Saturday, April 4, 2015

BLOG TOUR REVIEW - Impossible Promise (Impossible Promise #1) by Sybil Bartel


Impossible Promise by Sybil Bartel 
(Impossible Promise #1) 
Published by: Carina Press (HQN)
Publication date: March 23rd 2015
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:
Three years ago, Layna Blair listened in horror over a telephone line as her parents were murdered. When the killer said she was next, Layna panicked and made a deadly deal—his secret in exchange for her life. She’s paid the price every day since, becoming a prisoner in plain sight.

Marine Sergeant Blaze Johnson offers Layna a way out—her freedom, his rules, no questions asked—and she takes it, despite knowing what her keepers do to people who get too close. She doesn’t know Blaze is fighting his own demons or that beneath his warrior façade is a man on the verge of breaking.

Embarking on a wild revenge mission with Blaze and his smooth-talking best friend, Talon, is not what Layna signed on for. But attempting to run when Blaze has made no secret he intends to make her his is a reckless mistake. With the killer closing in, it’s up to Blaze to save them all—and to Layna to realize that she’s risked the one thing she can’t afford to lose.

Book one of two / 93,000 words

Heat level: Steamy; not for under 17, it has open door sex scenes.



Purchase: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

AUTHOR BIO:

I grew up in Northern California with my head in a book and my feet in the sand. I dreamt of becoming a painter but the heady scent of libraries with their shelves full of books drew me into the world of storytelling. I love the New Adult genre, but any story about a love so desperately wrong and impossibly beautiful makes me swoon.

I now live in Southern Florida and while I don’t get to read as much as I like, I still bury my toes in the sand. If I’m not writing or fighting to contain the banana plantation in my backyard, you can find me spending time with my handsomely tattooed husband, my brilliantly practical son and a mischievous miniature boxer…
But Seriously?
Here are ten things you probably really want to know about me.
I grew up a faculty brat. I can swear like a sailor. I love men in uniform. I hate being told what to do. I can do your taxes (but don’t ask). The Bird Market in Hong Kong freaks me out. My favorite word is desperate…or dirty, or both—I can’t decide. I have a thing for muscle cars. But never reply on me for driving directions, ever. And I have a new book boyfriend every week—don’t tell my husband.

Author Links: Twitter | Website | Facebook | Goodreads


I found this to be an interesting story, and I realize that sounds ambiguous, but that's the only way to describe my thoughts. I felt like Layna and Talon had more of a connection than she and Blaze did; but maybe that's just the situation with Blaze's mom. This book has plenty of action, and a surprising twist about Layna's parents. I was thrown off by how quickly Blaze inserted himself into Layna's life, I'm not sure how many people would be willing to go to those lengths to protect a stranger. And then to drag his best friend Talon into the situation? Even more bizarre. Especially considering the reason that Blaze is back in Florida, that should have been his primary focus.

I could understand why Layna is confused when it comes to how she feels about both Blaze and Talon, given everything she's been through over the previous 3 years. But at the same time, I think the story could have been more plausible if Layna was actually a little closer in age to Blaze and Talon that she really is.

The ending of the book left me feeling...unsettled. The entire book, Layna is doing what she can to escape the hell she's been living for 3 years, and two chapters everything is supposedly wrapped up, but we're not told the real identity of Miami. The ending just seemed rushed.
Book provided in exchange for honest review.

2 comments:

  1. Wow, this book sounds soo good!! Your review has me super curious about Layna's relationship to both Blaze and Talon! Awesome review! I'll be adding this to my TBR! (:

    Pearl @ AsteriskPearl's Book Blog

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  2. This sounds like a very character driven story and those are often my fav reads! Glad you liked it, Nicole! :)

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