcement of their engagement, a number of beautiful adolescent girls are being abducted from the streets of Manhattan.

Francesca learns that lovely teenage Emily O'Hare has gone missing, and fears that the girl has been kidnapped. She quickly discovers that Emily is not the only young girl to disappear in the last few weeks. This new case is by far the most intense to date, as it deals with child prostitution, a crime both Calder and Bragg want to shield the young woman from. But, as usual, Fran is determined to find the girls and bring them home, if at all possible.

Sound like a soap opera? It is, in all but title! I have become hooked on the series, the developing characters and their ongoing, individual stories. Ms. Joyce got off to a shaky start but hit her stride a book or two ago, and continues to improve with "Deadly Promise." While far from perfect in terms of believability, this series, in classic soap style, is loads of fun even though it frequently stretches readers' credulity. These books actually seems more like installments in a serial novel than stand alone romance/mysteries. In fact, most of the characters are from the previous books and the mystery is part of the continuing storyline, involving Francesca, her family, friends and those who touch upon their lives. This approach suits very well and certainly has me returning for more.

If you are interested, I would suggest reading the previous Francesca Cahill novels before "Deadly Promise," as this is a continuing saga and extremely addictive. As I review this novel, I am reading the latest installment, "Deadly Illusion" and hope the author continues to write about Francesca, her family, Calder, et.al. So, come meet the folks and become involved in their lives, loves, traumas, mysteries, and the delightful historical setting of 1902-1903 New York City, with its society balls and glitter, the tenements and roughs, gambling halls and beautiful, exotic call girls. Seth Low, the mayor, was recently elected on a reform platform to fight the Tammany Hall machine, and the police commissioner he appointed took some of the actions the fictional Rick Bragg has taken and faced many of the same difficult issues Bragg faces in attempting to reform the terribly corrupt police department. If Ms Joyce takes the series past 1903, Rick will be out of a job as the next administration is a "Tammany beast." Perhaps, Bragg will use the opportunity to run for Senator. ENJOY!! I am.
JANA

After saying yes to Calder Hart's proposal of marriage, wealth society heiress Francesca Cahill disappears. When she returns, she meets up with Calder at a society function where he announces their engagement. Also at the party is New York City Police Commissioner Rick Bragg, the man Francesca loves and her fiancé hates. Even though Rick is married to the beautiful Leigh Anna, he feels betrayed that Francesca is going to marry his detested half-brother.

The object of both their affections is more concerned with her new case than matters of the heart. A beautiful young girl has disappeared while walking from her home to the store and her parents are frantic with worry. As Francesca, with the help of Rick and Calder, investigates the child's disappearance, they discover that more young girls have gone missing and they fear a white slavery ring is operating in the area. Francesca is determined to find the children and discover who is behind their disappearances even if it means putting her own life in danger.

Francesca is not the typical society debutant in 1902 New York City as she is a strong-willed, feisty crusader who believes in the causes she fights for and is determined to be more then as ornament, hence her job as a sleuth. The Francesca Cahill novels are always brimming with passion and history. DEADLY PROMISE is a delightful romantic mystery that will have readers so enthralled they will want to finish this work in one sitting.

Harriet Klausner

I would like to start off by saying that the "Deadly" series is my favorite. Although I would recommend reading them in order (this is the 6th book). This book will really keep you on the edge of your seat...the pages just fly by. I think that Calder Hart is an amazing character. I can't wait for the next installment.

I have to say that this is by far the best book in the series to date. I was so captivated by the mixture of feelings and the endless need to solve the case and be professional despite the confusion in Francesca's life. I can't wait to see what happens next

This was excellent. Brenda Joyce did an excellent job at keeping you off balance and almost breathless by the seduction scenes with Hart and the many ups and downs and turns in Francesca's life. I don't want Leigh Anne to be out of the story. I want Bragg totally tied up in that corner so Francesca will stay with Hart. There were times when I wanted to hit her over the head - my goodness - who wouldn't want Hart! Great story that had me waking up at 1:00 a.m. to finish it before getting up to the alarm clock this morning. I cannot wait until the next book - hopefully coming soon.

This whole series has me hooked! I have to say that this book is my favorite so far though. The relationship between Francesca Cahill and Calder Hart is steamy and I find myself rooting them on! This series has been hard to put down. I don't know what I will do when I am finished with it. Rick Bragg is by far the unluckiest guy in this series. He gains the love and admiration of beautiful Francesca and then his life changes when his "adoring" wife comes back into his life to make trouble, or is she hear to make amends? I can't wait to see if Leigh Ann actually survives her tragic carriage accident. A must read, but you should start with the first book in the series or you may be quite lost.

This 6th book is one of my favorites from the Deadly series. It continues on with Francesca's battle of emotions between the man she loves, the married police commissioner Rick Bragg, and his millionaire half brother Calder Hart whom she is starting to fall in love with and has become secretly engaged to in the last book Deadly Caress. You just fall in love with all the characters involved and become embroiled with what is happening. It's very fast paced and I can't wait for the next installment, but Miss Joyce said it would not be out until the beginning of 2005, since she has a new publisher. :(