Restoring Broken Families -- The Promise

The Promise, book 2 in the Restoration Series by Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley, continues the story of the Anderson family.  Jim and Marilyn's heart-tugging story in The Dance continues in this book, with the real emphasis on the struggles of their son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Jean.

The fictional characters and their real-life challenges provide a good story that draws you into their lives.  At the same time, Biblical principles of family relationships and responsibilities challenge readers to look at their own families and see how God's grace can bring change and growth where it might be needed.   

While The Promise was not as captivating as other Dan Walsh books I have read, it is a fairly quick read that provides both entertainment and encouragement.

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

Thanks to Revell for providing a copy of The Promise in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book

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? 

About the Authors

 Dan Walsh is the bestselling author of several books, including The Dance with Gary Smalley, The Discovery, and The Reunion. He has won three Carol Awards, and two of his novels were finalists for RT Reviews Inspirational Book of the Year for 2011 and 2012. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Dan served as a pastor for 25 years. He lives with his wife in the Daytona Beach area, where he's busy researching and writing his next novel.


Gary Smalley is one of the country's best-known authors and speakers on family relationships and has appeared on national television programs such as Oprah, Larry King Live, and TODAY, as well as numerous national radio programs. He is the bestselling and award-winning author or coauthor of many books, including the Baxter Family Redemption series with Karen Kingsbury and The Dance with Dan Walsh. Gary and his wife Norma have been married for 49 years and live in Missouri.