Hope's Promise

Title: HOPE’S PROMISE
Author: Tammy Barley
Publisher: Whitaker House
August 2010
ISBN: 978-1-60374-109-5
Genre: Inspirational/historical

Jake and Jess Bennett are now married, and as a wedding gift they were given about seventy wild horses that they are herding back to their ranch. But as they near their old home it seems things have changed. Some of their buildings and fencing have been destroyed and a house is build on their land—a house that isn’t theirs. Not only that, but all their Native American ranch hands have vanished.

After a few days to rest, Jake and Jess decide to head down to the reservation to see if he can hire some more help. But when they get there they discover that the Indians are afraid to come back. They’ve been promised things by the government if they stay put. Jake manages to talk a few of them into joining him but they run into trouble on the trip back.

Trying to get back into track on their ranch, and in their new marriage, Jake and Jess struggle with personal issues too. Jess is afraid she’s barren because she’s not with child yet. And Jake wonders if Jess will be satisfied with him…

HOPE’S PROMISE is the second book in Ms. Barley’s The Sierra Chronicles series. Readers will want to read book one in the series to see what has happened prior to this story beginning, but if you don’t have the first book, you can figure out what’s happening easily enough.

Jess is a plucky heroine, handy with a gun, and working with horses. Jake is a sweet hero, kind of caring, but often out of his league when dealing with Jess. I couldn’t help but care for these characters and cheer them on as they dealt with the trials and struggles that they had in store for them. If you are looking for a good western historical, then HOPE’S PROMISE is one you’ll want to consider. $9.99. 334 pages.