A Promise to Love: A Novel

Joshua,was a man who love his family,he was a provider and a protector of his home,he have a wife by the name Dianthas,she was a beautiful women,Joshua was so inlove with her shecould do no wrong in his eyes she were the perfect wife,no one could never takeher place.Well Dianthas died Dr. couldn't find the cause of death,there was a investigation,the day of the deposition they call Millicent to take the stand,she was a friend of Dianthas mother,millicent began to assassinate Joshua character.Millicent,had a maid who was a beautifullady inside and out,she were pleasant,she care for people,and a person of hospitality,sometime when Ingrid wouldnot respond to Millicent in timely fashion,she would beat her and call her out her name.she was cruel women,one day Joshua witness Millicent abuse toward Ingrid.Court back in session,court call the mother of the late Dianthas to the witness stand,she's distraught women stricken with grief,she accusing Joshua ofkilling her daughter,asking the court if her grandchildren could be remove from the home,court rule in her favor,Ingrid mind began to ponder looking at Joshua,the mighty man of god saying i can help him with his children,these innocent children willnot be taken away from him she begin to address the court saying Joshua and her are engage to be married,court granted them custody of the kids.They got marry,Ingrid love him,but Joshua could never love her he only had eyes for one women,his decease wife Diathas,Ingrid never gave up her faith that one day he will come to love her the way she need to be love and that her dream will come to pass.Ingrid knew she had responsibility to take care of their kids,the children loved her if only Joshua come to love then their family would be complete.Ingrid found a dress that belong to Diathas she decide she would use some of the material to make their oldest daughter Ellie a dress,she found Diathas signature perfume you could smell the fragrance,Joshua stood there watching her thinking what is this women doing with my wife things and why are she wearing her perfume only Diathas can wear that fragrance,he became unhinged calling her out of her name running her out of the house crying.The next day Ingrid would take care of the children,clean the house and cook his favorite meals she was a excellent cook,Ingrid realize she were commited to this marriage and she wasn't going to let her husband or other people ruin their marriage,she prayed that God would open her husband eyes to see she's not out to harm him she is here to help him.Joshua motherMary had eyes as a eagle she could see when things wasn't going right with her son she didn't like the way he were treating his wife she wanted him to know Ingrid is prize to be won and that he should appreciate her.One day Mary and Ingrid discover a chest they became curious,what could be in this chest they begin to look for the key couldn't find it Ingrid kept searching inside was Dianthas diary.What's in that diary that could be detrimental to Joshua?will Joshua,have a change of heart concerning his late wife,or will he realize the blessing God sent him in his new wife.Five StarMay God continue to bless you!

I enjoyed the story and the factual information that the author included about farm life, logging, and fires of Michigan in the late 1800s. This is the third book in this series, and I have enjoyed the books except for the way the author seems to paint the Civil War South in such a selfish , evil way. There were hundreds of southern families in the south who never owned slaves. Many were poor and lived in small cabins. The Civil War was not just about slavery. It was about State`s rights. After the war many northerners treated the south horribly, but that is seldom mentioned. I have lived in numerous states, both northern and southern, so I am not siding with one side over the other. I would just like to have seen a better balance in these books. This author paints the Civil War South shamefully at times. There were bad people on both sides. I am thankful no one is a slave in America now, but there were even white slaves in America before the Civil War.

You will fall in love with Ingrid. She's funny and got grit. You will love the entire book! Amazing, "full of personality", believable characters. All the characters are engaging, adding to the whole story rather some being used as "story props". Easy reading. Historically accurate but not overwhelming. This is the second book by Ms. Miller I've read. I've already read this book twice from the library and now I decided to just purchase to just have it and read it again. The second and third time around was just as good as the first read. That entertaining for me. There is a degree of Christian value, but it's not overwhelming. It's not more than Mr. Trump calling himself a christian. The biblical principle of "do everything with love...as serving Christ, himself" is what gave Ingrid her strength and insightful understanding. That's about it. Not preachy at all. I wanted to knock some sense into the Hero throughout the book, but it added to "what's he gonna do next" factor, having me turn pages and read faster. Read it. Read it and judge for yourself. You won't be disappointed.

While my husband and I spent some time on the Oregon Coast in August, I read my first book by Serena B Miller--The Measure of Katie Calloway. It was a wonderful book but that's not the one I am reviewing here. A Promise to Love takes place in the thumb of the Michigan mitten.Ingrid Larsen is looking for her brother Hans but she doesn't hold out much hope that she can find him because she hasn't heard from him in a year, and she is so poor she cannot afford her own shoes. Joshua Hunter is a widower with five children whose wife died under suspicious circumstances. After an inquest into the cause of her death, the judge rules that Joshua cannot take care of his children unless he has a wife. Ingrid stands up and volunteers to marry him. Even after marrying Ingrid, Joshua cannot get his infant son back from his in-laws. Ingrid proves her intrepid spirit by taking the children in hand, by sewing for them, cooking for the family, and making the house a home. Ingrid is even able to keep her head in the face of catastrophe.Serena takes us through the ups and downs of marriage, especially a marriage that began out of necessity rather than love. I read this book through in one day, it was that good. Definitely five stars, two thumbs up, and a new pair of boots.

Excellent well thought out theme and storyline.

A wonderful rewarding read. Yes, life was hard in those times in the 1800's yet they were also rewarding. This story is shaped on pioneer lives, with love, courage, hardship and relentless drive for a better life. Serena Miller has a gift for talking the reader right into the action. She also helps develope a historical knowledge of the period, for which, I am grateful. The strong folk of yesteryear have shaped us to where we are today. Adding to this, is a beautiful love story developed from friendship and common sense. Yes! a rewarding read in many ways and one I had to keep running to, to find out what was happening next. .

This book is not as fast paced as the others but still a good read.

Great book with a few twists and turns. Really enjoyed it.

Couldn't put this book down.