Yesterday’s Promise is here at last! And when I say at last, I mean it. This story has been in the works for years.
Way back in 2000 when I first started attending the most amazing critique group ever (with nursing baby in tow) I was working on a historical romance set in 12th century Scotland. To make a painful and months-long story short, I spent a couple of years bringing that manuscript to our group, learning how truly awful it was, and going home to rewrite and revise. It did get better, but never to the point of being publishable. And finally I got smart, set it aside, and moved on. It was my training book, the one I learned on–mostly what NOT to do. And though it possibly has potential still, I think it’s better left on the jump drive forever.
But oh, Scotland. Just because that story did not end up published did not mean my fascination with Scotland’s history, land, and people lessened any. I made a promise to myself that someday I would publish a story (at least one) about this beautiful country and its rich history.
Ten books later, it was finally time. I had the seeds of an idea and was off and running when life threw me a curve ball (see my last post), and this story was delayed again. It was during those months that my interest and abilities in family history work really took off. I’ve known I have Scottish ancestry for quite a while, but something finally clicked for me in the past half year, and now I can’t get enough of researching my ancestors and their stories. I’m in love with the past in a whole new way, and it’s wonderful.
One of the documents precious to me is a handwritten chart tracing the Campbell line. Written in tiny print with some of the names are brief descriptions–“twins, was a hunchback, drowned in Lake Erie enroute Scotland to Milwaukee.” So many stories lie beneath those words. I’d love to know them all. One in particular that caught my attention some time ago–a more detailed note on another document–stated that that an ancestor had been exiled to the colonies after being on the wrong side of the war. That one line spoke volumes to me and started a chain of thought that trailed through my mind for weeks.
What a life-altering course that must have been, to be forced from one’s country. And what of the events that led up to such drastic action? Why had he been on the wrong side? And why, again in 1745, did the Campbells choose not to side with many of the other clans during the Jacobite uprising? If they had, would the outcome have been different?
I couldn’t stop thinking of these questions and the scenarios that propagated such important, history making decisions. And so, the story I’d begun was suddenly more complicated, and I knew it was going to take more than one book to tell what I imagined might be the reasoning behind Clan Campbell’s decision to go against the other clans, to side with the English and end up on the right side of that particular war, yet despised by the other Highland clans for it. I wanted to show the why as well as the what happened.
Yesterday’s Promise is about the promises we make that really matter, the ones we keep even when years and incredible obstacles separate us. I hope you’ll love this story as much as I loved writing it. And when you come to the end, know that you’ve really just reached the beginning. Book Two A Promise for Tomorrow will be out later this year, and The Promise of Home will be released in 2018.
Though Katie and Collin are fictitious characters, there is the ring of truth in the difficulties they faced during that time period–the aftermath of the failed Jacobite uprising and the strict injunctions to the clans which followed. As their story builds, so do the circumstances leading to what some consider the greatest tragedy in Scotland’s history–the Highland Clearances. Yet among the intense suffering and sorrows of that time–as proven by the records of my ancestors–there was still love and marriage, children born, and families reunited. That is the story these next three Hearthfire Historicals strive to tell. Promises made that were kept and love that triumphed over all.
Happy reading. Yesterday’s Promise
Oh my goodness! I could NOT put this down! I was reading and getting close to the end when I realized it couldn’t possibly be finished, now I’m dying to know, when does the next one come out?!
Soon–ish 🙂 A Promise For Tomorrow will be released this November, so hang in there. In the meantime, I’ll be posting the cover and excerpts from the story in the coming weeks. Thank you for your interest.
love story line cannot wait till other 2 completed will written
Thank you, Connie. I’m writing as fast as I can (alas, my family still expects dinner and clean underwear at least!). A Promise For Tomorrow will be released this November. You can check back here or on my new author Facebook page to see a cover reveal and excerpts in the coming weeks.
How can I get A promise for tomorrow?i can’t find it anywhere.
Leah, A Promise For Tomorrow will be released this November. I’ll be posting the cover and excerpts from the story in the coming weeks. Thank you for your patience!
I loved your new book, it was so full of romance and intrigue. I loved your main characters. I stayed up way too late reading just so I could see where this beautiful book would end. Thank you for your labor of writing such wholesome stories
Thank you for taking the time to write to me, Rachael. I’m so glad you enjoyed the story. The next one will be here soon! Watch for a cover reveal and excerpts soon. Happy reading.
I loved Yesterdays Promise. My only problem is now I have to wait for the other books to allow me to once again continue my journey with Katie and Collin. I am hooked! Thank you this is an amazing story. I am hook! In order to stay off my waiting, I have been reading every short story you have written over the years. So fun. I was first introduced to you years ago when a co worker lent me her book Counting Stars…LOVED all 3 books and then recently when I was reading the Power of the Matchmaker Series… Between Heaven and Earth!
Thank you for bringing so much enjoyment into my reading life. Keep writing and don’t make we wait too long…I can hardly stand to wait for A promise of Tomorrow, but was delighted to to know that it wouldn’t be the end of the story. (Even if I have to wait a year! 🙂
Thank you, Susan. You have no idea how much your words of encouragement mean. Writing is equal parts delightful and really hard work! I appreciate your enthusiasm for my stories. A Promise For Tomorrow will be released this November, so hang in there 🙂 In the meantime, check back here or on my new author Facebook page for the cover release and excerpts from the story itself.
Is there a book that follows Yesterday’s Promise….continuing the story? I can’t find anything and would love to see how this study ends!
Yes, Janice, there is a second book and even a third in the works. A Promise For Tomorrow will be released this November. I’ll be posting a cover reveal and snippets from the book itself in the coming weeks. Thank you for asking!
I just wanted to leave a reply of encouragement about your grandson. We also have gone through a very similar sounding situation, but have two grandsons from the marriage and yes I was the primary caregiver. Fast forward- our oldest grandson is eleven, his brother is eight. The mom still suffers from depression, our son has got remarried. Custody is split, but our son has them the most because the mom needs a babysitter. I made myself available and our sons new wife also watches them. That has made a huge stability factor for these boys. Also their birth mom quit going to church but agreed to let our son take them most of the time. We continue to put their names in the Temple- from the birth mom, our son, his wife, and our grandsons. We all have to work together, it’s not always easy, but we make it work. This last Sunday our grandson bore his testimony. I will continue to influence them for good and pray for them.
I know you will do the same. You will be surprised what your book reading, and teaching him to eat, and showing him manners, etc – how that will affect him the rest of his life. I am continually surprised. I will pray for your family.
I just read my first book that you’ve written and enjoyed it very much it was Yesterday’s Promise. It’s a five star, I can hardly wait for the next book. Thanks.
Thank you, Sharon, for taking the time to write to me. I know there are so many who have difficult family situations. It sounds like you have been a wonderful blessing to your grandsons. I hope to be able to do the same and am so grateful to have him in our lives.
I’m glad you enjoyed Yesterday’s Promise. I’m hard at work on the sequel. It will be available sometime this November. Happy reading!
-Michele
When will A promise for tomorrow be out.
A Promise For Tomorrow is scheduled to be released in November, sometime before Thanksgiving. Thanks for asking!