Living Promises

Keeping Promise Rock, Book 3

By: Amy Lane

Narrated by: Paul Morey

Six years ago, Jeff Beachum comforted a frightened teenager outside an HIV treatment clinic, and Collin Waters has remembered his kindness ever since. Now, after six years of crushing on the kind, brown-eyed sweetheart of his dreams, Collin is feeling adult and together enough to make his move. Too bad fate, which has never been kind to Jeff, has something else in mind.

Jeff's life had fallen completely apart before that long-ago day, and it isn’t much better now. Jeff has toughened up, become self-reliant, been the funny guy his friends turn to, the one who gives advice and comfort when needed. But every phantom from Jeff’s past is about to come out to haunt him, and the family Jeff has staked his future on isn’t in such great shape either. Collin is more than a starry-eyed kid, and it’s a good thing, because Jeff’s going to need all the help he can get. No one knows better than Jeff that life can be too short to turn your back on honest love, and that living happily is the best promise of all.

©2011 Amy Lane (P)2012 Amy Lane

Wonderful ending to a great series

Would you consider the audio edition of Living Promises to be better than the print version?

Don't know I didn't read the print version, but the audio is great b/c Paul Morey is great. I love everything he narrates.

What other book might you compare Living Promises to and why?

It is hard to compare b/c even though it is a separate love story, it is tied to the first two books. I would not call this a stand alone book, you really have to read them in order.

Have you listened to any of Paul Morey’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes and I will listen to ANYTHING Paul Morey narrates. This is like his other works, excellent.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

No clue.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this series and the many characters involved. I was sad to see it end.

Small part of a greater story

What did you love best about Living Promises?

It felt like it was written for all the characters encountered in the first 2 books

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

because it was too full of other stories, Jeff & Colin got lost & I did not feel a connection to their relationship even though it was well presented.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Paul Morey?

Yes, I usually really like his narration but it fell short in this book. The voices were unconvincing and more so than Book II, I felt that Mr. Morey did not have a good grasp of his characters. For example it made no sense for me at least why the voice "big stupid cop" kept getting younger, while Crick's 17 year-old sister started to sound like a mature man.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Crick and Deacon after the operation!

excellent

I laughed I cried I loved it. Paul Morey is awesome as usual. Amy Lane another superb book. I haved loved all the books in this series

wonderful story!

Would you listen to Living Promises again? Why?

yes, I listended to the 1st book than the 3rd, at some point I will listen to them in order.

What other book might you compare Living Promises to and why?

I can't think of any :)

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved the whole book

Who was the most memorable character of Living Promises and why?

There's so many, Jeff, I adore his character. He's sweet and funny and I really wanted him to find love.

Any additional comments?

I recently watched the movie "house if Boys" That was painful to watch. When I started listening to this book, I actually stopped and started 3 times or better. I didn't know if I could handle a book about aids from Amy Lane ( I was thinking the worst could and would happen) But I finally did listen to it and I'm happy I did, It was wonderful, and yes I cried tear(s) allot. I was trying to explain to my son was I was crying and I said to him " I'm invested in the characters I feel like I could know them". That makes a great series, thanks Amy Lane!

Another amazing addition to the series

This is book three in Amy’s Promise series and it is one of the roughest (IMHO) to read. Right from the start she pulls our heartstrings with the tale of Jeff’s ex, the man who gave Jeff HIV then essentially kills himself rather than deal with the consequences of the disease and his homophobic family.

Then there’s Collin. Young, dumb and full of … exuberance… and not wearing a condom while doing it. He, too contracts HIV and is touched by the caring he receives at the hands of Jeff at the crisis center.

Years later the two meet again and Collin is determined to have Jeff as his own.

Jeff, however, hasn’t really put himself out there and certainly not for a “boy” several years his junior.

The push/pull of attraction goes on for quite awhile but Collin is perseverant and eventually he gets his man.

Meanwhile – lots of things are happening at the Pulpit… Crick is Crick and Deacon is Deacon and Mickey and Shane are adorable and snarky and at their best…

Martin, Jeff’s ex Kevin’s brother comes to town looking for answers and meets Shane and Mickey and learns to love something he was taught to hate.

**

First let me say that I loved all the books in this series. LOVED. THEM. But, this was the weakest in my opinion. (Still awesome, amazing, wonderful, brilliant…) I loved seeing the folks at the Pulpit but sometimes wanted to see more of Jeff and Collin. I never connected with them as a couple as strongly as I did the others and I think one reason why is the lack of page time for them developing their relationship as compared to Crick, Deacon, Mickey, Shane or even Benny and Drew!

I loved the Martin/Kevin storyline though it tore me up… so much.

This was an amazing (and difficult) book and I highly recommend it. It is NOT a standalone.

Audio

Paul Morey did a great, great, great job of giving Jeff a swishy but not over the top voice. I wish he’d made Collin’s voice a little bit more differentiated, but I appreciate the challenge of giving so many “main characters” unique voices. I loved his Kevin/Martin voices and really enjoyed this narration.

The Journey of Promise Rock Continues...

When I was introduced to Jeff Beachum in the first Promise Rock book, I was a bit put off by the character. If I were honest, it would be because of my own bias and refusal to relate to such a character. So image my surprise when I began this book to realize that the main character was Jeff and this kid named Collin. My immediate response was that I was not going to like this book. But because I have enjoyed everything else that I have read of Amy Lane's I figured that I would give it a shot. Mary's ability to tell a tale entrapped me in such a way that I was forced to recognize my own internalized bias and deal. Jeff's character was written in such a way that sometimes when he was confronting stupidity, I felt like he was talking to me. Personally, when an author can make the reader revaluate their own perspective, that is the sign of a great author. But enough on Amy. The book, though not as good as the first book, still managed to elicit an emotional response that involved laughter, tears, and compassion for the characters. A cathartic experience and I certainly recommend all three books in the series.

Love the store but she is out dated when it comes to HIV

I love Amy's books and I love the store, but I am shocked that she is so outdated when it comes to talking about HIV. I am kind of shocked by some of the things she said in the book and it did kind of bother me. First One cannot get HIV by kissing someone. Two when HIV hits the air even in the blood system it will die. Three you do not need to wear two sets of medical gloves to treat somebody with HIV. Three, most important HIV is very serious but it is not a death sentence today. Or in 2011 when the book came out. Most healthy people that take care of themselves and on there meds are undetectable today, and if you are undetectable you cannot transmit the disease anyways. I wish she would of been more educated about this.

My favorite of the three

What made the experience of listening to Living Promises the most enjoyable?

The characters... I had been waiting for Jeff's story and was not disappointed.

Have you listened to any of Paul Morey’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Multiple, i like his narrations

Who was the most memorable character of Living Promises and why?

Jeff, because hes been my favorite of all the books

Any additional comments?

Buy this book!

Promise Rock trilogy is a wonderful series

Each of the 3 books was a little better than the one before.

Lots of emotion. Lots of love. And a “family” so caring that I wanted to become a member.

What an amazing miniseries this would make. If only so many people weren’t so hatefully rabid about gay partners.

I like that the books are long. I wish there were more to come.

The narrator was perfect for these books.

Once again, I loved Paul Morey's narration!

Any additional comments?

This is a story about life with all it's twists and turns, the mistakes we make along the way that we (sometimes) pay for the rest of our lives, redemption that comes from the most unexpected places, and the love we surround ourselves with and choose to let in to our lives.

I love that the story revolves around Jeff and getting to see the man behind the "fairy-Jeff-father" always-happy-cracking-jokes guy. To see his vulnerabilities and shortcomings and, ultimately, his willingness to allow love into his life. I loved getting to see his past, his troubles, and his triumphs. Ever since Keeping Promise Rock, when I first met Jeff he's had a little piece of my heart. The oh-so-tough-but-vulnerable man who's built a fortress around his heart and is the happy, funny one who doesn't let the world see his tears broke my heart a little.

I've been waiting for his story and I am not disappointed.

Jeff has been celibate and lonely since his lover, Kevin, was killed in action while on tour in the Marines. Six years later, when Kevin's youngest brother Martin comes to Levee Oaks with a letter from Kevin Jeff's old wounds are ripped open.

Collin Waters has crushed on Jeff since he took the almost eighteen year old boy in his arms for a comforting hug outside their HIV treatment clinic years ago. Collin is determined that even though this may not seem like the best time to get involved, this is going to be the time when he finally gets Jeff to see him, to be there for Jeff, to be his rock, and for them to fall in love with each other.

We get to see the relationship grow between Jeff and Collin regardless of the roadblocks Jeff tries to throw in their way. I love that we get to see the past be put to rest so everyone can focus on the future and, of course, we also get to spend time with the rest of the family: Deacon and Carrick, Shane and Mikhail, Benny and Andrew, Jon and Amy, Kimmy, and new members Lucas and Martin. When Deacon has some health issues, the whole family must come together to be each other's rocks. (Why, Amy Lane? Why? Why do you put poor Deacon through so much??)

"Even if I leave you, I won't leave you, okay? Even if you carry the casket and have to say goodbye and find someone else to love, I'll still be with you, okay? I meant it. Always. You hear?"

WARNING: There are some heavy emotional tides to ride in this installment, though I'm happy to report the devastation and angst aren't nearly the level it is in Keeping Promise Rock (thank heavens).

Once again, I loved Paul Morey's narration! He beautifully captures the people and tone of the story while keeping the flow natural and unhurried. His character voices are just another reason to love the story and immerse myself in the world Amy Lane has created.

“This place, Promise Rock, is where you get to go if you keep your promises to the people who love you. It’s a reward for trusting another soul enough that you let them make you happy. It’s this family’s place, our private place, where we go to tell the world, and God if he’s listening, that we are family because we choose to be. It’s where we make the things in our heart real."

Recommended.