The Wedding Promise by Karen Rose Smith

The Wedding Promise
Book 8 of the Search For Love series

by

Karen Rose Smith

Official genre of book: Women's Fiction Romance
Cover Designer: Judy Bullard


Beth Crandall has known trauma. Kidnapped from her birth family when she was three, abandoned at a mall by her kidnapper a few months later, traumatic amnesia has prevented memories from plaguing her as she was adopted and ushered into a "normal" life. But a twist of fate reunited her with her birth family recently and now she's attempting to move forward in a way she couldn't before.

As a teenager, Beth's face was scarred in an attack at a group home where her best friend lived. Now Beth is seeing a plastic surgeon, Dr. Sam Benedict, so he can removed the scar. Sam volunteers his time to the foundation Kids Cause which sends doctors all over the world to help children. Sam, who came from an abusive home, feels children need to be listened to and fixed. He and Beth connect on a deep level from the first moment they meet.

Beth has believed a romantic relationship is impossible for her given her background. But during integration into her birth family and throughout a search for her teenage best friend, Sam remains by her side. He helps to heal more than the scar on her face. Neither of them realize that Beth's search for her friend with the help of psychic Gillian Bradley (continuing character from other SEARCH FOR LOVE books) will land them in a fight for their lives.



Beth Crandall knew what she was doing even if everyone else in her life didn't believe she did.

Seated in the plastic surgeon's exam room on a mid-January morning waiting for a consultation, she felt a little bit anxious. But in her thirty years she'd known a heck of a lot more fear and anxiety than this.

In the past two months, she'd seen more than a few changes in her life since she'd been reunited with her biological family. Being reunited with her sister and parents had been daunting. Moving to York, Pennsylvania, to get to really know them had been a huge adjustment for everyone. Especially for her adoptive parents.

The door suddenly swished open and a tall, broad-shouldered, lab-coated physician strode in. Reading his name tag, she saw that this was the specialist she'd come to see, Dr. Samuel Benedict.

Her gaze went to his face and she was taken aback for a moment by his piercing blue eyes. She looked away, but not before she'd gotten a glimpse of thick black hair, a little longer than most physicians wore it, and a face that was craggily handsome.

He held out his hand and she studied it a moment before she took it. She didn't give her allegiance, trust, or friendship easily...for very good reasons.

"Beth Crandall?" he asked, making direct eye contact.

This time she didn't look away. "Yes."

His dark brows furrowed. "I'm a little confused. I have two names listed here. Present day charts from your family physician in Pittsburgh, but then a folder with old records under the name Lynn Thaddeus."

How was she going to explain this in two easy sentences?



Amazon USAmazon Int'lGoodreads


While this is part of a series, it carries itself well as a stand alone novel of many layers.
The beginning is sweet, and heartwarming, and an easily read romance story not only about a girl who was afraid to allow men to get close to her, due to a traumatic childhood incident, but also about other kinds of love a person needs in their life.
Beth is not the only one with scars and insecurities.
After reading this lovely novel I will be reading the rest of the series. I care deeply about each character.

One reason I wanted to read this story is because of the psychic angle. Gillian is unlike any other psychic I have seen portrayed in light fiction. Book one in this series, Nathan's Vow, Gillian's story, may be the next I read, although many others recommend Her Sister (Search For Love series Book 7) since I did not read this series in order.
The characters are addictive! I want to get to know them all better.

As I stated, it begins sweet and lovely and gets more romantic as we go along, when Beth meets the dashing Dr. Benedict, but then -- things take a chaotic and tumultuous turn! Not only for Beth, the focus of this novel, but for EVERYONE around her!
I can't wait to read more about Clare and Joe and what happens after Shara.... wait, no spoilers.
You have to become intrigued on your own. Just trust me, this is not a predictable romance.

I would not say there are triggers in this book, but if you have had trama or abuse or a bumpy road in your past, there are moments that could bring you to tears. Author Karen pulls no punches. Just as Beth has to face her past to figure out her future, the reader may experience some emotions and memories as we relate to Beth's experiences, and those of her families.
As the book progressed I found myself drawn in deeper and more concerned about what decisions would be made and even if life would cooperate.

I was given a copy of this book to review but I also own others by this author.
Her writing entertains, allows me to escape, but also draws out an emotional response.
This is a book you'll want to discuss with friends.







Award-winning author Karen Rose Smith was born in Pennsylvania. Although she was an only child, she remembers the bonds of an extended family. Since her father came from a family of ten and her mother, a family of seven, there were always aunts, uncles and cousins visiting on weekends. Family is a strong theme in her books and she suspects her childhood memories are the reason.

In college, Karen began writing poetry and also met her husband to be. They both began married life as teachers, but when their son was born, Karen decided to try her hand at a home-decorating business. She returned to teaching for a while but changes in her life led her to writing romance fiction. Now she writes romances and mysteries full time.

Presently, she is hard at work on two mystery series—her Caprice De Luca Home Staging series as well as her Daisy's Tea Garden mysteries. When she isn't writing, she cares for her four rescued cats and assorted strays, cooks, gardens and photographs all. She enjoys interacting with her readers on social media.

Married to her college sweetheart since 1971, believing in the power of love and commitment, she envisions herself writing relationship novels, both romance and mystery, for a long time to come!






Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Three Days To Forever ~ Lauren Carr

A Fanciful Twist's 8th Annual Virtual MAD TEA Party Extra special, as it is the 150th anniversary of Alice in Wonderland ♥

Alicia Connected: Tricked with Treats by Derek Fisher