The Promise

By: Joan Swan

Congratulations to "Susan T." the winner of Joan's giveaway. Thank you to all who participated!

*Contains adult content

At several points in my decade-old writer’s learning curve, I’ve heard the term “promise”.  The concept relates to a promise the writer gives the reader at the outset of a story and relates to the type of read a writer is offering the reader, whether it be a non-stop thriller, an investigative tangle or a tantalizing seduction.  And promise can be offered in a variety of ways, through content, voice, premise, structure.  That is up to the discretion and creativity of each individual author.

I was reminded of the promises we make our readers during an intensive writing course I took with Margie Lawson at her home in Golden, Colorado.  I was revising BLAZE at that time and after rewriting the beginning passage--several times--I read it aloud to the other participants.  This particular section, written in the point of view of my heroine, an FBI sharp-shooter, gave her no-holds-barred narrative opinion of another commander on the scene, which included expressions such as “he had a dick the size of a peanut and had to compensate by making everyone else’s life a living hell.”

Margie tipped her head, frowning.  “You’re making quite a statement there about your heroine.  You’re promising the reader something with her demeanor and her dialogue,” she said.  “Is she going to live up to it?”

I had to think about it, but only for a second.  “Yes.”  I nodded, resolute.  “She’s quite a handful.”

And she is.  All the way through the novel.  One I hope the reader can’t help but love.

Here is another quick peek at Keira…

Luke only half-expected a valid response to his demand, so it didn’t surprise him when Keira pushed back instead.

She narrowed her eyes and leaned away, as if the distance gave her a better perspective. “Who the hell are you? You sure as shit never talked to me like that before, and you have even less right to talk to me like that now. So curb your attitude, Agent, unless you want a big fat harassment write-up in your personnel file.”

“Save it for someone you scare, Agent, ’cause it sure ain’t me. We both know something ugly is going on here. Considering this involves me on a personal level, I’m owed an explanation.”

She snorted a disgusted laugh. “Good luck with that.”

“You’ve still got a talent for top-shelf sarcasm.”

“Reserved for the privileged few who earn it.”

He’d had enough banter. “Listen—”

“No, you listen. I am not one of your ATF groupies. I do not respond to your orders. You have obviously forgotten that you are no longer my supervisor—not that I ever listened to you when you were, but that’s beside the point. You have also forgotten that I don’t like being bossed around.” Her voice dipped in warning. “Let me assure you, that hasn’t changed.”

A wave of respect washed his anger down a notch. He couldn’t remember the last time someone talked back to him. All his relationships after Keira—if they could be called that—had been more about distraction than challenge. And watching her eyes sparkle at him with attitude and force now, he realized how much he’d missed it. Damn, he’d loved that spunk. That independence. The way she never let him get away with any bullshit. It still pissed him off, but with an edge of excitement that flipped a switch on his sorry-assed life.

He took a slow breath to tame his temper. “You have also, evidently, learned the politically correct way to tell someone to fuck off.”

What author or a book can you think of that makes a tough promise up front and delivers in the end?

Joan will be giving away a paperback of BLAZE to one winner in the US/Canada.

BLAZE

Book 2

The hotter they come, the harder they fall…

With a man like him, every mission becomes personal…
Ever since FBI agent Keira O’Shay started tracking a young boy named Mateo, she’s felt a connection even her empathic abilities can’t explain. Sheneeds to save Mateo from the cult leader holding him hostage. Nothing can interfere with that—not even the reappearance of Luke Ransom, the hot-as-hell fire captain she’s regretted walking out on for three long years.

Losing Keira left Luke vulnerable—in every way. When they were together, the powers each possesses were mysteriously enhanced. But it’s the sexy, surprising woman beneath the tough exterior that Luke’s really missed. Even if she betrayed him utterly. And even if agreeing to help her uncover a government conspiracy means watching his life and his heart go up in flames again…

Purchase Links:

Amazon / Amazon Canada / Barnes & Noble / B-A-M / Book Depository
Chapters / IndieBound / Powell’s

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Giveaway ends 11:59pm EST Sep. 30th. Please supply your email in the post. You may use spaces or full text for security. (ex. jsmith at gmail dot com) If you do not wish to supply your email, or have trouble posting, please email maureen@justromanticsuspense.com with a subject title of JRS GIVEAWAY to be entered in the current giveaway.