Review & Giveaway: A Promise for Tomorrow by Michele Paige Holmes

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Scottish Highlands, 1700s:

Barely two weeks have passed since Laird Collin MacDonald first darkened Katherine Mercer’s doorstep and married her. Marriage has hardly been what she expected, given their grueling and adventurous days of travel to the Scottish Highlands. Along with the discovery that Collin’s twin Ian would like to see her dead, Katie must now face her own clan, whose chief wants to kill Collin and take her to wife himself. All because Katie possesses the Campbell gift of sight, passed down through centuries of her ancestors.

With little more than faith in her grandfather’s vision and her unique bond with Collin to guide her, Katie steps bravely into an unknown future, where the glimpses afforded her may bring more danger than direction. When the misuse of her gift takes Collin from her side, she is left alone and vulnerable. Help arrives in the most unexpected form as Ian MacDonald makes good on his threat to attack the Campbells and Katie learns that the bond between brothers and love knows no bounds.

My Review

Wow. What a rollercoaster for my heart! I totally fell in love with the characters in the first book, Yesterday's Promise, and anxiously awaited this second installment in their story as they confront the villain and attempt to take back the castle and rescue the people under Brann's cruel thumb. There is just as much danger, romance, twists, and angst in this book, and I couldn't put it down as I was completely immersed in the setting and plot! There is quite a lot going on and I don't want to give anything away, so just know that this series is definitely one of my favorites of the year and overall! There is a third book coming in a few months, but this one had a satisfying conclusion while still leaving me looking forward to more. You HAVE to read the first book before this one to lay the foundation and because it's just so amazing :)

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Be sure to read the first book in the Hearthfire Scottish Historical series!

The Kindle e-book is currently only $1.60! 
(Be sure to double-check the price)

Read my 5 star review here

Synopsis

In the Scottish Highlands, 1761

Nineteen-year-old artist Katherine Mercer dreams of selling her paintings to help support her struggling family. Before she has the opportunity, Katherine learns she is to be sold—or practically so—given in marriage to a lord she has never met or even heard of. In return, a much-needed settlement will be made upon her mother.

Katherine’s situation goes from frightening to surreal when her husband-to-be Laird Collin MacDonald arrives with an entourage of men, each heavily armed and speaking with a thick brogue. As if leaving all she knows behind and traveling to another country with strangers isn’t bad enough, Katherine soon discovers a Scottish heritage she knew nothing of, a brother-in-law who wants her dead, and far more at stake with her paintings than she had ever imagined. Forced to turn to her reclusive husband for answers, comfort, and even her very survival, Katherine begins to unravel the mysteries of her past and what it is to love and be loved.

Connect with author Michele Paige Holmes:

Goodreads - Website - Twitter - Facebook

Tour schedule

Dec 4 - Wishful Endings

Dec 5 - Getting Your Read On / Smiling Book Reviews / LDS Writer Mom

Dec 6 - My Book a Day / Bubble Bath Books

Dec 7 - Heidi Reads... / Bookworm Lisa / Empower Moms

Dec 8 - Why Not? Because I Said So / Katie’s Clean Book Collection

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Review: The Heart Only Grows by Michele Paige Holmes

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

For Children’s Aid Society employee Addelaide Campbell, riding the Orphan Train is a labor of love—a last, heart-wrenching attempt to do the best she can for the children entrusted to her care. If only she could keep them all…Or at the least, keep children from the same family together. When the sheriff of Somerset, Wisconsin, offers an unexpected proposal that might allow her to do just that, Addie takes a leap of faith—or possibly insanity—and decides to accept.

Miles Linden has sworn off women, children, marriage, and family. In the two years since he lost his wife and daughter to influenza, loneliness has been his constant companion, except on Friday nights when he drowns his sorrows at the local saloon. He’s coping with this arrangement just fine, until the morning he’s rudely awakened by a pert woman and two gawking children who mistake him for a real outlaw, instead of a man sleeping off his liquor on the cot at the jail. Being awakened and accused are the least of the surprises awaiting Miles, since Addie Campbell and the Orphan Train arrived in town.

My Review

Be still my heart! How I loved this sweet story of two orphans that brought together two lonely people to form a family. I've always been fascinated by the history of the orphan train, and since we have adopted our two daughters, it's a topic that is close to my heart. I love characters like Addie, she is a woman who has suffered hardship, but it has made her more compassionate and an advocate for the orphans. Miles' sorrow is understandable, and I loved how Addie accepted what he was able to offer- and not offer- with gratitude. I also loved that he was quick to look beyond himself to the family now in his care and couldn't help but respond. A wonderful novella with characters that are easy to connect to, great pacing, and a full story arc- just the kind of reading that makes me cozy up and sigh with happiness :)

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Timeless Romance Singles: 

FROM CAIRO, WITH LOVE by Nancy Campbell Allen
SOPHIA'S LEAP-YEAR COURTSHIP by Kristin Holt
STARTING OVER IN STEEPLE RIDGE by Liz Isaacson
THE MATCHMAKING GAME by Donna Hatch
THE HEART ONLY GROWS by Michele Paige Holmes
MORE TROUBLE IN LOVELAND by Jennifer Peel

Cover Reveal! A Promise for Tomorrow by Michele Paige Holmes

Coming November 2017, from Michele Paige Holmes, Amazon’s bestselling historical romance author and Whitney Award Winner, comes the Hearthfire Historical Romance, A PROMISE FOR TOMORROW, sequel to Yesterday's Promise.

Synopsis

Scottish Highlands, 1700s:

Barely two weeks have passed since Laird Collin MacDonald first darkened Katherine Mercer’s doorstep and married her. Marriage has hardly been what she expected, given their grueling and adventurous days of travel to the Scottish Highlands. Along with the discovery that Collin’s twin Ian would like to see her dead, Katie must now face her own clan, whose chief wants to kill Collin and take her to wife himself. All because Katie possesses the Campbell gift of sight, passed down through centuries of her ancestors.

With little more than faith in her grandfather’s vision and her unique bond with Collin to guide her, Katie steps bravely into an unknown future, where the glimpses afforded her may bring more danger than direction. When the misuse of her gift takes Collin from her side, she is left alone and vulnerable. Help arrives in the most unexpected form as Ian MacDonald makes good on his threat to attack the Campbells and Katie learns that the bond between brothers and love knows no bounds.

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I absolutely LOVED the first book in this series, Yesterday's Promise . . . 

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

In the Scottish Highlands, 1761

Nineteen-year-old artist Katherine Mercer dreams of selling her paintings to help support her struggling family. Before she has the opportunity, Katherine learns she is to be sold—or practically so—given in marriage to a lord she has never met or even heard of. In return, a much-needed settlement will be made upon her mother.

Katherine’s situation goes from frightening to surreal when her husband-to-be Laird Collin MacDonald arrives with an entourage of men, each heavily armed and speaking with a thick brogue. As if leaving all she knows behind and traveling to another country with strangers isn’t bad enough, Katherine soon discovers a Scottish heritage she knew nothing of, a brother-in-law who wants her dead, and far more at stake with her paintings than she had ever imagined. Forced to turn to her reclusive husband for answers, comfort, and even her very survival, Katherine begins to unravel the mysteries of her past and what it is to love and be loved.

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Hearthfire Romances:

SAVING GRACE
LOVING HELEN
MARRYING CHRISTOPHER
TWELVE DAYS IN DECEMBER
YESTERDAY’S PROMISE (Scottish Historical)
A PROMISE FOR TOMORROW (Scottish Historical, coming Fall 2017)
HEARTHFIRE ROMANCE COLLECTION, VOLUME 1 (box set)

Review: Yesterday's Promise by Michele Paige Holmes

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

In the Scottish Highlands, 1761

Nineteen-year-old artist Katherine Mercer dreams of selling her paintings to help support her struggling family. Before she has the opportunity, Katherine learns she is to be sold—or practically so—given in marriage to a lord she has never met or even heard of. In return, a much-needed settlement will be made upon her mother.

Katherine’s situation goes from frightening to surreal when her husband-to-be Laird Collin MacDonald arrives with an entourage of men, each heavily armed and speaking with a thick brogue. As if leaving all she knows behind and traveling to another country with strangers isn’t bad enough, Katherine soon discovers a Scottish heritage she knew nothing of, a brother-in-law who wants her dead, and far more at stake with her paintings than she had ever imagined. Forced to turn to her reclusive husband for answers, comfort, and even her very survival, Katherine begins to unravel the mysteries of her past and what it is to love and be loved.

My Review

Wow. I was not prepared for how much I would love this book! I had heard that it was the first book in a two-part series, and normally I don't like when a book ends on a cliffhanger and then I have to wait several months for the second book to publish in order to finish the story... but this one is so well-written that I can't help but give it 5 stars! It actually does pause in a natural place, so even though the full tale will conclude in the second book, I felt satisfied when I finished reading this book. It definitely helped that I was prepared for the type of ending it has, and the good news is that the second book, A Promise for Tomorrow, releases only a few months later- this fall- so the wait won't be long.

All the characters really come to life and practically jump off the page! I was fully immersed the entire time I was reading and it was too hard to put down! The introduction and the beginning of each chapter is told from Collin's point of view, flashbacks to his youth and earliest interactions with Katherine. The present day narrative is from Katherine's perspective, and I really liked her personality and determination. She doesn't remember her childhood experiences in Scotland so we got to learn along with her the complex dynamics and history between the different clans and the English. Despite the harsh traveling circumstances she thrives in the beauty of her homeland, and her relationship with Collin blossoms gradually and wonderfully. I loved the give and take between them, the devotion and loyalty, and hesitant feelings maturing into full romance. There are deep layers to Collin that Katie seeks to uncover and know as she falls in love with him and wants to support him and his burdens. There is an element of intrigue as Katherine sorts out political loyalties and where her place is in all the drama and hopes for the future. I am *so* looking forward to the second book and seeing how she confronts her enemies and becomes a leader in her clan.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Cover Reveal: Yesterday's Promise by Michele Paige Homes

New from Michele Paige Holmes, Amazon’s bestselling historical romance author and Whitney Award Winner, comes the newest Hearthfire Historical Romance, YESTERDAY’S PROMISE.

YESTERDAY'S PROMISE

Release date: July 5, 2017

Synopsis

In the Scottish Highlands, 1746
 
Nineteen-year-old artist Katherine Mercer dreams of selling her paintings to help support her struggling family. Before she has the opportunity, Katherine learns she is to be sold—or practically so—given in marriage to a lord she has never met or even heard of. In return, a much-needed settlement will be made upon her mother. 

Katherine’s situation goes from frightening to surreal when her husband-to-be Laird Collin MacDonald arrives with an entourage of men, each heavily armed and speaking with a thick brogue. As if leaving all she knows behind and traveling to another country with strangers isn’t bad enough, Katherine soon discovers a Scottish heritage she knew nothing of, a brother-in-law who wants her dead, and far more at stake with her paintings than she had ever imagined. Forced to turn to her reclusive husband for answers, comfort, and even her very survival, Katherine begins to unravel the mysteries of her past and what it is to love and be loved.

Don't miss the other books in the Hearthfire Romance series. . .