The Velvet Promise (Richard Gallen Books)

by Jude Deveraux

[stacey_is_sassy]

Where Sassy’s love for historical romance began…

Once upon a time, a long time ago, there was a young girl called Stacey. On a day like any other, she was walking through her local shopping centre doing a little browsing. What does she see before her, but a magical *BARGAIN BIN* announcing *4 PAPERBACKS FOR $10.00*. Well, Stacey, she was a remarkably canny young lady and had saved all her spare dollars for a day like that day. She looked into the barrel and her eyes lit up. Gleaming, silky covers tempted her senses. She must look, touch, feel and read…



…and that was Stacey’s first introduction to sexy books and the beginning of her love of historical romance.

Wow, I can’t believe that was 28 years ago. I can still remember my gratitude afterwards, that Bookworld had those books on sale that day. At 16, there was no way in hell I would have stood in the romance section and checked out what was what. My love for Jude Deveraux and Julie Garwood started with that discount book bin.

The Velvet Series was one of my most re-read historical romance series when I was younger. Highland Velvet is my very favourite (Bronwyn, the heroine, had dark curly hair like I did at the time) but The Velvet Promise was a close second. The first time I read The Velvet Promise, I admit that I found it a little hard to take. As time went on and I matured, I flipped and flopped between loving it and absolutely hating it.

Gavin Montgomery, the eldest of the four boys is an absolute DOUCHEWAFFLE!! If any reader can get through the book without wanting to kick him in the shins at least once, I’ll eat my hat. I mean, the guy went to his wedding day loving another woman, for goodness sake. That still makes my blood boil!! Especially considering the insipid, simpering, nasty Alice was not a woman worthy of love.

Anyways, Judith, well she’s the kind of heroine that every historical romance heroine should aspire to be. She’s strong, courageous, beautiful and kind. The nicest thing (OR STUPIDEST BLOODY THING) she did was forgiving Gavin and his stupidity. She was young and inexperienced though, and their physical attraction made it hard for her to push him away.

Honestly, there are some VERY hard things to deal with in this story and some readers would probably run for the hills in a few scenes. When they first marry, Gavin takes her virginity (as was his husbandly right) which some would see as rape. Their physical attraction to each other eventually kicks in and Judith comes to enjoy it as much as Gavin. Judith also miscarries a baby at the hands of Alice’s treachery.

But, I am a devoted fan, and seeing as I’ve read it in Paperback and read it on my kindle, it was time to experience the audiobook. Last year I looked it up and listened to a sample and was a little shocked that it was an American narrator. I found it strange that they didn’t use an English one, to be honest. I decided to give it another go and I’m happy to say that I enjoyed it. If I had one issue, it was probably that Gavin’s “voice” could at times get a little nasally.

If you’re looking for a step back in time (both historical and an 80’s bodice ripper) The Velvet Promise is a great example. I am definitely going on with Highland Velvet. I can’t wait to see the fiery Bronwyn conquer Stephen Montgomery.