A Promise Kept

Written by Robin Lee Hatcher

Narrated by Windy Lanzl

Allison was sure God would save her marriage and her husband—but neither has been saved yet. What has become of the promise Allison once believed in? 

Tony Kavanagh had been Allison’s dream-come-true. They were in love within days, engaged within weeks, married and pregnant within a year. Her cup bubbled over with joy . . . but years later, that joy was extinguished by unexpected trials. 

The day Allison issued her husband an ultimatum, she thought it might save him. She never expected he would actually leave. She was certain God had promised healing—but it became clear she’d misunderstood. 

Now, living in the quiet mountain cabin she inherited from her Great Aunt Emma, Allison must come to terms with her grief and figure out how to adapt to small-town life. But when she finds a wedding dress and a collection of journals in Emma’s attic, a portrait of her aunt emerges that takes Allison completely by surprise: a portrait of a heartbroken woman surprisingly like herself. 

As Allison reads the incredible story of Emma’s life in the 1920s and 1930s, she is forced to ask a difficult question: Has she really surrendered every piece of her life to the Lord?  

Drawing from her own heart-wrenching story of redemption, A Promise Kept is Robin Lee Hatcher’s emotionally charged thanksgiving to a God who answers prayers—in His own time and His own ways. 

“A beautiful, heart-touching story of God’s amazing grace and how He can restore and make new that which was lost.” — Francine Rivers, New York Times bestselling author 

• Sweet inspirational romance
• Full-length stand-alone novel
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs and a note to readers from the author

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Release date: Aug 18, 2020
• ISBN: 9780785250289

Robin Lee Hatcher

Robin Lee Hatcher is the author of over 80 novels and novellas with over five million copies of her books in print. She is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. Her numerous awards include the RITA Award, the Carol Award, the Christy Award, the HOLT Medallion, the National Reader’s Choice Award, and the Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award. Robin is also the recipient of prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards from both American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. When not writing, she enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, Bible art journaling, reading books that make her cry, watching romantic movies, and decorative planning. Robin makes her home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with a demanding Papillon dog and a persnickety tuxedo cat.

Reviews for A Promise Kept

[jbarr5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A Promise Kept by Robin HatcherAllison is now divorced and returns home where she's given a house from a relative. She finds the journals and other treasuresand contemplates why God did not save her marriage. Book follows the grandmothers life, Allison's life before and after marriage and divorce and current present life with her daughter, mother and father and her life in Idaho at her grandmother's house.Love how the community has embraced her into their life. Love treasures she finds in the grandmother's trunks.Confusing at times to go from different years so far apart and with different people. Different years of relationships with one another are interesting to listen to and how they come together to help one another.Lots of quotes from the Bible, like the connection between God and those in the stories.I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

[cewtypye · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was a pleasant surprise. Allison met the man of her dreams married and thought life would end happily ever after. Through this book you realize things are not what they seem. Her husband Tony struggles with addiction and she gives him tough love. For her daughter's sake and he leaves them. Through divorce she moves to the mountains in her Aunt's old cottage. She finds this to be exactly what she needs to get over her loss and hurt. As her daughter is in college she begins to make friends and rebuilds herself. Then she comes across her Aunts journals and begins reading their parallel lives. She gains strength and even the will to see her ex-husband for her daughters sake. As he begins to settle and put his life back together sober she keeps a idle watch. This story is very meaningful. I will say normally I do not read the Authors notes after a story but suggest you do. It will make this book even better in my eyes. I won't tell you why because it will ruin the effect. This is an easy read and would be good for beginners.

[wanda_barefoot-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Allison Kavanagh who is recently divorced moves into her great aunt Emma's home in Kings Meadow, Idaho to put the pieces of her life back together after a painful divorce. The journals she finds in the attic that were written by her great aunt Emma completely change her life. Through the journals she learns to forgive her ex-husband, Tony. They help her draw closer to God and to hear his voice more clearly. She also comes to the realization that just because a prayer isn't answered immediately it doesn't mean it won't be answered. She learns she must simply wait on God.In this book you follow the lives of both Allison and her great aunt Emma. Allison's life happening at present and Emma's through her journals written over a span of forty years. Shared one entry at a time, each letter is a glimpse into Emma's past. A past that has been hidden for decades from future generations. You will come to know the true aunt Emma right along with Allison who uncovers secrets as she reads through the pages one by one. You will experience Emma's highs and lows, her moments of rejoicing and her moments of heartbreak along with little bits of wisdom on every page.Quote:"A faith that can't be tested can't be trusted"I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the lives of these characters for the duration of this story. They were so lovable and endearing and both Allison's and Emma's stories, although they happened in different eras, are prevalent today. You will see God's power of restoration unfold within the pages as each character draws closer to the One that makes all things new. Quote:"Freedom. I thought much about the word over the winter. I contemplated what it means to be free in Christ, and I resolved that freedom in Christ is the only kind of freedom worth anything. Every other kind of freedom pales beside it. And if I am free in Christ, then I will know freedom wherever he leads me, even if He should lead me into a prison cell, as He did the apostle Paul, or into a solitary life in a log house in the mountains of Idaho, as it seems to be now for me.I continue to pray for Alexander. I wish he might know this freedom too. I understand now, as I could not understand before, that he was bound up on the inside. I wanted him to fill my every need, needs that can only be filled by the King of Kings. It is not fair to put that burden on another human being..."Such thought provoking revelations are common in this story. It will satisfy you as a reader and strengthen your faith. The romance aspect takes a backseat but you will never miss it as the story makes a profound statement all on its own. Many tears were shed while reading this book and I encourage you to read the Author's Note at the end of the story as well because the tears don't end with the story. This is a miraculous story of healing and restoration that will touch the reader's heart. I HIGHLY recommend it!Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review. The opinions expressed are mine alone. If I recommend a book you can believe it's simply because I liked it. I received no monetary compensation for the review.

[joyanne-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this story, loved how the two women's lives were weaved together though they were years apart, you can't help but become emotionally attached to them. Allison's healing from the resentments of years of hurt and shame is touching. Emma's story is a sad one as well but both women are strong and with God's help make it through the hardships. Robin's writing style draws you in. That's what I love about her books! I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[wrbinpa · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a story of family love, heartaches, forgiveness, and grace. The author did a beautiful job shaping the story while weaving together two different story lines. There is also a strong spiritual aspect of the book that is touching. Allison Kavanaugh is a likable character who is struggling to cope with the difficult realities of divorce. She had been married to Tony Kavanaugh and she didn't still love him, but loved the memories they had shared together. Now she carried sad thoughts about her failed marriage and she carried resentment for years of hurts, embarrassments, and destroyed dreams. Emma Carter, a warm character with a lot of depth, had always called Allison her favorite. She was a sister of Allison's grandmother, Elizabeth. She always had a way of answering Allison without mincing words. Aunt Emma had fallen in love with Alexander when she was 15 years old, but he'd always had eyes for Elizabeth. Emma's life is not an easy one, with many disappointments to deal with throughout her life. Family secrets surface as Emma's life is revealed through journals left behind and the two story lines converge. And Allison had been so sure God had made a promise to her, a promise that had gone unfulfilled. She knew there was still a plan and purpose for her life. And the story unfolds ---The author has a gentle style and natural grace as a storyteller. The book had a strong storyline, with a good ending, although rather predictable. If you're in the mood for just a nice relaxed read, you will enjoy A Promise Kept. 4 stars. I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookSneeze in exchange for an honest review.