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The Promise: A Novel
One man’s secret is about to destroy everything he loves.
For five months, Tom Anderson has been living a lie.
Every morning he leaves the house pretending to go to work.
Every evening he returns and tells his wife Jean that everything is fine.
But nothing is fine. Nothing is as it seems.
Behind closed doors, Tom's world is unraveling—maxed-out credit cards, threatening collection letters, and the very real possibility he and Jean will lose their home. Tom’s silence began as protection. It has become a prison of deception that is slowly breaking his marriage and his soul.
When the truth finally explodes, the pain ripples through the entire Anderson family. A father must confront the generational wound he unknowingly passed to his son. A wife must decide whether love can survive this betrayal. And a brother and sister wrestle with their own hidden struggles while watching their sibling's family fracture apart.
In the midst of the crisis, long-buried patterns surface—patterns of emotional distance, withheld blessing, and the crushing belief that love and approval must always be earned. With gentle wisdom from Uncle Henry and Aunt Myra, the Andersons face a life-changing Will they continue the broken legacy… or finally break it for good?
The Promise is a deeply moving story of a marriage in crisis, a family in pain, and the courageous choice to stop destructive patterns inherited from the previous generation before they destroy the one in the present. Powerful, honest, and redemptive, it explores the healing power of truth, forgiveness, and a father’s full blessing—the very things every heart longs for, but far too often, rarely receives.
For five months, Tom Anderson has been living a lie.
Every morning he leaves the house pretending to go to work.
Every evening he returns and tells his wife Jean that everything is fine.
But nothing is fine. Nothing is as it seems.
Behind closed doors, Tom's world is unraveling—maxed-out credit cards, threatening collection letters, and the very real possibility he and Jean will lose their home. Tom’s silence began as protection. It has become a prison of deception that is slowly breaking his marriage and his soul.
When the truth finally explodes, the pain ripples through the entire Anderson family. A father must confront the generational wound he unknowingly passed to his son. A wife must decide whether love can survive this betrayal. And a brother and sister wrestle with their own hidden struggles while watching their sibling's family fracture apart.
In the midst of the crisis, long-buried patterns surface—patterns of emotional distance, withheld blessing, and the crushing belief that love and approval must always be earned. With gentle wisdom from Uncle Henry and Aunt Myra, the Andersons face a life-changing Will they continue the broken legacy… or finally break it for good?
The Promise is a deeply moving story of a marriage in crisis, a family in pain, and the courageous choice to stop destructive patterns inherited from the previous generation before they destroy the one in the present. Powerful, honest, and redemptive, it explores the healing power of truth, forgiveness, and a father’s full blessing—the very things every heart longs for, but far too often, rarely receives.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 17, 2026
Loved It!
Great book. I notice some common patterns from my past family interactions that I need to change if I can.
The book is easy reading and interesting content. I suspect a lot of men and women along with most parents would find things they could benefit from. Dave Walsh said in his introduction that he wished he could have changed the title. I have agree the other title would be very good, but I also like the current title because it shows the promise of how things can change.
Great book. I notice some common patterns from my past family interactions that I need to change if I can.
The book is easy reading and interesting content. I suspect a lot of men and women along with most parents would find things they could benefit from. Dave Walsh said in his introduction that he wished he could have changed the title. I have agree the other title would be very good, but I also like the current title because it shows the promise of how things can change.
June 1, 2026
The Promise...By Dan Walsh
Enjoyed this second book in this series. Get the tissues ready as some parts bring tears to your eyes, at least for me. This story shows how God can restore that which was broken and lost into something else so much better if we look to Him, confess, forgive and trust Him who loves us beyond measure! One of my favorite characters...Uncle Henry!
Enjoyed this second book in this series. Get the tissues ready as some parts bring tears to your eyes, at least for me. This story shows how God can restore that which was broken and lost into something else so much better if we look to Him, confess, forgive and trust Him who loves us beyond measure! One of my favorite characters...Uncle Henry!
May 26, 2026
The book is sooo interesting. You want to keep turning the page even if its late, late.
I have enjoyed all the books Dan has written. I am sure I read the original version of
THE PROMISE , however, I didn't remember much because it was a few years ago.
I have enjoyed all the books Dan has written. I am sure I read the original version of
THE PROMISE , however, I didn't remember much because it was a few years ago.
June 22, 2026
How God changes hearts
How does anyone change their thinking and behavior? It has to come from the heart and only God can change a heart. See how so many lives are touched and changed for the better in this touching story.
How does anyone change their thinking and behavior? It has to come from the heart and only God can change a heart. See how so many lives are touched and changed for the better in this touching story.
June 25, 2026
Even better
I'm not sure how the authors can continue to get me to smile,laugh and cry . I just can't get enough of these stories. Clean faith based, you just have to keep turning the pages until the end and then I want more.
I highly recommend this book and series.
I'm not sure how the authors can continue to get me to smile,laugh and cry . I just can't get enough of these stories. Clean faith based, you just have to keep turning the pages until the end and then I want more.
I highly recommend this book and series.
June 27, 2026
An incredible story about God's Redemption!
This story hits close to Home because my late Father raised me just like Tom's father, Jim, raised him! Nothing I ever did was good enough and it still affects me to this day. This is a must-read! Thank you Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley!
This story hits close to Home because my late Father raised me just like Tom's father, Jim, raised him! Nothing I ever did was good enough and it still affects me to this day. This is a must-read! Thank you Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley!
June 1, 2026
Not quite as good as The Dance, but still very good. Again, included all the family, because family is important.
July 9, 2026
I liked it. (audible)
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews