The Problem with Promises by Leigh EvansGenre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Mystwalker #3
Publication Date: February 25th 2014
ISBN: 9781250006424
Page Count: 400
Rating: ★★★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Lynsey & Janice
Buy Link: AMAZON
Synopsis: NEVER MAKE A PROMISE…
Robson Trowbridge, the Alpha of Creemore and my gorgeous mate, tries to protect me, Hedi Peacock, half-Fae, half-were, from all the trouble I get into. The thing is, my past is pretty messy and bad guys keep knocking down my door. Witches, thug bikers, the North American Council of Weres, dark magic Fae, and even an evil wizard are all after me. The Old Mage is the only one I really care about: He has my dear twin brother captive on the other side of the Gates of Merenwyn—not cool. So my alpha love is helping me to keep my promise to free my brother…
YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO KEEP.
Unfortunately, everyone who helps me ends up in a heap of trouble too—including my Trowbridge. Now, I admit I’ve had my moments as a shivering coward, hoping he will come to my brave rescue. The whole Prince Charming thing is hard to shake. But these bad guys after me mean business and those damsel in distress days are over. You know that “last straw” metaphor? That was two straws ago. It’s now or never. Again…
“A brilliant new take on fairies, werewolves, and magic…I am officially addicted."
—Chloe Neill, New York Times bestselling author
LYNSEY'S REVIEW
This is the one, guys! This is the book where all those readers who, like me, knew that Hedi had it in her to be BAD. ASS. can join me in an almighty righteous fist pump of celebration because Hedi is bringing it in THE PROBLEM WITH PROMISES! Do not get in her way!
We pick up immediately after the events at the end of the last book, dealing not only with the aftermath of Lexi’s forced return to Mernwyn, and Hedi’s subsequent guilt, but also the more immediate danger of NAW’s reaction to Trowbridge killing their emissaries, which was caught on film. It was great to jump straight back in likes this. What I particularly loved in this book was how we were finally able to see Hedi and Trowbridge together now that the shock of his return has subsided a little. I think they really needed this time together, both for Hedi to feel reassured that he actually wants to be mated to her, given the circumstances of how it came about, and also to allow readers to see their relationship development when under slightly less strain.
Of course, this being a Leigh Evans book, that “slightly less strain” part lasts all of ooooh...five minutes? And it’s not long before all hell is breaking loose once again - Car chases, explosions, kidnappings, blackmail, murder. It’s all here, folks. And with characters like these whom we’ve grown to love, it made for a high octane adventure, but one filled with warmth, love and a sense of family. It was pretty darn perfect.
I have to give a shout out to my girl Cordelia here. I know most people will focus on Hedi-Trowbridge, and of course I love all that stuff too, but I confess, the scenes in this book that brought a tear to my eye were between Hedi and Cordy. I won’t spoil them for you, but let’s just say there comes a time when you have to let the people around you know exactly what you think of them, and it was gorgeous to read. Especially since, at first, they didn’t strike you as even having the potential to form any kind of bond, let alone one so strong. I really adore these characters, and am sad to think there’s only one book left before the end!
Speaking of, the ending of this book was yet another jaw-dropping conclusion which has set us up perfectly for the final showdown in THE DANGER OF DESTINY. As sad as I’ll be, I still can’t wait to see how this series closes out and where all of my beloved characters end up. I’m hoping everyone makes it to the end, but knowing this author, anything is possible!
5 Stars ★★★★★ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
JANICE'S REVIEW
This is THE book!
It's been quite a rocky road for Hedi and Trowbridge. From the moment their paths recrossed in book 1 (The Trouble With Fate), it's been a steady stream of highs, lows, close calls and near-death experiences - and that was just the beginning! In The Problem With Promises, the series reaches new and crazy heights. It isn't just another book, it is THE book - the one we have all been waiting for.
Leigh Evans wastes no time throwing readers - and her characters - right back into the thick of things. Hedi and Trowbridge scarcely have a chance to catch their breath after the events of book 2 (The Thing About Weres) before they are once again up to their eyeballs in trouble. Forget downtime, and say goodbye to any fond dreams of cozying up in front of a fire enjoying a snuggle with your One True Thing. Hedi and Trowbridge have a date with destiny, and saying "no thanks, I'll take a raincheck" is not an option.
The action is non-stop. The danger is constant. EVERYTHING is on the line. EVERYONE is in danger. NO ONE is safe. It should have been utter chaos, but Leigh Evans doesn't skip a single beat. She deftly juggles all the different story elements to create what is, by far, her best book to date.
The shining star of Promises is undoubtedly Hedi. Her mouse-hearted days are officially over. She's tired of being caught in a tug of war between her Fae and her wolf, and she's had enough of this whole "knocked down, pushed around" business. After two books of abuse and self-doubt, she's finally digging her heels in, raising a defiant finger to fate, Karma, and all her naysayers, and taking a stand not only for herself, but for those she loves. I always knew she had it in her, but to actually see it happen on the page was so intensely satisfying, on so many levels, that even now, just thinking about it gives me chills. I was so damn proud of her! She's come such a long way as a character and it's been absolutely amazing making this journey with her. "Hedi rules", indeed!
And then there's Trowbridge. Oh, my darling Trowbridge! There's a reason he's my favorite alpha male werewolf, and in Promises, his awesomeness is on full display. Not only does he consistently show Hedi how much he loves, understands and appreciates her, exactly as she is, he makes sure everyone else gets the same message. There's a key scene near the halfway point when he growls out, "She is my mate. My. Mate." That one impassioned, powerful statement says it all. Because Trowbridge isn't just Hedi's One True Thing. She is his as well, and he'll do anything in his considerable power to protect and keep her safe.
All the action didn't leave much time for romance, but what moments there were, really counted. I had no trouble meeting my swoon quota, and I experienced many sigh-worthy moments when all I wanted to do was take a break so I could bask in the glow of what I'd just read. I didn't take a break, of course, and you won't want to either. You'll be so caught up in everything that's happening, you'll find any excuse to keep reading, because you simply MUST know what happens next.
Out of all the books in the series, this one was the most emotional for me. When my heart wasn't pounding from all the adrenaline and excitement, it was being tugged, squeezed, and sometimes outright pummeled by what seemed like an entire army of feels. It was fabulous and made me love the series - and the characters - even more.
The Problem With Promises did everything right. It pushed the action envelope, it gave the characters room to grow and shine, and most of all, it perfectly set us up for what is certain to be a dynamic and thrilling series finale.
Incredible. Absolutely incredible.
5 Stars ★★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Check out the rest of the book tour!
February 21 - That's What I'm Talking About (Twimom) - Review
February 24 - Little Read Riding Hood - Review
February 25 - The Demon Librarian - Joint Review
February 26 - Vampire Book Club - Guest Post
February 27 - Paranormal Haven - Interview
February 28 - All Things Urban Fantasy - Review + Interview
March 1 - Lazy Day - Review + Interview
March 2 - Under The Covers Book Blog - Interview
AUTHOR
Leigh Evans was born in Montreal, Quebec but now lives in Southern Ontario with her husband. She's raised two kids, mothered three dogs, and herded a few cats. Other than that, her life was fairly routine until she hit middle-age. Some women get tattoos. Leigh decided to write a book about a half-Fae, half-Were girl who's a magnet for trouble. The first Mystwalker novel was released as THE TROUBLE WITH FATE in 2012. Second and third books have quickly followed: THE THING ABOUT WERES and THE PROBLEM WITH PROMISES. At the age most people start thinking about retirement, Leigh's found her career slinging words and pummeling plots. A little tardy, but then again, her mum always said she was a late bloomer.
Start the Mystwalker series today!
Book 1: THE TROUBLE WITH FATE
Book 2: THE THING ABOUT WERES
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