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Alluring Promises #1

Promises, Promises

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Isabella is on the run. Keeping her secretsguarded closely, she finds solace with a man who is caring, warm, and loving, the complete opposite of what she left behind.

Zander can’t trust love. He has a string of bad relationships as proof, and it leaves him wondering if Isabella is just one more temptress who will break his heart.

A troubled past threatens the budding relationship between Isabella and Zander. She can’t shake the eerie feeling of her ex lurking in the shadows ready to end her newly found happiness.

Unfortunately, she’s right.

e that she’s always searched for? Or will he ruin the love that is finally just in her grasp?

294 pages, ebook

First published May 1, 2013

180 people are currently reading
1,835 people want to read

About the author

Josie Bordeaux

21books151followers
Josie Bordeaux spends her days writing romance novels that revolve around friendships, sizzling attraction, and steamy sex scenes. Josie’s addiction to iced coffee and strawberry Twizzlers keep the stories flowing and gives her the energy she needs to run her kids to all their after-school activities and burn the occasional dinner she attempts to cook. She enjoys spending time down at the beach with her family.

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5 stars
570 (33%)
4 stars
627 (36%)
3 stars
373 (21%)
2 stars
106 (6%)
1 star
36 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 180 reviews
Profile Image for Vikki ~ *squee* lite ~.
497 reviews182 followers
June 16, 2013
This book was a really interesting concept, that I wish had been executed differently.

Izzy is running away from what appeared to be a 24/7 master/submissive relationship. You don't get much description regarding what their relationship as a whole was like, only that it started out good, but got bad, until her Dom finally pushed her over the edge and she ran. I found her reactions to returning to a "normal" life to be inconstant. She would have a hard time with something like ordering her lunch, but then would be perfectly find otherwise. I guess it just felt like much of the after effects that I would imagine would come from trying to reintegrate, and learn to control of your life again after someone else had prescribed you while life from what you wore to what you ate for two years, were glossed over and understated. Add to that that the relationship appeared to be abusive at the end, and I just felt like Izzy shudder have been way more jacked up.

I wasn't really sure why all the other guys that seemed to fall all over themselves for Izzy were necessary, except as fuel for Z's almost irrational jealousy. I really liked Z at the beginning of the book, but by the end, he had just gone OTT with his controlling jealous B.S. He all but turned into a stalker.

It certainly felt like both Z and Izzy should really spend some time in therapy working in their issues instead of just hoping they went away.

I did like the cast of secondary characters. I hope that a few if them get their own books.

Overall, interesting, but not quite my cuppa'

6 reviews
May 16, 2013
What a steaming pile of horse manure. I barely made it through this book, everything about it was terrible from the practically non existent plot, to the shallow and two dimensional characters.

Whilst I understood the intention of the writer to explain why certain characters acted as they did I.e Izzy with her submissive and compliant personality, the eternal victim and Z, always jealous and at one point takes to following Izzy on one of her runs, this is after she caught him in his office kissing his ex FFS! Despite of Izzy's 'sweet' character, I found her stupid, shallow and lacking spine. I get it, I totally do, they are both injured and wounded etc etc but every emotion and action was like a charactiture of itself, everyone was too jealous and constantly playing games with one another.

This book would may appeal to a younger audience I think, I am just passed the whole drinking until you pass out, clubbing and game playing.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews91 followers
Want to read
April 18, 2020
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/18/2020)! 🎁
Profile Image for Shannon.
106 reviews18 followers
February 28, 2015
This book had promise <-- see what I did there?

The story of Izzy, on the run from HIM, her EX, after ending a bad two year relationship, her budding new relationship with Z, a big beefcake of a man who flies into jealous rages easily and a great group of wacky side characters, should make for an interesting read. But unfortunately this book suffered from too much telling. Where the author could have easily had her characters talk about something, we were told what they were doing instead.

Everyone was complimenting my chili as they ate and it felt really good that they liked it so much. We were chatting about the game and laughing about our “discussion� of guys vs. girls. After more beers, we decided to play pool . We gathered around the pool table and started our game. Z, just like before at the kitchen island, made sure he was standing next to me while we waited turns. I let the guys play first. I figured I’d let them feel good about themselves for a little while. We all teased Clark about his prowling and, of course, he came back with a couple of one night stands Flynn and Z had with some psycho girls. Z teased him about Mary and how he needs a new accountant now because of him.>/i>

If only the author had just given us dialogue!

Unfortunately this was how the majority of the book was written. BUT I kept reading because underneath everything was this really great tension about the mysterious EX. Was he watching her? Was he going to come back? What would happen when he did? He was powerful and rich, devastatingly handsome, all consuming and her first! The threat of him really keeps the pace of the book moving, especially if you skip all the telling...

And that stuff was great. the EX was barely in the book and yet you felt his menacing presence throughout. Also, at about 80% the author started to hit her stride and the book got very good. Until the ending which felt rushed.

Maybe the other books in the series are better?

Profile Image for Shagofa.
142 reviews
May 4, 2013
Omg. what can I say?!!!! Mhmm... utterly AMAZING. From the very first sentence I was hooked, the storyline, the writing, the feelings, the hurt and the passion in this book I have to say I was very happy for picking this book up and start reading it. I would seriously put it in the sane shelf as the Crossfire novels if this had a paperback copy.

And Z? Oh...seriously HOT. All I could think about throughout the book was that he as sooo AMAZING AND PHENOMENAL that I wanted a Z for myself.

From book:
"Umm... I think you might have chocolate all over your back! I forgot to put the spatula in the bowl!" She held it up laughing. I took it from her and put it in the bowl and turned back to kiss her. "You can roll me in this stuff if it means kissing you more."

(Now, I wouldn't mind that, so just go ahead Z.)
Drooling yet?
If not, let me show you my version of Z.


Did I mention Z is seriously HOT?!?! Everybody that haven't read this book should pick it up and start reading it immediately and fall in love with Z and Izzy!!!!!

I'm about to faint of overexitement *squeee* so people go grab your FREE copy until May 6th at Amazon.
Profile Image for Brandy Rivers.
Author59 books662 followers
February 20, 2015
The story kept me reading to the end to find out what happens.
I'll admit there were times when Izzy's reactions made little sense, at least until you get more of her back story.
By then end it's clear she was a woman put in one bad situation after another who finally broke free.
I'm not a fan of spoilers so I won't go far with what happens int he story, but I wanted to see Izzy's journey to the end.
If you like stories about finding yourself and learning to trust, this one is for you.
Profile Image for Vixster.
363 reviews
May 24, 2013
When I started reading this book I was a bit distracted by the constant references to HIM/HE all over the pages in caps.....glad it didn't put me off because I really enjoyed this book, I thought the storyline was unique, and I loved the characters. Would have liked to have seen more context and background between HE and Izzy. Great read!!!!
Profile Image for Ivy Deluca.
2,360 reviews333 followers
January 29, 2018
This is my first DNF read that I know I’ll never try to read again. I got it for free and I can’t find one redeeming thing to say about it. Not even that it was free. Yes it’s that bad. This is the harshest review I've ever given, so bear with me - I don't enjoy this, but I cannot in good conscience, not comment on this thing.

The Premise
Girl runs from ex because he's a big bad guy (though I don't know why) and reunites with her BFF and meets some guys, one of which is the Boy she's instantly, insanely attracted to (though I don't know why). Everyone's attracted to her, and she's completely clueless. Also, lots of drinking and puking.

The Bad (and it's all Bad)
The storytelling, the characters� motivations, everything about this was bad. From the very beginning, with the heroine, Izzy, constantly referring to her ex as “HE/HIM/HIS� was really distracting and as a consequence, annoying and stopped me from getting into the story, what there was of it. The H/h are both immature and the storytelling is painful - not in an angsty way, but more of a stilted, hard to get into - way. It’s a struggle just to care what happens next. Izzy, the heroine, was in a controlling relationship, but there’s little hint of the girl she was (I'm told she was awesome, but I seriously doubt it), she just seems like a doormat. Z is horribly immature, which is the tougher thing to take.

I’ve found that even in the worst of books, if the hero is compelling enough, he can elevate a trite story. Z doesn’t make the cut. For an allegedly "responsible" bar owner, he comes off as too much of a juvenile ass who spends alot of time calling women whores, including the heroine.
Here's just one example of his brilliant inner dialogue (and yes it's about Izzy):

"Our eyes lingered and I was getting a chub just from her smiling at me. Need to get a handle. They're all f--- whores."

Just not an appealing story.

And I’m 51% into it and I can’t finish. I can’t make myself keep reading.

Bottom Line
A gigantic, steaming pile of poo.
Profile Image for Tori.
Author4 books128 followers
June 20, 2013
I received Promises, Promises from the author and let me tell you...it was the best gift!!!

Fun, flirty and fabulous...while the story is definitely deep in nature I found the book the be refreshing and actually quite funny. Janice did an amazing job of balancing the characters personalities and it was an amazing combo. Almost similar to the "Friends" type of relationships. Izzy is a strong women who faces her past and isn't afraid to take a few risks. I admire her. Z is...well...a "hot" owner of a bar who has trust issues and has been burned. I found myself cheering for them the first moment they met. Mel, Clark, Flynn and Matt round out the main characters and lets just say I would LOVE to spend time around them. While there is a bit of heart palpitation moments where I found myself cursing out the characters on a few occasions, I understood why these things had to happen. If you like a happy ending you will not be let down...you will just want MORE!

I am not a spoiler type of reviewer as I feel you need to experience each story yourself. I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it...cheers!
Profile Image for Shana.
188 reviews1 follower
May 11, 2013
God this was horrible!!!! everything was so shallow. the characters were supposed to be mature but it all came off as very adolescent and shallow. the conversations and connections were horrible. forced myself to read to 40% and just couldn't go any farther when I hit the crying in the floor part. geez what a waste of money.
Profile Image for Tia.
Author9 books141 followers
May 3, 2013
I would of loved the novel more if HE would of seen them happily marriage and realized that HE was a selfish bastard and was really in love with her and lost her because of his selfish and callous actions. I wanted to see the bad dude pay a little bit more because HE got off SO easy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Janice Baker.
Author12 books133 followers
August 2, 2014
I enjoyed my own book! I hated staring at the blank stars prompting me to rate my own book!
Profile Image for Liz Lawson.
728 reviews29 followers
May 27, 2013
This was a great read - I so wanted to find out Izzy's story and had to wait to nearly the end to find out what happened on her final night with McKnight - what a control freak.
1,378 reviews16 followers
January 13, 2019
I found this story boring and admit that after the first quarter of the book, I started to skim. Characters from broken backgrounds looking for healing. It started out interesting enough but then started to repeat. Everyone's angst and depression over and over. The story is concluded in the last couple of chapters.
Profile Image for ~Steph K~.
418 reviews149 followers
November 30, 2013
This book has been on my TBR list for awhile, and I'm so glad I finally took the time to read it. Izzy had a troubled childhood growing up - although making it to college on her own, she became best friends with Mel. Once they graduated, she felt alone again, Mel had a new boyfriend, she was working and then Izzy became involved with HIM, and he isolated her from any previous relationships and totally dominated her life.

Two years later she finally breaks free from HIM. Alone with no where to call she gets in touch with Mel. Mel remains the true friend and even after two years of no contact, takes her in with no questions asked. Mel and her friends help Izzy start her new life - and all the challenges she faces trying to get past how HE controlled her.

Z becomes her boss and the attraction between them is immediate - but they both don't want to be the rebound person, and Z knows Izzy has issues she's dealing with, but she hasn't told him about. My heart broke for Izzy as she finally told Z what HE did to her.

I loved the relationship between Z and Izzy, he really was a sweetheart - even though he had his jealousy issues. He truly cared about her and wanted to help her get over what HE did to her and protect her. This book had the added benefit of a really great friendship between the group of friends - Mel, Izzy, Clark, Flynn and Z. They had so much fun together, you will laugh with the stories they tell of their college days - yet all the friends are loyal to the bone. Glad I moved this up the list and took the time to read it. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.
1,011 reviews6 followers
May 18, 2013
I enjoyed this sweet recovery of oneself coming out of a bad relationship. Izzy, she only wants to be loved. And who doesn't? A virgin and not really sure what to do becomes involved with HIM. HIM is the title she gives the Dominate she lived with after college.

Izzy breaks it off with HIM. She had been cut off from all her friends. Her best friend accepts her back no questions asked. She begins to rebuild her life. Unsure of what normal is and afraid that she can never been loved. Izzy doesn't make any decision everything is decided for her. After an incident or lesson as she been told she leaves him.

She finds her best friend and asked for help. Boom a new life, learning to make her own decisions. Leaving to accept herself. She finds love with the owner of a bar she works in. Then HE comes back into her life. You have to read the story to find out what happens next.

The characters are interesting and fun. I loved how the characters inter-act. I love the passion and emotion between Izzy and Z. And I loved the ending.

I enjoyed this story. Although the BDSM aspect were not presented in a positive manner. BDSM in this story is used as an element of bad sex and control. To those that know and understand the dynamic of BDSM know that story does not reflect the true aspect of the of lifestyle.

Ms Baker, keep writing so I can keep reading. Looking forward to read more of your work.



Profile Image for Gem Larkspur.
Author2 books33 followers
March 7, 2017
This started well with the heroine running away from a controlling and abusive relationship. Her friends take her in and a new 'love interest' immediately materializes. After several chapters of angsty 'I can't start a new relationship now, I'm just over a bad one,' Izzy and the new love interest, Jake, get together. Jake is controlling, jealous, tells her who she can see, starts fights, etc. Didn't she just run away from this? But somehow Jake the bar owner is a 'good guy' because he'll say I love you and the former-boyfriend billionaire is a 'bad guy', because he won't.

I skimmed the last half of the book to confirm it would end as I suspected, which it did.

Even though I didn't care for this book, it is reasonably well written and edited and the steamy bits are reasonably well done. So it's get a second star.
Profile Image for ✨ Wendy ✨.
342 reviews115 followers
May 4, 2013
Loved it!

Wow! This book really surprised me. At first I thought it was a little strange how Izzy kept referring to her ex by 'him' and never his name. But I got used to it fairly quickly. I loved how the characters had a strong bond/closeness with each other (reminds me of me and my friends). They were always there for each other and had each others backs.

This book had me cracking up and oh... The holy HOTTNESS of guys... Z, Flynn, Clark and Matt. I just love Z. He was the jealous, possessive type but so, so sweet. This mad his HOTTNESS that much more :)

I really hope Ms. Baker continues the story with the other characters. I would love to read Flynn and Mel's story; as well as 'Supermans'.

This book is FREE on Amazon. What do you have to lose? Read it!!!
Profile Image for Rita .
1,651 reviews
June 10, 2013
This was pretty good. I got into this one pretty fast. Fell in love with the characters, except Clark. But it was definitely different that what I have read. It is about this girl who is trying to start her life over after a bad BDSM affair. It was pretty bad. I had a feeling about what happened, but I was just blown away at the reveal. It actually had a little action, some hot and steamy action, a little drama, and humor. Good characteristics for a good book, I think. Will I read something else by Ms. Baker, most definitely.
Profile Image for Jen O'grady.
210 reviews16 followers
May 21, 2013
Great story with brilliant characters everyone should have a best friend like Mel, good story line however I thought HE was going to make an appearance earlier in the book, and I read another review where Zs sudden jealousy issues were questioned, but I didn't think it was an issue.
Great set of friends well worth a read and I'll definitely look out for more by this author.
Profile Image for Jessica.
43 reviews4 followers
May 5, 2013
This book made me laugh, smile and sit on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. Great love scenes and one heck of a storyline.
Profile Image for Shiela.
560 reviews1 follower
May 5, 2013
This book was soo good, I would love to here more about Z and Izzy. or even Mel and Flynn.
Profile Image for Tammy Barnes.
28 reviews20 followers
May 6, 2013
Amazing, awesome, wonderful, funny, loving, beautiful and I loved every single word!! One of the best m/f pov I've ever read. Please please please READ THIS BOOK!!!
Profile Image for Dena.
1,232 reviews13 followers
May 6, 2013
LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! Love this book, read it one sitting. Can not tell you how great this story is. Read it!! The plot, love story and the crazy scenes, so worth the adventure.
Profile Image for Kitty.
2 reviews
May 10, 2013
I am really surprised by all the good reviews. This book was awful. I felt like it was written by a high school student. The switching between first person narratives drove me nuts.
253 reviews38 followers
March 7, 2022
Z and Izzy are Hot

If you like a great love story then this is the book for you. Izzy has a controlling ex where Z has a cheating ex.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 180 reviews

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