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Turner's Rainbows Saga #2
The Rainbow Promise
SHE WOULD BE HIS... ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Beautiful Julia Dobson had known love years ago. And it had broken her heart. Now she was back in the little frontier town of her childhood, living in her brother Luke Turner's house, a stranger to the happiness he had with his wife, Sarah. For while Sarah's love had redeemed Luke from a wild, lawless past, Julia still burned with shame at being born a Turner, a pretty rag doll of a girl from a tar-paper shack ... a girl not good enough for Dr. Banks' handsome son James to marry.
Yet in this tiny Texas town Julia could not avoid James for long. And when their eyes met, desire washed over her just as it had before. She knew some things never change, that he could never marry a lowborn woman like her. But she couldn't forget her dream of a love that comes once in a lifetime ... or her secret promise that this time she wouldn't let him go.
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Beautiful Julia Dobson had known love years ago. And it had broken her heart. Now she was back in the little frontier town of her childhood, living in her brother Luke Turner's house, a stranger to the happiness he had with his wife, Sarah. For while Sarah's love had redeemed Luke from a wild, lawless past, Julia still burned with shame at being born a Turner, a pretty rag doll of a girl from a tar-paper shack ... a girl not good enough for Dr. Banks' handsome son James to marry.
Yet in this tiny Texas town Julia could not avoid James for long. And when their eyes met, desire washed over her just as it had before. She knew some things never change, that he could never marry a lowborn woman like her. But she couldn't forget her dream of a love that comes once in a lifetime ... or her secret promise that this time she wouldn't let him go.
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368 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1989
24 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Gregory
15 books33 followersPseudonym of Candace Camp
Candace Pauline Camp was born on May 23, 1949 in Amarillo, Texas, U.S.A.. The youngest of three children born into a newspaper family -- her mother, Lula Mae (Irons) Camp, had been a reporter and her father, Grady Camp, was the business manager of the Amarillo, Texas, newspaper -- some of Candace's earliest memories are of making up stories which she played out on the floor of their den with whatever objects were handy. She cannot remember a time when she was not interested in creating stories. She began writing down her stories when she was about 10, and from then on writing was her favorite form of relaxation. Explains Candace: "I was always very shy and did not talk much. However, in written form, I could express all my thoughts and feelings."
Writing remained only a hobby, though, as Candace attended college at the University of Texas at Austin and West Texas State University, then became a secondary teacher in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. She later moved to North Carolina, where she worked in the trust department of a bank. It was there that she discovered the romance novel in modern form and started to write her first romance. She also began law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and while she was there, she finished her first novel, entitled Bonds of Love, that was published by Jove Publishing in 1978, under the pseudonym Lisa Gregory. Candace credits the rigorous training of law school with teaching her the discipline necessary to finish a book. She gave up the practice of law to devote her time to writing. Two pseudonyms later (Kristin James and Sharon Stephens), Candace writes under her own name Candace Camp-- and still loves creating stories.
Candace is married since 1980 with Pete Hopcus, and they had a daughter Anastasia Hopcus in 1982, who had started on her own career path in the field of acting and now also writes young adult novels.
Candace Pauline Camp was born on May 23, 1949 in Amarillo, Texas, U.S.A.. The youngest of three children born into a newspaper family -- her mother, Lula Mae (Irons) Camp, had been a reporter and her father, Grady Camp, was the business manager of the Amarillo, Texas, newspaper -- some of Candace's earliest memories are of making up stories which she played out on the floor of their den with whatever objects were handy. She cannot remember a time when she was not interested in creating stories. She began writing down her stories when she was about 10, and from then on writing was her favorite form of relaxation. Explains Candace: "I was always very shy and did not talk much. However, in written form, I could express all my thoughts and feelings."
Writing remained only a hobby, though, as Candace attended college at the University of Texas at Austin and West Texas State University, then became a secondary teacher in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. She later moved to North Carolina, where she worked in the trust department of a bank. It was there that she discovered the romance novel in modern form and started to write her first romance. She also began law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and while she was there, she finished her first novel, entitled Bonds of Love, that was published by Jove Publishing in 1978, under the pseudonym Lisa Gregory. Candace credits the rigorous training of law school with teaching her the discipline necessary to finish a book. She gave up the practice of law to devote her time to writing. Two pseudonyms later (Kristin James and Sharon Stephens), Candace writes under her own name Candace Camp-- and still loves creating stories.
Candace is married since 1980 with Pete Hopcus, and they had a daughter Anastasia Hopcus in 1982, who had started on her own career path in the field of acting and now also writes young adult novels.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 20, 2010
If you are reading this review and have not read A Rainbow Season.....stop right now! Go to your cart, add both this book and The Rainbow Season to it, and get prepared for a reading experience of a lifetime. These books are just that good. If this book is read without the back story of the Rainbow Season, you will be very sorry, as the couple on the front cover of The Rainbow Promise plays a very "secondary" role to Luke and Sarah (who's story was told in The Rainbow Season).
With all that being said, I can say without hesitation that this set of books should be required reading for all romance fans. I always try to think what are the "top romances of all time"......this series deserves a spot on that list!
The Rainbow Promise starts off about 2 years after The Rainbow Season ends. It is advertised as a romance between Julia, Luke's sister, and the town doctor whom Julia loved as a youth. While their story is told, it pales in comparison to the continuing story of Luke and Sarah. This couple is so unforgettable and epic that they have the tendency to "steal the show" whenever they are close to one another (which in this book is quite a bit.) If you've read and loved The Rainbow Season, this will not bother you in the slightest as you will be so relieved to catch up with Luke and Sarah.
Actually this book pulls off three separate love stories....told back and forth throughout the book. Some authors struggle with their attempts at this, but not Lisa Gregory. She flawlessly gives us enough of each story to make each unique and worthy in it's own right.
Please take the time to read both of these books......you will not forget these characters!
With all that being said, I can say without hesitation that this set of books should be required reading for all romance fans. I always try to think what are the "top romances of all time"......this series deserves a spot on that list!
The Rainbow Promise starts off about 2 years after The Rainbow Season ends. It is advertised as a romance between Julia, Luke's sister, and the town doctor whom Julia loved as a youth. While their story is told, it pales in comparison to the continuing story of Luke and Sarah. This couple is so unforgettable and epic that they have the tendency to "steal the show" whenever they are close to one another (which in this book is quite a bit.) If you've read and loved The Rainbow Season, this will not bother you in the slightest as you will be so relieved to catch up with Luke and Sarah.
Actually this book pulls off three separate love stories....told back and forth throughout the book. Some authors struggle with their attempts at this, but not Lisa Gregory. She flawlessly gives us enough of each story to make each unique and worthy in it's own right.
Please take the time to read both of these books......you will not forget these characters!
July 18, 2013
The 2-star rating isn't because it wasn't good. It was. For whatever reason, I love descriptions of farm life, and these were well done. In fact, after reading the front matter, I suspect it was this novel's raison d'etre. It had a very Places in the Heart feel, and since I love that movie, no problem.
The problem was, and why I rated it 2 stars, is that the book was supposedly about Julia and James. Except it wasn't. It was a continuation of the couple, Sarah and Luke, in the previous book, The Rainbow Season. Julia and James were basically secondary characters because there wasn't enough conflict for them to take up that many words. In addition, the tertiary couple was more well-drawn than the supposed primary couple, who were pretty cardboard.
And so I've rated it two stars, because there COULD have been more conflict and there SHOULD have been development of the primary couple, but the author apparently didn't want to let Sarah and Luke go. Had it been billed that way, it would've been 4 stars.
The problem was, and why I rated it 2 stars, is that the book was supposedly about Julia and James. Except it wasn't. It was a continuation of the couple, Sarah and Luke, in the previous book, The Rainbow Season. Julia and James were basically secondary characters because there wasn't enough conflict for them to take up that many words. In addition, the tertiary couple was more well-drawn than the supposed primary couple, who were pretty cardboard.
And so I've rated it two stars, because there COULD have been more conflict and there SHOULD have been development of the primary couple, but the author apparently didn't want to let Sarah and Luke go. Had it been billed that way, it would've been 4 stars.
May 13, 2020
3.5/5 estrelas! Não se compara ao primeiro livro, mas ainda assim é uma história muito bonita e romântica, uma não, 3 histórias inspiradoras e adoráveis. Aliás, o casal do primeiro livro, Luke e Sarah, continuam como protagonistas e se destacam do início ao fim. Foi muito bom acompanhá-los, juntamente com Julia, James, Micah e Dovie, bem como o inesperado Cal.
June 16, 2025
Man what a bummer
Julia and Jame’s story was overshadowed by Sarah and Luke’s. I think they had less parts in the book than the other two when they should have been the main couple as per the synopsis.
Sarah and Luke’s story:
I love it. I love their first book and I love this one as well. Their problem stems from loving each other too much. It is actually kind of a fluffy read amidst all the angst and the conflict. I do think that there were parts where it was all too long and drawn out. Some thoughts and monologues became redundant and I was beginning to get tired of their conflict and want it to be over with. I admit, I wanted more screen time for Cal in there part of the story. I wanted Luke and Sarah to be more connected to him as his parents maybe even Cal finally calling them ma and pa.
Julia and James’ story:
I am frustred with Julia’s wrong decisions in the past and the present. Well more so in the present. Not agreeing to James’ marriage proposal again and again is absolutely dumb and foolish. Not endearing at all. She might think that she is being selfless but no, what she is doing is being a bad mother. She would rather agree to be a mistress than a wife. I get that she has low self-esteem and want to protect James’ reputation for whatever reasoning the author concocted but what about her reputation? What about her children’s lives and well-being? Her kids would have to live in town while people talk of their mother becoming a rich man’s whore. She did not even thought of that. No mention of her concern for her children.
In fact, her having her children was just a useless part to the story cause we didn’t really see much of her being an admirable and loving mother, maybe a tiny part in the beginning. Then their role end there. Why didn’t we get a scene of James interacting and talking to the children? Him being a step father? Julia talking to her children about having a new man in their lives.
Really what I can see is that this couple’s story is not well-developed or fleshed out. Julia’s character isn’t well explorwd
I wish that the author cut up all the long drawn out sex scenes of Sarah and Luke’s and give us actual material of the development of James and Julia’s relationship.
Julia and Jame’s story was overshadowed by Sarah and Luke’s. I think they had less parts in the book than the other two when they should have been the main couple as per the synopsis.
Sarah and Luke’s story:
I love it. I love their first book and I love this one as well. Their problem stems from loving each other too much. It is actually kind of a fluffy read amidst all the angst and the conflict. I do think that there were parts where it was all too long and drawn out. Some thoughts and monologues became redundant and I was beginning to get tired of their conflict and want it to be over with. I admit, I wanted more screen time for Cal in there part of the story. I wanted Luke and Sarah to be more connected to him as his parents maybe even Cal finally calling them ma and pa.
Julia and James’ story:
I am frustred with Julia’s wrong decisions in the past and the present. Well more so in the present. Not agreeing to James’ marriage proposal again and again is absolutely dumb and foolish. Not endearing at all. She might think that she is being selfless but no, what she is doing is being a bad mother. She would rather agree to be a mistress than a wife. I get that she has low self-esteem and want to protect James’ reputation for whatever reasoning the author concocted but what about her reputation? What about her children’s lives and well-being? Her kids would have to live in town while people talk of their mother becoming a rich man’s whore. She did not even thought of that. No mention of her concern for her children.
In fact, her having her children was just a useless part to the story cause we didn’t really see much of her being an admirable and loving mother, maybe a tiny part in the beginning. Then their role end there. Why didn’t we get a scene of James interacting and talking to the children? Him being a step father? Julia talking to her children about having a new man in their lives.
Really what I can see is that this couple’s story is not well-developed or fleshed out. Julia’s character isn’t well explorwd
I wish that the author cut up all the long drawn out sex scenes of Sarah and Luke’s and give us actual material of the development of James and Julia’s relationship.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2024
The Rainbow Promise by Lisa Gregory, pseudonym for Candace Camp (1989) was written 10 years after the first book, The Rainbow Season, and it reads like a sequel. Although the front cover on this book and the back cover blurb are all about a new couple, James and Julia, in reality they’re the second romance in this story. The first chapter opens with Luke and Sarah from the first book, and the final HEA is again Luke and Sarah. They dominate the story’s drama. Very odd.
🍒Setting: East Texas, early 1900s.
🍒Julia, considered white trash, and James, rich son of the town’s doctor were young lovers 11 years ago … she left and unexpectedly married someone else. James is now the town’s doctor. Circumstances force Julia to reach out to her brother, Luke and his wife Sarah, and she and her kids move in with them. There’s also a third couple, both black… Micah, a drifter and Dovie, a school teacher.
🍒Confusing? Yes, and it makes for a disjointed story! Luke and Sarah have been married for 3 years, she’s far along in her second pregnancy … they suffer thru gut wrenching tragedy, and withdraw emotionally from each other. Julia and James slowly rediscover their love tho their story pales in comparison to the other.
🍒Best part of the story are the numerous references to meals… preparing them and enjoying all sorts of food: fried chicken, greens, pinto beans, cornbread, fried apricot tarts, cherry pie with a lattice crust, pecan pie, chocolate cake, bacon, scrambled eggs, bread fresh out of the oven and coffee. Food is essential to this story … it’s a brilliant and heartwarming contrast to the drama. I loved it! 🥪🥓🍳🥧🍒🍉🌽🫛☕️
🍒Overall, it’s a challenge to rate this story as it’s so unusual.. plus melancholy and sad for many chapters. The HEAs happen for 2 of the couples within the last 30 pages. The writing’s splendid… spare and very emotional, and the Rainbow books remind me of a LaVyrle Spencer HR. I’d definitely read the first book again… probably not this one. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🍒Book cover illustration for the Warner 1989 edition: Max Ginsburg.
🍒Setting: East Texas, early 1900s.
🍒Julia, considered white trash, and James, rich son of the town’s doctor were young lovers 11 years ago … she left and unexpectedly married someone else. James is now the town’s doctor. Circumstances force Julia to reach out to her brother, Luke and his wife Sarah, and she and her kids move in with them. There’s also a third couple, both black… Micah, a drifter and Dovie, a school teacher.
🍒Confusing? Yes, and it makes for a disjointed story! Luke and Sarah have been married for 3 years, she’s far along in her second pregnancy … they suffer thru gut wrenching tragedy, and withdraw emotionally from each other. Julia and James slowly rediscover their love tho their story pales in comparison to the other.
🍒Best part of the story are the numerous references to meals… preparing them and enjoying all sorts of food: fried chicken, greens, pinto beans, cornbread, fried apricot tarts, cherry pie with a lattice crust, pecan pie, chocolate cake, bacon, scrambled eggs, bread fresh out of the oven and coffee. Food is essential to this story … it’s a brilliant and heartwarming contrast to the drama. I loved it! 🥪🥓🍳🥧🍒🍉🌽🫛☕️
🍒Overall, it’s a challenge to rate this story as it’s so unusual.. plus melancholy and sad for many chapters. The HEAs happen for 2 of the couples within the last 30 pages. The writing’s splendid… spare and very emotional, and the Rainbow books remind me of a LaVyrle Spencer HR. I’d definitely read the first book again… probably not this one. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🍒Book cover illustration for the Warner 1989 edition: Max Ginsburg.
dnf
March 29, 2023DNF at 36%
You'd think after 3 years of marriage that they'll be able to discuss their feelings openly without assumptions and the whole miscommunication trope, but you'd be mistaken. In the first book, I didn't mind the miscommunication as much since they were strangers who met each other for the first time and that's why they were being careful about sharing their feelings. But, to watch it still happening in the 2nd book, too? And after years of marriage? Nope. I can't do it. It's too ridiculous. Also, Sarah is insufferable in this book and I couldn't stand her. She was the straw that broke the camel's back. As for the actual main characters, I didn't know that Julie would be a single mother, and I don't like reading about these types of books. So, I'm DNF'ing the book.
You'd think after 3 years of marriage that they'll be able to discuss their feelings openly without assumptions and the whole miscommunication trope, but you'd be mistaken. In the first book, I didn't mind the miscommunication as much since they were strangers who met each other for the first time and that's why they were being careful about sharing their feelings. But, to watch it still happening in the 2nd book, too? And after years of marriage? Nope. I can't do it. It's too ridiculous. Also, Sarah is insufferable in this book and I couldn't stand her. She was the straw that broke the camel's back. As for the actual main characters, I didn't know that Julie would be a single mother, and I don't like reading about these types of books. So, I'm DNF'ing the book.
December 8, 2024
This blurb on this book did not actually describe what was happening in the book. I thought it would be about James and Julia, former teenage sweethearts who were each heartbroken by their breakup. Ten years later, Julia is widowed with two children and needs to seek help from her brother and his wife. This is Luke and Sarah from the first book in the series. James is now the town doctor who sees Julia at the Turners' house when he assists in Sarah's complicated childbirth.
I really wish I could have read more about James and Julia, but they were not the main event. Instead, the relationship between Luke and Sarah took precedence (over 50% of the book). Not only that, but we also followed the relationship of Luke's farm hand and the local schoolteacher. Too much going on.
I really wish I could have read more about James and Julia, but they were not the main event. Instead, the relationship between Luke and Sarah took precedence (over 50% of the book). Not only that, but we also followed the relationship of Luke's farm hand and the local schoolteacher. Too much going on.
September 24, 2025
i was hooked by julia and james’ storyline, with it being secret baby poor girl rich boy and all that, so i was disappointed to find out that their story barely made half of the book. this felt more like a sequel to luke and sarah’s book, more than it being a second book in a series. luckily, i’m a huge fan of the cal storyline so i didn’t mind their parts as much since he came in the picture. dovie and micah had fantastic tension going on and had a great bittersweet ending. i wish we saw more of julia and james and vance and bonnie since i did pick up this book thinking it would be about them.
October 3, 2023
This was a continuation of the first book on Sarah and Luke. If you have not read it, I suggest you head over there and read it first as this book would refer to the first couple a lot. It would be a turn off for someone to go straight to this expecting the book to focus on Julia and James and find herself disappointed.
I, myself, found it a bit annoying that the bulk of this book would extend to the first couple - like 40%!
Overall, it's a tiny bit angsty. I enjoyed it, however, I found Julia a weak character ... unlike Sarah.
I, myself, found it a bit annoying that the bulk of this book would extend to the first couple - like 40%!
Overall, it's a tiny bit angsty. I enjoyed it, however, I found Julia a weak character ... unlike Sarah.
March 2, 2021
beautiful seconf part to the Turner's rainbow series<;
August 5, 2018
I really enjoyed this romance -- not just this time around but also the first time I read it when it was first published. Lisa Gregory is actually Candace Camp, and she is a most excellent writer. I'm so glad they republished this 2-book series.
July 21, 2019
Three love stories intertwined.
A book that is half epilogue for The Rainbow Season and half two new stories. It was beautiful and heartwrenching. If the Rainbow Season is a comfort read, this one is the book that has all the conflict and upheavals.
A book that is half epilogue for The Rainbow Season and half two new stories. It was beautiful and heartwrenching. If the Rainbow Season is a comfort read, this one is the book that has all the conflict and upheavals.
July 3, 2018
Second book in the series and brings back characters from the first another keeper and would highly recommend 👍👍👍
September 24, 2018
3.5 stars.
Good, could have been better
Good, could have been better
July 18, 2019
This is more like the continuation of Luke and Sarah’s story instead of a standalone story for Julia, but not complaining here.
January 27, 2017
Antes de empezar a leer el libro leí algunas reseñas en las que no les gustaba el libro porque se trataba más de Sarah y Luke que de las nuevas parejas, bueno, considerando que me gustó mucho su historia me entusiasmó bastante esta idea. Después de leerlo les encuentro toda la razón, el libro se relaciona más con la continuación de la historia anterior que con la pareja que se anuncia en la sinopsis. Ahora esto me parece genial y me gustó mucho, porque la verdad la historia de Julia y James no me llamó nada la atención, de hecho que mal que me caía Julia, me dio la impresión de que no valoraba a sus hijos. La historia de Micah por otro lado fue muy dulce.
En general no le pongo más estrellas a estas historias, aunque me gusten mucho, porque son muy sencillas y algunas situaciones un poco tontas, por lo que mis 3 estrellas son muy bien merecidas y muy positivas.
En general no le pongo más estrellas a estas historias, aunque me gusten mucho, porque son muy sencillas y algunas situaciones un poco tontas, por lo que mis 3 estrellas son muy bien merecidas y muy positivas.
May 28, 2012
This is an exceptional love story that pulls ahead of it's wonderful prequel, The Rainbow Season. We actually get to read about three couples in this one tale: Julia and James, Sarah and Luke, and Micah and Dovie. Although the books was supposed to be primarily about Julia and James, I felt much more attention was given to Sarah and Luke's complex marriage, which was great because I wanted to read more about them anyway. However, all three couples got their HEA. This was reading time well spent, and I could hardly put the book down. 4.8 stars.
April 15, 2021
This is one of my best loved novels. It's the story of how two people come together and against the odds join to unite their lives for survival and become friends who come to fall deeply in love. It's a very moving story, where you become totally involved in their love success. I have re-read this many times.
September 24, 2012
I absolutely loved this book, I read it first as I found it in a used book store, I had no idea it was a sequel as you didn't really need to read the first one to know what was going on. I want this in ebook though
August 27, 2014
2.5 stars rounded up. I liked the first book in the series but the second not so much. There were too many characters trying to be on a main stage and, as result, none of them really were satisfying. I would prefer if the author concentrated on a couple described in the synopsis.
June 11, 2012
Another awesome book.....such a great story. Once again have read it over and over.
February 27, 2017
a great book of learning to trust
April 5, 2017
More is repetition of previous book in the series. It is still the story of Sarah and Luke rather than Julia and James. There are three different couples` love stories told. I dislike multiple love stories in one romance book. Everybody happy ever after doesn't make sense.
What is wrong with those guys anyway. The women keep begging them for sex and they keep refusing them.
What is wrong with those guys anyway. The women keep begging them for sex and they keep refusing them.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews