The Promise of Rainbows

Dare River #4

by Ava Miles

From International Bestselling Author Ava Miles comes an inspiring and emotional tale about a hero tortured by the past willing to scale great lengths to overcome unimaginable loss and find love.“Miles’ story savvy, sense of humor, respect for her readers and empathy for her characters shine through…” – USA TodayHe had given up hope he could ever overcome his past.She just might be the miracle he’d been looking for.Jake Lassiter was a bona fide hero in the military before a tragedy in war changed his life forever. Now he’s a rising country music star, intent on healing the world and himself through his music. But his past still haunts him…When Jake hires girl-next-door interior decorator Susannah McGuiness, he sees a kindred spirit and a woman who pulls at his soul. The first sparks of hope fire in him, the kind that can heal all the wounds he still carries inside. For a man resigned to never having a happily ever after, Susannah sure has him dreaming about one.Susannah has always believed in the promise of rainbows, even when times are tough. She’s known some hard times herself and connects with Jake on a level she’s never known. In this hero, she doesn’t see a broken man, but one who’s risen again and again to life’s challenges. But Jake must heal his secret wounds to claim the love of his dreams.***Ava Miles welcomes you to Dare River, her bestselling small-town family series featuring bad boys, reluctant heroes, and boys-next-door. Find love, uncover family secrets, heal betrayals, and discover there’s nothing more powerful than happily ever.Treat yourself to the complete COUNTRY HEAVENA down-on-her-luck cook uses food’s magical properties to tame a beastly country singer after he hires her under false pretenses to restore his image.THE CHOCOLATE GARDENAn inventive gardener creates a magical chocolate garden for a sexy songwriter only to be swept away by the magic of their love.FIREFLIES AND MAGNOLIASA steel magnolia turned crusading law student must face a haunting family secret while falling in love with a cynical country music manager who’s lost his faith in magic.THE PROMISE OF RAINBOWSA military vet overcomes the shadows of his past with the help of country music and a woman he’s hired to remake his new home.THE FOUNTAIN OF INFINITE WISHESA determined businesswoman searches for her long-lost father while helping a tough private investigator believe in wishes again.THE PATCHWORK QUILT OF HAPPINESSA sassy quilter invites a long-lost family member to her quilting class only to fall for the sexy single dad next door.BONUS COUNTRY HEAVEN COOKBOOKTHE CHOCOLATE GARDEN (children’s book)*** Rye Crenshaw and his Dare River friends also show up in Ava’s bestselling Dare Valley series starting with the #1 National Bestseller NORA ROBERTS LAND, and it’s chock full of small town family charm, friendship, mystery, and happily ever after, of course. Millions love it. Discover why today.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Ebooks

438 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 13, 2016

About the author

Millions of readers have discovered International Bestselling Author Ava Miles and her powerful fiction and non-fiction books about love, happiness, and transformation. Her novels have received praise and accolades from USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, and People Magazine in addition to being chosen as Best Books of the Year and Top Editor’s picks. Translated into multiple languages, Ava’s strongest praise comes directly from her readers, who call her books and characters unforgettable.

Ava is a former chef, worked as a long-time conflict expert rebuilding warzones to foster peaceful and prosperous communities, and has helped people live their best life as a life coach, energy healer, and self-help expert. She is never happier than when she’s formulating skin care and wellness products, gardening, or creating a new work of art. Hanging with her friends and loved ones is pretty great too.

After years of residing in the States, she decided to follow her dream of living in Europe. She recently finished a magical stint in Ireland where she was inspired to write her acclaimed Unexpected Prince Charming series. Now, she’s splitting her time between Paris and Provence, learning to speak French, immersing herself in cooking à la provençal, and planning more page-turning novels for readers to binge.

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Promise of Rainbows is book four in the Dare River series by Ava Miles. This book was generously provided to me in exchange for an honest review by the author.

I was first introduced to this author when I found book one in this series, Country Heaven. I fell in love with it so much so that I have since read every single one of her books. Even though each book can be read as a stand alone, the characters are all recurring in every book as part of the strong family bonds that exist between the characters.

Jake Lassiter spent ten years serving our country. There was never a question as to whether or not he would enlist since his father and brother both served. But after ten years, Jake had had enough and he got out. He had seen terrible things, done terrible things. He knew he was suffering from PTSD because he was raised with it. Both his father and brother suffered from it. Jake, though, was determined that he would fight it every step of the way. He sought help time and time again and had tried just about every type of therapy there was. He was getting better, slowly, but he still suffered from debilitating nightmares. After what he saw his father put his mother through, Jake knows he can never do that to someone. So he won’t allow himself to entertain the thoughts that have plagued him ever since the first time he met the beautiful interior designer, Susannah McGuiness. The first time their hands touched, he knew they shared something, a connection. He has hired Susannah to decorate his new home which he has fittingly named, Redemption Ridge. But he vows to keep their relationship platonic.

“It was over before it had even started. His heart broke. It was like being doomed to a life of darkness. He was never ever going to be okay again.”

The biggest relief Jake has found since getting out was through his music. He moved to Nashville and started out playing in small bars but was soon discovered and is now a rising country music star. His songs tell a story that resonates with people and his career is sky-rocketing.



Susannah is J.P.’s sister who we got to know in book two. She felt the same connection the first time she and Jake touched. She can’t help but to dream of something developing between them but she is resigned to the fact that he doesn’t seem to feel the same way. Susannah’s mother is a preacher but also has had a lot of luck in helping other’s that suffer as Jake is. Going to church is something that is second nature to Susannah and her family so it was natural to invite him to services. Little did either of them know that that Sunday would change both of their lives.



As Jake begins to see Susannah’s mother for help, hope blooms as does love. Susannah and Jake share a rare connection that grows each and every day. It is Susannah’s touch that seems to keep Jake grounded, to give him strength.

“Your brother was right,” he said in that same harsh tone. “You just might be my miracle.”
“Maybe you’re my miracle too, Jake.”



But along with growth come setbacks and Jake is reminded once again why he should be alone. Why he shouldn’t subject someone he loves to his darkness. But again, the power of touch and love help to bring him back.

“Nothing could take him back to the darkness. He was going to climb this light with all his strength.”



First, I want to thank Ava for writing this book. It brings to light such an important health crisis so many of our heroes suffer from. The love between Jake and Susannah is so beautiful. But even without Susannah, Jake was determined to fight from the start. The message in these pages is so important. That no matter what you suffer from, that you matter, that you are loved, that there is hope, and that there will always be, “The Promise of Rainbows.”



I look forward to the next book in this series, The Fountain of Infinite Wishes which is Susannah’s sister, Shelby’s story. And the next Dare Valley book, The Calendar of New Beginnings.

“I was saved by grace.
Healed by love.
Life’s magic is all around me.
I’m a blessed man.
The promise of rainbows is in the clear blue sky again.”

[Winter Sophia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching, Moving, Funny, Engaging, Eye Opening & Realistic! A Beautiful Read! I Loved It!

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is more than one strong emotional message in Ava Miles’ The Promise of Rainbows. Jake is a rising country music star. His songs all allow him to vocalize his feelings, his fears, doubts, guilt and even love. His hope, he can help heal others, too, but demons from his past as a soldier in battle will not let the grip of PTSD loosen. There is something special bout Susannah, she is like a beacon to his soul and he recognizes a woman who has suffered in her own life. What better way to get to know her than to hire her to give life to his home that is as barren as his heart? Is he grasping at straws or can Susannah breathe life into his heart? Can Susannah ignore their attraction or does she, too see a man who needs to be released from his personal prison with the key she may hold?

The Promise of Rainbows combines the small town heart found within all of Ms. Miles’ works, as well as her ability to draw on more than physical attraction. Ms. Miles has carefully approached an all too real problem of PTSD and the victims it claims, no matter the cause. Follow along as two people reach out for the strength from many directions, be it by communicating via a spiritual belief, emotional attachments and the trust to open up about what is in their hearts.

The Promise of Rainbows brings romance to the forefront as a major, yet not the only option for her two main characters to begin again and let the past go. Warm, heart-wrenching and realistic characters bring this tale to life with a plot that is magnetic.

I received this copy from author, Ava Miles in exchange for my honest review. We have no personal attachment or business relationships.

Series: Dare River - Book 4
Publisher: Ava Miles, Inc.
Publication Date: January 13, 2016
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Print Length: 319 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Veronica245]

Ok so I’m guessing I am in a bit of a slump and I need to find a sure thing or something. I started reading this series a long time ago and while I barely remember what it was about. I do remember that I really enjoyed it. I made notes. I am not sure if it is this specific book or not, or does seem to push religion a bit down our throats and it’s not my thing, or not. And I just didn’t feel like I connected to this one at all. I don’t remember the characters meeting from previous books and it felt like we were just thrown in the middle of the story 🤷🏻‍♀️. Maybe I am just in a contemporary rut. Anyhow this on one is not for me, moving on

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

**more at melenasreviews.wordpress.com**

TOP 10 RECOMMENDED

First off I have to say this was the toughest book I have read and reviewed. One thing I love about Ava Miles is that no matter the situation in her books there is a meaning to all of her books. From her other books we caught a glimpse of country singer, Jake Lassiter. Unlike Rye Crenshaw **still a favorite of mine** he is a troubled man who from the outside people see as a funny, sexy and hot singer. Yet in the inside he is breaking, crying and torn. I have to say Ava Miles and Susannah wow for being so strong with Jake and helping him. What made me cry for him and sadden was that along the way he lost his faith. PTSD of course is not something that escapes a soldier. If you are lucky to not get it that itself is a miracle. He has worked to be better but like all cases Jake feels like he is drowning and it takes Susannah to show him the path to GOD again. I loved Reverend Louisa, the mother of all mothers in this book showing him that he is not alone and everybody deserves a chance at happiness and find that rainbow of miracles GOD graces us with everyday. The attraction and chemistry between Jake and Susannah was so beautiful and no matter how many times Jake denies the love it takes her warmth, beauty and loving heart to prove to him he is not a lost case after all. Like I said before this was a tough book for me to review and read for it showcases so many things fellow soldiers are going through yet we don`t take the time to actually acknowledge what they are really going through. Ava Miles once again has proven that no matter the situation we are not broken or alone there is always a promise of happiness in every corner.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the sensitivity regarding the main theme, PTSD, was handled beautifully. However, the religious aspects that have been, to my mind, progressing as the series went along just was not my cup of tea.

[Lashon Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read

So far I’ve read, or listened to all of the dare valley books looking forward to reading the rest of the series

b.lashon74.lb@gmail.com

[Marcela Mahoney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story of friendship and love

[Jessica Goodman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last book of 2025 and it’s a good one! I’m loving this series. Not amazing literature but sometimes you just want some good family drama and romantic happy endings. I will finish the series!

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous

I have cried reading before but this books heartwarming and heart breaking story had me believing in something more. Jake has gone through so much and his friends the stories we DONT hear about. It makes you stop and think. The strength of Jane , Susannah and her wonderful family and friends is just beautiful. Thank you for bringing these two together Ava hugs xx

[Jonetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susannah McGuiness and Jake Lassiter have flirted around their attraction but now that he's hired her to redecorate his home, they've decided to just acknowledge it and move forward. Unfortunately for Jake, it apparently triggered his PTSD nightmares.

This is a story about grace, faith and the power of both in the midst of a debilitating condition. The realities of PTSD amongst our veterans was well presented through Jake who served in Iraq and suffered a traumatic loss that still haunts him. His burgeoning relationship with Susannah was an important part of his recovery as well as a contribution to the problem.

The families of both, extended and otherwise, play significant roles and Susannah's sister, Shelby, is perfectly set up for the next book.

I really enjoyed this story, which was personally well timed to deliver a message I was open to hearing. Jake and Susannah's triumph was inspirational.

(I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review)

[Bernadette Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that this story touched my heart in so many ways and will always remain a favorite by this author!

Jake Lassiter is a rising country music star and he decides to hire the lovely Susannah McGuiness as his interior decorator to transform his empty house into a warm and loving home. They felt the attraction from the first time they met, and have been slow about acting on it. Jake has been working hard to overcome the serious PTS symptoms that followed from his time in the military and his afraid that he can never be involved in a loving relationship with a woman. Susannah also has her secrets, but she is willing to be strong and help Jake through his tough times.

This is the fourth installment in the Dare River series and it's great to catch up on the earlier character's lives. This story does stand on its own.

I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.

[Kristin Whitehouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Ava Miles. I love the whole Dare Valley -Dare River storyline. I didn't love this one. I'm not a religious person. It didn't offend me but I kind of felt like it was shoved down my throat a little. I don't usually mind but it just felt constant. I feel bad giving it a not glowing review because I know how much this book means to her.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Promise of Rainbows: Dare River Book 4 is by Ava Miles. Her books are always great and this one is no exception. Following the entire family through its evolutions is always exciting. You never know what they will get into next.
Susannah McGiness has taken on a decorating job with Jake Lassiter. Susannah is very creative and innovative. She gets to know her client and listens to what s/he has to say, unlike some other decorators. She is very close to her sisters, Sadie and Shelby, and her brother J.P. Her Mother, Louise, is pastor of their church and is also a counselor. Susannah has a definite set of morals and values to which she faithfully adheres. She has been talked about by the women in church for not being married at thirty! It was so bad at one time that she quit going to church. She is somewhat shy but sweet and loveable.
Jake Lassiter, former serviceman and hero, has come to Dare River to live. After leaving the Army, he became a country and western singer and made it big in the industry. He writes many of his songs with the help of J.P McCuiness. He had a house built and decorated in Dare River. The decorator didn’t listen to him and he did not like the décor at all. He had it all taken out and turned to J.P’s sister for help. He wasn’t sure if this would help as he was wildly attracted to her. However, he has played it safe and not asked her to date him because of his PTSD.
Will working together help his PTSD? Will talking to Louise help? As Jake addresses this issue, he also has to deal with the issue of Susannah.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wavered between 3-4 stars and decided to go with 4 because my main con was a theological point. Granted, there are a few errors (like spelling the plural of "daddy" as "daddy's" -- plurals are not made using apostrophes). Also the faith, while starting off very well, sometimes became just a little heavy handed for me. It could reasonably be argued that the situation called for more; I just prefer more subtlety. The trials of PTSD were handled with sensitivity, and compassion; well done.

Because it affected my sense of the rating and because it figured heavily in the book, I'll briefly share my theological nitpick. Very often in the book, someone, including pastor Louisa, says that God didn't/doesn't always answer prayer. That's like saying a loving parent doesn't always answer a child's plea. Sometimes the best answer of "No" or "Wait." If a child asks to play in a busy street, I hope the parent will answer a resounding "no." Sometimes a negative answer is the answer of love. To ask why God didn't answer a prayer is a very different question than why didn't He give me the answer I wanted. As a matter of faith, it's an important distinction.

[Rebeca Buril · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can someone write a story so involving? that's the word that summarizes what I think about the book.
the author didn't give a superficial picture nor created a foolish plot only to have people Reading it. The way things happened , to me, were as If we were living them with the characters.
In my opinion, It's a book about healing and Second chances. They can happen to anyone If they only accept them.

two negative aspects, however, on my point of view: (SPOILERS)

- writing about Shelby and her search for her daddy. I know It was meant to create a connection with the following book, but I had to Skip those Pages...

- Susannah should have waited until they got married to have sex. I know they were in love and were going to get married, but It is fornication after all.

But I loved Reading this book :😍😍😍

[Gracia | That Bibliophile Gal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear readers, Ava Miles is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. In this book, the story between Jake and Susannah was truly captivating. The characters are real, life-breathing, God fearing people who going through pain, like us, need some help remembering the important things of life. Reading this brings such a good reminder that we are alive, we love hard and finding a home (in people) is one of the most beautiful things about life. Jake story really reflected the raw kind of beauty and seeing him find love was worth every tear. The words Ava wrote were true poetry, for anyone who’s lost a loved one, these words sometimes described what our hearts felt like during the hard times.

[Cate Gell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book, beautifully written. The story is of Jake, an ex army vet and Susannah an interior designer and artist. Jake is suffering from PTSD and doesn't think he worthy of love. With the help of her mother Louisa, Jake starts to believe. With Ava's books there is always a side character that will be her next book, and all previous characters appear which makes good reading and does mean you really need to read previous books. There are not many books that have me in tears but this one did.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving. Uplifting. Enlightening.

Ms. Miles has built wonderful characters in this Care River series. But none more captivating than Susannah and Jake. The path for Jake to find himself again through the PTSD was long and painful but Ms. Miles did it with powerful writing built on q foundation of knowledge. While she used her own experiences, I could tell she had done a great deal of research to bring to light the horrors soldiers and abuse victims suffer through long after the wars or abuse have been left behind.

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another favorite in the series.

This story reaches inside of you and rips your emotions out into view.
The cause that makes this story is one that needs to be in the light.
Though impossible to truly understand Jake and his feelings throughout the story as you might a character in another book, it underlines the purpose. PTSD can't truly be understood on a personal level without personal experience, but needs to be acknowledged.
Meanwhile you get to know more of the people, and revisit those you already know from the previous books of Dare Valley and Dare River.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not enjoy it

OK…I read the first book in the series and liked it. I read the second one, skipped the third and just finished the fourth. I did not enjoy it. I understand the subject matter was intended to be serious but my goodness…the whole thing was just a slog. Very wordy and somewhere along the way, the dialogue started sounding like something out of a bad, old, western. I don’t know what the rest of the books in this series will be like but I don’t think I will read them.

[Ljones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful story of grace.

I like the weaving of Ava Miles
stories. She weaves together the family and the themes of love, loss, secrets and forgiveness. The people are so real and she deals with the tough emotional issue of PTSD. Jake uses music to help with his PTSD. He realizes he can't do it on his own. Good shows him the power of Grace. This can be read as a standalone, but you will be drawn into this family and their lives.

[Rachel Gioia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not read any of the other Dare River books, but you can totally pick this one up and not feel lost at all about the content or characters. As a Jewish woman from the Northeast, some of the Southern dialect was new to me, and much of the content related to the church was unrelatable for me. That being said, it was a sweet love story that also tackled the difficult subject for PTSD and approached it quite well.

[Lisa O'Connor · Rating 2 out of 5]

More like the broken promise of potential. I’ve loved this series, and I was really looking forward to this one. Disappointingly it was like swimming through treacle. Extremely churchy, boring & repetitive conversation and glacial plot. The ridiculous fluttering of eyelashes and moaning whenever our girl eats anything 🙄 Honestly I had to force myself to finish this. Hated it. That said, I’ll continue the series with hope this was a one off.

[Elizabeth Crownover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rainbows are the best Promises

I felt every last word of this book. The exploring of PTSD was done so classy in this book. It was beautifully done. Although Rye and Tory’s story has been my favorite, Susannah and Jake we’re destined for one another and I love having been apart of their story. This is a very Kismet story!

[Caro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, like all the other in this series, was excellent but it touched me in a profound way as I lost a close friend to suicide and although she never talked about her service in the military I have to wonder if PTSD was a part of her daily struggles that she finally succumbed to.
Thank you, Ava, for writing such an honest and inspiring story

[Gretchen B. Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Winner

I love the characters & their interactions with each other in this whole series. I appreciate the story relating to PTSD & bringing it to others to enlighten people who are unaware. Once again another good story filled with Love & Support. Looking forward to the next one.

[Linda Wildman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointed

This book just isn't for me and I didn't finish. A God of love didn't put us here to kill us off for heaven. Angels were created in the millions man was made for earth. I disagree with much in this book. The Yankee comments are not right either. I just felt a division in reading this book rather than a comfort.

[Marcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

When military veteran and country music star Jake Lassiter hires Susannah McGuiness as his interior decorator, she has no idea he carries a secret so great it will change the love developing between them

[Catherine Kincheloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aside from one statement that she did not research and got a date wrong this book is delightful. This is #4 in the Dare River series, can't wait to read #5. Her characters are interesting and she has current and very real story lines.