About the Book
Book: A Promise Engraved
Author: Liz Tolsma
Genre: Christian Fiction/Historical Fiction/Romance
Release date: May, 2022
Can Promises Made in Times of Struggle Endure 200 Years?
Visit historic American landmarks through the Doors to the Past series. History and today collide in stories full of mystery, intrigue, faith, and romance.
Young, spirited Josie Wilkins life is about to take a turn when faced with political turmoil and forbidden love in San Antonio of 1836. John Gilbert has won her heart, despite being a Protestant preacher who is forbidden to practice his faith in Texas. Will either of them survive an epic battle for liberty to create a legacy of love?
Nearly 200 years later, Kayleigh Hernandez takes breaks from her demanding job as a refugee coordinator working with Mexican migrants to attend flea markets where she has found a uniquely engraved ring. Enlisting the help of appraiser Brandon Shuman, they piece together a love story long forgotten. But will dangers linked to Kayleigh’s work end her own hopes for leaving a legacy built on hope, faith, and love?
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Liz Tolsma is the author of several WWII novels, romantic suspense novels, prairie romance novellas, and an Amish romance. She is a popular speaker and an editor and resides next to a Wisconsin farm field with her husband and their youngest daughter. Her son is a US Marine, and her oldest daughter is a college student. Liz enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping. Please visit her website at www.liztolsma.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter (@LizTolsma), Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest. She is also the host of the Christian Historical Fiction Talk podcast.
More from Liz
The Story of Susannah Dickinson, Alamo Survivor
When asked how many died at the Alamo, many would answer that everyone did. While it’s true that all fighting on the side of Texas independence perished, there were survivors, all women and children and one slave. The only white woman (the rest were of Mexican descent) was Susannah Dickinson, along with her daughter Angelina. Susannah had followed her husband, Almaron, to Mexican Texas in 1831. They had married two years before when Susannah was just fifteen. She never learned to read or write.
She and the other women hid in the sacristy of the church, one of the surviving buildings in the mission and what we now think of as the Alamo. Her husband died, but Mexican General Santa Anna found them and spared their lives, sending them to Sam Houston with $2 each and a blanket.
She married again the following year but divorced him almost immediately on the grounds of cruelty. She married a third time the following year and was married for five years until her husband died of alcoholism. A fourth marriage occurred in 1847, but she divorced again in 1857, this time allegedly because she was having an affair. That same year, she married for a fifth time. This marriage lasted until her death in 1883.
The ring in A Promise Engraved is based on a cat’s eye ring supposedly given to Angelina by William Travis before the battle. Angelina was Susannah’s only child. She married and had three children, but that marriage ended in divorce. She gave the ring to a man she’d become involved with in New Orleans. She married again and had one more child but died in 1869 from a uterine hemorrhage.
Today there are many descendants of Susannah Dickinson. If you visit the Susannah Dickinson house in Austin, you’ll see a quilt that is signed by many of her living descendants.
My Thoughts
A Promise Engraved is part of the Doors to the Past series and is written by Liz Tolsma. The series is written by multiple authors and all revolve between the time split theme. I believe this is the first time split novel for the author. I have read several of her books and they are always amazing reads.
In this story, travel back to 1835 Texas. There is a lot going on during this time period in history. The author did an amazing job bringing in the rich history of the area. Josie Wilkins has had a shattered life. Her mother and sister were murdered. She was kidnapped by an evil man. Because of this there are so many scars that remain hidden. She is a determined woman. She has set her sites on John Gilbert. He is the Protestant Preacher. However, her deep secrets make her feel that she is not worthy of being a Pastor's wife. John is not able to fully reach out due to the time period. He is s forbidden to practice his faith in Texas. There is a fight for Texas and its independence.
Our Present day character is, Kayleigh Hernandez. She assists Mexican migrant children which takes a toll mentally and emotionally. While traveling the flea markets she finds a very interesting ring. She is determined to find out the story behind it. She asks for help from an appraiser, Brandon Shuman. What kind of story will they be able to piece together?
The characters are well written. You can feel their emotions coming off the page. I have enjoyed this series so much - and don't want to EVER see it end. I adore this author and have always loved everything she has written.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this story - all thoughts are my own.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 28
Bigreadersite, May 28
The Write Escape, May 28
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 29
Christina’s Corner, May 29
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 29
lakesidelivingsite, May 30
Texas Book-aholic, May 30
Rebecca Tews, May 30
Inklings and notions, May 31
Blogging With Carol, May 31
Splashes of Joy, May 31
Betti Mace, June 1
Southern Gal Loves to Read, June 1
Genesis 5020, June 2
Daysong Reflections, June 2
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 2
Remembrancy, June 3
Books, Books, and More Books, June 3
For Him and My Family, June 3
Older & Smarter?, June 4
Locks, Hooks and Books, June 4
Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 5
deb’s Book Review, June 5
Mary Hake, June 5
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 6
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 6
Blossoms and Blessings, June 6
Connie’s History Classroom, June 7
Life of Literature, June 7
Back Porch Reads , June 7
Bizwings Blog, June 8
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 8
For the Love of Literature, June 8
Through the Fire blogs, June 9
Pause for Tales, June 9
Labor Not in Vain, June 9
A Good Book and Cup of Tea, June 10
Melissa’s Bookshelf, June 10
Little Homeschool on the Prairie, June 10
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Liz is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/1e37a/a-promise-engraved-celebration-tour-giveaway
Two women, one ancient Egyptian harem, and the bold decision that changed the course of history.
KD HOLMBERG is a retired flight attendant who turned an empty nest into a workshop for creating stories around remarkable women. She and her husband live in the foothills of the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains and love to travel and golf. They also run a girl gang of seven granddaughters, courtesy of their five adult children, and have one male grandchild that the author can safely declare as her favorite grandson.
Born in the United Kingdom, LILLIAN RACHEL grew up in East Anglia and moved north to Durham before marrying her US military man and Atlantic hopping between Europe and North America.
In 1875, Kansas bachelor Drew Montgomery’s sole desire is to serve God, but his congregation’s ultimatum that he marry or leave, forces him to advertise for a wife by proxy.
Jodie Wolfe