Reviewed by Deborah Stone for Readers' Favorite

Arms of Promise by Crystal Walton is a riveting and suspenseful romance that will hold your interest until the last word is read. Annabelle Madison is the daughter of the District Attorney and a very independent woman. She wants nothing to do with her father’s world as she tries to live out her dream of becoming a professional dancer. Free-spirited and willful, she rejects all her father's efforts when he wants to provide protection for his daughter. He is trying an important case and there are threats against his family, threats that he has reason to take seriously. Evan O'Reilly, Anna’s first love, has come home on leave from the military and, as they try to keep their feelings in check, Evan struggles with more than that. He is determined to protect her and keep her safe and failure is not an option, not again. As they grow closer and romantic feelings begin to resurface, each of them fights to keep these at bay. Anna can’t believe that Evan wants her and Evan can’t risk taking his focus off keeping Anna safe. As her father’s enemies close in on Anna, it is a battle of wills and wits to see who will succeed. Evan is prepared to die to protect the woman he loves and he might just have to do that.

Crystal Walton’s fast-paced romantic intrigue is a compelling and spellbinding read. The romance is sweet and tender with dramatic undercurrents that keep you guessing. Crystal Walton has woven a story full of suspense, drama, and intrigue that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The romance between these two strong characters is not lost for one second and is woven flawlessly throughout the adventure of the story. As Anna tries to come to terms with the loss of her mother years before, and with Evan abruptly walking away shortly after that, she will be confronted with truths that will shake her very foundations. Crystal Walton has provided us with an impressive novel with characters that come alive and invite you into their world. The visual images that are conjured up as you read this descriptive and well-written work will pull you in and take you along for an exciting ride. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and plan to read others by this author. Excellent and wonderful book. A real page-turner. Well written, good characters and development. A real winner.