The Promise Book Review

The Restoration Series

Book Two

SUMMARY:  One home, two hearts, and the power of a promise kept . . .

     For the last five months, Tom Anderson has been without a job, a fact he's been hiding from his wife Jean  - and everyone else.  He leaves each morning, pretending nothing has changed, and spends his disheartening day rotating through coffee shops and the library, using their WiFi to search job listings online.  The stress of keeping this secret is beginning to put serious strain on his marriage.

     But Tom's not the only one hiding something.  Jean Anderson has a secret of her own - one that will seriously complicate their situation.  Will the promises they made on their wedding day hold firm?

REVIEW:  This book shows what can happen when pride comes before family and how lies can destroy everything you hold dear.  Only when the truth finally comes out can healing take place. 
     This is the second book of The Restoration Series.  While reading the first book, The Dance, is helpful to completely understand everything going on, this book does a good job briefly explaining what has happened beforehand.  I like how the changes made in Marilyn and Jim's marriage are continued throughout this book as a beacon to Tom and Jean during their turmoil.  While Jean struggles with the lies Tom told and the changes in their life because of them, she is willing to forgive and work on repairing their marriage and life together. 
      This is a good book, reminding readers that marriage takes work from both husband and wife but that the rewards are endless. 

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Dan Walsh is the bestselling author of several books, including The Dance with Gary Smalley, The Discovery, and The Reunion.  He has won three Carol Awards, and two of his novels were finalists for RT Reviews Inspirational Book of the Year for 2011 and 2012.  A member of American Christian Writers, Dan served as a pastor for 25 years.  He lives with his wife in the Daytona Beach area, where he's busy researching and writing his next novel.

Gary Smalley is one of the country's best-known authors and speakers on family relationships and has appeared on national television programs such as Oprah,  Larry King Live and TODAY, as well as numerous national radio programs.  He is the bestselling and award-winning author or coauthor of many books, including the Baxter Family Redemption series with Karen Kingsbury and The Dance with Dan Walsh.  Gary and his wife Norma have been married for 49 years and live in Missouri.