A Promise Made

by Valerie Joan Connors

In 1949, twenty-year-old Eva Larkin is forced to put her life-long dream of a writing career on the back burner in favor of marriage and motherhood, when an unexpected pregnancy changes everything. Eva soon discovers that she has married an alcoholic with a dangerous temper, but blames herself and “that smart mouth of hers” for her husband’s uncontrolled rage. When Leo’s violence and abuse become unbearable, Eva and her three-year-old son leave the security of their home and family in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and set out for New York City to start a new life. Eva is faced with raising a child on her own, at a time when divorce was neither common nor easily obtained. With help from the friends she makes along the way, Eva struggles to build a career, provide for her son, and keep her demons at bay. But leaving the past behind turns out to be much more difficult than she had imagined.
This novel, funny at times and often disturbing, will leave the reader with a renewed awareness of how much women’s lives have changed in the past sixty-five years.
A Promise Made is a story about hope, strong women, and the way things used to be.

306 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2015

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesomely written story that deals with a horrible topic! The writing and characters are wonderful. I felt like I was right there with them, during the good times and the bad. Unfortunately, too many of us have been in or know someone in these situations. This is a book that is hard to put down. I had to know what was going to happen next. The growth we see in Eva is wonderful. We all need a support group like she had in her story. We see from this that you can change your life, but you must have strength and courage to do so, and no, it isn’t easy. I hope we can all gather our inner Eva when we need to.

[Alison Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read bringing an important issue to print.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Promise Made
by Valerie Joan Connors

In 1945 Eva Larkin was like every teenage girl before her, dreaming of life after graduation from high school. Eva wanted to move to New York and become a writer. But her dream didn't happen the way she had hoped it would.

While still in high school she thought she had met the man of her dreams, Leo Maguire. Eva's father did not approve of their relationship because she was only 17 and Leo was 23. Eva's father agreed to let her date Leo even though he felt something seemed to be wrong about Leo but he couldn't put his finger on it.

After dating for several years Eva becomes pregnant and they are forced to be married and made to leave town immediately by Leo's mother. After the baby is born is when Leo starts to drinking more and becoming violent toward Eva. After being beaten many times by Leo is when she decides to move back home with her child to live. She gets a divorce from Leo hoping she would never have to see him again, but he can't seem to stay away from her. He continues to drink and to harass her. The last straw came when he beat her very badly. That is when she decides to move to New York with the hope he never finds her.

Eva now begins the journey that will change her life in more ways than she thought possible. She meets many strong women who showed her how life is suppose to be and how she can accomplish many things her life. Even though she was a victim of abuse, she doesn't let that define her. She learns there are many women who are or have been victims of domestic abuse and it doesn't matter if the woman was poor or wealthy, abusers come from all walks of life.

I enjoyed reading this book by Valerie Joan Connors even though it's not the type of book I usually read.

I was given this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

[Susan Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book pulled me right in to the era - just after WWII. The protagonist is an abuse victim with a husband recently returned from the war. Her travails ring true as does the setting. Her ups and downs not only make the story more poignant, but also more realistic. A good read.