Helpful Score: 1
Very good book by Amanda Cabot. the first in a series. I especially enjoyed the heroine and her love of a rascally puppy. Highly recommended!
This was a great book. I enjoyed the characters, the story and Christian inspiration. A great history of Ft. Laramie and the soldiers who were assigned there.
Abigail was a proper woman, not too pushy, not clingy; someone I think I would have liked to have known. Ethan was the epitome of a soldier, brave and handsome to boot. Of course, who could not love Puddles?
It included some seemingly realistic family drama. I guessed who the villain was from the fort but was surprised the author had him be the bad guy. That's all I can say without spoiling something.
Abigail was a proper woman, not too pushy, not clingy; someone I think I would have liked to have known. Ethan was the epitome of a soldier, brave and handsome to boot. Of course, who could not love Puddles?
It included some seemingly realistic family drama. I guessed who the villain was from the fort but was surprised the author had him be the bad guy. That's all I can say without spoiling something.
Christy J. (southernsassygirl) reviewed Summer of Promise (Westward Winds, Bk 1) on + 180 more book reviews
Ever since I devoured every single book in Amanda Cabot's Texas Dreams series, I have been eagerly awaiting the start of her newest series set in the West. Her characters have a way of finding a place in my heart, and I find myself thinking about them days, weeks, and months since our acquaintance.
Summer of Promise, while a great start to a new series, didn't quite resonate with me the way Amanda's previous books have. Abigail seemed a bit uppity to me at first, yet slowly and surely won me over. Ethan was a commanding officer with a devotion to his soldiers, and underneath his tough exterior lay a gentle soul. Charlotte and Jeffrey oftentimes shared a strained relationship that suffered a painful ending. All the characters were well-written, but as a whole, it took longer than I would've liked to make a connection with them.
What I did find interesting, though, was that the story was set during the early days at Fort Laramie. Amanda wove in a handful of details about the fort that were true to the time period, such as the progress of certain factual buildings or the characteristics of the general area. It seemed odd to me that there was no mention of a church anywhere near the fort, and I can't help but think (and/or hope) that one will be introduced in a later book.
And as a dog lover to the core, I couldn't help but smile every time I read about Puddles! My husband and I briefly had a puppy in our house, and Puddles' multiple antics reminded me several times what it was like to clean up after a muddy dog, or to have them cover my face with doggie kisses. :o)
Fans of historical romance will enjoy this first book in the Westward Winds series. Personally, I'm glad to know that just like Amanda's first series, each book in this new series will center around a different heroine. It will be interesting to see how Charlotte handles the new challenges that have come her way in book 2.
Summer of Promise, while a great start to a new series, didn't quite resonate with me the way Amanda's previous books have. Abigail seemed a bit uppity to me at first, yet slowly and surely won me over. Ethan was a commanding officer with a devotion to his soldiers, and underneath his tough exterior lay a gentle soul. Charlotte and Jeffrey oftentimes shared a strained relationship that suffered a painful ending. All the characters were well-written, but as a whole, it took longer than I would've liked to make a connection with them.
What I did find interesting, though, was that the story was set during the early days at Fort Laramie. Amanda wove in a handful of details about the fort that were true to the time period, such as the progress of certain factual buildings or the characteristics of the general area. It seemed odd to me that there was no mention of a church anywhere near the fort, and I can't help but think (and/or hope) that one will be introduced in a later book.
And as a dog lover to the core, I couldn't help but smile every time I read about Puddles! My husband and I briefly had a puppy in our house, and Puddles' multiple antics reminded me several times what it was like to clean up after a muddy dog, or to have them cover my face with doggie kisses. :o)
Fans of historical romance will enjoy this first book in the Westward Winds series. Personally, I'm glad to know that just like Amanda's first series, each book in this new series will center around a different heroine. It will be interesting to see how Charlotte handles the new challenges that have come her way in book 2.
Renee C. (steelergirl83) reviewed Summer of Promise (Westward Winds, Bk 1) on + 54 more book reviews
Out of concern for her eldest sister, Abigail Harding leaves a comfortable life and ventures across the country to Fort Laramie, Wyoming. Along the way she encounters danger but is rescued by a fellow stage passenger. Lieutenant Ethan Bowles. Believing that the only good thing at the fort is her sister Charlotte and a precocious pup named Puddles she's anxious to return home to her cozy job and soon to be fiance. Little does she know that the frontier is more than it seems and the people at the fort are much more than gun-toting soldiers.
In this start to a brand new series Amanda Cabot once again tells an interesting tale of life and love in the West. While not as fast-paced or romance filled as Scattered Petals, Summer of Promise is a good story if for no other reason than being set at a 19th century garrison. It was a little hard to believe that Abigail would drop everything just because her sister seemed "melancholy" in her letters especially in a time when travel wasn't as easy or safe as it is today. I know she is an "impulsive" character but it still didn't make a ton of sense.
She just had some quirks that annoyed me.
As for the storyline itself it was good but only a story I'd recommend to historical fiction or romance fans not suspense or mystery readers. While I may not be the sharpest tack in the corkboard I picked up on the killer/robbers/rogue soldiers other than the mysterious "baron" (whose identity will apparently remain a mystery until book two) much too easily. I know, I know this is marketed as romance but still if there are going to be murders and robberies I like to be surprised or have at least a few red herrings thrown in the mix.
Even though this wasn't my favorite story I still think it was worth the read. The next story definitely has potential and if Westward Winds is anything like Texas Dreams it will get better with each book. I plan on making a point of reading this next story as it will focus more on Charlotte. I hope she gets what she deserves. I'm sure I won't be disappointed.
*I received my complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for posting my honest review during the tour.*
In this start to a brand new series Amanda Cabot once again tells an interesting tale of life and love in the West. While not as fast-paced or romance filled as Scattered Petals, Summer of Promise is a good story if for no other reason than being set at a 19th century garrison. It was a little hard to believe that Abigail would drop everything just because her sister seemed "melancholy" in her letters especially in a time when travel wasn't as easy or safe as it is today. I know she is an "impulsive" character but it still didn't make a ton of sense.
She just had some quirks that annoyed me.
As for the storyline itself it was good but only a story I'd recommend to historical fiction or romance fans not suspense or mystery readers. While I may not be the sharpest tack in the corkboard I picked up on the killer/robbers/rogue soldiers other than the mysterious "baron" (whose identity will apparently remain a mystery until book two) much too easily. I know, I know this is marketed as romance but still if there are going to be murders and robberies I like to be surprised or have at least a few red herrings thrown in the mix.
Even though this wasn't my favorite story I still think it was worth the read. The next story definitely has potential and if Westward Winds is anything like Texas Dreams it will get better with each book. I plan on making a point of reading this next story as it will focus more on Charlotte. I hope she gets what she deserves. I'm sure I won't be disappointed.
*I received my complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for posting my honest review during the tour.*
I enjoyed getting to know Abigail and Ethan. There is much to like about this book. From the impulsive and generous Abigail, who manages to tug at the heartstrings of dedicated and strong Ethan, to Puddles the dog that seems to steal the show whenever he is in a scene. There is romance and mystery. Who is at the heart of all of the robberies? Who can be trusted? It made for an interesting read.
Charity L. (kingsdaughter1611) -
I recently received a copy of this new book, Summer of Promises by Amanda Cabot. She is an author I am somewhat familiar with and have enjoyed her historical novels before. This one doesn't fall far from the tree:)
Have you ever read a book and you feel like you have taken the journey along with that character? That is how I felt after reading this book. Amanda Cabot takes you, the reader, along on the travels of one young lady, Abigail. The opening of this book is somewhat humorous and I had to laugh. What a funny little old lady!! Getting her married even though she knows nothing about her:) I don't want to spoil anything so I am not going to say much more about that, but you have to find out!! It really is funny.
I took a liking to Abigail from the beginning even though she was a little uppity at first. But I try to putmyself in her shoes of traveling alone and being a city girl going out west. What a trip it must have been! Imagine the sights you see! I really liked how the ending was done, even though it was a little bit different than expected. The characters are well thought out and the plot is beautiful! Lots of good reading in these pages. If you like a historical novel that takes you back into that time period, pick up a copy of this book at your local seller.
Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation.
Have you ever read a book and you feel like you have taken the journey along with that character? That is how I felt after reading this book. Amanda Cabot takes you, the reader, along on the travels of one young lady, Abigail. The opening of this book is somewhat humorous and I had to laugh. What a funny little old lady!! Getting her married even though she knows nothing about her:) I don't want to spoil anything so I am not going to say much more about that, but you have to find out!! It really is funny.
I took a liking to Abigail from the beginning even though she was a little uppity at first. But I try to putmyself in her shoes of traveling alone and being a city girl going out west. What a trip it must have been! Imagine the sights you see! I really liked how the ending was done, even though it was a little bit different than expected. The characters are well thought out and the plot is beautiful! Lots of good reading in these pages. If you like a historical novel that takes you back into that time period, pick up a copy of this book at your local seller.
Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation.
