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A Promise Engraved by Liz Tolsma Review

 Happy Friday Everyone :)

 I pray today finds you all doing well, and I want to thank you all for joining me for another book review here on The Preppy Book Princess.

Are you planning anything fun for the weekend? I'm going to be working all three days, and then I have some scary stuff going on next week again unfortunately. So this weekend aside from working, I'm hoping to spend some more time relaxing and destressing with some great reads, and also spending some time with my hubby, and getting my house all cleaned up and ready to go in case I don't feel up to it next week.

If you've been reading my blog for awhile, then you've probably already heard me express my love of the multi author Doors to the Past series many times before.

I'm so thankful I took the opportunity to read and review one of the early titles in the series, as it brought this wonderful series into my life that has truly become one of my all time favorites.

If you've never tried this series, I highly recommend doing so. You can check out all the reviews I've done of earlier titles in the series using the links below:

Hope Between the Pages

Bridge of Gold

Undercurrent of Secrets

Behind Love's Wall

High Wire Heartbreak

Love's Fortress


Keep reading below for my full review of the upcoming release in the series.


A Promise Engraved by Liz Tolsma:



Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Publisher: Barbour

Publication Date: May 1st, 2022

Genre: Christian Fiction/Dual Timline

Series: Doors to the Past


Synopsis:

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?

(synopsis from goodreads)



My Review:

A Promise Engraved is the eighth installment in the multi author Doors to the Past series, and is a dual timeline story that highlights Liz Tolsma's wonderful gift of storytelling.

Set in Texas, this particular title focuses around the events of the Alamo in 1836, and a ring in the present day that seems to have connections to this horrific period in history. As our two female protagonists in the past and the present suffer horrendous circumstances, a mystery grows that pulls many players into a centuries rich bit of history.

I have to admit that going into this one, my knowledge of the events at the Alamo were minimal at most. I especially enjoyed how rich in history this particular title was, and I definitely came away feeling like I'd gained new knowledge about many details unknown to me before. One of my favorite type of mystery stories is ones that connect between the past and the present, and I thought this was handled beautifully throughout. I'd never have known without reading the end acknowledgments that this was the author's first foray into the dual timeline genre.

A story rich in both history and mystery, A Promise Engraved is another wonderful addition to the Doors to the Past series.

I only ended up having a couple of minor complaints.

First, I felt some of the questions raised weren't answered in a way I found totally satisfying. It might not bother every reader, but it left me feeling like I'd missed something in the ending.

Secondly, this one did take me quite awhile to get into, but once I got to the halfway point I was definitely finding myself glued to the pages.

Lastly, because of the part of history it's based upon, this book is definitely heavier and darker, and was one that I couldn't read too much of in one sitting. However, I much appreciated that the darkness was balanced with the light of Jesus, and I thought that part was handled beautifully.

All in all, I really enjoyed this one, and I look forward to reading more from this series and from this author in the future.

Final Rating: 4/5.

Thanks so much to Barbour for allowing me to advance read and review this one!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Barbour) in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks so much for reading guys! Have a great rest of your weekend :)

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