My Review - A Promise to Love

A Promise to Love by Serena B. Miller

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Serena B. Miller proves that you can take an old formula and make it fresh with rich characters and writing skills that keep you turning page after page.

A PROMISE TO LOVE is another marriage of convenience story that has been told time and time again.  But I promise you, it does not read like an old, tired, plot outline.  Miller’s writing is so fresh and so tight, I finished the book is less than twelve hours.

Ingrid Larsen has come to America from Sweden to experience the American dream of freedom of religion and the hope of a brighter tomorrow.  When her brother fails to meet her at their predetermined time and place, she has no choice but to make her way on her own.  She soon finds herself little more than a slave to an unbearable woman.  Through a series of events, she finds herself sitting in on the inquest of a young father accused of killing his wife.  Though found innocent of the crime, he is told his five children will be removed from him since he is not capable of caring for them on his own.  Though Ingrid has had only one interaction with Joshua Hunter, she instinctively knows that he loves his children and only needs the domestic help to see to his home and children.  Without thought, she volunteers to marry him in order to provide for his children.  Even though Ingrid knows this is a marriage of convenience, in her heart of hearts, she prays that someday Joshua will come to love her.

Joshua Hunter is devastated by the loss of his wife.  She was the love of his life even though her wavering emotions were difficult for him to understand.  He has agreed to married Ingrid because it is the only solution he can see to keep his kids out of the vindictive hands of his in-laws.  But, a helpmate for his children and home is all that he desires from Ingrid.  He has no illusions of love for the odd, Scandinavian woman. 

Serena B. Miller does an amazing job of fleshing out rich and distinctive characters in not only the lead characters, but secondary characters like Agnes, Hazel, and so many more.  How many times can you tell the story of a marriage of convenience, throwing the hero and heroine together in a loveless relationship only to see the embers of love grow between them?  It is a tired plot, but in no way is A PROMISE TO LOVE a tired story.  I loved the fact that Miller portrayed Ingrid as strong and stubborn instead of weak and subservient.  And Joshua’s rebuffing of Ingrid’s show of affection seemed so right for a man who has just lost his wife.  Agnes, the older daughter is quite a character in her own right, and Hazel and she-dog are the quintessential odd ducks that add humor and flair to the story.  A truly enjoyable story.  I will continue to keep my eye open for more stories from this author.

Book provided for review purposes.

Available October 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.




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