Yesterday’s Promise
Once again, Linda Chaikin delves into far away destinations and historical intricacies in this new novel from Waterbrook. Reminiscent of her earlier Heart of India trilogy and The Empire Builders (which I enjoyed), Yesterday's Promise sets the age-old story of lovers, separated by circumstance and nearly torn apart by secrets, among the hidden treasures of South Africa and the more stoic society of England.
The story weaves mystery and romance in such a way that the reader should be intrigued from the first page. For those who enjoy culturally relevant vivid descriptions of life in another time, Yesterday's Promise is for you.
But there is a problem...it is hard to follow. Instead of grabbing the reader, the opening pages leave the reader wondering: What's going on? Who are these people? And why should I care?
The appeal will be in the story and the exploration of good vs. evil without the worldliness of many modern writers.
Some of the dialogue is stilted and will not appeal to younger readers. The subject, although having much potential, never quite reaches the heights the reader hopes to find. Unlike the subject matter of The Empire Builders, Yesterday's Promise couldn't hold my interest long enough for me to wade through all 364 pages.
A Novel...
by Linda Lee Chaikin– Rogan Chantry faces danger from tribesmen, ruthless politicians, and his own family as he searches for gold in South Africa. In England, his beloved Evy is injured by a mysterious assailant. The greed and intrigue surrounding the diamond mines could very well drive them irrevocably apart.
This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
