MY REVIEW:

. . . weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
~Psalm 30:5

To be perfectly honest, my first impression of the two primary characters Matthew and Ellie was pretty negative. I felt that Ellie’s grief over the loss of her children was extreme due to the fact that she was over protective of her youngest and pretty much ignored the older four living children. And at first Matthew came across as very self-righteous – that is until I understood the reasons for his intense reaction to the play. Once I gained a better understanding of these characters, I was able to enjoy the story. A strong cast of supporting characters adds depth to the narrative.

The Promise of Morning is a realistic look at the very real hardships and difficulties faced by the early settlers in Illinois.  It is a story full of tragedy and challenging situations. Many of the problems encountered were a direct result of choices that were made – choices based on personal pain or feelings of inadequacy. Perseverance and reliance on the Lord eventually led to grace, spiritual maturity, and a satisfying resolution.

I would recommend The Promise of Morning to those who enjoy historical fiction and are not afraid of an emotional and heart rending tale.

This book was provided for review by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

New historical romance set on the Illinois frontier in 1840s:

When loss breaks her heart, can she find the courage to go on?

The Promise of Morning from Ann Shorey takes readers to Beldon Grove on the Illinois frontier in the 1840s. Life isn’t easy here. For Ellie Craig, the graves of her three infant children make it unbearably lonely, despite the love of her husband Matthew. When she uncovers a family secret that suggests she may not be as alone as she thought, Ellie is determined to find the truth.

Meanwhile, Matthew Craig faces controversy in the church he pastors when a man arrives in town claiming to be both a minister and the son of the town’s founder. Will Matthew find the courage to reclaim his church? Or will he return to itinerant preaching, leaving Ellie even more alone than before?

Book 2 in the At Home in Beldon Grove series, The Promise of Morning will touch your soul with themes of overcoming tragedy, finding strength to meet daunting challenges, and trusting your heart to love again.

The Promise of Morning by Ann Shorey
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3333-9
$14.99, March 2010

Endorsements

“It’s human nature to make promises we hope to keep. But sometimes life intervenes: community rhythms bump us into places we hadn’t planned; families disagree and fracture; our bodies break. The Promise of Morning is a story with all those interruptions gracefully portrayed by author Ann Shorey. Through vivid characters we care about (or love to detest) and a story that keeps us turning pages, we are assured that God keeps promises in the morning, noon, and night, and loves us even when we don’t. A fine read.”–Jane Kirkpatrick, award-winning author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ann Shorey is the author of The Edge of Light and has published selections in the Cup of Comfort series and in Chicken Soup for the Grandma’s Soul.

~For more information, visit www.RevellBooks.com~

Available March 2010 at your favorite bookseller from
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.