The Promise of Another Life

Lies, deception and betrayals are at the heart of this novel. Christian, who lives with his drug and alcohol addicted mother in a dilapidated trailer wants to put this miserable existence behind him so he perpetrates the first lie-accusing his mother of causing a serious injury which was actually self-induced. He meets Rachel, an EMT on his way to the hospital who maintains contact with him even as and after his recovery and plays a major role in his life. Christian is sent to live with his wealthy, well respected father who never acknowledged or wanted him in the first place and sets down very stringent rules by which Christian must abide or be thrown out and in any case he can only stay until he finishes high school and then must leave. Fortunately his father's business partner and "friend" John takes a liking to Christian and genuinely seems to care about him, taking him under his wing and becoming his mentor. He is also befriended by John's son Stephen as they are relatively close in age. Christian's true passion lies in painting and with the support he gets from both John and Rachel he is convinced to bring them to a gallery where they are well received and purchased by art collectors. Through his first and favorite painting he discovers a betrayal that, when it comes to light, unravels a number of relationships. With the uproar that ensues John advised him to take the money he earned and make a fresh start. He moves away, calls himself Ryan, goes to law school and becomes a divorce attorney when he is called to defend a woman against his old "friend" Stephen he is brought back into the toxic atmosphere he left. This book is a love story and a mystery. It is about starting over-but it's major themes of lies, deception and betrayals pervade throughout showing the reader all the harm and destruction they can cause. It is a good read.

Christian was thirteen when he devised a plan and made it look like his drug addicted mother had physically abused him by pushing him into a glass mirror and his arm was severely cut. One of the paramedics who came to take care of Christians arm was about twenty her name was Rachel and she came to see Christian as he had been allergic to some pain medicine he had been given and Christian had been out of it for three days. Now christian lives with his father Alexander/Alex who is wealthy. But Alex made it clear they were only to act close in public. Also they was a set of rules and conditions Christian was to live by such as he had a week to heal they he would have to get a summer job to provide all he needed. He also could live in Alex’s house for five years when he was eighteen then he would be on his own. Rachel stayed in contact with Christian toke him to a art store to get an easel and other things he needed to paint her a picture for her apartment. Alex made Christian sign a document also on what was allowed and what to expect from Alex until Christian turns eighteen and graduated.
I didn’t really think I would like this story from the first couple of pages I read but ended up loving it and not wanting to put it down after the first chapter. I was totally caught up in the story it made me laugh at times and others it made the tears come down my cheeks. How long did someone have to suffer for their past. This story just held so much emotion in it and so many little twists so many times. It had alot of romance but I am not sure if I’de really call this story a romance or at the very least that’s not all it was. I loved all the ins and outs of this story and highly recommend. Just get past the first couple of pages.