Customer Reviews

Promised Sunrise

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Robin Lee Hatcher has written some wonderful civil war era books.This story, Promised Sunrise, is in that era although it isn't quite as good as some others. Disillusioned by the war between the states and seeing his beloved twin willows plantation go to unscrupulous carpetbaggers, tucker branigan, an ex-confederate soldier takes his family west. Upon losing everything his father Farrell hung himself leaving his wife and children berift and emotionally devastated. The journey west for a new life is filled with the usual pioneering stories of tough times and stout hearts. Enroute they take in 2 orphaned gals, Maggie and her younger sister Rachel. They are running from a mean, abusive uncle and Tucker and his mother Maureen help them learn to trust people again. The story of a wagon train of strangers filled with various emotions and experiences facing peril and becoming caring friends is always a warm journey. This book would have been better if tucker and maggie had shared more of their backgrounds and feelings with each other. The mother Maureen keeps a journal which is complete with her feelings and adds a poignancy to this otherwise standard fare.

I really enjoy books with the wagon train journeys throughout. I found nearly every character interesting and the daily life of the pioneers seemed real in what aspects the author shared. I would have liked to have had the ending a little more thorough--it just suddenly seemed to end perfect, but that's about my only complaint. Actually, I would have liked to have had a more descriptive love scene, but the rest of the story was so good, it wasn't a typical romance novel that I usually buy. I highly recommend it if it sounds interesting to you, because it was better than anticipated!

I had recently discovered she wrote a 2nd book in the Women's West series titled "Promise Me Spring" and a 3rd "Devlin's Promise" which I am going to start next. Connie Mason wrote a continuation of this story (Beyond the Horizon) about the sister who was left behind to care for an elderly aunt, whom died within a month, so the sister was hoping to catch up with them. Connie's book wasn't that good in my opinion and had a negative undertone through most of ut, but am delighted I can continue the story with the other 2 by Robin Lee Hatcher.