THE PROMISE Explores the Challenges Many Couples Face

Posted by H.B. Dean on Oct 26, 2010 in Books

The Promise: Book Two of The Lipstick Confessions Series
By Claire Connor and G.P. Taylor
Authentic Media

Infertility, loneliness, depression all come together as Claire Connor and NY Times best-selling author G.P. Taylor, craft a story that explores the heartache and challenges that have been part of the human condition for millennia in The Promise, Book Two of The Lipstick Confessions Series.

An ancient challenge in a modern setting.

A true bohemian at heart, Arima never would allow people or things to tie her down. Tired of one boyfriend, she uses the christening of friends Jemma and Philip’s infant daughter to go back home to London.  At the gathering, she runs into Sarah Abrahams, a friend and former teacher, who is appalled at the idea of Arima living in an old van. Sarah invites Arima to stay with her and her husband Lawrence until the young woman gets settled. Once she moves in with the Abrahams, Arima discovers that behind the older couple’s happy façade lies the bitter sadness of barrenness. Without thinking through the challenges, Arima generously offers to help the Abrahams. What begins as a promise of life turns into the potential death of the Abraham’s marriage.

Drawing from the Biblical story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar, Connor and Taylor prove that the challenges and lessons of that ancient story still have the power to speak to modern readers. The authors paint the heartache of infertility with a poignant and painful brush, depicting Sarah with all the desperation that barren women feel. Although many consider surrogacy to be a generous gift, the authors examine the challenges and potential pitfalls inherent in this situation.

Those familiar with G.P. Taylor’s writings will see his touch in The Promise. However, that does not negate Claire Connor; her skill as a writer has clearly grown with her second book. Others have tried to re-make Old Testament stories and have fallen sadly short; Connor and Taylor have pulled the truths from the ancient event and crafted a story that could easily be happening right now. One note of caution: Taylor’s younger readers should be warned of the mature content and some language in this book.

About the Authors

G.P Taylor‘s ‘Shadowmancer’ was a best seller in both the UK and the USA. His other works include ‘The Dopple Ganger Chronicles’ and ‘YHWH: The Flood, The Fish and The Giant’. He currently lives in North Yorkshire with his wife and three children.

Claire Connor realizing her dream of becoming an author is a story in itself. After a chance meeting with G.P. Taylor, she was encouraged to apply for a position as his personal assistant. She plucked up the courage to ask him to look at some stories she was submitting to a Chic Lit competition. Taylor happened to be in want of a co-author as well as a P.A.; he loved her stories and gave Connor both jobs.

Connor and Taylor have signed a five book deal with Authentic Media for The Lipstick Confessions, a series of contemporary stories of romance and intrigue based upon Biblical stories and set in London, New York, Northumbria and Oxford.