The Promise by Tory Richards

Title: The Promise

Author: Tory Richards

Author Website

Release Date: April 2011

Publisher: Liquid Silver Books

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Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance

Blurb: Shannon Hayes’ husband David was killed in Iraq nearly a year ago, and now she must face her first holiday season without him. With a toddler in tow, she travels to the Vermont farm where the rest of the family has gathered for the holidays. There she comes face to face with the man who was with him when he died, and her destiny, his older brother Ryan.


For the first time in years, Ryan returns home to keep a promise he made to David—to take care of Shannon and their daughter. It’s a pledge Ryan is reluctant to keep because he’s been secretly in love with Shannon since first setting eyes on her. Their attraction to each other is instant, intense and soon the promise isn’t the only thing between them.

Welcome to Sizzling Releases, Tory Richards. I’m so pleased you could join me today.

What is The Promise all about?  

It’s a story that takes place at a Vermont farm during the holiday season, where a large family has gathered to celebrate. A Marine returns home to fulfill a promise he made to his dying brother, to take care of his wife. A woman he’s been secretly in love with for years.

My son is a Marine, I already love the story! How did you come up with the idea?  

I was married to a man who had 9 siblings, where as I only had one sister. During the holidays when we all got together I was able to witness the interactions going on and there was never a dull moment. The romantic elements in the story are strictly from my imagination.

As a multi-published author, what advice do you have for those just beginning a career as a writer? 

Never give up! You will receive rejections but learn from them and go on. And revise, revise, revise!

I know the readers will want to know about your backlist, Tory. What do you have available? 

Beginning with the first one published there’s Cupid’s Arrow, The Senator’s Daughter, It’s All in the Jeans, Wicked Desire, The Cowboy Way, All the Right Moves, Talk Dirty to Me, Breathless Surrender, Someone to Love Me, and Her Hands-On Man. I have another one due out sometime next year called The Mercenary Way.

Wow, you have quite a library there! What are you working on now? 

I have a couple projects in the works. Both short erotic romances. One about a plus size model and the other involves a motorcycle gang.

Do you have an evil day job, and if you do, how do you find time to write? 

Yes, I do work days. Writing is a hobby for me and something I do when I feel like it. Usually in the evenings and on my days off.

LOL You seem to have done quite a lot with that "hobby" of yours! What sparks your imagination and gets your juices flowing?

Anything can spark my imagination.

What does your family and friends think about you being a published author?

They’re the reason I pursued getting published, they gave me the encouragement I needed. They’re thrilled! Before that I was a closet writer. I didn’t tell anyone that I wrote because it was very personal and private to me.

It’s June and summer is upon us. Do you have any vacation plans?

Well, I just returned from a road trip to Maine (I live in Florida). I hadn’t been home in 13 years and it was time to reconnect with family. I might take a short cruise with a good friend, and then we have a family cruise planned for later on.

That sounds like fun. What is your favorite vacation memory?

Oh my goodness, there are so many! Before the grandkids came along my daughter and niece were my traveling buddies. We always have so much fun together. I don’t know that I can narrow it down to one, honestly. 

Men: Speedo or trunks? 

Trunks!

Ladies: Bikini, one-piece, tankini, or shorts and a t-shirt? 

Bikini

Lake, river, or ocean? 

Lake

Surfing or water skiing? 

Surfing

Snorkeling or scuba diving? 

Snorkeling

Thank you so much for being here. Is there anything else you’d like the readers to know? Only that I love hearing from them and thank you again for hosting me today.

My pleasure, Tory. Before we go, can we get a juicy excerpt from The Promise?  

With pleasure! And since you said juicy, I hope it’s not too hot.

EXCERPT: 

“I want to help you,” she insisted in a whisper, wondering why she was so

determined. Except, Shannon knew it was important that she save Ryan from himself. He was a prisoner of his soul.

“At three o’clock in the morning?” he snorted with heavy sarcasm. “You have no idea how to help me.” His hands tightened as if he couldn’t help it.

“Let me try,” she insisted, undaunted by the grit in his voice.

Shannon’s hands came up to rest upon his chest. She waited for him to push her

away, but he didn’t and she was forced to endure the scorching heat of his hard flesh. She felt his muscles flex beneath her palms. Recalling their passionate kiss outside the bar stirred her blood until a volcano erupted inside her. Was helping him just an excuse to enter his room? Maybe she wanted another kiss, or more, his hands on her. Intimate and exploring her into a mind blowing orgasm.

Why didn’t he push her away?

“Why does it matter so much to you, Shannon?”

“That’s what family is for.” Her voice was hoarse with emotion. “We’re here for each other.”

He stared down at her for a long moment. Shannon wondered what he was thinking.

“Family?” His harsh laughter seemed out of place in the dark. “I can look at you until my damn eyes fall out and I’d never see you as a sister. Even now—”

He cut himself off, as if it occurred to him that he was about to divulge something too personal, or perhaps a weakness.

A long time went by when all Shannon heard was the sound of their breathing, and the screech of an owl off in the distance. The house was deathly quiet. Finally, she couldn’t stand it any longer. “Are you okay, Ryan?” Shannon wanted to reach out and touch him, but she was afraid.

“You want to help me, Shannon?” Something in his tone warned her she should turn and run back to her room, but that same something excited her into staying. “This is the only way you can help me.”

In one smooth move, Ryan pulled her over to the bed with him and pushed her down, following her until he covered her with his half-naked body.

Gasping with surprise, Shannon found her mouth being ground beneath his. She struggled, but if he noticed, he didn’t let that or his split lip stop him from stealing her breath. Then his hands took hold of her wrists and pinned them to the bed. Against her will, she responded when he arched his hips into the lower half of her body. His thick, hard cock slid into the crevice between her legs and brushed against her clit.

Shannon moaned and became aware of other sensations brought upon by her

squirming. She arched in hunger, thrust against his erection with sharp accuracy, wishing they were naked and he was sliding into her. She moved her hips again, rewarded when Ryan ground his shaft against her.

He groaned and shuddered, slid his tongue inside her mouth, swallowing her sound of pleasure. For a spellbinding moment, they were caught up in the heat of the moment. She was no longer interested in freedom. Her hands weren’t pushing against his chest, but had gone to his shoulders and roamed his back in heated caresses, nails lightly scraping defined muscles. Her hips strained upwards to meet his as he ground his hard-on into the sweet, hot place between her thighs.

She welcomed his hand beneath her pajama top as he claimed her breast, palming the globe and flicking his thumb over the burgeoning nipple. Her response was wild and wanton, encouraged him to continue, as she silently begged him to do even more. Ryan tore his mouth from hers, pushed her top out of the way and took her nipple into his mouth.

“Oh, God!” Shannon hissed beneath him, in nothing more than a whisper. She

arched her back, holding his head against her flesh. She was throbbing below, where his shaft provided enough friction on her clit to make her burst with sweet release. His mouth returned to hers, and he kissed her savagely while his hand skimmed down her body, snaking inside her pajama bottoms and cupping her bottom. And Shannon thought, this is it, he was going to slide her bottoms down and take her.

All at once, a muffled noise penetrated their sounds of hunger. Ryan froze.

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A little about Tory Richards…

Tory is a multi-published, best-selling author who was born in Maine but lives in Florida with three crazy cats. She likes to travel, preferably by cruise ship, and doesn’t like to fly but she will if she has to. She collects antiques and art, loves chocolate (who doesn’t?) and good coffee.

Tory has wanted to be a writer since she was a kid, but life got in the way of her dreams. A few years ago, with the support and encouragement of her family, she decided to get serious. Her romances are laced with humor and filled with suspense and sizzling sex.

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