A Promise Engraved, by author Liz Tolsma is a captivating historical split-time novel. It is book 8 in the Doors to the Past series written by various authors. Readers travel via the written page to historic American landmarks in these books. Tolsma takes her readers to the Alamo and events during the battle for Texas independence. The characters from each period of time, contemporary and the mid-1830s, are connected through a unique cat's eye ring and the author does a great job of keeping the mystery suspenseful. The characters and situations are realistic and relatable. I liked how their flaws and struggles are portrayed along with their strengths and humanity. A Promise Engraved has action, suspense, romance, and biblical truths packed into it. Readers who enjoy historical fiction will not want to miss this one. I was given a complimentary copy of the book through NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are my own.

A Promise Engraved
by Liz Tolsma
Date 01 May 2022
Barbour Publishing,Barbour Fiction
Christian| Historical Fiction| Women's Fiction

Netgalley and Barbour Publishing provided me with a copy of A Promise Engraved:


The Doors to the Past series takes you to historic American landmarks. Mysteries, intrigue, faith, and romance collide in historical stories.


Josie Wilkins' life is about to take a turn when she faces political turmoil and secret love in San Antonio in 1836. Despite being forbidden to practice his faith in Texas, John Gilbert has won her heart. He will never be able to deal with her if he discovers the secrets of her painful past. The Battle of the Alamo follows. Can either of them create a legacy of love after an epic battle for liberty?


 
Nearly 200 years later, Kayleigh Hewland attends flea markets where she finds a ring with a unique engraving that helps her uncover who killed her parents. Together with appraiser Brandon Mullins, they piece together a love story long forgotten. Will dangers associated with the ring end her own dreams of leaving a legacy of hope, faith, and love?


I give A Promise Engraved five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

This is book 8 of the Doors to the Past series, Historical, Christian, Mystery read. When Kayleigh finds a ring at a flee market that is engraved, could this be the piece that she needs to find the people who killed her parents? She has Brandon an appraiser help her research the ring. When the message takes them back to the era of 1836 in San Antonio during the Alamo, what does this mean? They find the research has taken them back to the story of Josie and John, can this be a key to Kayleigh's past?

If you like the series previous books, you will love this one. This series is defiantly my favorite of books. If you want a page turner, pick up this book. If you love history, pick up this book..... I can't say anything bad about the story, except, I can't give a big review because I don't want to spoil any of the story... that is how much this book twist and turns. LOVE THIS BOOK!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.

The author brings to life San Antonio, Texas in 1835 and the present day. She seamlessly combines the dual timeline into an intriguing read. The characters came to life from the pages, and I had a hard time putting this down.
The unique thing that binds the two-time groups together is a unique ring that is the focus of a mystery after it resurfaces again after many years.
Full of intrigue, strength of character, action and inspiration. I enjoyed learning about the Alamo, it's history and the events that led up to it.

Pub Date 01 May 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Rich in historical detail of Texas, this was a book that captured me from the beginning. A ring connects the past with the present.
Many thanks to Barbour Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A good Christian drama novel. Love the cover.

A Promise Engraved is a journey through time that connects two women who can identify with great loss and heartbreak. Their desire for answers drives them to push forward but has also hardened them to love and transparency.
I found this book to be very touching and encouraging in a way that I have noticed throughout all of Liz Tolzma’s books. She approaches the difficulties of our fallen world delicately but doesn’t shy away. I find it refreshing in a Christian author. Just because we are Christians does not mean we turn a blind eye to the brokenness of our world.
Getting a peek at the history of Texas was intriguing for me. It defiantly appealed to my inner history buff. To see the Alamo from a different perspective was intriguing since Mr. Crocket is an ancestor of mine. I don’t see that often in books right now.
Honestly, there isn’t a single Liz Tolsma book I don’t enjoy and this one is right there among the book you must read.

**I was given a copy of this book from the publisher through CelebrateLit Publicities. All views given are my own and a positive view is not required.

Houston, Texas the Alamo 1835 Through 1836 to Present Day
Kayleigh Hewland finds what she thinks is a long lost family ring. When she realizes there is a message engraved on the ring it takes her to a local jewelry store for answers. Brandon Mullins runs the family’s jewelry store. When a beautiful woman brings in an intriguing ring he’ll do his best to help her find the answers. Brandon’s family has a legendary story connected to a similar looking ring. Josie Wilkins kidnapped, and her mother and sister murdered is rescued and returned to her father. Her determination to help the community keep their cannon and help in the upcoming war with the Mexican army who’ve come to retrieve the cannon. Josie will Pastor John Gilbert is a friend to the Wilkins family. He along with the rest of the men in the community are determined to keep the cannon. John will become a leader in Texas’s fight for freedom. As a war comes to a head and a woman looks for answers to the past, their similar experiences just may reveal A Promise Engraved leads to answers connected to an American landmark.

Liz Tolsma’s story centered around the historic Texas landmark The Alamo and the fight for Texas independence, A Promise Engraved, takes two women one in the past and the other in the present and connects them by a family heirloom. Two men will help these women find answers they’re looking for. Danger, suspense, intrigue and attraction play a part throughout the story. Lives are put in danger as questions get answers and the past comes to the present. Family connections are brought to light as a couple in the present day looks to answers to A Promise Engraved on a ring thought to be a missing family heirloom. The series Doors to the Past weaves two stories together to answer a modern-day puzzle that just may lead to new relationships that lead to love and danger. The story’s unique twist is that it’s based around a well-known American landmark in the past and present. Liz Tolsma writes an intriguing, suspenseful story centered around the Texas landmark The Alamo and leading up to the fight for Texas independence. Lives are in danger in both the past and present and some questions get answers, and some don’t. A Promise Engraved is a wonderful Christian story of looking for answers and solving a mystery that keeps the reader on the edge of their seats wondering how it will turn out. A wonderful story that takes similar situations in the past and present that lead to two women possibly finding the love of a man who will take them as they are.

Another in the Doors to the Past Series and I couldn't get enough.

This story had strong family connections and a mystery surrounded in a Cat's Eye ring. I was taken back to the Alamo and the destruction of Santa Anna's forces and the brave people who fought for their independence. I was able to see the world through two extraordinary young women who had to learn to trust because of the trauma's they had faced.

There were cultural lessons and points of view worth considering.

In their journey's to trust, Josie and Kayleigh found faith and hope in difficult and nearly impossible circumstances.

The story was well paced and the secrets came out at just the right times. There were definitely elements of mystery, suspense, and romance. The history was also rich and vibrant. Liz Tolsma does an excellent job balancing the truth of history with the fictional story elements. The characters were fantastically written. I highly recommend this one.

his is a story of 1830's Texas and modern day Texas and a ring that connects both. It touches on the political issues of each era. Such brave men and women they were to defend the canon in Gonzales and the Alamo in San Antonio. For me what I found most enjoyable was the historical chapters of the story. All in all I would definitely recommend this book.

A Promise Engraved is a dual timeline historical fiction novel that will take you back to the time of the Alamo and to present day. It’s hard for us to understand sometimes what life was like in days gone by. Did they really have it that hard? Was that what really happened?

This book I think is wonderfully historically accurate and gives you a clear picture of what life might have been like amongst the turmoil of the time. Plus it gives you a great picture of modern life while also holding your attention throughout the entire book.

I loved it! I’m loving this whole series that gives you a taste of history while lacing it with modern and tying the two together. You’re going to love solving the mystery of the piece and figuring out how the past and present connect. This is a book I can highly recommend. Let me know what you think of the novel.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. 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.

I knew very little about the Alamo before I read this book, but after reading A Promise Engraved, I feel like I learned much about this time period in Texas's history.

Josie is determined, stubborn, and oftentimes headstrong. She's struggling to overcome the horrors of her past, while wanting to make a difference and have a purpose in the present. While not my favorite character, I admired her for her strength and tenacity. Since this is a split-time novel, Josie's story is the one that takes place during the Alamo.

Kayleigh's story takes place in the present. She is also a determined character, but we also see her as caring and wanting to help other people. She is also trying to come to terms with her past, and uses her hardships as motivation in her present. I liked Kayleigh's character, however, I felt that her storyline's resolution was rushed.

Overall, I would recommend this novel. It has suspense, romance, and mystery that keeps one on the edge of their seat and turning the pages, needing to know what happens.

I had received a copy of this book as part of the Celebrate Lit Blogging Team and was required to give an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book by Liz Tolsma. She did a good job dropping her characters into a very troublesome time and make you feel like you were really there in the midst. I knew what was coming in history - it kept my attention and kept me wanting to read what happens to these dear characters in it. I liked the time slip element and she handled that really well. I recommend this book highly.

Liz Tolsma truly brings the 1836 Alamo to life in A Promise Engraved. I love historical fiction that makes you feel like you are there living it. It makes me want to learn more about this time in our history - good thing I have a friend who lives near San Antonio that I plan to visit in the near future!

Liz took a hard story line with Josie and brought it to a beautiful ending. While I enjoyed Kayleigh's contemporary story and the mystery of the ring, I really fell in love with Josie and John.

If you like dual-time lined stories, I think you'll really enjoy this. I spent a very gratifying afternoon reading it. This was my first book by Liz Tolsma but will not be my last!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Published 1 May 2022.

This Doors to the Past series has been an excellent series! I have really enjoyed reading it.
Liz is one of my favorite authors and I was happy to see that she has written one of her many beloved stories to contribute to this series.
I was kept glued to the book until the very end! My heart absolutely full and satisfied. This author has a way of doing that to her readers. It is why I like her so much.
She has that awesome way of drawing her readers in to the book from the beginning.
I loved the duo time line. It was done so very well.
But I think I really like Josie's story the best.
What really happened to her? That's the mystery part of it.
The way Liz describes the Alamo really makes me feel like I was there.
Overall very well written and rounded out characters.
I highly recommend.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I have come to really enjoy Liz Tolsma‘s books of historical fiction. She is an excellent author, and has a way of bringing history to life and creating believable characters. A promise engraved is a wonderful dual-timeline story about the Alamo and the tragedy that occurred there. While I don’t agree with the attitudes of all the characters involved, I did appreciate the story as a way to make a time of history come to life, and I have to admit that I enjoyed the personal stories of both the modern and the historic character.
Josie lives with her father and stepmother in a small town in Texas. She had endured a horrific year of enslavement by a Mexican man after her mother was killed, and carried a secret she refuse to tell anyone. Now, she secretly admires the Protestant pastor in her town, who must work secretly so that the Mexican authorities don’t have more reason to chase out the American settlers—but she knows she is not worthy of his attention. She cares for her stepmother and helps the men of the town by spying on the Mexicans.
Two hundred years later, Kayleigh bought a ring from a market vendor. Could this ring hold the answers to her questions about why her parents both died as they illegally crossed the border from Mexico into the United States? She searched for answers while helping children who were detained after crossing the border and being separated from their parents, themselves, and trying to figure out why someone was terrorizing her. Could she find the answers she needed in time? And would finding those answers really make her happy?
I really appreciated the reminders that John gave Josie that “true joy is only found in the Lord,” and, “Give everything over to God….He will heal and restore and bring you everlasting peace that surpasses all understanding.” I loved the way John helped Josie to feel her worth as one of God’s children, and the way Brandon helped Kayleigh learn to trust. What I did not like about the book was the assumption, which I find frequently in Christian fiction, that it is all right for Christians to go to war and fight. Jesus said that His people are not to kill, nor even to hate, and we are to love our enemies. I understand why the Americans would think it was all right to kill the Mexicans—but does that really make it right?
I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
WARNING: Throughout the book, reference is made to a girl being kidnapped and used as a s*x slave, and an ex-boyfriend stalking another girl. Chapter 22: have a devil of a time. Several times, Josie lies, and she also fights off an attacker. In chapters 34, 36, and 39, and on the last page are detailed descriptions of kisses.

What an intriguing story. Liz does a wonderful job creating these two stories and bringing them together.

From the beginning we are drawn into a mystery.

First we are left to wonder what happened to Josie, why does a certain man have so much power over her? And then a bombshell drops that adds even more questions.

Kayleigh has her own things to deal with and her own mystery to solve. No matter what part of the story you are reading you will want to keep reading.

A copy of this book was given to me through Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

Being largely unfamiliar with the Texas Revolution, I found this eighth standalone book in Barbour’s historic Doors to the Past series particularly intriguing. Liz Tolsma crafts “A Promise Engraved,” her first split-time novel, seamlessly, intertwining historic and contemporary events to demonstrate the truths of Scripture. The genealogical journey forming part of the present-day storyline is relevant to so many investigating their own ancestry amidst the range of tools available, and the issue of illegal immigration and refugees, especially as it applies to young children caught in the middle, is straight from the headlines. The historical segment of the narrative proves to be just as pertinent, dealing with issues such as assault, murder, and trauma. Exploring the echoes of history informs the present and guides the future. As Brandon tells Kayleigh, “There’s always an important story to learn at the end. Along the way, we might discover something about ourselves.”

Beginning in 1835 but taking place mostly in 1836, the story of 18-year-old Josie Wilkins and Protestant pastor John Gilbert in San Antonio plays out during the determining battles of the Texas Revolution, and Tolsma offers insight into the motivations and strategies of those involved. Josie has a very unique position and a tragic past that isolates her in many ways, but John reminds her that “true joy is only found in the Lord” and urges her to “Give everything over to God. All your sins, all your hurts, all your trials and pains. He will heal and restore and bring you everlasting peace that surpasses all understanding. Place your trust and faith in Him. He will carry you through.” What might seem like trite platitudes becomes demonstrably true despite the horrors of war and loss, creating a legacy that connects to refugee coordinator Kayleigh Hewland nearly two centuries later. Kayleigh, her own past marred by tragedy, happens upon a special ring in a flea market and teams up with appraiser Brandon Mullins to discover how its history might shed light upon her own. From one survivor’s story to another, “A Promise Engraved” attests that, as Brandon assures Kayleigh, “With faith, you can endure anything, because there’s the hope that God is working out everything, even when you can’t see it.” And even when the good that God is working develops over centuries!

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

Monday, June 13, 2022
A Promise Engraved
When I first read the description of this book by Liz Tolsma I knew I had to read it. I love all of the author book, but I have to say this is my new favorite.

It was well written and I love that it was set in one of the most integrate time in San Antonio history. You'll be pulled into this story by the first few pages. I love the fact that the goes from the past and present.

Josie was a very strong character. She has overcome great struggles in her life. She finally turned to God for answers she was looking for. The other character John was a great addition to the story of the book. He was able to use his love for God to help others during these difficult times.

Going forward 200 years, you will meet Kayleigh. She is looking for the ring to determine who killed her parent and in searching she noticed the secret of the ring.

Will each lady find what they are looking for.

I highly recommend this book!

I rate this a 5 out of 5

I received this complementary copy of this from publisher for a honest review. All thought and opinions is mine and mine alone.

I read A Promise Engraved by Liz Tolsma. I enjoyed this dual timeline book. It has all the features of a great book: mystery, romance, brave characters, and mean characters. The story of Josie Wilkins took a little long to develop, in my opinion, but a great story awaits. Give it time. The modern day story was quick to focus on developed characters & an interesting storyline.
I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars.