Broken Hearts Are Mended in A Promise to Love by Serena B. Miller

A Promise to Love
by Serena B. Miller
Copyright 2012
Revell Books
ISBN: 9780800721176
About the Book:
Can a marriage of convenience ever become one of true love?

Ingrid Larsen arrives in Michigan in 1871 with little more than the clothes on her back and a determination to find her brother, who has disappeared into the dangerous lumber camps. Destitute and barely hanging on to hope, the young Swedish immigrant crosses paths with Joshua Hunter, a newly widowed farmer with eyes the color of the ocean she had crossed and five rambunctious children to raise on his own.

Marriage would solve both of their problems, and Ingrid finds herself proposing in broken English to a man she barely knows. Many difficulties lie ahead--but the hardest battle of all will be winning the heart of her new husband.

My Thoughts:
~ 4.5 stars ~
I liked The Measure of Katie Calloway (read my review HERE) but this story I loved! First off it's a marriage of convenience story (bonus points for this as it's one of my favorite romance themes) and secondly there's actually a whole lot going on in the latter half of the story that was based on a real historical event (double bonus points, I love history). The only reason it's not a 5 star book is because Josh really upset me at the beginning of the story. He said something to Ingrid that no man should ever say, especially a romance hero who we're supposed to like! I realize that he was hurting and was an emotional wreck but when he uttered the same phrase toward Ingrid as the antagonist of the story who I immediately hated with a passion it made me not like him much at all. He eventually redeems himself though so it's not all bad.

I enjoyed this book because I loved Ingrid as a character. She didn't take any foolishness from Josh and she fought for his kids even though they weren't her blood and she'd only known them for a few days. She showed spunk while still maintaining the proper 19th century character. Sometimes characters can come across as too modern but Ingrid wasn't. Throughout the story she spoke in broken English but not enough to distract from the story or become annoying. The last few chapters of the story were very action-packed and I really liked that especially since it evolved around a drought and fire that actually happened in 1871 Michigan.

This story has it all death, betrayal, doubt, romance, etc. to make for an interesting read. A Promise to Love shows that Serena Miller is not only a talented contemporary fiction writer (read my review of An Uncommon Grace HERE) but also a gifted historical romance writer. Hopefully we once again get the chance to visit the 19th century through the pen of Ms. Miller in the future!

To learn more about the author visit her website HERE.

“Available October 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*



Happy Reading!



Comments

  1. Ingrid does sound like a strong and admirable character. I enjoyed your review of this book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Susan! :-) I always love your kind comments.

      xoxo,
      Renee C.

      Delete
  2. I had seen this book and wondered about it. Thanks for your thoughts and the review. :O)

    Diane
    www.dianeestrella.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great review, Renee! That's funny - like you I enjoyed both A Promise to Love and The Measure of Katie Calloway, but I preferred TMKC because of the setting while you preferred APL because of the premise (at the basic level, as I realize we both loved other things about the books!). :) Just thought that was interesting, LOL! Miller is quite talented at creating great characters, isn't she? :)

    ~Amber

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