Suzan Tisdale

Brogan's Promise by Suzan Tisdale is a one of those WOW stories, that you never forget. Book #3 but can be read as a stand alone.

I absolutely loved everything about this story, yes, including the villian. What an amazing read, well worth the wait. I couldn't put it down, read it in one setting. An edge of your seat kind of book!

Well written with an enjoyable cast of characters who are strong and brave. The plot is most intriguing. The H/H are a good match. The story flows seemingly. Ms. show more Tisdale did an outstanding job in bringing across to the reader the consequences of alcoholism to family, friends and the struggles to overcome. What a gut-wrenching tale of grief, despair, betrayal, mystery, and romance.
Ms. Tisdale manages to give readers a glimpse, with clarity, of the cause and effect of alcoholism. The suspense in "Brogan's Promise" is breathtaking, as well as intriguing. I am in awe how Ms. Tisdale managed to pull this story together with all the different facets and made the reader feel as though they were right with the heroine as she fought her demons, came to terms with her weakness, and grief, to find healing and learn the truth of the tragic event that changed her life forever. I don't believe Brogan could have been anymore determined, patient or kinder to his new bride, even after the tragedy she believes was her fault. He was a savior in more ways than one. An absolute true hero in every sense of the word.
Have tissues at the ready as you will need them. I absolutely would recommend "Brogan's Promise"!! Well done, indeed, Susan Tisdale! I can't wait to read the next installment. A definite keeper and must read.

Rating: 5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR show less

[b:Ian's Rose|31363628|Ian's Rose (The Mackintoshes and McLarens #1)|Suzan Tisdale|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1470529299s/31363628.jpg|52048240] by [a:Suzan Tisdale|5406631|Suzan Tisdale|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1444792231p2/5406631.jpg]
Genre assessment: Adult, Historical, Humor & Comedy, Romance, Suspense.
4.5 Stars.

There was a small section about midway that lagged just a bit. It was enough to cost the story half a star. Since I round down at the .5 mark, instead of up, show more it made this 4 stars. That is the ONLY negative I found for this story.

Beautifully and extremely well written Scottish brogue. This puts you in the proper mind frame of where and when the characters are. It makes the characters come alive and gives the world build depth.

The flow is smooth and fluid.

It starts off with a teaser of suspense that the story will build on.
There is so much well placed humor you find yourself laughing out loud. Just to give you a taste, here is a scene where Fredrick has just beat the snot out of his brother Ian (who is drunk) and deposited him in front of Rose.

“He must kill me,” Ian told her.
“He must keep his word because I did no’ keep mine.”.....
..... “Why did ye feel the need to,” she stumbled for the right words. “To beat him senseless?”
“Someone had to.”
“Frederick be the most honorable man,” Ian chimed in.

The interaction between the two main characters, Rose and Ian, is funny and delightful. They will have you laughing and cringing. Both are great characters.

There are characters from previous books included in this story. Not only do they add depth, but they make you want to read their stories, too. You don't have to read them to enjoy this story. You just want to.

The intimate scenes between the two main characters are done with taste and feeling.
The suspense builds to a excellent crescendo.
There is no cliffhanger, as this is a stand-alone, even though the characters show up in other books.

As you can see, I loved it. Maybe I should have given it 5 stars, but I am going to stick to my 4.5. show less

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: I loved this emotional, multi-layered tale of a love which withstands Ian’s self-doubt, belief in his unworthiness, and his stubborn-headed decision to stay clear of Rose. Outside danger threatens to shred their new understanding and new beginning.

Rose knows she loves Ian, but also knows she can’t give him children, for she is unable to carry beyond her 3rd month. How can a man love a woman enough to forego any hope of bairns? Rose is a feisty, spirited woman, show more passionate in nature and deeply in love with Ian. A woman no finer.

The first scene sets the tone of Ian’s love. Narrator Brad Wills uses a soft intimate and loving tone in the first dialogue between the two. A secret betrothal is made between the two and a month later Ian breaks the betrothal sending Rose into a spiraling depression edged with lots of anger.

Ian’s reasoning is simple. He can’t offer Rose the kind of life she should have—no large keep or pretty clothes. He is but a warrior and that’s all he’s good at, his justification for his actions. Luckily, Rose is given solace by her best friend, Aggie, wife to Ian’s brother Frederick, who also has a strong will.

We are privy to some really cute scenes when Rose doesn’t exactly tell the truth. These discussion are difficult for Ian and Rose, but, truthfully, they were fun to listen to. The narrator entertains us with his flexible impersonations for each character. From an agitated, upsetting Aggie who is unable to control her speech impediment of stuttering, to a more than drunk Ian, drinking his woes of not having Rose – the love of his life, to a maniacal laugh of a man of greed and seemingly unhinged.

Once Ian and Rose cross the hurdle of marriage they are asked by Aggie and Frederick to rebuild a keep Aggie has inherited and have Ian be the interim chief for the keep until Aggie’s son is old enough to be clan chief himself. This is a perfect solution to Ian. He now can provide a life for Rose They accept this opportunity, although it will be difficult for them. Ian is buoyed and tackles the project with both McLarens and Mackintoshes on the McLaren’s land.

Hardships of building a new keep and forging a strong bond between the Mackintoshes and McLaren is a great burden to both Ian and Rose. The keep is starting to come together. But evil lurks out beyond the temporary walls. Rose is taken hostage by the new chief of the Bowie clan. He’s a man who is used to thieving and stealing from his neighbors. So why not the wife of clan who has money? Greed is a very dark motivator which brings pain and death to many.

Snakes lie within walls. You will love the intrigue. Loyalty can be bought. It can also be gotten by other means. Who is truly loyal?

Friendship is a keep element in this story. The secondary supporting characters who go beyond what is expected are a compelling force in their own right. They shall have their story in book two. Tisdale included the prologue of book two to the listen. I’ll be eagerly reading book two real soon! Book three just released this last week. show less

In my heart I want to give it less stars, but the writing was decent (a little strained on too modern language in the prose and perhaps a little too outlander on the quotes). The story moved. There was rationality to it. I liked the bloody storyline. But then, on the last page, the bloody story doesn't end. It doesn't even wrap up part 1. It just stops.

Begin rant (not just to Ms. Tisdale): Note to authors: A series does in fact continue from one book to the next, but a complete novel--even show more in such a series--has a complete plot that is RESOLVED in each book. Overarching problem in the series takes the whole series to satisfy. Fine. But stop with the incomplete books just so you can publish faster and get more $$ for your books. Honestly. I'm done with it. I won't read the rest of the series because I feel like it's one big middle finger to the reader. I'm done with these types of books. And I'm going to have to actually start researching books better before I buy something that sounds good to find out whether it's a complete work of fiction or not. I'm over it.

End Rant.

If you like Outlandery types of books and don't mind when people cut off in mid-.

Annoying, isn't it? show less