What do you think?
Rate this book
Country Road Chronicles #4
Sarah's Promise
Frank Hammond makes a wintry journey of over two hundred miles to help his brother and look into a job offer he hopes will be the new beginning he is searching for. But all Sarah wants is to make a home as close as possible to the farms where they were raised. Why would Frank even consider moving so far away? As Frank strives to make a new start in a fresh location, he comes face-to-face with his own handicaps and a new-found call of God. At the same time, Sarah struggles for the faith to fulfill her own promise to trust God, and Frank, no matter what the circumstances. With their wedding date approaching, Sarah must come to terms with her doubts and misgivings while Frank finds that a gesture of kindness to strangers has opened a surprising door of renewed hope. Leisha Kelly fans will thrill to see the unfolding love story of Frank and Sarah, a fitting conclusion to the Wortham and Hammond saga.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
23 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
Leisha Kelly
16 books73 followersaka L.A. Kelly
A resident of Clayton, Ill., Kelly authored 11 books, including the best-selling historical fiction series centered around the Wortham and Hammond families—published by Revell/Baker Publishing Group. Her most recent book, The House on Malcolm Street, was published by Revell in September 2010.
Kelly, who home-schooled her two children, served as children's ministry director and youth minister at her family's church.
On January 25, 2011, Leisha and her son, Justice, were killed in a traffic accident.
A resident of Clayton, Ill., Kelly authored 11 books, including the best-selling historical fiction series centered around the Wortham and Hammond families—published by Revell/Baker Publishing Group. Her most recent book, The House on Malcolm Street, was published by Revell in September 2010.
Kelly, who home-schooled her two children, served as children's ministry director and youth minister at her family's church.
On January 25, 2011, Leisha and her son, Justice, were killed in a traffic accident.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 24, 2018
Sweet little book about a number of people and issues. I understand this book concludes the Wortham Family series beginning with Julia's Hope.
Background: During the depression, the Worthams took shelter in an abandoned house and began living there. Come to find out, it was owned by an elderly lady (Emma) who invited them to stay, but asked to live her last days there too. Eventually Emma willed the house to them.
This book takes place in 1946, nearly two decades later. Emma had passed, and most of the Wortham children were grown, gone off to war, or moved away with families of their own. During the in-between years the Hammonds, a neighboring family, lost both of their parents, leaving older children and young ones. With the help of the Worthams and a lot of hard work, that family was able to stay together. Sharing many meals and events with the Worthams over the years, it was much like one family living in different homes.
Frank Hammond, one of the younger boys, worked with Robert Wortham (the dad) in his woodworking business becoming a master. Sarah (Robert's middle daughter) and Frank were so close they eventually decided to get married.
Frank struggled all his life with words and figures that seemed to move on the page and made no sense. Although as a boy he was bright, he was teased and insulted by other children, even his own family, thinking he was simple minded. No one had an understanding of dyslexia, nor did they have a word for what "was wrong" with Frank. But Sarah knew he was intelligent, and it grieved her that few people saw in him what she did.
After years of people thinking they needed to help him with everything, Frank decided he wanted to move away and make a life of his own; to be independent of others' decisions for him. He prayed Sarah would find it in her heart to trust him and desire the same life he did. This was hard for Sarah. She loved him and couldn't see a future without him, but she also dearly loved her family and community, and thinking of leaving was destroying her peace. Fear and doubts crept in causing her to voice what she didn't want to...doubts in Frank's wisdom and fear of an unknown future.
The hymn Blessed Assurance kept running through her mind until she began taking the words to heart...
Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blessed
Watching and waiting, looking above
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love
Is she submitting to His will, or is she fretting and wanting to make only her will happen? This struggle enabled her to see God working in her life, giving her the desire of her heart - joy in God's perfect plan.
Meanwhile, Frank's younger sister (who in a previous book lost her fiancé in the war, took up with his brother, and moved away to live with him) has returned declaring she was getting married, that she wanted the Worthams to sponsor her wedding, have it at their house, and scheduled it just three days before Frank and Sarah's wedding. Then she left saying she'd write with her plans, pretty much leaving the Worthams with about four months to do all the preparations for it. Sarah's mom, Julia, should be nominated for sainthood. That woman took on both weddings. But with this and another man pursuing Sarah relentlessly, she slips back into fretting and doubting. How often do we do this when unexpected external factors present themselves, seemingly barring the path we were happily walking down?
The outcome to this, and the life Frank had found 200 miles away (which is a whole story itself!) were clearly evidence of God working out His good pleasure for the life He designed for them.
Very good book with so many things to ponder in our own lives. How much do we control and how much do we allow God to control?
This might be a bit long and slow at times, especially the first third of the book, but it gives good background for what happens in the next five months or so. My favorites of this series are the first two books, but they're all good.
(By the way, the Goodreads title of this Kindle edition says it's #3 in the series. It's actually #4.)
Background: During the depression, the Worthams took shelter in an abandoned house and began living there. Come to find out, it was owned by an elderly lady (Emma) who invited them to stay, but asked to live her last days there too. Eventually Emma willed the house to them.
This book takes place in 1946, nearly two decades later. Emma had passed, and most of the Wortham children were grown, gone off to war, or moved away with families of their own. During the in-between years the Hammonds, a neighboring family, lost both of their parents, leaving older children and young ones. With the help of the Worthams and a lot of hard work, that family was able to stay together. Sharing many meals and events with the Worthams over the years, it was much like one family living in different homes.
Frank Hammond, one of the younger boys, worked with Robert Wortham (the dad) in his woodworking business becoming a master. Sarah (Robert's middle daughter) and Frank were so close they eventually decided to get married.
Frank struggled all his life with words and figures that seemed to move on the page and made no sense. Although as a boy he was bright, he was teased and insulted by other children, even his own family, thinking he was simple minded. No one had an understanding of dyslexia, nor did they have a word for what "was wrong" with Frank. But Sarah knew he was intelligent, and it grieved her that few people saw in him what she did.
After years of people thinking they needed to help him with everything, Frank decided he wanted to move away and make a life of his own; to be independent of others' decisions for him. He prayed Sarah would find it in her heart to trust him and desire the same life he did. This was hard for Sarah. She loved him and couldn't see a future without him, but she also dearly loved her family and community, and thinking of leaving was destroying her peace. Fear and doubts crept in causing her to voice what she didn't want to...doubts in Frank's wisdom and fear of an unknown future.
The hymn Blessed Assurance kept running through her mind until she began taking the words to heart...
Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blessed
Watching and waiting, looking above
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love
Is she submitting to His will, or is she fretting and wanting to make only her will happen? This struggle enabled her to see God working in her life, giving her the desire of her heart - joy in God's perfect plan.
Meanwhile, Frank's younger sister (who in a previous book lost her fiancé in the war, took up with his brother, and moved away to live with him) has returned declaring she was getting married, that she wanted the Worthams to sponsor her wedding, have it at their house, and scheduled it just three days before Frank and Sarah's wedding. Then she left saying she'd write with her plans, pretty much leaving the Worthams with about four months to do all the preparations for it. Sarah's mom, Julia, should be nominated for sainthood. That woman took on both weddings. But with this and another man pursuing Sarah relentlessly, she slips back into fretting and doubting. How often do we do this when unexpected external factors present themselves, seemingly barring the path we were happily walking down?
The outcome to this, and the life Frank had found 200 miles away (which is a whole story itself!) were clearly evidence of God working out His good pleasure for the life He designed for them.
Very good book with so many things to ponder in our own lives. How much do we control and how much do we allow God to control?
This might be a bit long and slow at times, especially the first third of the book, but it gives good background for what happens in the next five months or so. My favorites of this series are the first two books, but they're all good.
(By the way, the Goodreads title of this Kindle edition says it's #3 in the series. It's actually #4.)
April 21, 2017
I am sorry this series has ended.
January 1, 2015
This is the last book of the Country Road Chronicles series. It is January in 1946, and Sarah Wortham and Frank Hammond are engaged to be married in June. Before they get married though, they both have some obstacles to overcome.
Frank is about to set out for a trip of over 200 miles to Camp Point, on unfamiliar roads, to help his oldest brother move. Sarah is very worried about him, not only because of the possibility of being caught in bad weather, but Frank has a learning disability and cannot read maps or road signs, and she fears he may get lost on the way.
They have also not decided where they want to live yet; Frank wants to move quite far away, to prove that he can stand on his own without help from family, while Sarah wants to remain closer to home. Sarah also has another problem when Frank decides to remain in Camp Point to work when a job opportunity comes up, she has an unwanted suitor trying to get her to change her mind about Frank.
I enjoyed this story, but I was sorry to see this series end. Sadly, the author and her son died in an automobile accident a few years ago, so this was her last book. I don't know if she intended this book to be the end of this series, but it's a satisfying wrap up to the saga of the Wortham and Hammond families, which began with the book Julia's Hope.
Frank is about to set out for a trip of over 200 miles to Camp Point, on unfamiliar roads, to help his oldest brother move. Sarah is very worried about him, not only because of the possibility of being caught in bad weather, but Frank has a learning disability and cannot read maps or road signs, and she fears he may get lost on the way.
They have also not decided where they want to live yet; Frank wants to move quite far away, to prove that he can stand on his own without help from family, while Sarah wants to remain closer to home. Sarah also has another problem when Frank decides to remain in Camp Point to work when a job opportunity comes up, she has an unwanted suitor trying to get her to change her mind about Frank.
I enjoyed this story, but I was sorry to see this series end. Sadly, the author and her son died in an automobile accident a few years ago, so this was her last book. I don't know if she intended this book to be the end of this series, but it's a satisfying wrap up to the saga of the Wortham and Hammond families, which began with the book Julia's Hope.
January 8, 2014
I read the whole series from the beginning, starting with Julia's Hope. With each book I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen with the Wortham and Hammond families. I had read in one comment that this final installation summed up the families. I'm sorry to say, but I was a little disappointed. It seemed when they were at their reception things kind of jumped from reception to honeymoon really fast. As far as I'm concerned, I would have liked to known what happened with Rorey and Eugene-- Robert and Rachel were stuck overseas, with Rachel pregnant and they were suppose to come home for her to have the baby, and it seemed to me that Frank could have taken over the church for Mr. Willings with his health seeming a little iffy. I'm so sorry that this talented authors life was cut short due to an accident. Maybe the Wortham and Hammond families weren't really done telling their story.
March 26, 2023
I LOVED this series! I am sad to have finished them!!!
Want to read
January 15, 2009The only one I haven't read yet---hasn't shown up at my library and I'm gettin impatient!
July 2, 2017
A satisfying ending to a seven-book series, but I hope there are in the works. There are still stories to be told! Loved this series!!!
February 23, 2018
Loved it
February 28, 2019
Love it.
November 20, 2019
In Sarah’s Promise, Sarah Wortham and Franky Hammond are engaged. Frank is about to leave on a 200-mile journey to help his brother move. Folks are worried because Frank can’t read and the winter weather is iffy. But Frank has a good memory, and his brother has drawn a map and told him the succession of towns he’ll need to pass through.
Everyone assumes Frank will continue on doing wordwork with Sarah’s father. Sarah would like nothing better than to live nearby to the only home she’s ever known. But Frank wants to prove himself. All his life he’s dealt with not only being unable to read, despite desperately wanting to, but also with being thought “different.” Frank tends to think deeply to the point that he’s unaware of what’s going on around him, causing his siblings and especially his father to accuse him of being addle-brained and unable to function without supervision. Frank would love the opportunity to work on his own and provide for Sarah without the safety net of their families, which scares Sarah to death.
While Frank is away, he and Sarah both have praying to do, trials to undergo; lessons to learn. One of the most beautiful parts of the book I can’t share much about without spoiling the climax, but my heart was so touched by a pastor’s ministry to Frank when he was at his lowest, when all his father’s verbal abuse made him think he couldn’t accomplish anything.
I dearly loved all of these books. Leisha had such a skill in bringing us right into the characters’ circumstances and emotions and weaving spiritual truth into the fabric of her stories. I was sad to learn, as I mentioned in a previous review, that she and her teenage son had passed away a few years ago in a car accident. I’m sad for her family but also for readers. I’m going to sorely miss the Worthams and Leisha.
Everyone assumes Frank will continue on doing wordwork with Sarah’s father. Sarah would like nothing better than to live nearby to the only home she’s ever known. But Frank wants to prove himself. All his life he’s dealt with not only being unable to read, despite desperately wanting to, but also with being thought “different.” Frank tends to think deeply to the point that he’s unaware of what’s going on around him, causing his siblings and especially his father to accuse him of being addle-brained and unable to function without supervision. Frank would love the opportunity to work on his own and provide for Sarah without the safety net of their families, which scares Sarah to death.
While Frank is away, he and Sarah both have praying to do, trials to undergo; lessons to learn. One of the most beautiful parts of the book I can’t share much about without spoiling the climax, but my heart was so touched by a pastor’s ministry to Frank when he was at his lowest, when all his father’s verbal abuse made him think he couldn’t accomplish anything.
I dearly loved all of these books. Leisha had such a skill in bringing us right into the characters’ circumstances and emotions and weaving spiritual truth into the fabric of her stories. I was sad to learn, as I mentioned in a previous review, that she and her teenage son had passed away a few years ago in a car accident. I’m sad for her family but also for readers. I’m going to sorely miss the Worthams and Leisha.
June 20, 2014
This is the final book in the Country Road Chronicles. Sadly, Leisha Kelly and her teenage son were killed in an auto accident a few years ago so there will be no further books. (A teenager was speeding in the opposite lane, lost control, crossed over to the other lane and hit the Kelly vehicle. It is believed that she and her son were killed instantly.) She and her family were devout Christians. I know that this strong faith must have been of comfort as the survivors grieved this terrible loss.
I won't spoil the ending for other readers, but I will say that the saga ends in perfect alliance with the trends of society at that time.
Hope that I can find other writers who are similar to Leisha Kelly.
The "Waltons" tv series seems very similar to me. Perhaps, I will watch this series again until I find similar authors.
I won't spoil the ending for other readers, but I will say that the saga ends in perfect alliance with the trends of society at that time.
Hope that I can find other writers who are similar to Leisha Kelly.
The "Waltons" tv series seems very similar to me. Perhaps, I will watch this series again until I find similar authors.
July 14, 2016
This is my new favorite series of books. Oh how I came to love these two families who eventually merged into one. Each book in this series teaches strong Christian principles without becoming preachy. I love the lesson of learning to trust in the Lord regardless of the circumstances or how hard life is treating you. Not only did I love the lessons but I came to love each of these characters with all their flaws. I am only saddened that there will be no more stories of the Wortham family. Now all these years after this book was first published it still stands strong and for me it's as good as any of the "great American novels". I am sure that the Lord met Leisha and said "Well done my child!"
January 24, 2015
The fifth and most recently published book by Leisha Kelly, Sarah's Promise sees Sarah, whom we've first met at six years old in Julia's Hope, marry.
Not to spoil the book, will she go through with her marriage to neighbor, Franky whom she'd grown up with almost as brother and sister? Does Frank have the calling? Will Donald Mueller's persistence and his tempting offer and win Sarah over? Will Franky leave town and make a go of his woodcarving business despite his inability to read or will he take over the Camp Point church? Will Rorey wear Sarah's handmade wedding dress before Sarah gets to use it?
March 15, 2011
This story of Frank and Sarah was a little different from ones I usually read but a good one. Frank was different from most young men but that did not stop Sarah from loving him and the two of them had an interesting courtship and I was happy to see them overcome challanges in their lives. I was esp sad to learn that the author of this book died in an automobile accident along with her son while I was reading it. The world has lost a great story teller and she will be missed.
August 6, 2013
When I started the 1st book in this series, I didn't find it very interesting, but the characters grew on me as I read on. By the time I got to this book I could hardly put it down. It is a wonderful lesson in breaking away from negativity thrown at a person in the past. I was sorry to see this series end.
October 27, 2009
THIS IS A CHRISTIAN FICTION DEALING WITH FAITH AND TRUST, IN GOD AND THE PERSON SARAH IS GOING TO MARRY, WHO WILL BE MOVING HER TO ANOTHER TOWN FAR FROM WHERE SHE LIVES NOW, AWAY FROM HER FAMILY. WORTH READING
June 10, 2009
This is the last book in the Country Road Chronicles. I think it is the last book Kelly wrote about the Hammonds and Wortham families. It is the love story between Sarah Wortham and Frank Hammond.
September 7, 2009
this is the final book in the series- it started during the Depression, worked thru World War 1 and now its winding up with Sarah and Franky getting married! They are a Christian fiction series and an easy read
November 2, 2013
I've read all the books about this family and loved the series. There was a lot of emphasis on faith that God will provide. I also loved the idea of living on a farm with/near family and everyone working together.
January 19, 2017
There was so much worrying, self-doubting and fretting over what-ifs in this book that I found it difficult to read. The light moments were few and far between. Previous books in the series had a great deal of conflict too, but they were far less gloomy than this one. Two stars.
September 22, 2008
This was a great book - the the third in the series. An inspiring story of letting God have His way in our lives.
April 19, 2009
Two points of view from a prospective bride and groom as they approach their wedding day in 1940's.
December 26, 2010
A very sweet story about trust. The book jacket describes this book as a "satisfying" conclusion to the series, and it is. I am sorry to see the series end.
August 2, 2010
boring
December 17, 2010
Awesome book! This is a wonderful series by a great author.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews