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Tomorrow #2

Promise for Tomorrow

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Living a life of faith isn’t going the way Logan and Karen hoped until some special visitors arrive and offer them their future back.
Karen Millerson dreamed of teaching high school but now finds herself boarding with a farm family and teaching country school. She is engaged to marry Logan De Witt and is getting prepared to share in ministry with him. But when she gets blamed for the tragic fire at the school, Karen’s future grows uncertain.
Logan De Witt is working to clear his family’s name with the bank. But when he breaks his leg, hindering his ability to work the farm, Logan is faced with life-changing decisions. When his best friend can’t offer the help he requested, can Logan find a way to care for his family and court Karen before his love for her destroys all of them?

282 pages, Paperback

Published November 19, 2019

3 people are currently reading
87 people want to read

About the author

Michelle De Bruin

7 books435 followers
Michelle De Bruin lives in Iowa with her husband and two young adult sons. She has a bachelor’s degree in Religion with a Christian Ministry emphasis, and in Music. Michelle serves as a chaplain for Pella Regional Health Center. She has been a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) since 2015. Michelle writes inspirational historical romance about people who live in rural communities. Characters that bring to life the delights of farm and small-town living, whispers of Dutch heritage, and Christian faith make Michelle’s stories distinct. A romantic at heart, Michelle is always on the lookout for glimpses of God’s love through the window of a good story.
Her first book, Hope for Tomorrow, released in 2018. with a book releasing every year following. Michelle currently has five books published. Learn more at her website: https://michelledebruin.com/

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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for Julia.
3,074 reviews93 followers
January 16, 2020
Promise For Tomorrow by Michelle De Bruin is a charming Christian historical novel that will warm your heart.
The main themes are faithfulness, steadfastness and obedience. Michelle De Bruin has created a wonderful set of characters who practice these qualities. The lead characters live with one eye on eternity. They trust God to lead them through whatever life throws at them.
God’s plans are so much greater than ours. Sometimes life does not always follow straight paths but God is faithful and we need to be patient and obedient.
Prayer is important. We can meet God just as easily in a barn as in a church. We need hearts turned to Him. “The Lord met him in the quiet hours.” We must remember to listen as well as to talk.
The lure of money and power can corrupt. The riches of this world will hold us back from the treasures of heaven. The reader watches, helpless as a town is held to ransom by an individual corrupted by power. Courage is needed to stand in opposition.
While we have breath, it is never too late to say ‘yes’ to Jesus.
Promise For Tomorrow was a perfectly delightful read and my first by Michelle De Bruin but it will not be my last.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

Profile Image for Janice Sisemore.
1,647 reviews15 followers
February 18, 2020
Promise for Tomorrow

Logan wants to marry Karen but a lot of things are interfering. She is currently staying with them but for them to be engaged she needs to stay somewhere else.

The book is an historical but I couldn’t find what year. I could tell from the transportation they used.

Logan is a farmer due to taking over the family farm. He is also a preacher. Actually preaching is what he wants to do, if things could work out that way.

Karen is a teacher. The students give her a hard time. It was great how she loved being a teacher.

Promise for tomorrow is the second book in the series. I did not read the first book. This book is written as a stand alone but I would still recommend reading the first book. I plan on reading the Hope for Tomorrow.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Prism book tours. This book review is my own opinion.

141 reviews1 follower
January 14, 2020
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour (and Giveaway!) for Promise for Tomorrow by Michelle De Bruin, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK
Promise for Tomorrowy Michelle De BruinTitle: Promise for Tomorrow
Author: Michelle De Bruin
Publisher: Mantle Rock Publishing
Release Date: November 12, 2019
Genre: Inspirational Historical Fiction

Living a life of faith isn’t going the way Logan and Karen hoped until some special visitors arrive and offer them their future back.

Karen Millerson dreamed of teaching high school but now finds herself boarding with a farm family and teaching country school. She is engaged to marry Logan De Witt and is getting prepared to share in ministry with him. But when she gets blamed for the tragic fire at the school, Karen’s future grows uncertain.

Logan De Witt is working to clear his family’s name with the bank. But when he breaks his leg, hindering his ability to work the farm, Logan is faced with life-changing decisions. When his best friend can’t offer the help he requested, can Logan find a way to care for his family and court Karen before his love for her destroys all of them?

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

My review: Karen came to the small community to be the teacher, a job she really loves, but some days feels quite inadequate, mostly due to the big boys in her class. But she perseveres and attempts to make a difference in each student’s life. Along the way, she falls in love with Logan. She shares his love for the farm life as well as ministry. But, this is complicated by the fact that she boards with Logan and his family.

Logan has returned home to help his family following the death of his father. He is diligent in the farm work as well as leading a small church near his farm. Along the way, he falls in love with Karen. However, this is a big problem for him, because Karen boards with his family.

This is a sweet story of a small community and how appearances are not what they always seem. In Logan’s attempt to not compromise Karen’s reputation, he almost ruins their budding relationship.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced reader’s e-copy of this book from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.





ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Michelle De Bruin lives in Iowa with her husband and two teenage sons. She has a bachelor’s degree in Religion with a Christian Ministry emphasis, and in Music. Michelle is the spiritual services provider for an organization that offers services for people with mental and physical disabilities. She has been a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) since 2015.

Michelle writes inspirational historical romance about people who live in rural communities. Characters that bring to life the delights of farm and small-town living, whispers of Dutch heritage, and Christian faith make Michelle’s stories distinct. A romantic at heart, Michelle is always on the lookout for glimpses of God’s love through the window of a good story. Her first book, Hope for Tomorrow, released in 2018. The sequel, Promise for Tomorrow, released November 2019.

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE: Website | Facebook | Twitter

TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) US winner will receive a print book of Promise for Tomorrow, chocolates, and quilted table runner.
(1) international winner will receive an e-book of Promise for Tomorrow & $20.00 Amazon gift card.

Promise for Tomorrow JustRead Giveaway

Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight January 13, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on January 20, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE



Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

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*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
Profile Image for Marie.
578 reviews23 followers
February 17, 2020
Thank you in advance to the author, Michelle De Bruin, and Prism Tours for providing a complimentary review. A positive review was not required. All words and thoughts are my own.

This is the second book in the “Tomorrow” series – the first being “Hope for Tomorrow”. A brief run-down – Logan returns to town after his father’s death. He takes over the farm, and decides that boarding the new teacher, Karen Millerson, is a good idea. His family gets boarding money and his sister gets a friend.

However, they didn’t plan on Karen and Tillie fighting or Logan falling in love with Karen …

Cue to this book.

“Promise for Tomorrow”, opens with Karen and Logan “engaged”, but no one else knowing of it due to a few situations – he hasn’t told his mother, and Karen is living with them. It doesn’t “seem right”. It’s an interesting concept given this is historical fiction. It also has a religious tone to it as well.

Even though one of the main characters is a preacher, and there are sermons in it, the author doesn’t get “preachy” with the tone. There are some scripture references in the book as well as prayer. De Bruin also shows that the preacher is even “tempted” because of his feelings for Karen, which is why he wants to move her out, or he moves out.

Despite having not read the first book, I was able to get right into this one. If you prefer reading books in order; I would suggest starting with “Hope for Tomorrow”, and then reading “Promise for Tomorrow”.

The author starts off with a problem – Logan is trying to find a place for Karen to stay now knowing how they feel about each other and not wanting to be “inappropriate”. Obviously the first one ended with their engagement, so the pace doesn’t rush the story along, but merely chronicles Logan and Karen’s journey.

There are a few problems though. Not only is there a lack of a place for Karen to stay, but if she leaves, his family loses the boarding money. Not a good idea when there is a debt to satisfy.

I was able to immediately jump into this novel and take off with it, even though this was the second book. The writer makes it easy for the reader, well for me, to jump right in without having to read the first one. Another reviewer stated this is an easy “stand alone” read. And, for me it certainly was. At no time did I feel lost or wonder what was going on with the story.

I read through this novel so fast I couldn’t take notes. And, most of my readers know how I feel about historical fiction. However, the writer’s writing style kept this paced so that I had to keep reading. This book really grabbed my attention. I kept trying to pry myself away from it. I do need occasional sleep though, so I had to put it down.

This reminded me of a more grown-up version of “Little House on The Prairie”, which is probably why I really enjoyed it. I used to LOVE that series a child. De Bruin also had a mystery in it, and the two visitors didn’t show up until nearly the end. My heart ached for Logan and Karen because of how things transpired and they were doing everything (seemingly) right. However, they had good friends and a strong faith to support them.

This is a clean read with a little kissing. There are definitely no sex scenes or foul language. Readers who enjoy a mild taste of religious tones might enjoy this.

Beautiful, inspiring, and timeless are just some of the words to describe this book. The cover is simple, colorful, and just gorgeous. It drew me in as if in advertising a place to stay at the farm.

I’m definitely putting “Hope for Tomorrow” on my TBR (to be read) list.
580 reviews
January 6, 2020
Michelle De Bruin is a new-to-me author so when I saw an opportunity to read Promise for Tomorrow I didn't hesitate to sign up for it! If it's one thing I love, is discovering new writers to follow.

I really enjoyed this story! Even though it's the second one, I had no trouble keeping everything straight. She gave enough back-story from Hope For Tomorrow as to not be confused or lost. Both Karen & Logan are people of strong faith and values. It shows in all their actions, words and how they treated those around them. I really admire men who are called to ministry, especially those who become pastors. Logan had a heart after God. Even in his struggles he sought the Lord in his heartfelt prayers. It helped that Peter was a fellow pastor, friend and mentor in Logan's life. I felt Karen was the perfect helpmate to him. She was encouraging, helpful in ways that mattered and a spiritual match to his ministry. I really loved watching their courtship develop into a strong connection. They faced many trials with tenacity, grace, and a willingness to allow the Lord to work His will in their lives. They are both a wonderful example to us all!

In some places in the story, I felt it drag a bit and some details that could have been left out without affecting the storyline. In my opinion, if the story was tightened up, it would have really showed off the authors writing talent more. Also, I felt there were situations that were resolved almost too perfectly and too quickly.

In spite of that, I still felt the story was well-written, the characters were ones I came to care about, and the faith thread was very much a natural part of it. I think one of my favorite parts was at the end when Logan felt a bit like Abraham when he went to sacrifice his son on the mountain. Logan felt tested and tried. But instead of running away, he sought God even more in his heart, willing to give up what he loved the most to fulfill God's will in his life no matter the outcome. I really think that's a lesson we can all learn in our walk with the Lord. Learning to give up what we want for what God wants. Because ultimately what the Lord has for us is good, right and to our benefit!

I would recommend this to Christian historical fiction readers who like a good faith theme, characters real enough to connect with, and a good love story to follow along!

*This book was provided courtesy of the author through Interviews & Reviews. No favorable review was required and all opinions are my own. *



Profile Image for Lori.
1,892 reviews136 followers
December 30, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. Michelle is a new to me author and I'm looking forward to more from her.
I discovered her through Takeover Tuesday on Facebook and when I seen the cover I just knew I had to pick it up. I wasn't disappointed!
I loved that Logan first prayed about his decision and then asked his family too. Prayers are mighty important. They are what helps us through everyday life.
I thoroughly enjoyed the many messages that were in the story. They were certainly uplifting.
I love Karen and Logan. Especially Logan. He was definitely brought up the right way. I liked him because of that and he's thoughtful and caring always putting others' feelings in front of his own.
I liked his mother too. Makes me miss my own mom. Sometimes it is hard to listen to your parents and grandparents. I loved that Logan respected his mom enough to at least listen to her. Too often, many kids don't and that's sad.
Families aren't what they used to be either.
I miss our gatherings. Especially at Christmas time when I was a kid.
Karen is a great teacher. I think if I lived back then I'd want her to be my teacher. I love how she stood her ground. It takes a fierce and strong woman to do that.
There's one thing that I didn't care for and that was Vera. Her whole attitude stank and it rubbed off on her family.
Actually, two things. I don't like how one set of rules can apply to one family and the other set can ignore those rules and get away with things. It's not fair but again, I totally rooted for Karen!!!
You know, God doesn't promise us tomorrow; however he does promise us not to leave or forsake us. I'm so glad aren't you?
I really enjoyed this book and I didn't put it down until it was finished!
I strongly recommend this wonderful book.
I can honestly say that you won't be disappointed!
My thanks for a complimentary copy of this book that was provided by author with NO compensations received. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Erin.
2,108 reviews17 followers
January 22, 2020
My Thoughts on Promise for Tomorrow:
This is the second book in a series and I’m glad that I was given the chance to also read and review Hope for Tomorrow when it came out. Promise for Tomorrow takes up where the first book left off and keeps you informed of what’s going on on the farm!

I like that this is a clean romance type book. It’s not a huge mystery and suspense book but rather an oh no something bad happened but I know they can overcome it type book. This is one of those cosy up in front of the fire and read type books. You won’t regret reading this one before bed.

The characters are fun and fully developed. Logan and Karen complement each other really well and I’ve loved watching them grow each on their own but together as well.

Great read! I highly recommend this book but you really should read the first book first. You can read this one without having read the first one, but going back to read the first one won’t work so well. So, I recommend you read them in order. I feel it’s always best to read series that way but then again I like playing by the rules too.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from JustRead Publicity Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
Profile Image for LAWonder10.
953 reviews738 followers
February 24, 2020
n this interesting, poignant drama, Logan is faced with the dilemma of propriety before he and Karen can allow their engagement to be known. It didn't help this matter when Logan breaks his leg while trying to rectify the situation. He and Karen are finally able to let others know, when Karen is blamed for a fire and forced to leave her teaching position and Logan is faced with financial ruin..
Long distance relationships seldom work. It looks as though wedding bliss will no longer happen for this couple.
This is a touching story of a couple's struggle to fulfill their dreams. What they originally felt was God's will, takes several "downward spirals" causing doubt to prevail.
There is several inspirational moments, emphasizing several principles, including: faith, acceptance, injustice, integrity/lack of integrity, values/lack of values.
The characters are very endearing or annoying. They are very diverse and realistic. The situations are clearly defined.
Although very simple, the Book Cover is attractive and eye-catching and the Title is fitting.
I offer a Four and a Half Stars rating for this book.
*This book was gifted m with no urging for a positive review. This is my honest review.
Profile Image for Jane.
1,306 reviews45 followers
January 12, 2020
We first met the characters of Promise for Tomorrow in De Bruin's book Hope for Tomorrow. This book picks up pretty much where the first book left off but I don’t think you’d necessarily have to read the first book in order to enjoy the second. Promise for Tomorrow does end in such a way that, while loose ends are tied up, there is the potential for additional books in the series.
DeBruin has created characters that readers will develop a relationship with. As an educator I appreciated the one room schoolhouse and the difficulties Karen faced in that situation. I also appreciated the level-headedness and caring that Logan has for those around him. I recommend Promise for Tomorrow to all who enjoy sweet romance or historical fiction.
There would be no problem adding Promise for Tomorrow to my k-12 Christian school library. It would be appropriate for middle school and up.
I want to thank JustRead Publicity Tours for the complimentary e-copy of Promise for Tomorrow. This is my honest review.
Profile Image for Rachael.
66 reviews4 followers
January 13, 2020
I absolutely loved the first book in this series! This one was not as good as the first one, but definitely still good. While the last book was a little more light and funny, this one was more heavy and involved more problems in the relationship between Logan and Karen. Was this where God was leading them? When situations arise in the surrounding areas and in their own personal lives, how will their relationship stand? Will they be shaken with the financial burden from the loans that Logan's father had taken out? I definitely encourage the use of strains on relationships in books. It adds an element of reality that is sometimes skipped in other books. I also liked the effect that Logan and Karen were starting to have on the communities, whether it was the local drunk or the hard cold banker or a student that was struggling in school.
This book was absolutely without a doubt clean.

Disclaimer: I was given a free ebook copy of this book to review, but my opinion is my own.
Profile Image for Abigail Harris.
Author 51 books261 followers
January 16, 2020
After reading Hope For Tomorrow I was excited to see that there was a second book in the series. Starting out Promise For Tomorrow it took some time to remember where the first book left off since I read another western romance around that time, once I got a bearing on the characters, setting, and what had happened in the first book I was surprised by what happened next, the plot twist that happened early in the book. The antics of the school children was somewhat funny yet I felt bad for poor Karen as she dealt with crazy kids, bullies, and mean parents. I liked Logan quite a bit more in this book compared to how he acted in Promise For Tomorrow. While there were some typos I enjoyed this book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Alyson  L.
146 reviews54 followers
February 20, 2020
What a wonderful book full of faith. Michelle D Bruin has a delightful way with words that truly warms the heart. Set in the American past, this steadfast couple is best by various stumbling blocks that could hinder their close relationship with God. I loved reading about how they remained both faithful and obedient while trying to overcome their challenges. The writing is fluid and the characters are easy to love.

This is the second book in the series and planned as a standalone novel but you will get more out of it if you read them in order. I plan to go back and read HOPE FOR TOMORROW. If you love historical romances with a Christian background, then don't miss this amazing book. You'll find yourself lifted up as you read without even realizing it. Beautifully written Michelle!

5 ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
1 🔥

Disclaimer
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Profile Image for Heather Greer.
Author 13 books342 followers
January 31, 2021
As much as I enjoyed the first story in this series, I liked this one even more. I can't wait to see where life takes Karen and Logan in the third book.
Profile Image for Crystal.
520 reviews23 followers
October 20, 2020
Excellent and well written book. I loved reading Karen and Logan's story and how they deal with their problems. Actually I found that could be in real life to. The book was interesting, suspenseful, intriguing, romantic, a page turner. Hated to put book down. If I could rate this book more than 5 stars I would.
I highly recommend it and will read again.
Profile Image for Andrea.
1,268 reviews34 followers
February 13, 2020
Logan and Karen decide to live a life of faith but, things are not going as they planned. Karen Millerson hoped to be teaching at a high school but, she is now teaching at a country school while boarding with a family of farmers. She becomes engaged to Logan De Witt and shares a life of faith with him. However, after a tragic accident occurs and the school catches on fire, Karen is blamed. Her future at the school remains uncertain.

Logan De Witt is working to remove his family from financial debt. However, when he accidentally breaks his leg, he is unable to work the farm which affects his ability to repaid the debt. Logan is faced with difficult decisions that might affect his desire to marry Karen. Will Logan and Karen find a way to care for his family and protect his love for Karen?

This the second novel in the series and while it can be read as a standalone, I felt like I was missing as few references as I didn't read the first book. For example, the struggles that Logan and Karen faced before agreeing to get married were already sorted in the beginning but, the couple didn't want their relationship to be noted as scandalous as they were courting while she lived with him. There were a few places were the book was a bit slow but, I enjoyed the plot twists. I enjoyed the part where the kids were playing pranks with each other even though, I felt for Karen.


2,041 reviews
February 20, 2020
If you are looking for a sweet romance on the prairie look no further than Promise for Tomorrow.

Here we have a young preacher who would very much like to marry his secret intended and soon. Unfortunately, everything seems to be conspiring against them. Logan is bound and determined to keep all appearance of evil away and goes to great lengths to preserve Karen's reputation. The problem is that Karen, the town's school teacher, is still boarding with Logan and his mother and sister. There appears to be no other room for the teacher.

Logan was a gentleman through and through yet he knew his weaknesses as a man. I was a bit baffled by him in his continued secrecy of his relationship with Karen, I thought that at times he did go overboard.

Karen was as patient and as loving as could be. She also had her own problems in the town. The students, especially the boys acted out, and the parents certainly had different ideas about education than Karen did.

Through it all however, Karen and Logan did make a great team. Especially all that was thrown their way. Their story made for an enjoyable read to pass the time with.

I received a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

https://pausefortales.blogspot.com/20...
Profile Image for Cathy Cermele.
782 reviews14 followers
February 20, 2020
This is the first book that I have read by Michelle De Bruin but as soon as I saw the cover I just knew it would be a book that I would enjoy and after reading the description, I was even more convinced it would be an enjoyable read. Turns out I was absolutely right in my thinking because I thoroughly loved the story of Karen Millerson and Logan De Witt. This is the second book in the series which I didn't realize but there was never a point in the story where I felt lost or couldn't figure out what had happened in the past.

I love a clean, sweet romance with obstacles that the characters must overcome and this one has plenty of obstacles and plenty of faith to get through the hard times. I'm also a fan of books that a feature a one room schoolhouse in a small community because you know there will be a little drama and a few smiles in the storyline. There are characters I rooted for and some others who just annoyed me but in this book I always wanted Karen and Logan to live their best possible live because they deserved it after everything they went through.
I received a complimentary copy from the author but was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Dianna (SavingsInSeconds blog).
940 reviews23 followers
February 23, 2020
If you’re looking for a clean romance with a strong Christian theme, Promise for Tomorrow is a sweet choice. It’s not a complicated story, and the characters pride themselves on living a simple life.

This is the second in a series, but it was the first Michelle De Bruin book I’ve had the pleasure of reading. I could tell that there was some backstory from the first book. Enough information was provided that it helped me to bridge that gap.

Promise for Tomorrow moves at a slow pace. Be prepared to linger over some innocent kisses and very tame romance. I appreciated how the characters praised God for the positive in every situation, no matter how bleak the day looked. If you’ve read Amish fiction before, this book has a similar vibe. It is focused more on a “rural” community that appears to be early 20th century, but the conservative actions of the characters made me think of Amish fiction.

I received this book from the author for a book tour. Opinions shared are mine.
6,155 reviews
February 17, 2020
Promise for Tomorrow is the first book I have read by Michelle DeBruin. It will definitely be the last. After reading this, I realize she has a great talent at storytelling. I felt a connection to Karen and Logan from the start. I felt like I was right there with them in the scenes. I could not put their story down until I finished the very last page. I had no issue reading it in one sitting.
I am giving Promise for Tomorrow a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy clean historical fiction.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Profile Image for Marta Aldrighetti.
562 reviews1 follower
December 26, 2019
This is the second book of the Tomorrow serie, but you can easily read it as stand-alone book.
The main characters are Logan, pastor of Oswell City, preacher of Meadow Creek and farmer; Karen a foreign school teacher of Meadow Creek school.
In the farm small village there are friendly families, but also hostility people that did and do hard time to Logan and family.
Nice book and wonderful characters, you'll barely put down the book, eager to know all about the village and the people.
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