Island of Promise

Chincoteague Island Trilogy #2

by Amy Schisler

Promises are like castles made of sand... Kayla believed Zach was the man to repair her heart and her family. Zach believed Kayla was the woman to repair his soul. But Zach’s secrets are too big, his guilt too heavy, for him to keep his promises. He needs to get out now before he causes Kayla more heartache than the young widow has already endured. There’s nothing like a crisis to bring two people together, and suddenly, the idyllic island off the Mid-Atlantic coast has those in spades. A serial killer has found his way into paradise, bringing Zach’s former life close to home, and Kayla is facing a health scare that is every woman’s worse nightmare. Will the tragedies they face pull them apart or bring them closer to fulfilling their promises to each other?

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 15, 2018

About the author

Amy has been writing novels, children’s books, and devotionals for almost ten years. In her novels, she brings to life characters who jump off the page with their true-to-life personalities and real world problems and concerns. Their lives center around family, friends, and faith. Her stories–though often fraught with peril–champion love, uphold community, and inspire hope. Amy’s writing has been hailed “a verbal masterpiece of art” (author Alexa Jacobs) and “Everything you want in a book” (Amazon).

A former librarian and teacher, she now lives on the Eastern Shore of Maryland with her husband, three daughters, and two dogs.

You may follow Amy online at the following places:
http://amyschislerauthor.com
http://facebook.com/amyschislerauthor
https://www.goodreads.com/amyschisler
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/amy-s...
Twitter @AmySchislerAuth
Instagram @AmySchislerAuthor

Reviews

[Anne Novey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in Amy Schisler's Chincoteague Island Series, the Island of Promise does not disappoint. It's a beautiful story of love, grief, and new beginnings. The characters in this book feel like family to me. The book starts just a few months after Island of Miracles left off. Zach and Kayla love one another, but Zach's guilt over his career leaves him believing that Kayla wouldn't be able to love him. Add to that a medical crisis and a killer in the area, and you have a novel that you won't be able to put down. This book and series has left me longing for more.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Family, faith, friends, and hope: these ideas are at the core of Ms. Schisler’s story of a young widow’s struggle with cancer and new love.

Read full review in the 2018 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this second installment of Amy Schisler's trip through the beauty of the east coast waters. Coming from a family filled with men in the Coast Guard and Police, both of these stories touched me very close to home. There is suspense that for me included kleenex, yet a tender love story that flows so beautifully from page to page. I committed to reading it from start to finish because I felt it deserved my full attention rather than pick it up and put it down over the course of a week. The descriptions of the places makes me want to explore them personally. I am excited to see what happens in the next installment. I felt like I truly knew the characters and could identify with them in many ways. Nice job Amy!!

[Mitzi Mead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Amy Schisler's books! This is the third book of hers that I've read. Like the others, this is a story that evoked so many emotions for me. I cried tears of both sadness and joy while reading it. I like a love story like this one that explores the vulnerabilities and fears that some people must overcome before they can open their hearts to others. I also like the Christian values that weave their way throughout Amy's stories without seeming preachy. I read this book in a day and will definitely read her next one!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Chincoteague Island Triology series by Amy Schisler.

Having read and loved the first book of the series, Island of Miracles, not reading the second book was simply not an option. And now, I will patiently wait for the imagination of the wonderfully talented Amy Schisler to create the third and final book of this trilogy.

Island of Promise focuses on the budding relationship between Kayla Reynolds and Zach Middleton. Both have had their share of heart over the years and both are hesitant despite the obvious connection between the two to put cross the line from friendship to lovers.

Kayla is a young widow and the mother of two sons. Her husband, Eddie, was murdered years prior by his boss. Zach is a retired Army sniper, who struggles to reconcile his position as sniper with who he is now. When Zach looks in the mirror, he doesn't see a hero.

The fragile friendship reaches new bounds as Kayla endures yet another traumatic blow. Zach wants to be there for her and the boys, but struggles because of his past. Kayla wants Zach to be there, but struggles because the future is unknown. In the midst of their personal turmoils, a true monster has taken over the island, taking and murdering young boys...the island is in chaos with heartbreak and worry.

Can Zach and Kayla see past their fears and accept each other's love?

[Deborah Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book in so many ways

I read a lot of non-fiction but sometimes want to get lost in a story, and am so glad to discover this trilogy series. It’s amazing how the author brings each character to life both in the first and second books. Can’t wait to start reading the third!

[Elizabeth A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, I accidentally read this book before the first in the Trilogy and it didn't matter. I love the characters and could not wait to read the first book. Amy has a way of getting you to feel all of the heartache and joy of her characters. There were moments while reading that I had to remind myself to breath because of all that was going on in the story. Can't wait to read more of her books.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just got back from Chincoteague island in Sept 2020 so I picked this up and it was a cute story read all 3

[Quinnlan Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the characters but the storyline was a bit too slow for me.

[Joan McNamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set on beautiful Chincoteague Island on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, Island of Promise is the second book in Schisler’s Island Trilogy. Kayla Reynolds has lived the past 5 years, on the sheltered paradise island her family has called home. Raising her two boys EJ (11) and Todd (8) she is determined to protect them from the infamous notoriety surrounding the murder of her husband, who was shot and killed during an investigation of a very powerful but corrupt public official. She is happy with her life, until Zack shows up and starts stirring feelings that she thought she had lost.

Zach Middleton, back from Afghanistan, is struggling with earth shattering decisions he has made during combat as a result of his elite sniper training. Military life has left him with nightmares and guilt as he tries to ease back into civilian life. The story’s plot twists and turns as the two encounter life and death emergencies, a devastating medical diagnosis and an evil community threat that would bring lesser people to their knees.

This is a contemporary romance that is intertwined with mystery as well as family dynamics. There are many threads that are woven together that at times makes the story seem a bit disconnected, however the heightening sense of panic and raw feelings in the plot ultimately keeps the reader engaged. The characters are well developed and have depth, and the story moves along at a good pace. Overall, this book is a winner that fans of mystery and romance will enjoy while elevating anticipation for the third book of the trilogy.

Joan M. McNamara

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

most enjoyable - wonderful storyline - and you needn't read the the first book to enjoy! - Disappointed in the proofreading....I found too many errors for a book of just over 300 pages....looking forward to Island of Hope in 2019

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful setting in my home state. Mystery and romance fill the pages.