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Covington Chronicles #1
Secret Promise
It is 1907 as Caroline Clemons watches her town’s newest bachelor, Jake MacGregor, tie his horses to a post outside her window. Moments later as he enters her home to meet her eligible sisters, he mistakenly believes Caroline is a servant instead of one of Senator Chad Clemons’ daughters. Immediately mesmerized by Caroline’s beauty, Jake has no idea she is committed to fulfilling a promise she made years ago, even if it means living a Cinderella existence.
Caroline, who derives her only satisfaction in life from her teaching job in Taylorsburg, Mississippi, cannot help but be attracted to Jake who just inherited a store in town. As an internal battle rages within her, Caroline busies herself with serving her family and the Lord, even as Jake haunts her dreams and she fastidiously guards her family’s secrets. But as fate intervenes, a romance develops that leads both Caroline and Jake to rely on prayer and laughter to survive. Will they ever be able to overcome their obstacles to find their happily ever after?
A young woman must rely on faith as she struggles between honoring a long-held promise to her family or following her heart.
Caroline, who derives her only satisfaction in life from her teaching job in Taylorsburg, Mississippi, cannot help but be attracted to Jake who just inherited a store in town. As an internal battle rages within her, Caroline busies herself with serving her family and the Lord, even as Jake haunts her dreams and she fastidiously guards her family’s secrets. But as fate intervenes, a romance develops that leads both Caroline and Jake to rely on prayer and laughter to survive. Will they ever be able to overcome their obstacles to find their happily ever after?
A young woman must rely on faith as she struggles between honoring a long-held promise to her family or following her heart.
- GenresChristian
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 29, 2011
24 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Mary Lou Cheatham
38 books24 followersWelcome to the world of Mississippi-born author Mary Lou Cheatham. Here you will find lively stories about life in the early 1900’s on the farm and in a small village—stories filled with danger close to home, romance, and moral conflicts. Daily life can include unexpected danger interrupting the routine of living in a more primitive time. Also come and explore life in modern rural south Louisiana. Mary Lou’s novels center around families as they face life’s challenges. In every story she includes touches of romance.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 2, 2017
"Inspiring romance"
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes!!The heroine of the story, Caroline, takes you to the brink of frustration just before you find relief. You gain an understanding of the love Caroline has for sweet, dear Rachel, one of her mothers, and gain insight into how many southern children during this era were actually raised. Brother George’s ministry to Jake grows into a strong bond that envelops the story.
What other book might you compare Secret Promise to and why?
If you enjoyed reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett, you will especially enjoy reading Secret Promise as Mary Lou Cheatham draws from the experiences of her youth growing up in southern Mississippi.
What about Jodi Hockinson’s performance did you like?
Jodi gave a magnificent performance.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
It’s amazing how much our world has changed in just a hundred years. The wording, characters, everyday life, and technology are accurate to the time period. Southern Mississippi has gone through many changes, and this book is a snapshot into a tumultuous time period.
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes!!The heroine of the story, Caroline, takes you to the brink of frustration just before you find relief. You gain an understanding of the love Caroline has for sweet, dear Rachel, one of her mothers, and gain insight into how many southern children during this era were actually raised. Brother George’s ministry to Jake grows into a strong bond that envelops the story.
What other book might you compare Secret Promise to and why?
If you enjoyed reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett, you will especially enjoy reading Secret Promise as Mary Lou Cheatham draws from the experiences of her youth growing up in southern Mississippi.
What about Jodi Hockinson’s performance did you like?
Jodi gave a magnificent performance.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
It’s amazing how much our world has changed in just a hundred years. The wording, characters, everyday life, and technology are accurate to the time period. Southern Mississippi has gone through many changes, and this book is a snapshot into a tumultuous time period.
June 8, 2017
Awesome reading.
Become absorbed into the world of these characters. I am so happy to be able to read these books . I always get a little melancholy at the end of a book because it is over. I have grown to love or hate the character and don't want to let them go so soon. Having several books in a set let's me experience an ongoing relationship with the characters.
Become absorbed into the world of these characters. I am so happy to be able to read these books . I always get a little melancholy at the end of a book because it is over. I have grown to love or hate the character and don't want to let them go so soon. Having several books in a set let's me experience an ongoing relationship with the characters.
August 3, 2017
I like the book and it is worth your time to read.
March 6, 2012
This book reminded me of Cinderella. Caroline Clemons has a wicked step-moher and two sisters who believe they are far above anything Caroline can ever achieve. These four people live together with the father apart from them because of his political role as a member of the Mississippi State Senate.
Caroline has suffered physical and mental abuse from the other females in the household with the exception of Rachel, an older black woman, employed as cook and housekeeper.
When Jacob Macgregor comes to Taylorburg to take over his uncle's hardware and general store, the two stepsisters immediately "set their caps" for him. Caroline yearns for his approval but at first he only sees her as part of the hired help of that family and not the true daughter of the owner of the house.
Their tumultous journey to find their happy ever after ending is absorbing and appealing. Cheatham has written a great story.
Caroline has suffered physical and mental abuse from the other females in the household with the exception of Rachel, an older black woman, employed as cook and housekeeper.
When Jacob Macgregor comes to Taylorburg to take over his uncle's hardware and general store, the two stepsisters immediately "set their caps" for him. Caroline yearns for his approval but at first he only sees her as part of the hired help of that family and not the true daughter of the owner of the house.
Their tumultous journey to find their happy ever after ending is absorbing and appealing. Cheatham has written a great story.
April 3, 2016
Fair but not as good as expected
The tone of this book is sanctimonious in a way that "The Dream Bucket" was able to avoid. The spiritual message was almost lost due to way it was presented. I loved the delicate subject matter of martyrdom in the name of love and how this is really a form of arrogance and not God's will. If we devalue ourselves or allow abuse it is just as grievous as devaluing others or allowing abuse to others. This is a hard subject to present but more time could have been spent in character development and dialogue so that readers would come away with a feeling of joyful celebration of their own worth as opposed to a feeling of being sinful and judged. The abused already have enough of that. Very good effort dealing with a really tough subject but leaves the reader burdened and not elevated.
The tone of this book is sanctimonious in a way that "The Dream Bucket" was able to avoid. The spiritual message was almost lost due to way it was presented. I loved the delicate subject matter of martyrdom in the name of love and how this is really a form of arrogance and not God's will. If we devalue ourselves or allow abuse it is just as grievous as devaluing others or allowing abuse to others. This is a hard subject to present but more time could have been spent in character development and dialogue so that readers would come away with a feeling of joyful celebration of their own worth as opposed to a feeling of being sinful and judged. The abused already have enough of that. Very good effort dealing with a really tough subject but leaves the reader burdened and not elevated.
July 23, 2017
Good historical romance. I enjoyed the characters and how they fell for each other. I liked the arc of the story and the background of the characters was very fun. The narration was done well.
April 14, 2016
Secret promise
This story is ok, not very exciting. It started off too much like Cinderella!! It is an easy read an.d very religious. Will not be read the other books in this series.
This story is ok, not very exciting. It started off too much like Cinderella!! It is an easy read an.d very religious. Will not be read the other books in this series.
December 19, 2016
Could not put this book down.
From the first page the story grabbed my attention and would not let go. Wish there was sequel with Jacob, Caroline, Chad and Loretta.
From the first page the story grabbed my attention and would not let go. Wish there was sequel with Jacob, Caroline, Chad and Loretta.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews