A Heart's Promise

A Journey of the Heart #5

by Colleen Coble

A rival threatens Emmie's budding romance with Isaac.

At Fort Laramie, soldier Isaac Liddle determines he will court and win Emmie Croftner's hand. Though courting seems improbable for a woman in her condition, Emmie begins to care deeply for Issac and chafes as Jessica Dubois sets her bonnet for him.

When Jessica learns of Emmie's secret pregnancy, she blackmails her. With the Sioux Wars raging outside the safety of Fort Laramie, Emmie knows she cannot lose Isaac. But will he reject her--and her child--if he learns the truth?

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

Paperback

First published July 7, 1999

About the author

USAToday bestselling author Colleen Coble lives with her husband, Dave, in Arizona. She is the author of dozens of novels including the Rock Harbor Series, the Aloha Reef Series, the Mercy Falls Series, the Hope Beach Series, the Lonestar Series and two Women of Faith fiction selections, Alaska Twilight and Midnight Sea. She has more than 6 million books in print.

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, the synopsis on this book's page and on the back cover are, respectively, erroneous and spoiler-y. Emmie's pregnancy is not a secret from anyone, but the circumstances of her widowhood are.

It's rather awkward to think of being chosen by a wife to be her replacement, isn't it? That's the crux of this novella...is Emmie going to have to fulfil that unlikely promise?

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one wasn't as enjoyable as the last one, partly because I'm tired of the lack of communication and the constant misunderstandngs. And of course Jessica is back and now she wants Isaac. Figures! I really hope that once Isaac learns the truth about Emmie, he won't behave badly...but I have a strong feeling he will.

[Randy Tramp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emmie Croftner has a secret. Keeping that secret means pushing people away, including Isaac Liddle, who determines to win her heart.

An old foe enters the stage and causes problems.

History flows from these pages and excites this reader. It felt like being there. The author did a great job in getting the reader to care about the characters. I sure did. Looking forward to the next book.

[Flor Gisela Vázquez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because, so far, I had loved all the books I’ve read by Colleen Coble. She describes this as her first series. And it is quite different from her latest work, which is totally awesome. The only touching part of this book is the letter from the author at the beginning. The story was rather bland and it’s not resolved at the end. This is the first book I’ve read of this series, but it’s the next to the last. I don’t think it works quite well as a standalone and maybe, for that reason, I didn’t enjoy it that much.

I won’t be reading the rest of the series but I do recommend the rest of Colleen Coble’s books, especially the Pelican Harbor Series.

[Hallie (Hallie Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is also posted on Book by Book.

A Heart’s Promise offers another exciting installment to Colleen Coble’s A Journey of the Heart. Emmie and Isaac still find themselves drawn to each other, yet circumstances continue to keep them apart. With a promise made in case of death and the return of a crafty nemesis, the future of the romance is quite up in the air. An all-around enjoyable read that has me eager for the last book of the series, A Heart’s Promise will please fans of Coble’s novella series. It’s a perfect book to pick up on a free summer afternoon.

Thanks to LitFuse Publicity Group, I received a copy of A Heart’s Promise and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Shannah Mauney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite of the 6 books series! I cannot wait to see how everything plays out in the next and final book. I knew I was going to like Emmie's story from the beginning! I also knew I was going to love it when one of my favorite verses showed up in the beginning:

"Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." - Isaiah 43: 1-2

I feel like Colleen is foreshadowing what lies ahead for this wonderful group of characters, and I cannot wait to read the conclusion! Read my full review: http://faithlovebooks.blogspot.com/20...

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fabulous installment. Can't wait to see how the story arc wraps up!

[Danielle Turko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still in shock over the news that she's bringing a child into the world, Emmie finds her world reeling with decisions to make. She knows her child will be illegitimate, but she can't change the fact that she's pregnant and her husband had been a rogue. Isaac still seems interested in her, but when the beautiful Jessica sets her sights on being Isaacs wife, and promises to let everyone know her secret if she doesn't leave Isaac alone, Emmie doesn't know what the right decision is, especially when Amelia makes her promise to marry Jacob if anything happens to her. Can she live a life fulfilled with just her and her baby?
A sweet book that has a nice ending, although the storyline is still broken up by the shortened books.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed reading the past books by this author and now in book 5, we see Emma again in a dilemma another woman has set her hat for Liddle so where will this romance go. Then she promised a dear friend that if anything happened to her Emma would marry her husband and raise heir baby . I love how the author treated this sensitive situation and Emma founds herself fulfilling the promise, a promise that would change any hope of real love or would this turn out to be what starts out as a promise ends in happiness.

[Alicia Lowery · Rating 3 out of 5]

The publisher should’ve bound books 1-3 together. And let books 4-6 be a book 2. Carrying around all these tiny books is cumbersome. This is the main reason for the rating.

This story was more a romance than a suspense—like this author is more known for. It was a good story overall, just poorly bound.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fifth book out of six in this series. Leaving Fort Laramie for Fort Phil Kearney was a hard trip in a wagon bed. This Fort is more primitive than the other. The ladies take it all in stride and make the best out of their little house they are given. Time period is 1866ish so there is always the possibility of an Indian raid.

[Sonja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kind of left me hanging, but the author does mention before the book even starts that it is a series. Actually, I had no idea that this is Book 5 in a series I hadn't yet read, but I didn't have any trouble picking up and following the characters. The writing is well done. The story is engaging, and the characters are interesting and relatable, not flat.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I have to admit that I don’t like just romances. I have to have some other plot going on like mystery, so that will color my view of this book. Of course, Colleen Coble is a great writer, so it is well written. However, it doesn’t end! I hate books that don’t end! You have to get the sequel to find out what happens.

[Allie Kilduff · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second half of this series while still following some of the original characters has new protagonists with a new but similar plot. These books are very easy to read quickly and the storyline is a sweet historical fiction but doesn't make the reader emotionally invested.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

[Esmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is so easy to read and I really like the 1866 early American setting.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could just keep reading about these characters and following their lives in Fort Laramie! Each book has taken a twist that I didn't see coming.

[Erica Locke · Rating 5 out of 5]

"He was worth fighting for."

When love is involved, you will go beyond your means to fight for the one you love.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have found these small books to be quite enjoyable. Sadly there is only 1 more. I have enjoyed them and look forward to the last book... but will be sad to be done with this sweet series

[Melmo2610 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The next installment in the story of Emmie and Issac. I liked this part of their story and am looking forward to the conclusion of the story in book 6.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to know how it ends. The bound between these women and their men’s unfaltering need to protect them is addictive.

[Lilian]

RTC

[Beth Butler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short predictable novella. Just as expected, with a simple, but pleasant story. A little lost on the setting, but I can't complain because I am reading Book 5 without having read the first 4 books.

[Chelsey Trosclair · Rating 4 out of 5]

I devoured this one. I love the bond between the men and women. I’m enjoying seeing Emmie’s story and growth. Just an enjoyable read!

[Danni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been fun

[Marilyn Rushing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.. on to #6

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story full of love, adventure and a few twist and turns.

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

We think the author through the last book away. Started story lines that just vanished towards the end of the book. Made no sense.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet short story.

[Mi3sprouts · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5.0 - I’m glad I finished this series of novellas, but the big issue that the MC was so concerned about telling her fiancé never was resolved to the reader. 🤷🏼‍♀️