The Promise by Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley

One home, two hearts, and the power of a promise kept . . . For the last five months, Tom Anderson has been without a job, a fact he's been hiding from his wife Jean--and everyone else. He leaves each morning, pretending nothing has changed, and spends his disheartening day rotating through coffee shops and the library, using their wifi to search job listings online. The stress of keeping this secret is beginning to put serious strain on his marriage.

But Tom's not the only one hiding something. Jean Anderson has a secret of her own--one that will seriously complicate their situation. Will the promises they made on their wedding day hold firm?

My review:
   I don't read a lot of Christian fiction books outside of the suspense genre', but Dan Walsh is one author whose books fall into that exception. When faced with the decision to read one of his books or a suspense novel, I'll pick his book any day.

  This is book two in a new series by Dan and relationship expert Gary Smalley. These books aren't simply good fiction. They are filled with great relationship advice.

  The first book, The Dance, centered on Jim and Marilyn Anderson and their failing marriage. This book centers on their oldest son, Tom, and the issues he is facing. I like a series as they usually have the same characters in all of the books and you get to know and love them more, so that alone makes this series appealing. The Promise  deals with more issues in marriage, and also deals with the issues between a father and his children. Through a fictional story, the authors show how a father's action and approval or disapproval can and does affect his children, even as adults.

  I devoured The Promise just as much as if it were a suspense novel. It is a very gripping story and has the ability to change people and help their relationships.

  And there may be a woman on the cover, but this is a book for men and women, and both should read it.


About the authors:

Dan Walsh is the bestselling author of several books, including The Dance and The Promise with Gary Smalley, as well as The Unfinished Gift, The Discovery, and The Reunion. He has won three Carol Awards, and two of his novels were finalists for RT Book Reviews Inspirational Book of the Year for 2011 and 2012. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Dan served as a pastor for twenty-five years. He lives with his wife in the Daytona Beach area, where he's busy researching and writing his next novel. Visit www.danwalshbooks.com for more.

Gary Smalley is one of the country's best known authors and speakers on family relationships. He is the bestselling and award-winning author or coauthor of 16 books, along with several popular films and videos. He has spent over 30 years learning, teaching, and counseling, speaking to over 2 million people in live conferences. Smalley has appeared on national television programs such as Oprah, Larry King Live, Extra, The Today Show, and The Sally Jessy Raphael Show, as well as numerous national radio programs. Gary and his wife, Norma, have been married for 49 years and live in Branson, Missouri. They have three children and six grandchildren.


Available August 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Revell for the review copy.