*****BOOK REVIEW: Promises, Promises

Hi everyone!

Well, I've got another great review for you tonight. I just finished Amber Miller's first book, PROMISES, PROMISES and I'm thrilled with it! I told a friend, "It's the perfect blend of story, history and spiritual truth" and it's beautifully written, to boot! Here's the back cover copy:

Raelene Strattford knows God has promised never to leave or forsake her. But after the catastrophic deaths of her parents, she doesn t believe it. What kind of God would take a girl's family and leave her alone in a wild land where women have no voice? Gustaf Hanssen has admired Raelene from afar for a while, but his poor attempt at courting her in the past has made him unwelcome in her life. When Gustaf promises Raelene's dying father that he will take care of her, he finds himself bound to her happiness, her success, and her well-being in ways he never imagined. To keep his word must Gustaf really oversee all of Raelene's affairs, find her a husband, and maintain her farm, while she does nothing but scorn him? Can God reach through Raelene's pain and self-centeredness and give her the love that awaits, if only she will accept His will?

Here's an interesting tidbit... I don't usually read the Heartsong historicals. I'm more interested in the contemporaries, since that's primarily what I write. Sometimes historicals (as a whole) don't hold my attention, or the reader tries to hard to impress with historical lingo/tidbits. But in this case, I found myself caught up in the action right away and also found the story very believable. I could relate to both the hero and the heroine. As I mentioned, it's the perfect blend of story, history and biblical truth. And I love the way Amber presents the spiritual elements. She uses analogies. Great symbolism. Very subtle, and yet very effective. The heroine is led (quite gently)to the Lord by the hero. It's not at all manipulative. Believable. Real. And poignant.

I can't say enough about Amber! Wow! This is her first book?! Pretty amazing, when you think about it. Some of us write for years to get to this quality. Kudos, Amber! I can't wait to read your next one. And your next. And your next! May God bless you with contract after contract. You deserve 'em!