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Abiding Love #1

An Imperfect Promise

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Some promises aren’t meant to last a lifetime.

Gini would do just about anything to take care of the eleven orphans in her custody. She's vowed to never marry, but that oath is pushed to the limits when John moves in next door. The new Nebraska rancher is a tad abrasive but willing to step in when the entire town has given up on her little orphanage. She’s prayed for help for so long, but are God’s plans even bigger than she can conceive?

There are some things a man can’t outrun.

John’s running from the love he left behind in Kansas. On a mission to help his sister, John takes over her ranch, which has seen its share of problems. Day after day, John fights against those trying to seize his land, but a more present danger lurks right next door, the sweet redheaded owner of the orphanage, who’s fast stealing his heart.

As the world closes in on him, John must protect his home from rustlers and his heart from getting trampled, once again. If he can’t, he just might lose them both.

268 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 26, 2018

478 people are currently reading
234 people want to read

About the author

Kari Trumbo

126 books424 followers
Kari Trumbo is a writer of historical and contemporary Christian romance and romantic suspense. She's a mom to four wonderful children. When she isn't writing or editing, she loves to read, sing, and knit. Kari loves curling up with a fluffy blanket when winter hits. She makes her home in central Minnesota with her husband of over twenty years, two daughters, two sons, many cats and one sweet bunny.

She also writes women's fiction under the name Teri Blake.

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5 stars
338 (61%)
4 stars
142 (25%)
3 stars
63 (11%)
2 stars
8 (1%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
Profile Image for Hart's Reader Group.
898 reviews42 followers
September 8, 2018
Another wonderful, epic historical romance tale from Kari Trumbo.

The characters have depth of personality and character, and the plot was rich if a little too angsty. So much going on, so many bad things happening, it's difficult to take a breath. Thankfully, the romance is so well done that I don't care about the anxiety all that much.

Well done, Ms. Trumbo.
Profile Image for Stephanie (Between the Coverz).
578 reviews5 followers
May 28, 2018
A sweet story of love amongst danger!

An Imperfect Promise is the first book in the Abiding Love series. This sweet romance is a great start to the series. It will capture your attention and have you wanting to read the next book immediately. A wonderfully written story filled with romance, intrigue, and action. I had a hard time putting it down, as it was a one-of-a-kind and captivating story. I couldn’t get to the end fast enough to see how it would end with the couple, children and the orphanage. The ending was perfect!

The characters are well developed, engaging and realistic. It is easy to connect with the characters. They aren’t perfect; they have their flaws just like you and I do. This makes the characters realistic and easy to connect to. They will quickly become like one of your friends, neighbors and family. I will definitely continue to read the series to see what happens with the rest of the characters.

Kari Trumbo is a talented author that gets better and better. She has a gift for writing entertaining and sweet stories. I have read several books by her and have not been disappointed yet! She has quickly become one of my go-to authors that I really enjoy reading. I recommend this book and series to anyone that enjoys reading a clean western romance with a delightful ending. This book is part of a series; however, it is a stand-a-lone. If you are looking for a good series than Abiding Love series is a great place to start.
404 reviews
April 29, 2018
Well written

I received this book free from one of the book sites. I do not remember which one! This is my honest review.
I love a good love story & especially if the love story includes God. Kari Trumbo has written a story with strong characters, orphans, action, and love. The west was once filled with men who preyed on others, as shown well in this book, the law could only do so much, but the good outweighed the bad, when the Lord helped folks to see more clearly.
I hope you enjoy this book, as I did.
107 reviews4 followers
November 26, 2019
Wonderful story

The thing I liked most about this book is that it was God-centered. I felt like Martha kind of used her brother. She didn't want him on the ranch for himself, she wanted him there so her and her husband's work and sacrifice would be justified. I thought Gini was a wonderful person except the picture she had of herself was flawed. Which is like the rest of us .We all see ourselves with with eyes that cannot see the whole picture. John was a great hero. Enjoyed this book very much, I will be reading more from this Author
1,059 reviews23 followers
April 29, 2018
An Imperfect Promise is a well-written Christian historical western romance. Kari Trumbo writes in such a way that you can just see what’s going on. For example, when she’s writing about a new puppy, Trip: “Trip ran between the kids, getting as much attention from each child as she could. Any who sat on the ground were thoroughly trampled by the affectionate puppy.” I love the characters and the hard-fought for HEA. I would definitely read more of Kari Trumbo’s works.
2,349 reviews12 followers
November 20, 2019
An imperfect Promise

This was one of the great stories I have read. It tells of the struggle of two orphans to run an orphanage with twelve kids . They had very little support from the town .Her next door neighbor, Martha, was trying to run a ranch that was failing. Her husband had been injured by rustlers. John came to help his sister. It gets complicated , must read to get the whole story
Profile Image for Eirlys.
1,763 reviews16 followers
April 28, 2018
This book had avarice, greed, deception, theft and murder. It also had love, duty, charity and courage. A very readable book that is exciting and shows human nature at its worse as well as its best. The characters are very human and interesting.
Profile Image for Doreen Brannan .
61 reviews
April 30, 2018
Suspense all the way through!

This one kept me up late because I couldn't stop reading it!
Clean, wholesome love story with crime, forgiveness, love and suspense.
314 reviews
May 4, 2018
Finding true love

This story has stories within the main story and all of them will draw you in and you will be surprised by the way things progress toward the end.
Profile Image for Martha Silver poole.
4 reviews
May 4, 2018
Promises

The story was good just the right amount of struggles and all the characters were interesting loved all the kids and the couple were good together
315 reviews2 followers
May 18, 2018
Good read

Very well-written and likeable characters. Story was interesting and fast moving. Kept me wondering what would happen next. Looking forward to more by Kari Trumbo.
2,237 reviews3 followers
November 20, 2019
Ebook

He comes to take over his sisters failing farm. She is running an orphanage with her sister. They are all in danger from the town seamstress, she wants their land at any cost. But love thwarts the plan.
753 reviews7 followers
November 18, 2019
Kari Trumbo's books are written from her heart. Her characters personalities and feelings ring true. They are always well developed and dig in and bring you right into the story from page one. I am positive you will enjoy Gini and Johns story. They struggle against so many odds to reach their goals. A must read for sure!
119 reviews
November 23, 2019
Loved it

Great story that underway too soon. I fell in love with this story and loved the ending. Thanks for such a good time and a warm and pleasant ending.
Profile Image for Liberty.
422 reviews
December 2, 2019
Beautiful story of what love looks like

This story is so beautiful and full of great lessons, as well as some mystery. An Imperfect Promise is a delightful balance of love and suspense.
Profile Image for Linda.
192 reviews1 follower
November 28, 2019
Great

Couldn’t put down. Clean romance. Western atmosphere with cattle rustlers and murder. Can’t wait for the sequel. Glad I found this book
841 reviews7 followers
July 16, 2019
The Rancher and Orphanage Fight for Property Rights!

Gini is dedicated to the orphanage that she grew up in. Gini and Eleanor take care of a house full of orphans who work to take care of the needs of the residents. All of the children have jobs to be done to keep things in line.

John has recently taken over the card of a neighboring ranch when his sister and brother-in-law have to give up ranching due to illness.

Unfortunately, there are unsavory characters in the nearby town who think that if they run off John and Gini from their properties, they will be able to assume ownership of the ranch.

This is the story of the trials the residents of the ranch and the orphanage have to go through in their attempt to save the orphanage and ranch.

Kari Trumbo is a talented author. I look forward to reading more of her books.
7,746 reviews49 followers
June 22, 2019
The time of the 1800’s when a girl growing up in an orphanage. Wanting to look after the children there, even to the working demands of the dress shop, she would do what was necessary. The rancher and the problems of rustlers, could break the strongest man. Thankfully God had plans for these two. A good historical showing what could happen in that era of time.
Profile Image for Kelli.
503 reviews11 followers
December 28, 2020
This book was kind of a mess to be honest and really quite sad.
Profile Image for Connie Christofanelli.
7 reviews1 follower
July 1, 2021
Way too long.

This book had the most improbable situations and just kept adding to them. It was way too long. I skimmed the last third.
59 reviews1 follower
April 15, 2020
Will Gini ever Be Good Enough or Pretty enough for Somebody to Love Her?

Gini and Esther grew up together in a small orphanage. When they grew up, they took over the orphanage and promised each other that they would stay together and devote themselves to the children. When John, a handsome man, seems interested in Gini, Esther says he only wants their land, anyway Gini had promised never to leave her.

There was a lot of suspense and danger in the story and some romance, too. I liked how John, Esther and Gina trusted God to help And guide them. The story was a quick read. I really liked it. I would like to see what happened next.

1,217 reviews3 followers
October 26, 2020
This historical western full-length novel (with a lovely cover) is about two women who shared an inherited home that they turned into an orphanage in NE. Their neighbor ranchers were being attacked by rustlers, ultimately killing the husband when the wife's brother comes to take over for them. Continuous attacks occur also involving the two sisters overseeing the orphanage. One of the sisters becomes attracted to the brother John, eventually finding out that everything is correlated to foreclose on the ranch property through illegal actions. Very detailed novel, not always making sense until the conclusion.
231 reviews6 followers
September 23, 2022
Great story of love and restoration

John Dowd comes to Nebraska to help his sister and her husband who is dying from an attack that was meant to kill him. When he meets the lovely neighbor who runs an orphanage with another woman, there is an instant attraction, but both have insecurities from their past. As they face danger, kidnapping, gunshots, and fear, they learn to trust that God can make a way. An exciting and inspiring story.
1,298 reviews11 followers
December 18, 2024
Love the story -

John has come to help his sister with her ranch, after his brother-in-law was injured.

John isn't told everything about what has been going on, but his sister told him the
ranch was his, as her husband was dying and she couldn't run the ranch herself.

John soon learns that there is strange things going on at the ranch - someone is
bring to ruin the ranch.

There is a an orphanage next to the ranch and John soon comes to being fond of one of the
owners.

Profile Image for Daniela Ruas.
87 reviews
June 14, 2025
It is an incredible story of finding love, giving, and receiving love. About forgiveness to others and to self and how God takes care of us even through trials and hardship. He is the loving Father we all need, even and especially if we do not deserve it. The characters are really well built and grow through the story, making you cheer for them and hope for the best while also reminding of God’s love, faithfulness and mercy.
387 reviews
August 18, 2020
A great book

Running an orphanage with her sister with little assistance from the town was a monumental task. Through her life for them, she works as a seamstress for little pay. When the neighbor takes an interest they both have to find who is trying to take their land. This is a great read
94 reviews
March 14, 2022
Wonderfully Written Suspense

Not only does Ms. Trumbo weave a story with so much suspense, but melts your heart for two young women who are running an orphanage with little income to help feed and clothe 10 children. Then, an 11th child, blind and scared comes and captures your heart.
Once you start reading, you won't want to stop!
34 reviews2 followers
December 27, 2024
Fast Read with Suspence

Kari Truman is a new author to me. Her historical fiction style definitely checks all of the boxes to read more from this author.

I loved this storyline and can't wait to read the next book in the series. This book is a fast read, with suspence. I highly recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews

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