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A Promise in Ash
With only a manipulative mother figure to guide her, Norah's learned everything the hard way. Her dreams of a stable family shattered with her self-confidence years ago. Thank goodness her single-dad coworker is nearby to eagerly pick up her pieces.
If only her past would stay put, maybe they could move forward together.
In a small Texas town, outside of Houston, lies a family of secrets Norah Taren will soon uncover. She's tried to move on for years and push the past into the shadows. Yet handsome Evan Swanson is ever-curious about her, leaving her worried he'll dig up something ugly. Some part of her life will surely push him away for good. Norah refuses to let him get too close, wanting desperately to keep him as a friend. He has enough chaos in his life with his teenage daughter. And Norah doesn't want to lose them in any sense of the word.
Despite her resistance, Evan has zero plans of giving up on Norah.
When Norah's engagement falls apart, the news of her infertility breaking her last thread, she gives in to Evan's embrace. He and Ashley welcome her with open arms, but Norah hesitates to go all in with them. Her traumatic childhood still haunts her and makes her feel undeserving of love.
As Norah's love for Evan grows and she becomes more invested in spending time with them, secrets emerge from Norah's father, her ex-fiancé, and the mystery around her adoption, reinforcing the walls she's put up to shield her heart.
It isn't until her father's death that a friend from the past emerges and exposes the truth. Her gut feeling that she needed to stay away from Evan and Ashley was right. Norah's entire life has been one big lie. One man is behind it all, someone she's never met. Norah longs for trust, real love, friends she can count on, and a stable, wholesome family. Evan and Ashley have an empty seat at their table, one they wish Norah to fill. But Norah's past won't stay gone, putting her would-be family in serious harm's way. Norah's battle runs deeper than her jerk of an ex, her sinister stepmother, and her stalker's sect. The self-doubt and self-loathing were programmed into her from a young age.
But Evan has a secret too.
Can she become more and rescue the ones she love, or will she be forced to watch her past devour them forever?
***
Version 3
No intimacy. This is a "Happily For Now" romance.
Some action, suspense, and cursing. Features scenes that may trigger sensitive readers.
*** " Heartbreaking, delicate and wild, I LOVED THIS BOOK . Mixed in with threatening messages and a mystery at hand, you get a book with interest and passion ." — Goodreads Reviewer " Plenty to keep you glued to the pages with everything going on and all the things coming to light. This isn't a light fun read, but one that will make you stop and think for a long time after closing it." — Goodreads Reviewer "I ordered this book after learning the author, as well as the protagonist, is an adoptee. Stories that showcase the realistic emotions of adoptees are the best—not the ones where the feelings are those the authors think adopted persons should have ... it’s not a straight-up adoption story. But there’s lots of action and not a dull moment." — Goodreads Reviewer
If only her past would stay put, maybe they could move forward together.
In a small Texas town, outside of Houston, lies a family of secrets Norah Taren will soon uncover. She's tried to move on for years and push the past into the shadows. Yet handsome Evan Swanson is ever-curious about her, leaving her worried he'll dig up something ugly. Some part of her life will surely push him away for good. Norah refuses to let him get too close, wanting desperately to keep him as a friend. He has enough chaos in his life with his teenage daughter. And Norah doesn't want to lose them in any sense of the word.
Despite her resistance, Evan has zero plans of giving up on Norah.
When Norah's engagement falls apart, the news of her infertility breaking her last thread, she gives in to Evan's embrace. He and Ashley welcome her with open arms, but Norah hesitates to go all in with them. Her traumatic childhood still haunts her and makes her feel undeserving of love.
As Norah's love for Evan grows and she becomes more invested in spending time with them, secrets emerge from Norah's father, her ex-fiancé, and the mystery around her adoption, reinforcing the walls she's put up to shield her heart.
It isn't until her father's death that a friend from the past emerges and exposes the truth. Her gut feeling that she needed to stay away from Evan and Ashley was right. Norah's entire life has been one big lie. One man is behind it all, someone she's never met. Norah longs for trust, real love, friends she can count on, and a stable, wholesome family. Evan and Ashley have an empty seat at their table, one they wish Norah to fill. But Norah's past won't stay gone, putting her would-be family in serious harm's way. Norah's battle runs deeper than her jerk of an ex, her sinister stepmother, and her stalker's sect. The self-doubt and self-loathing were programmed into her from a young age.
But Evan has a secret too.
Can she become more and rescue the ones she love, or will she be forced to watch her past devour them forever?
***
Version 3
No intimacy. This is a "Happily For Now" romance.
Some action, suspense, and cursing. Features scenes that may trigger sensitive readers.
*** " Heartbreaking, delicate and wild, I LOVED THIS BOOK . Mixed in with threatening messages and a mystery at hand, you get a book with interest and passion ." — Goodreads Reviewer " Plenty to keep you glued to the pages with everything going on and all the things coming to light. This isn't a light fun read, but one that will make you stop and think for a long time after closing it." — Goodreads Reviewer "I ordered this book after learning the author, as well as the protagonist, is an adoptee. Stories that showcase the realistic emotions of adoptees are the best—not the ones where the feelings are those the authors think adopted persons should have ... it’s not a straight-up adoption story. But there’s lots of action and not a dull moment." — Goodreads Reviewer
358 pages, Paperback
Published February 5, 2020
34 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Elysia Lumen Strife
30 books133 followersElysia Strife is a self-published author of sweet holiday romance as well as scifi novels. If you're looking for her science fiction, please visit that profile here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Amazon bestselling author Elysia Strife is best known for her sweet (often clean) holiday romance with tough but humble male leads and feisty but kind-hearted women. If you're looking for a cozy read with lots of treats, snuggles, a touch of humor, and happily ever afters, you're in the right place. Strife designs her books to be uplifting and inspirational escapes.
Her work typically features small towns, country settings, Christmas themes, and chivalrous characters who sometimes swear and get themselves into and out of suspenseful situations. Strife often pulls from her experience in the U.S. Air Force when writing her military characters and tense situations but always prefers her stories are tied up with a bow by the end.
She enjoys reading on rainy and snowy mornings with a Christmas-scented candle burning and a fire going, even if it’s just the fake one in her RV. Her stories are inspired by the strengths and sacrifices of those around her and fueled by caramel macchiatos and Twinkies.
Strife lives with an amazing man who can build anything he puts his mind to and a rescued dog that steals socks and chases the vacuum. Together, they travel the country—from the golden plains of North Dakota to the warm ocean of the southern Texas coast and back to the green valleys and vineyards of Oregon. Anywhere is home as long as they’re together.
If you’d like to know when Strife’s next books will be out, and to ensure you have access to her free review copies and other giveaways, visit her website: http://elstrife.com/embers-on-ice and subscribe.
Amazon bestselling author Elysia Strife is best known for her sweet (often clean) holiday romance with tough but humble male leads and feisty but kind-hearted women. If you're looking for a cozy read with lots of treats, snuggles, a touch of humor, and happily ever afters, you're in the right place. Strife designs her books to be uplifting and inspirational escapes.
Her work typically features small towns, country settings, Christmas themes, and chivalrous characters who sometimes swear and get themselves into and out of suspenseful situations. Strife often pulls from her experience in the U.S. Air Force when writing her military characters and tense situations but always prefers her stories are tied up with a bow by the end.
She enjoys reading on rainy and snowy mornings with a Christmas-scented candle burning and a fire going, even if it’s just the fake one in her RV. Her stories are inspired by the strengths and sacrifices of those around her and fueled by caramel macchiatos and Twinkies.
Strife lives with an amazing man who can build anything he puts his mind to and a rescued dog that steals socks and chases the vacuum. Together, they travel the country—from the golden plains of North Dakota to the warm ocean of the southern Texas coast and back to the green valleys and vineyards of Oregon. Anywhere is home as long as they’re together.
If you’d like to know when Strife’s next books will be out, and to ensure you have access to her free review copies and other giveaways, visit her website: http://elstrife.com/embers-on-ice and subscribe.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 27, 2023
A Promise in Ash - A good story but not so good action scenes. I sorta lost interest in the end with the trauma and disappointed with the vulgar language, which was not excessive. The characters are interesting and along with their stories made for a good read. I was satisfied with the location of Houston, it was not slandered by misinformation, and the correct distance to the ocean. The description of the .45 was hilarious. I will stick to Ms. Strife's romances, at least they are realistic. Source: StoryOrigin. 3*
Ms. Strife writes sweet romances that are entertaining and fun with plenty of humor, emotions, family and friends. Usually her books do not follow the Stupidity Formula so common in today's romances - do not act like adults and do not communicate, just have stupid thoughts. See each book for their complete reviews.
Farmers' Market Sisters:
Be My Pumpkin, #5 - One of the Farmers Market series, which is my first read by this author. A sweet romance between two deserving characters. 4*
Decked With Love, #6 - A sweet, heartfelt story with plenty of love and God's good grace. Interesting information about raising Christmas trees. 5*
Midnight Snow Ball, #7 - The best one that I have read of this series. Funny with good story lines and loaded with family, friends, love and determination. 5*
Farmers' Market Sisters end.
Stuck with a Cowboy on Christmas - A bad start to a new life and a new love for two lovely characters and their supporting gangs. Plenty of snow, humor and learning made this an enjoyable read. 5*
Ms. Strife writes sweet romances that are entertaining and fun with plenty of humor, emotions, family and friends. Usually her books do not follow the Stupidity Formula so common in today's romances - do not act like adults and do not communicate, just have stupid thoughts. See each book for their complete reviews.
Farmers' Market Sisters:
Be My Pumpkin, #5 - One of the Farmers Market series, which is my first read by this author. A sweet romance between two deserving characters. 4*
Decked With Love, #6 - A sweet, heartfelt story with plenty of love and God's good grace. Interesting information about raising Christmas trees. 5*
Midnight Snow Ball, #7 - The best one that I have read of this series. Funny with good story lines and loaded with family, friends, love and determination. 5*
Farmers' Market Sisters end.
Stuck with a Cowboy on Christmas - A bad start to a new life and a new love for two lovely characters and their supporting gangs. Plenty of snow, humor and learning made this an enjoyable read. 5*
May 19, 2023
This was an amazing, heartbreaking and at times joyful read as we see the well developed characters give into a rainbow of emotions that are revealed through the situations they have been through earlier in their lives and presently in this story.
Action packed yet with very sensitive storylines threaded throughout that this reader will not forget in a hurry - miscarriage, loss, abuse, adoption, infertility and fractured family ties with mysterious undertones which burst out into a full, heart racing finale as the answers come to the surface near the end.
As the story progresses, the layers of Norah’s life are unpeeled along with struggles that Evan, her coworker, is passing through. So admired them both for their abilities to hold down jobs and support each other. Ashley, Evan’s teenage daughter, is very authentic and it was lovely to see her bloom as the story unfolds.
Very different from other works this reader has read by this author but loved this longer, more in depth story. However, it wasn’t given five stars due to the bad language used and yet, the reader can see why the author used it for these particular characters.
I received this free copy from the author and this is my own opinion given voluntarily.
Action packed yet with very sensitive storylines threaded throughout that this reader will not forget in a hurry - miscarriage, loss, abuse, adoption, infertility and fractured family ties with mysterious undertones which burst out into a full, heart racing finale as the answers come to the surface near the end.
As the story progresses, the layers of Norah’s life are unpeeled along with struggles that Evan, her coworker, is passing through. So admired them both for their abilities to hold down jobs and support each other. Ashley, Evan’s teenage daughter, is very authentic and it was lovely to see her bloom as the story unfolds.
Very different from other works this reader has read by this author but loved this longer, more in depth story. However, it wasn’t given five stars due to the bad language used and yet, the reader can see why the author used it for these particular characters.
I received this free copy from the author and this is my own opinion given voluntarily.
April 23, 2020
This was a somewhat heavy book. The author doesn't shy away from hard topics but jumps right into them and handles them quite well. Norah is a realistic character (which is sad in it's own way). She has no good example to follow in life and feels lost and broken. She has been hurt, betrayed, abused, and wants love and acceptance.
Evan and Ashley are a father/daughter pair and the author does a good job with them as well. There is a lot about having to overcome and persevere which is also realistic. Plenty to keep you glued to the pages with everything going on and all the things coming to light. This isn't a light fun read, but one that will make you stop and think for a long time after closing it.
It was a 3/5 for me.
Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book via PUYB. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
Evan and Ashley are a father/daughter pair and the author does a good job with them as well. There is a lot about having to overcome and persevere which is also realistic. Plenty to keep you glued to the pages with everything going on and all the things coming to light. This isn't a light fun read, but one that will make you stop and think for a long time after closing it.
It was a 3/5 for me.
Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book via PUYB. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
July 4, 2020
I ordered this book after learning the author, as well as the protagonist, is an adoptee. I wanted to know how Elysia handled writing about the fictional adoptive mother who’s a narcissist. While the mother was more like a step mother and only a side character, I still found A Promise in Ash to be a great read. Part romance/part mystery, protagonist Norah is the quintessential adoptee who seeks approval from everyone. With incredible sticktuitiveness, she faces her family’s past, abusive old boyfriends, and a stressful work environment. But can she learn to trust Evan and his daughter who offer her love and hope in the midst of her suffering? Stories that showcase the realistic emotions of adoptees are the best—not the ones where the feelings are those the authors think adopted persons should have. I’d give it four stars out of five, simply because it’s not a straight-up adoption story. But there’s lots of action and not a dull moment. Kudos to Elysia Strife.
March 24, 2020
After a tragic childhood, Norah doesn't know who to trust. She has been abused and ignored for so long. Her hot co-worker, Evan, and his teenage daughter, Ashley, shine some hope into her life. For once, there are people who care for her and are willing to accept Norah as Norah.
She wishes to become a mother, but after the miscarriage, everything felt wrong.
Maybe this is her chance to make things right.
She and Evan develop a strong relationship over each other and she is starting to see her place among them. Norah doesn't know if she'll ever replace Evan's wife or Ashley's mother, but, she sure hopes so!
Heartbreaking, delicate and wild, I LOVED THIS BOOK. Mixed in with threatening messages and a mystery at hand, you get a book with interest and passion. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a realistic, strong character.
She wishes to become a mother, but after the miscarriage, everything felt wrong.
Maybe this is her chance to make things right.
She and Evan develop a strong relationship over each other and she is starting to see her place among them. Norah doesn't know if she'll ever replace Evan's wife or Ashley's mother, but, she sure hopes so!
Heartbreaking, delicate and wild, I LOVED THIS BOOK. Mixed in with threatening messages and a mystery at hand, you get a book with interest and passion. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a realistic, strong character.
April 29, 2023
Norah is learning to find trust. It is hard for her, her upbringing has been far from ‘normal’. Adoptees are stigmatised just by existing, like it’s somehow their fault they are the way they are or perceived to be , it’s their fault that they’re all alone….. The norm for Norah has always been abuse, betrayal and neglect when all she’s ever wanted was to lived and trusted . She gets a glimpse with her coworker Evan and his daughter Ashley but can their empathy and trust dissolve her fears and thaw her heart? A lovely powerful story told with the utmost empathy and understanding . Very well written points of view
I received an advance copy and my review voluntary in my own words
I received an advance copy and my review voluntary in my own words
June 17, 2023
A Promise in Ash is an inspiring romance in a dark book. I hate all the abuse and degradation Norah had endured, but loved her developing relationship with Evan and Ashley. There are a lot of secrets in this book. The reader does not get an answer to all secrets but does get closure with this particular part of Norah's life. This well written book fascinated me and kept me engaged. I am guessing there will be more to come. I will be waiting.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews