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East of the Sun #2
Yesterday's Promise
BY THE AUTHOR OF THE BEST-SELLING SILK SERIES–OVER 150,000 COPIES IN PRINT!
He fought to seek his fortune.
Would he lose a greater the love he left behind?
As the son of the squire of Grimston Way, aristocrat Rogan Chantry has fought hard to win his independence from Sir Julien Bley and the British South Africa Company. Now, his pursuit of a mysterious deposit of gold, marked on a map willed to him by his murdered uncle, Henry Chantry, is challenged by a new the impending British colonization of South Africa. Can Sir Rogan find the gold in the midst of escalating tensions among the native tribesmen, the missionaries sent to win them, and the new colonists?
Meanwhile, Evy Varley, the woman Rogan loves back in England, is headed for a brave yet dangerous confrontation with Henry’s killer–but at what price? With so much against Rogan and Evy, a reunion seems improbable, if not impossible. Can yesterday’s promise hold them faithful to the hope of future freedom and a victorious love?
He fought to seek his fortune.
Would he lose a greater the love he left behind?
As the son of the squire of Grimston Way, aristocrat Rogan Chantry has fought hard to win his independence from Sir Julien Bley and the British South Africa Company. Now, his pursuit of a mysterious deposit of gold, marked on a map willed to him by his murdered uncle, Henry Chantry, is challenged by a new the impending British colonization of South Africa. Can Sir Rogan find the gold in the midst of escalating tensions among the native tribesmen, the missionaries sent to win them, and the new colonists?
Meanwhile, Evy Varley, the woman Rogan loves back in England, is headed for a brave yet dangerous confrontation with Henry’s killer–but at what price? With so much against Rogan and Evy, a reunion seems improbable, if not impossible. Can yesterday’s promise hold them faithful to the hope of future freedom and a victorious love?
367 pages, Paperback
First published February 17, 2004
16 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
About the author
Linda Lee Chaikin
47 books229 followersLinda Chaikin is a Christian fiction author with a focus on historical fiction. She sometimes publishes using the name L.L. Chaikin.
Linda was the youngest of 10 children and her father died shortly after she was born. She wrote her first full-length novel with pen and paper at the age of 14 - this novel was later rewritten as Wednesday's Child, part of the Day to Remember series.
She met her husband, Steve, in a Bible study, and they were married 6 months later. They both went to Multnomah School for the Bible, now known as Multnomah Bible College and Biblical Seminary in Portland, Oregon.
Linda was the youngest of 10 children and her father died shortly after she was born. She wrote her first full-length novel with pen and paper at the age of 14 - this novel was later rewritten as Wednesday's Child, part of the Day to Remember series.
She met her husband, Steve, in a Bible study, and they were married 6 months later. They both went to Multnomah School for the Bible, now known as Multnomah Bible College and Biblical Seminary in Portland, Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 25, 2022
Well-written page-turner. One always wonders if the second book in a series will be as good as the first, and this one didn't disappoint.
The mysteries deepen and the characters grow and I continued to cheer everyone on to find the truths I knew and the ones I didn't yet know. The suspected who-done-it wasn't obvious enough to be positive and I was kept on the edge of my seat until the reveal.
The reminders of what happened in the previous story were a bit tedious, but once past the first few chapters it settles into the current story. The revealed culprit confesses a little too easily in my opinion, in order to understand the motives (but that's pretty typical of the mystery greats, right?). It does not end on a cliff hanger, though there is a third book in the series.
The mysteries deepen and the characters grow and I continued to cheer everyone on to find the truths I knew and the ones I didn't yet know. The suspected who-done-it wasn't obvious enough to be positive and I was kept on the edge of my seat until the reveal.
The reminders of what happened in the previous story were a bit tedious, but once past the first few chapters it settles into the current story. The revealed culprit confesses a little too easily in my opinion, in order to understand the motives (but that's pretty typical of the mystery greats, right?). It does not end on a cliff hanger, though there is a third book in the series.
November 1, 2018
The author did a fantastic job of world building. In fact, she did such a good job that I found myself feeling weary just like the people in the book. That's probably the reason I didn't continue on with the series (not that I won't maybe one day). The book isn't boring - not by any means. It's just tiring to read because the life they have to live in Africa is so hard.
There's a lot of stuff going on in this book about the mines and who inherits what and marriages of convenience and selfish humans and all that. It's really well written and I learned a lot about the world at that time.
There's a lot of stuff going on in this book about the mines and who inherits what and marriages of convenience and selfish humans and all that. It's really well written and I learned a lot about the world at that time.
May 17, 2018
Good read
I was a little disappointed. I don't care for books where the hero and heroine are apart most of the book.
I was a little disappointed. I don't care for books where the hero and heroine are apart most of the book.
February 26, 2010
This is another book that I received as part of a blog tour. Before reading the book, I was disappointed to find out that this was Book 2 in a series. I hate starting a series (not just books, but anything - TV series, movies, etc.) anywhere but the beginning. Normally, I would table the book until I'd read the previous one in the series. But, I had agreed to read this one and post a review this week. As this was one of two books I was to review this week, I didn't have the time to read Book 1 in this series. I wish I had. I found that there was much in this book that had me questioning if I'd know what was being referred to if I had read Book 1. There were many events and circumstances referenced that I was completely clueless about. So, I don't know that this would be a stand-alone title. I think I would have enjoyed this book much more if I had read Tomorrow's Treasure first.
That said, overall I did like the book. While it took me awhile - meaning at least a few chapters - to get into it, I soon found myself unwilling to put it down. In fact, I read the last hundred-plus pages today. I think part of why I couldn't get into it at first was because this book starts (and continues) with the assumption that I'm familiar with the back story. But, once I got into it, I found the story and the characters quite interesting.
I now feel that I have to read Tomorrow's Treasure - to get the first part of the story into my head. Then I'd like to re-read this one. Hopefully it'll be a bit easier to read once I'm familiar with the earlier story in the series. Although, I do fear that knowing how this one plays out means that I'll have much in the first book actually ruined. But, it's more about finding out what happened before.
So, if this book sounds interesting to you, I suggest you start with Tomorrow's Treasure first, then read this one. I would guess that this one is quite good if read after the first in the series!
That said, overall I did like the book. While it took me awhile - meaning at least a few chapters - to get into it, I soon found myself unwilling to put it down. In fact, I read the last hundred-plus pages today. I think part of why I couldn't get into it at first was because this book starts (and continues) with the assumption that I'm familiar with the back story. But, once I got into it, I found the story and the characters quite interesting.
I now feel that I have to read Tomorrow's Treasure - to get the first part of the story into my head. Then I'd like to re-read this one. Hopefully it'll be a bit easier to read once I'm familiar with the earlier story in the series. Although, I do fear that knowing how this one plays out means that I'll have much in the first book actually ruined. But, it's more about finding out what happened before.
So, if this book sounds interesting to you, I suggest you start with Tomorrow's Treasure first, then read this one. I would guess that this one is quite good if read after the first in the series!
November 26, 2017
*Update* While I still do not like the fact that Rogan and Evy are apart for so much of the narrative, it did not bother me nearly as much through this reread. I still really enjoyed this book and it has also survived round two of the purge from my personal collection.
Though this is not my favorite of the series I still enjoyed it. My one main complaint is that Rogan and Evy are apart for so much of the book and as much as I enjoy the Africa portions, it just wasn't as compelling for the above reason. This book is wonderful light reading that will definitely stay a long time in my personal library.
Though this is not my favorite of the series I still enjoyed it. My one main complaint is that Rogan and Evy are apart for so much of the book and as much as I enjoy the Africa portions, it just wasn't as compelling for the above reason. This book is wonderful light reading that will definitely stay a long time in my personal library.
August 2, 2012
This book just never "took off" for me. It had a good plot, but not developed. maybe because if just have this one book and had no background from the 1st book of the series.?
April 13, 2015
While I liked getting to read more of this series' plot, this book didn't hold my interest as well as the first. I'm looking forward to reading the third and final book to see how everything ends up.
July 30, 2018
I did not like the second installment as much as the first, but it is still a good read and fraught with history that proves to be fairly accurate. Evy's character us all but abandoned as far as narrative structure goes and yet the significance of events surrounding her should move the plot forward more as the timeline gets all wonky with Rogan being in Africa for the majority of the novel.
March 22, 2019
I enjoyed this second book in the East of the Sun series. Evy suffers a fall down the stairs to her attic but hides the fact that someone pushed her. She moves to London where she can be cared for until her recovery is complete. Meanwhile Rogan is in South Africa but when he is told that Evy is not related to him, he comes back home to profess his love for her.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Habakkuk 3:17-19
June 14, 2025
Oh yes! Sometimes 2nd books aren't what you're hoping for. Yesterday's Promise actually was! I love the mystery throughout! Little bits and pieces strung along the way and faith held onto! A chuckle here and there with the other lady characters. Now, that one mystery is "solved", I'm on my way to book 3! I hope it holds up to my expectations this one more time! Enjoyable reading!!!
April 8, 2024
I know very little of South African history so found this quite intriguing.
June 13, 2024
We get a bit more into the weeds of the African/British politics in this book, and honestly the more that carries on, the less I understand or care. I enjoy seeing Rogan try to thwart Julian but then it looks like he doesn't actually manage to thwart him in the end and he has to follow him to where he wants him to go? Well I guess until, voila, the very end of the book and he runs out to marry Evy!
I do enjoy whenever they do character stuff, and seeing him and Derwent be good friends is great. I can't remember what all goes on with Evy in this book (I think not much other than her being pushed down the stairs and then healing from it) but it's good fo see them finally get together with actual communication at the very end. Not as good as the first one but at least some of the questions get answered.
I do enjoy whenever they do character stuff, and seeing him and Derwent be good friends is great. I can't remember what all goes on with Evy in this book (I think not much other than her being pushed down the stairs and then healing from it) but it's good fo see them finally get together with actual communication at the very end. Not as good as the first one but at least some of the questions get answered.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2016
For me the novel Yesterday’s Promise, by Linda Lee Chaikin, was a little bit hard to get into. I figure this is due to the fact that it is the second book of Chaikin’s “East of the Sun Series,” and the first book of the series I’ve read. However, being that I hadn’t read the first book of the series I don’t feel that took anything away from the story. If I would have read the first book this one would have been richer for me of course, but I still really enjoyed it. The only historical novels I would call myself a fan of are those of world war two era, which this one is not. It takes place in the late 1800s, with both historical and fictional characters, in England and South Africa. This novel was full of adventure, murder, mystery, aristocratic politics and faith. Chaikin focused separately on characters Evy and Rogan. When I was reading about one, I was wondering what was happening with the other. I enjoyed the end of the book the most and am anxious to find out what happens to Evy and Rogan in the third installment of the series.
*This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.*
*This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.*
February 23, 2010
Yesterday's Promise is the continuing story of Evy Varley and Rogan Chantry as they each seek to find the answers of their pasts so they can move on with their futures. This book like the first is split between 19th century South Africa and England. The scenery in this book is wonderful. I could actually picture the Big Hole, where diamond mining took place as well as the African wilderness. Rogan Chantry is still as roguish as ever and you can't help but cheer him on as he stands up to Julien Bly in his determination to find the late Henry's gold mine. Evy Barley has her own problems back in England and you can't help but wonder if she is ever going to find out who her father really is! Since I have already read Tomorrow's Tresure I already knew who he was but I just wanted everything out in the open! This is more of a whodunit than a romance in my opinion but it is still really good! I can't wait to read Today's Embrace, the conclusion to Rogan and Evy's story!
*I received my free review copy from Waterbrook Multnomah.*
*I received my free review copy from Waterbrook Multnomah.*
September 23, 2011
This book is amazing! It all starts out with Evy in her cottage alone during a storm she heard something in the attic so she went up opened the door and saw a black figure rushing towards her then she was pushed and got knocked out. When she wakes up she is in London in a hospital about to be transported to the Chantry Townhouse. So she has a high chance of her legs not healing completely and she just might have to be in crutches the rest of her life. Now while she is in London her "boyfriend" Rogan is in Africa looking for gold that his uncle is suspected to have found, but couldn't get to it because of the Indunas. So after six months of no knowledge about Evy's accident Rogan recieves a letter and stops all his hard seven months of work to go see Evy with out telling his uncle who runs his ans his families lives and might just marry her.
February 22, 2010
From My Blog....[return][return]Yesterday's Romance is the second book in Linda Lee Chaikin's East of the Sun Series. While I have not read the first novel, Tomorrow's Treasure, I was quite easily able to follow along with this wonderful historical romance novel. I was pleasantly surprised to discover just how deeply historical Yesterday's Promise is and found the writing to be both fluid and exceedingly engaging. The two main characters Evy Varley and Rowan Chantry are well written and quite endearing. I would not hesitate to recommend this novel to anyone looking for a historical novel taking place in South Africa as well as England, as it is quite evident the author has put extensive research into the areas and time periods.
February 24, 2010
Yesterday's Promise is the second of three East of the Sun series. It is an involved story with mystery, adventure and romance. I would recommend reading the first, Tomorrow's Treasure first. I think it would give a better grasp of the people and situations involved in the story. There are interesting situations and places with valuable treasure, tribal difficulties, and power struggles. I appreciated the author's historical information and a list of historical dates following the story. The writing is a little too flowery for me and there were too many characters without development for, possibly because the characters were in the previous book.
March 6, 2010
I couldn't get into this one. The story starts out great, but after that I kept getting lost. I don't know why I didn't like this one, I really can't pinpoint it, but it just didn't work for me.
I got about half way through this one and had forgotten the intricacies and relationships between the characters. There weren't a ton of characters, but for some reason I just couldn't keep them straight.
The biggest reason why I didn't like this one is that I just felt so confused through it. The basic story line stayed with me, but other than a few characters I couldn't really keep everything straight.
I got about half way through this one and had forgotten the intricacies and relationships between the characters. There weren't a ton of characters, but for some reason I just couldn't keep them straight.
The biggest reason why I didn't like this one is that I just felt so confused through it. The basic story line stayed with me, but other than a few characters I couldn't really keep everything straight.
February 20, 2010
Yesterday's Promise is the second book in the East Of The Sun trilogy and yet it is possible to read it as a stand alone and still enjoy the story. Set in the 1800's, it's the story of aristocrat Rogan Chantry and Evy Varley and their love that is separated by mystery, blame, and intrigue until finally the truth sets them free. The plot is thick, the mystery deep, but if you enjoy historical romance and suspense this is a good read for a great value.
August 7, 2013
This book was 2 out of three in the series. This book is almost as good as the first. The plot got a little complicated with trying to figure out the political undertones of the English, Dutch and South Africans. Lots of detail given to geography of Africa. Got confusing at times, but good to wade through it as the story is full of suspenseful twists and turns. Cannot wait to read the 3rd book!
July 6, 2009
I was looking forward to the East of the Sun series to continue with this book, but I have to admit that part of the story was dragging for me. I know there's something to keeping your readers in suspense, but the Africa part that quite of the story dragged with just wasn't what I wanted to read. I do like historical fiction, and things got better after awhile. Guess I'm just not very patient.
March 8, 2010
I liked it...but didn't like as much as I did the first one in the series. I wished that the the main character and the guy she falls in love with were interacted a bit more than the author had them. But other than that, it was good.
February 17, 2010
Really should be more like 3.5 stars. Review will be posted on my blog soon.
June 14, 2010
This is the second in a trilogy of books. Continues the adventures in the first book, a little more historical but I did enjoy it and will be reading the third book.
March 3, 2012
Not as good for me as the first one, mostly because it doesn't have as much of the romance. But still some great mystery and history, a wonderful read!
December 16, 2012
excellent book & and excellent series!!!
January 31, 2013
it was really great
heel leuk geschreven!
heel leuk geschreven!
May 1, 2014
I really enjoyed this 'East of the Sun' series and will look for other books by this author
July 23, 2015
Good Series. Enjoyed the book.
December 17, 2015
Very good book,now on to the third part.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews