A Promise for Tomorrow

Hearthfire Scottish Historical #2

by Michele Paige Holmes

Hearthfire Scottish Romances: Book 2

Scottish Highlands, 1700s:
Barely two weeks have passed since Laird Collin MacDonald first darkened Katherine Mercer’s doorstep and married her. Marriage has hardly been what she expected, given their grueling and adventurous days of travel to the Scottish Highlands. Along with the discovery that Collin’s twin Ian would like to see her dead, Katie must now face her own clan, whose chief wants to kill Collin and take her to wife himself. All because Katie possesses the Campbell gift of sight, passed down through centuries of her ancestors.

With little more than faith in her grandfather’s vision and her unique bond with Collin to guide her, Katie steps bravely into an unknown future, where the glimpses afforded her may bring more danger than direction. When the misuse of her gift takes Collin from her side, she is left alone and vulnerable. Help arrives in the most unexpected form as Ian MacDonald makes good on his threat to attack the Campbells and Katie learns that the bond between brothers and love knows no bounds.

Hearthfire Scottish Romances:
Yesterday’s Promise
A Promise for Tomorrow
The Promise of Home

Love Unbound series:
Love Unbound
Love Undying
Christmas at Caerlanwood

Hearthfire Romances:
Saving Grace
Loving Helen
Marrying Christopher
Twelve Days in December

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical, Scotland, Chick Lit, Regency, Historical Romance

434 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 30, 2017

About the author

Michele Paige Holmes is the author of eighteen published romance novels and five novellas in the Timeless Romance Anthologies.

She loves history and all things romantic, though the reality of her life is often less so, with piles of laundry to be folded, meals to be cooked, and dishes to be washed. She finds those things blessings too, or evidence of the blessings in her life—her husband, five, mostly grown children, and five charming grandchildren (four of whom reside in her home).

She is married to her high school sweetheart, a true Ironman who considers doing ultramarathons and triathlons fun. The only time Michele logs serious miles is at Disney theme parks, but she and her super-fit husband have been happily married for thirty-five years, in spite of her lack of coordination and lagging fitness levels.

While her husband is out running, biking, or swimming, Michele’s furry companion Sherlock Holmes—a Cavapoo strongly resembling a teddy bear—keeps her company and keeps her feet warm during the cold winter months in Utah.

In recent years Michele has enjoyed traveling to some of the locations she writes about. This summer she will be returning to Scotland to do research for upcoming Hearthfire Historical novels.

You can find Michele on the web at michelepaigeholmes.com and on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Reviews

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Oh! What a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." ~Sir Walter Scott

I think that quote is a perfect summation of this book. Which I absolutely loved, by the way! This is the second book in the Hearthfire Scottish series and MUST be read in order. So if you haven't read book one yet, hurry quickly and go do so! Drop everything, get to your favorite retailer and snag a copy! Then after reading it snag a copy of this book. Or snag a copy of both at the same time. Hee Hee!

Ok all kidding aside (well maybe not, I'm in a joking mode right now so that might come out in my review further on), after reading book one and thinking, as many did, that it was a single, then to come to the conclusion and realize it's a massive ol' cliff that we've come to and are dangling off the side. Ugh! It was brilliant, but ugh! It was still a cliffhanger and one of those that it's like you're walking through fog and see the light a little ways off in the distance. All this hope starts to bubble up inside of you and you're thinking you've made it and BAM!!!! The ground disappears out from under you, it's just GONE! You reach out and grab hold of the branch dangling temptingly in front of you, and you hold on for dear life. Yep that was me after finishing book one. I just didn't realize it wasn't going to finish off. All the angst and turmoil and buildup and friendship and romance, and the book ends earlier than expected with a preview for book two. Hence that branch sticking out tempting you with hope. Well, I didn't have to dangle too long because the second book came out pretty fast. So that was fabulous.

I will tell you that there's a third book. Ha! But I knew that before I started reading this book. So it wasn't so unexpected with the ending of this book. And happy news...there was no massive cliffhanger. Yes there's another book but the author gave the readers plenty of happily ever after closure in book two to keep us satisfied. There was plenty of setup for book three and another great little preview of it, but if you're not a series reader you'd be happy with this ending and feel closure to not feel that something was missing.

If you haven't read the first book, you choose if you want to continue reading my review about book two. I'm not going to put spoilers in here but just be warned that I'm talking about the book.

Katie and Collin finally make it back to her castle and are trying to figure out to outwit Brann and take control again of her people's welfare. Brann has made judgements and decisions that have brought them to the point of not being able to survive the winter unless major changes are made. Katie and Collin feel like they have some aces up their sleeves but in all reality Brann continues to be one or two steps ahead of them. Every time I started to feel as if they were going to conquer the castle and oust Brann, my feet were swept out from beneath me. (Have I mentioned how much I despise and loathe Brann????) But I kept cheering and hoping that they could do it. Until I got to the middle of the book.

WHAT!!!!!????????? NO WAY!!!!! MY HEART....I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! IT'S NOT POSSIBLE. PLEASE SAY YOU DIDN'T JUST DO THAT??????

I could not believe what just happened. Oh Katie, I know you're fictional but my heart was breaking for you. Total change of pace and direction than what I thought it would be. I can't say what but I will say that you're gonna be mouth open and slack jawed for that moment. I wish you luck in overcoming the shock! Holy bananas Batman!

After reeling from the initial shock, and possibly shedding a few tears as I was feeling Katie's shock and pain too. How could I not? I picked myself up off the floor, dusted off, wiped the tears and kept turning pages. Faster and faster and faster. I couldn't read fast enough!

It was painful and sad, but sweet and healing. I know, how can it be those things together? They're a contradiction, but it was. Just keep reading is what I'm going to say.

And the shocker for book three? Awesome!!!! Redemption is real! I can't wait for it but apparently I'll be waiting for a few months, maybe enough time for my shock and reeling to completely wear off.

After reading almost all of this author's books I will say that she knows how to throw a wrench in the middle of her books. She builds up the suspense/angst/sorrow/beauty/love and then you're thrown for a loop. She's good! And I've learned to keep going because all those build ups are so very worth it in the end. Keep going!!! I love Michele Paige Holme's books! Ok, I might just possibly be fangirling a little teeny tiny bit. But hey, if you love a book or author why not?!

Content: Clean. Moments of peril and fighting but nothing overly graphic. Kissing and a scene with a married couple but it fades out and is not graphic.

I received a review copy. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

[Lauren · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF NOT worth the paper to continue. Just plain boring !!!

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What a rollercoaster for my heart! I totally fell in love with the characters in the first book, Yesterday's Promise, and anxiously awaited this second installment in their story as they confront the villain and attempt to take back the castle and rescue the people under Brann's cruel thumb. There is just as much danger, romance, twists, and angst in this book, and I couldn't put it down as I was completely immersed in the setting and plot! There is quite a lot going on and I don't want to give anything away, so just know that this series is definitely one of my favorites of the year and overall! There is a third book coming in a few months, but this one had a satisfying conclusion while still leaving me looking forward to more. You HAVE to read the first book before this one to lay the foundation and because it's just so amazing :)

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost feel like I have no words, and yet too many that I just don't know how to get out. You MUST read Yesterday's Promise before reading this one. This book picks up immediately where that one leaves off, with no recap or anything, so it's a must if you want the full experience. I can't decide if I was smart or not to have read it right before picking this one up because I totally escaped to Scotland in a scary time (at least, it was scary for me).

Scotland has always seemed a little like a dream world to me--a place of mystique, gorgeous castles, highlands, and kilts. But it's also seemed a bit terrifying to me, especially its history, mainly because of the clans. Clans are fiercely loyal, which means they're also violent, and that's very, very apparent throughout this series.

There is something completely magical about this book (and the series, really) that transported me immediately into the story. I lived, breathed, swooned, feared, loved, triumphed, and cried this story. The characters came alive and I could feel their emotions and I seriously felt like I lived their lives for a time. I also loved the complicated relationships immensely.

I really don't want to give anything away, but I was really blown away by this story and can't quit thinking about it. The middle part was hard--so hard--and I'm soooo glad there will be more to the series, but I want to read it now--I'm not ready to go back home yet.

Content: some violence and danger (nothing graphic); a fade-to-black between a married couple. I would consider it clean.

*I received a copy to review, which had no influence on my thoughts and opinions*

[Lucinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, wow, wow.

I only gave Yesterday's Promise 4 stars because of the cliffhanger, otherwise it would have been five.

This one is six stars. Such a love between Collin and Katie. So much pain and sorrow. And so much love.

Cannot wait for the 3rd one.

P.S.- I can only say—I knew. ;)

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know that technically it hasn't been THAT long since the first book in this series came out but it sure FELT like a long time waiting. That's what happens when you love a book so much and you know there is more to the story and then you have to wait for the next book. Waiting is hard to do.

But then the next book comes out! And it feels glorious. It's like Christmas. Seriously. It was such a happy day. Then? I polish it off in one day and then I'm sitting there is some kind of drunken reading stupor, wishing I could read the next book because I need more. After finishing this book I honestly didn't want to pick up another book. It's the weirdest feeling when reading is your "thing". I wasn't ready to let the story go. I wanted to wallow in it for awhile, I guess. I didn't pick up another book until the next day.

I don't know what it is about this series. I wish I could pinpoint exactly what it is that draws me in so entirely. But maybe it isn't just one thing but instead an accumulation of many little things. The characters are fantastic- so well developed, making mistakes, growing, learning. I love the characters in this book. I feel them. I know them. The author creates a story that is so easy to fall into, to picture in my head, to become invested in. It really was hard for me to pull myself out of that world.

And now? I have to wait months for the next book. Boooooooo. I'm back to anxious anticipation. And so the cycle begins again.

Content: Some kissing, peril and violence.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Charissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah! I am totally loving this series. This is the 2nd in this Highland romance series. Collin and Katie head straight into trouble at the beginning of this one, hoping to oust the murderous Brann who has stolen the leadership of Katie’s clan. Their 1 week marriage has been tested and tried in ways no one else’s ever had, and Katie is devotedly in love with her husband, although they must still act coldly toward each other for her safety. If Brann or Ian, Collin’s twin brother, were ever to discover that Collin loves her, she could be used to make him do horrible things, or vice versa. I could NOT stop reading this once I started. I had to hurry and reread the first volume to make sure all the characters are in place in my mind, and I loved the first book still even reading it again. This series is AMAZING!!! I can’t say enough good about it. There is wonderful romantic tension, thrilling plot twists and action, intrigue and mystery. Everything you could want. This book ties up nicely at the end, but book 3 will carry on the story further with the couple and other characters that I won’t ruin the mystery over for you. The heartache and struggles in this book were perfectly done. The characters grow, struggle, and almost break, but triumph in the end. This author is quickly becoming one of my favorites.

***I received a copy of this book from publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!!! That word pretty much sums up my experience in reading this book.

Michele Paige Holmes did a fantastic job at capturing the feel of the time period and the emotions of the people in her book. I loved the characters, the setting, the intrigue. It was just pure plain goodness.

For me this book dealt mostly with emotions and how to get over loss, deception, and to ultimately forgive. This book is full of twists, some I had figured out almost from the beginning and some that surprised me. The ending completely floored me. I was not expecting it.

There is another book coming. Yay!!! (Not soon enough). This series is perfect for historic romance lovers. There is some intense kissing, but I would call it clean. There is also some violence. Start with "Yesterday's Promise", it really is needed before this one. You will want to read them in order and it will be worth the time spent.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh what a story! I read it through as I needed my answers! At the end, I sighed!

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

You have to read Yesterday's Promise before reading A Promise for Tomorrow, because this one picks up immediately after Yesterday's Promise ended--not months or years later, and there's no recap of what happened in the previous book.

Wow!! Katie and Collin have only been married 2 weeks, and are just arrived to the Campbell land. Katie starts to remember more of when she lived there as a child and Collin was assigned by her grandfather to protect her. They start working with all those on the Campbell land to do what needs to be done to survive the coming winter. Brann has claimed the house and property for himself and wants to see Collin dead so he can marry Katie for her seer gift. She and Collin do their best to stay ahead of Brann but he always seems to know what's going on, even when he's no longer living on the Campbell lands. Brann could be the poster child for Scottish villains. Yes, he's that bad. His greed and lack of compassion for others is the reason his clan is in the state they're in.

Just when I thought Brann was gone and things were going to work out something awful and unforeseen happens. Well, it wasn't totally unforeseen, but Katie didn't see the end of her vision which leads to dire consequences for her and Collin.

It's hard for me to explain some things without spoilers but I felt the second half of the book could've been made into a Scottish soap opera--the twin brothers (one good, one evil), the secrets, etc. Ian swoops in to marry the young widow and bring the 2 clans together so they can make it through the winter. I loved reading about all the changes Ian made and how the Campbells and MacDonald's were learning how to live and work together.

My emotions while reading this book were all over the place. I loved reading about Katie taking care of baby Lydia, whose mother died while giving birth to her. I felt like crying for her when she found out the women were calling her the "barren bride" and then at the dance when Ian didn't ask her to dance, but kept dancing with Mhairi. Speaking of Mhairi, I could've strangled that woman for numerous reasons 1) she was the one who was spreading the rumors about Katie being "frigid" and "the barren bride" 2) when she agreed to marry the widower Brian MacDonald just so she could take baby Lydia away from Katie 3) when she offered Lydia to Katie in exchange for leaving Scotland and the clan.

I couldn't read this book fast enough to find out what was going to happen next. I knew there was another book to conclude this story but I wasn't prepared for the way this one ended. I can't wait to read the final book of Katie's journey when it comes out next year.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in this series called Yesterday's Promise, ended in a major cliffhanger, so I decided not to read it until the next book came out. Well, the second book, A Promise For Tomorrow is out and boy I am so glad I waited! I practically read the two books in one sitting, they were so good.

So, in the first book, Katherine Mercer's life is upended when she receives a letter from her father telling her that she is to marry a Scottish laird in order to honor a promise he made long ago. Since her father is dead, and her stepmother needs the money that would come from her marriage settlement, she has no choice but to agree. Yet, when she sees Laird Collin MacDonald, she feels a connection to him. He brings a large retinue of Scottish soldiers with him, though, and some of them are intimidating, one even seems to want her dead. But she muddles through, trying to hold her head high and find her footing again. Her new husband holds the key to the secrets of her past and once they start unraveling, well, you won't be able to put the book down. But, oh what a cliffhanger!

Thankfully the second book starts right where we left off and there are even more twists and turns as Katie and Collin are trying to navigate a new marriage/friendship as well as the intrigue between clans and who they can really trust. There is so much angst and sorrow, but healing and love, too. I loved this series. The author has created a realistic setting with characters that the reader can truly relate to and want a happily-ever-after for. And there's a third book, but never fear, no cliffhanger ending in this one. And be sure to clear your schedule before you start reading because you definitely will not want to stop!

Originally reviewed on http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodness this was a saga! It's not even over yet. This was a long second book and I was super worried at a 30% in that this was going nowhere and would drag out, I was wrong. The author added an awesome twist that pulled me right back in. I like Holmes writing she is an author I read, this is a little different then her other stuff has been. This pulls you into the Highlands to lives of the lairds and the people. The love story is a complicated, sweet one but this story is about so much more. I am very glad I waited to read this till the third is out, now I can start on that one. This is an adult read. They are married so intimacy issues come into this that have a theme throughout the book. The author did a very good job of never crossing any lines and this is still a chaste book. There is violence, the highlands were not an easy place to live at this time. People were starving, the British could come and do whatever they wanted and the clans fought with one another. Our main characters suffer and are hurt emotionally and physically. I enjoyed the journey this book took me on. I might need a minute before starting the next. I feel like I need a break:}

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book in the series begins right where book one stops. It is imperative that you read book one first or you will not understand what is going on. I loved book one and this one was just as well written and fast paced. It begins with Katie and Collin signing papers to be filed in Edenborough Scotland, declaring Katie as the heir to her grandfather’s castle. Unfortunately, the castle is being occupied by Brann who has declared himself Laird of the Campbell clan and is ruling his people in a reign of terror. This book also ends on a cliff hanger. I will be watching for book three!

[Nari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! This is a second book in the series and the books need to be read in order. This book starts off where the first one ended. This book has intrigue, romance, and plot twists. It has some interesting Scottish history in it too. I love it when I can travel and learn about a place through a book. I can't wait to read the third and last book in the series.

[Tressa (Wishful Endings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

A PROMISE FOR TOMORROW is a story of hardship, community, and love set in historical Scotland. As the second book in the Hearthfire Scottish Romances (it is highly recommended readers read the first book in the series before this one), it begins where YESTERDAY'S PROMISE left off and the continue struggle of Katie and Collin to regain her heritage and for them to find their happily-ever-after. Historical romance readers will find much to love from this story.

I fell in love with these characters in the first book and was very much anticipating finding out what would happen next for them. I came to love Katie and Collin even more in this story. There is a tangible chemistry between them that they are constantly trying to ignore for safety, but is like playing with fire. They try so hard to save their land and people and it is a desperate fight, fraught with danger and violence as well as the survival of their people who have so little to live on. I loved the turn in the plot and the way things worked out to banish a usurper. It was quite creative and also worked for me realistically. From then on the story did have some frustrations for me though. Things carried on much too long and Katie was really difficult, especially since I knew the truth and didn't know how she could not. This made the story difficult to read in parts, but otherwise it was very enjoyable and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next.

In the end, was it what I wished for? Overall, I enjoyed this one with a few frustrations in the second half of the story. There was a good balance of humor, struggle, danger, and romance with plenty of twists and turns. I'm looking forward to continuing on with these characters and their journey in the next book.

Content: Some innuendo, some references to love scenes (between a married couple), and some violence (including a woman being beaten).
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the tour host, which did not require a review nor affect it in any way.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Promise of Tomorrow is a great addition and second installment from the Hearthfire Scottish Historical series. I advise the reader to please read book one, as this book picks up right where Yesterday’s Promise ends.
I thought A Promise of Tomorrow was pretty good with an ending that makes me excited for book three. I cannot wait to see what happens next.
I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

[Dottie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story but needed to take away a star because how could Katie not know "Ian" was actually Collin? That was so frustrating to me because I couldn't mourn with Katie or feel how conflicted she was for a good deal of the novel when it's so obvious that the switch happened. Other than that Ms. Holmes is a superb story-teller and her writing draws you in from page one.

[Jenny Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a good sequel! Just a tad predictable but very very good. I wish the issue of Brann had been resolved a bit differently but ah well. I do like that Ian has some depth to his character and becomes more important and involved.

[MJSH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. Goodness. Where to start? What a fantastically epic read. The first book, Yesterday’s Promise, needs to be read before this one. It’s a must. The author does a good job of trying to fill in the most salient events from the previous book in this one, but the experience of actually reading those events in the first book and just reading about them in the second book are not comparable! Ms. Holmes has outdone herself. I fell in love with her writing through Yesterday’s Promise and expected much from this second book. The author totally blew me away, above and beyond my expectations! Now I’m bouncing on the edge of my seat for the last book of the series to release.

Anyone who loves a well-written historical romantic saga would love this book and the previous one. Both books are set in mid-1700s on the Scottish Highlands. I don’t know Scotland’s history so I learned a lot from reading the books.

The story is told in first person narrative, which isn’t my favorite. But it works so well for this book. And I’m amazed at how the story keeps its fast pace even when it’s told mostly from one person’s perspective. In the previous book, we heard from both Collin and Katie. This book is mostly in Katie’s words. There are so many twists and turns and gasp-out-loud scenes in the book that my heart stuttered and restarted every chapter. Man, I don’t think I cried this much or laughed this much through a book in awhile.

And the characters.....sigh. Collin is still the brave, loyal, honor-bound, serious, thoughtful, justice-seeking protective warrior and leader, always thinking of Katie and his people first. Katie is still the sweet, stubborn, full of life and love girl who came over from England to Scotland, but learns many difficult lessons in this book and matures into a wiser woman and leader. And - surprise - Ian, Collin’s twin brother, comes into the picture and makes things oh-so-much more interesting.
Despite the sad and dreary and sometimes bloody circumstances, the dialogue and banter throughout the book are great fun, filled with humor.

The third book promises a whole new chapter in the epic saga and I can’t wait until it’s released!! No spoilers here though - you need to finish reading this book first and then get a glimpse of the third book at the very end!

I received a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a bit different from other books that I've read lately. Different in a good way. It's set in Scotland in a turbulent political time. The English are trying to tame the Scottish people by taking away a lot of their rights, their ability to bear arms, wear tartans, and even play the bagpipes. This really is a crazy time and place in history.

Enter this story, a love story set in this turbulent time. But this is also a different type of love story. The story is about Katie and Collin and they're married, but only just. The two of them are fighting for their homes and their lives and their fighting family, people who should care for them, not try to kill them.

I loved the whole plot line of this book. There was danger around every turn for both our hero and our heroine. In fact, Collin is taken violently away from Katie. I loved that the whole feeling of that time for Katie was dark, just as she would have felt. Katie is such a strong young woman. She knows what she wants and she fights for it, no matter what. She is at one point in the story poisoned, or at least that's what her enemy thinks. She realizes that something is wrong when the rats stop moving. I love that she is strong enough to figure out what's up and smart enough to not let her captors know she hasn't died before they come into the room.

I like that you see things through Katie's perspective, hers is the only perspective. That becomes important later in the plot and I loved the way the author does that in this book, it really makes the whole plot more compelling.

I highly recommend that you read Yesterday's Promise before this one, so you have some idea of the backstory of Katie and Collin. It's on sale right now too, details below. That being said, I hadn't read it first and I understood everything that was going on.

This is such a great book! You won't want to put it down!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great follow up to the first book, Yesterday's Promise. You'll definitely want to read the first book before reading this one. Katie and Collin's struggles and the danger they go through to try to claim her heritage will keep you on the edge of your seat to the end. I liked the way they are connected from their childhood even though Katie is just beginning to remember. And I'm a big fan of Scottish stories, so I enjoyed the immersion into 17th century Scotland. Can't wait to read the 3rd book!

*Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this book. I was not paid nor required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are my own.*

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I was going to give this book 2 stars. It moved very slowly, and I could see no growth in the characters happening whatsoever! I kept thinking to myself, “How is the author going to drag this into a three book series?“
About 30% into the book, things started to move and then I could not put it down from there!

Katie, Collin, and Ian’s adventures continue right where book 1 left off, but this book included a major plot twist. “Oh! What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive” seems to come to mind.

If you have an interest in the history of the Scottish highlands, post-Culloden Moor, then you will enjoy the series. The author has been very meticulous in her research.

[Pascale’s*ARC,Unwind,Read,Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

The much anticipated, long awaited sequel to “Yesterday’s Promise” is here at last! And it was very much worth the wait!

-‘“It would seem that a seer should know more of the future.’-

This author’s writing style is simply brilliant - and captivating. The story sucks the reader in until one is completely immersed. It was wonderful. I’m already looking forward to the third and last story in the series.

[Angelina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm torn on this one. On the one hand, I've seen lots of relationships where people struggle to get over something and so they seem to cycle through the same arguments repeatedly, meaning this is realistic. At the same time, it isn't my favorite thing to read people having the same fight over and over.

The writing is as good as ever, and the characters are realistic. It just wasn't exactly my cup of tea.

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book bothered me. I guessed that Ian was Colin almost immediately when he showed up and then had to wait forever for the reveal. I also didn't like how things played out with Mhairi and Lydia. It felt unnecessarily harsh.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a great follow-up to the first, and is full of suspense and intrigue.  There were some hints to the mysteries, but the secrets were not revealed until the end.  (I do need to point out that I did figure out the location of the dowry right away, and also figured out the other secret - but I won't tell you what that is so I don't give anything away!)

The struggles that Katie went through were a little violent, but not so much so that I wanted to stop reading (and I'm a wimp, so really, they weren't that bad.)  My heart broke for her when she lost Collin and was brought face-to-face with his evil brother Ian, and even left to his mercy.

The characters were rich and fully developed, and the author brought me on an enjoyable and sometimes suspenseful journey through the Scottish Highlands in an old keep.  I felt immersed in 18th century Scotland and experienced everyday life then, such a making soap, carding wool, and blood feuds.  The book was well worth reading and I am looking forward to the final book in this series.

A Promise for Tomorrow picks up right where Yesterday's Promise left off.  The author has indicated that this series will have a total of three books.  While each book has a clean ending that could be considered to not be a cliff-hanger, the books clearly build on one another and each one hints that there is more to come.

While some books that are a part of a series like this spend half the books telling you what you already read in the preceding books, A Promise for Tomorrow does not do that at all.  In fact, if it wasn't for the fact that I had just read the first book a few months ago, I would have been completely lost reading it.

 This review was originally posted on Among the Reads

I received this book for free from Heather B. Moore in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Nan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like it. But I didn’t. The plot twist that every reader and half the characters had figured out before the FMC did was so, very….painful. In a way I don’t really fault her. Her much beloved Collin turns out to be a bipolar serial liar who brings a whole new meaning to gaslighting. In her effort to mourn her husband who isn’t dead but pretending to be her brother in law who was AWFUL in book #1, she is berated by very nearly every character including said undead husband. The story in the end when IT ALL COMES OUT is so convoluted s to be laughable. Honestly, the ruse was a great idea, and might have been interesting had they let her in on it. I’m never a fan of THE MISUNDERSTANDING as a plot device, but this piece is like half the book. Guilt. Violence. Love. Desire. Tension. Shame. Recrimination. All of these emotions are displayed in full force…sometimes all in the same chapter. Not sure what the baby was about….visions as a side show plot device instead of an actual uncanny gift…there were just some weird choices that were not in the first book. This one jumped around with sometimes whole weeks or Ben months being glossed over. Oh. Also, the part where her fake-not-fake husband kept her locked in her room for a month. If Collin had just told her the truth as well as the need for secrecy, she could have been strong and heroic for her people too. Instead she got nothing but blame from them for her “fridgity.” Ew. I’m invested in the overall story arc. Kind of. Book #3 has actual Ian. Who, the author is already trying to convince isn’t that bad of a guy, but we only have a convoluted off screen story told by the lying Collin to make us believe that. This book just made me so anxious. I kept reading because I felt to much tension. But not in a good way. Like in a sick to my stomach can’t look away kind of way.

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prior to reading “Promise for Tomorrow”, I reread the first because I remembered it was confusing with the main characters, clan loyalties, family dynamics, and clan conflicts. All was very challenging to understand so I hoped it all would make better sense if I read them back to back. Well, #1 was still complicated, but I’m happy to review #2 as being much better. I liked the plotline, much easier to follow.

Katie has such love for her new husband, Collin, but the clan hassles abound between the Campbells and MacDonalds abound. Both clans are forced to live and work together to survive. Katie & Collin are ripped apart and Katie is devastated to learn Collin has been killed as his brother, Ian returns to lead the clans. Her pain is devastating enough, but it doesn’t stop there when for the sake of the clans, she is forced to “handfast” with Collin’s brother, Ian.

I enjoyed this book more than the first one and can honestly say I want to know the end of the story enough to read the final book in the trilogy.

[Aubree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katie and Collin’s story continues as they reach the Campbell lands and try to find the hidden dowry. I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that they soon become separated as that is to be expected in a romance trilogy, but I won’t say what happens from there. Some of what happened was predictable, but overall the book didn’t go where I thought it was going to and I was surprised. I was disappointed in Katie in this book though. She neglected to ask and follow up on basic questions that anyone would have asked that would have helped her figure out everything much sooner. The author relied just a little too much on the character’s conversations being interrupted and not resumed for weeks at a time to keep the reader in the dark. Overall, I am still very much engaged in the story and looking forward to number three!

Content warning: a murder, other violence, kissing, and an implied romance scene

[Leann Arave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow wow and wow! I cannot tell you how intrigued I am with this book! I really enjoyed the first book of the series. This second book really knocked it out of the park. The story of Collin, Ian and Katie was full of suspense, surprise, heartache, and betrayal. There was deceit, hardened hearts, and battles. But also caring, loving and goodness. A coming together of hearts and minds, working together as one people. The battles were fierce but not to graphic. The love scene (1) was fade to black, and the kissing mild. I would definitely recommend reading book 1, before this one. It introduces you to the characters and story, but I enjoyed this book much more! The cliffhanger is not so strong in this book. But for curiosity sake, I’ve got book 3 on order!