A Promise for Breanna

Angel of Mercy #1

by Al Lacy

The Angel of Mercy series follows the adventures of certified medical nurse Breanna Baylor as she seeks to serve her fellow man and restore her relationship with her true love-John Stranger of the Journeys of the Stranger series-in the post-Civil War West. A Promise for Breanna finds the heroine face to face with Frank Miller, the man who once broke her heart and led her to mistrust men, sabotaging her relationship with John Stranger. Suspense, danger, romance, and spiritual truth each play a part in this compelling story that draws readers into the life of an angel of mercy.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical, Romance, Historical Romance

321 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1995

About the author

Al Lacy has written more than ninety novels, including the Angel of Mercy, Battles of Destiny, and Journeys of the Stranger series. He and his wife, JoAnna Lacy, are coauthors of the Mail Order Bride, Hannah of Fort Bridger, and Shadow of Liberty series. The Lacys make their home in the Colorado Rockies.

Reviews

[Karen]

What a good book! Breanna Baylor is a certified nurse. She is in love with John Stranger, but he is no where around. The man she hoped to marry, Frank Miller, had left her for another. After a period in town full of adventure, she joins a wagon train on the way to California. Her skills are never unneeded. Then the Indians begin their attack for seemingly no reason. There is no end to the suspense of her life. Her obvious walk with Jesus keeps her looking to Him rather than the help of man. A very good read.

[Rebekah Morris]

DNF
I read 2 chapters and found them boring. The style of writing held no interest to me. The characters were blah and I didn't care what happened to them. I jumped ahead to see if things got better, but it didn't look like it. It actually looked like lots of drama and one page of resolution.
Just not something I'm interested in.

[Angela]

Good Book! Al Lacy writes a well developed story of a young certified medical nurse who is in the wild west and finds herself serving the people of a wagon train heading to California. Armed with her Bible, faith, convictions, and a Colt .45 as well as a Derringer, she finds herself face to face with an enemy.

[Hannah Avery]

I enjoyed this book!

[Neva Womack]

Western Indian War novel with a religious twist. I enjoyed reading it.

[Salinn Barth]

This book was the most unrealistic book I’ve read in my entire life I think!

[Mark]

Awesome read. Loved the ending

[Heidi]

A lovely book - and a nice brain break from all the healthy eating research I've been doing! Looking forward to reading the other two books in this series.

[Holly (2 Kids and Tired)]

After working in a small, frontier town as the only medical staff, Breanna finds herself a traveler on a wagon train heading towards San Francisco to visit her sister. She treats patients, performs surgery, delivers babies and fights off Indian attacks. All the while, she nurtures and teaches those around her.

I will admit that my first reaction to looking at this book was that it was a shallow romance novel. It captured my attention though and, for the most part, I enjoyed it. Filled with some romance and some drama, this is Christian fiction and somewhat preachy in that Breanna is forever teaching and bringing others to find Christ. It's also enthralling and enjoyable.

Set in the nineteenth century frontier, I found the historical aspect fascinating, especially Breanna's explanations of the history and evolution of medicine, as well as the biblical references to healing.

I like Breanna, although I think she's much too perfect and good. She has no flaws or faults, and always says the right thing and does the right thing.

This is the first of the Angel of Mercy series, but not the first time Breanna has appeared in an Al Lacy book. She and John Stranger appeared in at least one other series. This series is meant to stand alone however, with a brief history given at the beginning. I haven't read any of the other series' yet, but I assume that the characters, especially John Stranger, would seem more personal and developed if one was already familiar with them.

I believe my library has most of these other books and I look forward to checking them out and finding out more about Breanna and John.

[Debra]

This could be a typical western, from back in the 50's and 60's! Girl loves guy... Guy loves girl... Girl jilts guy... but in the end it all turns out "Happily Ever After!" And "out west" there has to be Indian attacks and then the Calvary rides in and saves the last of the people!

Only thing about this it does have a good Christian base as the main characters are introduced!

Lots of geographical history but to much repetition with that! This tends to want you to pull out a map and figure out where you are!

This is the first I have read of Al Lacy and not sure I will read anymore! Great Christian writing but typical beginning and ending!

[Barb]

I enjoyed this story but it wasn't one of those that really drew me in. There is a good bit of historical information kind of added to the story. Most I found very interesting and some I just glanced through without reading. A principal I respected in this story that I sadly find missing in a lot of Christian stories is that every Christian character sought a Christian mate as is instructed in God's Word.

[Sheila]

I read this whole series and loved every one of them. Al Lacy ties in all his series of books one way or another and causes you to want to read them all. He gives the Gospel of salvation in every book he writes. His books always pretty much end up with a western setting......I highly recommend them all

[Audrey]

I started reading this series when I was in high school. All I remember is that it was one of those books I had a hard time putting down until it was read. I am definitely planning on reading it again soon. GREAT BOOK an GREAT SERIES!

[Mary]

Set in the post-Civil War American west, this story follows a travelling nurse, a topic close to my heart. My knowledge of this era of American history was enhanced by reading this book. For anyone fascinated with the pioneer days, this is a worthwhile read.

[Olivia]

awsome book. couldnt put it down

[Bethany N Wallace]

This is a very spiritual series...I learned so much about the Bible just by reading it... :). It also it also taught me a lot about history.

[Abigayle Wiseman]

I love ALL of Al Lacy's books and this series is probably my favorite!

[Marcie Miller]

Good book to read. Has suspense, some intrigue and romance. Breanna has a mistrust of men because of someone she was betrothed to. Now he has come back into her life. Can she ever trust him?

[Robin]

Such a good book! Keeps you on the edge the whole time. Defiantly a book worth taking the time to read.

[Alicia Lowery]

I'm not a fan of this book. 318 pages of boring history details, names, waiting, undeveloped characters and one page of resolution. I don't think I'll finish the series.

[Jennifer Thompson-Thalasinos]

This book is about a nurse working in the West during the time of the California Gold Rush. It’s an enjoyable read, but there are many secondary characters that muddy the story a bit.

[Shawna Aguilar]

Loved the book.... It was a little bit slow in the middle but jumped into action around chapter 13.. Cant wait to find the rest of the series to read them..

[Carolyn Lockwood]

I liked it better than Legacy, a book by the same author. However, I found it preachy a little. I prefer a more subtle approach.

[Theresa Petoskey]

A great book to read again and again I read it once a long time ago and read it again today for a summer reading challenge as a book I read 10+ years ago

[Loraine]

Al Lacy continues to write good Christian historical fiction.

[Sarah]

My review is posted here: http://quivermom.blogspot.com/2009/07...

[Galion Public Library Teens]

Review by C.H.: "This book was awesome."