THE
PROMISE – T. J. Bennett
Medallion Press
ISBN: 978-1-933-83696-6
May 2009
Historical Romance
Italy to Spain - 1525
In 1525, a Landsknecht (a professional soldier in
the service of Emperor Charles V; i.e. a mercenary) named Gunter
Behaim emerges from the pages of THE LEGACY (April 2008), bringing
us his own story in the pages of THE PROMISE...
Seventeen year old Alonsa Garcia de Aranjuez thinks
she is in love with the Gypsy Miguel, and she climbs out her bedroom
window one night to meet him. The nefarious Miguel wants Alonsa
badly and, using her innocence against her, tries to trick her
with angry and passionate embraces. Moments later Miguel lies
dead on the ground, but not before he bestows upon Alonsa a curse
upon any man who is foolish enough to love her...
Now, ten years later, Alonsa has buried two husbands.
Martin, her betrothed, lies dying from wounds sustained protecting
his best friend, Gunter. Martin has seen the love lights flicker
in Gunter’s eyes every time he looks at Alonsa, so with
a few painful words, he extracts a promise from the man he gave
his life for: Gunter must marry Alonsa.
But Alonsa refuses. She has now buried three men
who loved her, and she only wants to return to her father’s
home in Spain and live out her life as a widow. She will not be
responsible for one more man’s death. Alonsa would like
to become Gunter’s woman, his wife; he stirs feelings inside
her, but she dare not show them; instead, she asks that he set
her free.
But Gunter has a hunger for Alonsa that will not
allow him to grant her request. He is determined to keep her in
his sight and thus sets out on the long journey escorting her
to Genoa, where she will take a ship sailing for Spain and her
father’s home. Gunter is determined. He means to keep THE
PROMISE he made to Martin, or die trying. Alonsa lights a fire
inside him he cannot control, and it is a blaze that roars within
her soul as well. With each embrace, they take the chance of being
caught together without benefit of wedlock. Still, they must abstain.
Gunter will not compromise Alonsa with the stain of a fallen woman.
Alonsa will not allow herself to succumb to her passion lest Gunter
fall in love with her, which will give the Gypsy’s curse
the power to kill him. As they leave for Genoa, Martin’s
camp woman, Ines, accompanies them as Alonsa’s chaperone,
as does Gunter’s protégé, Fritz, who is falling
in love with Ines. It is a dangerous journey across the war torn
Italian countryside, but together they will take the chance of
reaching Genoa alive.
THE PROMISE is chock full of adventure, passion,
romance and humor in a story about the territorial disputes of
the Italian wars. The pages literally zip through your fingers
in the journey to finish this wonderful story. Although this tale
follows the pages of THE LEGACY, it is not a continuation. We
only have small mentions of Gunter’s family in Germany,
and THE PROMISE stands totally on its own merits. Gunter is a
fearless and noble soldier, and he is a hero you would want for
yourself. The fair Alonsa is the perfect princess who has seen
many terrible days in the ten years since her first experience
of innocent love. She truly believes in the curse and will not
see Gunter die because of it. The other characters are vibrant
and dynamic, and the story is an emotional and fun read.
I can't wait for Ms. Bennett's next book! THE PROMISE
is a definite winner!
Diana Risso
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