Promises [Kindle Edition]

Marie Sexton (Author)

Book Description

Jared Thomas has lived his whole life in the small mountain town of Coda, Colorado. He can't imagine living anywhere else. Unfortunately, the only other gay man in town is twice his age and used to be his teacher, so Jared is resigned to spending his life alone.

Until Matt Richards walks into his life, that is. Matt has just been hired by the Coda Police Department, and he and Jared immediately become friends. Matt claims he is straight, but for Jared, having a sexy friend like Matt is way too tempting. Facing Matt’s affair with a local woman, his disapproving family, and harassment from Matt’s co-workers, Jared fears they'll never find a way to be together—if he can even convince Matt to try.

Product Details

• File Size: 625 KB
• Print Length: 228 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (January 7, 2010)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B003TJAVPS
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,888 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Convincing, expressive gay romance. So easy to enjoy. February 3, 2010

By R.Parklane TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

This is a well written, expressive and convincing romance. I like the small town setting, with its almost ordinary day-to-day atmosphere, the interaction and dialogue among the characters. The characters including the supporting ones are your ordinary Joes but that is where the attractiveness of the story lies. Jared and Matt are both likable and credible. I enjoy the well paced development of their relationship from friendship, undeniable attraction, to love and commitment. And sex is kept to the right balance (Thank You). The writer has also done a wonderful job "growing" these characters.

Matt is a cop in the closet but refuses to admit his sexuality as he fears the consequences from his homophobic father who still has him under his thumb. Jared may admit he is gay but he is so uncomfortable in his skin. He lives in fear of the consequences of living fully gay in his small town. So much so that he rather gives up his wish to be a teacher and lives looking after the family shop.
The beginning of their relationship is very well conveyed. Matt refuses to accept Jared and yet unwilling to lose him. Jared afraid to pressure Matt as it means living openly as a gay man and of course he is fearful of eventual rejection. The growth of these two vulnerable men as the story progresses is well done. The side characters are well intertwined into their story. Matt started off needing a shake-up but when he decides to come out and be with Jared he truly shines and actually become the stronger of the two. Jared finally overcoming his own inner struggles, accepts who he is and reaches for what he wants is uplifting. The chemistry between the two men is palpable and I love a story which is well narrated. This writer has a fine style and her writing is so easy to immerse in.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Promises February 1, 2010

By Sarah

Format:Paperback

Promises is a charming story about coming out, taking risks and falling in love. Loaded with much angst and bike riding, it was a very cool read.

Jared is out in his small town, but aware well aware that he is not always accepted as a part of his community. Initially it does not color his actions, but in the latter parts of the book it does provide a bone of contention between Matt and Jared as they try and make what they have together work. Matt has never been with another man in a long term sexual relationship, so a lot of the story is about him coming to terms with himself and his feelings for Jared. (I do have a penchant for this trope I think. I liked. A lot!!) I thought the authors treatment of the growing attraction between the two men was beautifully done and the slow building of smexual tension just made me sigh.

The rest of the book was reasonably well put together. At times the world building was a little light and a couple of the plot devices felt a little jarring, but I'm not sure how else you'd tie it all together to be honest. I also enjoyed it so much I kinda ignored that stuff.

Promises was a total winner and I can't wait to see what this author does next.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good but short April 10, 2011

By K. Brown

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I've been buying Kindle books like crazy since I got the app for my blackberry and PC. I just wish more of the type of books I love were longer. That's probably my only problem with this book. It was good, it was sweet, it was passionate and romantic...just too short! It's just more like reading a long story than an actual book. Maybe I'm just too fast of a reader.

More About the Author

Marie Sexton lives in Colorado. She's a fan of just about anything that involves muscular young men piling on top of each other. In particular, she loves the Denver Broncos and enjoys going to the games with her husband. Her imaginary friends often tag along. Marie has one daughter, two cats, and one dog, all of whom seem bent on destroying what remains of her sanity. She loves them anyway.

Visit Marie's website at http://mariesexton.net/
On Facebook: http://facebook.com/mariesexton.author
On Twitter: http://twitter/MarieSexton