Review of This I Promise You

This I Promise You by Mary Felkins

The Heart of Moreland Manor prequel
Contemporary Christian Romance
Gardenia Press, May 2022, 186 pp
Ebook $2.99
Paperback $12.99

Buy on Amazon 

Buy on Barnes and Noble

Read an interview with Author here.

About the Book:

What if finding your heart’s desire means entrusting it …just once more … to the one who broke it?
It should not have come as a surprise to school Teacher Adelyn Ormond when she was jilted at the altar,

Promises are meant to be broken.

When her supervisor tasks her with galvanizing support for a local food bank, she directs her energy toward the underprivileged in her community—some of whom are her own students. Problem is, the responsibility requires her to involve celebrity chef, Bryan J. Carlyle, her almost-husband whose participation assures great results.

For all his success, Bryan hasn’t come up with a recipe for how to be restored to his family. Doesn’t help that abandoning Adelyn threatens to spoil his reputation and ruin his career. But when he encounters hungry children scrounging for food behind his restaurant, he agrees to get behind Adelyn’s worthy cause. The collaboration with Adelyn might shed light on the incriminating image he’d discovered minutes before the ceremony—her lip-locked with another man after the rehearsal dinner.

Can Adelyn trust Bryan to make good on his promise—without risking her heart? Will the love that led them to the altar be the key ingredient for reconciliation? Maybe. But his absence on the big day to which he’d committed might be beyond forgiveness.

My Review:

Loved this sweet and poignant romance of second chances. Two adults with secrets in contemporary New Orleans--he a renowned chef, she a former dancer turned elementary school teacher with a tiger mom heart--have a bitter past of disillusionment based on falsehoods. Thrown together to work a miracle for Second Harvest, they reluctantly explore the issues that caused their devastating left-at-the-altar moment six months earlier.

They both learn that the past can never stay buried, and excavating the childhood pain and trauma of their upbringing is the best way they can heal. But healing their relationship is another question.

I appreciated the author's tale of learning how our past shapes us and leads us to respond to present circumstances in both positive and challenging manners. Those who enjoy light allegory, inspirational pure romance will love This I Promise You.

Great new summer read from Mary Felkins

This I Promise You by Mary Felkins

The Heart of Moreland Manor prequel
Contemporary Christian Romance
Gardenia Press, May 2022, 186 pp
Ebook $2.99
Paperback $12.99

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Barnes and Noble 

About the Book:

What if finding your heart’s desire means entrusting it ... just once more 
... to the one who broke it?

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER ADELYN ORMOND should not have been surprised when she was jilted at the altar.

Promises are meant to be broken.

When her supervisor tasks her with galvanizing support for a local food bank, she directs her energy toward the underprivileged in her community—some of whom are her own students. Problem is, the responsibility requires her to involve CELEBRITY CHEF BRYAN J. CARLYLE, her almost-husband whose participation assures great results.

For all his success, Bryan hasn’t come up with a recipe for how to be restored to his family. Doesn’t help that abandoning Adelyn threatens to spoil his reputation and ruin his career. But when he encounters hungry children scrounging for food behind his restaurant, Bryan agrees to get behind Adelyn’s worthy cause. The collaboration might shed light on the incriminating image he’d discovered minutes before the ceremony—her lip-locked with another man after the rehearsal dinner.

With much on the line, can Adelyn trust Bryan to make good on his promise—without risking her heart? Will the love that led them to the altar be the key ingredient for reconciliation? Maybe. But his absence on the big day to which he’d committed might be beyond forgiveness.

About the Author

Mary A. Felkins is an inspirational romance author, blogger, and contributor to writer’s blogs and online publications. Her debut novel, Call to Love, is set in Hickory, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband. They have four young adult children. She is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and My Book Therapy. 

Her purpose in writing is to reclaim God’s intention when he created the world–to enable readers to know his heart and experience his love.

The unmerited gift of a large, unopened bag of Peanut M&Ms® will lure her from her writer’s desk. A surprise appearance by her teen idol, Donny Osmond, would also do the trick—although she’d likely pass out.

Upon introduction, if she likes your first or last name, expect to see it show up in one of her novels.

To receive Mary’s story-style devotions, quarterly author newsletter with giveaways, and/or launch team opportunities, subscribe via email on her website, www.maryfelkins.com

Mary A. Felkins’ books on Amazon https://amzn.to/3cxll0d

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaryAFelkins
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A Brief Interview with the Author:

In This I Promise You, I enjoyed writing a modern-day twist on Joseph, the favored son of Jacob, and his willingness to forgive his offenders. The redemption of family is a theme I often include in my stories. It was a joy to bring the hero’s tragic backstory to life and give him the closure he’d been longing for.

This book features a theme of love in action, seen primarily in fund-raising efforts for a food bank that supports New Orleans parishes and practical assistance to the least of these.

The offer of a pineapple was inspired by a real situation between two brothers in Christ in our church who were in conflict. Motivated by the Spirit, one humbly offered a pineapple to the other as a peace offering. It was a joy to include a fictional representation of this real-life event and weave Biblical narrative into it.

Currently I’m collaborating with the editor for book #2, Sweeter With You, in The Heart of Moreland Manor series contracted with Elk Lake Publishing Inc. Estimated release this December.

I’m currently reading Runaway Saint by Lisa Samson and A Far Way to Run by Lori Altebaumer. Intriguing reads!

My hope is that readers will tell others how This I Promise You inspired them to love in action over words and that forgiveness covers a multitude of sins!