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The Promise Saga #1
Prelude To A Promise
Rebecca Sutherland fell in love with her best friend, Jacob Walker in “The Promise”. But before Jacob, there was Henry Olsen, a kind, gentle man who was twenty years her senior. She was only fourteen when she met Henry and much too young to even consider him as a mate. Nearly three years later, Rebecca’s father dies of heart disease, and their good friend Henry is the logical one to help Owen’s wife and daughter run the farm. Of course, it would be indecent if he were to simply move in without marrying Rebecca first. What starts out as a marriage of convenience quickly turns into an all-consuming love—until Henry’s mysterious illness threatens to tear them apart.
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First published July 1, 2024
436 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Jean Hackensmith
35 books21 followersI am the published author of 12 books, all in the romance genre; everything from time travel, to historical, to contemporary. My newest release, "Checkmate" is the start of my break from the romance genre. It's still classified as a romantic thriller, but truthfully it's more thriller than romance. I'm not saying I won't ever write another romance, especially time travel. I'd have too many upset readers if I didn't. But, for now, I just needed try something new. In fact, my current manuscript, titled "We The People" takes me completely out of the romance genre. But more about that later.
As far as personal info goes, I'm married to my best friend and biggest supporter, Ron. I'm the proud mother of 3, the stepmother of 2, and the grandmother of 10. Next to writing, my passion is community theatre. In fact, I founded our local community theatre back in 1992 and still direct 2-3 shows a year. My other interests include camping, bowling and sitting in a restaurant with a good friend until the wee hours of the morning and talking about anything and everything.
As far as personal info goes, I'm married to my best friend and biggest supporter, Ron. I'm the proud mother of 3, the stepmother of 2, and the grandmother of 10. Next to writing, my passion is community theatre. In fact, I founded our local community theatre back in 1992 and still direct 2-3 shows a year. My other interests include camping, bowling and sitting in a restaurant with a good friend until the wee hours of the morning and talking about anything and everything.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 29, 2024
Great beginning
A great start to the saga. You get very attached to the characters. They live a very hard life. I can hardly wait to see if Rebecca and Jacobs friendship turns into more...guess I had better start the next book.
A great start to the saga. You get very attached to the characters. They live a very hard life. I can hardly wait to see if Rebecca and Jacobs friendship turns into more...guess I had better start the next book.
August 17, 2024
Great story
I was delighted to happen across the prequel th The Promise. The story and characters did not disappoint. I am a lover of historical fiction and also of the time period of the 1920s and 30s. The reason for my lower rating was twofold. I felt a lot of the dialogue was not true to the period, and the number of misspelled words was very distracting. If you loved The Promise, I highly recommend getting this part of the story, but be forewarned about the poor editing.
I was delighted to happen across the prequel th The Promise. The story and characters did not disappoint. I am a lover of historical fiction and also of the time period of the 1920s and 30s. The reason for my lower rating was twofold. I felt a lot of the dialogue was not true to the period, and the number of misspelled words was very distracting. If you loved The Promise, I highly recommend getting this part of the story, but be forewarned about the poor editing.
March 16, 2025
Very good. I put off reading this book. Figured just a regular no action love story. I was very wrong. Should have read it sooner. Very tragic life of a family in the Oklahoma panhandle KKK. Poverty. Sickness. Loss of family members. One tragedy after another with no end. Loving family raising children in the harsh lands trying to keep going. Very good. Basically the life of a teenage girl. Her family moves to the farm. Things started out good but spiraled downhill. Father died she married and started having kids. Mom died but they kept going trusting in their love and better times. But better times were short. Worth reading for anyone who likes a very eventful story. Heart warming and heart breaking
September 1, 2024
A saga indeed!
Started a bit on the slow side and momentum began to build. Before long, it became a crescendo. A fascinating novel that keeps the pages flipping. As the coming to the end of book 1, it became somewhat weepy, and the obvious took place by surprise, the lead in to book 2. Your pleasantly hooked and time to delve into the next book.
Started a bit on the slow side and momentum began to build. Before long, it became a crescendo. A fascinating novel that keeps the pages flipping. As the coming to the end of book 1, it became somewhat weepy, and the obvious took place by surprise, the lead in to book 2. Your pleasantly hooked and time to delve into the next book.
October 5, 2024
An ex Oklahoman
The book seems to conical what Oklahoma would have been like in the early 1900’s.
I had a great Aunt who was a Sooner and this book sounds true to what I heard from her.
Great read. Now for book 2
The book seems to conical what Oklahoma would have been like in the early 1900’s.
I had a great Aunt who was a Sooner and this book sounds true to what I heard from her.
Great read. Now for book 2
October 18, 2024
What a good story!
A very good story, one that will almost give you chills if you remember the many stories told around the kitchen table about the dust bowl. A very good read and can't wait for the next book!
A very good story, one that will almost give you chills if you remember the many stories told around the kitchen table about the dust bowl. A very good read and can't wait for the next book!
November 19, 2024
Good history book
A good deal of historical value, albeit fictional it was based on fact. Set in Oklahoma during the dust bowl, depression era, about a family trying to make a living on their farm. Some ups, and downs. An absolutely amazing book.
A good deal of historical value, albeit fictional it was based on fact. Set in Oklahoma during the dust bowl, depression era, about a family trying to make a living on their farm. Some ups, and downs. An absolutely amazing book.
July 13, 2024
good read
I love this can’t wait to see what happens in the next book. I lot happened in this book the good and bad and the sadness .
I love this can’t wait to see what happens in the next book. I lot happened in this book the good and bad and the sadness .
July 17, 2024
Oklahoma farming
Started out really slow but finished stronger will read the next book. Several mistakes from a proof reader. I will read the second promise book now.
Started out really slow but finished stronger will read the next book. Several mistakes from a proof reader. I will read the second promise book now.
August 10, 2024
Great accounting of those had day in the Oklahoma dust bowl.
I liked this book as it tells of the family and how they were able to live and get along in the hard times during the early days of Oklahoma and the effects of the dust bowl and loss.
I liked this book as it tells of the family and how they were able to live and get along in the hard times during the early days of Oklahoma and the effects of the dust bowl and loss.
August 14, 2024
Too many typos
Way too many typos!! Not sure that the plot coincides with the Promise. Many uses of the wrong word. Those typos are very distracting as I read.
Way too many typos!! Not sure that the plot coincides with the Promise. Many uses of the wrong word. Those typos are very distracting as I read.
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September 12, 2024Great book . I can't wait to read book 2
October 6, 2024
Whew. what a crazy ride. This family has been through Hell trying to make it. I have to read the next book to see how it turns out for them.
November 29, 2024
Oh my, what a book.
I could not stop reading this book. Without giving anything away as to what happens, you just have to read it yourself.
I could not stop reading this book. Without giving anything away as to what happens, you just have to read it yourself.
March 19, 2025
poorly written
It could have been a good story but it was poorly written. There were lots of typos and errors. I will read the sequel and see if the writing is better.
It could have been a good story but it was poorly written. There were lots of typos and errors. I will read the sequel and see if the writing is better.
May 23, 2025
Good book but...
I found this a good read as I am interested in this time period but disappointingly there were more than a few misspelled words
I found this a good read as I am interested in this time period but disappointingly there were more than a few misspelled words
July 3, 2025
Good cliff hanger ending!
I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. It’s easy to predict what’s going to happen next, but I want to read it first myself!
I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. It’s easy to predict what’s going to happen next, but I want to read it first myself!
July 10, 2025
Good book! What a hard life they had!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews