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70 of 76 found the following review helpful:
Promises Unspoken review Jun 01, 2006
By R. Alexander
Promises Unspoken
April 25, 2006
Readers familiar with S. D. Valyan's romance titles know the emphasis the author places on characters. Her writing depicts events as they could happen in the reader's life, with characters one would expect to meet in the real world. Promises Unspoken (2006; Rogue Publishing) is no exception; its story logic is sound, settings enhance the drama, and the protagonists act and speak as do real people. If anything, Valyan has upped the degree of characterization and plot development from her previous best, Whispers from the Heart (2004: Rogue Publishing). As such, Promises Unspoken deserves consideration as one of this year's best romances, and should be on the reading list of fans of stories involving confident black women and gentlemanly white men.
In the novel's preamble, we meet athletic and blue-eyed Jason O'Connor, as well as his preschool-aged twin niece and nephew, Niki and Trey, as they attend the funeral for his brother, Nathan, on a rainy afternoon on Long Island. Unlike Nathan, who drove the O'Connor business empire without thought to integrity or consideration towards others, Jason is a businessman with a moral compass. He has power and wealth at his fingertips, and is responsible for managing the corporation his brother has left behind, yet he wishes for a life of contentment with loved ones. Unfortunately, arrangements by others have left him unenthusiastically engaged to a beautiful blonde socialite, Melanie Bandicroft, who doesn't respect him and whom Jason increasingly dislikes. As we'll see, there is a naive quality to Jason, befitting a man who is not prepared to trade familial happiness, should he ever find it, for success at any cost. Instead, fate has seen to it that he's surrounded by people who don't share such views. The business world demands his success, and the people closest to him, whom he should be able to rely upon, aren't trustworthy. Given the loss that he and the two children have just experienced, as well as ongoing business issues punctuated by recent attempts on Jason's life, we can't help but conclude that the three of them are a family-in-waiting of sorts, incomplete and paralyzed by grief.
Erica Mitchell is a private investigator with a special talent. Accidentally hired to be Jason's live-in bodyguard until his would-be assassin is discovered, she, like Jason, finds herself torn between two realities, in her case, a life of intrigue and danger among society's elite, and a private, loveless, existence. As we meet her, Erica intends to escape all this for good by, of all things, using the earnings from this final assignment to buy a cabin in Colorado and live out her days away from people and the world. Although blessed with delicate features accentuated by dazzling almond eyes, mocha skin, and a slim yet powerful figure, she's unable to conquer her past and recognize in herself what charms Jason throughout the novel. She is not only beautiful, but has the heart and desire for a family of her own. Erica's fascinating ability to understand people, which is tied to her disturbed family past, is so subtly described as to leave the reader wondering if there's less here than more, if maybe they've misread each passage in which this is addressed. Without giving away the secret, it's sufficient to say that Valyan's decision to underplay this is the right way to go, as is providing a convincing explanation near the novel's end.
While the novel begins with crafted characters, Valyan leaves Erica's and Jason's evolution to themselves. Not often seen in genre fiction, this approach removes the author's presence to enhance the illusion of witnessing real people and situations. Every thought Erica and Jason have about the other, every passage of dialog between them, and every action they take with and against one another weaves more complexity into their tale. Even near the end of this lengthy novel, we'll see new sides to the both of them, and be gratified by the growth of their relationship. Their mutual attraction and doubts, shared experiences with the twins, and their dealings with the unsavory Carl Burgese will do their part as well. Along the way, one finds oneself pulling for Erica and Jason at every turn, regretting their mistakes and thrilling in their triumphs.
The potential for Erica and Jason is sometimes most vividly offered through the eyes of the least influential characters in the novel, the O'Connor twins. Immediately upon Erica's arrival into their motherless lives, she eases their suffering at the hands of their strict, almost sadistic, nanny. But while adults scheme against their uncle and Erica, Niki and Trey comment to and about the couple, as if on behalf of the reader. Thus we see how Erica awakens Jason's yearning for companionship and family. Their innocent prodding of Erica about Jason constantly warns her about becoming too close to the three of them, and how painful it will be to leave when the time comes. Since Valyan cleverly assigns various traits of Erica and Jason to Niki and Trey, the children sometimes act as substitutes for one adult while with the other. The results are endearing and provide a subtle link between Erica and Jason when they're at their most distant.
A model family is not what Carl Burgese sees in Erica and Jason. In fact, it's not an exaggeration to describe him as the antithesis of everything they stand for. Nathan's former right-hand-man now answering to Jason, Carl despises Jason for his mild disposition and inner strength. The twins are a nuisance to Carl, hardly worth his notice except for their importance to Jason. Erica is unwelcome and hated, not only for her contribution to Jason and the twins' happiness, but because she knows more about Carl and his bisexual affairs with Melanie and her associates than can at first be explained. Far from being cardboard villains, Carl and Jason's fiancee are portrayed as being as ruthless and twisted as Erica and Jason are wholesome and loving. Their machinations and bizarre sex games, all behind Jason's back for most of the novel, are decidedly not family reading. Accentuated with humor and irony, Carl's and Melanie's predictable downfall will comfort readers in the knowledge that what goes around comes around.
Readers looking for steamy encounters early in the novel might be disappointed, but they can rest assured romance is never far from Erica's and Jason's minds. Although their personalities dovetail and their kisses are breathless, they'll have quite a wait before Valyan sees fit to put them in each others' arms and beds; indeed, their lovemaking begins well past the novel's halfway point. Surprisingly, several more such passages then follow in quick succession. The reward, for character and reader alike, is worth the wait, as each encounter is more evocatively portrayed than the last and reinforces the couple's turmoil. In a novel with less emotional substance, these scenes would be considered graphic, but given the characters' frustrations and profound longing for one another, readers will savor the love they share. Every emotion and physical sensation is detailed, yet Valyan doesn't place the reader in a position of feeling voyeuristic. By this point in their development, we know Erica and Jason so intimately that their lovemaking is not only appropriate, but may be seen as overdue. The cuddling which occurs afterwards, as well as Jason's continual desire for them to have children, ensures readers appreciate the depth of their affection. Nor does it go to waste, as Valyan uses their attraction and confusion to set up the reader for heartbreaking events to come.
It's pleasing to note that Valyan resists allowing race to dominate Promises Unspoken. Readers are assumed to be aware of interracial relationships and are therefore trusted to understand what is happening and in varying contexts. By stating less, more is said. A temptation not avoided by all authors of this genre, Erica's and Jason's story remains one of action and romance rather than social commentary. However, its themes and conclusions form a morality tale consistent with past Valyan novels.
The author takes the same careful approach with her story as with her characters, throwing out numerous questions and ulterior motives. The plot is linear and highlighted by the threat to Jason and his business, and Erica's persistent self-doubt connected to her talent. Seemingly repetitive in a few sections, this can be interpreted as reinforcement. Readers are advised to not skip any passage, as to do so risks missing key revelations or one of countless heartwarming moments.
Even if the reader is confident of Erica and Jason eventually uniting, on a page-to-page basis one can't be sure. It's like watching a movie repeatedly and every time wondering if all will be well. The couple's cautiousness, born of doubt on both sides, balances their attraction throughout the first half of the novel, and many scenes will have readers questioning if they're meant to be together. At the same time, we're encouraged by the many associations of both adults with children, for example, the significance of teddy bears, and Erica's attraction to the portrait of four-year-old Jason. Drama is achieved by touching the reader through simple imagery, such as Jason sensing Erica's plight in the night forest, Niki's sandbox drawing, and, in what might be saddest point of the novel, the final meeting between Jason and Erica in which each intentionally hurts the other while silently wishing to remain as one.
Valyan takes advantage of different locales for staging conflict and emotions. The story is centered at one of the O'Connor estates, Jason's favorite, off the coast of Texas. Its sunny climate and vast forested grounds reflect his desire for distance from his personal and business life. Being where Jason is most comfortable, the manor and its grounds are an ideal environment in which the author can cultivate, threaten, and, hopefully, cement Jason's relationship with Erica. Here they'll share interests, such as the arts and classic sports cars, while spending much time with oft-neglected Niki and Trey. Jason's responsibilities occasionally require him to visit the company office tower in Houston and, reluctantly, New York and the family's moody nineteenth-century manor. The former is the setting for some important character development for Erica, where we see her dealing with people in professional surroundings which presumably approximate her experiences during past assignments. Melanie's family estate, also in New York, is an appropriate backdrop for pivotal events during the engagement party held for her and Jason. Here Erica is seen at her glamorous best, wearing an elegant evening gown and her hair pulled up, while secretly overseeing a police trap set against those behind the plot to kill Jason. In a later chapter, effectively balancing Jason's listless existence on his island to begin the novel, Erica is about to end her story at the lonely mountain retreat she sought so long. This majestic and somewhat sterile setting heightens our sympathy for her, and only the most jaded reader will fail to appreciate how unnecessary her exile is, or hope that some day she'll attempt to search for Jason.
Promises Unspoken is best measured by how well the readers come to care for the characters. S. D. Valyan's style, placing the emphasis on characters rather than on melodrama, ensures readers will follow Erica and Jason with interest. By becoming all but real people during the course of the novel, their happiness and security becomes our principle concern. In this way, the reader is uplifted by the hope that a man and a woman can rise above any ordeal.
© 2006 R. Alexander
13 of 14 found the following review helpful:
 Should be a HBO or Showtime Movie! Jul 10, 2006
By LaQuana N. Davis
"Quanie"
I loved this book, not just because of the VERY HOT sex scenes, but because I could actually see this on my tv screen. The best part about this book is that the author took her time with characterization, and history. When you start to feel or care about the characters then you know it's a good book. I'm so looking forward to her next one!
9 of 10 found the following review helpful:
Great Book Jun 03, 2006
By M. Benitez
I liked this book for many reasons. I liked the way S.d Valyan took her time in creating a connection between the two main characters. The tension was so great at times I was like "GET TO IT ALREADY." It kept me interseted and hte editing was a whole lot better this time which made it easier to read. I have recommended this book to many friends and I urge anyone to pick this book up. It is so good you wont be able to put it down.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
Passionate Story Extremly Romantic Characters Mar 15, 2007
By P. Callen
"Book Dweller"
This was the S.D. Valyan read and I was impressed, I've already purchased Hearts of Fire. Promises Unspoken was a great page turner, you couldn't help but fall for the very sensitive and considerate Jason whose love for Erica is all consuming that he is determined to make her see why they must be together. The unconventional circumstances that bring these two together is most compelling,she is sent to be his bodygaurd and all he can think about is how he can protect her. Valyan is great with creating such a strong visual of Jason and Erica falling in love. This is one interracial romance that race is not the primary focus you understand there is the difference but they are simply two people struggling with terrible loneliness and discover within each other a wonderful sense of being and hope. This story is laced with mystery and danger a great combination for romance since it really heightens and pushes the main characters to confront their feelings. Thrilling read, highly recommend. Keep a hanky close by.
10 of 12 found the following review helpful:
Wonderful Drama and Great Editing Jun 02, 2006
By Carley Posts
"Romantic Heart"
This book was worth the wait. It's just like I like them big print, and long. It kept me reading almost around the clock. And the editing is so much better then before. Her new editor is great, I hope she keeps him. Am waiting for the next book, I'll be first in line to buy it.
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