A Promise Unbroken: Battle of Rich Mountain

Battles of Destiny #1

by Al Lacy

As the civil war begins, the wealthy Ruffin family is torn by forces threatening their way of life. Experience the heartache and dramatic victory of two couples battling jealousy and racial hatred.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian

307 pages, Paperback

First published July 7, 1993

About the author

Al Lacy has written more than ninety novels, including the Angel of Mercy, Battles of Destiny, and Journeys of the Stranger series. He and his wife, JoAnna Lacy, are coauthors of the Mail Order Bride, Hannah of Fort Bridger, and Shadow of Liberty series. The Lacys make their home in the Colorado Rockies.

Reviews

[Judith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Beyond awful. Badly written, over written.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good depiction of the devastating choices many people had to make as the Civil war began and how it affected relationships. It has a good mix between battle scenes and plantation life. There are definitely very evil characters also those you root for, and faith in God is woven throughout.

[Sue Perkinson Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Arlene Starr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is written by Al Lacy, a man who has studied American History, in particular the Civil War and its battles. I wouldn’t say that this novel is built around the Rich Mountain Battle, but the battle of Rich Mountain is included towards the end of the book as a climax to the story. Lacy has molded factitious characters with real ones and factitious events with actual events. The author does offer some interesting facts about the Civil War, giving you about 7 pages of Prologue.
This story is built around three families, the Steele, Ruffins and the Harts. The force that drives the story is the love two couples have for each other, Web Steele with Abby Ruffin; and Mandrake and Orchid, and their experience of heartache in battling jealousy and racial hatred amidst a war that would cripple American. It also includes the mistreatment of slaves, why some were so adamantly for it and others just as adamantly against it. Mandrake and Orchid are man and wife, and are slaves to the Ruffin family. There is an individual intent on having his own way no matter how inhuman it is or what crimes he commits. He appears unbeatable and is in motion through the entire book. It also deals with the months before the South declares their secession from the North and the intensity between the slave owners and those who would like to see slavery abolished. It is a book about love, courage, fear, defeat, and betrayal. The author holds your attention, develops characters quite well and provides action and suspense.

[Jess Wigal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in Al Lacy's Battles of Destiny Series is primarily about 2 families (the Steeles and Ruffins) and their slaves in the South. Web Steele is engaged to be married to Abby Ruffin. The story begins long before the actual war begins. There wasn't as much war action as I was expecting which for me is actually better.
A Promise Unbroken is very good and very easy to follow. The characters tales take so many twists and turns the reader is always wondering what will happen. This seems to be the type of series you have to read every book to know what happens. I was disappointed in the way the first book ended. (Sorry to tell you how the book ends would give hint to a spoiler so you have to read the book to understand.)
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in historical fiction with a glimmer of romance and wants to be spared the gory details of war.

Please visit and follow: jessblogforbooks.blogspot.com

[Cathyh- · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this book most of the time. The action parts were really engrossing, however some of the story plot I found a little far fetched. After I finished the book I looked up 2 of the characters that were woven into the story, I really enjoyed that he took real people and used them in the story and also learning about the battle of Rich Mountain was interesting.

[Season Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible story packed with historical detail, agonizing suspense, and powerful relationships. Once you start reading the book, it will be very difficult to put it down. It is a page turner to the very end!

[jim fisk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mix of history and fiction

A great telling of fiction mix in with historical facts and historical people. I am a civil war enthusiast and a!M looking forward to the rest of the series

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story line based around civil war